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Crataegus monogyna Jacq. is naturalized in North America, where it has hybridized with native diploid hawthorns at least twice. We provide names for the two nothospecies (as well as for the corresponding nothosections and nothoseries), referring to existing documentation in the literature for nothosp. nov. Crataegus ×ninae-celottiae K.I. Chr. & T.A. Dickinson (C. monogyna × C. punctata Jacq.). New data are provided to further document nothosp. nov. Crataegus ×cogswellii K.I. Chr. & T.A. Dickinson (C. monogyna × C. suksdorfii (Sarg.) Kruschke). In both cases, the striking differences in leaf shape between most New World hawthorns and Old World section Crataegus, and the intermediacy of the hybrids, account for the relative ease with which these hybrids can be recognized. Finally, new sequence data from ITS2 and chloroplast DNA barcoding loci confirm the genetic relationships between the two nothospecies and their respective parents.

In the context of systematic and biosystematic studies on Eurasiatic Crataegus (Rosaceae, subtribe Pyrinae) based on leaf and petal SEM photographs and morphological features, Crataegus khatamsazae Hamzeh'ee, K. I. Chr. & Attar sp. nov. and C. hatamii Hamzeh'ee, K. I. Chr. & Attar sp. nov. are described as new taxa, and C. caucasica is reported as a new record to Iran. Crataegus aminii is found to be synonymous with C. babakhanloui and not with C. ambigua subsp. ambigua. The description of C. kurdistanica is improved. The situation for C. sakranensis in Iran is discussed and its morphological characterization is improved. A new identification key to the recognised Iranian taxa of subser. Erianthae is provided and the distributions of these taxa are outlined.

Our previously published second generation genetic map for the American mink (Neovison vison) has been used and redesigned in its best for genome-wide studies with maximum of efficiency. A number of 114 selected markers, including 33 newly developed microsatellite markers from the CHORI-231 mink Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) library, have been genotyped in a two generation population composed of 1200 individuals. The outcome reassigns the position of some markers on the chromosomes and it produces a more reliable map with a convenient distance between markers. A total of 104 markers mapped to 14 linkage groups corresponding to the mink autosomes. Six markers are unlinked and four markers are allocated to the X chromosome by homology but no linkage was detected. The sex-average linkage map spans 1192 centiMorgans (cM) with an average intermarker distance of 11.4 cM and 1648 cM when the ends of the linkage groups and the autosomal unlinked markers are added. Sex-specific genetic linkage maps were also generated. The male sex-specific map had a total length of 1014.6 cM between the linked markers and an average inter-marker interval of 9.7 cM. The female map has a corresponding length of 1378.6 cM and an average inter-marker interval of 13.3 cM. The study is complemented with additional anchorage for most of the chromosomes of the map by BAC in situ hybridization with clones containing microsatellites strategically selected from the various parts of the genome. This map provides an improved tool for genetic mapping and comparative genomics in mink, also useful for the future assembly of the mink genome sequence when this will be taken forward. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A number of American mink phenotypes display a range of brownish colours. One of these phenotypes, namely American Palomino (b P b P ) (AP) has been found to be associated with the tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1) gene by genotyping microsatellite markers in one sire family. Trials for amplifying the genomic DNA and cDNA at the beginning of intron 2 of AP TYRP1 revealed the presence of a large insertion of approximately eight kb. The insertion most likely disrupts different elements necessary for the splicing of intron 2 of the TYRP1 gene. In AP RNAseq data indicate, however, the presence of the wild-type (wt) transcript at very low levels and Western blot reveals three products when using an antibody raised against middle part of the TYRP1 protein. One individual from another brown mink phenotypecommercially named Dawnwas also investigated at the molecular level by long-range PCR and the same size insertion appears to be present. By this we suggest that certain modifiers of TYRP1 would induce different brown colour degradation, which results in at least two different phases of brown.

