Synthetic Line Research Articles

Evaluation of Crossbreeding Parameters for Immunocompetence and Serum Enzyme Profile in a Partial Diallel Cross Involving Three Genetic Groups of Chicken

Background: Poultry production in rural India is mostly a non-intensive venture comprising native chicken with low production potential but higher disease resistance and adaptability. Present study is attempted for developing a suitable cross for rural poultry production as well as identifying the genetic groups that are nicking well through a partial diallel cross. Methods: A partial diallel cross using three genetic groups/ breeds of chicken viz. coloured synthetic male line (CSML), Local native chicken (Desi) and CARI-Red as the parent lines was designed. CSML was used as male and CR as female line only. The progenies were evaluated for crossbreeding parameters viz. combining abilities and heterosis for immune response and serum enzyme profile to identify the best combining parent lines.Result: Significantly higher (P less than 0.05) cell-mediated (CMI) and humoral immune response (HIR) and immune organ (spleen, bursa of fabricius and thymus) weights were recorded in CR purebred followed by Desi purebred, while CSML purebred exhibited lowest immunity. Variances for SCA differed significantly (P less than 0.001) for HIR and immune organ weights. Inconsistent but significantly higher (P less than 0.01) serum enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) and AST/ALT ratio were recorded in triple cross and D x CR. Variances for SCA differed significantly (P less than 0.05) for serum enzymes. Results revealed that the CARI-Red and Desi were the improver parent lines for better immunocompetence and serum enzyme profile, respectively in the crosses.

A synergy of the velocity gradients technique and the probability density functions for identifying gravitational collapse in self-absorbing media

ABSTRACT The velocity gradients technique (VGT) and the probability density functions (PDFs) of mass density are tools to study turbulence, magnetic fields, and self-gravity in molecular clouds. However, self-absorption can significantly make the observed intensity different from the column density structures. In this work, we study the effects of self-absorption on the VGT and the intensity PDFs utilizing three synthetic emission lines of CO isotopologues 12CO (1–0), 13CO (1–0), and C18O (1–0). We confirm that the performance of VGT is insensitive to the radiative transfer effect. We numerically show the possibility of constructing 3D magnetic fields tomography through VGT. We find that the intensity PDFs change their shape from the pure lognormal to a distribution that exhibits a power-law tail depending on the optical depth for supersonic turbulence. We conclude the change of CO isotopologues’ intensity PDFs can be independent of self-gravity, which makes the intensity PDFs less reliable in identifying gravitational collapsing regions. We compute the intensity PDFs for a star-forming region NGC 1333 and find the change of intensity PDFs in observation agrees with our numerical results. The synergy of VGT and the column density PDFs confirms that the self-gravitating gas occupies a large volume in NGC 1333.

Spectral signature of atmospheric winds in high-resolution transit observations

ABSTRACT The study of exoplanet atmospheres showed large diversity compared to the planets in our Solar system. Especially Jupiter-type exoplanets orbiting their host star in close orbits, the so-called hot and ultra-hot Jupiters, have been studied in detail due to their enhanced atmospheric signature. Due to their tidally locked status, the temperature difference between the day- and nightside triggers atmospheric winds that can lead to various fingerprints in the observations. Spatially resolved absorption lines during transit such as sodium (Na) could be a good tracer for such winds. Different works resolved the Na absorption lines on different exoplanets which show different line widths. Assuming that this could be attributed to such zonal jet streams, this work models the effect of such winds on synthetic absorption lines. For this, transiting Jupiter-type planets with rotational velocities similar to hot and ultra-hot Jupiter are considered. The investigation shows that high wind velocities could reproduce the broadening of Na-line profiles inferred in different high-resolution transit observations. There is a tendency that the broadening values decrease for planets with lower equilibrium temperature. This could be explained by atmospheric drag induced by the ionization of alkali lines that slow down the zonal jet streams, favouring their existence on hot Jupiter rather than ultra-hot Jupiter.

