Genetic parameters for milk mineral content and acidity predicted by mid-infrared spectroscopy in Holstein–Friesian cows

peer-reviewedThis article was first published in animal, Volume 9, Issue 05, May 2015, pp 775-780 © The Animal Consortium 2015The aim of the present study was to estimate genetic parameters for calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and titratable acidity (TA) in bovine milk predicted by mid-IR spectroscopy (MIRS). Data consisted of 2458 Italian Holstein−Friesian cows sampled once in 220 farms. Information per sample on protein and fat percentage, pH and somatic cell count, as well as test-day milk yield, was also available. (Co)variance components were estimated using univariate and bivariate animal linear mixed models. Fixed effects considered in the analyses were herd of sampling, parity, lactation stage and a two-way interaction between parity and lactation stage; an additive genetic and residual term were included in the models as random effects. Estimates of heritability for Ca, P and TA were 0.10, 0.12 and 0.26, respectively. Positive moderate to strong phenotypic correlations (0.33 to 0.82) existed between Ca, P and TA, whereas phenotypic weak to moderate correlations (0.00 to 0.45) existed between these traits with both milk quality and yield. Moderate to strong genetic correlations (0.28 to 0.92) existed between Ca, P and TA, and between these predicted traits with both fat and protein percentage (0.35 to 0.91). The existence of heritable genetic variation for Ca, P and TA, coupled with the potential to predict these components for routine cow milk testing, imply that genetic gain in these traits is indeed possible

Validation of a gold standard method for iodine quantification in raw and processed milk, and its variation in different dairy species

Adequate milk consumption significantly contributes to meeting the human iodine recommended daily intake, which ranges from 70 µg/d for infants to 200 µg/d for lactating women. The fulfilment of iodine recommended daily intake is fundamental to prevent serious clinical diseases such as cretinism in infants and goiter in adults. In the present study iodine content was measured in raw and processed commercial cow milk, as well as in raw buffalo, goat, sheep, and donkey milk. Iodine extraction was based on 0.6% (vol/vol) ammonia, whereas iodine detection and quantification were carried out through an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer analyzer. Among processed commercial cow milk, partially skimmed pasteurized milk had the greatest iodine content (359.42 µg/kg) and raw milk the lowest (166.92 µg/kg). With regard to the other dairy species, the greatest iodine content was found in raw goat milk (575.42 µg/kg), followed by raw buffalo (229.82 µg/kg), sheep (192.64 µg/kg), and donkey milk (7.06 µg/kg). Repeatability of milk iodine content, calculated as relative standard deviation of 5 measurements within a day or operator, ranged from 0.96 to 1.84% and 0.72 to 1.16%, respectively. The overall reproducibility of milk iodine content, calculated as relative standard deviation of 45 measurements across 3 d of analyses and 3 operators, was 4.01%. These results underline the precision of the proposed analytical method for the determination of iodine content in milk

Analyticity of the SRB measure of a lattice of coupled Anosov diffeomorphisms of the torus

We consider the "thermodynamic limit"of a d-dimensional lattice of hyperbolic dynamical systems on the 2-torus, interacting via weak and nearest neighbor coupling. We prove that the SRB measure is analytic in the strength of the coupling. The proof is based on symbolic dynamics techniques that allow us to map the SRB measure into a Gibbs measure for a spin system on a (d+1)-dimensional lattice. This Gibbs measure can be studied by an extension (decimation) of the usual "cluster expansion" techniques.Comment: 28 pages, 2 figure

RELAÇÃO ENTRE MÉTODOS DE INOCULAÇÃO NA INFECÇÃO DE SEMENTES DE PIMENTÃO POR Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, CAUSADORA DO CANCRO BACTERIANO

Seed infection of sweet pepper by bacterial canker (Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis) were induced by different methods of inoculation: a) spraying of flowers with bacterial suspension; b) prick inoculation of pedicel tip of small fruits with needle through a droplet of bacterial suspension; c) prick inoculation of stem through a droplet of bacterial suspension deposited at the insertions of first pair of permanent leaves and d) by methods “a” and “b”. All the inoculation methods produced infected seed with or without visual symptons, with the infection in pericarp, endosperm and embryo. When flowers were inoculated by spraying of flowers, the pathogenic bacteria seemed to invade seeds through calyx scar and vascular bundle. Infection through this route was suggested to occur in field when the disease become epidemic. The selection of seeds through visual sanity aspect is not trustful parameter because the bacteria can be transmitted by symptomless seeds.Infecções em sementes de pimentão pelo agente causal do cancro bacteriano (Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis) foram induzidas por diferentes métodos de inoculação: a) pulverização das flores com uma suspensão bacteriana; b) inoculação por ferimento de agulha, através de uma gota de suspensão bacteriana, depositada sobre o pedúnculo de pequenos frutos; c) inoculação por ferimento de agulha, através de uma gota de suspensão bacteriana, depositada nas axilas do primeiro par de folhas permanentes e d) pelo métodos “a” e “b”. Todos os métodos de inoculação testados produziram sementes infectadas tanto no pericarpo, endocarpo e embrião, independentemente de apresentarem sintomas visuais. Infecções através desta rota podem ocorrer também no campo, quando a doença se torna epidêmica. A seleção de sementes pelo simples aspecto sanitário visual não é um método confiável, pois a bactéria pode ser transmitida por sementes sem sintomas visuais

