A dielectric omnidirectional reflector

A design criterion that permits truly omnidirectional reflectivity for all polarizations of incident light over a wide selectable range of frequencies was used in fabricating an all-dielectric omnidirectional reflector consisting of multilayer films. The reflector was simply constructed as a stack of nine alternating micrometer-thick layers of polystyrene and tellurium and demonstrates omnidirectional reflection over the wavelength range from 10 to 15 micrometers. Because the omnidirectionality criterion is general, it can be used to design omnidirectional reflectors in many frequency ranges of interest. Potential uses depend on the geometry of the system. For example, coating of an enclosure will result in an optical cavity. A hollow tube will produce a low-loss, broadband waveguide, whereas a planar film could be used as an efficient radiative heat barrier or collector in thermoelectric devices.     

Tracking the long-term decline and recovery of an isolated population

Effects of small population size and reduced genetic variation on the viability of wild animal populations remain controversial. During a 35-year study of a remnant population of greater prairie chickens, population size decreased from 2000 individuals in 1962 to fewer than 50 by 1994. Concurrently, both fitness, as measured by fertility and hatching rates of eggs, and genetic diversity declined significantly. Conservation measures initiated in 1992 with translocations of birds from large, genetically diverse populations restored egg viability. Thus, sufficient genetic resources appear to be critical for maintaining populations of greater prairie chickens.     

Assignment of new loci to river buffalo chromosomes confirms the nature of chromosomes 4 and 5

Introduction Rapid development of the river buffalo physical map can be achieved by coupling its development to that of the cattle gene map. Syntenic conservation between cattle and buffalo has been demonstrated, mainly using somatic cell hybrids (de Hondt et al. 1991; El Nahas et al. 1993, 1996, 1998; de Hondt et al. 1997; El Nahta 1996; Oraby et al. 1977), and by using in situ hybridization as reviewed by Iannuzzi (1997). G- and R-banding comparisons between cattle (2n = 60) and river buffalo (2n = 50) chromosomes have revealed a large number of banding homologies between the two species, both at early-metaphase (Gupta and Ray -Chaudhury 1978; Di Berardino et al. 1981) and prometaphase stages (Iannuzzi et al. 1990). Banding homology indicates that the five river buffalo biarmed pairs originate from centric fusion translocation between two of ten homologous cattle autosomes, which is very supportive of the hypothesis that both species have a common ancestor (Wurster and Benirschke 1968). Based on cytological analysis and banding homology between cattle and buffalo chromosomes, the five biarmed chromosomes of the river buffalo BBU1, BBU2, BBU3, BBU4, BBU5 were thought to originate from fusion of cattle chromosome (BTA) 1/25; 2/23; 8/19; 5/28; and 16/29 respectively (Iannuzzi et al. 1990; Report of the Committee for the Standardization of Banded Karyotopes of the River Buffalo 1994). However, the analysis of synteny between molecular markers assigned to different cattle syntenic groups demonstrated that BBU1 results from fusion of BTA 1 and 27 rather than 1 and 25 (El Nahas et al. 1977). This called for expanding the analysis of syntenic relationships between marker loci to confirm the nature of the other biarmed buffalo chromosomes. The purpose of this study is to test synteny between markers in buffalo and to confirm the nature of the biarmed buffalo chromosomes 4 and 5, using marker loci and somatic cell hybrids.     

Effect of protein supplementation on expression and distribution of urea transporter-B in lambs fed low-quality forage

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of ruminal protein degradability, supplementation frequency, and increasing dietary protein on the expression and distribution of urea transporter-B (UT-B) in lambs fed low-quality forage (mature crested wheatgrass hay; 4.2 to 4.7% CP). In Exp. 1, 15 Dorset wether lambs (initial BW=45.8+/-1.3 kg) were blocked by initial BW and assigned to 1 of 3 treatments within a randomized complete block design for 28 d, with supplements fed to achieve 7, 10, or 13% total dietary CP. In Exp. 2, 13 Dorset wether lambs (initial BW=34+/-4 kg) were used in a completely randomized design and given 1 of 4 isonitrogenous supplements: 1) ruminally degradable protein (RDP) fed daily (n=3), 2) RDP fed on alternate days (n=3), 3) ruminally undegradable protein (RUP) fed on alternate days (n=3), or 4) a 50:50 mixture of RDP and RUP fed on alternate days (n=4) for 18 d. Alternate-day treatments were fed at twice that of daily supplementation. On the last day of both experiments, lambs were killed and samples taken for Western blot analyses for UT-B. Immunoblotting using a rabbit polyclonal antibody to UT-B confirmed the presence of distinct 32-kDa (consistent with a nonglycosylated UT-B protein) and 47-kDa (probable N-glycosylated form of UT-B) protein bands in all 9 tissues analyzed. In both experiments, the liver, dorsal rumen, reticulum, and ventral rumen displayed strong bands at 32 kDa and lighter bands at 47 kDa, whereas the cecum, large colon, spiral colon, and parotid salivary gland displayed slight 32-kDa bands and stronger, more visible bands at 47 kDa. Both protein bands were apparent in the kidney at similar visual intensities in Exp. 1, whereas the relative intensities of the 2 UT-B bands in the kidney were variable, and appeared somewhat reciprocal among animals in Exp. 2. Although the abundance of the 47-kDa UT-B band in the ventral rumen was greater (P=0.03) in lambs fed RDP daily in Exp. 2, no other treatment differences (P >or= 0.15 to 0.99) in the abundance of the 32- or 47-kDa UT-B proteins within tissues were observed in either experiment. Although protein supplementation strategy had little effect on UT-B expression in tissues other than the ventral rumen, differences in the degree of glycosylation of UT-B across tissues may provide insight into its regulation.     