Relative performance of white clover (

Assessment of the relative performance of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) cultivars, using multi-year and multi-location seasonal growth trials, is key to identification of material with specific and broad adaptation. This paper is based on a multi-year and multi-location study of 56 white clover entries comprising 14 commercial cultivars and 42 experimental synthetic lines evaluated for seasonal growth under rotational grazing across four locations in New Zealand over 4 years. The four locations (and animals grazing) were: Kerikeri (beef cattle), Aorangi (beef cattle), Ruakura (dairy cattle), Lincoln (sheep). Significant (P < 0.05) genotypic variation among the 56 entries, and genotype × year, genotype × location and genotype × season interactions, were estimated. We were able to identify cultivars and experimental synthetics with specific and broad adaptation to the three grazing management types. Cvv. AberDance, Apex, Demand, Prestige, Quartz and Riesling, with leaf size ranging from small to medium–large, showed highly above-average performance under sheep grazing. Synthetic lines 15 and 45 also had highly above-average performance under sheep grazing. Cvv. Legacy and Kopu II showed above-average performance under cattle and dairy grazing. Synthetics 15, 48, 49, 44, 22 and 18 and cv. Quartz had above-average performance under all three grazing managements. Synthetics 27, 33 and 38 had highly above-average performance across all three grazing managements and were superior to all 14 cultivars evaluated. Several of these superior synthetics are being tested across multiple grazing environments. Among the 14 cultivars evaluated, Legacy and Quartz showed superior seasonal growth performance across the three grazing managements. Quartz is being evaluated in several on-farm trials across temperate regions of the world.

Corrigendum to: Performance and carcass composition of pigs from two sire lines are affected differently by ambient temperature

Context Differences among breeds or lines of pigs in terms of growth and carcass characteristics may be affected by rearing environment (genetic × environment interaction). Aims The present study compared the growth performance and carcass composition of pigs from two sire lines reared under constant thermoneutral (22°C; TN) or high ambient temperature (33°C; HT) conditions. Methods Hampshire (HAM) and synthetic-cross (SYN) castrated male pigs (n = 12 per group; 32.0 ± 2.0 kg) were kept in individual pens at either 22°C (TN) or 33°C (HT) for 55 days (two experimental phases: 0–27 and 28–55 days) following an adaptation period of 7 days. Throughout the experimental period, growth performance and body composition (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry on Days 27 and 55) were assessed, and a range of other measurements (serum parameters and physiological responses), which were divided into four measurement groups, was taken on 9 days. Key results Irrespective of genetic line (G), the pigs in the HT treatment had lower average daily feed intake values (P P P P P Conclusion Despite progeny from both genetic lines being affected negatively by high AT, the purebred HAM pigs were less affected by the high AT conditions than were the pigs from the synthetic line. Implication The present findings suggest that individual farm conditions and AT are among the most important factors to consider before implementing a G.

Performance and carcass composition of pigs from two sire lines are affected differently by ambient temperature

Context Differences among breeds or lines of pigs in terms of growth and carcass characteristics may be affected by rearing environment (genetic × environment interaction). Aims The present study compared the growth performance and carcass composition of pigs from two sire lines reared under constant thermoneutral (22°C; TN) or high ambient temperature (33°C; HT) conditions. Methods Hampshire (HAM) and synthetic-cross (SYN) castrated male pigs (n = 12 per group; 32.0 ± 2.0 kg) were kept in individual pens at either 22°C (TN) or 33°C (HT) for 55 days (two experimental phases: 0–27 and 28–55 days) following an adaptation period of 7 days. Throughout the experimental period, growth performance and body composition (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry on Days 27 and 55) were assessed, and a range of other measurements (serum parameters and physiological responses), which were divided into four measurement groups, was taken on 9 days. Key results Irrespective of genetic line (G), the pigs in the HT treatment had lower average daily feed intake values (P < 0.001, by 29% and 41%) than did the pigs in the TN treatment during both experimental phases (0–27 and 28–55 days). During the second growth phase, the average daily gain of the SYN pigs in the HT treatment was reduced by 50%, whereas that of the HAM pigs was reduced by 24% (P < 0.05 for G × ambient temperature (AT)). On Days 27 and 55, pig bodyweight was lower (P < 0.05) in the HT treatment than in the TN treatment. On Day 27, a G × AT interaction was detected for backfat thickness (P < 0.05); among the SYN pigs, the value of this trait was lower (16%; P < 0.05) in the HT treatment than in the TN treatment, while for the HAM pigs, it was not influenced by treatment type. Conclusion Despite progeny from both genetic lines being affected negatively by high AT, the purebred HAM pigs were less affected by the high AT conditions than were the pigs from the synthetic line. Implication The present findings suggest that individual farm conditions and AT are among the most important factors to consider before implementing a G.