For more than 30 years polyimides (PA) have been one of the main polymers for the fabrication of thin film composite membranes. Several researchers have assessed the main fabrication variables that influence the final structure of the polyamide layers including monomer concentration, solvents, additives in aqueous and organic phases and type of support to mention a few [1,2]. However, few studies have reported the influence of the fabrication tools used in the preparation of the PA layer. Each research group report their own recipe and fabrication method according to the general criteria of avoiding bubble formation during fabrication as that would later compromise the function of the membrane, but each process step must be well controlled to obtain reliable and consistent membrane performance. In general, the fabrication of the polyamide membrane layer is carried out in two steps. A polymeric support is initially brought in contact with the aqueous phase containing m-phenylene diamine (MPD) monomer and then with the organic phase containing the trimesoly chloride (TMC) monomer in order to promote PA formation through interfacial polymerization. The critical step occurs immediately after the support has been in contact with the aqueous phase, because formation of irregular drops could be initiation points for defects during the second step. Several tools have been used to eliminate the drop formation including air-knifes, rubber wipers, rubber rollers, glass rollers, or for that matter the absence of any tool using only water evaporation. In this work different methods of avoiding drop formation during the membrane preparation are tested to evaluate how the preparation methods influence the membrane structure and the final membrane properties. Understanding the membrane formation and consequently the defect formation will help to control and reproduce membrane preparation both in laboratory and industrial scale [3]. Specifically this work focuses on the preparation of a polyamide membrane layer supported by a polysulfone support after immersion in MPD/aqueous solution followed by immersion in TMC/heptane solution. The polysulfone support is in contact with the MPD/aqueous phase using immersion or pipetting. Further the use of a rubber wiper or absence of any tool to eliminate the aqueous solution droplets is evaluated. Both NaCl rejection and water and NaCl fluxes are evaluated, in order to relate them with the structural characteristics of the membranes using SEM, contact angle and streaming potential.

In this report we present the results of the analysis of approximately 2.7 Mb of genomic information for the American mink (Neovison vison) derived through BAC end sequencing. Our study, which encompasses approximately 1/1000th of the mink genome, suggests that simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are less common in the mink than in the human genome, whereas the average GC content of the mink genome is slightly higher than that of its human counterpart. The 2.7 Mb mink genomic dataset also contained 2,416 repeat elements (retroids and DNA transposons) occupying almost 31% of the sequence space. Among repeat elements, LINEs were over-represented and endogenous viruses (aka LTRs) under-represented in comparison to the human genome. Finally, we present a virtual map of the mink genome constructed with reference to the human and canine genome assemblies using a comparative genomics approach and incorporating over 200 mink BESs with unique hits to the human genome.

Background Recently fibroblasts of many mammalian species have been reprogrammed to pluripotent state using overexpression of several transcription factors. This technology allows production of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells with properties similar to embryonic stem (ES) cells. The completeness of reprogramming process is well studied in such species as mouse and human but there is not enough data on other species. We produced American mink (Neovison vison) ES and iPS cells and compared these cells using transcriptome analysis. Results We report the generation of 10 mink ES and 22 iPS cell lines. The majority of the analyzed cell lines had normal diploid chromosome number. The only ES cell line with XX chromosome set had both X-chromosomes in active state that is characteristic of pluripotent cells. The pluripotency of ES and iPS cell lines was confirmed by formation of teratomas with cell types representing all three germ layers. Transcriptome analysis of mink embryonic fibroblasts ( EF), two ES and two iPS cell lines allowed us to identify 11831 assembled contigs which were annotated. These led to a number of 6891 unique genes. Of these 3201 were differentially expressed between mink EF and ES cells. We analyzed expression levels of these genes in iPS cell lines. This allowed us to show that 80% of genes were correctly reprogrammed in iPS cells, whereas approximately 6% had an intermediate expression pattern, about 7% were not reprogrammed and about 5% had a "novel" expression pattern. We observed expression of pluripotency marker genes such as Oct4, Sox2 and Rex1 in ES and iPS cell lines with notable exception of Nanog. Conclusions We had produced and characterized American mink ES and iPS cells. These cells were pluripotent by a number of criteria and iPS cells exhibited effective reprogramming. Interestingly, we had showed lack of Nanog expression and consider it as a species-specific feature.

Crataegus grossidentata Sharifnia & K. I. Chr., found in northern Iran, is described and illustrated as a species new to science. Its ecology, distribution and taxonomic relationships are discussed. A key to C. grossidentata and other one-styled taxa of Crataegus occurring in Iran is provided.

HiSeq2000 Illumina pair-end sequenced transcript data originating from a pool of four different tissues of a wild-type American mink yielded approximately 90 Gb of raw data. Subsequently, unique contigs were assembled by a combined approach using velvet and phrap. Of these assembled contigs, about 136 000 match the dog genome and nearly 30 000 contigs match the human transcriptome at more than 17 000 unique gene locations. Gene annotation for these contigs was performed employing custom-made scripts run in combination with comparative sequence similarity search and alignment in the dog and human genome using blast algorithms. Transcripts representing five genes known to be associated with pigmentation were reliably aligned against large mink genomic contigs derived from BAC clones. Sequence comparison between transcript and genomic data revealed seven SNPs. In this study, we generated and annotated mink transcript sequences representing more than 16 000 known genes. This is the first comprehensive transcriptome for the American mink genome, which will facilitate further development in mink expression profiling studies and provide a good annotation basis in the perspectives of a whole genome sequencing project. The project was deposited at EMBL database with the accession number PRJEB1260.

