A long-snouted predatory dinosaur from africa and the evolution of spinosaurids

Fossils discovered in Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) rocks in the Tenere Desert of central Niger provide new information about spinosaurids, a peculiar group of piscivorous theropod dinosaurs. The remains, which represent a new genus and species, reveal the extreme elongation and transverse compression of the spinosaurid snout. The postcranial bones include blade-shaped vertebral spines that form a low sail over the hips. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the enlarged thumb claw and robust forelimb evolved during the Jurassic, before the elongated snout and other fish-eating adaptations in the skull. The close phylogenetic relationship between the new African spinosaurid and Baryonyx from Europe provides evidence of dispersal across the Tethys seaway during the Early Cretaceous.     

Betaxanthin-Rich Extract from Cactus Pear Fruits as Yellow Water-Soluble Colorant with Potential Application in Foods

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruit juice is a source of betaxanthin pigments which can be used as a natural yellow food colorant. The HPLC chromatographic pigment pattern corresponding to the betaxanthin-rich extract revealed the presence of four betaxanthins, of which indicaxanthin (proline-betaxanthin) accounts for around 85%. A betaxanthin-rich water-soluble food colorant from cactus pears fruits was produced by spray-drying microencapsulation using maltodextrin as a wall material. The resulting powder was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and its apparent color was analyzed by spectrometry. The stability of the microcapsules was examined at +20, +4 and??20 °C in the dark during six months of storage. The degradation of betaxanthins was delayed by microencapsulation and their colorant stability increased at lower temperatures. The potential application of the colorant microcapsules was successfully assessed in two food model systems: a yogurt and a soft-drink. Both foods presented an attractive pale yellow color. Pigment retention and color parameters were investigated during storage under controlled conditions. Slight changes in the pigment retention, in both model systems, pointed to excellent preservation in the dark, even after 28 days at 4 °C. However, the presence of light contributed to betaxanthin deterioration. Spray-drying microencapsulation succeeds in reducing volumen of the pigment extract and can be easy in storage and delivery of the powders. It is proved to be a suitable process that can be recommended for stabilizing betaxanthins from cactus pears to be used as water-soluble natural colorants in foods.     

米勒时间

企业扩张、兼并及战略调整,如同行船时方向调整一样需要一个过渡期,这个过渡期在米勒啤酒品牌调整经历的过程中被称为“米勒时间”或者被曲棍球行家们称为“曲辊球效应”。通俗地告诫是,企业的扩张行为需要时间,需要考虑原有的产品市场……     

Branch cankers on citrus trees in Spain caused by Phytophthora citrophthora

Considerable losses of citrus trees have been observed in the major citrus-growing areas of Spain. Samples were collected from 132 orchards, and isolations and pathogencity tests were conducted to determine the aetiology of a serious canker disease. Affected trees showed cankers on the scion that frequently began on the branches. Three Phytophthora species were identified based on their morphological, cultural, physiological and molecular profiles. Phytophthora citrophthora was the main species associated with this new syndrome in 114 orchards. Phytophthora nicotianae (syn. P. parasitica ) was isolated from nine orchards as the sole Phytophthora species and in coinfection with P. citrophthora from another nine orchards. Phytophthora citricola was isolated only from one orchard. In stem-inoculation studies conducted under greenhouse conditions, clementine mandarin cv. Hernandina and sweet orange cv. Navel Late were more susceptible to P. citrophthora than sour orange and Carrizo citrange rootstocks. Clementine cv. Hernandina was also highly susceptible in field inoculation experiments. In agreement with field surveys, clementine mandarin cultivars were the most affected, their rootstocks remaining healthy. Phytophthora citrophthora was found to be the predominant species in orchard soils; however, P. nicotianae was also isolated. This information changes the scenario of diseases caused by Phytophthora spp. in Spain and consequently, the present knowledge of epidemiology and the effectiveness of the current control measures should be reassessed.     

A tissue culture method for the rapid propagation of potatoes

A tissue culture method for the rapid propagation of potatoes was studied using 38 varieties. At least 50 plantlets were regeneratedin vitro, in a sequential procedure, from a single isolated shoot tip. Rapid proliferation of shoots was enhanced by shake culture of previously differentiated organogenic cultures. These shoots in turn were used to regenerate complete plantlets by the culture of nodal sectionsin vitro. Culture initiation was more dependent on the variety than culture proliferation. The culture media contained the Murashige-Skoog basal components supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine, gibberellic acid and naphthalene acetic acid. The system described, whereby high propagation rates can be achieved, was referred to as “multi-meristem” culture in contrast to the 1:1 rate normally obtained by the conventional, “single-meristem” culture. Evaluations of varietal stability, using both biochemical and morphological criteria showed no detectable changes due to thein vitro procedures. It is proposed to utilize the “multi-meristem” propagation technique for the conservation and international distribution of valuable clonal germplasm.     

Approaches towards efficient use of boar semen in the pig industry

The current cervical artificial insemination (CAI) procedure, involving deposition of excessive sperm numbers, is uneconomical for pig industry. The most obvious alternative requires uterine deposition in combination with fixed-time AI, which would reduce the number of sperm required per pregnant sow, thus allowing the best use of valuable boars and, ultimately, the commercial integration of frozen-thawed and sexed sperm. This review depicts possible best ways to implement an efficient use of liquid-stored, frozen-thawed and sexed sperm by the pig industry.     

Brucellosis associated with stillbirth in a bottlenose dolphin in Australia

A captive adult female bottlenose dolphin presented with stillbirth. The placenta appeared oedematous. No other gross lesions were evident in the placenta or the stillborn calf. Histopathology revealed mild multifocal placentitis and foetal encephalitis. Brucella sp. was isolated from lung, liver, spleen and kidney. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated this organism to be most similar to Brucella ceti sequence type (ST) 27. Brucella sp. DNA was detected in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded placenta and brain by real-time PCR using primers targeting the IS711 gene. Immunohistochemical staining revealed Brucella sp. antigen in placental inflammation. This is the first report of isolation of Brucella sp. from a marine mammal in the Southern Hemisphere and the first report of marine Brucella-associated disease in Australia.     

Mineral composition of iron chlorotic citrus limon L. leaves

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of iron (Fe) chlorosis on the mineral composition of lemon tree leaves cultivated in calcareous soil in the region of Murcia, Spain. A Fe‐polyflavonoid was employed as fertilizer to control Fe deficiency. The evolution of the leaf content in Fe, potassium (K), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) was monitored during all the sampling cycle. A high correspondence between total Fe and chlorophyll content could be appreciated. A multivariance analysis was performed with the data obtained, showing that Fe was correlated with P, Mn, and K.     

Praemachiloides iberica n. sp. from Spain (Insecta Microcoryphia)

Praemachiloides iberica n. sp. is described and compared with the other four known species of the genus: P. janetschecki, P. insularis, P.tarsispina and P. autumnalis. The main difference of P. iberica n. sp. from the other known congenerics is the presence, in the male, of a field of plaited setae on the ventral surface of the maxillary palp.