Difficulties associated with modeling growth in the Atlantic angel shark (Squatina dumeril)

Several methods were used in an attempt to develop an age and growth model for the Atlantic angel shark (Squatina dumeril). Band counts from vertebral sections, which were fit to the traditional von Bertalanffy growth equation, the Gompertz growth equation, and the two-parameter von Bertalanffy growth equation, did not produce realistic parameter estimates. Additionally, a length-based Bayesian model was applied to fishery-independent length–frequency data, and a full Bayesian model was fitted to length-at-age data to estimate parameters for von Bertalanffy growth equation. Both the length-based and full Bayesian models failed to converge; the length–frequency data showed high bimodality unrelated to season, year, or other factors, and band counts were not predictable by length. Vertebral band counts were not valid for ageing Atlantic angel sharks, and length-based methods, which require normally distributed length–frequencies, were not appropriate for this data set. This study represents the first attempt at modeling age and growth for this species and provides research guidelines for future research initiatives.     

Towards an objective evaluation of persistency of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lolium perenne</Emphasis> swards using UAV imagery

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is a perennial crop used in temperate regions as forage. In L. perenne breeding programs, persistency is an important trait. Poor persistency results in sward degradation and associated yield and nutritive value losses. Breeders assess persistency of accessions using visual scoring in field plots during the 2nd or 3rd growing season. This evaluation system is easy and cheap but is not free from human bias. In this study, the correlation between the scoring done by different breeders was only 0.243. As an alternative we have developed a methodology to assess persistency of L. perenne breeding materials based on vegetation indices (VIs) derived from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imagery. The VIs Excess green (ExG2), Green Leaf Index and Normalized green intensity (GCC) were found to provide consistent results for flights carried out under different light conditions and were validated by ground reference information. The correlation between the VIs and the percentage of ground cover extracted from on-ground imagery was 0.885. To test the implementation of the method we compared the ExG2 value based approach to selection with a visual score based selection methodology as applied by two breeders. The breeding decisions of Breeder A agreed well with decisions based on ExG2 values (74.6%), but those of Breeder B displayed a lower agreement (54.0%). In contrast, agreement between decisions based on different flights was very high (91.6%). The methodology was validated for general applicability. In summary, the results demonstrate that basing persistency selection in L. perenne breeding programs on ExG2 values from UAV imagery is likely to be more objective in comparison to the currently-used visual scoring method.     

Seven new aminoacyl sugars in Ipomoea batatas

An analysis of the polar extracts from sweet potato Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae) led to the isolation of seven unknown aminoacyl sugars. On the basis of 1D, 2D NMR, and mass spectrometry data, the structures of the compounds were elucidated as: beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-valyl]-glucopyranoside (1), beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-tyrosyl]-glucopyranoside (2), beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-threonyl]-glucopyranoside (3), beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-hystidyl]-glucopyranoside (4), 2-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-alanyl]-glucopyranoside (5), beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-tryptophanyl]-glucopyranoside (6), and beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-glycyl]-glucopyranoside (7).     

Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Protein Recovered from Fish Waste

ABSTRACT

This work aimed to evaluate the physicochemical and functional properties of proteins recovered from whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) and Argentine anchovy (Engraulis anchoita) residues obtained by the process of acid solubilization using HCl at pH = 2 and alkaline solubilization using NaOH at pH = 12 and isoelectric precipitation (pH = 5.5). The proximate composition and functional properties were determined. The solubilization and water holding capacity (WHC) of the recovered protein were studied in the pH range of 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. The high protein content and lowest lipid reduction presented by the protein recovered from the whitemouth croaker residue and obtained by the acid solubilizing process was 97.1 and 98.4%, respectively. The maximum solubilized protein was at pH 3 and 11, and the minimum solubilized protein was at pH 5 for both species. The greater ability to retain oil was observed for the alkaline solubilization process (8.3 and 7.3). The lower WHC was at pH 5. The acid and alkali residue concentrates of the whitemouth croaker presented higher WHC at pH 3 and 11. These proteins can be used in preparing edible films and have been used to produce bioactive compounds for supplements or functional ingredients.     

Partial least squares regression (PLSR) associated with spectral response to predict soil attributes in transitional lithologies

New techniques and improvements are required to quantify soil’s chemical and physical properties on production environment, reducing environmental impacts and minimizing soil analysis time. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possibility to estimate the content of silt, sand, clay, total iron and organic matter in soils formed by different lithologies in Parana State, Brazil, using VIS-NIR spectrum associated with Partial Least Square Regression (PLSR). 200 soil samples were collected in an area formed by Lixisols, Cambisols, Ferralsols, Arenosols and Nitisols in a depths of 0–0.2 and 0.2–0.8 m. Spectral readings were obtained in laboratory by FieldSpec 3 JR sensor. The spectral curves of the samples were correlated to the attributes through PLSR. The results obtained for sand in prediction were better when compared to the other attributes, presenting R² = 0.90, r = 0.95 and RPD = 2.3. Clay and total iron presented satisfactory results, mainly for RPD values, which were above 2.4. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the PLSR technique associated with the spectral response of the soils, was able to estimate sand, clay and total iron with accuracy in a region formed by reworked materials, derived from several lithologies.     

Effect of intrafragmentary bupivacaine (haematoma block) on analgesic requirements in dogs undergoing fracture repair

Objective

To test the efficacy of intraoperative intrafragmentary administration of bupivacaine (haematoma block) in controlling postoperative pain in dogs undergoing osteosynthesis of long-bone isolated diaphyseal fractures.

Presence of arsenic resistance in Salmonella enterica serovar Kentucky and other serovars isolated from poultry

A collection of 125 Salmonella enterica poultry isolates (71 serovar Kentucky isolates, and the remainder belonging to serovars Alachua, Enteritidis, Hadar, Heidelberg, Montevideo, Mbandaka, Senftenberg, Typhimurium, and Worthington) were tested for the ability to grow on tryptic soy agar containing sodium arsenite [As(III)] or arsenate [As(V)]. All serovar Kentucky isolates and 18 of the non-Kentucky isolates were able to grow in the presence of 0.1 mM As(III), and 69 grew in the presence of 1 mM As(V). Thirty of the non-Kentucky isolates did not grow at these As(III) and As(V) concentrations, but seven grew at 1 mM As(III) and 10 mM As(V). PCR-based analysis demonstrated the presence of arsB and arsD sequences in all Kentucky isolates, whereas one or both of these sequences were present in only 30 of the other isolates. It remains to be determined if these arsenic-resistance determinants benefit Salmonella exposed to man-made arsenic-containing compounds in poultry environments.     

Rectal duplication cyst in a cat

Enteric duplication is a rare developmental malformation in people, dogs and cats. The purpose of the present report is to describe the first case of a rectal duplication cyst in a 7-year-old domestic shorthair cat presenting for acute constipation and tenesmus. On rectal palpation a spherical mass compressing the lumen of the rectum could be felt in the dorsal wall of the rectum. A computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed the presence of a well demarcated cystic lesion in the pelvic canal, dorsal to the rectum. The cyst was surgically removed via a perineal approach. No communication with the rectal lumen could be demonstrated. Histopathological examination was consistent with a rectal duplication cyst. Clinical signs resolved completely after excision of this conjoined non-communicating cystic rectal duplicate.