Synthesis of direct and maternal genetic compounds of economically important traits from beef breed-cross evaluations

Published information on relative performance of beef breed crosses was used to derive combined estimates of purebred breed values for predominant temperate beef breeds. The sources of information were largely from the United States, Canada, and New Zealand, although some European estimates were also included. Emphasis was on maternal traits of potential economic importance to the suckler beef production system, but some postweaning traits were also considered. The estimates were taken from comparison studies undertaken in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, each with representative samples of beef breeds used in temperate agriculture. Weighting factors for breed-cross estimates were derived using the number of sires and offspring that contributed to that estimate. These weights were then used in a weighted multiple regression analysis to obtain single purebred breed effects. Both direct additive and maternal additive genetic effects were estimated for preweaning traits. Important genetic differences between the breeds were shown for many of the traits. Significant regression coefficients were estimated for the effect of mature weight on calving ease, both maternal and direct additive genetic, survival to weaning direct, and birth weight direct. The breeds with greater mature weight were found to have greater maternal genetic effects for calving ease but negative direct genetic effects on calving ease. A negative effect of mature weight on the direct genetic effect of survival to weaning was observed. A cluster analysis was done using 17 breeds for which information existed on nine maternal traits. Regression was used to predict breed-cross-specific heterosis using genetic distance. Only five traits, birth weight, survival to weaning, cow fertility, and preweaning and postweaning growth rate had enough breed-cross-specific heterosis estimates to develop a prediction model. The breed biological values estimated provide a basis to predict the biological value of crossbred suckler cows and their offspring

SPIDERS: Selection of spectroscopic targets using AGN candidates detected in all-sky X-ray surveys

SPIDERS (SPectroscopic IDentification of eROSITA Sources) is an SDSS-IV survey running in parallel to the eBOSS cosmology project. SPIDERS will obtain optical spectroscopy for large numbers of X-ray-selected AGN and galaxy cluster members detected in wide area eROSITA, XMM-Newton and ROSAT surveys. We describe the methods used to choose spectroscopic targets for two sub-programmes of SPIDERS: X-ray selected AGN candidates detected in the ROSAT All Sky and the XMM-Newton Slew surveys. We have exploited a Bayesian cross-matching algorithm, guided by priors based on mid-IR colour-magnitude information from the WISE survey, to select the most probable optical counterpart to each X-ray detection. We empirically demonstrate the high fidelity of our counterpart selection method using a reference sample of bright well-localised X-ray sources collated from XMM-Newton, Chandra and Swift-XRT serendipitous catalogues, and also by examining blank-sky locations. We describe the down-selection steps which resulted in the final set of SPIDERS-AGN targets put forward for spectroscopy within the eBOSS/TDSS/SPIDERS survey, and present catalogues of these targets. We also present catalogues of ~12000 ROSAT and ~1500 XMM-Newton Slew survey sources which have existing optical spectroscopy from SDSS-DR12, including the results of our visual inspections. On completion of the SPIDERS program, we expect to have collected homogeneous spectroscopic redshift information over a footprint of ~7500 deg$^2$ for >85 percent of the ROSAT and XMM-Newton Slew survey sources having optical counterparts in the magnitude range 17<r<22.5, producing a large and highly complete sample of bright X-ray-selected AGN suitable for statistical studies of AGN evolution and clustering.Comment: MNRAS, accepte

Synthesis of silica xerogels with high surface area using acetic acid as catalyst

