bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Property and Justice in the Modern Encyclical Literature
Authors: Lustig B. Andrew
Published: May 2017

In Catholic social thought since the time of Leo XIII, two important developments have influenced justificatory arguments for the institution of property. First, the traditional language of the “common good” has been augmented by an emphasis in recent encyclicals upon the dignity of persons and the rights of individuals. I shall analyze the warrants for this shift in formulation to see how changes in the language of justification reveal both continuities and discontinuities with the earlier tradition. Second, in the past century of Roman Catholic social thought, understandings of natural law have been subject to significant revision. Especially since the time of John XXIII, the papal encyclicals have sought both to “historicize” and to update those elements in the traditional discussion of property that fail to reflect modern socioeconomic circumstances. In reviewing the recent encyclical literature on these themes, I will consider how, or whether, earlier discussion can be successfully modernized without undercutting theraison d'etreof natural-law terminology in the process.
A micro-method for the quantitative estimation of rennets and other proteolytic enzymes
Authors: Lawrence R. C. , Sanderson W. B.
Published: May 2017

An agar diffusion slide assay using a thin layer of calcium caseinate has been developed as a micro-method for the quantitative study of calf rennet and other proteolytic enzymes. The number and width of the precipitation zones formed as a result of proteolytic activity depended upon the enzyme used, the concentration of calcium ion, pH and temperature. The assay was highly reproducible and particularly suitable for the measurement of large numbers of samples. It was considerably more sensitive than the milk clotting technique and, in general, more sensitive than other standard methods for measuring proteolytic activity.
Weed taints in diary produce. I. Lepidium taint
Authors: Park R. J.
Published: May 2017

A re-investigation has been made of the nature of the tainting substances present in butterfat possessing the weed taint which arises through the ingestion of Lepidium spp. by dairy cattle. Some 0.5 ppm of skatole were isolated from Lepidiumtainted butterfat, along with 0.3 ppm indole. Flavour evaluation tests demonstrated that the skatole was principally responsible for the flavour defect, somewhat modifying the conclusions arrived at by earlier investigators.
The isolation and identification of 4,8,12-trimethyltridecanoic acid from butterfat
Authors: Hansen R. P.
Published: May 2017

The isoprenoid fatty acid 4,8,12-trimethyltridecanoic acid has been isolated from butterfat and identified. This acid was found to be a DD diastereoisomer, and was thought to have been derived from the phytol moiety of chlorophyll. It was estimated that in the sample of butterfat investigated, 4,8,12-trimethyltridecanoic acid constituted about 0·005% of the total weight of fatty acids.
Lactose, lactic acid and mineral equilibria in Cheddar cheese manufacture
Authors: Czulak J. , Conochie J. , Sutherland B. J. , Van Leeuwen H. J. M.
Published: May 2017

In experimental small-scale manufacture of Cheddar cheese a study was made of the movement of lactose, lactic acid, calcium and phosphorus between curd and whey, and of the effect of high acidity developed in the curd before whey separation, on the pH and physical properties of the cheese. It was found that while the curd particles remain in contact with the whey, the lactose fermented in the curd is replaced by lactose diffusing from the whey. Lactic acid produced in the curd diffuses into the whey rather slowly.

When a high lactic acid level is attained rapidly the curd does not cheddar well, the pH of the cheese is low, the flavour is sour and bitter, the body is crumbly and the cheese is bleached. When a high lactic acid level is reached slowly, the curd also does not cheddar properly but the pH of the cheese may be within normal limits up to 3 weeks, at which age its body is coherent and its colour is normal. However, on maturing, the cheese becomes acid, the body crumbly and liquid separation occurs even at 2 months of age. This points to a risk in grading cheese at an early age.

It is suggested that the abnormal behaviour in cheddaring of ‘high-acid’ curds is connected with an excessive loss of calcium. When high acidity is developed over an extended time in the whey, the curd retains more lactose but loses more phosphorus so that its buffering capacity is reduced. Cheese made from such curd becomes highly acid at maturity and this leads to the development of a bitter flavour.

It is, therefore, concluded that both the rate of development of acidity, and the time the curd is in the whey, are critical factors in controlling the quality of Cheddar cheese.
Dextran sulphate–Toluidine blue method for the histochemical identification of lipoproteins in cheese
Authors: Bolcato V. , Spettoli P.
Published: May 2017

Details are given of a histochemical technique suitable for the identification of lipoproteins in cheese based on their property of forming insoluble complexes with sulphated polysaccharides.
Carotenoid and tocopherol levels in the serum of apparently healthy dairy cattle
Authors: Bayfield R. F. , Mylrea P. J.
Published: May 2017

Total carotenoids, β-carotene and α-tocopherol concentrations were determined in serum from healthy dairy cattle of various ages, grazing good quality pasture, in different areas of New South Wales. The relationships of these components with each other and with age of the animal were examined.

Mean serum β-carotene concentrations for heifers and cows were 0·68 and 1·20mg/100ml, respectively. These concentrations were somewhat higher than those found for calves (0·20mg/100ml) and weaners (0·37 mg/100 ml). Total corresponding carotenoid values were generally about 20% higher than those for β-carotene for herds.

