Asphericity in supernova explosions from late-time spectroscopy

Core-collapse supernovae (CC-SNe) are the explosions that announce the death of massive stars. Some CC-SNe are linked to long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and are highly aspherical. One important question is to what extent asphericity is common to all CC-SNe. Here we present late-time spectra for a number of CC-SNe from stripped-envelope stars and use them to explore any asphericity generated in the inner part of the exploding star, near the site of collapse. A range of oxygen emission-line profiles is observed, including a high incidence of double-peaked profiles, a distinct signature of an aspherical explosion. Our results suggest that all CC-SNe from stripped-envelope stars are aspherical explosions and that SNe accompanied by GRBs exhibit the highest degree of asphericity.     

Comparison of two models to estimate genetic parameters for number of born alive in pigs

The performance of the two‐trait animal model that regards the first parity and later parities as two different traits in estimating genetic parameters for number of born alive (NBA) was examined using real and simulated data. Genetic parameters for NBA were estimated in purebred Landrace and Large White pigs using a single‐trait repeatability model (Model 1) that regards all parities as the same trait and a two‐trait animal model (Model 2) that regards the first and the later parities as different traits. For Model 2, the permanent environmental effect was fitted to only the records of the later parities. Heritability for NBA estimated using Model 1 was 0.12 for Landrace and 0.11 for Large White. Estimated heritability for NBA of the first parity and the later parities was 0.21 and 0.16, respectively, for Landrace; 0.18 and 0.16, respectively, for Large White obtained using Model 2, and higher than those in both breeds obtained using Model 1. Further results based on data simulated using the Monte Carlo method suggest that estimated additive genetic variance could be more biased using Model 2 than Model 1.     

Genome‐wide association study and genomic evaluation of feed efficiency traits in Japanese Black cattle using single‐step genomic best linear unbiased prediction method

The objectives of this study were to better understand the genetic architecture and the possibility of genomic evaluation for feed efficiency traits by (i) performing genome‐wide association studies (GWAS), and (ii) assessing the accuracy of genomic evaluation for feed efficiency traits, using single‐step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP)‐based methods. The analyses were performed in residual feed intake (RFI), residual body weight gain (RG), and residual intake and body weight gain (RIG) during three different fattening periods. The phenotypes from 4,578 Japanese Black steers, which were progenies of 362 progeny‐tested bulls and the genotypes from the bulls were used in this study. The results of GWAS showed that a total of 16, 8, and 12 gene ontology terms were related to RFI, RG, and RIG, respectively, and the candidate genes identified in RFI and RG were involved in olfactory transduction and the phosphatidylinositol signaling system, respectively. The realized reliabilities of genomic estimated breeding values were low to moderate in the feed efficiency traits. In conclusion, ssGBLUP‐based method can lead to understand some biological functions related to feed efficiency traits, even with small population with genotypes, however, an alternative strategy will be needed to enhance the reliability of genomic evaluation.     

Preventive method of color deterioration of yellowtail dark muscle during frozen storage and post thawing

ABSTRACT:   The aim of this study was to develop a practical preventive method for color deterioration of sliced or filleted yellowtail muscle, especially of dark muscle, during frozen storage and post thawing. When the sliced meats were packaged in a vacuum with low oxygen permeable flexible films and then stored frozen below −40°C, no significant discoloration or browning of dark muscle was observed for 9 months or more. For higher temperature storage at −20°C or −30°C, nitrogen gas substituted packaging was a useful practical method for storing sliced meats for 6 weeks. In order to prevent color deterioration of sliced meats after thawing and subsequent storage at 0°C, the efficacy of materials of packaging was investigated. The most desirable result was obtained by using a film with oxygen permeability of 50–90 cm³/m² per 24 h.     

Infection of humans and animals with Echinococcus granulosus (G1 and G3 strains) and E. ortleppi in Southern Brazil

The Rio Grande do Sul state, in Southern Brazil, is one of the foci of human cystic echinococcosis (CE). The sheep strain (G1) of Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus ortleppi (also known as cattle strain G5) have been reported before to infect livestock. However, up to the present, no molecular data are available on isolates of the E. granulosus complex from humans and dogs. The present study analyzed hydatid cysts from 6 CE patients and adult worms from 12 dogs. Sequencing of the mitochondrial cox1 and 12S rRNA genes detected the E. granulosus G1 genotype from four human cases, the G3 genotype (or buffalo strain) from one human case and E. ortleppi from another human case, respectively. Ten of the twelve dogs were found infected with the G1 genotype, and one dog each harbored worms of the G3 genotype and E. ortleppi. Obvious morphological differences were recognized between the G1 and E. ortleppi adult worms from dogs in this region. The buffalo strain (G3) is for the first time reported from South America.     

