Modeling multi-scale spatial ecological processes under the discrete event systems paradigm

A multi-scale spatial ecological model of a wet sclerophyllous forest subject to recurrent fires is presented. The model is specified in a Discrete Event Systems framework (DEVS) (Zeigler, 1990) interfaced with a Geographic Information System (GIS), and includes the ability to simulate landscape dynamics at several levels of resolution simultaneously. This is achieved by encoding a modular hierarchical representation of the forest landscape components into a set of nested, interconnected, and spatially referenced dynamic models. The results of the landscape dynamics simulations are displayed as sequences of maps through time, illustrating the potential of this modeling methodology for dealing with complex hierarchical structures that operate at several spatial and temporal resolutions.Research work supported by Junta Nacional de Investigaçäo Científica e Tecnológica, Portugal, and the Advanced Resource Technology Program, University of Arizona, USA.     

Investigation of Cervical Patency and Uterine Appearance in Domestic Cats by Fluoroscopy and Scintigraphy

The cervical patency of six domestic female cats was monitored under sedation by infusion of contrast medium (Omnipaque) into the cranial vagina during early oestrus, mid‐oestrus, late oestrus and interoestrus or a radiopharmaceutical (^99mTc‐HSA) during mid‐ and interoestrus in a non‐ovulatory oestrous cycle. The transport of the contrast medium or the radiopharmaceutical through the cervix and within the uterine horns was observed under fluoroscopy and with the aid of scintigraphy. In three of the queens, transcervical transport of contrast medium was demonstrated in all stages of oestrus, in one queen during mid‐oestrus, late oestrus and 1 day after oestrus, and in two queens only during late oestrus. The relations between the cervical patency to the contrast medium and the oestrous behaviour, cornification of the vaginal cells and the serum oestradiol‐17β concentration were evaluated, and a relationship was found between the cervical patency and the degree of vaginal cornification. Transcervical transport of the radiopharmaceutical was observed in three queens during mid‐oestrus. When the cervix was open, hysterography under a fluoroscope and hysteroscintigraphy were performed. The fluoroscopic and scintigraphic recordings revealed the patterns of the uterine contractions during oestrus in both ascending and descending directions, and the movement of the uterine contents back and forth between the uterine horns. The hysterograms were classified according to the shape of the uterine horns and the appearance of the endometrial lining. Spiral‐shaped uterine horns with a smooth inner contour were observed in two queens, and a corkscrew appearance with irregular filling defects in the uterine lumen was shown in two queens that had developed subclinical cystic endometrial hyperplasia. These findings demonstrated that fluids or particles deposited in the cranial vagina of the cat can be transported into the uterus during some stages of the oestrous cycle. The fluoroscopic and scintigraphic techniques developed in this study may be further modified to permit more detailed studies of uterine contractile patterns and sperm transport in the feline female reproductive tract. Hysterography proved useful to diagnose uterine disease. The information on cervical patency is of value also for the development of techniques for artificial insemination in this species, and should be studied also in the ovulatory cycle.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for screening the plasma residues of tetracycline antibiotics in pigs.

The recommended therapeutic doses of three kinds of tetracyclines, oxytetracycline (OTC, withdrawal period, 10 days), chlortetracycline (CTC, withdrawal period, 5 days) and tetracycline (TC, withdrawal period, 5 days), were each administered to a group of 15 pigs. Blood was sampled before drug administration and during the withdrawal period. The concentration of tetracyclines in plasma, determined by semi-quantitative ELISA, was compared with that of internal standard (10 ppb as oxytetracycline). The absorbance ratio of internal standard to sample (B/Bs) was employed as an index to determine the tissue residues in pigs. All 45 plasma samples from nontreated pigs showed negative in the residue of any of three tetracycline antibiotics. OTC was detected in plasma of pigs treated until the 8th day, CTC until the 4th day, and TC was detected until the 3rd day of its withdrawal period. The present study showed that the semi-quantitative ELISA easily be adopted in predicting tissue residues for tetracycline antibiotics in live pigs.     

Reproductive roles predict sexual dimorphism in internal and external morphology of lake whitefish,Coregonus clupeaformis

Abstract – The different reproductive roles of the sexes can predict the direction and magnitude of sexual dimorphism of external and internal morphology. Males should have enlarged structures that enhance the acquisition of mating opportunities, whereas females are predicted to have enlarged organs that are associated with the production of eggs. We tested these predictions in male and female lake whitefish, a species in which both sexes have similar overall body size and shape. After controlling for body size, male lake whitefish had significantly longer jaws and pectoral and pelvic fins, larger hearts, and more muscle than females. Sexual dimorphism in relative muscle mass may be one of the most fundamental morphological differences between males and females. Females had relatively heavier livers than males. Because the liver is important for the breakdown of fats and vitellogenesis, selection should favour an enlarged liver in females for the processing of energy and the production of large numbers of eggs.     