Mean serum α-tocopherol concentrations for heifers and cows were 0·54 and 0·90 mg/100ml, respectively. Again, these values were higher than those found for calves (0·22 mg/100 ml) and weaners (0·37 mg/100 ml).

There was a close relationship between serum α-tocopherol and β-carotene (r=0·90), between serum α-tocopherol and total carotenoids (r=0·92), and between serum β-carotene and total carotenoids (r= 0·99).
A novel polymorphism in the oxytocin receptor encoding gene (OXTR) affects milk fatty acid composition in Italian Mediterranean river buffalo
Authors: Cosenza Gianfranco , Macciotta Nicolò P P , Nudda Anna , Coletta Angelo , Ramunno Luigi , Pauciullo Alfredo
Published: May 2017

The oxytocin receptor, also known asOXTR, is a protein which functions as receptor for the hormone and neurotransmitter oxytocin and the complex oxytocin–oxytocin receptor plays an important role in the uterus during calving. A characterisation of the river buffaloOXTRgene, amino acid sequences and phylogenetic analysis is presented. The DNA regions of theOXTRgene spanning exons 1, 2 and 3 of ten Mediterranean river buffalo DNA samples were analysed and 7 single nucleotide polymorphisms were found. We focused on the g.129C > T SNP detected in exon 3 and responsible for the amino acid replacement CGCArg> TGCCysin position 353. The relative frequency of T allele was of 0·257. An association study between this detected polymorphism and milk fatty acids composition in Italian Mediterranean river buffalo was carried out. The fatty acid composition traits, fatty acid classes and fat percentage of 306 individual milk samples were determined. Associations betweenOXTRg.129C > T genotype and milk fatty acids composition were tested using a mixed linear model. TheOXTRCC genotype was found significantly associated with higher contents of odd branched-chain fatty acids (OBCFA) (P< 0·0006), polyunsaturated FA (PUFA n 3 and n 6) (P< 0·0032 andP< 0·0006, respectively), stearic acid (C18) (P< 0·02) and lower level of palmitic acid (C16) (P< 0·02). The results of this study suggest that theOXTRCC animals might be useful in selection toward the improvement of milk fatty acid composition.
Towards practical application of sensors for monitoring animal health; design and validation of a model to detect ketosis
Authors: Steensels Machteld , Maltz Ephraim , Bahr Claudia , Berckmans Daniel , Antler Aharon , Halachmi Ilan
Published: May 2017

The objective of this study was to design and validate a mathematical model to detect post-calving ketosis. The validation was conducted in four commercial dairy farms in Israel, on a total of 706 multiparous Holstein dairy cows: 203 cows clinically diagnosed with ketosis and 503 healthy cows. A logistic binary regression model was developed, where the dependent variable is categorical (healthy/diseased) and a set of explanatory variables were measured with existing commercial sensors: rumination duration, activity and milk yield of each individual cow. In a first validation step (within-farm), the model was calibrated on the database of each farm separately. Two thirds of the sick cows and an equal number of healthy cows were randomly selected for model validation. The remaining one third of the cows, which did not participate in the model validation, were used for model calibration. In order to overcome the random selection effect, this procedure was repeated 100 times. In a second (between-farms) validation step, the model was calibrated on one farm and validated on another farm. Within-farm accuracy, ranging from 74 to 79%, was higher than between-farm accuracy, ranging from 49 to 72%, in all farms. The within-farm sensitivities ranged from 78 to 90%, and specificities ranged from 71 to 74%. The between-farms sensitivities ranged from 65 to 95%. The developed model can be improved in future research, by employing other variables that can be added; or by exploring other models to achieve greater sensitivity and specificity.
Altered gene expression of epigenetic modifying enzymes in response to dietary supplementation with linseed oil
Authors: Li Ran , Ibeagha-Awemu Eveline M.
Published: May 2017

Recently we showed that 5% linseed oil (LSO) and 5% safflower oil (SFO) supplementation of cow's diets reduced milk fat yield by 30·38 and 32·42% respectively, accompanied by differential expression of genes and regulation by microRNAs (miRNA). This research communication addresses the hypothesis that epigenetic regulation could be involved in the observed milk fat reduction. Thus, this study investigated the gene expression pattern of major epigenetic modifying enzymes in response to dietary supplementation with LSO or SFO. Twenty-six Canadian Holstein cows in mid lactation were randomly assigned to two groups (13/group) and fed a control diet for 28 d (day −28 to −1) (control period- CP) followed by a treatment period (TP) (control diet supplemented with 5% LSO (LSO treatment) or 5% SFO (SFO treatment) of 28 d (day +1 to +28). After treatment, cows in the two groups were returned to the control diet for another 28 d (day +29 to +56) (post treatment period-PTP). Milk samples were collected on day −1 (CP), +7, +28 (TP) and +56 (PTP) for RNA isolation and measurement of the expression of thirteen epigenetic modifying genes including two DNA methytrasferases (DNMT1, DNMT3A), four histone acetylases (HAT1, KAT2A, KAT5 and CREBBP), five histone deacetylases (HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, SIRT1 and SIRT2) and two histone methytransferases (EHMT2 and PRMT1) by qPCR. Linseed oil supplementation significantly repressed the expression of EHMT2, HDAC2 and HDAC3 on day +7 (P < 0·05) and KAT2A and SIRT2 on day +28 (P < 0·05) as compared with the control period (day −1) while SFO had no effect. When LSO was withdrawn, the expression of some of the genes increased slightly but did not reach control (day −1) levels at the end of the PTP. Our study demonstrated a significant role of LSO in the epigenetic regulation of fatty acid synthesis as compared to SFO. The effect of LSO may be related to its higher degree of unsaturation and might represent a different regulatory mechanism which needs further investigation.
Buellia Violaceofusca, A New Lichen From Sweden
Authors: Thor G. , Muhr L.E.
Published: May 2017

