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Genetic parameter analysis of bareness and tail traits in New Zealand sheep
Get PDFPhysical traits that improve welfare and disease outcomes for sheep are becoming increasingly important due to both increased climate challenges and societal expectations. Such traits include tail length, the amount of skin (vs. wool) on the underside of the tail, and the area of no-wool (hair) on the belly and breech areas (surrounding the anus) of the animal. An industry dataset consisting of records from individual stud breeders and industry progeny tests was available to estimate the genetic parameters associated with these traits and to investigate the potential for within-breed genetic selection. The heritability estimate for tail length was 0.68 ± 0.01 when breed was not fitted, and 0.63 ± 0.01 when breed was fitted. Similar trends were observed for breech and belly bareness which had heritability estimates around 0.50 (± 0.01). The estimates for these bareness traits are both higher than previous reports from animals of the same age. There was, however, between breed variation in the starting point for these traits, with some breeds having significantly longer tails and a wooly breech and belly, and limited variability. Overall, the results of this study show that flocks exhibiting some variation will be able to make rapid genetic progress in selecting for bareness and tail length traits, and therefore have the potential to make progress towards a sheep that is easier to look after and suffers fewer welfare insults. For those breeds that showed limited within-breed variation, outcrossing may be required to introduce genotypes that exhibit shorter tail length and bareness of belly and breech to increase the rate of genetic gain. Whatever approach is taken by the industry, these results support that genetic improvement can be used to breed "ethically improved sheep"
Man vil jo gerne en by: Indsigter fra 19 pilotkommuners arbejde med udvikling af kystbyer i lyset af det stigende havvand
No full textBaggrund. Udfordringer vedrørende oversvømmelser fra havet har fået øget opmærksomhed i de senere år. De danske kommuner har fået større myndighedsansvar vedrørende kystbeskyttelse og samtidig er havniveaustigninger og stormflod blevet et opmærksomhedspunkt i klimatilpasningen.
Formål. Formålet med denne undersøgelse er at belyse, hvorledes udvalgte danske kommuner aktuelt (2020-2022) arbejder med tilpasning til oversvømmelser fra havet og det stigende havvand.
Metode. Undersøgelsen er gennemført dels gennem samtaler med repræsentanter fra samtlige 19 kystkommuner involveret i de 18 pilotprojekter, der i årene 2019-2022 har fået støtte fra Realdania til at gennemføre en modningsproces om byudvikling og havvandsstigninger, dels ved fysiske besøg og ’walk-and-talks’ i de konkrete projektområder. Disse samtaler fandt sted i perioden fra september 2020 til september 2022. På grund af COVID-19 har det ikke været muligt at gennemføre feltbesøg i tre af de 18 pilotprojekter; her foregik interviewene online.
Resultater. I udgangspunktet har pilotkommunerne et stærkt fokus på stormflod som den primære udfordring, mens tilpasning til det stigende havvand er mere sekundært. Samtidig er der en prioritering af beskyttelse som den dominerende løsningsramme, frem for imødekommelse (at leve med vandet), tilbageføring (udfasning af bebyggelse) og friholdelse (undgå nybyggeri i oversvømmelsesudsatte områder). Tretten ud af 18 kommuner står aktuelt i en situation, hvor der skal tages stilling til, hvordan - eller om - der skal byudvikles i lavtliggende kystnære områder, som f.eks. tidligere erhvervshavne. Der sker en modningsproces i kommunerne, hvilket betyder at forståelses- og løsningsrammen bliver nuanceret over tid og der er en bevægelse fra ’teknologidiskussioner’ frem mod mere helhedsorienteret kystudvikling med et mere processuelt fokus. Aktuelt slutter planlægnings-horisonten i år 2100, mens en mere grundlæggende diskussion om den meget langsigtede byudvikling, og de langsigtede klimatilpasningsbehov flere hundrede år ud i fremtiden, endnu ikke er inddraget. Tilbageføring opfattes som en kontroversiel tilgang og indgår i udgangspunktet ikke aktivt som en del af løsningsrammen.
Konklusion. Sammenfattende arbejdes der i pilotprojekterne med relativt kortsigtet beskyttelse og stormflodssikring frem for langsigtet og dynamisk tilpasning af byerne til stigende havvand. Der er behov for at udvikle viden og modeller, der kan kombinere flere tidsperspektiver og flere, divergerende hensyn i planlægningen og udviklingen af kystbyer og kystområder generelt.
