Convenient methods for marking newborn rats

Newborn rats were marked directly by tattooing or branding on their body except for the cervical and dorsal area within 24 hours after birth. The results obtained were as follows. Tattoos (less than 2 x 2 mm) and brands (circular, 3-4 mm in diameter) on the skin were clearly recognizable during 21 days observation, and followed no deaths. The marking methods resulted in no differences in body weight gain or external differentiation when compared with untreated animals. Normal behavior was observed in the inclined plane test at day 7 or 21 after tattooing or branding. Newborn rats marked with tattoos or brands grew even under the care of foster mothers without any troubles.     

Postbranding Survival of Steller Sea Lion Pups at Lowrie Island in Southeast Alaska

ABSTRACT Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) pups (n = 366) were hot-branded at Lowrie Island, Southeast Alaska, USA, in June 2001 and 2002 for vital-rates studies. To assess potential mortality following branding, we estimated weekly survival to 12 weeks postbranding using mark-recapture models. Survival estimates ranged from 0.984/week to 0.988/week, or 0.868 over the 12-week period; varied little with sex, year, and capture area; and were higher for larger than smaller male pups and unexpectedly lower for larger than smaller female pups. Inclusion of resights at 1–3 years of age prevented a −4.5% bias in cumulative survival to 12 weeks postbranding by accounting for pups that survived but permanently emigrated from Lowrie Island during the 12-week survey. Data from double-marked pups (i.e., branded and flipper-tagged) indicated the low brand-misreading probability of 3.1% did not bias survival estimates. Assuming survival differences between the first 2 weeks postbranding and later weeks were due entirely to the branding event, potential postbranding mortality of branded pups attributable to the branding event was 0.5–0.7%, or one pup for every 200 marked. Weekly survival of branded pups was nearly identical to estimates from a control group of undisturbed, unbranded pups born to 10–11-year-old branded adult females in 2005 (0.987–0.988/week) and similar to pup survival estimates from other otariid studies. Available data did not indicate substantial mortality to 12 weeks postbranding resulting from the branding disturbance, suggesting branding of Steller sea lion pups can be used effectively for investigations of population declines without significantly affecting population health or study goals.     

Freeze Branding in Fish,a Method for Eliminating Colour Patterns at the Skin Surface

Freeze branding with dry ice turned out to be a very suitable method for eliminating pigments in fish. Photographic documentation shows the process of fading of lipophores in the anal fin of an African mouth brooder.     

Understanding the Rise of Consumer Ethnography: Branding Technomethodologies in the New Economy

ABSTRACT   In this article, I aim to contribute to the ongoing discussion on the changing public role of anthropology by exploring the rise of branded ethnographic practices in consumer research. I argue that a juncture in the "New Economy"—the conjoining of corporate interest in branding, technology, and consumers, with vast social changes—may explain the rapid growth of ethnography for consumer research and predict its future direction. An analysis of branded propaganda from ethnographic vendors that claim their technology-enhanced methods innovate "classic" anthropological practices discloses the way corporations employ technologically mediated means to focus on the reflexive self in consumer research. In this analysis, I reveal that technological methodologies are central to the production of branded ethnographic practices, as forms of branding and technology legitimate consumer–corporate flows of interaction. The conclusion raises awareness to the ways in which modern branding practices reconstruct anthropology in public discourse. [Keywords: branding, consumer research, ethnography, reflexivity, technology]     

Effect of wine yeast monoculture practice on the biodiversity of non-Saccharomyces yeasts

AIMS: The objective of this work was to study the effect of the use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae monocultures over the biodiversity of non-Saccharomyces yeasts in wine-producing areas in Chile. METHODS AND RESULTS: Microvinifications were carried out with grape musts of two areas. In one of them, the fermentation is carried out mainly in a spontaneous manner, whereas in the other the musts are inoculated with commercial yeasts. The isolated yeasts were identified by the internal transcribed (ITS)/restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. In the industrial production area less variability of yeast genera was observed as compared with the traditional area, an observation that is greatest at the end of the fermentation. Furthermore, a study of the production of extracellular enzymes was done. The majority of the yeasts showed at least one of the activities assayed with the exception of beta-glycosidase. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that in the industrialized area the diversity of yeasts is less in the traditional area. Likewise, the potentiality of the non-Saccharomyces yeasts as enzyme producers with industrial interest has been confirmed. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study shows the negative effect of the use of monocultures over the biodiversity of yeasts in wine-producing regions.     