A sterile, sorediate, corticolous, crustose lichen from Central Sweden is tentatively assigned to the genus Buellia as B. violaceofusca sp. nov. It grows on the bark of old trunks of Quercus robur in moist, dense woods dominated by that tree.
Impedance Measurement of Thallus Moisture Content in Lichens
Authors: Coxson Darwyn S.
Published: May 2017

The indirect determination of water content in lichen thalli by means of impedance measurement is described. This technique applies an alternating current between small clips placed at the margins of lichen thalli. Two zones of sensitivity were apparent in measurements with the foliose lichen Xanthoparmelia chlorochroa. Ready discrimination was provided between fully saturated thalli and thalli with standing surface water films. Similarly, this technique proved highly accurate as a measurement of thallus moisture content at water potentials of –2·5 MPa and less (between 0 and 40% water content by weight in X. chlorochroa). Resolution was lower at intermediate water contents (c. 60–100Δ water content by weight), although general trends were still clearly evident. This technique is ideally suited for unattended measurements of water potential in lichens using currently available data–logger technology and provides high resolution within the range of water potentials crucial to the control of physiological activity in lichens
Ocean acidification needs more publicity as part of a strategy to avoid a global decline in calcifier populations
Authors: Westgarth-Smith Angus R.
Published: May 2017

Ocean acidification (OA) is caused by increasing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, which dissolves in seawater to produce carbonic acid. This carbonic acid reduces the availability of dissolved aragonite needed for production of some invertebrate exoskeletons with potentially severe consequences for marine calcifier populations. There is a lack of public information on OA with less than 1% of press coverage on OA compared with climate change; OA is not included in UK GCSE and A Level specifications and textbooks; environmental campaigners are much less active in campaigning about OA compared with climate change. As a result of the lack of public awareness OA is rarely discussed in the UK Parliament. Much more public education about OA is needed so that people can respond to the urgent need for technological and lifestyle changes needed to massively reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Democracy, Markets, and the Legal Order: Notes on the Nature of Politics in a Radically Liberal Society
Authors: Lavoie Don
Published: May 2017

On the extreme wing of libertarian ideology are the individualist anarchists, who wish to dispense with government altogether. The quasi-legitimate functions now performed by government, such as the administration of justice, can, the anarchists claim, be provided in the marketplace.

George H. Smith
Some Rules of Constitutional Design
Authors: Ordeshook Peter C.
Published: May 2017

Events in both Eastern Europe and the former USSR illustrate the intimate connection between economic and political processes. Those events also remind us that political and economic institutions are human creations, and that when those institutions are poorly designed, political-economic failure is a direct consequence. It is axiomatic, then, that the transition to stable and prosperous societies in those former Communist states requires careful attention to the design and implementation of democratic institutions.
A New Contractarian View of Tax and Regulatory Policy in the Emerging Market Economies
Authors: Frank Robert H.
Published: May 2017

Recent decades have seen a resurgence of contractarian thinking about the nature and origins of the state. Scholars in this tradition ask what constraints rational, self-interested actors might deliberately impose upon themselves. In response, Hobbes, Rousseau, Locke, and other early contractarians answered that laws of property were an attractive alternative to “the war of all against all.” More recently, James Buchanan, Russell Hardin, Mancur Olson, Gordon Tullock, and others have used contractarian principles to justify laws that solve a variety of Prisoner's Dilemmas and other collective-action problems. And in the distributional realm, John Rawls and others have applied contractarian analysis to investigate how material wealth ought to be allocated among people.
Equal Opportunity and Genetic Intervention
Authors: Buchanan Allen
Published: May 2017

What does the prospect of being able to alter a human being's “natural assets” by genetic engineering imply for our understanding of the requirements of justice, and of equal opportunity in particular? Although their proponents are reluctant to admit it, some of the most prominent contemporary theories of justice yield a quite radical conclusion: If safe and effective intervention in the genetic “natural lottery” becomes feasible, there will be at least a strong prima facie case for doing so in the name of equality of opportunity (or of some other egalitarian principle of justice, such as the principle that persons are entitled to equal concern and respect), if this is the most effective way to meet the demands of justice.
Justice and the Ada: Does Prioritizing and Rationing Health Care Discriminate against the Disabled?
Authors: Brock Dan W.
Published: May 2017