Phylogeographic relationships were constructed for 72 Old and New World Crataegus species using combinations of four chloroplast and up to five nuclear regions. Maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian results yield consistent relationships among major lineages. The close associations of the East Asian and western North American species point toward ancient trans-Beringian migrations. Relationships among eastern North American species are poorly resolved and few groups are identified that are congruent with existing classifications. Scant variation and short internal branches among these species suggest rapid divergence associated with polyploidy and hybridization. Incongruence between the chloroplast and nuclear data, and morphology suggest hybrid origins of three species from an extinct European lineage (the male parent) and three different North American female parents. Europe and eastern North America are suggested as the most recent common areas for Crataegus; at least four dispersal events are inferred to explain the present distribution of the genus.

This morphometric study of the geographic variation in the Abies religiosa–hickelii–guatemalensis complex is based on samples from 15 Guatemalan and 12 Mexican populations, two populations of A. religiosa s.str. and A. hickelii s.str., and herbarium specimens of A. hickelii, A. vejarii and varieties of A. guatemalensis. The multivariate methods employed were principal components analysis, and UPGMA clustering. The multivariate and univariate analyses based on 231 operational taxonomic units imply that although morphological differences exist distinct morphospecies cannot be recognized within the A. religiosa–hickelii–guatemalensis complex. A Mantel’s test reports that taxonomic dissimilarities are significantly related to geographic distance. We suggest, therefore, that A. religiosa, A. hickelii and A. guatemalensis are merged so that A. hickelii is referred to as A. religiosa subsp. hickelii (Flous & Gaussen) U. Strandby, K.I. Chr. & M. Sorensen, comb. et stat. nov. and A. guatemalensis as A. religiosa subsp. mexicana (Martinez) U. Strandby, K.I. Chr. & M. Sorensen, comb. nov. According to our analyses A. vejarii cannot retain its status as a separate taxon as the material studied is nested within A. religiosa subsp. mexicana.

Two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis of dog plasma proteins was done by a first-dimension separation in agarose gel (pH 5.4) followed by a second-dimension separation in horizontal poly-acrylamide gel (pH 9.0). Two groups of α1-globulins, designated Pi-1 and Pi-2, were found to be protease inhibitors. Extensive genetic polymorphism of Pi-1 and of another unidentified α-globulin, tentatively designated postalbumin (Pa), was observed. Family data supported the hypothesis that Pi-1 and Pa polymorphisms were controlled by codominant, autosomal alleles. Three Pi-1 alleles and two Pa alleles were observed in 60 breeds (1119 dogs) studied. Each of the Pi-1 alleles gave rise to a single strong fraction while each of the Pa alleles showed a major and a minor anodic fraction. The present study, along with earlier reports, showed that some of the proteins and enzymes (albumin, transferrin, eserine resistant esterase, α1-protease inhibitor and postalbumin) in plasma exhibit considerably more polymorphism than that reported for hemoglobin and some of the red cell and tissue enzymes of the domestic dog.

The nomenclature of common chamomile, sea mayweed and scentless mayweed is discussed with reference to nomenclatural history, typifications, and the provisions of the ICBN. During the period 1753-1763, Linnaeus managed to mess up the naming of common chamomile, sea mayweed, and scentless mayweed, although he must have been very familiar with these species. Originally, Linnaeus intended to name the scentless mayweed as Matricaria chamomilla, the common chamomile as M. recutita, and the sea mayweed as M. maritima, but later he referred the common chamomile to M. suaveolens, the scentless mayweed to M. inodora, and the sea mayweed to M. inodora var. maritima. The major problem in Linnaeus's classification of the European Matricaria is his treatment of the common chamomile and the scentless mayweed. Matricaria chamomilla fits the scentless mayweed according to the original description, while the lectotype, Herb. Clifford 415, although uncharacteristic, is referable to common chamomile.

The infrageneric classification of Crataegus azarolus is revised, and a new combination is proposed, C. azarolus var. assadii comb. et stat. nov. Crataegus monogyna var. lasiocarpa is reinstalled as the correct varietal name for the hairy, Mediterranean form of C. monogyna. Crataegus granatensis is shown to be synonymous with C. monogyna var. monogyna and not with C. nevadensis which is a species more closely related to C. rhipidophylla, C. microphylla and C. pseudoheterophylla than to C. monogyna. Crataegus rhipidophylla var. ronnigeri is reported as new to Bulgaria and its occurrence in the Crimea is confirmed. Crataegus×bornmuelleri nothosp. nov. (C. orientalis×tanacetifolia) and C.×inexpectans nothosp. nov. (C. monogyna×nevadensis) are described anew. Emended descriptions and new records are supplied for Crataegus nevadensis, C.×browicziana (C. microphylla×rhipidophylla), C.×sinaica (C. azarolus×monogyna), and C.×yosgatica (C. monogyna×tanacetifolia). Crataegus×sinaica is reported as new to Greece. New records are given for Crataegus×rubrinervis (C. monogyna×pentagyna) and C.×subsphaericea (C. monogyna×rhipidophylla).

