Critical length sampling: a method to estimate the volume of downed coarse woody debris

In this paper, critical length sampling for estimating the volume of downed coarse woody debris is presented. Using this method, the volume of downed wood in a stand can be estimated by summing the critical lengths of down logs included in a sample obtained using a relascope or wedge prism; typically, the instrument should be tilted 90° from its usual orientation in sampling live trees. The critical length of a downed tree is the length of the log section large enough in diameter to be counted from the selected sample point. A simulation study was conducted to compare critical length sampling with diameter relascope sampling and perpendicular distance sampling. For the population studied, diameter relascope sampling tended to have the smallest variance but exhibited a small design-bias. By combining critical length sampling with critical height sampling—a method previously described for estimating the volume of standing trees—the total volume of dead wood in a stand can be estimated using the same basic principle. One use of the combined method might be in rapid in-place inventories where a quick estimate of the volume of dead wood is needed for biodiversity management purposes. The combined critical length/height method provides a relatively simple means for obtaining such estimates.     

Molecular and phylogenetic characterization of Theileria spp. parasites in autochthonous bovines (Mirandesa breed) in Portugal

A survey was conducted during the months of April-June 2003 in the northeast Portugal (Bragan?a district) in order to characterize the hemoparasite population of an autochthonous Mirandesa breed of Bos taurus. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the bovine blood revealed that 3 out of 116 animals were infected with Theileria and/or Babesia parasites, while reverse line blot hybridisation (RLB) analysis showed that these animals were infected with Theileria buffeli/orientalis. Cloning and sequencing confirmed the RLB results. Database sequence searches combined with phylogenetic analysis of the partial 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequences obtained enabled us to place the parasites in question as members of the T. buffeli/orientalis group, confirming the PCR/RLB diagnosis.     

Lifespan and mortality of old oaks — combining empirical and modelling approaches to support their management in Southern Sweden

? Old oaks (Quercus robur L.) play an important role in the southern Scandinavian landscape by providing habitat for a wide range of species, a large proportion of them being currently on the National Redlists.

? To provide support for the management of these trees, we review data on oak mortality and formulate a mortality-driven stochastic model analysing interactions between mortality rate, oak recruitment rate into 100–150 age class, and amount of oaks older than 200 years.

? Empirical annual mortality rates varied between 0 and 13% with average 1.68%. Trees older 200 years had an average mortality rate of 1.1%. Oaks in the high density forests showed higher mortality (3.2%) as compared to the trees growing in the low density forests (1.2%). A 400-year long modelling exercises indicated that under current mortality rates (regular mortality being centred around 1% annually; and irregular mortality 7% with average return time of 13 years) the long-term maintenance of 20 trees older than 200 years per ha would require an input rate of 1 to 5 trees × year^?1 × ha^?1 into the 100–150 years old class.

? The modelling highlighted the importance of initial oak abundance affecting amount of old trees at the end of shorter (100 years) simulation period.

     

Control techniques and strategies for regional air pollution from the transport sector the European case

We still have insufficient knowledge about the way that different types of vehicles are actually used (loads, driving behaviour etc.). This means that most statements on specific and aggregate emissions as well as on the cost-effectiveness of different measures should be judged with caution. There is still large scope for reducing emissions from transport by technical measures. This is particularly true for shipping, off-road vehicles and for most types of road vehicles. Improved maintenance and extended durability of emission control systems seem to be among the most cost-effective measures where road transport is concerned. The contribution from improved grades of diesel and petrol towards lower aggregate emissions of acidifying substances is likely to be small. Changing the modal split could be expected to be an expensive way of reducing air pollution from road transport except for regions suffering from congestion.     

Maternal and direct genetic parameters for tail length,tail lesions,and growth traits in pigs

