Significant Dominance Effects Research Articles

Genomic relationships reveal significant dominance effects for growth in hybrid Eucalyptus

Non-additive genetic effects can be effectively exploited in control-pollinated families with the availability of genome-wide markers. We used 41,304 SNP markers and compared pedigree vs. marker-based genetic models by analysing height, diameter, basic density and pulp yield for Eucalyptus urophylla × E.grandis control-pollinated families represented by 949 informative individuals. We evaluated models accounting for additive, dominance, and first-order epistatic interactions (additive by additive, dominance by dominance, and additive by dominance). We showed that the models can capture a large proportion of the genetic variance from dominance and epistasis for growth traits as those components are typically not independent. We also showed that we could partition genetic variances more precisely when using relationship matrices derived from markers compared to using only pedigree information. In addition, phenotypic prediction accuracies were only slightly increased by including dominance effects for growth traits since estimates of non-additive variances yielded rather high standard errors. This novel result improves our current understanding of the architecture of quantitative traits and recommends accounting for dominance variance when developing genomic selection strategies in hybrid Eucalyptus.

Production of German –n plurals in aphasia: Effects of dominance and predictability

ABSTRACTBackground: In picture naming, both unimpaired and impaired speakers are usually better in naming singular than plural forms of the same noun, such as cat/cats. This singular-advantage is especially present in the case of singular-dominant nouns (e.g., table has higher surface frequency compared to its corresponding plural tables). However, for plural-dominant items (e.g., eyes has a higher surface frequency compared to eye) such singular advantage disappears. Thus, the lexical representation/processing of singular-dominant and plural-dominant nouns seem to differ but the exact underlying source for this dominance effect is still a matter of debate. While most of the available data stem from English experiments, less data are available from German.Aims: This study examines the effect of plural dominance for the German – n plural, a plural form, which can be predictable or non-predictable on the basis of the ending of the singular word form and its grammatical gender. Hence, this study examines the role of dominance and predictability of plural production in aphasia. Our data will enrich the development of materials for the assessment of morpho-lexical impairments in aphasia.Methods & Procedures: In a case-series design, five people with aphasia with severe word-finding difficulties participated in two picture naming tasks with single- and multiple-depictions of objects. Materials included nouns of the German –n plural type. Exp. 1 tested for effects of number and plural dominance in naming fully predictable –n plurals and their corresponding singulars. Exp. 2 tested for effects of number and predictability, using subsets of fully predictable and non-predictable –n plurals, and their corresponding singulars.Outcomes & Results: Exp. 1 revealed a significant plural dominance effect in spoken picture naming across five German speakers with aphasia: a singular advantage was observed for singular-dominant nouns, but plural-dominant singular and plural nouns did not differ. Further, in Exp. 2, no effect of predictability for the German plural affix –n was found, but an overall singular advantage across both groups.Conclusions: We interpret the dominance pattern of Exp.1 as manifestation in the links between concept and lemma level for singular- and plural-dominant nouns. Exp. 2, confirmed the singular advantage for singular-dominant nouns for both –n plural groups, indicating that both –n plural groups follow one plural production mechanism, however, we cannot be confident about the type of mechanism.

The Interleukin-8 gene polymorphism and its association with milk production traits in holstein cows

This study proposed to identify a polymorphism in the IL8 gene in Holstein cows and analyze the relationship with milk production traits in Taiwanese Holstein cows. Investigations were done for single nucleotide polymorphism at position 2862 and the impact of IL8-T2862C polymorphism on the milk production traits of 68 Holstein cows was randomly analyzed by fixed effects model. No significant difference was found between genotypes for 305-2X-ME, fat%, protein%, total solid%, and somatic cell counts score (SCS). Significanteffects were observed on daily milk yield (MY), SCC (p>0.05), and lactose% (p>0.01). Cows with the CC genotype had less SCC compared with CT and TT ones. The allelic substitution effect was 0.70 kg daily milk yield for IL8 favorable allele T (p>0.05), and 3.24 x 104 cells/mL SCC for IL8favorable allele C (p>0.01). Significant dominance effects of IL8-T2862C on daily milk yield (1.22 kg,p>0.05) and lactose% (+0.07%, p>0.01) were found.

