Comparative haematology and blood chemistry of endangered lizards (Gallotia species) in the Canary Islands

Blood samples were taken from the ventral coccygeal vein of 15 El Hierro giant lizards (Gallotia simonyi) (seven females and eight males), six La Gomera giant lizards (Gallotia bravoana) (four males and two females) and four Tenerife giant lizards (Gallotia intermedia) (two males and two females), and 31 blood parameters were measured. Among the haematological parameters there were significant differences between the three species in heterophils, azurophils and lymphocytes, but no significant differences in red blood cell count, white blood cell count, haemoglobin, packed-cell volume, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils. In terms of blood chemistry there were significant differences between the three species in cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, sodium, chloride, urea, uric acid, total proteins, prealbumin, albumin and gamma globulins, but no significant differences in calcium, potassium, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatine kinase, bile acids, alpha-1 and alpha-2 globulins and beta globulins.     

Screening wild plants of Capsicum annuum for resistance to pepper huasteco virus (PHV): Presence of viral DNA and differentiation among populations

Plants collected in thirteen wild populations of Capsicum annuum from Northwest Mexico were tested for resistance to the pepper huasteco begomovirus (formerly subgroup III) (PHV) that is transmitted by the white fly Bemisia tabaci Genadius. Plants were inoculated using both grafting and biolistic methods. Presence of viral DNA was detected by dot blot hybridization and densitometry. Populations varied in their resistance to PHV. Plants of only two of the populations either did not develop disease symptoms or showed very light symptoms after inoculation. In some cases, symptoms appeared several days after inoculation. In plants of these populations viral DNA was detected by dot-blot hybridization assays but they appear to be a good source of resistance (symptomless) for use in breeding programmes. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Sediment production from unpaved roads in a sub-tropical dry setting — Southwestern Puerto Rico

The threat imposed by increased sediment loading rates ranks among the most important stressors affecting coral reef ecosystems worldwide. This study represents an effort to quantify the effects of unpaved roads on erosion rates in a dry sub-tropical area of Puerto Rico and is intended to aid in developing scientifically-based erosion mitigation strategies. Hence, the specific objectives of this study were to: (1) measure sediment production rates from unpaved roads; (2) evaluate the effect of precipitation, rainfall erosivity, slope, plot length, and vegetation cover on sediment production rates; and (3) compare measured sediment production rates to published surface erosion data from roaded and natural sites in the Eastern Caribbean. Sediment production from nine abandoned road segments with varying slopes and plot lengths were measured with sediment traps in southwestern Puerto Rico from August 2003 to September 2005.     

Biplot analysis of trait relations of white lupin in Spain

A 2-year study of autumn-sown white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) was conducted under rainfed Mediterranean conditions in southern Spain. 108 landraces were evaluated for yield and major phonological and plant structural characteristics. Path coefficient and Genotype-Trait (GT) biplot analysis were used. Applying both types of analyses to the multiple trait data revealed that GT biplot graphically displayed the interrelationships among traits and facilitated visual comparison of accessions and selection. Wide variation was observed for trait phenology (dates of flowering and maturity), plant structure (plant and first order inflorescence height) and yield characters (first order branches, first order inflorescence and total yield). It was found that the accessions with the highest yields were the tallest and the latest to flower, both on the mainstem and on the lowest first order branch, and also were the latest to mature. GT biplots also had suggested as the accessions have been displayed according to their origins. The results showed that foreign germplasm may be an important material for improving some yield components such as number of pods and seeds per plant of locally adapted lupins in Spain. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Pharmacokinetics of meloxicam after intravenous,intramuscular and oral administration of a single dose to African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus)

Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug commonly used in avian species. In this study, the pharmacokinetic parameters for meloxicam were determined following single intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and oral (p.o.) administrations of the drug (1 mg/kg·b.w.) in adult African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus; n = 6). Serial plasma samples were collected and meloxicam concentrations were determined using a validated high‐performance liquid chromatography assay. A noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analysis was performed. No undesirable side effects were observed during the study. After i.v. administration, the volume of distribution, clearance and elimination half‐life were 90.6 ± 4.1 mL/kg, 2.18 ± 0.25 mL/h/kg and 31.4 ± 4.6 h, respectively. The peak mean ± SD plasma concentration was 8.32 ± 0.95 μg/mL at 30 min after i.m. administration. Oral administration resulted in a slower absorption (t_max = 13.2 ± 3.5 h; C_max = 4.69 ± 0.75 μg/mL) and a lower bioavailability (38.1 ± 3.6%) than for i.m. (78.4 ± 5.5%) route. At 24 h, concentrations were 5.90 ± 0.28 μg/mL for i.v., 4.59 ± 0.36 μg/mL for i.m. and 3.21 ± 0.34 μg/mL for p.o. administrations and were higher than those published for Hispaniolan Amazon parrots at 12 h with predicted analgesic effects.     

数学方法在饲料配方设计中的应用

在饲料配方中,数学方法占有非常重要的地位。综述了饲料配方设计中应用的几种数学方法:试差法、线形规划、目标规划、模糊规划、灰线形规划和随机规划等方法,从而为建立科学、合理的饲料配方优化系统奠定良好的基础。     

AS350B3e直升机航空喷施雾滴飘移分布特性

为了探究安装有AG-NAV Guía系统的AS350B3e直升机进行喷施作业时的雾滴飘移规律,以轻型机载北斗RTK差分系统获取的精准作业参数(时间、速度、高度、轨迹)为参考,进行了不同作业参数喷施试验。研究了该直升机以4种不同飞行速度范围进行单向式喷施作业时,对应的有效喷幅区域范围及雾滴飘移分布规律,对比了添加航空助剂对雾滴飘移距离及飘移量的影响。结果表明:有效喷幅区域的位置受自然风速和风向变化的影响,会向直升机航线下风向区域有不同程度的偏移;当直升机分别以70、90、100、120 km/h 4种速度参数进行喷施作业时,随着飞行速度的增大,有效喷幅宽度呈现先缓慢增大后急剧减小的趋势,100 km/h的飞行速度为有效喷幅宽度变化的峰值拐点;当侧风风速为1.1~2.3 m/s时,目标喷雾区的最小宽度在喷雾区域下风向水平距离27.61~48.94 m的范围内,且下风向受飘移影响距离均接近或小于下风向有效喷幅宽度,同时研究还发现雾滴粒径在200μm以下的雾滴更容易发生飘移,因此在作业时要预留至少50 m以上缓冲区(安全区)并合理选择航空喷头以避免药液飘移产生的危害;航空助剂的使用对于雾滴飘移量减轻效果显著,在同等作业条件下,添加航空助剂能够使雾滴飘移量减少33.94%。该研究结果可为直升机的喷施系统性能改进提供参考,对合理喷施农药、减少飘移、提高农药利用率具有重要意义。     

Hip dysplasia in a 6-year-old Salz ram

A 6-year old Salz ram was presented with a history of poor body condition, progressive gait abnormalities, pelvic limb lameness, and difficulty with copulation. Based on the history, clinical signs, hip palpation, and radiography, a diagnosis of hip dysplasia, previously unreported in sheep, was made.     

2013年沈阳地区汛期水情趋势分析

针对沈阳地区旱涝发生的基本规律,根据多年来开展水文中长期预报所应用的理论和方法,总结水情趋势预测工作的经验,对2013年水情趋势进行分析预测。