The influence of acetic acid on the pore structure and surface area of silica prepared by the sol-gel method was investigated. Experimental conditions of synthesis, such as gelation temperature and solvents, were also studied. N2 adsorption isotherms of the samples were type 1, typical of microporous materials, explaining the high surface area values (BET) observed. The simultaneous addition of acetic and hydrochloric acids as catalysts and of acetone as solvent, together with the use of a gelation temperature of 20 ºC, made it possible to prepare amorphous silica materials with surface area values up to 850 m² g-1. The high surface area value of these samples could be explained by the microporosity and the nanometric size of the particles.Nesse trabalho foi estudada a influência do ácido acético na estrutura de poros e na área superficial de sílicas preparadas pelo método sol-gel. Condições experimentais de síntese, tais como temperatura de policondensação e solventes, também foram estudadas. Isotermas de adsorção de N2 das amostras foram classificadas como do tipo 1, típicas de materiais microporosos, o que explica os altos valores de área superficial obtidos. A adição simultânea dos ácidos acético e clorídrico como catalisadores e de acetona como solvente, bem como o emprego de uma temperatura de policondensação de 20 ºC, possibilitaram a preparação de sílicas amorfas com valores de área superficial de até 850 m² g-1. O alto valor de área superficial dessas amostras pode ser explicado principalmente pela microporosidade e também pelo tamanho nanométrico das partículas.886890Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

The τ-plot, a multicomponent 1-D pole figure plot, to quantify the heterogeneity of plastic deformation

An approach is presented that allows multi-scale characterisations of heterogeneous deformation in crystalline materials by employing a range of characterisation techniques including: electron backscatter diffraction, digital image correlation and neutron diffraction powder measurements. The approach will be used to obtain critical information about the variations in parameters that characterise the deformed state in different crystallographic orientation texture components of a sample in a statistically significant way. These parameters include lattice strains, texture evolution, peak broadening, dislocation density, planar faults, phase changes and surface strain. This approach allows verification of models of plastic deformation to provide a more detailed view of plastic deformation heterogeneity at multiple length scales than obtained by other characterisation approaches. The approach demonstrated here is applied to two stainless steel alloys; an alloy that exhibits phase transformation during deformation and an alloy that remains the same phase all through deformation process

Using Copper-Doped Mesoporous Bioactive Glass Nanospheres to Impart Anti-Bacterial Properties to Dental Composites

Experimental dental resin composites containing copper-doped mesoporous bioactive glass nanospheres (Cu-MBGN) were developed to impart anti-bacterial properties. Increasing amounts of Cu-MBGN (0, 1, 5 and 10 wt%) were added to the BisGMA/TEGDMA resin matrix containing micro- and nano-fillers of inert glass, keeping the resin/filler ratio constant. Surface micromorphology and elemental analysis were performed to evaluate the homogeneous distribution of filler particles. The study investigated the effects of Cu-MBGN on the degree of conversion, polymerization shrinkage, porosity, ion release and anti-bacterial activity on S. mutans and A. naeslundii. Experimental materials containing Cu-MBGN showed a dose-dependent Cu release with an initial burst and a further increase after 28 days. The composite containing 10% Cu-MBGN had the best anti-bacterial effect on S. mutans, as evidenced by the lowest adherence of free-floating bacteria and biofilm formation. In contrast, the 45S5-containing materials had the highest S. mutans adherence. Ca release was highest in the bioactive control containing 15% 45S5, which correlated with the highest number of open porosities on the surface. Polymerization shrinkage was similar for all tested materials, ranging from 3.8 to 4.2%, while the degree of conversion was lower for Cu-MBGN materials. Cu-MBGN composites showed better anti-bacterial properties than composites with 45S5 BG

Improving the identification of bone‐specific physical activity using wrist‐worn accelerometry: A cross‐sectional study in 11–12‐year‐old Australian children

