Search

Abstract Background The genetic mechanisms that underlie phenotypic differentiation in breeding animals have important implications in evolutionary biology and agriculture. However, the contribution of cis-regulatory variants to pig phenotypes is poorly understood. Therefore, our aim was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which non-coding variants cause phenotypic differences in pigs by combining evolutionary biology analyses and functional genomics. Results We obtained a high-resolution phased chromosome-scale reference genome with a contig N50 of 18.03 Mb for the Luchuan pig breed (a representative eastern breed) and profiled potential selective sweeps in eastern and western pigs by resequencing the genomes of 234 pigs. Multi-tissue transcriptome and chromatin accessibility analyses of these regions suggest that tissue-specific selection pressure is mediated by promoters and distal cis-regulatory elements. Promoter variants that are associated with increased expression of the lysozyme (LYZ) gene in the small intestine might enhance the immunity of the gastrointestinal tract and roughage tolerance in pigs. In skeletal muscle, an enhancer-modulating single-nucleotide polymorphism that is associated with up-regulation of the expression of the troponin C1, slow skeletal and cardiac type (TNNC1) gene might increase the proportion of slow muscle fibers and affect meat quality. Conclusions Our work sheds light on the molecular mechanisms by which non-coding variants shape phenotypic differences in pigs and provides valuable resources and novel perspectives to dissect the role of gene regulatory evolution in animal domestication and breeding.

Humanity currently sees itself facing enormous economic, ecological, and social challenges. Sustainable products and production in specialty chemistry are an important strategic element to address these megatrends. In addition to that, digitalization and global connectivity will create new opportunities for the industry. One aspect is examined in this paper, which shows the development of comprehensive analysis of production networks for a more sustainable production in which the need for innovative solutions arises. Examples from data analysis, advanced process control and automated performance monitoring are shown. These efforts have significant impact on improved yields, reduced energy and water consumption, and better product performance in the application of the products.

The full-Automatic Quick Hitch Coupling Device (full-AQHCD for short) is used as the starting point, key technologies in a large-scale rescue robot wrist, which is constituted by integrating a quick hitch coupling device, a turning device, and a swaying device together, are reviewed respectively. Firstly, the semi-AQHCD made domestically for the main-Arm Claw Wrist (main-ACW for short) is introduced, and the full-AQHCD imported from Oil Quick company in Sweden for the vice-Arm Cutter Wrist (vice-ACW for short) is presented. Secondly, aiming at three key technologies in the full-AQHCD including rotary joint technology, automatic docking technology and precise docking technology for quick action coupling, are concisely expressed. Thirdly, the hydraulic motor driving gear type slewing bearing technology of the turning device made domestically for the main-ACW is introduced, and the hydraulic motor driving worm type slewing bearing technology of the turning device imported from HKS company in Germany for the vice-ACW is presented, especially, the existing gap in the similar domestic technology is discussed. Subsequently, the hydraulic cylinder driving 4-bar linkage technology of the swaying device made domestically for the main-ACW is introduced, and the hydraulic double spiral swing cylinder technology of the swaying device imported from HKS company in Germany for the vice-ACW is presented, especially, the existing gap in the similar domestic technology is discussed. Finally, it is emphasized that these technological gaps have seriously restricted the ability of the vice-ACW to successfully work in future actual rescue combats, therefore, it must be highly valued in the follow-up research and development (R&D) through cooperating with professional manufacturers in China, thereby making technological advances.