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1. The Kaijiang duck is a native Chinese breed known for its excellent egg laying performance, killing-out percentage (88.57%), and disease resistance. The assessment of population genetic structure is the basis for understanding the genetics of indigenous breeds and for their protection and management. 2. In this study, whole-genome sequencing was performed on 60 Kaijiang ducks to identify genetic variations and investigate the population structure. Homozygosity (ROH) analysis was conducted to assess inbreeding levels in the population. 3. The study revealed a moderate level of inbreeding, indicated by an average inbreeding coefficient of 0.1043. This may impact the overall genetic diversity. 4. Genomic Regions of Interest identified included 168 genomic regions exhibiting high levels of autozygosity. These regions were associated with processes including muscle growth, pigmentation, neuromodulation, and growth and reproduction. 5. The significance of these pathways indicated their potential role in shaping the desirable traits of the Kaijiang duck. These findings provide insights into the genetic basis of the Kaijiang duck's desirable traits and can inform future breeding and conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rift basins are commonly characterised by multiple sediment sources (e.g. transverse and longitudinal) that change over time during different rifting evolution stages. Therefore, tracing sediment provenance to decipher the sedimentary source-to-sink analyses processes in rift basins is important to predict sandy reservoirs. The Xihu Sag in the East China Sea Shelf Basin, particularly its western slope, features large-scale sand bodies of unclear origin. We used petrography, heavy minerals and geochemistry to study sediment provenance in the Eocene Baoshi to Miocene Longjing formations. Our work suggests there are three distinct areas (namely zones A, B and C) affected by different source areas. Zone A, influenced by the Hupijiao uplift, primarily contains metamorphic rock minerals; Zone B, affected by the Haijiao and Hupijiao uplifts, contains igneous and metamorphic rock minerals; and Zone C, dominated by the Haijiao uplift, features igneous with some metamorphic sources, which increase over time, indicating stronger sediment input from the northern Hupijiao uplift. Rare earth element analysis suggests a continental margin and island arc setting, primarily with intermediate–acid felsic rock sources. However, a Eu negative anomaly in Eocene upper Pinghu Formation to the Miocene Longjing Formation indicates some basic source contributions, possibly from a volcanic belt east of the South Yellow Sea. This intermediate–basic volcanic rock belt is located to the northwest of the Hupijiao uplift and may provide clasts for zones A and B through axial channels. These findings indicate that varied sediment sources in the different zones and basin evolution stages with a growing extra-basinal contribution from the Eocene to Miocene, which align with the tectonic shift from the rifting to post-rift period, are essential for understanding the sedimentary filling in this area. Three distinct regions are identified, each influenced by different source areas. Rare earth elements indicate that the tectonic setting of the source terranes was active continental margin and continental island arc. From Eocene to Miocene, there was a growing influence of distal source areas entering the basin through the axial fluvial channels. Sediment provenance changes respond to the basin-scale tectonic evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of a peptidoglycan produced by Limosilactobacillus reuteri against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) induced toxicity in vitro and in vivo in broiler chicks. 2. Toxin adsorption experiments were carried out firstly in vitro. These experiments indicated that the absorption efficiency of the peptidoglycan for AFB1 was 64.3–75.9%. 3. In the in vivo experiments, Hy-Line Brown chicks were fed a diet containing AFB1 at 71.43 µg/kg with and without peptidoglycan supplementation at concentrations of 100, 200, or 300 g/kg feed from 0–42 d of age. 4. The peptidoglycan supplementation in AFB1-contaminated diets resulted in significant improvements in terms of average daily gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, white blood cell count, haemoglobin content, glutathione peroxidase activity, immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgG, IgM and Newcastle disease virus antibody titres (p < 0.05) and diminished liver steatosis. 5. In conclusion, peptidoglycan supplementation alleviated AFB1-induced toxicity through adsorbing toxins and improving growth performance, antioxidant ability, immunity and liver pathological changes in chicks. The optimal supplemental dose was 200 mg/kg in feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Two experiments were conducted to explore the effects of an exogenous sfericase protease on the apparent ileal nutrient digestibility of soybean meal (SBM) and rapeseed meal (RSM) in broiler chickens. 2. In each experiment, a total of 256 sixteen-day-old male Cobb 500 broilers were fed one of four semi-purified experimental diets, comprising two different batches (A and B) of samples for either SBM (Exp. 1) or RSM (Exp. 2) without or with an exogenous sfericase (0 or 30,000 NFP/kg). Each experimental diet was fed to eight replicate pens of broiler chickens from 16 to 21 d of age (eight birds per cage), and ileal digesta were collected for measuring the digestibility coefficients. 3. In Exp. 1, the amino acid digestibility was greater (P < 0.05) in SBM B compared with SBM A for Arg and Val, and a similar trend (P < 0.1) was observed for Tyr, Leu and Thr. Exogenous sfericase increased (P < 0.10) digestibility of most of amino acids except Gly, His and Trp. There was an interaction between SBM source and sfericase, whereby digestibility of P, N and Asp was increased by sfericase for SBM B but not for SBM A. In Exp. 2, there was no interaction (P > 0.05) between RSM source and sfericase for ileal nutrient digestibility. Digestibility was greater in RSM A compared to RSM B for all non-essential AA and most essential AA (except for Trp), while the reverse was noted for Ca and P (P < 0.05). Exogenous sfericase increased (P < 0.1) digestibility for all amino acids except Cys and Met. 4. In conclusion, the current studies showed that both SBM and RSM batches influenced amino acid digestibility. Sfericase protease supplementation increased amino acid digestibility for both SBM and RSM. The digestibility effects were greater in the SBM batch with low digestibility for N and Asp which was in line with an increase in P digestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Laying performance is an important economic trait in poultry. The blood is essential in transporting nutrients to the yolk and albumen and is necessary for egg formation. 2. This study calculated the phenotypic relationships of duck egg quality, egg production efficiency and 22 serum parameters in the egg-laying stage. Using a variety of methodologies, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was carried out to uncover the genetic foundations of the 22 serum biochemical markers of laying ducks. 3. Spearman correlation coefficients between the egg production (226–329 per day) and the serum parameters were all weak, being less than 0.3. This analysis was done on 22 serum parameters, with total protein (TP), total triglycerides (TG), calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P) having the highest correlation coefficients (r = 0.56–0.88). The coefficients for blood markers, such as total cholesterol (CHOL), total bilirubin (TBIL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) varied from 0.70–0.94. 