It is sometimes said that a society should be judged ethically by how it treats its least-fortunate or worst-off members. In one interpretation this is not a point about justice, but instead about moral virtues such as compassion and charity. In our response to the least fortunate among us, we display, or show that we lack, fundamental moral virtues of fellow feeling and concern for others in need. In a different interpretation, however, this point is about justice and a just society—the justice of a society is shown especially in how it treats its least-fortunate members.
Designing Democratic Institutions and the Problem of Evil: A Liberal Chinese Perspective
Authors: He Baogang
Published: May 2017

Chinese liberals have been searching for a just society, one regulated by democratic institutions and rules—a society where the human potential for evil is properly controlled. It is in this context that Chinese liberal intellectuals such as Yan Jiaqi, Hu Ping, and Liao Xun, drawing on their respective experiences of the tragedies in China, have taken the idea that there is always a potential for evil in human nature as a starting-point for a just society and for designing democratic institutions.
Physiology of the aleurone layer and starchy endosperm during grain development and early seedling growth: new insights from cell and molecular biology
Authors: Ritchie Sian , Swanson Sarah J. , Gilroy Simon
Published: May 2017

Cereal grain germination and early seedling growth involve the co-ordinated action of endosperm and embryo tissues to mobilize the storage reserves of the starchy endosperm. This mobilization is accomplished by hydrolases secreted from the aleurone and scutellar tissues. The breakdown products are then transported to the growing seedling by the scutellum. This resource-harvesting system is regulated at multiple levels. One well-defined aspect of control is brought about by the hormone gibberellin (GA). Gibberellin is released from the embryo upon imbibition and activates the aleurone cells. The secretory apparatus of the aleurone then proliferates, supporting increased hydrolase synthesis and secretion to degrade the starchy endosperm. The molecules that regulate this response to GA are now being increasingly characterized. Elements such as cGMP, calcium, calmodulin and protein kinases are well known as regulators in other eukaryotic cell types and are emerging as key control factors in the aleurone hormone response. However, superimposed upon this molecular regulatory system is another level of control, the structural pattern of tissues and stored macro- molecules that was laid down during grain development. It is the interaction of these structural motifs combined with the molecular regulatory mechanisms that ensure the appropriate timing and positioning of hydrolase production and endosperm reserve mobilization. This integrated control system ensures an extended release of nutrients to fuel early seedling growth.
Desiccation and survival in the recalcitrant seeds of Avicennia marina: DNA replication, DNA repair and protein synthesis
Authors: Boubriak Ivan , Dini Mariuccia , Berjak Patricia , Osborne Daphne J.
Published: May 2017

Abstract An autoradiographic study was made of leucine and thymidine incorporation into the meristematic root primordia and hypocotyl tips of seeds of the recalcitrant mangrove species, Avicennia marina. The investigations show that although there is a temporary reduction of protein synthesis at shedding, root primordia and surrounding hypocotyl cells of the axis never wholly cease incorporation of [3H]leucine and regain pre-shedding levels of activity within a day. Precursor studies using methyl-[3H]thymidine show that, at shedding, there is a temporary cessation of incorporation into root meristem nuclei that lasts no longer than 48 h and, within a day, pre-shedding levels are regained in the meristem nuclei. Analysis of DNA fragmentation patterns in root tips at the time of shedding, and their ability to repair radiation-induced DNA damage, indicate that DNA repair processes are markedly compromised in these cells if water loss reaches 22%. Protein synthesis and DNA replication are reduced by more than half by a water loss of 18% and 16%, respectively. DNA replication does not fully recover on rehydration after only 8% water loss. DNA fragmentation to nucleosomes indicates a programme of cell death at a water loss of 10%. We suggest that the feature of continuous protein synthesis activity with only a temporary interruption in active cell cycling in A. marina root primordia helps to explain both the rapidity in seedling establishment and the extreme vulnerability to desiccation.
Putative desiccation tolerance mechanisms in orthodox and recalcitrant seeds of the genusAcer
Authors: Greggains Valerie , Finch-Savage William E. , Quick W. Paul , Atherton Neil M.
Published: May 2017

Recalcitrant seeds are shed moist from the plant and do not survive desiccation to the low moisture contents required for prolonged storage. It has been widely hypothesised that during desiccation of these seeds a stress induced metabolic imbalance develops that leads to free radical mediated damage and viability loss. We investigated this hypothesis in a comparison of two sympatric species ofAcerduring late seed development and post-harvest desiccation:A. platanoides(Norway maple) has orthodox seeds andA. pseudoplatanus(sycamore) has recalcitrant seeds. In both species, respiration rates declined to similar levels at shedding, and the extent of defences against free radicals appears no less in sycamore than that in Norway maple. During drying there was no evidence for the accumulation of a stable free radical, increased lipid peroxidation or decline in free radical scavenging enzymes in either species. In addition, there was a very similar, large increase in total tocopherol in both species. This increase in sycamore was largely of alpha-tocopherol, whereas in Norway maple the increase was largely from its precursor, gamma-tocopherol. Arguably this suggests a similar mechanism in both species, but increased oxidative stress in sycamore. In general, the results suggest that, although damage resulting in viability loss was clearly taking place, the limitation to desiccation tolerance did not result from inadequate free radical scavenging. Soluble carbohydrates and dehydrin-like proteins were also measured during late seed development and drying in sycamore and Norway maple. The greater concentrations of sucrose, raffinose and stachyose and amounts of dehydrins in the radicles and cotyledons of Norway maple compared with those in sycamore was consistent with greater desiccation tolerance in the former. Sycamore seeds are dormant and at the tolerant end of the continuum of desiccation sensitivity among recalcitrant species, and this may account for their different response to that of the seeds of other more sensitive recalcitrant species studied.
The effects of mycofloral infection on the viability and ultrastructure of wet-stored recalcitrant seeds of Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh.
Authors: Calistru Claudia , McLean Michelle , Pammenter N.W. , Berjak Patricia
Published: May 2017

