Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Escherichia coli Isolates from Swine Farms

Antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli from sows and pigs was determined to compare patterns between pigs of various ages and degrees of antibiotic use. Resistance patterns differed between farm types and pigs of differing ages, indicating that pig age and degree of antibiotic use affect resistance of fecal E. coli.     

Bases and spaces: resources on the web for accessing the draft human genome - II - After publication of the draft

The volume of human genome sequence and the variety of web-based tools to access it continue to grow at an impressive rate, but a working knowledge of certain key resources can be sufficient to get the most from your genome. This article provides an update to Genome Biology 2000, 1(4):reviews2001.1-2001.5.     

Parental preferences for the facial traits of their offspring's partners can enhance parental inclusive fitness

Physical appearance provides a wealth of information concerning an individual's biological fitness and reproductive quality, but we do not know whether parents make use of this information when evaluating potential partners for their offspring. This is critical to our understanding of human mate choice, because parents frequently influence their offspring's mating decisions, either directly, for instance through arranged marriages, or indirectly, through manipulating their offspring's partner choice. Here, we used facial images that varied in attractiveness, masculinity, health, and symmetry to assess both reproductively-aged daughters' and their parents' preferences in potential mates for the daughters. In line with our predictions, both daughters and their parents had clear preferences for markers of genetic quality, although the daughters showed significantly stronger preferences for these markers than their parents. Contrary to previous research, parents and daughters did not have stronger preferences for markers of genetic quality if they perceived the daughter to be more attractive. Parents' preferences for the facial markers of genetic quality in their offspring's partner may help maximize inclusive fitness.     

Smoltification in the net-pen culture of accelerated coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch Walbaum: prediction of saltwater performance

Prediction of the success of coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch , in making the transition from fresh water to salt water was investigated by the use of statistical comparisons between several freshwater variables and several measures of saltwater performance. Data were collected from two consecutive broodyears of coho salmon that were derived from a nested mating design, grown under enhanced rearing conditions, and raised in marine net-pens. Equations were developed that could successfully predict percentage smolts and saltwater growth from morphological measurements taken in fresh water. However, saltwater survival was not predictable from these measurements. Criteria for predictive equations and the value of these calculations, as well as directions for future research, are discussed.