Factors affecting the estimation of the relative amount of chromophore and chromophore area by the two-wavelength method of patau and ornstein

Summary Factors influencing the calculation of the relative amount of chromophore and the chromophore area by the two-wavelength method are examined. The study was carried out with the help of models and further tested on Feulgen stained preparations. Except for certain restrictions the difference between the chromophore area as calculated from the two transmissions measurements and the chromophore area obtained by planimetry can be used as a guide for determining the proper measuring conditions, including the choise of the two wavelengths.     

A longitudinal entomologic survey on the transmission of malaria in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)

A longitudinal entomological malaria survey was carried out in five zones of the town of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and in three neighbouring villages. The main vector is Anopheles gambiae s.l. with An. funestus having a role in some localities during the dry season. Pyrethrum spray catches were carried out once or twice per month to determine variations in vector density. Inoculation rates were estimated from the number of blood-fed vectors per man and from the sporozoite rates. Larval sampling was routinely carried out all over the urban area in order to map the larval breeding sites. Widely different degrees of malaria transmission were documented in the urban area mainly related to the spatial and temporal distribution of An. gambiae larval breeding sites. Higher inoculation rates, depending both on higher vector densities and sporozoite rates, were documented in the villages.     

Factors affecting the estimation of the relative amount of chromophore and chromophore area by the two-wavelength method of Patau and Ornstein.

Factors influencing the calculation of the relative amount of chromophore and the chromophore area by the two-wavelength method are examined. The study was carried out with the help of models and further tested on Feulgen stained preparations. Except for certain restrictions the difference between the chromophore area as calculated from the two transmissions measurements and the chromophore area obtained by planimetry can be used as a guide for determining the proper measuring conditions, including the choise of the two wavelengths.     

The measurement of histochemically-stained NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase in the sebaceous glands of hairless hamster.

The effect of substrate, co-factor and Nitroblue Tetrazolium concentration on the production of formazan by the action of NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase was studied in the sebaceous glands of the hairless hamster. The measurement (in average optical density units per unit area) of formazan in histochemically stained skin sections was carried out by television scanning microdensitometry (Quantimet 720D). Having established optimal conditions for this enzyme, a second study was carried out to determine the effect of different power objectives and wide-band wavelength light instead of white light on the average optical density per unit area, recorded by the instrument, of the formazan produced in a defined number of sebaceous glands in a single skin section. It was found that there was no difference in the average optical density per unit area recorded by the instrument at different power objectives and a peak value of average optical density per unit area could be obtained using a K4 or a K5 Balzer filter (550-650 nm).     

一头中华白海豚的病理解剖及死因分析

中华白海豚 (Sousachinesis)是生活于河口内湾的小型鲸类 ,我国香港、珠江口和厦门海域是其主要栖息地。根据黄宗国等调查 ,厦门海域约有60头中华白海豚[1] 。该海域 2 0 0 0年被定为海洋珍稀物种国家级保护区 ,其中中华白海豚是主要保护对象。 2 0 0 2年 2月 2日上午 ,在厦门海沧温厝村滩头上发现一具中华白海豚尸体 ,当时是退潮 ,水温14°C ,尸体放入冷库冰冻。 2 0 0 2年 2月 2 1日 ,对尸体进行了详细的解剖 ,随后在实验室进行了年龄鉴定和组织病理学检查 ,现报道如下。1　病理解剖结果1 1　外部检查测量身体浑圆饱满 ,体长 1 92m ,体重…     

