Genetic Improvement for Meat Production and Quality using Physiological Traits and DNA Markers and Possibility of Disease Resistance in Pigs

This paper reports results from a seven-generation genetic selection experiment to develop an excellent line of Duroc breed in meat production and meat quality traits. It also describes genetic correlations between meat quality and various production traits and physiological traits such as serum insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and leptin concentration. This study introduces the possibility of genetic improvement using DNA marker for Duroc pigs. Recently, pork that is produced without antibiotic feed additives is demanded internationally, thereby necessitating some other means to improve pigs\u27 disease resistance. A pig-breeding program for the goal of higher disease resistance has begun. This report presents the possibility of genetic improvement of pig\u27s disease resistance based on statistical breeding theory, on DNA marker information, and on its actual implementation

Band engineering of a magnetic thin film rare earth monopnictide

Realizing quantum materials in few atomic layer morphologies is a key to both observing and controlling a wide variety of exotic quantum phenomena. This includes topological electronic materials, where the tunability and dimensionality of few layer materials have enabled the detection of $Z_2$, Chern, and Majorana phases. Here, we report the development of a platform for thin film correlated, topological states in the magnetic rare-earth monopnictide ($RX$) system GdBi synthesized by molecular beam epitaxy. This material is known from bulk single crystal studies to be semimetallic antiferromagnets with Neel temperature $T_N =$ 28 K and is the magnetic analog of the non-$f$-electron containing system LaBi proposed to have topological surface states. Our transport and magnetization studies of thin films grown epitaxially on BaF$_2$ reveal that semimetallicity is lifted below approximately 8 crystallographic unit cells while magnetic order is maintained down to our minimum thickness of 5 crystallographic unit cells. First-principles calculations show that the non-trivial topology is preserved down to the monolayer limit, where quantum confinement and the lattice symmetry give rise to a $C=2$ Chern insulator phase. We further demonstrate the stabilization of these films against atmospheric degradation using a combination of air-free buffer and capping procedures. These results together identify thin film $RX$ materials as potential platforms for engineering topological electronic bands in correlated magnetic materials

Electronic structure and magnetism of intermetallic mixed compound Mn₄N₁₋xCx

By applying the recursion method to the intermetallic mixed compound Mn₄N₁₋xCx with cubic perovskite-type structure we investigate the effects of substitution of C atoms for N atoms on the electronic structure and the magnetic properties of Mn₄N. By calculating the DOS's for the ferrimagnetic states of both Mn₄N and Mn₄N₀.₇₅C₀.₂₅ we have determined the magnetic moments at two types of Mn site, Mn(I)(corner site) and Mn(II) (face center site), which are antiparallel to each other. The obtained magnetic moment of Mn(I) in Mn₄N₀.₇₅C₀.₂₅ is found to be the same with that in Mn₄N while the absolute value of Mn(II) moment increases by the substitution of C atoms. As the result the total ferromagnetic moment decreases by the substitution of C atoms. These results are in good agreement with the observations.Article信州大学理学部紀要 30(1): 25-36(1995)departmental bulletin pape

Utilization of Sasa borealis seeds by Japanese field mouse: discovery of small-seed caching

Bambusoideae are well-known for their large-scale flowering, seeding, and death events that occur after a vegetative phase that can often last for decades. These events are a valuable resource for many animals. Their mast seeding, in particular, affects rodent populations although the causal relationship between them is speculative. Moreover, the species of animals that utilize this resource also remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the interaction between mast seeding plants and animals by conducting a feeding test using the seeds of a dwarf bamboo species (Sasa borealis) at different seasons and in different forest types. The results revealed that two mouse species, Apodemus speciosus and A. argenteus, utilized the seeds. They both predated as well as removed and sometimes buried the seeds, exhibiting small-seed caching behavior. Furthermore, A. speciosus was found to exhibit higher seed predation at covered sites and switching to removal behavior at the more exposed, open sites, while A. argenteus showed no distinguishable trends. Additionally, A. speciosus utilized the seeds less frequently in fall than in summer, suggesting a shift in diet towards acorns when available. Collectively, the results of this study provide novel insights into the interaction between mast seeding plants and the animals that utilize them

Status of MSBS study at NAL

Two Magnetic Suspension and Balance Systems (MSBS) at the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL) in Japan are introduced. They are the 10 cm MSBS and the 60 cm MSBS. They have 10 cm x 10 cm and 60 cm x 60 cm test sections. The control of suspending a model at the 10 cm MSBS is six degrees of freedom including the rolling moment control. The model for the rolling moment control has two pairs of small extra permanent magnets at both its ends plus a main cylindrical magnet. The rolling moment is generated by the magnetic forces acting on the extra magnets by controlled current passing through the four side coils independently. Test results show the roll angle of the model is controlled in this way. The dynamic calibration test was carried out at the MSBS in five degrees of freedom without the rolling moment control. The model is a simple cylindrical magnet magnetized along its axis. The obtained results show that the dynamic calibration with measured magnetic field intensity is much superior to that with the coil currents. The 60 cm MSBS was designed with some data obtained at the 10 cm one. It is fundamentally proportional to the 10 cm one in size and coil positions. The measured magnetic field intensity is not so strong as expected at design. It was operated first in 1993. The control is three degrees of freedom in the longitudinal direction

Detection of vitellogenin incorporation into zebrafish oocytes by FITC fluorescence

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Large volumes of lymph can be collected from the eye-sacs of bubble-eye goldfish. We attempted to induce vitellogenin (Vtg) in the eye-sac lymph of bubble-eye goldfish and develop a method for visualizing Vtg incorporation by zebrafish oocytes using FITC-labeling.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Estrogen efficiently induced Vtg in the eye-sac lymph of goldfish. After FITC-labeled Vtg was prepared, it was injected into mature female zebrafish.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Incorporation of FITC-labeled Vtg by zebrafish oocytes was detected in <it>in vivo </it>and <it>in vitro </it>experiments. The embryos obtained from zebrafish females injected with FITC-labeled Vtg emitted FITC fluorescence from the yolk sac and developed normally.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This method for achieving Vtg incorporation by zebrafish oocytes could be useful in experiments related to the development and endocrinology of zebrafish oocytes.</p