Anbefalinger. På baggrund af undersøgelsen
opstilles der følgende anbefalinger:
• Læs landskabet
• Tænk langsigtet
• Tænk i dynamisk foranderlig byudvikling, og
• Arbejd med en national kompetenceopbygning
vedrørende kystområde
Genetic mapping of the LOSS OF PARTHENOGENESIS locus in Pilosella piloselloides and the evolution of apomixis in the Lactuceae
No full textPilosella piloselloides var. praealta (syn. P. praealta; Hieracium praealtum) is a versatile model used to study gametophytic apomixis. In this system apomixis is controlled by three loci: one that controls the avoidance of meiosis (LOA), one that controls the avoidance of fertilization (LOP) and a third that controls autonomous endosperm formation (AutE). Using a unique polyhaploid mapping approach the LOP locus was mapped to a 654 kb genomic interval syntenic to linkage group 8 of Lactuca sativa. Polyhaploids form through the gametophytic action of a dominant determinant at LOP, so the mapped region represents both a functional and a physical domain for LOP in P. piloselloides. Allele sequence divergence (ASD) analysis of the PARTHENOGENESIS (PAR) gene within the LOP locus revealed that dominant PAR alleles in Pilosella remain highly similar across the genus, whilst the recessive alleles are more divergent. A previous report noted that dominant PAR alleles in both Pilosella and Taraxacum are modified by the presence of a class II transposable element (TE) in the promoter of the gene. This observation was confirmed and further extended to the related genus Hieracium. Sufficient differences were noted in the structure and location of the TE elements to conclude that TE insertional events had occurred independently in the three genera. Measures of allele crossover amongst the polyhaploids revealed that P. piloselloides is an autopolyploid species with tetrasomic inheritance. It was also noted that the dominant determinant of LOP in P. piloselloides could transmit via a diploid gamete (pollen or egg) but not via a haploid gamete. Using this information, a model is presented of how gametophytic apomixis may have evolved in several members of the Lactuceae, a tribe of the Asteraceae
When research animals become pets and pets become research animals: care, death, and animal classification
No full textThis paper explores what happens to care, and decisions about ending and extending life, when research animals become pets and pets become research animals. To do this, we draw on in-depth qualitative research on (i) rehoming of laboratory animals, (ii) veterinary clinical research, and (iii) the role of the Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS) in UK animal research. We begin by exploring how (in theory and practice) the ethical, affective, and practical elements of care are split in the research laboratory. We then investigate arguments for and against ending and extending animal life via clinical research and rehoming, highlighting how these activities bring norms and dilemmas around animal death in the laboratory and veterinary clinic to the fore. We conclude by demonstrating the value of investigating borders between animal categories for understanding dilemmas around care and death, and for contributing to emerging literatures within geography around animal care, death, and categorisation. Key contributions of our work include highlighting: how care roles can be split; the importance of considering speculative and in-practice elements of care; the context-dependency and multiplicity of practices of killing in the veterinary clinic and laboratory; and the flexibility and changing nature of animal categories
What are the best pasture improvement options for different South Island hill and high-country environments?
No full textA range of options exist to improve pasture in the South Island hill and high country. Pasture yield and the cost of seed, lime and fertiliser from 55 trial sites were used to calculate partial gross margins (GM) for a range of improvements on different slopes and aspects. On drillable land, for average rainfall 750 mm, lucerne and Caucasian, white and red clover can be sown. At similar rainfall, soil moisture is more limited on non-drillable hill compared with drillable land, and aspect must be considered. At 750 mm/yr rainfall on shady aspects, pasture should be managed to maximise legume content, and over-sowing white clover should be considered
Do green growth and technological innovation matter to infrastructure investments in the era of climate change? Global evidence
No full textThis study investigates the nexus between green growth, technological innovations, and infrastructure investment trends, through an international investigation of 56 countries for the period of 2000–2020. Based on the Environmental Impact by Population, Affluence and Technology (IPAT) and Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence and Technology (STIRPAT) frameworks, the study looks at the nexus between infrastructure investments, green growth, and technological innovations in the era of climate change. We find that increases in global carbon emissions are associated with higher infrastructure investment needs for the sustainable development of the world’s economy. Besides global infrastructure investments for sustainable development goals (SDGs), the economic costs of climate change are also reflected in technological innovations across countries and sectors. With higher investments in technological innovations such as low-carbon infrastructure and energy technologies, we highlight the roles of environment-oriented R&D and taxes in our global sample. The findings are validated through utilising a set of econometric techniques and are particularly crucial to emerging economies, and pollutingeconomies with high climate risk exposure. SDGs. Our study provides a formal empirical investigation of climate change, investments in infrastructure, and green growth. We also provide critical policy implications, future directions, and agendas in sustainable green finance and climate economics
Indigenous peoples and accounting: A systematic literature review