Three different forms of hereditary tyrosinemia type II, with some of the features described for the Richner-Hanhart's syndrome, occur in mink (Mustela vison Schreb.). These disorders are inherited as simple autosomal recessive characters. The main symptoms of the diseases are watery dull eyes, frequent urination, alteration of the hair/skin on the toes and a highly elevated level of tyrosine in blood and urine. An enzyme defect in hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.5) is considered as the reason of these three forms of the mink disease. Differences between these forms of hereditary tyrosinemia in mink now described lie among other things in the time of onset, duration and severity of the disese.

Four fusions between mouse myeloma cells and swine splenocytes have been produced, resulting in 19 mouse x swine hybrid cell lines. A study of the occurrence of 7 enzymes of swine origin in the 19 hybrid cell lines has been carried out. The 19 cell lines were karyotyped. They contained the original mouse chromosomes but only few swine chromosomes. The swine enzymes NP and MPI always occurred together in the same hybrid lines and their occurrence was consistent with the presence of swine chromosome no. 7. It was therefore concluded that NP and MP are syntenic and located to swine chromosome 7.

In connection with systematic studies of the genera Abies, Larix, Picea, and Pinus (Pinaceae) lectotypes are designated for Abies pinsapo var. baborensis, Larix × czekanowskii (= L. gmelinii × L. sibirica), Larix dahurica, L. griffithii, Picea abies var. arctica, P. maximowiczii, P. schrenkiana, Pinus brunoniana (≡ Tsuga brunoniana), P. canariensis, P. coronans, P. × neilreichiana (= P. nigra × P. sylvestris), P. smithiana (≡ Picea smithiana), and P. sylvestris vars. baliosperma, leucosperma, melanocarpa, mongolica, and phaeosperma. Lectotypes and epitypes are designated for Pinus pumilio var. applanata and P. uncinata var. rotundata f. mughoides, as well as an epitype for P. mugo. Furthermore, various original material has been located for Abies sibirica, Pinus altamiranoi, P. ayachahuite, P. khasya, P. × litvinovii (P. sylvestris × tabulae-formis), P. pityusa, and P. pringlei, as well as Tsuga longibracteata (≡ Nothotsuga longibracteata). (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) Typification spezifischer und infraspezischer Namen von Abies, Larix, Picea und Pinus Im Zusammenhang mit systematischen Studien der Gattungen Abies, Larix, Picea und Pinus (Pinaceae) wurde der Lectotypus benannt fur: Abies pinsapo var. baborensis, Larix × czekanowskii (= L. gmelinii × L. sibirica), Larix dahurica, L. griffithii, Picea abies var. arctica, P. maximowiczii, P. schrenkiana, Pinus brunoniana (≡ Tsuga brunoniana), P. canariensis, P. coronans, P. × neilreichiana (= P. nigra × P. sylvestris), P. smithiana (≡ Picea smithiana) und P. sylvestris vars. baliosperma, leucosperma, melanocarpa, mongolica und phaeosperma. Lectotypus and Epitypus wurden benannt fur Pinus pumilio var. applanata und P. uncinata var. rotundata f. mughoides sowie der Epitypus fur P. mugo. Weiterhin wurde verschiedenes Originalmaterial gefunden fur: Abies sibirica, Pinus altamiranoi, P. ayachahuite, P. khasya, P. × litvinovii (P. sylvestris × tabulaeformis), P. pityusa und P. pringlei sowie Tsuga lon-gibracteata (≡ Nothotsuga longibracteata).

A study was performed to characterize dark brown or black discoloured kidneys ("black kidneys") in Danish slaughter cattle and to investigate the aetiology and pathogenesis. In 133 939 cattle entering four abattoirs, 359 cases of "black kidneys" were recorded. Of these, 57 cases were submitted for macroscopical, microscopical, and ultrastructural examination. A pigment with characteristics similar to those of lipofuscin was found in secondary lysosomes in epithelial cells of the proximal tubules. Pigment accumulation was the cause of discoloration, with a positive correlation between the discoloration of the renal cortex and the degree of pigment accumulation. Cases occurred only in cattle of the Holstein breed or the Red Danish Dairy breed and mainly in animals aged 3 years or older. In these breeds, prevalences of 0.44% and 2.51% were found, respectively. Epidemiological analyses indicated that affected animals aged 4.5 to 6.5 years or 7.5 to 8.5 years were culled more frequently than unaffected cattle. Epidemiological and genealogical analyses strongly indicated a genetic aetiology with simple autosomal recessive inheritance.