补饲不同配方酶制剂对犊牛断奶后生产性能的影响

选择健康无病、6- 7月龄间断奶的公牛犊 30头 ,随机分成 3组 ,即对照组 CK、试验组 TE1和 TE2 ,每组 1 0头。对照 CK组饲喂基础日粮 ;试验 TE1和 TE2 组分别补饲0 .1 %由纤维素酶、果胶酶、蛋白酶与淀粉酶组成的酶制剂 E1和由木聚糖酶、果胶酶、蛋白酶与淀粉酶组成的酶制剂 E2 ;试验 60 d,测定加酶对生产性能的影响。结果表明 ,与 CK组相比 ,TE1组日增重提高 7.51 % (P<0 .0 5) ,混合精料、粗料与增重比各下降 7.0 0 % (P<0 .0 5)、1 .2 3% (P<0 .0 5) ;TE2 组增重提高 4.2 0 % (P<0 .0 5) ,混合精料、粗料与增重比各下降 3.86% (P<0 .0 5)和 0 .31 % (P>0 .0 5) ;试验组犊牛断奶后对粗饲料的适应性有所增强 ;两组酶配方中 ,以纤维素酶为主的 E1效果优于 E2     

Antibody directed against Marek's disease-associated tumor surface antigen can be eluted from Marek's disease tumor cells.

Antibody directed against Marek's disease-associated tumor surface antigen (MATSA) was eluted from tumor cells of lymphomas and peripheral blood lymphocytes that were isolated from Marek's disease virus-infected chickens. Feather follicular Marek's disease virus (MDV) antigen could not be demonstrated with this antibody by indirect immunofluorescent (IF) staining. Monoclonal antibody directed against MATSA could completely block the activity of eluted antibody and vice versa. By indirect IF staining using eluted antibody and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labelled antichicken globulin conjugate. MATSA-bearing cells were detected in MDV infected and herpes virus of turkey (HVT) vaccinated birds. Blocking of immunoglobulin molecules present on B-cells by anti-chicken globulin is critical in this test.     

小鹅瘟PCR诊断方法的建立和初步应用

根据发表的鹅细小病毒B株VP3基因序列 ,设计合成了 1对寡聚核苷酸引物。以国内分离的小鹅瘟病毒为摸板 ,筛选了 (PCR)最佳反应条件 ,并进行了敏感性、特异性和初步应用试验。结果表明 ,在 4 0 μL体积中 ,PCR最佳系统组成为 2uTaq酶、0 5mol/LdNTP和 2 0 pmol引物 ;最佳反应参数为 96℃变性 4 0s ,5 4℃退火 1min ,72℃延伸 1min ,30个循环。本方法可检出 2 5× 10 -1 5EID50 小鹅瘟病毒 ,并且仅能从小鹅瘟病毒的鹅胚培养物中扩增出与设计值大小相同的 375bp核苷酸片断 ,对照病毒扩增结果为阴性。通过对 6份临床病料的检查 ,2份呈阳性 ,其中 1份来自有典型小鹅瘟症状的雏鹅 ,1份来自无典型小鹅瘟症状的雏鹅。由此说明 ,本试验所建立的诊断小鹅瘟的PCR方法具有潜在的临床应用价值     

Correlated responses from selection for income minus food cost in pullets on traits in older hens

1. After 5 generations of selection on income minus food cost between 21 and 40 weeks of age (SECR), a correlated genetic improvement of 14.5% and 16.3% of the base population mean could be observed for income minus food cost between 41 and 60 weeks (IF60) in two lines of laying hens. The total responses up to 60 weeks amounted to 17.2% and 17.3% of the base population mean. A heritability of 0.30 for IF60 and a genetic correlation of 0.61 between SECR and IF60 were estimated.

2. The correlated relative genetic responses for 5 traits of the period between 41 and 60 weeks of age for the two lines were: 4.3% and 5.2% in egg number, 5.8% and 7.4% in egg weight, 8.4% and 10.8% in egg mass, ‐2.7% and ‐0.6% in body weight at 60 weeks, and ‐5.2% and ‐6.3% in food efficiency.

3. The estimated heritabilities of these 5 traits from the whole data set were 0.36, 0.75, 0.34, 0.71 and 0.17. The estimated genetic correlations between SECR and the same 5 traits were 0.30, 0.46, 0.61, ‐0.22 and ‐0.49.

4. A high genetic correlation of income minus food cost with egg weight and a low one with egg number were found in pullets, but the relationships were reversed in older hens.