Three questions are considered in the context of the possible effects of seed-associated mycoflora, typified by Fusarium moniliforme, during hydrated storage of recalcitrant propagules of the tropical species, Avicennia marina. These pertain to storage lifespan, whether seed susceptibility to fungal attack changes and the possibility of discriminating ultrastructurally between inherent deteriorative changes and those that are fungallyinduced. The data indicate unequivocally that if fungal activity is curtailed, then the hydrated storage lifespan of A. marina seeds can be considerably extended. When inoculated immediately with F. moniliforme, newly harvested seeds were extremely susceptible to the adverse effects of the fungus, while seeds that had been wet-stored for 4 d showed a considerably heightened resilience to the effects of the fungus when inoculated at that stage. The enhanced resilience, although declining, persisted in seeds stored hydrated for up to 10 d prior to inoculation, being lost after 12 d. After 14 d of hydrated storage, seeds became more susceptible to the effects of the fungus than those in the newly harvested condition. The resilience of seeds that had been stored in the short-term was associated with ultrastructural changes indicative of enhanced metabolic activity associated with the onset of germination. However, with the sustained stress imposed by wet-storage conditions, the seeds became increasingly badly affected by the fungus. While it was not possible to discriminate with certainty among deteriorative subcellular events ascribable to inherent deterioration or the effects of the fungus, it is concluded that a comparison of the timing of the onset of degeneration may well be diagnostic of its cause.
‘Sub-imbibed’ storage is not an option for extending longevity of recalcitrant seeds of the tropical species, Trichilia dregeana Sond.
Authors: Drew Penelope J. , Pammenter N.W. , Berjak Patricia
Published: May 2017

Recalcitrant seeds of Trichilia dregeana were stored at 16 or 25°C, either at the water content at which they were shed or partially dried. Although having been exposed to a short period (approx. 6 h) at temperatures up to 30°C prior to storage, seeds at the original water content maintained viability for several weeks at 16°C. However, storage of undried seeds at 25°C was deleterious within 8 d, indicating a chemical basis for degeneration of hydrated recalcitrant seeds. Seeds that had been mildly dehydrated to the relatively high axis level of 1.68 g H2O g—1 dry mass, while maintaining full germinability immediately after drying, exhibited only 4% viability after 8 d in storage at 16°C and had completely lost viability after the same storage period at 25°C. Ultrastructural features characterizing hydrated seeds included indications of enhanced activity associated with initial exposure to the elevated temperature as well as some signs of stress. However, over an effective 15 d storage period at 16°C, ultrastructural features showed the cells to have retained little damage and to have been in an enhanced state of activity commensurate with ongoing development towards germination. After a longer storage period, however, signs of damage, including indirect evidence for disarray of the cytoskeleton in some axis cells, became apparent in line with the declining seed viability. Immediately following dehydration from an average axis water content of 1.97 to 1.68 H2O g g—1(the sub-imbibed condition), some ultrastructural abnormalities were apparent, but the seeds remained 100% germinable. However, within the 8 d storage period in this sub-imbibed condition, a spectrum of severe ultrastructural degeneration, including indirect evidence of the collapse of the nucleoskeleton and extensive cell lysis, accompanied viability decline of the seeds to 4%.
Desiccation tolerance in relation to soluble sugar contents in seeds of ten coffee (CoffeaL.) species
Authors: Chabrillange Nathalie , Dussert Stéphane , Engelmann Florent , Doulbeau Sylvie , Hamon Serge
Published: May 2017

Large differences in seed desiccation sensitivity have been observed previously among ten coffee species (Coffea arabica, C. brevipes, C. canephora, C. eugenioides, C. humilis, C. liberica, C. pocsii, C. pseudo-zanguebariae, C. sessiliflora and C.stenophylla). Of these species,C. libericaandC. humiliswere the most sensitive to desiccation andC. pseudozanguebariaethe most tolerant. A study was carried out using the same seed lots to investigate if these differences in desiccation tolerance could be correlated with differences in soluble sugar content. Soluble sugars were extracted from dry seeds and analysed using high performance liquid chromatography. The seed monosaccharide (glucose and fructose) content was very low (1.5 to 2 mg g-1dry weight [dw]) in all species studied. The sucrose content ranged from 33 mg g-1dw inC. libericaseeds to 89 mg g-1dw in seeds ofC. pocsii. Raffinose was detected in the seeds of only five species (C.arabica, C.brevipes, C.humilis, C.sessiliflora, C.stenophylla), among which only three species (C.arabica, C.sessilifloraandC.brevipes) also contained stachyose. Both raffinose and stachyose were present in very low quantities (0.3–1.4 mg g-1dw and 0.1–0.7 mg g-1dw, respectively). Verbascose was never detected. No significant relationship was found between seed desiccation sensitivity and: (i) the sugar content; (ii) the presence/absence of oligosaccharides; and (iii) the oligosaccharide:sucrose ratio.
Physiological responses to divergent selection for daily food intake or lean growth rate in pigs
Authors: Cameron N.D. , McCullough E. , Troup K. , Penman J.C.
Published: May 2017