4. Based on single-marker single-trait genome-wide analyses by a mixed linear model program of EMMAX, nine candidate genes were associated with enzyme traits (AST/ALT aspartate transaminase/glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, creatine kinase) and 19 candidate genes were associated with metabolism and protein-related serum parameters (glucose, total bile acid, uric acid (UA), albumin (ALB). 5. The mvLMM (multivariate linear mixed model) of GEMMA software was used to carry out multiple trait integrated GWAS. Two candidate genes were found in the TP-TG-CA-P analysis and seven candidate genes in the CHOL_LDL-C_HDL-C_TBIL study. There was a high genetic correlation between the two groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. This study investigated the effects of lysolecithins (LL) on performance, egg quality, blood profiles, relative organ weight and liver histopathology in laying hens. 2. A total of 480 healthy 65-week-old Lohmann laying hens were randomly allocated into four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement design with two levels of energy (AMEn, 11.08 MJ/kg and 12.94 MJ/kg) and two levels of LL (0 and 0.05%). 3. Birds fed high energy diets had lower (P < 0.05) average daily intake and feed conversion rate during weeks 0–4, 5-8 and 0–8, but higher (P < 0.05) average egg weight (AEW) during trial weeks 0–4. There was an interaction in (P < 0.05) AEW during trial weeks 0–14 and 0–8 for energy and LL. The high energy diets increased yolk colour at the end of weeks 2 and 4, while addition of LL increased albumen height at the end of week 2. There was an interaction (P < 0.05) in yolk colour between energy and LL at the end of week 2. There was an interaction (P < 0.05) in serum superoxide dismutase and LDL-C throughout the experiment. 4. The high energy diets increased (P < 0.05) the relative weight of abdominal fat compared with low energy diets. The high energy diets increased (P < 0.05) liver ether extract content and liver pathological injury score compared with low energy diets at the end of week 8, while the addition of LL decreased (P < 0.05) liver pathological injury score. 5. The supplementation of LL in high energy diets could alleviate some negative effects on liver injury in late laying hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Male NongHua ma ducks have more colourful feathers than females, especially considering that the former have a distinctive neck ring that is different from that of females. This ring development might be influenced by sex selection, the environment, genetics and other elements. 2. Genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) was used to locate candidate genes that affect the neck ring formation of male ducks to investigate the genetic basis of this phenomenon. 3. In this study, the neck ring area and width of 180 male ducks were assessed at ages 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120 d. GWAS was used to identify associated genes. There were 0, 7, 14, 48 and 21 possible candidate genes annotated around the 0, 12, 25, 76 and 40 SNP loci n corresponding regions. A total of 13 candidate genes were identified around 21 SNP sites at the neck ring width of 120 d. 4. These significant genes were annotated and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed. All SNPs that exceeded the significance threshold were annotated and preliminarily screened as candidate genes affecting neck ring formation. From analysis of gene function and enriched KEGG pathways, genes such as THSD1, SLC6A4, DGAT2, PRKDC, B3GAT2, ROR1, GRK7, EXTL3, TXNDC12, COL4A2, PRKG1, ACTR3, were considered important candidate marker sites related to the neck ring. This provided a reference starting point for the genetic mechanism underlying duck feather colour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. A new assessment method for duck footpad dermatitis (FPD) evaluation was developed, combining visual and histological characters using the images and sections of 400 ducks' feet at 340 d of age. All ducks were graded as G0 (healthy), G1 (mild), G2 (moderate) and G3 (severe) according to the degree of FPD. 2. To reveal the potential biomarkers in serum related to duck FPD, non-targeted metabolomics and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were used to explore differential metabolites in each group. 3. There were 57, 91 and 210 annotated differential metabolites in groups G1, G2 and G3 compared with G0, which meant that the severity of FPD increased in line with the number of metabolites. Four metabolites, L-phenylalanine, L-arginine, L-leucine and L-lysine, were considered potential biomarkers related to FPD. 4. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the FPD was mainly involved in glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, the pentose phosphate pathway and amino acid metabolism. These are related to production metabolism and can affect the physiological activities of ducks, which might explain the decrease in production performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The γ/γ' microstructure is a key factor for the mechanical performance of nickel-based single crystal superalloys. Experimental results have shown that the size and shape of the γ' precipitates are not uniform and follow certain probability distributions. In order to study the effect of the microstructure on the mechanical behavior of the superalloys, a method is proposed to reproduce its initial microstructure with the distribution function of its γ′ particle size. The effect of different microstructures on the creep behavior at different locations of a real blade is predicted to demonstrate the application of the method. It can be found from the simulation results that the mechanical behavior of the blade is related to not only the thickness of the blade wall but also the position in the blade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Testosterone has an anabolic effect on skeletal muscle. The testes produce most of the testosterone in vivo, while the adrenal glands contribute smaller amounts. When testis testosterone is deficient the adrenal gland increases steroid hormone synthesis, which is referred to as compensatory testicular adaptation (CTA). 2. To reveal the effects of testis testosterone deficiency on adrenal steroid hormones synthesis and skeletal muscle development, gene expression related to adrenal steroid hormones synthesis and skeletal muscle development were determined by RNA-seq. 3. The results showed that castrating male ducks had significant effects on their body weight but no significant impact on cross-sectional area (CSA) or density of pectoral muscle fibres. In skeletal muscle protein metabolism, expression levels of the catabolic gene atrogin1/MAFbx and the anabolic gene eEF2 were significantly higher, with concomitant increases after castration. The adrenal glands' alteration of the steroid hormone 11β-hydroxylase (CYP11B1) was significantly lower following castration. 4. Expression pattern analysis showed that the adrenal glands' glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1/GR) had a potential regulatory relationship with the skeletal muscle-related genes (Pax7, mTOR, FBXO32, FOXO3, and FOXO4). 