Transpiration response of two bread wheat lines differing in drought resilience and their backcross parent under dry-down conditions.

Improving wheat productivity in drylands largely depends on how plants manage limited water resources. Using fraction of transpirable soil water threshold (FTSWTh) and drought stress response function, we characterized the water conservation traits of two wheat multiple synthetic derivative lines (MSD53 and MSD345) which both contain introgressed segments from Aegilops tauschii but differ in drought resilience. The lines and their backcross parent, ‘Norin 61’, were subjected to dry-down conditions. MSD53 had a higher FTSWTh for transpiration decrease than ‘Norin 61’ and MSD345. In terms of drought stress response function, MSD53 had the lowest threshold suction, suggesting a lower drought resilience capacity compared with MSD345. However, MSD53 exhibited an effective-water-use trait whereas MSD345 exhibited a water-saving trait under dry-down conditions. These results are consistent with the reported higher yield of MSD53 in comparison with MSD345 under drought stress in Sudan, and demonstrate that high FTSWTh supports effective water use for improved agricultural productivity in drylands. The differences in water conservation traits between the two MSD lines may be attributed to variation in introgressed segments, which can be further explored for drought resilience breeding.

Vitality in relation to litter size of crossbred pigs and the effect of the terminal sire line

Context Most research on sire lines is linked to growth and carcass traits. Only a limited number of field trials explore the effect of sire line on piglet vitality, litter size and the interactions between these traits. Aim The aim of this study was to examine the effect of sire line on the growth performance and vitality of progeny from birth to weaning and to evaluate the lines with respect to their impact on litter size. Methods Data included 150 litters of a Synthetic sire line (A) and 154 of a Piétrain sire line (B), with 4209 piglets born alive, which resulted from matings to 337 dams (Camborough PIC). The numbers of total born and born alive piglets per litter were recorded. Within 24 h after birth, piglet individual birthweight (BWbirth), sex (male/female) and body temperature (BT) were also recorded. At weaning, mortality rates and weaned pigs per sow were registered. At the day of weaning, 665 randomly chosen pigs were individually weighed. Weaning weights (WW) were used to calculate the weaning average daily gain (WADG). Key results Sire line significantly affected number of total born (P < 0.0001), number born alive (P < 0.01) and number of weaned pigs per sow (P < 0.01). Across lines, each additional piglet per litter resulted in a 31.2 g decline in BWbirth (P < 0.001). Larger litter sizes, higher BWbirth (P < 0.01) and piglets with a lower BT (P < 0.0001) were detected in litters of Sire line B compared with litters of Sire line A. No differences between lines were detected for WADG, WW and pre-weaning mortality (P > 0.05). A positive correlation between birthweight and WW resulted in a correspondingly higher WADG (P < 0.0001). Overall, heavier BWbirth piglets had a higher BT (P < 0.0001). Conclusions The present study indicates that Sire line B would offer a possibility to maintain litter size at a high level and, simultaneously, achieve higher BWbirth, with consequently more vital piglets. Implication It is important to emphasise that further selection for litter size in dam lines is not indicated in terms of animal welfare but also production efficiency. Instead, it seems feasible to follow the above strategy and stabilise litter size at a high level, while at the same time breeding for vitality and survivability in sire lines.

