Primer Note: A novel set of EST-SSR markers in Tamarix: a resource to characterize this genus

AbstractBoth the negative and positive ecological impact of Tamarix plants is controversial, and thus a more comprehensive understanding is necessary. Tamarisks are invasive in many countries but the inter-specific transferability that characterizes simple sequence repeats (SSRs) could be harnessed to track the spread of specific genotypes or to study invasive populations. Thirteen polymorphic SSR markers, derived from expressed sequence tag (EST), were identified by first screening 26 samples of T. aphylla, T. jordanis, T. nilotica, and T. tetragyna and then 33 unidentified tamarisks from Yotvata, Israel. The mean number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 14 and the mean expected heterozygosity was 0.415. These EST-SSR markers will undoubtedly be useful in the genetic characterization of the genus Tamarix due to their high cross-species transferability which enables the estimation of the genetic diversity among and within different species, that are adapted to the same desert habitat under severe environmental constraints

GRID-система на основе европейских стандартов EGI для крупномасштабных расчетов по оригинальному ускоренному методу квантовой химии

Based on the analysis of modern tools for creating GRID-type information systems that are part of the European EGI “standard” – UMD repository (including new versions of Globus Toolkit, ARC, dCache, etc.), the applying of GRID systems for computational chemistry is briefly discussed. The GRID system created by the authors combines two clusters with Linux CentOS 7 and is based on software from UMD-4. The relevance and effectiveness of batch processing systems (we use Torque 4.2.10) in quantum chemical calculations is increased for mass calculations of docking complexes (including for drug modeling problems), for which an improved semiempirical method with more efficient approximations was proposed, implemented in the Fortran-95 LSSDOCK software package. For such calculations, new approximation methods have been developed, including for DFT functionals, and their software implementation is carried out. Converters of calculation results by LSSDOCK into a natural for GRID XML-based format CML version 3 are developed. Using the CML format based on dCache software, a single tree of a virtual GRID filesystem distributed between heterogeneous nodes is used to store the results of LSSDOCK calculations.На основе анализа современных средств создания ИС GRID-типа, входящих в ставший европейским EGI-“стандартом” репозиторий UMD (включая новые версии Globus Toolkit, ARC, dCache и др.), кратко рассмотрено применение GRID-систем для задач вычислительной химии. Созданная авторами GRID-система объединяет два кластера с Linux CentOS 7 и базируется на программном обеспечении из UMD-4. Актуальность и эффективность применения систем пакетной обработки (у нас используется Torque 4.2.10) в квантовохимических расчетах повышается для массовых расчетов докинг-комплексов (в т.ч. для задач моделирования лекарств), для чего был предложен усовершенствованный полуэмпирический метод с более эффективными аппроксимациями, реализованный в программном комплексе LSSDOCK на Fortran-95. Для таких расчетов разработаны новые методы аппроксимаций, в т.ч. для функционалов DFT, и осуществляется их программная реализация. Разработаны конверторы результатов расчетов по LSSDOCK в естественный для GRID, основанный на XML, формат CML версии 3. С использованием CMLформата на базе программных средств dCache реализовано единое дерево виртуальной файловой GRID-системы, распределённой между гетерогенными узлами, которое используется для хранения результатов расчетов по LSSDOCK

МНОГОФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНЫЙ ИЗМЕРИТЕЛЬНЫЙ ПРЕОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬ ПАРАМЕТРОВ ЖИДКИХ ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ СРЕД

The multifunctional sensor of solution type and concentration in a technological pipeline is developed on a basis of the methodology of measurements of parameters of objects with indefinite states. Theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that both concentration measurement and solution type definition modes can be realized in a single one-element sensor. Adaptive control of excitation regimes of sensor’s electrodes is needed to ensure single-signal measurements. Algorithms of measurements and construction of a measuring device for multiparameter measurements of liquid media properties utilizing adaptive technique of measurements of parameters of objects with indefinite states are developed.Для разработки многофункционального измерительного преобразователя концентрации и типа раствора в технологическом трубопроводе использована методология измерений параметров объектов в неопределенных состояниях. Показано, что режимы измерений концентрации и типа раствора могут быть реализованы в одном одноэлементном кондуктометрическом преобразователе  при условии адаптивного  управления режимами возбуждения электродной системы. Разработаны алгоритмы многопараметрических измерений и конструкция многофункционального измерительного преобразователя параметров жидких технологических сред, реализующего адаптационную методику измерений параметров объектов в неопределенных состояниях

МНОГОФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНЫЙ ИЗМЕРИТЕЛЬНЫЙ ПРЕОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬ ПАРАМЕТРОВ ЖИДКИХ ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ СРЕД

The multifunctional sensor of solution type and concentration in a technological pipeline is developed on a basis of the methodology of measurements of parameters of objects with indefinite states. Theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that both concentration measurement and solution type definition modes can be realized in a single one-element sensor. Adaptive control of excitation regimes of sensor’s electrodes is needed to ensure single-signal measurements. Algorithms of measurements and construction of a measuring device for multiparameter measurements of liquid media properties utilizing adaptive technique of measurements of parameters of objects with indefinite states are developed.Для разработки многофункционального измерительного преобразователя концентрации и типа раствора в технологическом трубопроводе использована методология измерений параметров объектов в неопределенных состояниях. Показано, что режимы измерений концентрации и типа раствора могут быть реализованы в одном одноэлементном кондуктометрическом преобразователе  при условии адаптивного  управления режимами возбуждения электродной системы. Разработаны алгоритмы многопараметрических измерений и конструкция многофункционального измерительного преобразователя параметров жидких технологических сред, реализующего адаптационную методику измерений параметров объектов в неопределенных состояниях

SPERM ABNORMALITIES AS POSSIBLE INDICATORS OF RABBIT CHRONIC HEAT STRESS

[EN] Rabbit sperm abnormalities have been studied in conditions of chronic heat stress. Very significant increases (P<0.001) have been observad. The max1mum was in the 1ourth week of stress when total abnormalities were 40.5 ± 13.2 % (+122.5 % in comparison with the pi:e-stress period) ; tail abnormalitles were 26.5 ± 10.5 % (+94.9 %) ; broken spermatozoa 11.1±7.1 % (+552.9 %) ; benttails ~.3±1.7 % (+76.9 %) ; coiled tails 24.1 ± 10.3 % (+164.8 %). Head abnormalities and cytoplasmic droplets showed a decrease in the first weeks followed by a late increase. Combinad ratas have been studied to be usad as chronic heat stress indexes. Ratio between percentages of broken spermatozoa and tail abnormalities showed a quick and constant increase, while ratio between percentages of cytoplasmic droplets and coiled tails decreasea to zero lrom the second to the fourth week to increase regularly after this period. Simultaneous observation of the two ratio trends should permit to judge about the time lag rabbits have been exposed to heat stress[FR] On a étuaié les anoma/ies des spermatozoides de lapins soumis au stress de cha/eur chronique. De tres significativas augmentations (P<0.001) de ces anomalies ont été observées. Le maximum se situe a la 4eme semaine de stress quand le total des anoma/ies a atteint la valeur de 40.5 ± 13.2 % (+122.5 % comparé a la période de préstress); les queues anormales représentent 26.5 ± 10.5 % (+94.~ %) ; fes spermatozoides cassés 11. 1 ± 7. 1 % (+55~.9 %). ; les queues incurvées 2.3 ± 1.7 % (+76.9 %) ; les queues 'fr'isées 24.1 ± 10.3 % (+164.8 %). Le nombre de tetes anormales et de gouttes cytoplasmiques a diminué dans les premieres semaines, puis augmenté les semaines suivantes. On a étudié les rapports eventuellement utilisables comme index du stress tnermique chronique. Le rapport entre les pourcentages de spermatozoides cassés et les pourcentages de queues anorm8.les a montré des valeurs rapidemenf et régulierement croissantes, tandis que le r~port entre les pourcentages de gouttes cytoplasmiques et les pourcentages des queues frisées a montré une diminution jusqu'a zéro de la 2eme a la 4eme semaine, suivi par un accroissement régulier. L'observation contemporaine des deux tendances permettrait d'évaluer pendant cambien de temps les lapins ont été exposés au stress de chaleur.Research supported by the National Research Council of Italy, Special Project RAISA, Sub-project n. 3, Paper n. 2290Finzi, A.; Morera, P.; Kuzminsky, G. (1995). SPERM ABNORMALITIES AS POSSIBLE INDICATORS OF RABBIT CHRONIC HEAT STRESS. World Rabbit Science. 3(4). doi:10.4995/wrs.1995.256.SWORD3

