Scoping e-infrastructure usage : interim report

eIUS is an applied research project funded under the JISC e-Infrastructure programme with a remit to create a detailed picture of e-Infrastructure usage across UK academic research and, through actively publicising successful and inspiring use, facilitate an overall increase in take-up. This report positions and scopes the eIUS project in relation to existing initiatives and outlines a fieldwork methodology now intended to be rolled out across the UK

Work-type influences perceived livestock herding success in Australian Working Kelpies

Background Working dog handlers and breeders have very different behavioural requirements in the animals that they employ for managing livestock. The Australian Working Kelpie breed may be used in several working contexts, notably yards, paddocks and a combination of both. The working context influences the skillsets required and gives rise to three corresponding work-types: Yard, Paddock and Utility Kelpies. In particular, dogs used for working stock in the confines of yards and trucks interact with stock more forcefully than those mustering in larger areas (paddocks) where they can herd stock effectively from a greater distance. This article explores owner assessments of dog working quality and assessment of genomic similarity by multidimensional scaling, to ask whether it is sufficient for breeders to aim for a multipurpose breeding objective, or whether breeding only specialist lines maximises user satisfaction for yard and paddock work. Results Reported owner perceptions of 298 dogs assessed with the Livestock Herding Dog assessment tool showed that dog handlers across all working types were very happy with their dogs’ level of general skills. Compared with both Yard and Utility Kelpies, Paddock Kelpies had significantly lower trait scores for force(pressure applied by the dog to move livestock), willingness to back the stock (run along a sheep’s dorsum) and bite (frequency of using the mouth to grab or bite the livestock). Meanwhile, compared with both Paddock and Utility Kelpies, the Yard Kelpies had significantly higher scores for hyperactivity and excitability (both with and without stock) and impulsiveness without stock. As one would predict for all-rounders, Utility Kelpies had intermediate scores for all behaviours and working traits. Conclusions Specialist characteristics were displayed by dogs in the Yard Kelpie and Paddock Kelpie groups. In particular, Yard Kelpies demonstrate higher excitability, willingness to back the stock, and a higher tendency to bark and bite the stock. Conversely, Paddock Kelpies rarely display these characteristics. Utility Kelpies, as the name suggests, are intermediate between the other two groups and display the characteristics of both. Genetic analysis suggests that the Yard, Utility and Paddock Kelpies are not distinguishable at a DNA level. In conclusion, at this time there is no suggestion of a breed split in the Australian Working Kelpie generated by selection for work type. A common breeding objective should enable dogs to be produced that fulfil all potential working requirements. This reinforces the importance of breeder skill in recognising the phenotypic potential of pups in order to place them in appropriate working contexts

A Coding Variant in the Gene Bardet-Biedl Syndrome 4 (BBS4) Is Associated with a Novel Form of Canine Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Progressive retinal atrophy is a common cause of blindness in the dog and affects >100 breeds. It is characterized by gradual vision loss that occurs due to the degeneration of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Similar to the human counterpart retinitis pigmentosa, the canine disorder is clinically and genetically heterogeneous and the underlying cause remains unknown for many cases. We use a positional candidate gene approach to identify putative variants in the Hungarian Puli breed using genotyping data of 14 family-based samples (CanineHD BeadChip array, Illumina) and whole-genome sequencing data of two proband and two parental samples (Illumina HiSeq 2000). A single nonsense SNP in exon 2 of BBS4 (c.58A > T, p.Lys20*) was identified following filtering of high quality variants. This allele is highly associated (P-CHISQ = 3.425e(-14), n = 103) and segregates perfectly with progressive retinal atrophy in the Hungarian Puli. In humans, BBS4 is known to cause Bardet-Biedl syndrome which includes a retinitis pigmentosa phenotype. From the observed coding change we expect that no functional BBS4 can be produced in the affected dogs. We identified canine phenotypes comparable with Bbs4-null mice including obesity and spermatozoa flagella defects. Knockout mice fail to form spermatozoa flagella. In the affected Hungarian Puli spermatozoa flagella are present, however a large proportion of sperm are morphologically abnormal andPeer reviewe

[Beta]-tubulin Genes and Benzimidazole Resistance in 'Trichostrongylus colubriformis'

This thesis describes the characterisation of the β-tubulin gene family in 'Trichostrongylus colubriformis' and the role of a particular β-tubulin locus (tcb-1) in BZ resistance and the subsequent development of a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) based assay that can be used to genotype individual 'T. colubriformis' for a marker associated with a BZ resistance allele. This is the first genotypic assay for the detection of a drug resistance allele in this species of nematode and one of only two (the other detects BZ resistance in Haemonchus contortus) genotypic assays for the detection of a drug resistance gene in parasitic nematodes of sheep. The assay detects a polymorphism in a 13-tubulin allele shown to be involved in BZ resistance in an RFLP analysis. Sequence analysis of this allele revealed striking sequence homology to a β-tubulin allele shown to be involved in BZ resistance in the closely related nematode 'H. contortus' suggesting that these genes have functional homology. Comparison of these sequences with other nematode 13-tubulins suggested that the gene responsible for BZ resistance in these parasitic nematodes was closely related to the ben-1 gene in the free-living nematode 'Caenorhabditis elegans', the product of which has been shown to be responsible for BZ susceptibility in that nematode. When the PCR assay was applied to a BZ naive strain (McMaster susceptible) the resistance allele could be readily detected and the allele frequency of the resistance allele was shown to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. This suggests that the resistance allele was present in the unselected population as a natural polymorphism and that no deleterious effects were associated with the resistance allele. The assay was also applied successfully to a number of independently selected BZ resistant populations implying that the same allele was selected in each population. Clones for an additional three 'T. colubriformis' β-tubulin genes were obtained. Sequence analysis of the variable 3' ends of these genes showed that the sequence of the loci vary within 'T. colubriformis' but are highly conserved between closely related nematodes species. This degree of homology between species has only been reported for vertebrates and this is the first example of conservation of isotypic classes for β-tubulins in invertebrates

Take a walk on the wild side: Exploring, identifying, and developing consultancy expertise with elite performance team leaders

Objectives: Stemming from sport psychology’s recent shift to examine the effective management of elite sports team organizations, the extensive, significant, and complex challenges faced by those with responsibility for team performance have been emphasized. Recognizing that most work in this budding area has been theoretical in nature, our contribution to this special issue consequently identifies and critically evaluates some implications for excellence in practitioners who support leaders of elite sport performance teams. Method: Narrative review and commentary. Results and Conclusions: To survive and succeed, leaders of elite teams must: (a) negotiate complex and contested socio-political dynamics both within and outside their performance department; (b) make impactful and consistent real-time decisions; and (c) continually reinforce and protect their programme. To provide an optimally impactful and valued service, sport psychologists must therefore be able to advise on a broad and politically-astute leadership style and, most critically for consultancy excellence: (a) work within a professional judgment and decision making model; (b) facilitate the leader’s adaptive expertise and nested decision making; and (c) operate a proactive, forthright, and straight approach to ethical considerations. Based on these implications, we conclude by providing suggestions for the training and development of applied consultants

e-Research Infrastructure Development and Community Engagement

No abstract available