The cytogenetic quality of boars used for breeding determines the litter outcome and thus has large economical consequences. Traditionally, quality controls based on the examination of simple karyograms are time consuming and sometimes give uncertain results. As an alternative, the use of high-resolution DNA flow cytometry on DAPI-stained sperm cell nuclei (CV≤1.3%) was investigated as a screening method for the cytogenetic quality of boars. By analyzing a series of 25 animals judged normal by their fertility statistics and a series of seven animals with known reciprocal translocations, a model for identifying sperm cells from cytogenetically aberrant animals was proposed. This model was applied to a series of 50 uncharacterized animals. The model successfully identified a mosaic or chimaeric carrier of an aberrant X chromosome. However, implementation of this technique for screening purposes would necessitate essential improvements in standardization and measurement precision.

In connection with systematic study of European taxa of Crataegus (Rosaceae subfam. Maloideae) lectotypes are designated for Crataegus monogyna f. subdigyna and C. monogyna var. ronnigeri. C. microphylla subsp. malýana is described as a taxon new to science and a key to the recognised taxa of C. microphylla and of the closely related C. rhipidophylla is given.

By in situ hybridization we show that the 5s rRNA genes in the mink map to chromosome 2q in three loci. The 2q1.1 locus containing 34 %) of the 5s rDNA, maps close to the centromere, and the remaining two loci of the 5s rDNA map to 2q1.3 (52 %) and to 2q2.3. (14%). These data were obtained with a tritiated transcript of the 5s rRNA gene containing 121 bp. In a comparative FISH study performed with a biotinylated transcript of the 5s rRNA gene the procedure failed to detect the 2q2.3 site. A closely corresponding difference between the two procedures experienced previously in man and in the crab-eating macaque is discussed. The present results suggest a homology between 2q in the mink and part of 1q in man harbouring the 5s rRNA genes in 1q42.13 and 1q31, respectively.

This morphometric study of the geographic variation in Pinus contorta is based on 93 provenances cultivated in northern Jutland, Hjardemal Klitplantage, 57'04“08'48‘E (Arboretum trial no. F275). The numerical methods employed were common principal components analysis (CPCA), non-metric multidimensional scaling (MDSCALE), minimum spanning trees (MST), and the neighbour-joining method (NJOIN). Although it is not always possible to draw a very clear line between the coastal var. contorta and the inland var. latifolia of P. contorta subsp. contorta, these varieties are distinct in their extreme forms. Critical provenances of both varieties seem to originate from the transition zone between the two taxa. The Californian or Sierra Nevada provenances of f contorta subsp. murrayana are very distinct from the Oregon provenances. Apparently most of the inland Oregon provenances of P. contorta are more or less intermediate between var. latifolia and subsp. murmyana s.str. The NJOIN method of phylogenetic reconstruction supports the division of P. contorta into two major groups or subspecies: 1. subsp. contorta, divided into var. contorta and var. latifolia, and 2. subsp. murrayana.

In connection with systematic studies of Eurasian species of Pinus (Pinaceae) lectotypes are designated for Pinus pallasiana and P. salzmannii. A lectotype and an epitype are selected for Pinus pityusa.

In an inbred pig family founded by commercial breeds, nine microsatellite markers from porcine chromosome 4 were screened to find associations with weight gain and fat deposition traits. In this family showing a linear decrease in weight gain with inbreeding, an association (P 0.05) between backfat thickness and marker genotypes could be detected. Furthermore, the genotypes of the markers showed a surprisingly high degree of heterozygosity in all of the inbred generations, even though the theoretical inbreeding coefficients reaching 0.59.

Serial sections were cut through the entire thickness of rectal biopsies from 39 patients with Crohn's disease, an average of 623 sections per biopsy. Granulomas, excluding foreign-body reactions and reactions to mucin, were found in 11 (28 per cent). Analysis of the location and size of granulomas showed that cutting a limited number of sections is inadequate and that only total serial sectioning will ensure that granulomas are not overlooked.