Variants in the 3' untranslated region of the ovine acetyl-coenzyme A acyltransferase 2 gene are associated with dairy traits and exhibit differential allelic expression.

The acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 2 (ACAA2) gene encodes an enzyme of the thiolase family that is involved in mitochondrial fatty acid elongation and degradation by catalyzing the last step of the respective β-oxidation pathway. The increased energy needs for gluconeogenesis and triglyceride synthesis during lactation are met primarily by increased fatty acid oxidation. Therefore, the ACAA2 enzyme plays an important role in the supply of energy and carbon substrates for lactation and may thus affect milk production traits. This study investigated the association of the ACAA2 gene with important sheep traits and the putative functional involvement of this gene in dairy traits. A single nucleotide substitution, a T to C transition located in the 3' untranslated region of the ACAA2 gene, was used in mixed model association analysis with milk yield, milk protein yield and percentage, milk fat yield and percentage, and litter size at birth. The single nucleotide polymorphism was significantly associated with total lactation production and milk protein percentage, with respective additive effects of 6.81 ± 2.95 kg and -0.05 ± 0.02%. Additionally, a significant dominance effect of 0.46 ± 0.21 kg was detected for milk fat yield. Homozygous TT and heterozygous CT animals exhibited higher milk yield compared with homozygous CC animals, whereas the latter exhibited increased milk protein percentage. Expression analysis from age-, lactation-, and parity-matched female sheep showed that mRNA expression of the ACAA2 gene from TT animals was 2.8- and 11.8-fold higher in liver and mammary gland, respectively. In addition, by developing an allelic expression imbalance assay, it was estimated that the T allele was expressed at an average of 18% more compared with the C allele in the udder of randomly selected ewes. We demonstrated for the first time that the variants in the 3' untranslated region of the ovine ACAA2 gene are differentially expressed in homozygous ewes of each allele and exhibit allelic expression imbalance within heterozygotes in a tissue-specific manner, supporting the existence of cis-regulatory DNA variation in the ovine ACAA2 gene. This is the first study reporting differential allelic imbalance expression of a candidate gene associated with milk production traits in dairy sheep.

The Lower Extremity Strength, Bilateral And Ipsilateral Strength Assymetries In Elite Female Soccer Players

BACKGROUND: Soccer frequently involves one-sided activities such as kicking, tackling and passing, which may lead to strength asymmetries (SA), and effect of the age is not well studied. PURPOSE: The aim was to investigate effect of limb-dominance and ages through relative strength measures of knee extensors (KE), knee flexors (KF), bilateral strength ratio (QQ, HH), and ipsilateral strength ratio (HQ) in youth elite female soccer players. METHODS: National level female soccer players of three age categories (Under 16 years =17, Under 17 years =16, Under 18 years =16 players) performed isokinetic strength testing for KE, KF at three velocities (60, 180, 300 °.s-1) for the dominant (DL) and non-dominant leg (NL). Mean peak torque of extensors (PTE) and flexors (PTF) values were calculated in Newton-meters relatively to body weight (N·m·kg−1) and strength ratios were derived from peak torques. Three-way Mixed-design ANOVA with two between subject effect (age, limb dominancy) and one within subject effect (angular velocity) were used. Bonferonni’s post-hoc test was employed due to the multiple comparisons. Effect size was assessed using the ηp2 coefficient. RESULTS: Significant age effect was observed in PTE and PTF (PTE: F2,91 = 4.60, p = 0.013, ηp2=0.09, PTF: F2,91 = 11.31, p = 0.001, ηp2=0.20). Conversely, age did not indicate significantly effect on bilateral strength ratio (QQ, HH) (F2,91 = 2.00, p = 0.141, η2=0.04) a HQ (HQ: F2,90 = 1.03, p = 0.361, η2=0.02). Significant limb dominance effect was not identified in PTE, PTF and HQ (PTE: F1,91 = 0.06, p = 0.810, η2=0.01, PTF: F2,91 = 0.30, p = 0.587, ηp2=0.00, HQ: F2,91 = 3.50, p = 0.065, η2=0.04). We found significantly higher strength asymmetries in KF compare to KF (F1,91 = 15.89, p = 0.000, η2=0.15). Post-hoc analysis showed a significant difference in PTE between U15 vs. U19 and in PTF between U16 vs. older age category (U17, U19). The higher bilateral strength differences (QQ > 10%) we found in following age categories (U16 = 53%, U17 = 50%, U19 = 56%). Moreover in knee flexors (HQ>10%) were even higher strength asymmetries (U16 = 71%, U17 =75%, U19=79%). CONCLUSIONS: The current results indicated effect of age on PTE, PTF but not in limb dominance. More attention should be paid to knee flexors where higher occurrence of strength asymmetries were found.