科尔沁沙地生态环境及其可持续管理--科尔沁沙地生态考察报告

中国科学院沈阳应用生态研究所和中央电视台于 2 0 0 3年 8月联合对科尔沁沙地进行了生态科学考察。草地退化仍呈加剧态势。大面积开垦荒地造成科尔沁草地退化和面积减少的主要原因之一。科尔沁水资源目前存在的主要环境问题是水资源呈现明显减少趋势、主要河流供水量减少、沙地内部水体明显减少、部分地区地下水位明显下降。科尔沁沙地的沙地面积在近些年呈减小的趋势 ,人工植被恢复力度日益加大效果显著但分布在科尔沁沙地的沙丘面积还很大 ,且未治沙丘的治理难度相对更大。     

Dew measurements along a longitudinal sand dune transect, Negev Desert, Israel

In a desert environment dew can serve as an important source of moisture for plants, biological crusts, insects and small animals. A measurement programme was carried out within a sand dune belt situated in the northwestern Negev desert, Israel, to measure daily amounts of dew deposition as well as micro-meteorological conditions during the dew formation and early-morning drying process. Dew quantities were measured by micro-lysimeters along a 200-m transect as well as by the eddy-correlation technique at a reference location. A simple physical model was constructed to simulate the dew deposition process as well as early-morning drying for the interdune area and the north- and south-facing dune slopes. Measurements carried out during September and October 1997 showed that the daily amounts of dew ranged between 0.1 mm/night and 0.3 mm/night within the interdune area. On the slopes, the amounts of dew were about 50% lower. Simulated results agreed well with the field data. Received: 7 June 1999 / Revised: 9 November 1999 / Accepted: 17 November 1999     

Analgesic effects of branding in treatment of headaches.

The effect of branding--that is, the labelling and marketing--of a well-known proprietary analgesic used to treat headaches was studied in a sample of women given a branded or unbranded form with either an inert or an active formulation. The sample was also divided according to whether the subjects were regular users of the brand or users of other brands. The findings showed that branded tablets were overall significantly more effective than unbranded tablets in relieving headaches. Differential effects were observed: the effects of branding were more noticeable one hour after the tablets were taken compared with 30 minutes; in the women given the placebo; and in the users of the brand compared with the users of other brands. It is hypothesised that these effects are due to increased confidence in obtaining relief with a well-known brand, and that branding has an analgesic effect that interacts with the analgesic effects of placebos and active ingredients.     

Mapping method in the epidemiological study of infections and infestations. II. Soil characteristics in localities permanently at risk for anthrax

Investigations carried out with the use of the mapping method have revealed that the distribution of localities with stationary unfavorable situation in anthrax throughout the area is linked with the agrochemical properties of soils. The number of the foci of anthrax on neutral and weakly alkaline soils has proved to be considerably higher than in soils with low pH values. No relationship between the content of humus in soils and the distribution of localities with stationary unfavorable situation in anthrax throughout the area has been detected. The results of investigations carried out with the use of the mapping method permit experts to make forecasts and to examine the ecological aspects of the projects carried out in the area.     

二十年来天目山鸟类群落结构变化趋势的初步分析

研究鸟类群落结构的变化既有理论意义,也有实践价值。大多数的鸟是食虫的或杂食的,纯粹素食者较少。实际上在自然生态系统中,能量进入鸟类已经经过几道营养层(trop-hiclevel),在能量金字塔中,鸟类往往处于较上层。因此,鸟对环境条件的恶化,常能在较短时期内立即感受到,并迅速影响其生存。由于鸟类对自然生态平衡及环境保护质量能     

亚热带地区部队皮肤真菌病及其病原菌的调查研究

亚热带地区是皮肤真菌病的高发地区,据报道,云南边防某部皮肤真菌病发病率为57.8％,占皮肤病发病率的第一位,美军在越南战争期间,发生的所有皮肤病中,最常见的是皮肤真菌感染,而且造成了非战斗减员。战争后期,美军把皮肤病的防治作为其疾病防治的重点。因此,我们于1992年10月底对海南地区部队皮肤真菌病的发病情况进行了流行病学凋查,并对皮肤真菌病的病原菌进行了分离鉴定,现报告如下。     