Morphological evidence of hybridization among Tilia cordata and T. platyphyllos is presented in plots of principal components analysis (PCA) and Wells' distance diagrams, the latter based on differently weighted characters. Putative hybrids from both natural and planted stands in Denmark are studied. Plausible hybrids found by running Estabrook's HYWIN program on the data are almost identical with those found by PCA and the weighted Wells' distance coefficient.

Hybridization among Pinus mugo and P.sylvestris is visualized in Wells' distance diagrams using either equally or differently weighted characters. Parents and hybrids are better resolved in diagrams using differently weighted characters. Putative hybrids from mixed, planted or naturalized stands of P. mugo and P. sylvestris in SW and NW Jutland, Denmark, are compared with artificial F1 and spontaneous material of P. mugo × sylvestris (P. × rhaetica) from the Alps and the Pyrenees. The natural hybrids are primary hybrids, rather than introgressants.

Background: Peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) are frequently found in Danish cattle at slaughter. Bovine PNSTs share several gross and histopathological characteristics with the PNSTs in humans with heritable neurofibromatosis syndromes. The aim of the present study was to investigate a possible hereditary disposition to PNSTs in dairy cattle by statistical analysis performed on data from 567 cattle with PNSTs. Furthermore, a preliminary genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed on DNA isolated from 28 affected and 28 non-affected Holstein cows to identify loci in the bovine genome involved in the development of PNSTs.Results: PNSTs were significantly more common in the Danish Holstein breed than in other breeds with 0.49% of Danish Holsteins slaughtered during an eight-year-period having PNSTs. PNSTs also occurred significantly more frequently in the offspring of some specific Holstein sires. Examination of three generation pedigrees showed that these sires were genetically related through a widely used US Holstein sire. The PNSTs included in GWAS were histologically classified as neurofibroma-schwannoma (43%), schwannoma (36%) and neurofibroma (21%) and derived from Holstein cows with multiple PNSTs. A single SNP on chromosome 27 reached genome-wide significance.Conclusions: Gross and histological characteristics of bovine PNSTs are comparable to PNSTs in humans (schwannomatosis). Danish Holsteins are genetically disposed to develop PNSTs but the examined materials are insufficient to allow determination of the mode of inheritance.

In this study liquid-liquid membrane contactors have been tested for ammonia removal from model manure solution and undigested pig manure. The aim of this work is to compare the efficiency of ammonia removal by different hydrophobic membranes including the material’s influence on mass transfer of ammonia and membrane fouling tendency. The surface morphology of both clean and fouled membranes by model manure solution and undigested pig manure has been studied by: Optical and Atomic Force Microscopy and contact angle measurements. Based on the experimental results, it is concluded that real manure achieved higher ammonia removal than the synthetic model manuresolution. This might be due to the larger particle size of the milled straw in the model solution compared to the size of suspended solids present in real manure. From the fouling autopsy, it was found that PTFE membranes are more prone to fouling than PP membranes. In both membranes the hydrophobicity decreased after running the process for 30 h, especially when undigested pig manure was used.

The mutation causing the Silverblue color type (pp) is one of the most used recessive mutations within American mink (Neovison vison) fur farming, since it is involved in some of the popular color types such as Violet and Saphire which originate from a combination of recessive mutations. In the present study, the genomic and mRNA sequences of the melanophilin (MLPH) gene were studied in Violet, Silverblue and wild-type (wt) mink animals. Although breeding schemes and previous literature indicates that the Violet (aammpp) phenotype is a triple recessive color type involving the same locus as the Silverblue (pp) color type, our findings indicate different genotypes at the MLPH locus. Upon comparison at genomic level, we identified two deletions of the entire intron 7 and of the 5' end of intron 8 in the sequence of the Silverblue MLPH gene. When investigating the mRNA, the Silverblue animals completely lack exon 8, which encodes 65 residues, of which 47 define the Myosin Va (MYO5A) binding domain. This may cause the incorrect anchoring of the MLPH protein to MYO5A in Silverblue animals, resulting in an improper pigmentation as seen in diluted phenotypes. Additionally, in the MLPH mRNA of wt, Violet and Silverblue phenotypes, part of intron 8 is retained resulting in a truncated MLPH protein, which is 359 residues long in wt and Violet and 284 residues long in Silverblue. Subsequently, our findings point out that the missing actin-binding domain, in neither of the 3 analyzed phenotypes affects the transport of melanosomes or the consequent final pigmentation. Moreover, the loss of the major part of the MYO5A domain in the Silverblue MLPH protein seems to be the responsible for the dilute phenotype. Based on our genomic DNA data, genetic tests for selecting Silverblue and Violet carrier animals can be performed in American mink. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The bridge was constructed in the 1930s and is approximately 1.2 km long, and the only railway connection between the western and the eastern part of Denmark. The bridge crosses a narrow belt of the sea.The bridge superstructure is a rivet steel girder structure, and recent investigations undertaken approximately 5 years ago indicated that the residual lifetime for the steel structure is 100 year. However, the preliminary investigations of the 4 main concrete piers situated in seawater indicated that some degradation of the concrete was occurring.A detailed investigation of the concrete in the piers confirmed extensive cracking in 10 % of the concrete due to reactive aggregates from a local source.Ingress of seawater into the piers accelerates the alkali-silica-reactions and has resulted in a built up of a very high chloride concentration in the concrete, which would normally cause severe corrosion of the reinforcement. But because of the lack of oxygen, only limited corrosion has yet occurred, and the strength of the reinforcement has only been affected to a minor degree.Additionally, numerous samples were collected and tests carried out, including: Measuring the compressive strength on samples with severe cracking. The results concluded that the current strength of the structure was sufficient to achieve the necessary load bearing capacity.Based on the results and conclusion from the field and laboratory campaign, a maintenance program will be prepared to ensure that future degradation can be controlled and the load bearing capacity remain sufficient.