Resource partitioning in tolerant and intolerant macaques.

The clumped distribution of food resources promotes food defensibility and can lead to the monopolizing of resources by high-ranking individuals. However, the balance of power is set at different levels according to societies, meaning that resource partitioning should vary between them. This study investigates whether dominance asymmetry and resource partitioning are related in non-human primates by comparing two species with contrasting social styles, namely rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) which display strong social intolerance and a steep gradient of dominance, and Tonkean macaques (Macaca tonkeana), which exhibit higher levels of tolerance and more balanced dominance relationships. Study groups were kept in semi-free ranging conditions. Animals were provided with fruit in three different clumped conditions during 30-min trials. We found that higher-ranking rhesus macaques had priority for the access to fruit: these individuals spent longer in the feeding area in the first 10-min period of trials, while lower-ranking individuals had diminished access to fruit under the most clumped condition; this was associated with sustained agonistic interactions. Dominance effects were weaker in Tonkean macaques. They exhibited co-feeding between high- and low-ranking individuals in the first period; there was no significant effect of dominance even in the most clumped condition; and frequencies of agonistic interactions remained moderate relative to the number of individuals present in the feeding area. These results show that food resources were more equitably distributed among group members in tolerant macaques than in their intolerant counterparts. Dominance gradient and social tolerance may be considered as two aspects of the same phenomenon.

Association of gene polymorphisms of estrogen receptor, follicle-stimulating hormone β and leptin with follicular cysts in Large White sows

Ovarian follicular cysts are one of leading causes of infertility and financial loss in pig breeding program. This study was carried out to investigate the association between polymorphisms of estrogen receptor (ESR), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) β, and leptin genes and follicular cysts in sows. A total of 47 and 120 sows with follicular cysts and normal follicles, respectively, were selected to evaluate whether these candidate loci affect the formation of follicular cysts in sows. The polymorphisms of ESR, FSHβ, FSHβ/HaeIII and leptin genes were tested by PCR and PCR-RFLP methods. Cyst–normal case data analysis showed that ESR/PvuII polymorphisms are highly associated with follicular cysts and that sows ESR/PvuII genotype have lower rate of suffering from cysts (P = 0.021). Unfortunately, FSHβ, FSHβ/HaeIII, and leptin C3469T polymorphisms were found no significant difference in follicular cysts sows and normal sows. These results suggest that FSHβ, FSHβ/HaeIII, and leptin C3469T genotypes are not able to effect the presence of follicular cysts (P > 0.05). In addition, the haplotype EBCM and EBTM within four loci of genes had significant dominance effect on follicular cysts (P < 0.05). The detection of ESR/PvuII polymorphisms and haplotype EBCM and EBTM can positively improve the development of biological biomarkers, which is thereby beneficial in breeding and ovary-protective therapy of reproductive disease in pigs.

Consequences of Epistasis on Growth in an Erhualian × White Duroc Pig Cross.

Epistasis describes an interaction between the effects of loci. We included epistasis in quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping of growth at a series of ages in a cross of a Chinese pig breed, Erhualian, with a commercial line, White Duroc. Erhualian pigs have much lower growth rates than White Duroc. We improved a method for genomewide testing of epistasis and present a clear analysis workflow. We also suggest a new approach for interpreting epistasis results where significant additive and dominance effects of a locus in specific backgrounds are determined. In total, seventeen QTL were found and eleven showed epistasis. Loci on chromosomes 2, 3, 4 and 7 were highlighted as affecting growth at more than one age or forming an interaction network. Epistasis resulted in both the QTL on chromosomes 3 and 7 having effects in opposite directions. We believe it is the first time for the chromosome 7 locus that an allele from a Chinese breed has been found to decrease growth. The consequences of epistasis were diverse. Results were impacted by using growth rather than body weight as the phenotype and by correcting for an effect of mother. Epistasis made a considerable contribution to growth in this population and modelling epistasis was important for accurately determining QTL effects.