5. The data showed that castration affected muscle protein metabolism, adrenal steroid and testosterone synthesis. In addition, it was speculated that, after castration, steroid hormones produced by the adrenal gland could have a compensatory effect, which might mediate the changes in skeletal muscle protein metabolism and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate whether ontogenetic development over the grow-out culture period can cause geographical plasticity of carapace shape in a certain region, geometric morphometric analysis was used, in this study, to determine the ontogenetic changes in the carapace morphology of Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) originating from Yangcheng Lake, China, during a year of growth from coin-sized juveniles to market-sized adults. The morphological differences in the carapace throughout the year of culture were characterized using a 35-landmark point system. We used principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis to determine morphological variation using thin-plate spline analysis and mesh deformation. During the growth process, the changes in the carapace were mainly concentrated in the third and fourth anterolateral teeth and on the M-shaped pattern. During the growth of male and female crabs throughout the year, the shape of the carapace changed considerably over the first six months. Afterwards, the shape of the carapace began to stabilize and could not be differentiated through discriminant analysis. This study is the first to use geometric morphometrics to analyze the ontogenetic changes in the carapace shape of E. sinensis crabs native to Yangcheng Lake. The results demonstrate that it takes a long time for the carapace morphology of native crabs to stabilize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lycocerus varipubens species-group is defined to accommodate three previously described species and a new species from the Himalayan area, including L. varipubens, L. semiextensus, L. purpurascens comb. nov. & stat. reinst. and L. zayuensis sp. nov. L. purpurascens, originally described in Cantharis and first combined in Lycocerus here, is reinstated as a valid specific name to replace L. rubrispinis syn. nov., which is a replacement name for Cantharis rubripennis. Meanwhile, L. rubrispinis becomes a junior synonym of L. purpurascens. L. varipubens species-group could be distinguished from all other groups by the combination of following characters, the filiform antennae, pronotum wider than long, reddish-brown elytra with weakly or moderately developed longitudinal costae, all pro- and meso-outer claws each with a digtiform tooth in both sexes, and spermatheca with three spiral tubes. The species descriptions are provided with habitus photos, aedeagi, abdominal sternites VIII and reproductive systems of female. L. purpurascens and L. varipubens are recorded to China for the first time. In addition, a morphological phylogenetic analysis shows that the L. varipubens group is sister to L. purpureus group. A distribution map and a key to the species of this species-group are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Climacteric is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

1. The following study examined the expression profiles of the receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) family in the developing feather follicles of Pekin ducks and Nonghua ducks at 6–9 weeks of age. The RTK subfamilies related to feather development were summarised, and other candidate genes related to feather development were enriched. 2. To reveal the potential role of all RTK members in feather development, the feather follicles of two duck breeds (Pekin and Nonghua ducks) at 6–9 weeks were isolated and chosen for RNA-Seq determination. 3. A total of 53 RTK members were confirmed in the duck genome, and 42 were expressed in duck feather follicles. Among RTK subfamilies, the VEGFR, PDGFR, FGFR, EGFR, and InsR subfamilies, along with and Met and KIT genes, were the main ones regulating feather growth. 4. Genes with a similar expression pattern to the RTK were identified, and KEGG and PPI analyses were performed to explore the new potential feather development genes associated with RTK genes. Results showed that BCAR1, PXN, LAMA2, LAMC1 and LAMC3 are essential candidate genes for regulating feather growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Climacteric is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

1. This study examined the transcriptomic profiles of contour and flight feather follicles from two duck breeds to determine the molecular network and the candidate genes associated with contour and flight feather morphogenesis. 2. High-throughput RNA sequencing was performed to compare differences in feather follicles between contour and flight feathers in two duck breeds (Heiwu and Nonghua duck). 3. Comparing the contour feather follicles with flight feather follicles, 4,757 and 4,820 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in Heiwu and Nonghua duck respectively. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to construct a gene co-expression network of all DEGs and identify the key modules and hub genes associated with feather morphogenesis. 4. Two key modules were enriched in many pathways involved in feather morphogenesis, such as the Wnt signalling pathway, anatomical structure morphogenesis, and focal adhesion. The CCNA2, TTK, NUF2, ECT2 and INCENP (in one module), and PRSS23, LAMC1, IGFBP3, SHISA5, and APLP2 (in another module) may be essential candidate genes for influencing feather morphology. Moreover, seven transcription factors (TFs) (UBP1, MBD2, ZNF512B, SMAD1, CAPN15, JDP2, KLF10, and MEF2A) were predicted to regulate the essential genes that contribute to feather morphogenesis. 5. This work demonstrated gene expression changes of contour and flight feather follicles and is beneficial for further understanding of the complex structure of feathers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pore structure is the key factor in determining the development potential of shale reservoirs with a need for more research into mechanisms of pore system development in terrestrial shales. In this study, the pore structure and control mechanisms of typical terrestrial shale reservoirs were described by investigating porosity and permeability under overburden pressure, mercury injection capillary pressure, N2 adsorption, rock pyrolysis analysis, geochemistry and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that: (1) the main pore types in the upper section are quartz and clay intergranular pores, whereas those in the lower section are ferroan dolomite, plagioclase and quartz intergranular pores; (2) clay minerals control the intra-layer pore structure, and quartz minerals control the interlayer pore structure in the upper section, whereas ferroan dolomite provides the largest micron-scale pore size in the lower section; and (3) the micropores of samples with low organic matter content peak at the low maturation stage, whereas the micropores of samples with high organic matter content show an increasing trend from immature to mature stages. The influence of mineral composition and thermal maturity on the development of pore systems in shale reservoirs is an important indicator for future exploration in terrestrial shales. Factors influencing pore type of a typical terrestrial shale reservoir in the Permian Lucaogou Formation of the Jimsar Depression are inorganic minerals (quartz, ferroan dolomite and clays) and organic matter. Thermal maturity, which controls the development of organic nanopores, peaks at the beginning of the oil window. The pore system in terrestrial shale reservoirs comprises inorganic minerals that control primarily porosity and mature organic matter that control secondary porosity formed during late diagenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrocarbon distribution in the western Qaidam Basin is complex and characterised by large reserves, dispersed distribution, local enrichment, and multi-layer accumulation. Near the Altyn Tagh Ranges, the traps are mainly oil-filled, whereas far away and near the basin centre, they are gas-filled. With hydrocarbon distribution in the western Qaidam Basin poorly understood, the tectonic evolution, source-rock thermal evolution and space–time configurations were studied using burial history, strata thickness, source-rock generation and expulsion processes, and trap formation. Mode 1 system was characterised by continuous hydrocarbon accumulation, rapid source-rock burial and trap formation early in the basin history resulting in early generation and trapping of low maturity oil and later generation of high maturity oil. Mode 2 was characterised by mid-section hydrocarbon accumulation, steady source-rock burial velocity and trap formation with