Genetic and genomic analysis of age at first insemination in Israeli dairy cattle

We performed a genetic analysis of age at first insemination, including estimation of the heritability and genetic correlations with other economic traits, and the consequences of including this trait in the Israeli selection index. The genetic factors affecting age at first insemination were determined via GWAS. Five data sets were analyzed. Data sets 1, 2, and 3 were used to compute variance components among age at first insemination, first calving age, days from first insemination to calving, and the 9 traits included in the Israel breeding index. Heritabilities for age at first insemination, calving age, and days from first insemination to calving in Israeli Holsteins as computed by REML individual animal model analyses of 273,239 Israeli Holstein cows were 0.072, 0.042, and 0.014. The estimated genetic correlation between the first 2 traits was 0.88. In addition to the fact that heritability of age at first insemination is 1.7 times the heritability for calving, the former trait has the advantage that the number of records is greater, and the records are generated earlier. Absolute values of the genetic and residual correlations between age at first insemination and the 9 traits included in the Israeli index were all less than 0.2. Data set 4 included first insemination dates of 1,181,600 calves born from 1985 through 2018. Genetic evaluations were computed by a single trait animal model. Annual phenotypic and genetic trends for age at first calving for calves born since 1985 were “positive,” that is, economically negative, at 0.320 ± 0.003 and 0.169 ± 0.005 d, respectively. Applying the GCTA-GREML software, 54% of variance in the transmitting ability of 1,585 sires could be explained by considering all 40,498 markers included in the GWAS analysis. The significant markers were mainly associated with milk production genes. The SNP UA-IFASA-8854 on chromosome 11 had the lowest probability value, 1.2 × 10^?24. This marker is located between the genes RETSAT and ELMOD3, both of which are overexpressed in human mammary glands. The gene RETSAT is reported to be essential for lipid accumulation and adipogenesis promotion. Gene enrichment analysis found that genes in the genomic region flanking significant markers are associated with vasopressin receptor activity, which was shown to mediate puberty in humans. If age at first insemination is included in the index with a weighting to account for 9% of the index, reductions of 2.8 and 2.6 d for age at first insemination and first calving age after 10 yr of selection are predicted, as compared with reductions of 1.4 and 1.1 d with the current index. Gains for the other index traits are only marginally affected. We suggest selection on age at first insemination as an alternative to selection for early calving.     

Effect of baking in different ovens on the quality and structural characteristics of saltine crackers

The aim of the study was to evaluate the physical and microstructural characteristics of crackers baked in four different industrial baking ovens (indirect radiation-cyclotherm, indirect convection, hybrid and industrial tunnel-ITO). Indirect convection and cyclotherm ovens provide the highest (5685.43 ± 51 W m⁻²) and the lowest (4860 ± 38.87 W m⁻²) amount of heat flux, respectively. Despite the amount of heat flux, indirect convection led to crackers with the highest moisture (7.86% vs. 4.82% in clyclotherm) and specific volume, but the lowest hardness. Cyclotherm resulted in crackers with lower specific volume, surface area, porosity, smooth and regular surface. Conversely, the hybrid and ITO ovens showed closer heat flux, leading to crackers with similar moisture content, texture parameters, specific volume, browning and inner porosity. Overall results show the potential of baking using different ovens for modifying the quality parameters of the crackers.     

Factors Affecting Web Disclosure Adoption in the Nonprofit Sector

ABSTRACT

Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) are strategically using their own personal website to present themselves to the public and share information. Despite the potential benefits of enhanced public confidence and trust, reduced operating costs, improved donor decision making, and increased donations, many nonprofit organizations have resisted the adoption of web disclosure. Informed by the literature on information systems (IS) adoption and technological innovation, this study examines the primary factors that influence the adoption and resistance of web disclosure. Our sample consisted of 176 survey responses from an initial group of 3,323 U.S. NPOs. The statistical results indicate that attitude toward disclosure, compatibility of disclosure with current practices, and financial readiness have a positive influence on web disclosure adoption. The findings have implications for research and practice.     

基于Apriori算法的食品抽检数据的关联规则挖掘

目的 为了发现检测数据的不合格项目之间有意义的关联规则, 并对挖掘出的关联规则进行分析解读, 进一步发掘了食品抽检数据的价值, 从而对食品安全监管具有一定的指导意义。方法 本文对利用Apriori算法对2015~2019年间山东食品药品监督管理局网站公布的食品安全抽检数据的不合格项目进行了关联规则挖掘。结果 通过挖掘得出最符合要求的10条规则。结论 利用关联规则挖掘算法对食品检验数据进行挖掘, 能够挖掘出有价值、有意义的规则, 对食品安全管理具有指导意义, 从中也可以看出数据挖掘技术在食品安全数据挖掘分析中具有广阔的应用前景。     

Genome-wide association study for milk infrared wavenumbers

Individual wavenumbers of the infrared (IR) spectra of bovine milk have been shown to be moderately to highly heritable. The objective of this study was to identify genomic regions associated with individual milk IR wavenumbers. This is expected to provide information about the genetic background of milk composition and give insight in the relation between IR wavenumbers and milk components. For this purpose, a genome-wide association study was performed for a selected set of 50 individual IR wavenumbers measured on 1,748 Dutch Holstein cows. Significant associations were detected for 28 of the 50 wavenumbers. In total, 24 genomic regions distributed over 16 bovine chromosomes were identified. Major genomic regions associated with milk IR wavenumbers were identified on chromosomes 1, 5, 6, 14, 19, and 20. Most of these regions also showed significant associations with fat, protein, or lactose percentage. However, we also identified some new regions that were not associated with any one of these routinely collected milk composition traits. On chromosome 1, we identified 2 new genomic regions and hypothesized that they are related to variation in milk phosphorus content and orotic acid, respectively. On chromosome 20, we identified a new genomic region that seems to be related to citric acid. Identification of genomic regions associated with milk phosphorus content, orotic acid, and citric acid suggest that the milk IR spectra contain direct information on these milk components. Consequently milk IR analyses probably can be used to predict these milk components, which have low concentrations in milk; this can lead to novel applications of milk IR spectroscopy for dairy cattle breeding and herd management.     