Gene Action for Quantiative Traits in Chickpea (&lt;i&gt;Cicer arietinum&lt;/i&gt; L.)

Five generations (P 1 , P 2 , F 1 , F 2 and F 3 ) of six chickpea inter-varietal crosses, involving seven parents evaluated to know the nature of gene effects for seed yield and its related traits through generation mean analysis. In presence of epistasis, the five parameter model (Hayman, 1958) of generation mean analysis was used to detect all types of gene effects (m, d, h, i and l). Significant negative estimates of both additive (d) and additive x additive type (i) of gene action was found for days to 50% flowering, days to pod initiation, days to maturity, plant height and number of primary branches in the crosses JG 16 x ICC 96029, JG 74 x ICC 96029, JG 130 x ICC 96029, JGG 1 x ICC 96029, Narsinghpur Bold x ICC 96029 and JG130 x JG 322 had predominance of negative additive effects only for plant height, number of primary branches and number of seeds per plant. Significant positive dominance effect (h) was observed for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, effective pods per plant, number of seeds per plant and biological yield per plant in JG 16 x ICC 96029. Dominance x dominance (l) gene effects also played significant positive role in JG 16 x ICC 96029 for almost all the characters except days to maturity, pod filling percentage and harvest index. Significant positive heterosis coupled with positive inbreeding depression was observed for days to 50% flowering, days to pod initiation, number of primary branches, effective pods per plant, number of seeds per plant and seed yield per plant in cross JG 16 x ICC 96029, for days to pod initiation and effective pods per plant, in cross JGG 1 x ICC 96029 and for number of seeds per plant in cross Narsinghpur Bold x ICC 96029. Cross JG 16 x ICC 96029 has been identified superior and can be effectively used for heterosis breeding.

Short communication: Identification of variation in the ovine prolactin gene of Chios sheep with a cost-effective sequence-based typing assay

The present study identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the coding and untranslated regions of the ovine prolactin gene of Chios sheep. By developing a cost-effective direct sequence-based typing assay, around 600 bp of reliable sequencing data and clear identification of heterozygous positions was achieved. Five SNP were found, located in exons 2 (KC764410:g.567G>A, g.625C>T, g.683C>A) and 3 (KC764410:g.2015C>A, g.2101G>A), whereas the remaining exons were monomorphic. The identified SNP were synonymous, with the exception of the g.567G>A SNP, which results in an Arg to His amino acid change. As the sequencing cost of the sequence-based typing assay was 20 orders of magnitude lower compared with a standard Sanger method, the assay was also used as a genotyping tool. The identified polymorphism was genotyped for 247 ewes and was subsequently used in mixed model association analyses of milk yield, milk fat content, and litter size at birth. The association analysis revealed a significant dominance effect of 0.17 ± 0.07 of the g.2015C>A SNP on milk fat percentage, whereas a dominance effect of -21.33 ± 10.51 of the same SNP on total lactation milk yield was also estimated. The g.2015C>A SNP explained 2.47 and 3.68% of the total phenotypic variance of milk yield and milk fat percentage, respectively, whereas the corresponding values for the animal variance were 7.14 and 11.75%. A suggestive association of the nonsynonymous g.567G>A SNP with litter size at birth was also detected.

Longitudinal data analysis of polymorphisms in the κ-casein and β-lactoglobulin genes shows differential effects along the trajectory of the lactation curve in tropical dairy goats