Genetic variation in drought resilience-related traits among wheat multiple synthetic derivative lines: insights for climate resilience breeding

Twenty-four wheat lines, developed by Aegilops tauschii Coss. introgressions and previously selected for heat or salinity stress tolerance, were evaluated under a drought-rewatering-drought cycle for two years. The objective was to select breeding lines that are resilient to more than one abiotic stress. The experiment was designed in alpha lattice with three replications. Drought was imposed by withholding water during flowering. The results revealed considerable genetic variability in physio-agronomic traits, reflecting the variation in the introgressed segments. High heritability estimates (above 47%) were recorded for most traits, including days to 50% heading, plant height, and thousand-grain weight, indicating the genetic control of these traits which may be useful for cultivar development. The trait-trait correlations within and between water regimes highlighted a strong association among the genetic factors controlling these traits. Some lines exhibited superior performance in terms of stress tolerance index and mean productivity compared with their backcross parent and elite cultivars commonly grown in hot and dry areas. Graphical genotyping revealed unique introgressed segments on chromosomes 4B, 6B, 2D, and 3D in some drought-resilient lines which may be linked to drought resilience. Therefore, we recommend these lines for further breeding to develop climate-resilient wheat varieties.

Least square analysis of juvenile body weight and conformational traits in coloured synthetic broiler male line (PB-1)

Least square analysis of juvenile body weight and conformational traits in coloured synthetic broiler male line (PB-1)

Modeling multiple phenotypes in wheat using data-driven genomic exploratory factor analysis and Bayesian network learning.

Inferring trait networks from a large volume of genetically correlated diverse phenotypes such as yield, architecture, and disease resistance can provide information on the manner in which complex phenotypes are interrelated. However, studies on statistical methods tailored to multidimensional phenotypes are limited, whereas numerous methods are available for evaluating the massive number of genetic markers. Factor analysis operates at the level of latent variables predicted to generate observed responses. The objectives of this study were to illustrate the manner in which data‐driven exploratory factor analysis can map observed phenotypes into a smaller number of latent variables and infer a genomic latent factor network using 45 agro‐morphological, disease, and grain mineral phenotypes measured in synthetic hexaploid wheat lines (Triticum aestivum L.). In total, eight latent factors including grain yield, architecture, flag leaf‐related traits, grain minerals, yellow rust, two types of stem rust, and leaf rust were identified as common sources of the observed phenotypes. The genetic component of the factor scores for each latent variable was fed into a Bayesian network to obtain a trait structure reflecting the genetic interdependency among traits. Three directed paths were consistently identified by two Bayesian network algorithms. Flag leaf‐related traits influenced leaf rust, and yellow rust and stem rust influenced grain yield. Additional paths that were identified included flag leaf‐related traits to minerals and minerals to architecture. This study shows that data‐driven exploratory factor analysis can reveal smaller dimensional common latent phenotypes that are likely to give rise to numerous observed field phenotypes without relying on prior biological knowledge. The inferred genomic latent factor structure from the Bayesian network provides insights for plant breeding to simultaneously improve multiple traits, as an intervention on one trait will affect the values of focal phenotypes in an interrelated complex trait system.