the traps filled by mature oil and small amounts of gas. Mode 3 was characterised by tail hydrocarbon accumulation, rapid source-rock burial and trap formation late in basin development resulting in traps filled with high-maturity gas. In the Mesozoic–Cenozoic petroleum system, such as the Dina2 condensate gas field, hydrocarbon accumulation was earlier than in the Yingxi Shizigou oilfield belonging to the Cenozoic petroleum system, which was mainly controlled by tectonic evolution and source-rock thermal evolution. The well-matching relationships between hydrocarbon generation–expulsion time and trap formation may create a giant oilfield, an earlier formed trap, later matured source rock and good preservation leading to continuous accumulation of hydrocarbon favourable for exploration. In the western Qaidam Basin, hydrocarbon differential distribution was mainly controlled by source-rock burial history, stratigraphic thickness and trap formation processes. Multi-stage hydrocarbon accumulation characteristics are classified into three modes according to the thermal evolution stage of the source rock. A comparison of hydrocarbon accumulation processes between the Yingxi oilfield in the western Qaidam Basin and Dina 2 gas fields in the Kuqa foreland basin allowed hydrocarbon accumulation modes to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a new class of R-estimators for semiparametric VARMA models in which the innovation density plays the role of the nuisance parameter. Our estimators are based on the novel concepts of multivariate center-outward ranks and signs. We show that these concepts, combined with Le Cam's asymptotic theory of statistical experiments, yield a class of semiparametric estimation procedures, which are efficient (at a given reference density), root-n consistent, and asymptotically normal under a broad class of (possibly non-elliptical) actual innovation densities. No kernel density estimation is required to implement our procedures. A Monte Carlo comparative study of our R-estimators and other routinely applied competitors demonstrates the benefits of the novel methodology, in large and small sample. Proofs, computational aspects, and further numerical results are available in the . for this article are available online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. High stocking densities can lead to animal stress responses and lead to changes in bird behaviour, egg production and the fertility of laying birds. The oviduct plays a crucial role during the process of laying eggs. Therefore, it is essential to know how high stocking density affects oviduct function. 2. In this study, a total of 2,115 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in duck oviduct tissues between different stocking density groups. These genes are mainly enriched in membrane components, calcium ion binding, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and focal adhesion. These pathways were closely related to the formation of eggs. This indicated that secretion and material transport functions of the oviduct are affected under high-density stocking. Further analysis showed that a total of 408 genes related to the transportation process were expressed in the oviduct, of which 96 genes were differentially expressed (LogFC≥1, P < 0.05). Forty-two of these DEGs belonged to the solute carrier family. The data showed that the expression of 31 transcripts was different between the two density groups. Expression of KCNJ15, SLC26A8, and TRPM5 was only seen in the high-density group (8/m2), while ATP13A3 and KCNIP2 were only expressed in the low-density group (4/m2). 3. Consequently, high stocking density may affect the expression and splicing of genes related to molecular transport in the oviduct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The thymus and bursa of Fabricius are important immune organs in poultry as they play essential roles in sustaining the normal immune function to maintain health. The following trial investigated whether the stocking density affected gene expressions in immune organs. 2. Jinding ducklings were raised in either low or high density (4 or 8 birds/m2) conditions from four to 14 weeks of age, and were then slaughtered and tissues removed. Samples were subjected to high-throughput sequencing to sequence RNA extraction. After filtering calculations with R software, a total of 508 (thymus) and 1,356 (bursa of Fabricius) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, suggesting that stocking density has an effect on gene expression in duck immune organs. 3. Out of a total of 112 immune factor genes and 112 immune pattern receptor genes in ducks, four thymus and 18 bursa of Fabricius genes were differentially expressed in ducks, which indicated that the change of stocking density could affect the expression of immune genes in poultry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Climacteric is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the coal-bearing deposits of the Qiongdongnan Basin in the South China Sea, coal seams are for the most part extremely thin, typically less than 0.5 m. Coal streaks are commonly observed but are not concentrated. In addition, the ash content of the coal components is very high, indicating that the geological conditions of peat accumulation and coal formation were very unstable. For these reasons, it can be speculated that at the time of development, peat mires were relatively poor, in terms of inheritance and continuity, and were commonly not preserved. Coal measures, coal seams (in situ peat accumulation over long distances) and dispersed terrigenous sedimentary organic matter, which together constitute a type of complex coal source-to-sink system found in basin-marginal basins, include three aspects. (1) The material is homologous: whether autochthonous accumulation, allochthonous accumulation or dispersed organic matter is present, the total organic matter source is homologous, i.e. suitable for development and plant growth. (2) The process of organic matter transport (channel) is divided into three forms: vertical accumulation in situ, transport to relatively fixed areas by flowing water, and transport by other mechanisms with long-distance dispersion and drift. (3) There are three types of aggregation forms: vertical accumulation in situ, transport from flowing water to relatively fixed areas away from where plants grow and aggregate, and deposition in deep-water basins fixed with other substances; the latter type requires a period of time for long-distance dispersion and drift, including channel flow and surface flow. From plant growth to peat formation, the 'source–channel–sink system' of coal formation is 'sensitivity to sedimentary environments and complexity of distribution'. Convergence of coal-series, coal seam (insitu peat aggregation and allochthonous aggregation), and terrestrial dispersed organic matter deposition, constitute a complex coal-measure source–sink system. Source includes substance homology, channels include insitu vertical accumulation and dispersion drift in short and long distances, with convergence forms including insitu vertical accretion, remote sink and dispersion in deep-water basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an ongoing debate about the evolution and geological significance of sediments deposited during the Upper Devonian period in the Wutong Formation on the northern margin of Yangtze Plate. Although the deposition of the Wutong Formation is reported to have coincided with the period of global sea-level changes, the sedimentary record has not been clearly interpreted. We utilise the lithofacies, sedimentary petrology and paleogeography of the Wutong Formation to determine the sedimentary environment and its significance in relation to the northern Yangtze Plate and global sea-level fluctuations. Detailed sedimentary petrology shows that the Wutong Formation was deposited in the barrier-free coastal environment, and stratigraphic