The κ-casein (CSN-3) and β-lactoglobulin (BLG) genes are extensively polymorphic in ruminants. Several association studies have estimated the effects of polymorphisms in these genes on milk yield, milk composition, and cheese-manufacturing properties. Usually, these results are based on production integrated over the lactation curve or on cross-sectional studies at specific days in milk (DIM). However, as differential expression of milk protein genes occurs over lactation, the effect of the polymorphisms may change over time. In this study, we fitted a mixed-effects regression model to test-day records of milk yield and milk quality traits (fat, protein, and total solids yields) from Colombian tropical dairy goats. We used the well-characterized A/B polymorphisms in the CSN-3 and BLG genes. We argued that this approach provided more efficient estimators than cross-sectional designs, given the same number and pattern of observations, and allowed exclusion of between-subject variation from model error. The BLG genotype AA showed a greater performance than the BB genotype for all traits along the whole lactation curve, whereas the heterozygote showed an intermediate performance. We observed no such constant pattern for the CSN-3 gene between the AA homozygote and the heterozygote (the BB genotype was absent from the sample). The differences among the genotypic effects of the BLG and the CSN-3 polymorphisms were statistically significant during peak and mid lactation (around 40–160 DIM) for the BLG gene and only for mid lactation (80–145 DIM) for the CSN-3 gene. We also estimated the additive and dominant effects of the BLG locus. The locus showed a statistically significant additive behavior along the whole lactation trajectory for all quality traits, whereas for milk yield the effect was not significant at later stages. In turn, we detected a statistically significant dominance effect only for fat yield in the early and peak stages of lactation (at about 1–45 DIM). The longitudinal analysis of test-day records allowed us to estimate the differential effects of polymorphisms along the lactation curve, pointing toward stages that could be affected by the gene.

PENGARUH GAYA KEPEMIMPINAN, BUDAYA ORGANISASI DAN LINGKUNGAN KERJA NON FISIK TERHADAP KEPUASAN KERJA KARYAWAN PADA RUMAH SAKIT KATOLIK SANTO ANTONIUS KARANG UJUNG AMPENAN

This research is aimed at determining the partially and simultaneously significant effect and dominant effect of variables of leadership style, organisation culture, and non-physical work environment on the work satisfaction of employees of Santo Antonius Catholic Hospital Karang Ujung Ampenan. This research is explanatory study with 89 samples selected from 115 collected through questionnaiers and analysed with multiple linear regression, f-test, t-test and R2 test. The research showed that there is partially and simultaneously significant effect of leadership style, organisational culture and non-physical work environment on the work satisfaction of Santo Antonius Catholic Hospital Karang Ujung Ampenan, and non physical work environment has the most dominant effect on the work satisfaction of Santo Antonius Catholic Hospital Karang Ujung Ampenan. Keywords : leadership style, organisation culture, non-physical work environment, work satisfaction.

Inheritance of Pericarp Color, Nutritional Quality, and Grain Composition Traits in Black Sorghum

ABSTRACTBlack pericarp grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] has high levels of phenolic compounds, especially 3‐deoxyanthocyanidins (3‐DOAs), which have application in food science and human nutrition as a high‐antioxidant food additive, natural food colorant, and natural food preservative. The inheritance of this trait is complex and has not been the subject of investigation, thus limiting further genetic improvement. To determine the genetic mechanisms governing this novel trait, a generation means analysis was performed using Tx378 (red), Tx3362 (black), and F1, F2, and backcross generations derived from these parents. These six generations were evaluated in 2013 in three diverse Texas growing environments. Significant additive, dominance, and epistatic effects were detected for grain color and associated grain composition traits. Segregating distributions confirmed black sorghum was recessive to red. Estimates of broad‐sense heritability on color traits ranged from 0.42 to 1.00, and 3‐DOA content was moderately to highly heritable (0.70). Methods to estimate gene number controlling the black pericarp trait ranged from 2 to 12 genes. Despite the complicated mode of inheritance, enough variation exists for future improvement of black sorghum. Creation of high‐yielding hybrids with uniformly dark grain and high levels of phenolic compounds will be possible through standard plant breeding practices.

Association analysis of the COL1A1 polymorphism with bone mineral density and prevalent fractures in Polish postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

IntroductionPolymorphism in the promoter region of collagen type 1α (COL1A1) +1245G/T (Sp1, rs1800012) was in some studies shown to be relevant for bone mineral density (BMD) and low-energy fracture prediction. The aim of the study was to confirm this finding in a group of postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteoporosis.Material and methodsWe investigated 311 Caucasian women (mean age: 65.2 ±9.39 years) either after low-energy fractures (regardless of the location) or meeting World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for osteoporosis. All patients underwent clinical examination in order to exclude secondary osteoporosis; hip and lumbar spine DEXA was performed (Lunar). The three genotypes of Sp1 polymorphism were determined by RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism).ResultsDistribution of COL1A1 genotypes (SS/Ss/ss) agreed with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No relation between COL1A1 genotypes and hip/L1-L4 BMD was found. Fractures were reported in 26.3% of women. Prevalence of low-energy fractures, regardless of the type, was 50.0% in ss genotype carriers, 26.4% in SS homozygotes and 23.7% in Ss heterozygotes. There was no statistically significant recessive or dominant effect of any Sp1 genotype on fracture prevalence (p = 0.613).ConclusionsWe failed to observe that COL1A1 Sp 1 genotypes contribute to BMD determination or are associated with prevalent low-energy fractures in a Polish cohort of postmenopausal osteoporotic women.

