Alternative approaches to predicting methane emissions from dairy cows

Previous attempts to apply statistical models, which correlate nutrient intake with methane production, have been of limited value where predictions are obtained for nutrient intakes and diet types outside those used in model construction. Dynamic mechanistic models have proved more suitable for extrapolation, but they remain computationally expensive and are not applied easily in practical situations. The first objective of this research focused on employing conventional techniques to generate statistical models of methane production appropriate to United Kingdom dairy systems. The second objective was to evaluate these models and a model published previously using both United Kingdom and North American data sets. Thirdly, nonlinear models were considered as alternatives to the conventional linear regressions. The United Kingdom calorimetry data used to construct the linear models also were used to develop the three nonlinear alternatives that were all of modified Mitscherlich (monomolecular) form. Of the linear models tested, an equation from the literature proved most reliable across the full range of evaluation data (root mean square prediction error = 21.3%). However, the Mitscherlich models demonstrated the greatest degree of adaptability across diet types and intake level. The most successful model for simulating the independent data was a modified Mitscherlich equation with the steepness parameter set to represent dietary starch-to-ADF ratio (root mean square prediction error = 20.6%). However, when such data were unavailable, simpler Mitscherlich forms relating dry matter or metabolizable energy intake to methane production remained better alternatives relative to their linear counterparts.     

The effect of season and monensin sodium on the digestive characteristics of autumn and spring pasture fed to sheep

The effects of season of growth and monensin treatment on ruminal digestion of fresh-cut autumn and spring pasture were measured in a single group of ruminally fistulated castrated male sheep, housed indoors in metabolism crates. Responses were assessed in terms of ruminal volatile fatty acid molar proportions, ammonia concentration, pH, apparent digestibility of the pasture, and nitrogen balance of the animals. Blood plasma concentrations of insulin, glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate, urea, and NEFA were also evaluated. Autumn pasture contained significantly lower proportions of water-soluble carbohydrate (P < 0.05), cellulose (P < 0.05), and lignin (P < 0.05) and increased pectin (P < 0.05), hemicellulose (P < 0.05), and crude protein (P < 0.10) concentrations when compared with spring pasture. Voluntary DMI by sheep of autumn pasture was lower (P < 0.01) than that of spring pasture and was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by monensin treatment. Monensin treatment significantly decreased the ruminal molar proportions of acetic acid (P < 0.10) and butyric acid (P < 0.001) and increased the molar proportions of propionic acid (P < 0.001) and minor VFA (P < 0.01). Nitrogen retention of the sheep was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by monensin treatment. Plasma glucose levels were increased (P < 0.10) by monensin treatment during the fourth 5-d collection period in both seasons. Chemical analysis suggested that the composition of autumn pasture was different from that of spring pasture and that this was manifested in vivo by increased DMI and digestibility of spring vs autumn pasture. Ruminal fermentation of autumn pasture also had an increased acetate-to-propionate ratio compared with spring pasture. Monensin treatment acted consistently across seasons by increasing the proportion of propionate and decreasing the proportion of acetate in ruminal fluid.     

Surgical removal of an ependymoma from the third ventricle of a cat

A 10-year-old spayed domestic shorthaired cat was presented for behavioural changes, signs suggestive of visual deficits and aimless circling. Neuro-ophthalmological examination suggested the cat had central blindness. CT scans following administration of iohexol demonstrated a contrast-enhancing mass in the vicinity of the third ventricle resulting in obstructive hydrocephalus. Following rostral tentorial craniotomy and incision through the cerebral cortex, the third ventricle was approached via the dilated left lateral ventricle. An ependymoma was seen through a dorsocaudolateral incision into the third ventricle, and removed by gentle manipulation and suction. The cat recovered unremarkably, regaining normal vision and behaviour.     

Spontaneous hepatic rupture in six cats with systemic amyloidosis

Spontaneous hepatic rupture, secondary to the accumulation of hepatic amyloid, was diagnosed in six cats over a two-year period. Previous reports of feline hepatic amyloidosis have documented clusters of cases from breeding catteries. Most affected cats have been Siamese or a related breed and the disease is generally regarded as familial. In contrast, the cases presented here were sporadic, with relatives and other cats in the household not clinically affected. They included a Devon rex, a breed not previously reported with this condition, and a domestic shorthair. Clinical signs in three of these cases had, prior to referral, been misinterpreted as resulting from blunt trauma, immune-mediated haemolysis or a coagulopathy. Antemortem diagnostic features, including new data on the value of hepatic ultrasonography and fine-needle aspirate cytology, are reported. These cases illustrate how the course of this disease can vary between individuals and that, despite the dramatic underlying pathology, hepatic amyloidosis can present a diagnostic challenge and should be suspected in any young adult cat with consistent clinical signs, irrespective of breed or environment.     