No full textThe purpose of this systematic literature review is to examine the role of accounting on the lives of indigenous peoples, and whether they have used accounting as a tool for emancipation. Seventy-one peer-reviewed journal articles are categorised and analysed. This review positions accounting not as a mere neutral, benign, technical practice but as a racist and ethnocentric tool through the context in which it has been practised. Accounting was an integral part of imperial rule, inheriting colonial structures and separating and reducing indigenous peoples from their own cultures and structures. Indigenous accountants remain severely under-represented, and more action needs to be undertaken to ensure accounting practices and systems, accountants, and the accounting profession, develop an awareness and consciousness of indigenous cultural values that is reflected in their practices. Indigenous autonomy, voice and participation is vital for transforming the ethnocentric systems that have led to the devaluation of indigenous people
An in-depth analysis of Markov-Chain Monte Carlo ensemble samplers for inverse vadose zone modeling
No full textThis study elucidates the behavior of Markov-Chains Monte Carlo ensemble samplers for vadose zone inverse modeling by performing an in-depth comparison of four algorithms that use Affine-Invariant (AI) moves or Differential Evolution (DE) strategies to approximate the target density. Two Rosenbrock toy distributions, and one synthetic and one actual case study focusing on the inverse estimation of soil hydraulic parameters using HYDRUS-1D, are used to compare samplers in different dimensions d. The analysis reveals that an ensemble with N = d + 1 chains evolved using DE-based strategies converges to the wrong stationary posterior, while AI does not suffer from this issue but exhibits delayed convergence. DE-based samplers regain their ergodic properties when using N ≥ 2d chains. Increasing the number of chains above this threshold has only minor effects on the samplers’ performance, while initializing the ensemble in a high-likelihood region facilitates its convergence. AI strategies exhibit shorter autocorrelation times in the 7d synthetic vadose zone scenario, while DE-based samplers outperform them when the number of soil parameters increases to 16 in the actual scenario. All evaluation metrics degrade as d increases, thus suggesting that sampling strategies based only on interpolation between chains tend to become inefficient when the bulk of the posterior lays in increasingly small portions of the parameters’ space
Linkages between natural gas, fertiliser and cereal prices: A note
No full textWe use structural vector autoregressions to analyse the dynamic effects of shocks to natural gas and nitrogenous fertiliser prices on three major cereal crops: maize, rice and wheat. We find that the response of cereal prices to natural gas and fertiliser price shocks has been relatively small, instantaneous and transitory. These findings suggest that crop prices may change rapidly in response to energy and fertiliser prices, even when there are no shifts in the underlying fundamentals in crop markets. Furthermore, because the effects of the shocks dissipate rather quickly, short-term measures to address swings in food prices may suffice
Movement characteristics of male and female 3-on-3 basketball players at national and international tournaments
No full textIntroduction: Despite the increased popularity and number of national and international competitions for 3-on-3 basketball, internal and external movement demands are not well described. Such information is important for coaches and trainers alike to ensure adequate training protocols are used to prepare athletes for competition demands. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantify the internal and external movement demands of 3-on-3 basketball matches in both national and international competitions using indoor GPS technology (VX Sport, Omni, Wellington New Zealand) and an athlete monitoring system (Health and Sport Technologies Ltd., trading as Metrifit, Millgrange, Greenore, Co. Louth, Ireland).
Methods: Twelve well trained representative basketball athletes (8 males; 20.8 ± 1.8 yr, 190.3 ± 5.5 cm, 92.4 ± 9.9 kg and 4 females; 20.3 ± 1.5 yr, 171.4 ± 2.3 cm, 72.2 ± 3.8 kg mean ± SD) competed in (n=12) national competition matches and (n=6) international competition matches on a FIBA-sized basketball half-court (15 m x 11 m) with VXSport Omni devices inserted into custom-made pockets in the back of VXSport Smart vests. Measures taken included total duration (mins) total distance (m), relative distance (m/min) covered during games, high intensity distance (m) travelled at ≥ 15 km/h, high intensity sprints (number) at ≥ 15 km/h, maximal speed (km/h), total number of sprints, total number of jumps, high-intensity accelerations, and decelerations (> 3m/s/s), maximum and average heart rate (bpm) and distance travelled at difference speed band zones (0 – 6 km/h, 6.1 – 12 km/h, 12.1 – 18 km/h and 18.1 - 24km/h). Post-game internal demands were recorded on the Metrifit athlete monitoring system on player’s phones, which included rate of perceived exertion (RPE), perceived physical, technical, tactical, and psychological performance on a Likert scale ranging from 1 – 10 for RPE and 1 – 5 for the other measures.
Results: When compared to national competition, male and female international competition variables were higher for total duration (p = 0.008), total distance (p = 0.026), high intensity HR duration (p = 0.040), mean HR (p = 0.048), maximum HR (p = 0.040), and distance at 6.1-12 km/h (p = 0.003). Interestingly, the same variables were substantially higher in females compared to males in both national and international competitions. In addition, all post-game psychological variables such as RPE, perceived physical, technical, tactical, and psychological performance were higher in international matches compared to national matches for both males and females.
Conclusion: The novel finding of this study was that international external and internal 3-on-3 basketball competition demands showed higher intensities in most variables. Significant differences between genders were also observed highlighting the importance of gender-specific training and coaching strategy prior to and during competitions