Impact of sampling depth on CO flux estimates.

The exchange of trace gases between the atmosphere and the ocean plays a key role in the Earth's climate. Fluxes at the air-sea interface are affected mainly by wind blowing over the ocean and seawater temperature and salinity changes. This study aimed to quantify the use of CO partial pressure (pCO ) measurements at different depths (1, 5, and 10 m) in ocean surface layers to determine CO fluxes (FCO ) and to investigate the impacts of wind-sheltered and wind-exposed regions on the carbon budget.

An Approach to Multi-Objective Path Planning Optimization for Underwater Gliders.

Underwater gliders are energy-efficient vehicles that rely on changes in buoyancy in order to convert up and down movement into forward displacement. These vehicles are conceived as multi-sensor platforms, and can be used to collect ocean data for long periods in wide range areas. This endurance is achieved at the cost of low speed, which requires extensive planning to ensure vehicle safety and mission success, particularly when dealing with strong ocean currents.

Growth patterns, metabolic indicators and osteoarticular status in the Lusitano horse: A longitudinal study.

Development of a healthy musculoskeletal system is of high concern for horse breeders and users. A longitudinal field study was performed in order to: (i) evaluate growth patterns and long-term changes on bone quality, bone metabolism, growth factors and metabolic variables in the Lusitano horse; and (ii) retrospectively assess whether these changes were related with radiographic findings regarding osteochondrosis-like lesions (OC) at the onset of training. Thirty-four Lusitano foals born and raised at four stud-farms, were periodically weighed (BW), and measured (withers height-WH) from birth to 36 months of age.

Effects of Condensed and Hydrolyzable Tannins on Rumen Metabolism with Emphasis on the Biohydrogenation of Unsaturated Fatty Acids.

The hypothesis that condensed tannins have higher inhibitory effect on ruminal biohydrogenation than hydrolyzable tannins was tested. Condensed tannin extract from mimosa (CT) and hydrolyzable tannin extract from chestnut (HT) or their mixture (MIX) were incorporated (10%) into oil supplemented diets and fed to rumen fistulated sheep. Fatty acid and dimethyl acetal composition of rumen contents and bacterial biomass were determined.

Morphological aspects and expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in the interdigital sinus in cyclic ewes.

Many species that belong to Artiodactyls order show an interdigital sinus (IS), as it occurs in sheep, in all four extremities. These are considered to be scent glands responsible for sexual communication having strong attractiveness to mature males at the peak of the breeding season. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in IS in cyclic ewes, the microscopic and ultrastructure (scanning and transmission electron microscopy) anatomy, secretion composition, and mRNA and protein expression of estrogen receptors a and b and progesterone receptors.

Galactomannan hydrolysis and mannose metabolism in Cellvibrio mixtus.

Galactomannan hydrolysis results from the concerted action of microbial endo-mannanases, manosidases and alpha-galactosidases and is a mechanism of intrinsic biological importance. Here we report the identification of a gene cluster in the aerobic soil bacterium Cellvibrio mixtus encoding enzymes involved in the degradation of this polymeric substrate. The family 27 alpha-galactosidase, termed CmAga27A, preferentially hydrolyse galactose containing polysaccharides.