ВІДГОДІВЕЛЬНІ ЯКОСТІ ІМУНОКАСТРОВАНИХ ТА НЕКАСТРОВАНИХ СВИНОК

У статті представлено результати досліджень відгодівельних якостей імунокастрованих та некастрованих свинок отриманих від помісних свиноматок ірландського ландраса та ірландського йоркшира і кнурів синтетичної лінії Maxgro, в умовах ТОВ «НВП «Глобинський свинокомплекс» цеху відгодівлі №3. Для виконання дослідження було сформовано дві групи свинок, середня жива маса яких знаходилась в межах 25,68 – 25,82 кг, з похибкою 0,30-0,26 кг. Встановлено, що імунокастровані свинки на відмінну від некастрованих свинок в період відгодівлі мали більшу середню живу масу при знятті з відгодівлі на 4,96%. Характеризувалися вищими на 6,65% та 6,64% показниками абсолютного та середньодобового приросту. Відносний приріст був вищим у імунокастрованих свинок на 4,20% (р < 0,001). Імунокастровані свинки щодоби на 3,54% споживали більше корму, що спричинило досягнення їх живої маси 120 кг на 3,89 % швидше, в той час як оплата корму приростами була кращою на 2,39% в порівнянні з некастрованими свинками. Індекс комплексної оцінки відгодівельних якостей імунокастрованих тварин був вищим на 4,4 бали або на 11,8% порівняно з з їх некастрованими аналогами. За допомогою однофакторного дисперсійного аналізу було встановлено силу впливу типу кастрації свинок на їх відгодівельні показники. Визначено значний вірогідний вплив типу кастрації свинок на такі відгодівельні показники як середня жива маса при зняті з відгодівлі на рівні 7,53%, абсолютний приріст на 10,92% середньодобовий приріст на 10,91% та вік досягнення живої маси 120 кг на рівні 7,09%. Сила впливу типу кастрації свинок на відносний приріст склала всього 2,71%. Результати досліджень засвідчили, що використання імунної кастрації свинок має значний вплив та підвищує їх відгодівельні показники.

Production of synthetic wheat lines to exploit the genetic diversity of emmer wheat and D genome containing Aegilops species in wheat breeding

Due to the accumulation of various useful traits over evolutionary time, emmer wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. dicoccum and dicoccoides, 2n = 4x = 28; AABB), durum wheat (T. turgidum subsp. durum, 2n = 4x = 28; AABB), T. timopheevii (2n = 4x = 28; AAGG) and D genome containing Aegilops species offer excellent sources of novel variation for the improvement of bread wheat (T. aestivum L., AABBDD). Here, we made 192 different cross combinations between diverse genotypes of wheat and Aegilops species including emmer wheat × Ae. tauschii (2n = DD or DDDD), durum wheat × Ae. tauschii, T. timopheevii × Ae. tauschii, Ae. crassa × durum wheat, Ae. cylindrica × durum wheat and Ae. ventricosa × durum wheat in the field over three successive years. We successfully recovered 56 different synthetic hexaploid and octaploid F2 lines with AABBDD, AABBDDDD, AAGGDD, D1D1XcrXcrAABB, DcDcCcCcAABB and DvDvNvNvAABB genomes via in vitro rescue of F1 embryos and spontaneous production of F2 seeds on the Fl plants. Cytogenetic analysis of F2 lines showed that the produced synthetic wheat lines were generally promising stable amphiploids. Contribution of D genome bearing Aegilops and the less-investigated emmer wheat genotypes as parents in the crosses resulted in synthetic amphiploids which are a valuable resource for bread wheat breeding.

FLT3 Internal Tandem Duplication Quantitation and Length Analysis By Digital PCR Paired with High-Speed AFM

