DNA sequencing methods contributing to new directions in cereal research

DNA sequencing allows the decoding of the genetic code, facilitating the discovery of the molecular genetic basis of biological systems. Knowledge of the sequence of genes in cereals provides a key to understanding many of their nutritional and functional properties. For many years DNA sequencing technology advanced slowly with incremental advances in the di-deoxy or Sanger method. New technologies are now greatly increasing the power of DNA sequencing. Second (next) generation sequencing has dramatically reduced the cost of DNA sequencing and increased the amount of data that can be collected. Further advances exploiting third generation sequencing promise to accelerate these developments. The DNA sequences of cereal species, genotypes or even individual seeds can now be obtained delivering a new level of capability in cereal science.     

Scanning Mode Application of Neutron-Gamma Analysis for Soil Carbon Mapping

Soil carbon mapping is extremely useful in assessing the effect of land management practices on soil carbon storage. Applications of neutron-gamma analysis in scanning mode for mapping of soil carbon are discussed. A Global Positioning System(GPS) device and softwares required to simultaneously acquire gamma signals and geographical positions during scanning operations were added to an existing measurement system. The reliability of soil carbon measurements in scanning mode was demonstrated to be in agreement with results acquired from static mode. The error analysis indicated that scanning measurements can be conducted with the same accuracy as static measurements in approximately one fourth the time. To obtain results suitable for mapping analogous to traditional chemical analyses(i.e., ± 0.5 in weight percent or ± 0.5 w%), scanning time over a given site should be ca. 15 min using the current measurement system configuration. Based on this measurement time, a reasonable towing speed of 3–5 km h-1, the necessity for complete site coverage during scanning, the number of sites(within the surveyed field), and the required total measurement time can be estimated. Soil carbon measurements for 28 field sites(total area ca. 2.5 ha) were conducted in ca. 8 h. Based on acquired data,a soil carbon distribution map was constructed utilizing various softwares. The surveyed field area included an asphalt road that had carbon readings higher than the surrounding land. The clarity with which these carbon-rich zones were delineated on the constructed map represents evidence supporting the veracity of this method. Neutron-gamma analysis technology can greatly facilitate timely construction of soil carbon maps.     

Contribution of Seafood to Total Vitamin B12 Intake and Status of Young Adult Men and Women

Previous research suggests 20% of omnivores and 40% of vegetarians do not consume enough vitamin B12. The contribution of seafood to dietary B12 intake stratified by frequency of seafood consumption and B12 status of young adults was assessed. Seafood was the greatest contributor to B12 intake (31%) among nonvegetarians, and intake comparisons based on frequency of seafood consumption revealed that frequent seafood consumers had higher (p < 0.001) B12 intakes. None of the frequent seafood consumers had suboptimal status, which occurred mainly in subjects consuming seafood < 1 time/month and vegetarians. Our findings suggest that modest seafood intake contributes to maintaining normal B12 status.     

DETERMINING THE IMPACT OF CRAWFISH IMPORTS ON U.S. DOMESTIC PRICES

The study identifies the linkage between imports and the domestic price of crawfish. The results show a simultaneous increase in imports and domestic prices of crawfish while showing a negative relationship between domestic landings and price. Each model shows that there is a seasonality effect on the domestic price of crawfish. The study also shows that increases in the domestic supplies of shrimp, tilapia, and clams generated increases in the domestic crawfish price, while increases in imported and domestic supplies of beef and imported supplies of pork decreased the domestic crawfish price.     

Population characteristics of channel catfish near the northern edge of their distribution: implications for management

Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), populations in six lakes in northern Idaho, USA, were sampled to describe their population characteristics. During the summers of 2011 and 2012, 4864 channel catfish were sampled. Channel catfish populations had low to moderate catch rates, and length structure was dominated by fish <400 mm. Channel catfish were in good body condition. All populations were maintained by stocking age‐1 or age‐2 fish. Growth of fish reared in thermally enriched environments prior to stocking was fast compared to other North American channel catfish populations. After stocking, growth of channel catfish declined rapidly. Once stocked, cold water temperatures, prey resources and (or) genetic capabilities limited growth. Total annual mortality of age 2 and older channel catfish was generally <40%. Tag returns indicated that angler exploitation was low, varying from 0 to 43% among lakes. This research provides insight on factors regulating channel catfish population dynamics and highlights important considerations associated with their ecology and management.     

Bartonellosis

Bartonellosis is a constellation of clinical conditions affecting human beings and a variety of animals. Many Bartonella infections are zoonotic, with some of the most commonly reported zoonotic manifestations of infection including cat scratch disease, bacillary angiomatosis, endocarditis, and neuroretinitis. Companion animals serve as reservoirs for several zoonotic species of Bartonella, and may also serve as sentinels for zoonotic Bartonella species harbored by wildlife.This article provides an overview of bartonellosis of dogs and cats, and discusses public health implications of animal bartonellosis.     

Scenarios for global biodiversity in the 21st century

Quantitative scenarios are coming of age as a tool for evaluating the impact of future socioeconomic development pathways on biodiversity and ecosystem services. We analyze global terrestrial, freshwater, and marine biodiversity scenarios using a range of measures including extinctions, changes in species abundance, habitat loss, and distribution shifts, as well as comparing model projections to observations. Scenarios consistently indicate that biodiversity will continue to decline over the 21st century. However, the range of projected changes is much broader than most studies suggest, partly because there are major opportunities to intervene through better policies, but also because of large uncertainties in projections.     

Development of chemometric models based on near infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis for predicting the treatment level of furfurylated Scots pine

The use of furfuryl alcohol (FA) as a wood modification agent has been known for decades. An independent and reliable analytical method to determine the level of furfurylation is not available. This article reports the use of near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to make partial least square prediction models for determining the furfurylation level (the percentage of FA polymer formed within the wood structure). A total of 115 individual samples of furfurylated Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) originating from 115 production batches were used for modelling. As much as 81 samples were randomly selected for the calibration set and 34 samples for the validation set. Both NIR and TGA gave good predictions when validated by a separate test set. The r ² for NIR and TGA are 0.93 and 0.94, respectively, and the root mean square errors of predictions are 1.025 and 0.958, respectively. However, the number of principal components for the NIR and TGA models is two and six, respectively. The NIR method is preferred because only two principal components are used and sampling is fast.     

美国宠物医院的管理

从商业模式角度,兽医学管理与其他行业一样,成功的管理模式需要必不可少的要素.在此,笔者阐述一些商业运作的原则要素,期望能给听众切实有效的帮助.通过结构化管理程序,这些要素可应用于动物医院的管理维护与其进一步发展.当团队中的每一个成员都能训练有素地在实践中运用这些要素,就会诞生新的企业文化.