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Growth traits constitute critical factors in the breeding program of broiler chickens. The Chengkou mountain chicken A-lineage (CMC-A) represents a breed specifically bred for meat production. To further explore the growth performance of the CMC-A population, this study conducted whole-genome sequencing on 464 CMC-A roosters to systematically evaluate their genetic diversity. Additionally, runs of homozygosity (ROH) islands and genome-wide association studies (GWASs) were employed to identify the loci and functional genes influencing the growth traits in Chengkou mountain chickens. The results revealed a high level of genetic diversity and low levels of inbreeding in Chengkou mountain chickens. Several genes associated with stress resistance, muscle growth, and fat deposition were pinpointed through ROH island identification. Moreover, 52 SNP loci were detected, along with 71 candidate genes. These findings enhance our understanding of the genetic architecture underlying the growth traits in Chengkou mountain chickens and provide a theoretical foundation for subsequent breeding endeavors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The pH is an important indicator in evaluating the quality of goose meat. SNP genotyping combined with genome-wide association studies (GWAS) is a common method for gene mining related to meat quality traits and has been widely applied in animal breeding research. However, gene mining studies focusing on goose meat quality traits have not yet been conducted. To explore the genetic characteristics of pH traits in goose meat, it is essential to study the SNPs and key candidate genes associated with the pH traits of Sichuan White Goose. In this study, we analyzed 203 male Sichuan White Geese. The results showed that 30 SNPs were associated with the pH traits of Sichuan White Goose meat, and 14 key candidate genes were identified. Our research provides a new perspective for improving goose meat quality and advancing molecular breeding practices. The genetic regulation of goose meat quality traits remains relatively unexplored, and the underlying mechanisms are yet to be elucidated. This study aims to employ single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping in conjunction with genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to investigate critical candidate regions and genes associated with the pH trait of meat in Sichuan white geese. A cohort of 203 healthy male Sichuan white geese was randomly selected and slaughtered at 70 days of age. Measurements were taken of meat pH, growth parameters, body dimensions, and post-slaughter traits. High-throughput sequencing on the Illumina HiSeq X Ten platform facilitated gene resequencing and SNP evaluation, and GWAS was employed to detect key genes within quantitative trait loci (QTL) intervals. The sequencing of 203 individuals yielded a total of 2601.19 Gb of genomic data, with an average sequencing depth of 10.89×. Through GWAS analysis, a total of 30 SNPs associated with pH were identified. These SNPs were identified on multiple chromosomes, including on chromosome 17 (chr: 23.57–23.68 Mb) and chromosome 13 (chr13: 31.52–31.61 Mb). By annotating these associated SNPs, nine candidate genes (including C19L2, AMFR, POL, RERGL, ZN484, GMDS, WAC) associated with the pH of goose meat were identified. The matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) genotyping of 10 SNPs centered on these nine candidate genes was confirmed. GO enrichment analysis revealed that genes within 1 Mb of the associated SNPs are significantly enriched in pathways involved in lymphocyte activation, in response to hydrogen peroxide, Salmonella infection, and other metabolic processes. This study explores the gene regulatory pathways influencing pH traits in goose meat and provides molecular markers for enhancing meat quality. These findings are expected to facilitate the advancement of molecular breeding programs in geese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The storage of supercritical CO2 in deep saline aquifers is essential for reducing carbon emissions, and the selection of an appropriate reservoir is a primary consideration for carbon sequestration. To investigate the impact of reservoir physical properties on the CO2 storage capacity of saline aquifers, this study establishes a numerical simulation model of CO2 storage in deep saline aquifers and utilizes the MRST toolbox to solve it by the finite volume method. The research thoroughly analyzes the influence of reservoir physical properties on the CO2 migration process and CO2 storage capacity of the saline aquifer layer. The results show that prolonged CO2 injection involves a process of initially suppressing pressure and subsequently slowly diffusing it to the surroundings. Furthermore, the physical properties of the reservoir and the reservoir pressure significantly influence CO2 burial in deep saline aquifers. Higher reservoir permeability and deeper burial depth result in enhanced CO2 storage and faster CO2 plume migration. However, the porosity and temperature of the reservoir have a negligible impact on CO2 storage. Our research work provides a precise understanding of selecting suitable layers for CO2 storage in deep saline aquifers, offering strong support for early predictions of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS).

Avian Leukosis Virus (ALV) is a retrovirus that induces immunosuppression and tumor formation in poultry, posing a significant threat to the poultry industry. Currently, there are no effective vaccines or treatments for ALV. Therefore, the early diagnosis of infected flocks and farm sanitation are crucial for controlling outbreaks of this disease. To address the limitations of traditional diagnostic methods, which require sophisticated equipment and skilled personnel, a dual-tube detection method for ALV-J based on reverse transcription isothermal amplification (RAA) and the CRISPR-Cas13a system has been developed. This method offers the advantages of high sensitivity, specificity, and rapidity; it is capable of detecting virus concentrations as low as 5.4 × 100 copies/μL without cross-reactivity with other avian viruses, with a total testing time not exceeding 85 min. The system was applied to 429 clinical samples, resulting in a positivity rate of 15.2% for CRISPR-Cas13a, which was higher than the 14.7% detected by PCR and 14.2% by ELISA, indicating superior detection capability and consistency. Furthermore, the dual-tube RAA-CRISPR detection system provides visually interpretable results, making it suitable for on-site diagnosis in remote farms lacking laboratory facilities. In conclusion, the proposed ALV-J detection method, characterized by its high sensitivity, specificity, and convenience, is expected to be a vital technology for purification efforts against ALV-J. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates the influence of contact pressure on the surface contact state, fretting damage degradation mechanism, crack initiation and propagation characteristics, and fretting fatigue life of A319‐T6 cast aluminum alloy in fretting fatigue test using bridge‐type fretting pad. For a certain range of contact pressure, the fretting fatigue life exhibits a trend of increasing and subsequently decreasing with increasing contact pressure. With finite element analysis, the fretting contact region can be divided into two characteristic zones according to the dynamic evolution of the contact status within one fatigue cycle. The contact pressure affects both the distribution of the two characteristic zones as well as the relative slip range, which results in distinct fretting damage mechanisms. The nucleation characteristics and propagation paths of fatigue cracks under three typical contact pressures were analyzed considering the effects of fretting damage and heterogeneous microstructures of the alloy, accounting for the contact pressure dependency of the fretting fatigue life. Highlights: The dynamic evolution of the contact status affected by contact pressure is considered.The fretting damage evolution with the variation of contact pressure is evaluated.The nucleation characteristics and propagation paths of fatigue cracks are elaborated.The contact pressure dependency of the fretting fatigue life is summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]