Introduction DNA length polymorphisms are difficult to diagnose due to their repetitive or variable elements. Within the FLT3 gene, internal tandem duplications (ITDs) range from <30 bp to >200 bp in length and are associated with poor prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To address these challenges, we developed digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) followed by high-speed atomic force microscopy (HSAFM) as a high-throughput, single-molecule approach for quantifying and sizing length polymorphisms associated with FLT3-ITDs. Methods In the first step of our approach, dPCR (Fig. 1A), a mixed sample is diluted and partitioned into micro-reactions that are individually amplified, mitigating amplification bias and producing homogeneous solutions of either wild-type (WT) or FLT3-ITD variant amplicons. We then used HSAFM to directly image individual amplicons and determine their lengths with nanoscale resolution (Fig. 1B). Length distributions were analyzed by Bayesian inference to identify their most likely character-WT or variant-by determining whether or not the 95% most credible range of mean lengths for each micro-reaction fell within a region of practical equivalence (ROPE) to WT length (Fig. 1C). Variant allele frequency (VAF) was then calculated as the proportion of variant-identified micro-reactions (Fig. 1D). We tested (a) synthetic and cell line DNA ranging from 30 bp to 217 bp, with VAF titrated down to 5%, and (b) clinical FLT3-ITD positive and negative samples, and compared dPCR-HSAFM results to those of a widespread clinical assay (Invivoscribe Leukostrat CDx FLT3 Mutation Assay). Results dPCR-HSAFM successfully returned the VAFs of all spiked-in FLT3-ITD samples across the admixture range of 5%-100%, and WT-only controls yielded VAFs of 0% (Fig. 1C,D). The four tested clinical samples determined as FLT3-ITD positive by the standard assay returned VAFs of 49%, 16%, 26%, and 61% by dPCR-HSAFM, while the two FLT3-ITD negative clinical samples returned VAFs of 6% and <1% (Fig. 1C). Mean variant length of control and clinical samples measured by dPCR-HSAFM agreed with the known lengths as reported by the Leukostrat assay or given by cell line documentation (Fig. 1C, horizontal lines). Conclusions By demonstrating accurate quantification and sizing of FLT3-ITD variants of clinically relevant size and VAF, dPCR-HSAFM supersedes the standard clinical assay, which does not report VAF. Since FLT3-ITD length and VAF are linked to AML outcome and are important for minimal residual disease following therapy, a test that provides both metrics is desirable. Furthermore, the speed, low cost, and flexibility of dPCR-HSAFM to detect long, repetitive insertions make it an attractive alternative to sequencing in the clinical diagnosis of FLT3-ITDs and other length polymorphisms. Figure 1. dCR-HSAFM technique and results. (A) Digital PCR of a mixed sample yields a homogeneous population of WT (blue) or variant FLT3-ITD (red) amplicons in each micro-reaction. (B) HSAFM images of DNA are traced with custom software to yield lengths of individual DNA molecules. (C) Length is used to classify each dPCR reaction as WT or variant, where each vertical line gives the 95% most credible range of mean length for a dPCR reaction and italicized numbers give the number of dPCR reactions for each sample. The four leftmost clinical samples were identified as FLT3-ITD positive by a standard clinical assay, while the two rightmost clinical samples were FLT3-ITD negative. The assay does not report VAF. (D) Spiked-in VAF v. detected VAF is shown for FLT3-ITD samples with 30 bp and 126 bp insertions, with spiked-in VAF ranging from 5%-100%. Vertical bars give the VAFs for ROPEs ± 10% of the initial ROPE width, which conveys the sensitivity of each VAF to the ROPE width. Figure 1 Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Effects of the stellar wind on the Ly α transit of close-in planets

ABSTRACT We use 3D hydrodynamics simulations followed by synthetic line profile calculations to examine the effect increasing the strength of the stellar wind has on observed Ly α transits of a hot Jupiter (HJ) and a warm Neptune (WN). We find that increasing the stellar wind mass-loss rate from 0 (no wind) to 100 times the solar mass-loss rate value causes reduced atmospheric escape in both planets (a reduction of 65 per cent and 40 per cent for the HJ and WN, respectively, compared to the ‘no wind’ case). For weaker stellar winds (lower ram pressure), the reduction in planetary escape rate is very small. However, as the stellar wind becomes stronger, the interaction happens deeper in the planetary atmosphere, and, once this interaction occurs below the sonic surface of the planetary outflow, further reduction in evaporation rates is seen. We classify these regimes in terms of the geometry of the planetary sonic surface. ‘Closed’ refers to scenarios where the sonic surface is undisturbed, while ‘open’ refers to those where the surface is disrupted. We find that the change in stellar wind strength affects the Ly α transit in a non-linear way (note that here we do not include charge-exchange processes). Although little change is seen in planetary escape rates (≃ 5.5 × 1011 g s−1) in the closed to partially open regimes, the Ly α absorption (sum of the blue [−300, −40 km s−1] and red [40, 300 km s−1] wings) changes from 21 to 6 per cent as the stellar wind mass-loss rate is increased in the HJ set of simulations. For the WN simulations, escape rates of ≃ 6.5 × 1010 g s−1 can cause transit absorptions that vary from 8.8 to 3.7 per cent, depending on the stellar wind strength. We conclude that the same atmospheric escape rate can produce a range of absorptions depending on the stellar wind and that neglecting this in the interpretation of Ly α transits can lead to underestimation of planetary escape rates.