Correlated responses in physiological traits to divergent selection on components of efficient lean growth identified physiological traits for use as predictors of genetic merit and provided a biological explanation for the between-selection line differences in protein and lipid deposition. Responses (differences between high (H) and low (L) selection lines) in protein metabolism during ad-libitum feeding were associated with divergent selection for daily food intake (DFI) (reduced serum creatinine concentration (H = 1·30 v. L = 1·56, s.e.d. 0·08 mg/dl)) and for lean growth rate on an ad-libitum feeding regime (LGA) (increased serum urea (H = 48 v. L = 36, s.e.d. 4 mg/dl) and creatinine (H = 1·74 v. L = 1·45 mg/dl)) concentrations, but not with selection for lean growth on a restricted feeding regime (LGS). Following 24-h fasting, responses in lipid metabolism, in the form of higher serum non-esterified fatty acid concentrations, were detected with divergent selection for both LGA (399 v. 248, s.e.d. 66 µmol/l) and LGS (H = 361 v. L = 107 µmol/l). The high LGS line appeared to ‘preserve’ protein to a greater extent than the high LGA line and similarly there was greater maintenance of lipid depots by the low LGS line compared with the low LGA line. A tentative ranking of the two pairs of lean growth selection lines on the basis of ‘importance’ of protein deposition would be high LGS, high LGA, low LGA and low LGS.

Coheritabilities for serum creatinine concentration with predicted lysine balance and lysine required for protein deposition (-0·17 and 0·17, s.e. 0·08) indicated that serum creatinine concentration may usefully be included in breeding value prediction for lysine requirement and protein deposition to increase the accuracy of predicted genetic merit.

Fasting did not increase the coheritabilities for serum creatinine concentration, so inclusion of serum creatinine concentration in a selection criterion for dietary lysine requirement or protein deposition does not require withdrawal of food before blood sampling animals.
Diet selection by groups of pigs: effect of a trained individual on the rate of learning about novel foods differing in protein content
Authors: Morgan C.A. , Kyriazakis I. , Lawrence A.B. , Chirnside J. , Fullam H.
Published: May 2017

Choice feeding could be more widely applied with pigs if the initial variability between individuals in diet selection was overcome and there was a better understanding of the factors affecting the learning process in groups. In six replicates, two groups of four pigs (live weight 35·5±0·95 kg) were formed containing either an individual trained to select between two foods or an untrained control animal. The groups were offered food L (130 g crude protein (CP) and 5·6 g lysine per kg) and food H (260 g CP and 15·5 g lysine per kg) in two troughs as a choice for a period of 14 days. Food intake was measured twice daily for the first 3 days and then daily. The pigs were weighed three times per week and feeding behaviour was video recorded on the 1st and 3rd days of grouping. There was no effect of the trained pig on the performance of the group over the 2-week period (daily live-weight gain: 1·19 kg and 1·21 kg for the pigs in control or trained groups; s.e.d. 0·057). Within the first 8-h period of food recording pigs in groups with a trained pig selected a diet similar to that of the trained pig, whereas those with a control pig showed initial variation in selection before adopting a pattern in favour of one food, usually after about 3 days. In the first 24 h the pattern of visits to the troughs by the naïve pigs followed that of the trained pig whereas the pigs in the control groups initially visited the troughs at random. After 3 days the difference between the groups was small and largely non-significant. In five of the six replicates the groups selected a diet comprising 0·65H: 0·35L, which was similar to that expected from their lysine requirements. The two groups in the other replicate selected more of food L and this and the other findings are discussed in relation to the influence of social learning, previous nutritional experience and food composition on diet selection by pigs.
Effects of metabolizable protein on intake and milk production of dairy cows independent of effects on ruminal digestion
Authors: Faverdin P. , M’hamed D. , Vérité R.
Published: May 2017

The rôle of protein in food intake regulation is complex in ruminants. Previous research has shown that a deficiency in degradable nitrogen (N) could affect microbial activity and decrease intake. On the other hand, an increase in metabolizable protein content of the diet seems to stimulate food intake in lactating dairy cows. The aim of this experiment was to determine whether metabolizable protein supply plays a direct rôle in the stimulation of food intake. Treatments comprised two infusions of soya protein isolate (800 g/day) either into the rumen (RP) or into the duodenum (DP), which were compared with two iso-energy infusions of glucose (880 g/day) either into the rumen (RG) or into the duodenum (DG). Four ruminally and duodenally cannulated cows producing 36·5 kg/day of milk were assigned to a 4 ✕ 4 Latin-square design with periods of 4 weeks. Duodenal infusions of protein (DP) significantly increased (P < 0·05) dry-matter intake (DMI) ( +1·9 kg/day), rate of intake ( + 8·2 g DMI per min), milk yield ( + 4 kg/day), protein content ( + 2·3 g/kg) and protein yield ( +191 g/day) compared with the glucose infusion in the duodenum (DG). No significant effect was observed with ruminal infusion of protein (RP) compared with the glucose infusion in the rumen (RG). The protein infusions had no effect (P > 0·05) on the apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral-detergent fibre or acid-detergent fibre and also no or only small effects on ruminal fermentation variables. Plasma concentrations of most of the essential amino acids increased significantly with the duodenal infusion of protein, whereas ruminal infusion of protein had no significant effect. It is concluded that direct supply of metabolizable protein stimulates intake independently of ruminal digestion effects.
Animal breeding in the (post-) genomic era
Authors: Goddardt M. E.
Published: May 2017

