309,030 research outputs found
Comparative BAC-based mapping in the white-throated sparrow, a novel behavioral genomics model, using interspecies overgo hybridization
No full textBACKGROUND
The genomics era has produced an arsenal of resources from sequenced organisms allowing researchers to target species that do not have comparable mapping and sequence information. These new "non-model" organisms offer unique opportunities to examine environmental effects on genomic patterns and processes. Here we use comparative mapping as a first step in characterizing the genome organization of a novel animal model, the white-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis), which occurs as white or tan morphs that exhibit alternative behaviors and physiology. Morph is determined by the presence or absence of a complex chromosomal rearrangement. This species is an ideal model for behavioral genomics because the association between genotype and phenotype is absolute, making it possible to identify the genomic bases of phenotypic variation.
FINDINGS
We initiated a genomic study in this species by characterizing the white-throated sparrow BAC library via filter hybridization with overgo probes designed for the chicken, turkey, and zebra finch. Cross-species hybridization resulted in 640 positive sparrow BACs assigned to 77 chicken loci across almost all macro-and microchromosomes, with a focus on the chromosomes associated with morph. Out of 216 overgos, 36% of the probes hybridized successfully, with an average number of 3.0 positive sparrow BACs per overgo.
CONCLUSIONS
These data will be utilized for determining chromosomal architecture and for fine-scale mapping of candidate genes associated with phenotypic differences. Our research confirms the utility of interspecies hybridization for developing comparative maps in other non-model organisms
HR sourcing and sharing : strategies, drivers, success factors and implications for HR
No full textThis paper identifies the core strategies pursued as firms make choices about sourcing and shoring of HR services. It draws attention to a range of variables that need to be measured to assess the effectiveness of these sourcing and shoring strategies. It presents a review of the business drivers for human resource outsourcing and identifies the strategic outcomes that should be used to determine success in this. A range of readiness factors are identified and included in Appendix 1. In order to help HR practitioners plan for their own approach, the paper also considers how the market for sourcing and shoring options is developing by analysing some data on the volume and scale of contemporary deals. This analysis is used to identify useful avenues of research that might help explain international differences in the HRO market. Finally, some future developments and challenges for HR functions are signalled by analysing both vendor strategies and issues for the retained HR business
The value of avian genomics to the conservation of wildlife
No full textBackground: Genomic studies in non-domestic avian models, such as the California condor and white-throated sparrow, can lead to more comprehensive conservation plans and provide clues for understanding mechanisms affecting genetic variation, adaptation and evolution.
Developing genomic tools and resources including genomic libraries and a genetic map of the California condor is a prerequisite for identification of candidate loci for a heritable embryonic lethal condition. The white-throated sparrow exhibits a stable genetic polymorphism (i.e. chromosomal rearrangements) associated with variation in morphology, physiology, and behavior (e.g., aggression, social behavior, sexual behavior, parental care). In this paper we outline the utility of these species as well as report on recent advances in the study of their genomes.
Results: Genotyping of the condor resource population at 17 microsatellite loci provided a better assessment of the current population's genetic variation. Specific New World vulture repeats were found in the condor genome. Using condor BAC library and clones, chicken-condor comparative maps were generated. A condor fibroblast cell line transcriptome was characterized using the 454 sequencing technology.
Our karyotypic analyses of the sparrow in combination with other studies indicate that the rearrangements in both chromosomes 2(m) and 3(a) are complex and likely involve multiple inversions, interchromosomal linkage, and pleiotropy. At least a portion of the rearrangement in chromosome 2(m) existed in the common ancestor of the four North American species of Zonotrichia, but not in the one South American species, and that the 2(m) form, originally thought to be the derived condition, might actually be the ancestral one.
Conclusion: Mining and characterization of candidate loci in the California condor using molecular genetic and genomic techniques as well as linkage and comparative genomic mapping will eventually enable the identification of carriers of the chondrodystrophy allele, resulting in improved genetic management of this disease.