analyses indicate the presence of two intervals of transgressions. Lithofacies and paleontological records found in the Wutong Formation show that the two transgressive events correspond to periods of global sea-level rise and allow new insights into impacts of the Frasnian global sea-level changes. Six lithofacies and five lithofacies assemblages can be identified from the Devonian Wutong Formation in the Chaohu area. We find that the Wutong Formation in the Chaohu area is formed in a coastal sedimentary environment. The transgression and regression of the late Devonian in the Chaohu area correspond to the sea-level changes of global Frasnian–Famennian events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. When geese or ducks are overfed with a high-energy diet rich in carbohydrates, their liver increases in size by 5- to 10-fold in 2 weeks, which is accompanied by the occurrence of hepatic steatosis. As a result, this distinctive genetic characteristic of waterfowl has been taken advantage of to produce foie gras. 2. When overfed geese were fed a regular diet for a 20-d period of recovery, their liver was restored to the original state. Hence, the entire process is reversible, and cause no lasting cirrhosis or necrosis in the liver. This suggests that waterfowl have a mechanism to protect their liver from the harm caused by severe hepatic steatosis. 3. This paper reviews the formation, physiological changes to metabolic pathways and the protective mechanisms in geese and ducks with hepatic steatosis. Not only will understanding these mechanisms provide ideas for the waterfowl breeding selection for foie gras, it is conducive to improving production efficiency and quality of foie gras. This provides a scientific basis to ensure animal welfare and an approach to the prevention and treatment of fatty liver disease in human. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work is concerned with the corrosion resistance of AA6061 aluminium alloys with tantalum films in hydrochloric acid- and chloride-containing solutions. The tantalum films were produced by magnetron sputtering at different sputtering times (50 and 120 min). The films' morphologies were observed by metallographic microscope and scanning electron microscope with energy dispersion spectrum. It is shown in this paper that with longer sputtering time, the film's thickness increased, but it became less dense. The corrosion behaviour was characterised by potentiodynamic polarisation, scanning electrochemical microscopy analysis and an immersion experiment. These investigations revealed that the corrosion resistance of AA6061 aluminium alloy in chloride ions medium and hydrochloric acid was significantly improved after deposition of a tantalum film. Specifically, samples deposited for 50 min exhibited the best corrosion resistance in hydrochloric acid, while samples deposited for 120 min showed best corrosion resistance in sodium chloride solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Birds' newly oviposited blastoderms can survive several weeks in a dormant state during low-temperature storage. Previous studies demonstrated that there is a critical temperature range from 19 to 27°C for chicken embryos. Within this range, the embryo will diapause in a dormant state; once the temperature rises above this range, the blastoderm will break dormancy. 2. Clarifying the mechanism that initiates duck embryo developmental recovery from blastoderm dormancy will be helpful to change temperature control to improve hatching in poultry production. It was hypothesised that there might be some temperature-sensitive genes involved in initiating duck embryo developmental recovery from blastoderm dormancy. 3. To test this hypothesis, the transcriptome of the newly oviposited duck blastoderm and duck embryo (incubated for 48 hours) were sequenced to screen for differentially expressed genes with functions that had been predicted by bioinformatics. 4. The results showed that there were 2416 differentially expressed genes between the two groups, 53 of which were involved in temperature-sensitive pathways. The protein-protein interaction network combined these 53 temperature-sensitive genes and another group of 65 genes, which enriched the development pathway. These results suggested that temperature-sensitive genes may be involved in growth and development related pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Ammonia is a toxic gas and an air pollutant of great concern. The effects of ammonia-induced damage in ducks are rarely reported. 2. A total of 176 laying ducks were randomly allocated to one of two groups with four replicates and were exposed to ammonia at 5 ± 5 ppm (low ammonia, LA) or 75 ± 5 ppm (high ammonia, HA), respectively, for 30 days. 3. The results showed that atmospheric ammonia exposure significantly decreased body weight and laying performance (P < 0.05). It significantly changed serum biochemical indices by increasing alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0.05), and decreasing superoxide dismutase activity (P < 0.05). Haematoxylin and eosin staining of hepatocytes revealed severe fatty degeneration. Results of RNA-seq analyses revealed that eight genes were significantly up-regulated in the HA group, which were involved in catalytic activity, single-organism metabolic processes, oxidation-reduction processes, and carbohydrate metabolic processes. 4. These results indicated that atmospheric ammonia exposure reduced production performance, affected serum biochemical indices, and led to severe fatty degeneration in the liver of laying ducks. Differentially expressed genes in liver indicated that there were effects of ammonia exposure on the metabolism and detoxification capabilities in ducks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABP) are members of lipid-binding proteins, which participate in the metabolism and intracellular transportation of lipids. This study was designed to investigate the expression patterns, polymorphisms and associations with meat quality traits of the FABP1 gene in pigeons. 2. The temporal-spatial expression patterns showed FABP1 was widely expressed in all eleven tissues from 0–4 weeks of age, the expression level in the liver was the highest, followed by the small intestine and subcutaneous fat. 3. Five novel SNPs were found; all of them were synonymous and in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Association analysis revealed that for the SNP of G161C, the AB and BB genotypes had higher (P ≤ 0.01) inosinic acid concentrations in breast muscle than the AA genotype. The BB genotype showed the highest (P < 0.01) intramuscular fat among the three genotypes, and significantly greater FABP1 mRNA levels were observed in the breast muscle of the BB genotype than in the AA and AB genotypes (P < 0.01). In the SNP C1376T, the AB and BB genotypes showed higher (P < 0.01) intramuscular fat than the AA genotype, and the relative mRNA expression level of the BB (P < 0.01) and AB (P < 0.05) genotypes was higher than that of the AA genotype in breast muscle. Correlation analysis implied that the FABP1 mRNA expression level was closely related to the inosinic acid (P < 0.05) and intramuscular fat content (P < 0.01). Oil red O staining of frozen sections of breast muscle on d 28 for SNPs G161C and C1376T also indicated that the BB genotype had the highest intramuscular fat content in both SNPs. In addition, correlation analysis implied the FABP1 mRNA expression level was closely related to inosinic acid (P < 0.05) and intramuscular fat content (P < 0.01). 