毛细管区带电泳-间接紫外检测法测定婴儿配方奶粉中的胆碱

目的建立毛细管区带电泳-间接紫外检测法测定婴儿配方奶粉中胆碱含量的新方法。方法用5 mmol/L乙酸提取婴儿配方奶粉样品中的胆碱,涡旋混匀、9000 r/min离心,上清液经0.45μm醋酸纤维素滤膜过滤后进样。用未涂覆熔融石英毛细管75μm×70 cm(有效长度:60 cm)作为分离柱。以10 mmol/L磷酸二氢钠+20 mmol/L磷酸+7 mmol/L 4-甲基咪唑为分离缓冲体系。分离电压为28 k V,进样压力及时间为0.5 psi、10 s,检测波长为214 nm。结果胆碱的校正峰面积与质量浓度在8.7~86.8 mg/L范围内间线性关系良好,相关系数为0.9997、检出限为2.6 mg/L、定量限为8.7 mg/L,方法的日内和日间精密度分别为1.9%和3.9%(n=7)。3个质量浓度添加水平的平均加标回收率分别为98.8%、95.2%及97.6%,相应RSD分别为0.8%、0.9%及0.6%(n=5)。用本法分析了10件婴儿配方奶粉样品,均获满意结果。结论本方法简单、无需有机溶剂,适用于婴儿配方奶粉中胆碱的常规检测。     

Contamination of some foodstuffs marketed in Italy by fatty acid esters of monochloropropanediols and glycidol

ABSTRACT

Fatty acid esters of 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD), 2-MCPD and glycidol (Gly) are food-processing contaminants that cause concerns about possible adverse health effects. The present study evaluates the contamination levels of the three ester classes in 130 samples of foodstuffs marketed in Italy covering 10 food categories, namely margarines, oils, roasted coffee, breakfast cereals, salted crackers, cookies, infant biscuits, rusks, breads and potato crisps. The analytical method employed is a so-called indirect method that entails MCPD/glycidol cleavage from their esterified forms, cleanup, derivatisation and GC-MS analysis. The MCPDs and glycidol concentrations (from esters) were found to be equal or a little higher than the levels reported in previous studies conducted in other European countries and described in the literature. 3-MCPD was the predominant compound in all foodstuffs analysed with the exception for rusks where Gly levels were slightly higher. Considering the sum of MCPD and Gly esters, the most contaminated foodstuffs were seed oils, followed by margarines and cookies, whereas roasted coffee, bread, rusks, cornflakes and infant biscuits were less contaminated with MCPDs and Gly concentrations often below LOQ or LOD values. Refined olive oil, potato chips and salted crackers showed contamination levels intermediate between the two above groups. The results of this study also confirm that the use of palm oil as an ingredient or frying medium is an important cause of increase of the levels of MCPD and Gly esters, especially in salted crackers, rusks and potato crisps. Finally, the Italian intake of 3-MCPD due to the various foods analysed has been calculated and related to TDI. The MoE for Gly was also estimated.     

高温固定流化床费托合成技术及其产物加工路线

与采用低温费托合成主产油品技术相比，产品更为多元化和高值化的高温费托合成技术在目前市场环境下显示出非常明显的优势。本文综述了高温费托合成技术的发展历程及其最新进展，重点介绍了高温费托合成过程中的核心问题，主要包括高温费托合成工艺、固定流化床反应器、费托合成催化剂；介绍了高温费托合成产物分布与特性，讨论了高温费托合成产物的加工路线，并对高温费托合成煤间接液化的工业应用前景和产业化方向进行了展望。结果表明：高温费托合成技术具有产物附加值高、兼顾油品和化学品、技术发展成熟等优势，产物中轻组分含量高、碳数分布较窄、高附加值的α-烯烃含量高；精细化、高端化、差异化加工是实现高温费托合成产物高值化利用的关键。     

Thermodynamic and economic analyses of a coal and biomass indirect coupling power generation system

The coal and biomass coupling power generation technology is considered as a promising technology for energy conservation and emission reduction. In this paper, a novel coal and biomass indirect coupling system is proposed based on the technology of biomass gasification and co-combustion of coal and gasification gas. For the sake of comparison, a coal and biomass direct coupling system is also introduced based on the technology of co-combustion of coal and biomass. The process of the direct and the indirect coupling system is simulated. The thermodynamic and economic performances of two systems are analyzed and compared. The simulation indicates that the thermodynamic performance of the indirect coupling system is slightly worse, but the economic performance is better than that of the direct coupling system. When the blending ratio of biomass is 20%, the energy and exergy efficiencies of the indirect coupling system are 42.70% and 41.14%, the internal rate of return (IRR) and discounted payback period (DPP) of the system are 25.68% and 8.56 years. The price fluctuation of fuels and products has a great influence on the economic performance of the indirect coupling system. The environmental impact analysis indicates that the indirect coupling system can inhibit the propagation of NO_x and reduce the environmental cost.