This is the final version. Available from Wiley via the DOI in this record. DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT: The LSAC and CheckPoint data are available under license at https:// growingupinaustralia.gov.au/data‐and‐documentation/accessing‐lsac ‐data. To access raw accelerometry data, please contact the MCRI's LifeCourse initiative https://lifecourse.melbournechildrens.comPhysical activity (PA) during childhood and adolescence is important for the accrual of maximal peak bone mass. The precise dose that benefits bone remains unclear as methods commonly used to analyze PA data are unsuitable for measuring bone‐ relevant PA. Using improved accelerometry methods, this study identified the amount and intensity of PA most strongly associated with bone outcomes in 11–12‐ year‐olds. Participants (n = 770; 382 boys) underwent tibial peripheral quantitative computed tomography to assess trabecular and cortical density, endosteal and periosteal circumference and polar stress‐strain index. Seven‐day wrist‐worn raw acceleration data averaged over 1‐s epochs was used to estimate time accumulated above incremental PA intensities (50 milli‐gravitational unit (mg) increments from 200 to 3000 mg). Associations between time spent above each 50 mg increment and bone outcomes were assessed using multiple linear regression, adjusted for age, sex, height, weight, maturity, socioeconomic position, muscle cross‐sectional area and PA below the intensity of interest. There was a gradual increase in mean R2 change across all bone‐related outcomes as the intensity increased in 50 mg increments from >200 to >700 mg. All outcomes became significant at >700 mg (R2 change = 0.6%–1.3% and p = 0.001–0.02). Any further increases in intensity led to a reduction in mean R2 change and associations became non‐significant for all outcomes >1500 mg. Using more appropriate accelerometry methods (1‐s epochs; no a priori application of traditional cut‐points) enabled us to identify that ~10 min/day of PA >700 mg (equivalent to running ~10 km/h) was positively associated with pQCT‐derived measures of bone density, geometry and strength in 11–12‐year‐ olds.Australian National Health and Medical Research CouncilAustralian National Health and Medical Research CouncilRoyal Children's Hospital FoundationNIHR Leicester Biomedical Research CentreVictorian Deaf Education InstituteEconomic and Social Research CouncilUniversity of MelbourneNational Heart Foundation of AustraliaCollaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care East MidlandsFinancial Markets Foundation for ChildrenFinancial Markets Foundation for ChildrenNHMCR Principal Research FellowshipMurdoch Children's Research Institut

Experimental and numerical study of the effects of the reversal hot rolling conditions on the recrystallization behavior of austenite model alloys

The experimental and numerical study of the effects of the recrystallization behavior of austenite model alloys during hot plate rolling on reverse rolling is the main goal of the paper. The computer models that are currently applied for simulation of reverse rolling are not strain-path-sensitive, thus leading to overestimation of the processing parameters outside the accepted process window (e.g., deformation in the partial austenite recrystallization region). Therefore, in this work, a particular focus is put on the investigation of strain path effects that occur during hot rolling and their influence on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of microalloyed austenite. Both experimental and numerical techniques are employed in this study, taking advantage of the integrated computational material engineering concept. The combined isotropic–kinematic hardening model is used for the macroscale predictions to take into account softening effects due to strain reversal. The macroscale model is additionally enriched with the full-field microstructure evolution model within the cellular automata framework. Examples of obtained results, highlighting the role of the strain reversal on the microstructural response, are presented within the paper. The combination of the physical simulation of austenitic model alloys and computer modeling provided new insights into optimization of the processing routes of advanced high-strength steels (AHSS)

Complex c-di-GMP Signaling Networks Mediate Transition between Virulence Properties and Biofilm Formation in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium

Upon Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection of the gut, an early line of defense is the gastrointestinal epithelium which senses the pathogen and intrusion along the epithelial barrier is one of the first events towards disease. Recently, we showed that high intracellular amounts of the secondary messenger c-di-GMP in S. typhimurium inhibited invasion and abolished induction of a pro-inflammatory immune response in the colonic epithelial cell line HT-29 suggesting regulation of transition between biofilm formation and virulence by c-di-GMP in the intestine. Here we show that highly complex c-di-GMP signaling networks consisting of distinct groups of c-di-GMP synthesizing and degrading proteins modulate the virulence phenotypes invasion, IL-8 production and in vivo colonization in the streptomycin-treated mouse model implying a spatial and timely modulation of virulence properties in S. typhimurium by c-di-GMP signaling. Inhibition of the invasion and IL-8 induction phenotype by c-di-GMP (partially) requires the major biofilm activator CsgD and/or BcsA, the synthase for the extracellular matrix component cellulose. Inhibition of the invasion phenotype is associated with inhibition of secretion of the type three secretion system effector protein SipA, which requires c-di-GMP metabolizing proteins, but not their catalytic activity. Our findings show that c-di-GMP signaling is at least equally important in the regulation of Salmonella-host interaction as in the regulation of biofilm formation at ambient temperature