Temperature dependent fluctuations in the two-dimensional XY model

We present a detailed investigation of the probability density function (PDF) of order parameter fluctuations in the finite two-dimensional XY (2dXY) model. In the low temperature critical phase of this model, the PDF approaches a universal non-Gaussian limit distribution in the limit T-->0. Our analysis resolves the question of temperature dependence of the PDF in this regime, for which conflicting results have been reported. We show analytically that a weak temperature dependence results from the inclusion of multiple loop graphs in a previously-derived graphical expansion. This is confirmed by numerical simulations on two controlled approximations to the 2dXY model: the Harmonic and ``Harmonic XY'' models. The Harmonic model has no Kosterlitz-Thouless-Berezinskii (KTB) transition and the PDF becomes progressively less skewed with increasing temperature until it closely approximates a Gaussian function above T ~ 4\pi. Near to that temperature we find some evidence of a phase transition, although our observations appear to exclude a thermodynamic singularity.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures and 1 tabl

High-density single nucleotide polymorphism markers reveal the population structure of 2 local chicken genetic resources

Italy counts a large number of local chicken populations, some without a recognized genetic structure, such as Val Platani (VPL) and Cornuta (COS), which represent noteworthy local genetic resources. In this study, the genotype data of 34 COS and 42 VPL, obtained with the Affymetrix Axiom600KChicken Genotyping Array, were used with the aim to investigate the genetic diversity, the runs of homozygosity (ROH) pattern, as well as the population structure and relationship within the framework of other local Italian and commercial chickens. The genetic diversity indices, estimated using different approaches, displayed moderate levels of genetic diversity in both populations. The identified ROH hotspots harbored genes related to immune response and adaptation to local hot temperatures. The results on genetic relationship and population structure reported a clear clustering of the populations according to their geographic origin. The COS formed a nonoverlapping genomic cluster and clearly separated from the other populations, but showed evident proximity to the Siciliana breed (SIC). The VPL highlighted intermediate relationships between the COS-SIC group and the rest of the sample, but closer to the other Italian local chickens. Moreover, VPL showed a complex genomic structure, highlighting the presence of 2 subpopulations that match with the different source of the samples. The results obtained from the survey on genetic differentiation underline the hypothesis that Cornuta is a population with a defined genetic structure. The substructure that characterizes the Val Platani chicken is probably the consequence of the combined effects of genetic drift, small population size, reproductive isolation, and inbreeding. These findings contribute to the understanding of genetic diversity and population structure, and represent a starting point for designing programs to monitor and safeguard these local genetic resources, in order to define a possible official recognition program as breeds

TEMPERATURA, LUMINOSIDADE E MEIO DE CULTURA AFETANDO A PRODUÇÃO DE ESCLERÓCIOS DE Sclerotium rolfsii E Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

This study evaluated in vitro production of sclerotia of Sclerotium rolfsii and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in different culture media, temperatures, and light conditions. This kind of standardization is necessary for the production of pure inoculum, that could be used for tests of pathogenicity and plant resistance to diseases. These experiments were conducted under standard laboratory conditions in a completely randomized experimental design. The results of the trials showed that S. rolfsii produced more sclerotia on PDA (potato-dextrose-agar) at 27ºC under 24 h of fluorescent white-light. However, S. sclerotiorum produced more sclerotia on PDA at 21ºC independent of light condition (light or darkness). PEGA (peptona, yeast extract, glucose, agar), NA (nutrient agar), and FA (potato starch, dextrose, agar) media did not induce any production of a significant amount of sclerotia.Neste estudo avaliou-se as condições ideais para a produção in vitro de inóculo de Sclerotium rolfsii e Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Quantificou-se, em placas de petri com meio de cultura artificial, a produção de esclerócios destes fungos sob diferentes regimes de temperatura, luminosidade e meios de cultura. Esta padronização é necessária quando se deseja produzir inóculo puro e em quantidade elevada, para testes de patogenicidade e de resistência de plantas à doenças. Os experimentos foram conduzidos sob condições controladas de laboratório em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Nos testes executados verificou-se que S. rolfsii desenvolveu-se melhor e produziu mais esclerócios em meio BDA (batata, dextrose, ágar) tradicional, a 27ºC e com 24 h de luz branca fluorescente. Todavia, S. sclerotiorum produziu mais esclerócios em BDA, a 21ºC com ou sem luz. Os meios PEGA (peptona, extrato de levedura, glucose e ágar), NA (nutriente ágar) e FA (fécula ou amido de batata, glucose e ágar) não induziram uma formação significativa de esclerócios