Tail length and tail lesions are the major triggers for tail biting in pigs. Against this background, 2 datasets were analyzed to estimate genetic parameters for tail characteristics and growth traits. Dataset 1 considered measurements for trait tail length (T-LEN) and for the growth traits birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), postweaning weight (PWW), and average daily gain (ADG) from 9,348 piglets. Piglets were born in the period from 2015 to 2018 and kept on the university Gießen research station. Dataset 2 included 4,943 binary observations from 1,648 pigs from the birth years 2016 to 2019 for tail lesions (T-LES) as indicators for nail necrosis, tail abnormalities, or tail biting. T-LES were recorded at 30 ± 7 d after entry for rearing (T-Les-1), at 50 ± 7 d after entry for rearing (end of the rearing period, T-LES-2), and 130 ± 20 d after entry for rearing (end of fattening period, T-LES-3). Genetic statistical model evaluation for dataset 1 based on Akaike’s information criterion and likelihood ration tests suggested multiple-trait animal models considering covariances between direct and maternal genetic effects. The direct heritability for T-LEN was 0.42 (±0.03), indicating the potential for genetic selection on short tails. The maternal genetic heritability for T-LEN was 0.05 (±0.04), indicating the influence of uterine characteristics on morphological traits. The negative correlation between direct and maternal effects for T-LEN of –0.35 (±0.13), as well as the antagonistic relationships (i.e., positive direct genetic correlations in the range from 0.03 to 0.40) between T-LEN with the growth traits BW, WW, PWW, and ADG, complicate selection strategies and breeding goal definitions. The correlations between direct effects for T-LEN and maternal effects for breeding goal traits, and vice versa, were positive but associated with a quite large SE. The heritability for T-LES when considering the 3 repeated measurements was 0.23 (±0.04) from the linear (repeatability of 0.30) and 0.21 (±0.06; repeatability of 0.29) from the threshold model. The breeding value correlations between T-LES-3 with breeding values from the repeatability models were quite large (0.74 to 0.90), suggesting trait lesion recording at the end of the rearing period. To understand all genetic mechanisms in detail, ongoing studies are focusing on association analyses between T-LEN and T-LES, and the identification of tail biting from an actor’s perspective.     

Electrical stimulation affects metabolic enzyme phosphorylation, protease activation, and meat tenderization in beef

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to investigate the response of sarcoplasmic proteins in bovine LM to low-voltage electrical stimulation (ES; 80 V, 35 s) after dressing and its contribution to meat tenderization at an early postmortem time. Proteome analysis showed that ES resulted in decreased (P < 0.05) phosphorylation of creatine kinase M chain, fructose bisphosphate aldolase C-A, β-enolase, and pyruvate kinase at 3 h postmortem. Zymography indicated an earlier (P < 0.05) activation of μ-calpain in ES muscles. Free lysosomal cathepsin B and L activity increased faster (P < 0.05) in ES muscles up to 24 h. Immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy further indicated that lysosomal enzymes were released at an early postmortem time. Electrical stimulation also induced ultrastructural disruption of sarcomeres. In addition, ES accelerated (P < 0.05) the depletion of ATP, creatine phosphate, and glycogen, as well as a pH decline and the more preferred pH/temperature decline mode. Finally, ES accelerated meat tenderization, resulting in lesser (P < 0.05) shear force values than the control over the testing time. A possible relationship was suggested between a change in the phosphorylation of energy metabolic enzymes and the postmortem tenderization of beef. Our results suggested the possible importance of the activation of μ-calpain, phosphorylation of sarcoplasmic proteins, and release of lysosomal enzymes for ES-induced tenderization of beef muscle.     

Selection based on progeny testing induces rapid changes in myostatin allele frequencies - a case study in sheep

In this study we show that selection based on progeny testing is able to induce a rapid change in allele frequency, even when a fairly broad and balanced breeding goal is applied. The myostatin 3'-UTR mutation (c.*1232G>A) previously found to affect muscularity in Texel sheep is also present in the Norwegian White Sheep population. By genotyping the rams used for artificial insemination (born in1977-2006), a rapid increase in the c.*1232G>A allele frequency was observed, from 0.31 in 1990 to 0.82 in 2006. The major increase was observed after BLUP-based breeding values and the EUROP classification system for carcass quality was implemented in 1991 and 1996, respectively. The MSTN frameshift mutation c.960delG, recently identified in this population, did not show a similar increase in allele frequency during the same period, in spite that it has a strong desirable effect on meat and fat traits. The results also illustrate that unwanted side effects can rapidly be introduced into a population using an efficient breeding scheme. A system for monitoring changes in phenotypic traits additional to those under selection is therefore recommended to identify possible side effects at an early stage.     

Enhanced osteoblast differentiation on scaffolds coated with TiO2 compared to SiO2 and CaP coatings

The aim was to compare the protein release from normal human osteoblasts (NHO) cultured on scaffolds with similar morphology but different coatings. Different ceramic coatings; TiO(2), SiO(2) and calcium phosphate (CaP); Ca(9)HPO(4)(PO(4))(5)OH, were applied to porous TiO(2) scaffolds prepared by polymer sponge replication. NHO were cultured on scaffolds in triplicates. The concentration of cytokines and Ca(2+), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in the cell media was quantified. The secretion of osteopontin, osteoprotegerin, vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-6 was higher from NHO on TiO(2) compared to SiO(2) and CaP. The secretion from cells on the three scaffolds was, however, either similar or lower than the control cells cultured on plastic. The Ca(2+) concentration was higher in cell media on CaP the first week, and no difference in ALP activity was observed. TiO(2) coating induced a higher secretion of factors indicating enhanced osteoblast differentiation as compared to CaP and SiO(2).