Anaerobic digestion and solid-liquid separation of animal wastes are a viable technology for waste management to reduce transport cost and environmental hazards in areas with increased livestock production. However, post processing of manure is necessary due to significant amount of nitrogen and phosphorus, which even though they are essential nutrients also pose potential risk of over fertilizing fields leading to contamination of water streams and air. Liquid-liquid membrane contactors (MC) present a possible technology for ammonia recovery. In general one of the main obstacles though impeding the implementation of membrane contactors is membrane fouling. This must also be expected to be the case for the recovery and concentration of ammonia from swine manure. The presence of organic matter and multivalent ions in pig slurry may greatly influence the membrane fouling due to surface adsorption and pore plugging. The aim of this work is to add knowledge on how the overall mass transfer coefficient of ammonia (km) is affected by different solid-liquid separation techniques of pig slurry at different temperatures (30ºC, and 50ºC) and feed flow velocity (0.9 m/s and 1.8 m/s). Further a comparison on how digestion of manure influences membrane fouling at 40ºC and a feed velocity of 0.9 m/s is conducted. Ammonia stripping of the liquid fraction of both digested and undigested manure was performed using tubular polypropylene (PP) membranes. Intensity, morphology and composition of fouling layers have been determined using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (ATR-FTIR). Based on the experimental results, it can be concluded that mass transfer of ammonia from the liquid fraction is neither influenced by solid-liquid separation nor by anaerobic digestion. For digested manure the overall mass transfer coefficient km was equal to 19±1∙10-3 m/h and for undigested km was found to be 18.9±0.9∙10-3 m/h at 40ºC, and flow velocity of 0.9 m/s. Further, investigations show that increasing the temperature from 30ºC to 50ºC doubled the overall mass transfer coefficient of ammonia, while increasing feed flow velocity had negligible effect on the overall mass transfer coefficient of ammonia. No significant difference was found between undigested manure effluents with different dry matter content but similar particle size distribution, meaning that pre-processing of manure has little influence on the mass transfer coefficient of ammonia as long as the particle size is unchanged. Membrane fouling in case of digested and undigested pig slurry was a combination of organic fouling, biofouling and colloidal fouling. SEM observations revealed presence of bacteria suggesting biofouling, while the obtained ATR-FTIR spectra are characteristic for proteins and carbohydrates deposit.

Fur quality in mink (Neovison vison) is a composite trait, consisting of e.g. guard hair length, guard hair thickness and density of wool. A genome wide QTL search was performed to detect QTL for fur quality traits in mink. Here we present the results of QTL analyses for guard hair length, guard hair thickness and density of wool. Data from an F2-cross was analysed across fourteen chromosomes using 100 microsatellites as markers with a spacing of approximately 20 cM. The two lines used for the F2-cross were Nordic wild mink and American short nap mink. In total 1,083 animals (21 wild type, 25 short nap, 103 F1 and 934 F2) were marker typed and recorded for the three presented fur quality traits. For the QTL-analyses a regression analysis implemented in QTL Express software was used.Evidence was found for the existence of QTL for guard hair length, guard hair thickness and density of wool on 8 out of 14 autosomes. There was evidence for QTL for guard hair thickness on chro¬mosomes 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 8, guard hair length on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 11 and wool on chromosome 7. On chromosomes 2, 6 and, 7 QTL for guard hair length and guard hair thickness were located near each other. This indicates that variation in the two traits to some degree may be under the control of the same genes.