Influence of open-air rearing on fatty acid composition and sensory properties of rabbit meat

[EN] A study was conducted to evaluate the fatty acid (FA) composition and sensory properties of meat from rabbits housed in the open-air in movable colony cages on pasture during the fattening period. A total of 60 rabbits were reared using conventional husbandry practises and subsequently divided into two groups at a live weight of about 2.0 kg and at 62 days old. The indoor group was kept in conventional bi-cellular cages (2 animals per cage, 0.07 m2 per rabbit), while the open-air group was reared in movable colony cages (6 animals per cage, 0.17 m2 per rabbit) on a polyphyta natural pasture. The grass was cut on the pasture prior to moving the cages so that the rabbits would not be able to eat the grass. Both groups were fed ad libitum a commercial diet for fattening rabbits. The rabbits were slaughtered when 13 weeks old. Fourteen carcasses from each experimental group were randomly collected and hind leg and loin meat were used to determine the intramuscular lipid content, FA composition and sensory attributes. Rabbits housed open-air in movable cages exhibited lower carcass weight (1110 vs 1243 g; P<0.01) and lipid content of the hind leg meat (3.61 vs 5.18%; P<0.01) as well as a higher content of PUFA (36.9 vs 32.5%; P<0.05) and arachidonic acid (5.9 vs 1.9%; P<0.05). However, no differences were found in the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. The quantitative descriptive analyses of the meat (Longissimus lumborum muscle) sensory properties did not show any differences between the experimental groups.Research supported by Italian National Research Council.Cavani, C.; Bianchi, M.; Petracci, M.; Toschi, T.; Parpinello, G.; Kuzminsky, G.; Morera, P.... (2004). Influence of open-air rearing on fatty acid composition and sensory properties of rabbit meat. World Rabbit Science. 12(4):247-258. doi:10.4995/wrs.2004.568SWORD24725812

Normal and altered masticatory load impact on the range of craniofacial shape variation: An analysis of pre-Hispanic and modern populations of the American Southern Cone

The reduction of masticatory load intensity resulting from dietary changes in human evolution has been proposed as an important factor that alters craniofacial shape in past and current populations. However, its impact on craniofacial variation and on the perceived differences among populations is unclear. The maxillomandibular relationship, which alters masticatory force direction, is a factor often neglected but it can contribute to variation in craniofacial morphology, particularly among modern/urban populations where the prevalence of dental malocclusions is greater than in prehistoric populations. This study investigates the influence of masticatory load intensity and maxillomandibular relationship as a proxy for force direction on the human craniofacial skeleton. By using 3D imaging and geometric morphometrics, we analyzed craniofacial shape variation among 186 individuals from pre-Hispanic and modern Chilean and Argentinean populations that differ in diet consistency (a proxy for masticatory load intensity) and maxillomandibular relationship. We predicted that masticatory load would have a subtle effect on the upper craniofacial bones and that this would be more marked in the maxilla. Our results showed no clear influence of masticatory load on craniofacial shape, particularly in modern/urban populations. Allometry, on the contrary, shows a stronger effect. The degree of integration between the upper craniofacial bones and the load-bearing maxilla depends on masticatory load intensity, decreasing from high to low but showing a conservative pattern of covariation among the groups. The degree of variation in the shape of the maxilla is greater than the upper craniofacial bones. These results suggest that masticatory load has a limited effect in determining differences in craniofacial morphology among populations. This effect is slightly greater for the maxillary region of the face. We propose that the reduction of functional constraints is key to greater shape variation found in modern/urban populations