4. The results suggested that FABP1 could be a potential candidate gene in marker-assisted selection for breeding pigeons with high-quality meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The splay, twist and bend elastic constants (K11, K22 and K33) have been measured as a function of temperature in bent-core/calamitic mixtures based on three different calamitic materials (5CB, 8CB and ZLI1132) and two bent-core dopants. The behaviour of the splay and bend constants are as expected; a reduction in K33 of ~20%, in line with predictions from mixing rules and other observations. Interestingly, no change is seen in the splay constant, K11 of the calamitic hosts. Surprisingly though, the twist elastic constant exhibits a reduction of 30 – 40% in all mixtures across the nematic range, an effect not previously reported and much larger than mixing rules can explain. The elastic behaviour is universal in our mixtures. We explain part of the reduction in the twist deformation by considering the influence of the chiral conformer fluctuations of the bent-core molecules on the twist elastic constants of the mixtures. However, the dramatic reduction can only be fully explained by also including contributions from chiral conformer fluctuations of the calamitic host, a form of chiral amplification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longstanding debates on the tectonic setting and provenance of the Lower Cretaceous Lingshandao Formation have hindered basin analysis and tectonic studies of the collision of the Yangtze Craton and the North China Craton, and thus the evolution of the Sulu Orogen. Thin-section analysis, identification of rock particles, cathodoluminescence, heavy minerals and trace-element analysis have, in addition to field investigations, been applied to reconstruct the source area and transport pathways of the sediments that build the Lower Cretaceous Laiyang Group on the Lingshan Island, western Yellow Sea. These analyses indicate that the Laiyang Group consists mainly of material derived from a recycled orogen and from transitional continental sediments. The Laiyang Group on Lingshan Island has been sourced from igneous and metamorphic rocks. Comparing analyses of detrital minerals with rocks from surrounding areas leads to the conclusion that the main source area is the Sulu Orogen that supplied sediment to rift basin rather than a residual basin between the Yangtze Craton and the North China Craton. A recycled orogenic belt is the source area for the Laiyang Group on Linshan Island. Felsic metamorphic and igneous rocks form the most probable sources. The rift basin was filled by sediments supplied from the Sulu Orogen on both sides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixing liquid crystal with chiral dopant for increasing the response speed of optical driving liquid crystal display was investigated in this paper. It is demonstrated that by adding chiral dopant, rewriting time could be decreased from 30 s to 20 s with good repeatability. Without adding other steps in the process of making cells, this improvement is due to the stronger elastic energymaking LC molecules twist more easily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This survey followed the birth population-based study conducted in 2010 in Huai'an, Jiangsu Province, with the aim to estimate perinatal-neonatal mortality and preterm birth rate in emerging regions with similar maternal-fetal and neonatal care conditions in China.Materials and methods: Data of total births in 2015 were prospectively collected by regional perinatal network collaboration in Huai'an, a subprovincial region with a population of 5,644,500 and gross domestic production of 9082 USD per capita.Results: The 59,424 birth registries (including 59,023 live births and 167 stillbirths) corresponded to a birth rate of 10.5‰ and a Male-to-female ratio of 113.7:100. All births there were from 85, 16, and 6 level I, II, and III hospitals, with a delivery rate of 30.4, 40.2, and 29.4%, respectively. Of all births, 14.1% had pregnancy-associated comorbidities and complications, 54.4% (32,226/59,190) had cesarean delivery, and multiple pregnancies and birth defects occurred in 2.1% (1,250) and 5.5‰ (324), respectively. The mean birth weight was 3448 ± 507 g with 13.9% being macrosomia, and 2.86% (1695/59,190) low birth weight. Preterm birth rate was 4.06% (2404/59,190) with a mortality rate of 8.5%. There were 94.5% recorded as healthy newborns and 5.5% (3263) requiring hospitalization after birth. The perinatal and neonatal mortality rate was 5.2‰ (167 stillbirths, 139 early neonatal deaths) and 4.0‰, respectively. Compared with the 2010 survey, these data demonstrated generally improved status of perinatal-neonatal healthcare.Conclusions: The low rates of perinatal-neonatal mortality, preterm birth and preterm mortality suggest that the concept and study protocol of perinatal-neonatal healthcare in Huai'an may serve as the benchmark for estimating regional vital statistics and perinatal and neonatal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern semiconductor wafer fabrication systems are changing from 200 mm to 300 mm wafer processing, and with the dual promises of more chips per wafer and economy of scale, leading semiconductor manufacturers are attracted to developing and implementing 300 mm wafer fabs. However, in today's dynamic and competitive global market, a successful semiconductor manufacturer has to excel in multiple performance indices, such as manufacturing cycle time and on-time delivery, and simultaneously optimize these objectives to reach the best-compromised system achievement. To cope with this challenge, in this paper, the infrastructure of a timed EOPNs-based multiple-objective real-time scheduling system (MRSS) is proposed to tackle complex 300 mm wafer fabs. Four specific performance objectives pursued by contemporary semiconductor manufacturers are integrated into a priority-ranking algorithm, which can serve as the initial scheduling guidance, and then all wafer lots will be dynamically dispatched by the real-time state-dependent dispatching system. This dispatching control system is timed EOPN-based and adopts a heterarchical organization that leads to a better real-time performance and adaptability. As the foundation of real-time schedule, the timed EOPNs modelling approach is expounded in detail, and the prototype of the MRSS simulation system is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an approach, the unit circle (UC), to qualitative representation of robots. A robot is described as a collection of constraints holding among time-varying, interval-valued parameters. The UC representation is presented, and the continuous motion of the end-effector is evaluated by the change of directions of qualitative angle and qualitative length. Analytical formulas of qualitative velocity and qualitative acceleration are derived. The characteristic mapping is introduced for fault detection and diagnosis in terms of the UC. In the end, simulation results demonstrate the feasibility of the UC approach in the domain of robotic fault diagnosis, where a fault is defined as a deviation from expected behavior. The UC representation of robots concerns a global assessment of the systems behaviour, and it might be used for the purpose of monitoring, diagnosis, and explanation of physical systems. This is the first step to fault diagnosis and remediation for Beagle 2 using qualitative methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Display quality is part of the final liquid crystal display (LCD) inspection process before shipping. A 'limited sample' is provided based on the agreement between the manufacturer and the customer. This inspection usually includes an operator who compares the LCD product with the limit sample using the naked eye. The procedure often causes controversy in the manufacturing plant and between the manufacturer and customers. This study attempts to establish a more objective, automatic method to determine the MURA-type defects in LCD panels. A luminance meter is used as the measurement device. An LCD panel is divided into 144 areas. Five points are measured to obtain the luminances. Analysis of variance and the exponentially weighted moving average techniques are applied to determine the existence of MURA defects. Fifty normal LCD panels and 50 MURA defects panels were used to test the inspection method. All 50 LCD panels with MURA defects were correctly identified using the proposed inspection method. The proposed inspection method can help LCD manufacturers reduce the variation in LCD panel inspection results and establish a better relationship with customers through a common inspection mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is very difficult to display greyscale for an optically driving liquid crystal display (ODLCD) because the driving unit and display unit are separate, and there are no electronics in the display part of ODLCD. In this paper, two greyscale generation methods are proposed to achieve this goal. Six and nine grey levels are separately achieved through the two methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The objectives of the current study were to investigate the mitochondrial genome and molecular phylogeny of Lueyang black-bone chicken, and  provide  molecule base to preserve and explore the specific chicken strain. 