One of the benefits of the genomics revolution for animal production will be knowledge of genes that can be used to select more profitable livestock. Although it is possible to use genetic markers linked to genes of economic importance, tests for the genes themselves will be much more successful. Consequently finding genes of economic importance to livestock will be a major research aim for the future. Most traits of economic importance are quantitative traits affected by many genes. Mutations at many genes (e.g. 500) and at many positions within a gene (e.g. 1000 coding and non-coding bases) can affect a typical quantitative trait. The effect of these mutations on phenotype is usually small (e.g. 0·1 standard deviation) but occasionally large. Many mutations are lost from the population through genetic drift and selection, so that polymorphisms exist at only a subset of the relevant genes (e.g. 100 genes). Finding these genes, that have relatively small effects, is more difficult than finding genes for a classical Mendellian trait but, as the genomic tools become more powerful, it is becoming feasible and some successes have already occurred. The standard approach is to map a quantitative trait loci (QTL) to a chromosome region using linkage and linkage disequilibrium. Then test polymorphisms in positional candidate genes for an effect on the trait. Tools such as genomic sequence, EST collections and comparative maps make this approach feasible. Candidate genes can be selected based on functional data such as gene expression obtained from microarrays. At present the gain in rate of genetic improvement from use of DNA-based tests for QTL is small, because selection without them is already quite accurate, not enough QTL have been identified and genotyping is too expensive. However, in the future, with many QTL identified and inexpensive genotyping combined with decreased generation intervals, large gains are possible.
Genetic analysis of live weight and ultrasonic fat and muscle traits in a hill sheep flock undergoing breed improvement utilizing an embryo transfer programme
Authors: Roden J. A. , Merrell B. G. , Murray W. A. , Haresign W.
Published: May 2017

Genetic parameters for pre-weaning live weights and ultrasonic scanning measurements were estimated from a flock of Scottish Blackface sheep undergoing an embryo transfer programme. Maternal environmental effects could be evaluated without confounding with maternal genetic effects because embryos were transferred to unrelated recipient ewes. The data for the study were collected over a 7-year period (1993-1999) and related to a conventional hill farming system. The data were from 1465 lambs, the progeny of 60 sires, 263 donors and 784 recipient ewes. The only exception to the conventional farming system was at mating time when embryos were collected from selected donor ewes, following superovulation, and transferred to unrelated recipient ewes. Maternal environmental effects were important for birth weight (BW), 4-week weight (W4) and weaning weight (WW) but of less importance for ultrasonic fat depth (UFD), muscle depth (UMD) and muscle width (UMW). The heritabilities of the pre-weaning weights were moderate (0·17 to 0·23). The heritabilities of UFD and UMD were 0·44 and 0·27 respectively and were higher than found in previous similar studies. The heritability of UMW was low, 0·06. The genetic and phenotypic correlations among the pre-weaning weight traits were positive and moderate. There was a positive genetic ( + 0·25) and phenotypic ( + 0·24) correlation between UFD and UMD. The phenotypic and genetic correlations between BW and W4 and the scanning traits (UFD, UMD and UMW) were close to zero, and the correlations of WW with UFD, UMD and UMW were positive. The results of this study clearly demonstrate the importance of maternal environmental effects for lamb weights up to weaning and also suggest that genetic improvement for carcass composition in some populations of extensively reared hill sheep could be achieved more rapidly than previously thought possible.
Nutritional effects on the pituitary-ovarian axis during the early post-partum period in autumn-lambing ewes
Authors: Mitchell L. M. , Silveira M. , Ranilla M. J. , King M. E. , Gebbie F. E. , Robinson J. J.
Published: May 2017

