A marker suitable for sex-typing birds from degraded samples

A new primer set was developed for sex-typing birds, Z37B. This primer set was designed to amplify alleles of small size to render it suitable for sex-typing degraded samples, including shed feathers. This marker successfully sex-typed 50 % of the species tested, including passerines, shorebirds, rails, seabirds, eagles and the brown kiwi Apteryx australis (allele size range =81–103 bp), and is therefore expected to be suitable for sex-typing a wide range of species. Z37B sex-typed nondegraded samples (blood), degraded tissue (dead unhatched embryos, dead nestlings and museum specimens) and samples of low quantity DNA (plucked feathers and buccal swabs). The small amplicon sizes in birds suggest that this marker will be of utility for sex-typing feathers, swabs and degraded samples from a wide range of avian species

A multiplex set for microsatellite typing and sexing of the European bee-eater (Merops apiaster)

Microsatellite loci are widely used in ecological and evolutionary studies to assess inbreeding, genetic parentage and population structure. Such loci are often optimised in multiplexes to allow for economical and efficient use. Here, we tested 11 microsatellite loci designed for use in European bee-eaters (Merops apiaster), along with 31 loci isolated in other species, for their utility in European bee-eaters sampled on Susak Island, Croatia. Of these 42 loci, 20 were polymorphic in 38 individuals. These polymorphic loci were further assessed in a sub-set of 23 adults, excluding close relatives, and exhibited between three and 13 alleles each. All loci were autosomal, as indicated by the presence of heterozygotes in both males and females. One of the polymorphic loci exhibited low heterozygosity, three loci deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and three pairs of loci displayed linkage disequilibrium. The remaining selected eight cross-species loci and seven loci isolated in European bee-eaters were combined with two sex-typing markers and optimised in five multiplexes. A combination of 15 autosomal loci of varying degrees of polymorphism makes this multiplex set particularly suitable for both parentage and spatial genetic analyses. This multiplex set therefore provides a useful toolkit for studying kin selection and population genetics in the cooperatively breeding European bee-eater and, potentially, in other closely related species

An Antibody-Based Leukocyte-Capture Microarray for the Diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

The diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is challenging due to its heterogeneous clinical presentation and the lack of robust biomarkers to distinguish it from other autoimmune diseases. Further, currently used laboratory tests do not readily distinguish active and inactive disease. Several groups have attempted to apply emerging high throughput profiling technologies to diagnose and monitor SLE. Despite showing promise, many are expensive and technically challenging for routine clinical use. The goal of this work is to develop a better diagnostic and monitoring tool for SLE. We report a highly customisable antibody microarray that consists of a duplicate arrangement of 82 antibodies directed against surface antigens on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBCs). This high-throughput array was used to profile SLE patients (n = 60) with varying disease activity, compared to healthy controls (n = 24), patients with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 25), and other autoimmune diseases (n = 28). We used a computational algorithm to calculate a score from the entire microarray profile and correlated it with SLE disease activity. Our results demonstrate that leukocyte-capture microarray profiles can readily distinguish active SLE patients from healthy controls (AUROC = 0.84). When combined with the standard laboratory tests (serum anti-dsDNA, complements C3 and C4), the microarrays provide significantly increased discrimination. The antibody microarrays can be enhanced by the addition of other markers for potential application to the diagnosis and stratification of SLE, paving the way for the customised and accurate diagnosis and monitoring of SLE

Outer South East Livable Infill Project

The City of Portland, Oregon has experienced unprecedented population growth in the last decade, much of which has been accommodated through infill development. Not all infi ll development has contributed to meeting design goals, prompting the City’s Bureau of Planning to launch the Infill Design Project in 2003. The Infill Design Project aims to improve the design of multi-dwelling and rowhouse development outside the Central City. This study supports the Infill Design Project by studying the design of new, multi-family infi ll development in a section of Outer Southeast Portland, Oregon. Through public outreach, this study identifies community design preferences and analyzes whether these preferences are being met in the private realm, the public realm and contextually. The studyfurther identifies reasons for the current state of multi-family infill development and provides recommendations to improve design quality of multi-family infill. This project was conducted under the supervision of Deborah Howe, Barry Messer, and Ethan Seltzer

Molecular sex-typing in shorebirds: a review of an essential method for research in evolution, ecology and conservation

Knowing the correct sex of individuals is essential both for research in evolutionary ecology and for practical conservation. Recent molecular advances have produced cheap, quick and reliable methods for sexing birds including chicks, juveniles, immatures and adults. Shorebird researchers have not yet fully utilised these advances. Here we provide an overview of work in this area to date with two objectives: (i) to review the major applications of molecular sexing and findings of shorebird research so far, and (ii) to provide an essential guide on how to carry out molecular sexing using current methods whilst avoiding methodological pitfalls. We encourage shorebird researchers to make better use of molecular sex-typing techniques in studies of conservation, migration, foraging ecology and breeding behaviour

The influence of the Metaverse on Brand Management: A study on heritage brands

The field of brand management has evolved due to our world and consumers evolving. Development of the digital world and technologies has led to changes in how consumers engage with brands and other consumers. Now, the technology that will enable the metaverse is coming and will in turn again influence how brands are managed. This study aims to answer the main question of how the metaverse will influence the future of heritage brands’ management. This research focuses specifically on how the evolution of brand management is fuelling the metaverse for heritage brands, what new opportunities the metaverse will provide for heritage brands to increase brand equity, and what role co-creation and brand communities will play in the metaverse for heritage brands. The research employed a qualitative approach and focus groups were chosen as data collection method. Two focus groups with eight participants, all participants were brand management experts with experience managing heritage brands. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. According to the study results, the emergence of the metaverse is expected to further shape and influence brand management, offering new opportunities for heritage brands to increase their equity. The metaverse will allow heritage brands to create immersive experiences, interactive storytelling, and personalized experiences for consumers, leading to higher brand equity creation. The concept of purpose-driven branding is particularly relevant in the metaverse for heritage brands, and brand communities and co-creation play a key role in engaging customers. The metaverse offers a unique opportunity for brands to engage with their consumers in new and innovative ways, creating deeper, more meaningful relationships with their customers, leading to increased brand engagement. The main findings of the empirical research are consistent with the theoretical framework of the study. The study contributes to the existing brand management literature by revealing the metaverse offers heritage brands opportunities to create immersive experiences, interactive brand storytelling, and personalized interactions, leading to increased brand equity