The structure of the upper atmosphere of mars: In situ accelerometer measurements from mars global surveyor

The Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) z-axis accelerometer has obtained over 200 vertical structures of thermospheric density, temperature, and pressure, ranging from 110 to 170 kilometers, compared to only three previous such vertical structures. In November 1997, a regional dust storm in the Southern Hemisphere triggered an unexpectedly large thermospheric response at mid-northern latitudes, increasing the altitude of thermospheric pressure surfaces there by as much as 8 kilometers and indicating a strong global thermospheric response to a regional dust storm. Throughout the MGS mission, thermospheric density bulges have been detected on opposite sides of the planet near 90 degreesE and 90 degreesW, in the vicinity of maximum terrain heights. This wave 2 pattern may be caused by topographically-forced planetary waves propagating up from the lower atmosphere.     

Fishing impacts and the degradation or loss of habitat structure

The wider effects of fishing on marine ecosystems have become the focus of growing concern among scientists, fisheries managers and the fishing industry. The present review examines the role of habitat structure and habitat heterogeneity in marine ecosystems, and the effects of fishing (i.e. trawling and dredging) on these two components of habitat complexity. Three examples from New Zealand and Australia are considered, where available evidence suggests that fishing has been associated with the degradation or loss of habitat structure through the removal of large epibenthic organisms, with concomitant effects on fish species which occupy these habitats. With ever-increasing demands on fish-stocks and the need for sustainable use of fisheries resources, new approaches to fisheries management are needed. Fisheries management needs to address the sustainability of fish-stocks while minimizing the direct and indirect impacts of fishing on other components of the ecosystem. Two long-term management tools for mitigating degradation or loss of habitat structure while maintaining healthy sustainable fisheries which are increasingly considered by fisheries scientists and managers are: (1) protective habitat management, which involves the designation of protected marine and coastal areas which are afforded some level of protection from fishing; and (2) habitat restoration, whereby important habitat and ecological functions are restored following the loss of habitat and/or resources. Nevertheless, the protection of marine and coastal areas, and habitat restoration should not be seen as solutions replacing conventional management approaches, but need to be components of an integrated programme of coastal zone and fisheries management. A number of recent international fisheries agreements have specifically identified the need to provide for habitat protection and restoration to ensure long-term sustainability of fisheries. The protection and restoration of habitat are also common components of fisheries management programs under national fisheries law and policy.     

Supplementation with sunflower seeds in beef cattle did not impact on oocyte and in vitro embryo production

Supplementation with compounds rich in linoleic acid, including sunflower seed supplementation, promotes increase in conception rates in cows. We aimed to evaluate whether the sunflower seed (linoleic acid source) supplementation in beef donor females alters the plasma concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL, increases the number and quality of oocytes, increases the cleavage rates and determines an improvement in number and quality of in vitro produced blastocysts. Thus, Nelore females were divided into two groups of 15 animals to receive supplementation with or without sunflower seed for 57 days. Females underwent follicular aspiration and the oocytes were subjected to in vitro embryo production. There was no difference (p > .1) between control group and group supplemented with sunflower seed on the number of displayed follicles; number of aspired oocytes; recovery rate; cleavage rate; number of embryos; number of blastocysts; embryos number of grades I and II; plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides; HDL and LDL. Therefore, sunflower seed supplementation in oocyte donors did not increase the number and quality of oocytes, cleavage rates and the number and quality of blastocysts produced in vitro.     

Online analysis of volatile organic compound emissions from Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis)

Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis Bong.) growing in a range of controlled light and temperature regimes were monitored online with a proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometer (PTR-MS) operating at a temporal resolution of approximately 1 min. Isoprene emissions accounted for an average of more than 70% of measured VOCs and up to 3.5% of assimilated carbon. Emission rates (E) for isoprene correlated closely with photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) and temperature, showing saturation at a PPF of between 300 and 400 micromol m(-2) s(-1) and a maximum between 35 and 38 degrees C. Under standard conditions of 30 degrees C and 1000 micromol m(-2) s(-1) PPF, the mean isoprene E was 13 microg gdm(-1) h(-1), considerably higher than previously observed in this species. Mean E for acetaldehyde, methanol and monoterpenes at 30 degrees C were 0.37, 0.78 and 2.97 microg gdm(-1) h(-1), respectively. In response to a sudden light to dark transition, isoprene E decreased exponentially by > 98% over about 3 h; however, during the first 7 min, this otherwise steady decay was temporarily but immediately depressed to approximately 40% of the pre-darkness rate, before rallying during the following 7 min to rejoin the general downward trajectory of the exponential decay. The sudden sharp fall in isoprene E was mirrored by a burst in acetaldehyde E. The acetaldehyde E maximum coincided with the isoprene E minimum (7 min post-illumination), and ceased when isoprene emissions resumed their exponential decay. The causes of, and linkages between, these phenomena were investigated.     

Improving food provision in a Guyanese home for the elderly: a participatory approach

OBJECTIVES: To conduct a needs assessment of all aspects of food provision in a residential home and to evaluate a subsequent nutrition intervention. DESIGN: An intervention study using a before and after design. A participatory approach was adopted and quantitative and qualitative methods used throughout. The intervention involved a revised menu, kitchen equipment, and establishing wholesale shopping and food donations. SETTING: A residential home for senior citizens in Guyana. RESULTS: Meals at the home were nutritionally inadequate and deeply unpopular with the residents. Intakes of fruits and vegetables were low and the home was heavily reliant on donated soya mince and rice. Meals were served within an eight-hour period to accommodate the staff's hours of work. Cutbacks in the food budget indicated that the financial state of the home explained some of the problems. The intervention was unable to address all problems identified, but led to substantial improvements in the nutritional adequacy of the food provided following the inclusion in the menu of a number of nutrient-dense foods such as chicken liver. The new menu was acceptable to the cooks and largely popular with the residents, although some problems persisted. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that improvements in the nutrient profile of the diet could be achieved with a flexible, community-based, participatory approach that addressed all elements of a home's food provision system. The changes also proved largely popular with the residents, thus potentially contributing to their quality of life.     

Multilobular osteochondrosarcoma of the os penis in a dog

Multilobular osteochondrosarcoma (MLO) of the os penis was diagnosed in a dysuric dog. Recurrence was confirmed or suspected twice over a 22-month period. This is the first reported case of MLO occurring in the os penis, and the 5th reported case of neoplasia of the os penis in the dog.