Additive-dominance genetic model analyses for late-maturity alpha-amylase activity in a bread wheat factorial crossing population

Elevated level of late maturity α-amylase activity (LMAA) can result in low falling number scores, reduced grain quality, and downgrade of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) class. A mating population was developed by crossing parents with different levels of LMAA. The F2 and F3 hybrids and their parents were evaluated for LMAA, and data were analyzed using the R software package 'qgtools' integrated with an additive-dominance genetic model and a mixed linear model approach. Simulated results showed high testing powers for additive and additive × environment variances, and comparatively low powers for dominance and dominance × environment variances. All variance components and their proportions to the phenotypic variance for the parents and hybrids were significant except for the dominance × environment variance. The estimated narrow-sense heritability and broad-sense heritability for LMAA were 14 and 54%, respectively. High significant negative additive effects for parents suggest that spring wheat cultivars 'Lancer' and 'Chester' can serve as good general combiners, and that 'Kinsman' and 'Seri-82' had negative specific combining ability in some hybrids despite of their own significant positive additive effects, suggesting they can be used as parents to reduce LMAA levels. Seri-82 showed very good general combining ability effect when used as a male parent, indicating the importance of reciprocal effects. High significant negative dominance effects and high-parent heterosis for hybrids demonstrated that the specific hybrid combinations; Chester × Kinsman, 'Lerma52' × Lancer, Lerma52 × 'LoSprout' and 'Janz' × Seri-82 could be generated to produce cultivars with significantly reduced LMAA level.

Generation Means Analysis for Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Striga hermonthica Resistance in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Striga hermonthica is a parasitic weed species that causes considerable yield loss in susceptible maize cultivars in western Kenya. A generation means analysis was conducted to estimate gene effects influencing resistance/tolerance to Striga hermonthica in maize cultivars adapted to western Kenya. A resistant inbred line developed by Maseno University, MSMP1/P2 was crossed to Striga susceptible inbred line 5057. Experimental units comprised of resistant parent P1, susceptible parent P2, their F1 and F2 generations, and BC1P1 and BC1P2 generations. The six generations were evaluated under Striga sick plots at Nyahera during the short rains of 2012 and long rains of 2013. Field evaluation for entries were grown in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The results showed significant differences among generations for emerged Striga, Striga damage rating and maize growth including Plant and Ear height. Most of the additive, dominance, additive x additive, additive x dominance and dominance x dominance effects were significant indicating the importance of the additive, dominance and epistatic modes of gene actions in controlling emerged Striga, Striga damage rating, plant and ear height. Most components conferring Striga tolerance behaved in a qualitative manner. Dominance effects had higher mean values over additive effects. Significant dominant genetic effects (d) for Striga emergence and Striga damage rating suggested preponderance of non-additive genetic effects in the inheritance of Striga tolerance. The results also reveal the involvement of duplicate epistasis where the dominance estimate and dominance x dominance interaction had opposite signs. The presence of duplicate type of gene interaction confirms the importance of dominance gene effects.

Enhanced visual dominance in far space

The Colavita effect refers to the phenomenon that people do not respond to an auditory stimulus in most cases when a visual stimulus is simultaneously presented. Although the Colavita effect remains robust irrespective of many factors, little is known concerning how the visual dominance varies as a function of the depth of sensory inputs. In the present study, visual and auditory stimuli were presented either in the same (in Experiment 1) or in the different spatial distances (in Experiment 2). Participants were asked to make speeded responses to unimodal auditory, unimodal visual, or bimodal audiovisual stimuli. In the incorrectly responded bimodal trials, the error trials in which responses were made only to the visual component were compared with the trials in which responses were made only to the auditory component. In the correctly responded bimodal trials, the trials in which participants responded first to the visual component were compared with the trials in which participants responded first to the auditory component. Analysis on the incorrect and correct bimodal trials both indicated significant visual dominance effects. More importantly, the size of the visual dominance effect was significantly enhanced as long as the visual stimuli were presented in far space irrespective of whether the auditory stimuli were presented in near or far space. Our results thus, for the first time, revealed that the visual dominance effect changed along the depth dimension of space. Taken together, the present results shed lights on how the allocation of attentional resources along the depth dimension of space biases the process of multisensory competition.