The aetiology of abortions and calf mortality in 65 Danish cattle herds consisting of both dairy and beef breeds during a 1-year period is described. All observed aborted foetuses, still-born calves, and calves dying before 6 months of age were necropsied, and relevant microbiological examinations were performed. A total of 240 calves and 66 abortions were submitted corresponding to a calf mortality rate of 7%. The abortion frequency could not be calculated. 43% of the calves died at day 0, while 22% were aborted, 15% died during the first week of life, 9% died from 1 to 4 weeks of age, and 11% died at the age of 1 to 6 months. The most common cause was neonatal pulmonic atelectasis (stillbirth) followed by foetal infections, pneumonia, and septicaemia.

The correct varietal name for the Corsican pine, occurring in Corsica, Sicily and Calabria, is P. nigra var. corsicana (Loudon) Hyl., based on P. laricio var. corsicana Loudon. The Corsican pine is often referred to as P. nigra var. maritima (Aiton) Melville, based on P. sylvestris var. maritima Aiton, but the type of the latter is conspecific with P. halepensis. The Corsican pine belongs to P. nigra subsp. salzmannii, the westernmost of the two subspecies of the variable P. nigra.

Summary A case of trisomy 22 in a newborn calf is described. Previously, this anomaly has only been identified in one calf. The calf had several defects including brachygnathia superior, malformation of septum nasi and conchae, and an interventricular septal defect. Chromosome analysis was performed on cultured blood lymphocytes, and in all counted metaphases 61 chromosomes were present. The extra chromosome was identified as a chromosome 22 by R-banding.

Twenty-four PCR primer pairs were designed for the detection of porcine microsatellites. Polymorphism was investigated in 76 unrelated animals from four different breeds: Duroc, Landrace, Hampshire, and Yorkshire. Compared with human microsatellites, a general lower heterozygosity was detected; however, for each microsatellite a significant variation between breeds in number of alleles and heterozygosity was seen. Mean heterozygosity was found to be significantly higher (P

The process of separating sugars from anthocyanins in black currant juice has been investigated. Diafiltration on a laboratory scale flat sheet module (Labstk M20, Alfa Laval Nakskov A/S, Denmark) loaded with an ultrafiltration membrane (ETNA01-PP, MWCO = 1,000 Da, Alfa Laval Nakskov A/S, Denmark) with a total installed area of 0.25 squaremeters distributed on 14 sheets showed good retention of anthocyanins as compared to fructose and glucose. In order to investigate whether the different flow pattern in a commercial size module would affect separation experiments were conducted with the same membrane in a 4'' spiral wound module. As the retention were mainained for anthocyanins, fructose and glucose the process have been demonstrated to be viable for scale up.

Various compounds of the flavonoid group have been reported to possess therapeutic effects towards cancer [1]. Thus there is a large potential in identifying, purifying and quantifying flavonoids from different natural sources in order to screen the pharmaceutical values of these. The flavonoids are normally present in much smaller quantities than other solutes such as sugars and organic acids. This may state a problem in analysis as some of the flavonoids are present in very minute amounts and concentration is limited by the major solutes. This study seeks to separate the sugars and organic acids from the flavonoids in order to facilitate better analysis. In the current study, the major solutes in black currant juice are fructose (32 ± 3 g/l), glucose (22 ± 3 g/l), sucrose (1.6 ± 0.2 g/l) and organic acids (28.9 ± 0.1 g/l). The flavonoids in black currant juice are mainly (97%) comprised by the glucosides and rutinosides of cyanidin and delphinidin [2]. The content of these flavonoids in black currant juice is measured to (1.5 ± 0.1 g/l). The separation process consists of nanodiafiltration on flat sheet membranes with a nominal molecular weight cut off of 1,000 Da. The separation process was monitored by comparing concentrations of the four flavonoids and the sugars and acids in permeate and retentate. The flavonoids in the juice have a molecular weight between 449 and 611 Da and should be able to pass the pores of the membrane. However this study shows that the flavonoids is mainly kept in the retentate where as fructose (180 Da), glucose (180 Da) and sucrose (342 Da) are gradually flushed out into the permeate. By diafiltration, it was possible to remove almost all glucose and fructose from the juice. The weight percentage of the flavonoids on dry weight basis increased from 1% to 44 % during the separation process. [1] F. Teillet, A. Boumendjel, J. Boutonnat, X. Ronot, Flavonoids as RTK Inhibitors and Potential Anticancer Agents, Medicinal Research Reviews, 2008, 28(5), 715-745[2] M.J. Anttonen, R.O. Karjalainen, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Analysis of Black Currant (Ribes nigrum L.) Fruit Phenolics Grown either Conventionally or Organically, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2006, 54, 7530-7538