In the white-throated sparrow, genomic studies, combined with ecological data, will help elucidate the basis of genic selection in a natural population. Morphs of the sparrow provide us with a unique opportunity to study intraspecific genomic differences, which have resulted from two separate yet linked evolutionary trajectories. Such results can transform our understanding of evolutionary and conservation biology
Dr. Albert Sparrow, MD, talks about research in pediactric cardiology, heart surgery, and care of child patients
No full textGift of the MSU Faculty Emeriti Association.Dr. Albert Sparrow, MD, talks about being the first fully trained pediatric cardiologist in the state, when he came to the Department of Pediatrics and Human Development in the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University. Sparrow discusses his pioneering research during a period of tremendous progress in heart surgery, treating infants and children and developing procedures to manage small patients. Sparrow says that many ground breaking open heart surgical techniques for infants came from overseas where ethical and legal considerations allowed for more human subject experimentation. He also talks about his mentors at MSU, the great freedom he was given by the college to develop his skills and comments on the move of the MSU College of Medicine to Grand Rapids, MI. Part of the Michigan State University Faculty Emeriti Association Oral History Project
Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> from Poultry and Wild Birds (Sparrow) in Djelfa (Algeria), with Frequent Detection of CTX-M-14 in Sparrow
No full textAntimicrobial resistance is a global threat that is spreading more and more in both human and animal niches. This study investigates the antimicrobial resistance and virulence threats of Escherichia coli isolates recovered from intestinal and fecal samples of 100 chickens, 60 turkeys, and 30 sparrows. Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing E. coli isolates were recovered in 12 of the animals tested, selecting one isolate per positive animal: sparrow (eight isolates, 26.7%), turkey (three isolates, 5%), and chicken (one isolate, 1%). The E. coli isolates were ascribed to B1 and D phylogenetic groups. The blaCTX-M-14 gene was detected in all ESBL-producing E. coli isolates from sparrow. The blaCTX-M-15 (two isolates) and blaCTX-M-14 genes (one isolate) were detected in the isolates of turkey, and the blaCTX-M-1 gene in one isolate from broiler. Three lineages were revealed among the tested isolates (ST/phylogenetic group/type of ESBL/origin): ST117/D/CTX-M-1/broiler, ST4492 (CC405)/D/CTX-M-15/turkey, and ST602/B1/CTX-M-14/sparrow. All isolates were negative for stx1, sxt2, and eae virulence genes. Our findings provide evidence that the sparrow could be a vector in the dissemination of ESBL-producing E. coli isolates to other environments. This study also reports, to our knowledge, the first detection of blaCTX-M-14 from sparrow at a global level and in turkey in Algeria
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
No full textThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Development and applications of UV written waveguides
No full textThis thesis presents a description of the development of structures suitable for the technique of Direct UV Writing and demonstrates applications for which the resultant waveguiding devices may be used. The later stages of the thesis present several applications of the direct UV writing process and of devices fabricated by the technique. Firstly, direct grating writing is used as a waveguide analysis technique to measure the effects of thermal annealing on UV written structures in PECVD and FHD fabricated samples. Following this, the use of UV written devices as refractive index sensors is shown using the detection of phase transitions in water and a liquid crystal as examples. The detection of supercooling in water is demonstrated and identification of the supercool state is found to be straightforward. Building on these results, the first tunable planar Bragg grating using a liquid crystal layer is fabricated and experimentally demonstrated. An electrically controlled tuning range of 35GHz is recorded
Dispelling the Myths Behind First-author Citation Counts
No full textWe conducted a full-scale evaluative citation analysis study of scholars in the XML research field to explore just how different from each other author rankings resulting from different citation counting methods actually are, and to demonstrate the capability of emerging data and tools on the Web in supporting more realistic citation counting methods. Our results contest some common arguments for the continued
use of first-author citation counts in the evaluation of scholars, such as high correlations between author rankings by first-author citation counts and other citation
counting methods, and high costs of using more realistic citation counting methods that are not well-supported by the ISI databases. It is argued that increasingly available digital full text research papers make it possible for citation analysis studies to go beyond what the ISI databases have directly supported and to employ more
sophisticated methods
Author Co-Citation Analysis (ACA): a powerful tool for representing implicit knowledge of scholar knowledge workers
No full textIn the last decade, knowledge has emerged as one of the most important and valuable organizational assets. Gradually this importance caused to emergence of new discipline entitled ―knowledge management‖. However one of the major challenges of knowledge management is conversion implicit or tacit knowledge to explicit knowledge. Thus Making knowledge visible so that it can be better accessed, discussed, valued or generally managed is a long-standing objective in knowledge management. Accordingly in this paper author co- citation analysis (ACA) will be proposed as an efficient technique of knowledge visualization in academia (Scholar knowledge workers)
Dusky Seaside Sparrow Perched Among Grass, E
No full textAdult male Dusky Seaside Sparrow on territory E. End T-24-C, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Brevard County, Florida.https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/fos_images/2272/thumbnail.jp
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