Introduction and elimination of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus in a commercial beef herd: a case study

Routine Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV) monitoring of a commercial beef herd in southern New South Wales over a 10-year period provided an opportunity to assess the impact of the introduction of BVDV on that herd. BVDV antibody testing provided strong evidence that the herd was initially free of BVDV (2009–2011). Testing from 2012 suggested BVDV had been introduced into the herd and this was confirmed in 2015 with the identification of persistently infected (PI) animals. Having become established in the herd, the owners then set out to eliminate BVDV from the herd. Antigen testing aimed at identifying PI animals revealed BVDV was already absent from the herd. Subsequent antibody testing confirmed that the herd was now free from BVDV. Despite the incursion of BVDV in this herd, there was little measurable impact on reproductive performance (pregnancy rates), although suspected increased calf losses from birth to calf marking were reported. This is the first time such self-clearance has been documented as part of a longitudinal study under Australian conditions.     

Changes in fatty acids composition during seed growth and physicochemical characteristics of oil extracted from four safflower cultivars

Fatty acid contents at different stages ofmaturity and physicochemical characteristics of oilextracted from mature seeds of four safflowercultivars (S208, S400, S541, and S303) were studied. Results indicated that for all cultivars bothsaturated and unsaturated fatty acid contentsfluctuated with seed growth and development. Palmiticacid content decreased up to day 20 after which itstarted to increase for the S400, S541, and S303cultivars, while for S208 it progressively decreased.Stearic acid fluctuated with seed growth anddevelopment. Oleic acid showed slight changes withseed growth and development, while linoleic aciddecreased with seed growth and development for theS400, S541, and S303 cultivars while for S208 afterday 30, it started to increase significantly. For allcultivars, glyceride contents varied among thecultivars with maximum values of 97.70, 2.80 and0.20 for tri-, di- and monoglycerides, respectively. Physicochemical investigation of mature seed oilsshowed that the color, density, refractive index, free fatty acids, peroxide value, saponificationvalue and unsaponifiable matter were similar for allcultivars while viscosity, iodine value, and acetoneinsoluble matter varied among the cultivars.     

Growth traits of four maternal lines of rabbits founded on different criteria: comparisons at foundation and at last periods after selection

The objective was to compare growth traits in four maternal lines of rabbits (A, V, H and LP), with the aim of understanding the consequence of the different foundation and selection processes on the growth performance of the lines. The lines are currently in the 43th, 38th, 22th and 8th generations, respectively. Two comparisons were performed. One compared the values of the lines at their foundation, using the complete data set, the full pedigree and a two‐trait analysis, including data on the selection criteria, litter size. The other comparisons were done during the last period when all the lines were housed together with the same feeding and management. The numbers of records were 323 208 for weaning weight, and 300 553 for slaughter weight and average daily Gain (from 46 708 l). The pedigree file included 346 638 animals. The second analysis used only the data corresponding to each period, and the analysis was conducted using a one‐trait model. The model was the same as that defined for the comparisons at the foundation, but the additive effects were excluded. The H and LP lines showed highest values for all the traits compared. In the last periods, a good agreement was observed between the estimated differences, computed with the complete model and data set, or computed with an incomplete model and only data from the comparison period. At last periods, the differences were smaller than at foundation. The importance of the correlated response in growth after selection for litter size at weaning or the importance of a non‐programmed intramating selection for the growth traits can explain the changes since foundation.     

A urethral extension technique to correct urine pooling (vesicovaginal reflux) in mares

A surgical technique involving reconstruction of the caudal vaginal vault was used to correct vesicovaginal reflux in 32 of 34 mares. After surgery, 22 of 24 mares became pregnant, and embryos were harvested for transfer from 6 of the other 10 mares. It was concluded that the procedure was safe and efficacious.