2. Based on sequencing and clustering, the complete mitochondrial DNA map and sequences of Lueyang black-bone chicken were revealed, and two phylogenetic trees of Lueyang black-bone chickens based on D-loop sequences and the mitochondrial genome were constructed. 3. The results showed that the complete mitochondrial genome of Lueyang black-bone chickens is 16,784bp in size, consisting of 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and one non-coding control region. The base composition of the complete mtDNA sequence is 30.28% for A, 23.78% for T, 32.42% for C, 13.52% for G. Additionally, 10 haplotypes of D-loop sequences in 32 Lueyang black-bone chickens were detected, which were distributed into 4 clades (A, B, C and E). 4. It was concluded that genetic diversity is wide in Lueyang black-bone chickens, and this strain has multiple maternal origins from different regions in China and neighbouring regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL) plays an important role in the synthesis of inosine monophosphate (IMP). In this trial, a total of 200 pigeons were sampled and slaughtered. Seven meat quality traits and 11 carcass traits were measured. DNA sequencing was used to detect nucleotide mutations, and associations between ADSL gene polymorphisms and meat quality and carcass traits were analysed. 2. Sequencing results showed that 9 nucleotide mutations were found in the exons of the ADSL gene. All the mutations were synonymous except C13065G, which caused a change in amino acids (Ser to Arg). In addition, two of the detected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) had significant associations with meat quality and carcass traits. 3. For the C13065G SNP located in exon11, the IMP content of breast muscle in AA and AB genotype was higher than in the BB genotype (P < 0.01). The SNP G10696A located in exon10 was significantly associated with carcass rate, in which AA and AB genotype were higher than the BB genotype (P < 0.01). 4. The results indicated that the ADSL gene has a close association with meat quality and carcass traits in domestic pigeons, and G10696A and C13065G SNPs could be applied as genetic markers in molecular marker-assisted breeding of pigeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing use of computer-aided design (CAD) packages and modellers in engineering have come reduced product lead times and the incorporation of design for manufacturing (DFM) principles leading to concurrent engineering. Until recently, however, most CAD packages have been mainly concerned with accurate design representations in terms of nominal specifications, and the representation of tolerances on these systems in a manner that could be interpreted and used constructively in DFM and other manufacturability analyses have been ignored. This research develops a Tolerance Control and Propagation (TCP) engine for PAM, a product assembly modeller developed by the Automation and Robotics Laboratory. Tolerance control ensures that given individual dimensions, their tolerances and distributions, the designer specified functional dimension tolerance can be met with a specified level of confidence. Tolerance control is performed using Monte-Carlo simulation and the assumption of a beta distributed sum dimension. Although the Monte-Carlo simulation has been previously used for the solution of this problem, the assumption has been that the individual dimensions and their tolerances have been normally distributed. Our approach differs in that various distributions can be selected for each of the dimensions contributing to the sum dimension, thus giving a more accurate result. Tolerance propagation is the opposite of tolerance control, and determines the tolerances to be assigned to those dimensions contributing to a functional or sum dimension such that production cost is minimized. The TCP applies a simulated annealing algorithm to the continuous tolerance optimization problem, using a reciprocal cost function. Simulating annealing algorithms are traditionally applied to discrete optimization problems. Although the solutions obtained are not necessarily the minimum cost solution, the algorithm ensures that all constraints are met and that given the right parameters, a near-optimal solution is found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the stability and stabilisation of a linear time invariant networked heterogeneous system with arbitrarily connected subsystems. A new linear matrix inequality based sufficient and necessary condition for the stability is derived, based on which the stabilisation is provided. The obtained conditions efficiently utilise the block-diagonal characteristic of system parameter matrices and the sparseness of subsystem connection matrix. Moreover, a sufficient condition only dependent on each individual subsystem is also presented for the stabilisation of the networked systems with a large scale. Numerical simulations show that these conditions are computationally valid in the analysis and synthesis of a large-scale networked system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a liquid crystal display device, like optically rewritable (ORW) e-paper, the response time plays a crucial role. In this article, a new method is proposed to increase the rewriting speed of ORW e-paper. Effective rotational viscosity is very important for the dynamic result, the rewriting time can be increased by four times by applying electric field across the liquid crystal cell, i.e. decrease the effective rotational viscosity . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of ultrafast cooling (UFC) on the grain refinement of ferrite, the precipitation behavior of cementite particles and the mechanical properties of a mild steel (Q235 grade) was evaluated by applying laminar cooling and UFC and varying the finish cooling temperature ranges during UFC after hot rolling. While UFC refined the ferrite grains, it accumulated the degeneration of pearlite, resulting in complete disappearance of the laminar pearlite at relatively low finish cooling temperatures. The minimum mean size of spheroidized cementite particles reached ~110 nm. Meanwhile, the enhancement of UFC on tensile strengths of mild steels mainly resulted from the grain refinement of ferrite and the precipitation strengthening of cementite particles; however, the contribution varied with the finish cooling temperature of UFC. A modified Ashby-Orowan model was also used for evaluating the yield strength increment of medium plates. This work will provide a theoretical basis for the diversity control of microstructure and for developing stronger and tougher mild steels by introducing UFC technology after high-temperature rolling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. A series of experiments were carried out to study the effect of grit on broiler performance, gizzard development and fate of grit in the digestive tract. 