The solar gravitational redshift from HARPS-LFC Moon spectra

Context. The general theory of relativity predicts the redshift of spectral lines in the solar photosphere as a consequence of the gravitational potential of the Sun. This effect can be measured from a solar disk-integrated flux spectrum of the Sun’s reflected light on Solar System bodies. Aims. The laser frequency comb (LFC) calibration system attached to the HARPS spectrograph offers the possibility of performing an accurate measurement of the solar gravitational redshift (GRS) by observing the Moon or other Solar System bodies. Here, we analyse the line shift observed in Fe absorption lines from five high-quality HARPS-LFC spectra of the Moon. Methods. We selected an initial sample of 326 photospheric Fe lines in the spectral range between 476–585 nm and measured their line positions and equivalent widths (EWs). Accurate line shifts were derived from the wavelength position of the core of the lines compared with the laboratory wavelengths of Fe lines. We also used a CO5BOLD 3D hydrodynamical model atmosphere of the Sun to compute 3D synthetic line profiles of a subsample of about 200 spectral Fe lines centred at their laboratory wavelengths. We fit the observed relatively weak spectral Fe lines (with EW< 180 mÅ) with the 3D synthetic profiles. Results. Convective motions in the solar photosphere do not affect the line cores of Fe lines stronger than about ∼150 mÅ. In our sample, only 15 Fe I lines have EWs in the range 150< EW(mÅ) < 550, providing a measurement of the solar GRS at 639 ± 14 m s−1, which is consistent with the expected theoretical value on Earth of ∼633.1 m s−1. A final sample of about 97 weak Fe lines with EW < 180 mÅ allows us to derive a mean global line shift of 638 ± 6 m s−1, which is in agreement with the theoretical solar GRS. Conclusions. These are the most accurate measurements of the solar GRS obtained thus far. Ultrastable spectrographs calibrated with the LFC over a larger spectral range, such as HARPS or ESPRESSO, together with a further improvement on the laboratory wavelengths, could provide a more robust measurement of the solar GRS and further testing of 3D hydrodynamical models.

BOSS-3D: A Binary Object Spectral Synthesis Code in 3D

AbstractTo decode the information stored within a spectrum, detailed modelling of the physical state is required together with accurate radiative transfer solution schemes. In the analysis of stellar spectra, the numerical model often needs to account for high velocity outflows, multi-dimensional structures, and the effects of binary companions. Focusing now on binary systems, we present the BOSS-3D spectral synthesis code, which is capable of calculating synthetic line profiles for a variety of binary systems. Assuming the state of the circumstellar material to be known, the standard pz-geometry is extended by defining individual coordinate systems for each object. By embedding these coordinate systems within the observer’s frame, BOSS-3D automatically accounts for outflows or discs within both involved systems, and includes all Doppler shifts. Moreover, the code accounts for different length-scales, and thus could also be used to analyse transit-spectra of planetary atmospheres. As a first application of BOSS-3D, we model the phase-dependent line profiles for the enigmatic binary (or multiple) system LB-1.