Evaluation of marking and tagging methods for genetic studies in carp

A variety of marking and tagging methods were tested on common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) with the aim of identifying suitable methods for genetic studies in this and other species of carp. Elastomer and Alcian blue dye marking; Cold and Silver nitrate branding; Floy, Fingerling, Carlin disc and visible implant tags; and fin clipping were all tested on a range of sizes of common carp (from mean weights of 10–25 g up to 600–800 g). The branding and tagging methods tested did not give satisfactory retention rates. A combination of elastomer marking and fin clipping was then tested as a method for strain identification in a growth comparison trial on catla (Catla catla Hamilton) and found to be satisfactory for this purpose. Passive integrated transponders (PIT) tags were used to individually identify catla of wild or hatchery origin being grown for use as broodstock. These had almost 100% (98.8%) retention rates, but are expensive compared to most other tagging methods.     

Relations between soil microflora and CO2 evolution upon decomposition of cellulose

Summary The investigation was carried out to study the relation between CO₂ evolution and the changes in microflora in the case of cellulose-decomposition in soil with special attention to the heterogeneity of soil crumbs.The rates of CO₂ evolution correlated with the number of Gram-negative bacteria, while the number of cellulose-decomposing microorganisms did not. The Gram-negative bacteria probably contribute directly to CO₂ evolution by decomposing simple sugars produced from cellulose by cellulose-decomposing microorganisms. Both the Gram-negative bacteria and cellulose-decomposing microorganisms seemed to grow luxuriantly on the surface area of soil crumbs with added cellulose powder. Therefore, it is speculated that there is a cooperation between the Gram-negative bacteria and the cellulose-decomposing microorganisms with respect to cellulose decomposition in soil. The main locus where this reaction takes place may be the surface area of soil crumbs.This work was carried out at the Laboratory of Microbiology, Agricultural University, Wageningen, The Netherlands during author's stay as guest researcher.     

Ecological succession in oligotrophic pastures of central Spain

The dynamics of oligotrophic pastures were analyzed in the area of El Pardo (Central Spain), and related with geomorphological features and time elapsed since the last ploughing. A sampling of the area was carried out regarding these two factors. The data were subjected to correspondence analysis, which showed the progressive replacement of species related to succession, variation along slopes, with a tight interaction between both phenomena.The correspondence between vegetation change and slope geomorphology is closer as succession progresses.Authoritics for species names are meationed in Table 1.     

The anti-thromboxane A2 synthetase activity of myocardial tissue and its variation during ischemia and reperfusion in isolated rabbit heart.

In this investigation, an anti-thromboxane A2 (TXA2) synthetase activity in the myocardial tissue, which can be modulated by ischemia and reperfusion, was observed. Regional ischemia was induced by 60 min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery in isolated Langendorff rabbit hearts. Biosynthesis of TXA2 was carried out by using arachidonic acid (AA) as substrate, horse platelet microsomes (HPM) as the source of TXA2 synthetase and left ventricle microsomes (LVM) from ischemic and non-ischemic areas as effectors TXB2, the stable metabolite of TXA2, was determined by radioimmunoassay. Experiments carried out under the adopted conditions showed that LVM from control hearts were able to inhibit by up to 50% the biosynthesis of TXA2 from HPM. This anti-TXA2 synthetase activity was more pronounced when LVM from the non-ischemic area were used, rather then LVM from the ischemic one. A 60 min reperfusion decreased the anti-TXA2 activity. A superfused rabbit aorta strip was also used as a cascade bioassay to study the effect of LVM on the TX2-synthetase activity of HPM, and this confirmed our findings. These results suggest that the left ventricle possesses a self-defense mechanism against acute myocardial ischemia, independently from the circulation. The postulated mechanism may be initiated in the non-ischemic area.