Feline inductive odontogenic tumour in a Burmese cat

A 7-month-old, male, Burmese cat was presented with an oral mass that had rapidly regrown following excisional biopsy 3 weeks earlier. The tumour was identified by histological examination as a feline inductive odontogenic tumour. A unilateral segmental mandibulectomy was performed. Although dental malocclusion resulted from mandibular drift to the operated side, the cat displayed minimal dysphagia post-operatively and there was no evidence of tumour regrowth 8 months after surgery. Feline inductive odontogenic tumour is a rare dental tumour described exclusively in cats under 3-years-of-age. Although histopathologically benign, feline inductive odontogenic tumour grows by expansion and can infiltrate underlying bone to cause considerable local destruction. This article is intended to increase awareness of this unusual tumour which, with complete surgical excision, carries a good prognosis. It also emphasises the importance of obtaining a histological diagnosis from oral mass lesions to direct appropriate therapy and to provide an accurate prognosis.     

KEY TO THE PUPARIUM OF THREE LARCH CONE FLIES IN STROBILOMYIA(DIPTERA:ANTHOMYIIDAE)

The key for puparia of the three species of larch-cone-flies(Strobilomyia)is de-veloped based on their external morphological characteristics on anal(posterior)part which in-cludes segmental protrusions and background texture.Some characteristics which are only visi-ble under scanning microscope are also included even though they are supplementary in this key.Those three commonly found larch-cone-infesting anthomgiids are strobilomyia melania,S.infrequens and S.laricicola.     

卫星及通信技术考察报告

为了解法德两国卫星及通信技术应用情况,学习借鉴其在减灾救灾领域成功的应用经验,2006年12月中旬,民政部国家减灾中心组团赴法德两国进行了为期10天的考察。考察团一行10人,分别来自民政部国家减灾中心、中国科学院电子科学     

Frost heaving of forest tree seedlings: a review

Soil frost heaving is the result of the formation of ice lenses in the soil caused by a segregation of the soil water. Ice lenses are growing from below and pushed upward. Seedlings heave when they are pushed out of the ground by the ice sheet formed at the surface of the soil. Frost heaving may greatly reduce growth and survival of forest tree seedlings particularly in regions where freezing and thawing are accompanied by high soil moisture. Resistance to frost heaving increases with size of seedling as the ability of a seedling to anchor itself increases. A few methods, such as fertilizing, choice of planting spots, sowing or planting at the proper time, shading, and use of mulches, appear to be effective in controlling frost heaving. Shade from natural plant cover can greatly reduce frost heaving.     

Comparative evaluation of mathematical functions to describe growth and efficiency of phosphorus utilization in growing pigs

Success of pig production depends on maximizing return over feed costs and addressing potential nutrient pollution to the environment. Mathematical modeling has been used to describe many important aspects of inputs and outputs of pork production. This study was undertaken to compare 4 mathematical functions for the best fit in terms of describing specific data sets on pig growth and, in a separate experiment, to compare these 4 functions for describing of P utilization for growth. Two data sets with growth data were used to conduct growth analysis and another data set was used for P efficiency analysis. All data sets were constructed from independent trials that measured BW, age, and intake. Four growth functions representing diminishing returns (monomolecular), sigmoidal with a fixed point of inflection (Gompertz), and sigmoidal with a variable point of inflection (Richards and von Bertalanffy) were used. Meta-analysis of the data was conducted to identify the most appropriate functions for growth and P utilization. Based on Bayesian information criteria, the Richards equation described the BW vs. age data best. The additional parameter of the Richards equation was necessary because the data required a lower point of inflection (138 d) than the Gompertz, with a fixed point of inflexion at 1/e times the final BW (189 d), could accommodate. Lack of flexibility in the Gompertz equation was a limitation to accurate prediction. The monomolecular equation was best at determining efficiencies of P utilization for BW gain compared with the sigmoidal functions. The parameter estimate for the rate constant in all functions decreased as available P intake increased. Average efficiencies during different stages of growth were calculated and offer insight into targeting stages where high feed (nutrient) input is required and when adjustments are needed to accommodate the loss of efficiency and the reduction of potential pollution problems. It is recommended that the Richards and monomolecular equations be included in future growth and nutrient efficiency analyses.     

Temperature and surface-ocean water balance of the mid-holocene tropical western pacific

Skeletal Sr/Ca and 18O/16O ratios in corals from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, indicate that the tropical ocean surface approximately 5350 years ago was 1 degrees C warmer and enriched in 18O by 0.5 per mil relative to modern seawater. The results suggest that the temperature increase enhanced the evaporative enrichment of 18O in seawater. Transport of part of the additional atmospheric water vapor to extratropical latitudes may have sustained the 18O/16O anomaly. The reduced glacial-Holocene shift in seawater 18O/16O ratio produced by the mid-Holocene 18O enrichment may help to reconcile the different temperature histories for the last deglaciation given by coral Sr/Ca thermometry and foraminiferal oxygen-isotope records.