Aegilops tauschii Introgressions Improve Physio-Biochemical Traits and Metabolite Plasticity in Bread Wheat under Drought Stress

With the aim of providing genetic materials for breeding drought-resistant wheat varieties, the physiological and metabolic plasticity of three drought-resistant wheat multiple synthetic derivative lines (MSDLs) and their backcross parent “Norin 61” (N61) were evaluated in response to drought stress. The results indicated that the D-genome introgressions from Aegilops tauschii into the MDSLs improved their drought-adaptive traits. Specifically, MNH5 and MSD345 showed higher photosynthesis rates and triose phosphate utilization than N61 under control conditions, resulting in greater accumulation of glucose and sucrose in the shoots. However, under drought stress, MNH5 and MSD345 had higher intrinsic water use efficiency than MSD53 and N61. The total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase activity increased in all three MSDLs, whereas no significant changes were found in N61 in response to drought stress. Metabolome analysis identified six common drought-induced metabolites in all of the investigated genotypes. However, four metabolites (adenine, gamma aminobutyric acid, histidine, and putrescine) each specifically accumulated in an MSDL in response to drought stress, suggesting that these metabolites are important for MSDL drought resistance. In conclusion, MNH5 and MSD345 showed better adaptive responses to drought stress than MSD53 and N61, suggesting that these two MSDLs could be explored for breeding drought-resistant wheat lines.

Synthetic line and continuum observations of simulated turbulent clouds: the apparent widths of filaments

ABSTRACT Filamentary structures are ubiquitous in observations of real molecular clouds and also in simulations of turbulent, self-gravitating gas. However, making comparisons between observations and simulations is complicated by the difficulty of estimating volume densities observationally. Here, we have post-processed hydrodynamical simulations of a turbulent isothermal molecular cloud, using a full time-dependent chemical network. We have then run radiative transfer models to obtain synthetic line and continuum intensities that can be compared directly with those observed. We find that filaments have a characteristic width of ${\sim }0.1 \, {\rm pc}$, both on maps of their true surface density and on maps of their $850\, {\rm \mu m}$ dust continuum emission in agreement with previous work. On maps of line emission from CO isotopologues, the apparent widths of filaments are typically several times larger because the line intensities are poorly correlated with the surface density. On maps of line emission from dense gas tracers such as N2H+ and HCN, the apparent widths of filaments are ${\la}0.1\, {\rm pc}$. Thus, current observations of molecular-line emission are compatible with the universal $0.1 \, {\rm pc}$ filament width inferred from Herschel observations, provided proper account is taken of abundance, optical depth, and excitation considerations. We find evidence for ${\sim}0.4 \, {\rm km \, s^{-1}}$ radial velocity differences across filaments. These radial velocity differences might be a useful indicator of the mechanism by which a filament has formed or is forming, for example the turbulent cloud scenario modelled here, as against other mechanisms such as cloud–cloud collisions.

Evaluation on morpho-physiological characters of synthetic maize genotypes on low soil nitrogen level condition

A study aimed to evaluate the growth and production of several synthetic maize lines at low nitrogen level was conducted at the Indonesian Cereals Research Institute Experimental Farm in Bajeng District, Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi. The research was carried out from September to December 2018. The study also aimed to determine the nitrogen dose that could be used for selection of synthetic maize genotypes against low nitrogen doses. The study was conducted in the form of an experiment using a Split Plot Design. Five levels of Nitrogen fertilizer were used namely 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg N per hectare. Various genotypes treatment were consisted of 4 synthetic maize genotypes namely Syn 5, Syn 6, Syn 7, Syn 8 and 2 comparative varieties namely Bisma and Lamuru. The results show a significant interaction between the treatment of nitrogen doses and the synthetic maize genotype on the morphological and physiological characters of the maize genotypes. Genotypes gave the best results at nitrogen doses of 100 kg N ha−1 was Syn8 (8.67 tons ha−1) and 50 kg N ha−1 (6.47 tons ha−1). Nitrogen doses of 50 kg N ha−1 and 100 kg N ha−1 can be used for the selection of maize tolerant to low nitrogen condition with productivity of 4.57 tons ha−1 and 8.67 tons ha−1, respectively. There is potential for the Syn8 genotype to be developed for low-nitrogen-tolerant maize varieties due to higher production compared to the comparative variety.