The Largest Cluster in Subcritical Percolation

The statistical behavior of the size (or mass) of the largest cluster in subcritical percolation on a finite lattice of size $N$ is investigated (below the upper critical dimension, presumably $d_c=6$). It is argued that as $N \to \infty$ the cumulative distribution function converges to the Fisher-Tippett (or Gumbel) distribution $e^{-e^{-z}}$ in a certain weak sense (when suitably normalized). The mean grows like $s_\xi^* \log N$, where $s_\xi^*(p)$ is a ``crossover size''. The standard deviation is bounded near $s_\xi^* \pi/\sqrt{6}$ with persistent fluctuations due to discreteness. These predictions are verified by Monte Carlo simulations on $d=2$ square lattices of up to 30 million sites, which also reveal finite-size scaling. The results are explained in terms of a flow in the space of probability distributions as $N \to \infty$. The subcritical segment of the physical manifold ($0 < p < p_c$) approaches a line of limit cycles where the flow is approximately described by a ``renormalization group'' from the classical theory of extreme order statistics.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figs, expanded version to appear in Phys Rev

MANEJO DO TOMBAMENTO EM PEPINO PELA ADIÇÃO AO SOLO DE CAMA DE AVIÁRIO E CASCA DE PINUS.

Phytophthora capsici damping-off and fruit rot of cucurbits is a serious proble m on rainy warm summer seasons at the highlands of Santa Catarina State, Brazil. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of chicken manure and pine bark as soil amendments on cucumber (Cucumis sativus cv. ‘Caipira’) damping-off. The experiments were conducted under greenhouse (CAV/UDESC, Lages/SC) conditions in a completely randomized block design with seven to eight replications. The doses of chicken manure used were 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 g/kg of soil (6 kg/m2), and the doses of pine bark were 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 g/kg of soil. Chicken manure at the dose of 60 g/kg significantly decreased damping-off of cucumber and significantly increased: (a) the total population of bacteria 60 days after soil amendment; (b) the amounts of N, P, and K in soil 120 days after soil amendment; (c) the soil pH at 30 and 120 days after soil amendment; (d) the number of healthy plants 30 days after sowing; and (d) the fresh plant weight 30 days after sowing. Pine bark increased significantly: (a) the bacterial population 30 days after soil amendment in the soil; (b) the population of Trichoderma spp. in the soil 60 days after soil amendment; and (c) the soil pH 30 days after soil amendment. On the second cucumber planting, only chicken manure at the dose of 60 g/kg reduced the amount of damping-off.O tombamento e a podridão de frutos em cucurbitáceas causados por Phytophthora capsici é um sério problema, principalmente em verões quentes e chuvosos. O presente estudo visou avaliar o efeito da cama de aviário e da casca de pinus como resíduos orgânicos aplicados ao solo no tombamento em pepino (Cucumis sativus). Os experimentos foram delineados em blocos ao acaso e foram conduzidos em casa de vegetação utilizando-se a cv. ‘Caipira’. Testou-se 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 e 60 g de cama de aviário / kg de solo (6 kg/m2) e 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, e 50 g de casca de pinus / kg de solo. Cama de aviário na dose de 60 g/kg de solo reduziu o tombamento de plântulas de pepino e aumentou significativamente: (a) a comunidade bacteriana total do solo aos 60 dias após a mistura; (b) os teores de nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio no solo aos 120 dias após a mistura; (c) o pH do solo aos 30 e 120 dias após a mistura; (d) a massa verde de plantas aos 30 dias após a semeadura; e (e) o número de plantas sadias aos 30 dias após a semeadura. A adição de casca de pinus na dose de 40-50 g/kg aumentou significativamente: (a) a população de bactérias do solo aos 30 dias após a incorporação de casca de pinus; (b) a população de Trichoderma spp. no solo aos 60 dias após a incorporação; e (c) o pH do solo aos 30 dias após a incorporação. Cama de aviário reduziu a incidência do tombamento em pepino, no segundo plantio, apenas na dose de 60 g/kg de solo