Unraveling the morphological patterns of a subantarctic eelpout: a geometric morphometric approach

Phenotypic variation in organisms depends on the genotype and the environmental constraints of the habitat that they exploit. Therefore, for marine species inhabiting contrasting aquatic conditions, it is expected to find covariation between the shape and its spatial distribution. We studied the morphology of the head and cephalic sensory canals of the eelpout Austrolycus depressiceps (4.5–22.5 cm TL) across its latitudinal distribution in South Pacific (45°S–55°S). Geometric morphometric analyses show that the shape varied from individuals with larger snout and an extended suborbital canal to individuals with shorter snouts and frontally compressed suborbital canal. There was size variation across the sampled populations, but that size does not have a clear latitudinal gradient. Only 8% of the shape variation relates to this size variation (allometry), represented by a decrease in the relative size of the eye, and a depression of the posterior margin of the head. There were spatial differences in the shape of the head, but these differences were probably caused by allometric effects. Additionally, 2 of the canals of the cephalic lateralis pores and the head shape showed modularity in its development. This study shows that the morphology of marine fish with a shallow distribution varies across distances of hundreds of kilometers (i.e., phenotypic modulation).     

Movement patterns of an avian generalist predator indicate functional heterogeneity in agricultural landscape

Landscape Ecology - Biodiversity is closely related to landscape heterogeneity, but both are difficult to evaluate directly. Apex predators, such as raptors, are potential surrogate indicators of...     

Characterization of odor-active volatiles in apples: influence of cultivars and maturity stage

The aroma and texture of three different apple cultivars, harvested at three maturity stages, were analyzed by sensory and instrumental analysis. The emphasis was on the identification of the most potent odorant volatiles, and the challenge was to separate the few most important flavor compounds, which may be trace chemicals, from the vast number of nonodorant compounds present in apple aroma extracts. Thirty-six odorant compounds were detected, 24 of which were common to all extracts. A significant correlation coefficient was found between the aroma intensity scores and overall quantity of the odorant volatiles, which shows that the development of sensory aroma is similar to that of odorant volatiles. This study also showed that the parameters measured by penetrometry and compression were highly correlated with sensory textural attributes. The determination of the optimal maturity stage for different apple cultivars by the usual parameters, such as color, diameter, total soluble solids, and titrable acidity, may not be sufficient to determine the optimal sensory quality for consumers. Moreover, the sensory quality of fruits changes during maturation in a different way from one cultivar to another, and this should be taken into account.     

基于掩模及亮度校正算法的脐橙表面缺陷分割

【目的】 本研究旨在有效解决果皮有缺陷的水果图像在去除背景时部分缺陷被误分割为背景,以及水果表面缺陷难以有效分割提取的问题。【方法】 以I分量图来构建掩模模板,根据其灰度直方图信息,通过双峰法选择单一阈值（T=75）分以纽荷尔脐橙为研究对象,提出基于HSI颜色空间模型法去除背景割背景并填充孔洞得到掩模模板I_mask,然后掩模模板I_mask与I分量图通过点乘运算得到去除背景的I分量图;提出基于多尺度高斯函数图像亮度校正算法对去除背景后的I分量图像进行亮度校正,通过构建多尺度高斯函数滤波器,将去除背景后的I分量图与构建的多尺度高斯函数进行卷积运算即得到去除背景后的I分量图像表面光照分量图,最后将去除背景后的I分量图与得到的光照分量图进行点除运算即得到去除背景后的I分量图像亮度校正图;然后采用单一全局阈值法对脐橙表面缺陷进行提取。【结果】 基于HSI颜色空间模型法去除背景,可在有效去除背景的同时完好保留脐橙的表面信息,有利于后续操作;基于多尺度高斯函数的图像亮度校正算法分别对6种常见脐橙缺陷进行图像亮度校正后采用单阈值法提取缺陷,使不同灰度等级的脐橙表面缺陷一次性分割成功,其中分割率最高为100%,最低为88.5%,整体达92.7%。通过试验分析后发现造成部分误分割或漏分割的原因主要在于部分缺陷果缺陷处颜色较轻,与正常区域灰度差较小,从而造成漏分割;还有部分缺陷果由于缺陷面积小,在图像形态学处理过程被误认为是噪声而被去除;同时发现正常果的误判率也达到了10.8%,经分析发现误判的正常果表皮组织区域的褶皱位于图像的边缘区域,从而被误认为是边缘区域的缺陷,导致误判。【结论】 基于HSI颜色空间模型法去除背景及基于多尺度高斯函数的图像亮度不均校正算法对纽荷尔脐橙图像背景分割和去除背景后的I分量图像表面亮度校正均取得了较好的效果,能有效识别脐橙缺陷区域,为脐橙精确分级提供了技术支持,也为其他果品表面缺陷快速检测提供了一种新思路。     

Mycobacterial disease in a population of 339 cats in Great Britain: II. Histopathology of 225 cases, and treatment and outcome of 184 cases

