Impact ejecta layer from the mid-Devonian: possible connection to global mass extinctions

We have found evidence for a bolide impacting Earth in the mid-Devonian ( approximately 380 million years ago), including high concentrations of shocked quartz, Ni, Cr, As, V, and Co anomalies; a large negative carbon isotope shift (-9 per mil); and microspherules and microcrysts at Jebel Mech Irdane in the Anti Atlas desert near Rissani, Morocco. This impact is important because it is coincident with a major global extinction event (Kacák/otomari event), suggesting a possible cause-and-effect relation between the impact and the extinction. The result may represent the extinction of as many as 40% of all living marine animal genera.     

The Solar Acoustic Spectrum and Eigenmode Parameters

The Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) project estimates the frequencies, amplitudes, and linewidths of more than 250,000 acoustic resonances of the sun from data sets lasting 36 days. The frequency resolution of a single data set is 0.321 microhertz. For frequencies averaged over the azimuthal order m, the median formal error is 0.044 microhertz, and the associated median fractional error is 1.6 x 10(-5). For a 3-year data set, the fractional error is expected to be 3 x 10(-6). The GONG m-averaged frequency measurements differ from other helioseismic data sets by 0.03 to 0.08 microhertz. The differences arise from a combination of systematic errors, random errors, and possible changes in solar structure.     

Direct demonstration of milk as an element of archaeological economies

The stable carbon isotope (delta13C) compositions of individual fatty acid components of remnant fats preserved in archaeological pottery vessels show that dairying was a component of archaeological economies. Characteristic delta13C values arise from biases in the biosynthetic origins of the C18:0 fatty acids in milk and adipose fat. Milk and adipose fat from animals raised on similar pastures and fodders have distinct isotopic signatures.     

Expression Profile of Luteinizing Hormone Receptor Gene in Hierarchal Follicles and Regressing Oviduct Tissues of White Leghorn Hens During Moulting

In the present study, the expression profile of luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) was investigated in the ovary, magnum and uterus and in hierarchcal follicles (F‐1, F‐2, F‐3 and F‐4) of hens subjected to moulting to establish their involvement in moulting and presence in non‐gonadal tissues. Fifty‐two layers (72 weeks) were subjected to moult for a period of 14 days. Four birds were sacrificed each time on 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 14 days of moulting, and samples (ovary, magnum, uterus and hierarchal follicles) were collected aseptically for the quantitative study by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The ovary, isthmus, uterus and magnum weight reduced significantly during induced moulting. From the 4 DOM, this reduction was drastic and reached approximately 80% of original weight in the case of ovary, isthmus and magnum and approximately 65% of original weight in the case of uterus on 14 DOM. Ovarian yellow follicles decreased gradually from 1 DOM to 4 DOM, after that no normal yellow follicle was observed in moulted bird. The number of atretic follicles increased gradually during the course of induced moulting, reaching the peak at 5 DOM. The LHR mRNA was detected in non‐gonadal tissues like magnum and uterus. The LHR expression was significantly (p < 0.05) down regulated in ovary, magnum and uterus throughout the treatment. These results indicated that LHR may have a role in reproductive tissue regression during moulting.     

Peripheral Blood Neutrophil Function and Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Cycling Mares

The purpose of this study was to evaluate different parameters of the immune status in the mare, during the follicular and the luteal phases of the oestrous cycle, in two consecutive years. Functional competence of peripheral blood neutrophils, such as chemotaxis, phagocytosis and oxidative burst was assessed under physiological cyclic conditions (Exp. I). In the second year of this study (Exp. II), besides peripheral blood neutrophil phagocytosis and oxidative burst analysis, circulating lymphocyte subsets were also characterized. The reproductive status in a total of 17 adult cycling mares was evaluated by ultrasonography and further confirmed by plasma progesterone levels. Chemotaxis tests were performed using porous membranes inserted in transwell chambers. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli and N‐formyl‐Met‐Leu‐Phe (fMLP) were used as chemoattractants. Measurement of phagocytosis and oxidative burst in blood neutrophils were assessed by flow cytometry using commercially available kits. Quantification of T‐lymphocyte subsets was assessed by indirect immunofluorescence staining after incubation with monoclonal antibodies specific for CD2, CD3, CD4 and CD8 cell markers by flow cytometry. Natural killer cells and B cells were estimated mathematically. No significant difference was found in migration, phagocytosis and oxidative burst at either phase of the oestrous cycle. Statistical analysis of total white blood cell counts also showed no significant difference between either phase of the oestrous cycle, although there was a tendency for blood neutrophils to increase in number under the progesterone influence (p = 0.09). Lymphocytic subpopulations did not differ throughout the oestrous cycle. Overall, our results suggest that luteal and follicular phases in cycling mares may not influence the immune status of the mare.     

Utilization of deoiled castor cake for crop production

A screen house experiment was undertaken to study effect of time of application of deoiled castor cake on the yield, N and P uptake by wheat crop. The results indicate that the wheat growth decreased significantly with increasing dose of castor cake, when castor cake was applied just before sowing of wheat. When castor cake was applied 10 days before wheat sowing, the dry matter yield (DMY) of wheat increased up to 0.125% dose of castor cake and reduced thereafter. But when the castor cake was applied 20 days before wheat sowing, the DMY was at par under all the doses of castor cake and better than control indicating the degradation of the toxicants produced by the castor cake. Application of castor cake can also be helpful in reducing the cost of phosphatic fertilizer. Thus it can be concluded that castor cake should be applied at least 3 weeks before sowing of the crop and keeping the field moist for degradation of the toxicants.     

Efficacy of ivermectin in a controlled-release capsule for the control of breech strike in sheep

Objective To investigate the efficacy of ivermectin in an intraruminal controlled-release capsule (CRC) against blowfly strike.
Design Pen and field trials with controls.
Animals Pen studies: Two breech strike trials involving 60 Romney and 60 Merino sheep. One body strike trial using 100 Merino sheep.
Field trials: Eight trials in New Zealand used 1000 Romney and Romney-cross sheep. Fifty Merino lambs in one trial in Australia.
Procedure Pen studies: Sheep were allocated to two equal groups. One was not treated, the other sheep received a CRC that delivered ivermectin at 20 μg/kg/day for 100 days. In the breech strike trials, each animal was given an oral laxative 2 days before exposure to adult Lucilia cuprina . In the body-strike trial, the sheep sheep were kept wet to increase susceptibility prior to the release of blowflies.
Field trials: Fifty or 200 sheep allocated to equal groups of nontreated or treated with the CRC and grazed at pasture exposed to natural blowfly challenge.
Results Pen studies: Breech strikes developed in 24 of 60 controls but in none of 60 CRC-treated sheep. There was a 35% reduction in the number of CRC-treated sheep struck on the body.
Field trials: The average number of breech strikes in CRC-treated sheep was reduced by 86% (P < 0.001). The number of body strikes in the treated groups was a reduced by 27% (P < 0.05).
Conclusion The ivermectin CRC is a useful aid in controlling breech strike, but provides only moderate reduction in the incidence of body strike.