P600 Dominance Predicts Comprehension of Garden-Path Sentences

P600 Dominance Predicts Comprehension of Garden-Path Sentences

Non-additive genetic variation in growth, carcass and fertility traits of beef cattle.

BackgroundA better understanding of non-additive variance could lead to increased knowledge on the genetic control and physiology of quantitative traits, and to improved prediction of the genetic value and phenotype of individuals. Genome-wide panels of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been mainly used to map additive effects for quantitative traits, but they can also be used to investigate non-additive effects. We estimated dominance and epistatic effects of SNPs on various traits in beef cattle and the variance explained by dominance, and quantified the increase in accuracy of phenotype prediction by including dominance deviations in its estimation.MethodsGenotype data (729 068 real or imputed SNPs) and phenotypes on up to 16 traits of 10 191 individuals from Bos taurus, Bos indicus and composite breeds were used. A genome-wide association study was performed by fitting the additive and dominance effects of single SNPs. The dominance variance was estimated by fitting a dominance relationship matrix constructed from the 729 068 SNPs. The accuracy of predicted phenotypic values was evaluated by best linear unbiased prediction using the additive and dominance relationship matrices. Epistatic interactions (additive × additive) were tested between each of the 28 SNPs that are known to have additive effects on multiple traits, and each of the other remaining 729 067 SNPs.ResultsThe number of significant dominance effects was greater than expected by chance and most of them were in the direction that is presumed to increase fitness and in the opposite direction to inbreeding depression. Estimates of dominance variance explained by SNPs varied widely between traits, but had large standard errors. The median dominance variance across the 16 traits was equal to 5% of the phenotypic variance. Including a dominance deviation in the prediction did not significantly increase its accuracy for any of the phenotypes. The number of additive × additive epistatic effects that were statistically significant was greater than expected by chance.ConclusionsSignificant dominance and epistatic effects occur for growth, carcass and fertility traits in beef cattle but they are difficult to estimate precisely and including them in phenotype prediction does not increase its accuracy.

Optimal Elbow Angle for Sonographic Visualization of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament

ObjectiveTo formally examine the sonographic appearance of the elbow ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) at 30° versus 70° of elbow flexion in asymptomatic baseball pitchers. DesignA prospective, cross-sectional design. SettingSports medicine clinic in a tertiary academic medical center. ParticipantsThirty asymptomatic adolescent baseball pitchers 13-18 years of age (mean 15.8 years), with at least 3 years of continuous pitching experience and no significant history of elbow pain or injury. MethodsStatic sonographic images of the bilateral UCLs were obtained at 30° and 70° of elbow flexion by a single experienced examiner. Images were anonymized and randomized into a slide set. Three clinicians with different levels of ultrasound experience reviewed the static 30° and 70° images for each elbow and chose their preferred image based on UCL conspicuity. The clinicians reviewed a re-randomized slide set 1 week later. A different study co-investigator measured UCL cross-sectional area (CSA) on all images using ultrasound machine electronic calipers. Main Outcome MeasuresPreference for the sonographic conspicuity of the UCL at 30° versus 70° of elbow flexion, and UCL CSA at 30° versus 70° of flexion. ResultsEach clinician demonstrated a significant preference for UCL images obtained at 70° of flexion when compared to those obtained at 30° (80.3% overall preference for 70°, P < .001). There was no statistically significant effect of clinician experience or arm dominance on image preference. The sonographically determined CSA of the UCLs were on average 1.4 mm2 greater at 70° than at 30° of flexion (P < .001) when combining dominant and nondominant arms. ConclusionsStatic sonographic evaluation of the UCL at 70° of elbow flexion should be integrated into UCL imaging protocols. Furthermore, when performing sonographically guided procedures targeting the UCL, clinicians should consider positioning the elbow at >30° of flexion to optimize UCL conspicuity and CSA.