Genetic variation of high-molecular-weight glutenin subunit composition in Asian wheat

To clarify the genetic properties of the HMW glutenin subunit composition of Asian endemic wheats, SDS–PAGE analysis was conducted using 1,139 bread wheat accessions that were originally collected in Asia. The samples were divided into six regional groups, Western Asia, Caucasia, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Southern Asia, and Eastern Asia. The genotype Glu-A1c, Glu-B1b, and Glu-D1a encoding subunits null, 7+8, and 2+12 had an overall frequency of 55.2%. Thus, we conclude that it is the typical genotype of the HMW glutenin subunits that characterize Asian endemic wheat. The frequency of the typical Asian genotype was relatively high in the central belt of Asia (Western Asia, Afghanistan, and Eastern Asia) and low in the marginal regions (Caucasia, Central Asia, and Southern Asia). In Southern Asia, the frequency of Glu-B1i, which encodes subunit 17+18, was the highest at the Glu-B1 locus. In Caucasia and Central Asia, the frequency of Glu-D1d, which encodes subunit 5+10 (which is considered to be the most useful for making bread), was high. The level of genetic variation, as estimated using the frequencies of the various alleles, was relatively low in the central belt of Asia and high in the marginal regions. Among the three Glu-1 loci, the highest number of alleles was detected at the Glu-D1 locus. This result was caused by the presence of rare Asian specific alleles at the Glu-D1 locus, in which a newly found allele, Glu-D1bs, encoding subunit 2.1+12 was included.     

Neuroanatomical distribution of disease-associated prion protein in cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy detected by fallen stock surveillance in Japan

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder of cattle characterized by accumulation of the disease-associated prion protein (PrP(Sc)) in the central nervous system (CNS). The immunohistochemical patterns and distribution of PrP(Sc) were investigated in the CNS, brains, and spinal cords of 7 naturally occurring BSE cases confirmed by the fallen stock surveillance program in Japan. No animals showed characteristic clinical signs of the disease. Coronal slices of 14 different brain areas in each case were immunohistochemically analyzed using an anti-prion protein antibody. Immunolabeled PrP(Sc) deposition was widely observed throughout each brain and spinal cord. Intense PrP(Sc) deposition was greater in the thalamus, brainstem, and spinal cord of the gray matter than in the neocortices. The topographical distribution pattern and severity of PrP(Sc) accumulation were mapped and plotted as immunohistochemical profiles of the different brain areas along the caudal-rostral axis of the brain. The distribution pattern and severity of the immunolabeled PrP(Sc) in the CNS were almost the same among the 7 cases analyzed, suggesting that the naturally occurring cases in this study were at the preclinical stage of the disease. Immunohistochemical mapping of the PrP(Sc) deposits will be used to clarify the different stages of BSE in cattle.     

The g.841G>C SNP of FASN gene is associated with fatty acid composition in beef cattle

The objective of the current study is to evaluate the association between fatty acid composition and fatty acid synthase gene polymorphisms as responsible mutations. For this purpose, we selected seven previously reported single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FASN gene, including one within promoter region (g.841G>C) and six non‐synonymous SNPs (g.8805C>T, g.13126C>T, g.15532A>C, g.16024A>G, g.16039C>T, g.17924A>G), and genotyped them in Japanese Black cattle. Genotyping results revealed that g.8805 C>T and g.17924 A>G were monomorphic loci. Genome‐wide association analysis including the other five SNPs revealed that only g.841G>C showed significant associations with the percentages of C14:0, C14:1, C16:1 and C18:1 at 5% genome‐wide significance level. In order to further evaluate the effect, we genotyped g.841G>C using additional three populations, including two Japanese Black populations and a Holstein cattle population. g.16024A>G was also genotyped and included in the analysis because it has been reported to be associated with fatty acid composition in Japanese Black cattle. In the result of analysis of variance, g.841G>C showed stronger effects on fatty acid percentage than those of g.16024A>G in all populations. These results suggested that g.841G>C would be a responsible mutation for fatty acid composition and contribute to production of high‐grade beef as a selection marker in beef cattle.     

The Seismic Structure of the Sun

Global Oscillation Network Group data reveal that the internal structure of the sun can be well represented by a calibrated standard model. However, immediately beneath the convection zone and at the edge of the energy-generating core, the sound-speed variation is somewhat smoother in the sun than it is in the model. This could be a consequence of chemical inhomogeneity that is too severe in the model, perhaps owing to inaccurate modeling of gravitational settling or to neglected macroscopic motion that may be present in the sun. Accurate knowledge of the sun's structure enables inferences to be made about the physics that controls the sun; for example, through the opacity, the equation of state, or wave motion. Those inferences can then be used elsewhere in astrophysics.     

Optimization of a multiple reservoir system using a simulated annealing--A case study in the Mae Klong system, Thailand

A heuristic-based simulated annealing has been developed to optimize the operation of a multiple reservoir system. Simulated annealing is a probabilistic search algorithm, motivated by an analogy of physical annealing in solids. It has been increasingly applied to a broad spectrum of fields for which little prior knowledge is required. The developed model is illustrated by a test application to a benchmark problem of a 10-reservoir problem that had been solved previously in the literature. For this problem, simulated annealing shows its ability to provide better result than those obtained from other techniques. The model is then applied to the real multiple reservoir system in Thailand to derive optimal operating policies. The objective function is formulated to minimize the irrigation deficits during 3 years. The performance of the simulated annealing is compared with that of the genetic algorithm developed for the same problem. The results show that the simulated annealing is more efficient than the genetic algorithm. Simulated annealing produces higher quality solutions while spending lesser computation time compared with the genetic algorithm. The results obtained from these applications have proved that the simulated annealing is capable of addressing a large and complex problem. Simulated annealing is quite a new promising search algorithm for reservoir optimization problems. It is worthy of further investigation for other applications in this area of research.