2. In Experiment 1, performance, gizzard weight and content of grit in the gizzard of broiler chickens given access to granite-type grit was investigated. In Experiment 2, the effect of grit stones on performance and gizzard development was assessed in diets with or without whole wheat. 3. In Experiment 3, the effect of grit in the form of zeolite, granite or marble on gizzard development and digestive tract grinding and passage was studied in diets with or without whole wheat. 4. Grit stones had no effect on performance of broiler chickens, which may be explained by the fact that grit stones did not stimulate gizzard development to the same extent as with other structural materials. 5. The lack of stimulation is at least partly due to the fact that a majority of the grit stones eaten pass through the small intestine without being retained in the gizzard. 6. Grit in the form of marble reduced feed intake and weight gain. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation (K2qn) and Nenjiang Formation (K2n) in the Songliao Basin (SLB), China, contain discrete ostracod-bearing deposits. The ostracod-bearing layers range in thickness from 5 to 380 cm. Based on integrated analysis of seismic, drilling, core and logging data, the sedimentary characteristics, distribution patterns and hydrocarbon implications of the ostracod-bearing beds have been studied. Compared with mudstone and sandstone in lacustrine settings, ostracod-bearing beds have distinctive characteristics in terms of seismic response and logging features. Three types of depositional pattern of ostracod-bearing beds are recognised in different facies: mixed siliciclastic–ostracod deposits in the delta front, sheeted ostracod deposits, and dotted ostracod deposits in shallow or semi-deep lacustrine settings. In plan view, ostracod-bearing beds mainly occur in the Daqing area, the Longhupao–Honggang terraces and the Heidimiao depression, and are relatively less developed in the east of the SLB. Shallow and semi-deep lacustrine settings were favourable environments for the survival of ostracods. In the stratigraphic succession, ostracod-bearing beds mainly occur in the upper K2qn1, K2qn2, lower K2qn3and K2n1units. High-frequency sequence cycles controlled ostracod reproduction and death, and mass mortalities of ostracods commonly occurred during periods in which the lake base-level fell, leading to water shallowing, increasing salinity and sand intrusion into the shore-shallow lakes. Ostracod mortality was not associated with expansion of the lake area, marine transgression or volcanic eruptions. The ostracod-bearing beds were widely formed in shallow and semi-deep lacustrine settings in the SLB. Tight oil/gas reservoirs can be developed in thick ostracod-bearing beds. In addition, areas containing ostracod can be regarded as sweet spots for mud or shale oil/gas exploration, because extensive ostracods can improve the content of brittle minerals in mudstone. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

1. The aim of this study was to describe the role of Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 (NOD1) receptor signalling in chicken. 2. Tissue-specific expression analysis ofNOD1, receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase 2 (RIPK2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 11 (MAPK11orp38) by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed their wide distribution in various organs and tissues. 3.Salmonella pulloruminfection activatedNOD1receptor signallingin vivoandin vitro, resulting in significant induction of downstream signalling moleculesRIPK2,NF-κB/p65,MAPK11/p38and the effector moleculesIL-1bandIL-8. 4. Activation ofNOD1by its agonist bacterial γ-D-glutamyl-meso-diaminopimelic acid (iE-DAP) in HD11 cells induced the adapter molecularRIPK2and activated theNF-κB/p65andMAPK11/p38pathways, resulting in an increase inIL-8but notIL-1β. Additionally, inhibition ofNOD1usingNOD1-shRNA resulted in downregulation ofRIPK2,MAPK11andIL-8, whileNF-κB/p65andIL-1βwere unaltered. 5. These results highlight the important role ofNOD1receptors in eliciting the innate immune response following pathogenic invasion in chicken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The θ′′-Al3Cu phase plays an important role in the precipitation process of Al–Cu alloys. This phase has a sandwich structure—every two {200}Culayers are separated by three {200}Allayers. To analyse the formation mechanism of this structure, the elastic strain energy of the {200}Cuand {200}Allayers, and the chemical bonding energy that reflects the interaction between the electrons in Cu and neighbouring Al atoms are calculated and analysed by first-principles calculations, projected density of states and Bader analysis. Our computation results reveal that this sandwich structure is energetically preferred in the competition of elastic strain and chemical bonding energies. To minimise the elastic strain energy of {200}Aland {200}Culayers, the {200}Culayers prefer being apart from each other, whereas the chemical bonding energy favours the opposite arrangement because the intermetallic bond between Al and Cu atoms may form throughp-dhybridization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationships among the lacustrine organic matter enrichment and paleosalinity, paleoredox, paleoclimate, and paleoproductivity proxies have been investigated based on the analysis of major, minor, trace elements of lower part of third member of Eocene Shahejie Formation (Es3L) of Zhanhua depression in the Bohai Bay basin. The results of geochemical proxies indicate that the organic-rich shale of Es3Lis formed in the brackish-saline lacustrine environment and suboxic-strong reducing condition in the Zhanhua depression. The high total organic carbon content occur at the period of late expanding system tract and early high stand system tract of the Es3Ldue to the high paleoproductivity and anoxic preservation condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. In a previous study, a laying-related single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) Record-106975 (A–G) was found in the intron of Membrane-associated Guanylate Kinase with Inverted Domain Structure-1 (MAGI1)gene by restriction site-associated DNA sequencing. This study was performed to further identify the function ofMAGI1on laying performance in Yangzhou geese. 2. The completeMAGI1cDNA sequence was cloned from the ovary of the Yangzhou goose. A total of 4 alternative splice variants were identified, and the characterisation of their nucleic acid and amino acid (AA) sequences were analysed. The AA sequence of gooseMAGI1was highly conserved with other avian species. 3.MAGI1was ubiquitously expressed in 11 tested tissues, with greater amounts of mRNA in the granulosa cell layer and ovary. GG (n = 14) and GA (n = 6) genotypes of SNP Record-106975 showed significantly lowerMAGI1mRNA levels than those of the AA genotype. 4. Over-expression and knockdown experiments revealed thatMAGI1mRNA expression was associated withcaspase-3mRNA levels in granulosa cells, and may play a role in regulating apoptosis of granulosa cells. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

P-xylene (PX) is widely used as a raw material of synthesis of terephthalic acid (PTA) and polyester. With the demand of PTA and polyester, PX is demanded eagerly. The process for preparing PX through alkylation of toluene with methanol has been concerned widely. In an experiment HZSM-5/Al2O3catalyst was prepared by loading pseudoboehmites on HZSM-5. The strength of B acid is adjusted, so side reactions can be controlled effectively. The optimum operating conditions are that molar ratio of toluene to methanol is 2.0, reaction temperature is 410°C, carrier gas flow is 7 mL/min, and WHSV is 1.0 h−1by investigating the effect of operating conditions on toluene conversion and PX selectivity. Toluene conversion and PX selectivity are up to 46.2% and 68.07%, respectively, under the optimum operating conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]