This study investigated 339 cases of feline mycobacterial infection, with histopathology findings from 225 cases, and treatment and outcome information from 184 cases. Tissue samples from cats with cutaneous lesions or suspicious masses at exploratory laparotomy were submitted to the Veterinary Laboratories Agency for mycobacterial culture over a 4-year period to December 2008. The study reviewed the files for information about histopathology, treatment and outcome, and blindly reviewed histopathological changes (including staining for acid-fast bacteria [AFB]) in a sub-set of 45 cases. When a cat is suspected of having a mycobacterial infection, accurate identification of the species involved helps to determine possible treatment options and prognosis. The study confirmed that histopathology and the presence of AFB are useful tools in the recognition of mycobacterial infection. Unfortunately, they did little to help determine the species of mycobacteria involved. The study identified a group of cats that were negative for AFB at the primary laboratory, but from which mycobacteria could be cultured; commonly Mycobacterium bovis or Mycobacterium microti. The study also identified a group of cats which where culture negative, despite typical signs of mycobacterial infection and positive AFB staining. Many cases responded favourably to treatment (56% of the cases where information was available), and many cats gained complete remission (42%). However, relapses were common (64%) and often followed by pulmonary and/or systemic spread that may have resulted from treatment with short courses of single drugs. This study shows that the diagnosis and treatment of feline mycobacteriosis is complex and challenging.     

Effects of cerium oxide supplementation to laying hen diets on performance,egg quality,some antioxidant enzymes in serum and lipid oxidation in egg yolk

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary cerium oxide levels (0, 100, 200, 300 or 400 mg/kg) on the laying performance, egg quality, some blood serum parameters and egg lipid peroxidation of laying hen. In total, one hundred and twenty 22‐week‐old brown Lohman LSL laying hens were randomly assigned to five groups equally (n = 24). Each treatment was replicated six times. Dietary supplementation of cerium oxide had no significant effect on feed intake and egg weight. The addition of cerium oxide to the laying hens' feed improved feed conversion ratio and increased (p < 0.05) egg production. Quality criteria of egg for except shell breaking strength were not affected by supplementing cerium oxide. In particular, supplementation of 200 and 300 mg/kg cerium oxide to the laying hens feed led to a significant (p < 0. 01) increase in egg shell breaking strength. Calcium and phosphorus concentration of serum increased significantly (p < 0.05) with supplementation of 100 mg/kg cerium oxide to laying hen diets. It was also observed that serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration decreased significantly with supplementation of cerium oxide in diets. Inclusion of cerium oxide resulted in a significant reduction in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) values in egg yolk in this study. It can be concluded that the addition of cerium oxide had positive effects on egg production, feed conversion ratio and egg shelf life. Based on the results of this study, it could be advised to supplement laying hens feed with cerium oxide as feed additives.     

牦牛源正呼肠孤病毒2型的检测和分离鉴定

旨在调查川西北牦牛哺乳动物正呼肠孤病毒(MRV)的感染情况并分离病毒.采用RT PCR方法,对采自川西北15个牧场的72份牦牛腹泻粪便样本和其中5个牧场的15份腹泻牦牛血清样本进行MRV检测,阳性样本进一步用分型PCR确定其血清型.结果 显示,粪便样本中MRV检出率为20.83％(15/72),血清2型的比例为60％(...     

Thermal biology and locomotor performance in Phymaturus calcogaster: are Patagonian lizards vulnerable to climate change?

Behavioral and physiological traits of ectotherms are especially sensitive to fluctuations of environmental temperature. In particular, niche-specialist lizards are dependent on their physiological plasticity to adjust to changing environmental conditions. Lizards of the genus Phymaturus are viviparous, mainly herbivorous, and inhabit only rock promontories in the steppe environments of Patagonia and the Andes. Herein, we examine the vulnerability of the southernmost Phymaturus species to global warming: the endemic Phymaturus calcogaster, which lives in a mesic environment in eastern Patagonia. We studied body temperatures in the field (T_b), preferred body temperatures in a thermogradient (T_pref), the operative (T_e) and environmental temperatures, and the dependence of running performance on body temperature. P. calcogaster had a mean T_b (27.04°C) and a mean T_e (31.15°C) both lower than their preferred temperature (T_pref = 36.61°C) and the optimal temperature for running performance (T_o = 37.13°C). Lizard activity seems to be restraint during the early afternoon due high environmental temperatures. However, both, the high safety margin and warming tolerance suggest that the expected increase in environmental temperatures due to global warming (IPCC report in 2018) would not threaten, but indeed enhance locomotor performance in this population.     

Nasopharyngeal disease in cats: 2. Specific conditions and their management

PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: Nasopharyngeal disease is a common presenting problem in feline medicine. CLINICAL CHALLENGES: The management of feline nasopharyngeal disease can be challenging at a number of levels. In many cases, a specific diagnosis may remain elusive. Some conditions may not be curable so owners need to understand the requirement for long-term management. In addition, treatment may be compromised by poor patient compliance. AUDIENCE: This review, which is directed at any clinicians involved in the management of cats with nasopharyngeal disease, discusses acute rhinitis (cat 'flu) and a variety of conditions causing chronic rhinosinusitis/chronic nasopharyngeal disease. The intention is to assist treatment decision making by reviewing the most appropriate therapies from the options available for these patients. EVIDENCE BASE: The information presented in this article is based on peer-reviewed publications and the clinical experience of the authors.