The role of mesoscale tracer transports in the global ocean circulation

Ocean models routinely used in simulations of the Earth's climate do not resolve mesoscale eddies because of the immense computational cost. A new parameterization of the effects of these eddies has been implemented in a widely used model. A comparison of its solution with that of the conventional parameterization shows significant improvements in the global temperature distribution, the poleward and surface heat fluxes, and the locations of deep-water formation.     

Utilizing the accuracy of estimated breeding values to improve selection response

SUMMARY: Stochastic simulation was used to evaluate the increase in selection response by incorporating accuracies of estimated breeding values (ebvs) in an index to form indexed breeding values (ibvs). Simulations were made using a standard population with a selected proportion of 5%, with 10 000 selection candidates and an average accuracy of breeding value determination, r? = 0.4 with variance, σ(r) (2) = 0.075(2) . In the standard population, candidates selected on ibvs showed an 8.4 % increase in average true breeding values (tbvs) compared to selection using ebvs. Using the same standard population, but changing the proportion selected to 1.0 % and 10 %, the relative increase in the average tbvs from ibv selection was 13.5 % and 5.5 % respectively. Similarly, changing r? to 0.22, 0.32 and 0.55, the relative increase from ibv selection was 48 %, 19 % and 1.3 % respectively. As σ(r) was changed to 0.025 and 0.125, the relative increase from ibv selection was 0.6 % and 24 % respectively. In general, the average accuracy in candidates chosen for selection using ibvs was lower than that from selection using ebvs. In the standard population the accuracy was 0.38 from ibv selection and 0.43 from ebv selection. As a result the increase in inbreeding will be lower with ibv than with ebv selection. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Verwendung von Genauigkeiten gesch?tzter Zuchtwerte zur Verbesserung des Selektionserfolges Durch stochastische Simulation wurde Steigerung des Selektionserfolges durch Einschlu? von Genauigkeiten gesch?tzter Zuchtwerte (ebvs) in einen Index indizierter Zuchtwerte (ibvs) untersucht. Simulationen wurden mit einer Standardpopulation 5% selektierter von 10 000 Kandidaten und einer durchschnittlichen Genauigkeit der Zuchtwertsch?tzung r = 0.4; σ(r) (2) = 0.075(2) durchgeführt. In der Standardpopulation hatten Kandidaten, mit ibvs selektiert, eine Steigerung des durchschnittlichen wahren Zuchtwertes (tbvs) von 8.4 % verglichen mit Selektion auf ebvs-Basis. Bei Verwendung derselben Standardpopulation, aber Remontierung von 1 % bzw. 10 %, war der relative Zuwachs im durchschnittlichen tbvs bei ibvs-Selektion 13.5 und 5.5%. Die relative Zunahme von der ibvs-Selektion, mit r von 0.22, 0.32 oder 0.55, war 48 %, 19 % und 1.3 %. Bei Ver?nderungen von σ(r) auf 0.25 und 0.125 betrug die relative Zunahme 0.6 und 24 %. Im allgemeinen waren die durchschnittlichen Genauigkeiten bei Selektionskandidaten auf der Basis von ibvs geringer als bei Verwendung von ebvs. In der Standardpopulation waren diese Genauigkeiten 0.38 bei ibvs und 0.43 bei ebvs. Daher sollte die Zunahme der Inzucht mit ibvs geringer sein als mit ebvs.     

Pathogenic mechanisms of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus

Goats infected with caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) show chronic arthritis and cachexia, which are progressive in nature. The immunopathogenic mechanisms responsible for these progressive clinical symptoms have not been fully elucidated. Various haematological and immunological parameters were evaluated in experimentally-infected goats showing typical signs of CAEV-induced disease. Infected goats showed recurrent lymphocytosis that may be due to constant presentation of antigen by infected cells of a monocyte/macrophage lineage. The serum alkaline phosphatase and -glutamyl transferase concentrations were elevated in infected goats, a characteristic of hepatic and bone disorders. All other serum chemistry parameters were similar between infected and control goats. Importantly, the serum tumour necrosis factor- (TNF-) levels were higher in infected goats. The cachexia seen in infected goats may be at least partly due to altered metabolism as a result of prolonged elevation of serum TNF- levels. Depressed natural killer cell activity was observed in infected goats and may contribute towards the establishment of a persistent infection with CAEV.Abbreviations AIDS acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - CAEV caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus - GGT -glutamyl transferase - HBSS Hanks' balanced salt solution - HIV human immunodeficiency virus - NK natural killer - PBMC peripheral blood mononuclear cells - PCR polymerase chain reaction - SAP serum alkaline phosphatase - TNF tumour necrosis factor