Using primiparous autumn-lambing ewes, this study investigated nutritional effects on (i) pulsatile LH secretion, (ii) responsiveness of the pituitary-ovarian axis to exogenous GnRH, and (iii) oestrus and ovarian cyclicity during the early post-partum period. At lambing (25 October ± 0·3 days), 32 primiparous ewes rearing 2·1 ± 0·04 lambs were equally allocated to four dietary treatments in a 2 ✕ 2 factorial designed experiment. Diets comprised ad libitum hay and 1·5 kg per ewe per day of one of four concentrates (12·5 MJ metabolizable energy per kg dry matter) containing either fibrous (F) or starchy (S) ingredients with (P) or without (O) the inclusion of 120 g/kg fish meal. Throughout the study (lambing to 17 December) ewe body condition score was assessed and ewes and their lambs were weighed at weekly intervals. Blood samples were obtained from all ewes to measure circulating concentrations of progesterone and oestrous behaviour was monitored using vasectomized rams. On day 12 post partum, blood samples were obtained from all ewes at 2-h intervals (09:00 to 17:00 h) to measure concentrations of insulin and urea nitrogen, and at 15-min intervals (09:00 to 21:00 h) to measure pulsatile LH secretion. All ewes received 25 i. v. injections of GnRH (250 ng GnRH in 2 ml 0·9% saline) at 2-h intervals commencing 4 h before the end of the 15-min blood sampling period and their ovaries were examined via laparoscopy on day 17 post partum. There was no effect of dietary treatment on ewe live weight or body condition score throughout the study but inclusion of fish meal in the ewe diet increased lamb growth (FP/SP 255 (s.e. 8·9) v. FO/SO 234 (s.e. 8·2) g/day, P < 0·05). Circulating concentrations of insulin on day 12 post partum were lower in ewes given the fibrous compared with the starchy diets (P < 0·05) while dietary inclusion of fish meal increased (P < 0·001) urea nitrogen. Pulsatile LH secretion on day 12 post partum was not affected by dietary treatment. For ewes on diets F P, FO, SP and SO, the numbers that experienced an LH surge during the period of GnRH administration were 1, 2, 1 and 0, and that ovulated by day 17 post partum were 3, 5, 0 and 5 (FP/SP v. FO/SO, P < 0·05) respectively. Dietary treatment did not affect the intervals from parturition to the onset of ovarian cyclicity or oestrus (overall means were 23 (s.e.1·0) days and 38 (s.e.1·6) days respectively) but ewes on the fibrous compared with the starchy diet had a higher (P < 0·05) incidence of short (≤ 10 days) first ovarian cycles. Results of this study, which involved young growing animals, demonstrate that (i) inclusion of fish meal in the ewe diet influenced the sensitivity of the pituitary-ovarian axis to exogenous GnRH, and (ii) a fibrous compared with a starchy diet was associated with an increased incidence of premature luteal regression.
The effect of level and type of supplement offered to grazing dairy cows on herbage intake, animal performance and rumen fermentation characteristics
Authors: Sayers H. J. , Mayne C. S. , Bartram C. G.
Published: May 2017

A study was undertaken to examine the effect of level and type of supplement and changes in the chemical composition of herbage through the grazing season on herbage intake, animal performance and rumen characteristics with high-yielding dairy cows. Thirty-two high genetic merit dairy cows were allocated to one of four treatments in a two-phase change-over design experiment. The four treatments involved offering either high-fibre (HF) or high-starch (HS) supplements at either 5 or 10 kg dry matter (DM) per day. Animals rotationally grazed perennial ryegrass swards offered a daily herbage allowance of 23 kg DM. High levels of animal performance were maintained throughout the study with mean milk yields over the 21-week experimental period of 35·5 and 37·2 kg per cow per day on the 5- and 10-kg treatments respectively. Supplement type had no significant effect on herbage intake. Increasing the level of supplementation reduced herbage intake by 0·49 and 0·46 kg herbage DM per kg supplement DM and increased milk yield, with a milk yield response of 0·55 and 0·65 kg/kg supplement DM offered in phases 1 and 2. Supplement type had no significant effect on milk yield and milk butterfat content. However, in both phases 1 and 2, milk protein content was significantly higher with cows offered the HS supplement compared with the HF supplement, this being particularly evident at the higher level of supplementation. Supplement type also had marked effects on milk protein composition. These results indicate that high levels of performance can be achieved with dairy cows on grazed pasture with moderate levels of supplementation.
Evaluation of growth rates and resistance to nematodes of Deccani and Bannur lambs and their crosses with Garole
Authors: Nimbkar C. , Ghalsasi P. M. , Swan A. A. , Walkden-Brown S. W. , Kahn L. P.
Published: May 2017

Sheep rearing is a traditional occupation of about 85 000 shepherd families on the Deccan plateau in the Maharashtra State of India. They rear Deccani (D) sheep which usually bear only single lambs. Prolificacy is an important trait for the efficiency of meat producing sheep. It was decided to evaluate and utilize Indian sheep genetic resources with a view to improving the efficiency of sheep production on the Deccan plateau. A crossbreeding experiment was conducted over 4 years, using rams of the D, Bannur (B) and Garole (G) breeds and D and B ewes with the aim of developing recommendations for the appropriate breed combination of a likely composite. It was found that crossing with G reduces live weight and growth rates significantly compared with D but lambs sired by G rams were more resistant to naturally acquired gastro-intestinal nematode infections and to artificial challenge with Haemonchus contortus than those sired by D or B rams. The G breed, being from a humid environment is, however, not adapted to the semi-arid Deccan plateau. The higher productivity (in terms of weight of lamb weaned) of twin-bearing ewes compared with those bearing singles was evident even in extensive rearing conditions. The finding of increased resistance to gastro-intestinal nematodes in the G breed, which also carries a major gene for prolificacy, highlights the potential for inclusion of G in a composite breed. Negative effects on growth and survival from inclusion of the Garole need to be carefully managed.