Molecular genetic diversity of some rabbit breeds based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequences

[EN] The present study was performed to assess the genetic variations among six rabbit breeds in Egypt based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequences. The length of partial mitochondrial 16S rRNA in the six rabbit breeds ranged from 546 bp to 558 bp. The sequenced regions were submitted to GenBank/NCBI under accession numbers (MW052052 - MW052057). The average content of A+T was 57% in all breeds. Among breeds, the percentages of genetic distance values were ranged from 0.000 to 0.004. The highest P-distance (0.004) was found between the New Zealand White breed and all other breeds. The results support the suitability of mitochondrial 16S rRNA for genetic diversity analysis of rabbit breeds and the applicability for future research on genetic relationships and the phylogeny of rabbit breeds.Allam, M.; Mahrous, NS. (2021). Molecular genetic diversity of some rabbit breeds based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequences. World Rabbit Science. 29(3):193-201. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/173609OJS19320129

Adopting the Euro in post-communist countries: an analysis of the attitudes toward the single currency

"Unter gewaltigen Anstrengungen haben es die postkommunistischen Regierungen in Ost- und Mitteleuropa geschafft, ihre Länder sicher zum EU-Beitritt zu führen. Als Nächstes sehen sie sich mit der Einführung des Euro als Gemeinschaftswährung konfrontiert. Infolgedessen wird für demokratische Politiker die öffentliche Meinung über die Euro-Einführung enorm wichtig. Die Autoren testen drei theoretische Schulen (ökonomisch, politisch und historisch) in Bezug auf ihre Erklärungskraft für das Verständnis individueller Einstellungen zum Euro. Als empirische Evidenz dienen individuelle Umfragedaten aus acht Ländern. Die Autoren stellen fest, dass bei dem kombinierten Modell aller Theorieschulen der Verständnisgewinn am größten ist. Im Kontext postkommunistischer Volatilität haben auf der gesellschaftlichen Ebene die wirtschaftlichen und historischen Faktoren den größten Einfluss. Auf der Individualebene haben die Variablen, die materielles Eigeninteresse messen, nur geringe Aussagekraft. Folglich sind nicht die wirtschaftlichen Verteilungswirkungen der Euro-Einführung und diesbezügliche Erwartungen, sondern die nationale Performanz und historische Erfahrung von Bedeutung. Politische Parteien sollten sich deswegen bei ihren Versuchen, demokratische Unterstützung für die Euro-Einführung zu sammeln, auf wirtschaftliche Konsolidierung und politische Stabilität konzentrieren und nicht eine Konfliktlinie zwischen Gewinnern und Verlierern der Euro-Einführung politisieren." (Autorenreferat)"The new EU member states in Central and Eastern Europe achieved an economic and political tour de force on their way to EU accession. Their next challenge is the entry to the eurozone. Thus, the dynamics of public opinion toward the euro become crucial for political leaders. We test three perspectives - economic, political, and historical-ideational - with individual-level survey data from eight countries and conclude that the combined model best explains variations in support for the euro. In an environment of volatility in post-communist Europe, macro variables of economic and historical ideational factors have the strongest impact on individual attitudes, while micro-variables of economic self-interest do not further our understanding of euro support. Thus, distributional issues matter less than the aggregate national performance and experience. Political parties that garner support for the euro should therefore concentrate on economic consolidation and political stability rather than politicizing a winner-loser cleavage." (author's abstract

Local u'g'r'i'z' Standard Stars in the Chandra Deep Field-South

Because several observing programs are underway in various spectral regimes to explore the Chandra Deep Field South (CDF-S), the value of local photometric standards is obvious. As part of an NOAO Surveys Program to establish u'g'r'i'z' standard stars in the southern hemisphere, we have observed the central region of the CDF-S to create local standards for use by other investigators using these filters. As a courtesy, we present the CDF-S standards to the public now, although the main program will not finish until mid-2005.Comment: Accepted by AJ (scheduled for October 2003 issue). 26 pages, 5 tables, 5 figures. High resolution version of Figure 7 available at http://home.fnal.gov/~dtucker/Southern_ugriz/index.htm

