Combined sanger and ngs sequence analysis of the myostatin gene (mstn) in the Camelus dromedarius species

Different mutations have been identified in the myostatin gene (MSTN), some of which are responsible for protein inactivation and double muscling phenotype in mammals. So far, no extensive polymorphism survey has been carried out in Camelus dromedarius. We therefore performed a sequence analysis, adopting a combined strategy involving Sanger and next generation sequencing (NGS). Notably, 3.6 kb of the MSTN locus were Sanger sequenced in a population dataset including samples from Algeria (10), Tunisia (5), Egypt (9), Mauritania (5), Sudan (5) and Saudi Arabia (9). A further wholegenome dataset, including 7 C. dromedarius from Pakistan (1), Kenya (1), Saudi Arabia (3), Canary Islands (1) and Oman (1) were sequenced using the Illumina Hi-Seq 2000 technique at an average 15-fold coverage. Whole-genome NGS sequence data from 9 C. bactrianus and 7 C. ferus samples were also available for comparison. Overall, only four polymorphisms were detected, all of them were observed in intronic regions, corresponding to an average presence of one SNP per 1200 bps. Ten fixed sites were observed when comparing C. dromedarius MSTN sequences with those from C. bactrianus and C. ferus. The apparent low sequence diversity observed at the MSTN locus may reflect the peculiar evolutionary history of this species, with purifying selection and drift phenomena as the most likely acting forces.(Résumé d'auteur

Spring 2017 : Wafaa Bilal : 168:01

'' In 168:01, Bilal takes the Bayt al-Hikma, or House of Wisdom, as a starting point for a sculptural installation of a library, filled with empty white books. The Bayt al-Hikma was a major academic center during the Islamic Golden Age, and housed the largest library in the world, until it was destroyed in a Mongol siege. According to some accounts, the library was thrown into the Tigris River to create a bridge of books for the Mongol army to cross. The pages bled ink into the river for seven days – or 168 hours, after which the books were drained of knowledge. Today, the Bayt al-Hikma represents one of the most well-known examples of historic cultural loss as a casualty of wartime. Throughout the duration of Bilal’s exhibition, the white books will slowly be replaced with visitor donations from a wishlist compiled by The College of Fine Arts at the University of Baghdad, whose library was looted and destroyed in 2003. At the end of the exhibition, all the donated books will be sent to the University of Baghdad to help rebuild their library. This exchange symbolizes the power of individuals to rectify violence inflicted on cultural spaces that are meant to preserve and store knowledge for future generations. Visitors are encouraged to visit this wishlist at tinyurl.com/WafaaBilal168-01. Books from the wishlist may also be dropped off in person by visitors during Central Gallery opening hours. '' -- Publisher's websit

Development and Evaluation of a Trapping System for Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the United States

Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), commonly known as the Asian longhorned beetle, is an invasive wood-boring pest that infests a number of hardwood species and causes considerable economic losses in North America, several countries in Europe, and in its native range in Asia. The success of eradication efforts may depend on early detection of introduced populations; however, detection has been limited to identification of tree damage (oviposition pits and exit holes), and the serendipitous collection of adults, often by members of the public. Here we describe the development, deployment, and evaluation of semiochemical-baited traps in the greater Worcester area in Massachusetts. Over 4 yr of trap evaluation (2009-2012), 1013 intercept panel traps were deployed, 876 of which were baited with three different families of lures. The families included lures exhibiting different rates of release of the male-produced A. glabripennis pheromone, lures with various combinations of plant volatiles, and lures with both the pheromone and plant volatiles combined. Overall, 45 individual beetles were captured in 40 different traps. Beetles were found only in traps with lures. In several cases, trap catches led to the more rapid discovery and management of previously unknown areas of infestation in the Worcester county regulated area. Analysis of the spatial distribution of traps and the known infested trees within the regulated area provides an estimate of the relationship between trap catch and beetle pressure exerted on the traps. Studies continue to optimize lure composition and trap placemen

Trafficking in Women, Forced Labour and Domestic Work: in the context of the Middle East and Gulf Region

This document is part of a digital collection provided by the Martin P. Catherwood Library, ILR School, Cornell University, pertaining to the effects of globalization on the workplace worldwide. Special emphasis is placed on labor rights, working conditions, labor market changes, and union organizing.ASI_2006_DWS_Egypt_Trafficking_in_Women.pdf: 43 downloads, before Oct. 1, 2020

Art and Medicine: A Collaborative Project Between Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar and Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar

Four faculty researchers, two from Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, and two from Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar developed a one semester workshop-based course in Qatar exploring the connections between art and medicine in a contemporary context. Students (6 art / 6 medicine) were enrolled in the course. The course included presentations by clinicians, medical engineers, artists, computing engineers, an art historian, a graphic designer, a painter, and other experts from the fields of art, design, and medicine. To measure the student experience of interdisciplinarity, the faculty researchers employed a mixed methods approach involving psychometric tests and observational ethnography. Data instruments included pre- and post-course semi-structured audio interviews, pre-test / post-test psychometric instruments (Budner Scale and Torrance Tests of Creativity), observational field notes, self-reflective blogging, and videography. This book describes the course and the experience of the students. It also contains images of the interdisciplinary work they created for a culminating class exhibition. Finally, the book provides insight on how different fields in a Middle Eastern context can share critical /analytical thinking tools to refine their own professional practices

Artistic Labour: Seeking a Utopian Dimension

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from OpenEdition via http://dx.doi.org/10.4000/cadernosaa.1053This article investigates the notion of artistic labour by elucidating how artists can create ethical social relations to perform “a new, possible world” by reinserting labour and advocacy into their practice. An examination of contemporary works by Ahmet Öğüt and Cevdet Erek who attempt to create micro-utopias by situating artistic labour at their core or by emphasising the power of networks and the “commons” to foster social integration are juxtaposed with the discussion of a possible genealogy of such utopian artistic attempts from the late 1960s and 1970s. The historical trajectory delineates the common denominators of artistic practices that proceed from utopian ideals such as anti-isolation, anti social division, anti self-reflexivity, process instead of object-based work, and investment in human value rather than materialistic value