The Sloan Bright Arcs Survey : Six Strongly Lensed Galaxies at z=0.4-1.4

We present new results of our program to systematically search for strongly lensed galaxies in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) imaging data. In this study six strong lens systems are presented which we have confirmed with follow-up spectroscopy and imaging using the 3.5m telescope at the Apache Point Observatory. Preliminary mass models indicate that the lenses are group-scale systems with velocity dispersions ranging from 466-878 km s^{-1} at z=0.17-0.45 which are strongly lensing source galaxies at z=0.4-1.4. Galaxy groups are a relatively new mass scale just beginning to be probed with strong lensing. Our sample of lenses roughly doubles the confirmed number of group-scale lenses in the SDSS and complements ongoing strong lens searches in other imaging surveys such as the CFHTLS (Cabanac et al 2007). As our arcs were discovered in the SDSS imaging data they are all bright ($r\lesssim22$), making them ideally suited for detailed follow-up studies.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures, submitted to ApJL, the Sloan Bright Arcs page is located here: http://home.fnal.gov/~kubo/brightarcs.htm

Functional plasticity and tolerance to drought conditions of 11 apple tree varieties grown in Morocco

In this study, 11 varieties were grown in the experimental chamber in order to determine the morphological, anatomical and physiological characteristics of each. The experimental protocol was carried out under controlled conditions of irrigation, temperature and hygrometry. The values obtained of the thickness, the cuticle, length of the ostiole, density and size of the stomata and then of stomatal and cuticular sweat have made it possible to calculate the stomatic resistance of each variety and to evaluate its potential to adapt to drought conditions. We have highlighted significant differences related to variety through the Duncan test. 4 groups are identified and the results are discussed in this article

MAXIMUM POWER TRACKING OF A GRID-CONNECTED WIND-DRIVEN BRUSHLESS DOUBLY-FED RELUCTANCE GENERATOR USING SCALAR CONTROL

This paper presents a scalar volt per hertz (v/f) control technique for maximum power tracking of a grid-connected wind-driven Brushless Doubly-Fed Reluctance Generator (BDFRG). The proposed generator has two stator windings namely; power winding, directly connected to the grid, and control winding, connected to the grid through a bi-directional converter. The presented control technique is based on the abc-axis and dq-axis dynamic model of BDFRG. A detailed abc-axis and dq-axis dynamic model, by which the dynamic behaviour of the BDFRG can be successfully predicted under different operating conditions, is presented. In addition, a soft starting method is suggested to avoid the over-current of the bi-directional converter. The presented simulation results ensure the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy for maximum wind-power extraction under wind-speed variations

A case report of caesarean myomectomy in a term pregnant woman with fibroid complicating pregnancy: in a tertiary care centre

Uterine leiomyomas are the benign tumors arising from the muscle cells of the uterus. These are the most common tumors observed in reproductive age group and is seen in around 2% pregnant women. The effect of fibroids on the pregnancy varies according to the number, size and their location. Most of the patients are asymptomatic. Recent literature suggests myomectomy during pregnancy and caesarean section is safe in well selected cases with experienced obstetrician in a tertiary care center

The Sloan Bright Arcs Survey: Four Strongly Lensed Galaxies with Redshift >2

We report the discovery of four very bright, strongly-lensed galaxies found via systematic searches for arcs in Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 5 and 6. These were followed-up with spectroscopy and imaging data from the Astrophysical Research Consortium 3.5m telescope at Apache Point Observatory and found to have redshift $z>2.0$. With isophotal magnitudes $r = 19.2 - 20.4$ and 3\arcsec-diameter magnitudes $r = 20.0 - 20.6$, these systems are some of the brightest and highest surface brightness lensed galaxies known in this redshift range. In addition to the magnitudes and redshifts, we present estimates of the Einstein radii, which range from 5.0 \arcsec to 12.7 \arcsec, and use those to derive the enclosed masses of the lensing galaxies

Can board environmental orientation improve U.S. firms' carbon performance? The mediating role of carbon strategy

Overwhelming evidence from prior research suggests a positive association between corporate board characteristics and carbon performance; however, very little is known about the mechanisms linking the two variables. This study attempts to fill this gap by developing and empirically testing a conceptual model that highlights the role of carbon strategy in the relationship between board environmental orientation (BEO) and carbon performance. We argue that BEO can directly and indirectly influence carbon performance through carbon strategy. Using structural equation modelling to analyse data consisting of 2,301 US firm-year observations over the 2005-2015 period, we find that the greater the BEO is, the better its carbon performance (i.e., lower greenhouse gas emissions). The results also provide evidence of the mediating effect of carbon strategy on the relationship between BEO and carbon performance. Splitting the sample into high and low carbon-intensive industries shows a partial mediation effect in high carbon-intensive industries and a full mediation effect in low carbon-intensive industries. The findings of the study and its implications for scholars, policy makers, managers, investors and environmentalists are discussed