Reproduction is an important driver of profitability in commercial sheep flocks. Historically, Merino flocks have been run with a fixed age structure, ignoring individual merit and casting for age at a specific age. More recently, research has focussed on utilising the variation within age groups by keeping productive older ewes longer and culling less productive ewes earlier. Previous studies have also examined the effect of age on reproduction and the impact of reproduction status on productivity, but little research has been conducted on cumulative effects of reproductive performance on later productivity, reproduction and health. The present study examined the impact of higher lifetime reproduction on other key production and fitness traits in older ewes run under commercial conditions. Data were collected from two commercial wool-producing properties in the South West Slopes and the Central West Plains of New South Wales during 2009–2011. Reproduction, fleece measurements, bodyweight and condition and dental health were recorded during the study. The results showed that age had a bigger effect on productivity and dental health than did cumulative lifetime reproduction. Environment and genetics determined the level of impact, with minimal loss in productivity from increased age of animals occurring in the South West Slopes flock, whereas the Central West Plains flock would appear to require closer monitoring of productivity as ewes aged. The data collected did not allow separation of the genetic and environmental influences within the study. Retaining animals with a higher reproductive performance past normal culling age does not necessarily result in reduction of productivity or ewe health, but this must be monitored.

The reproductive performance of 7286 ewes from three Merino genetic resource flocks maintained in the central-western region of New South Wales was used to compare the use of fertility and fecundity information and net reproduction information whether recorded early (at 2 and 3 years of age) or later in life (at 4 and 5 years of age) with lifetime performance (at 2–6 years of age) as alternative selection criteria to identify productive older ewes to retain in the breeding flock. While the lifetime net reproduction rate is the best indicator of a ewe’s reproductive performance in later life, producers basing their selection decisions on pregnancy scanning data, which provides information on both fertility and fecundity, can improve the net reproduction rate of their flock by 2% regardless of the base reproduction rate. Despite little difference in likely flock reproduction rates between using early or later life scanning information as the selection criteria, early life performance is the best choice for commercial producers because it provides scope for eliminating twice-dry ewes from the breeding flock early in life, especially when combined with udder examination at marking.

The Daenam mine, which produced over 9250 tons of iron oxide ore from 1958 to 1962, is situated in the Early Cretaceous Yeongyang subbasin of the Gyeongsang basin. It consists of two lens-shaped, hematite-bearing quartz veins that occur along faults in Cretaceous leucocratic granite. The hematite-bearing quartz veins are mainly composed of massive and euhedral quartz and hematite with minor amounts of pyrite, pyrrhotite, mica, feldspar and chlorite.Fluid inclusions in quartz can be divided into three main types: CO2-rich, CO2-H2O, and H2O-rich. Hydrothermal fluids related to the formation of hematite are composed of either H2O-CO2-NaCl +/- CH4 (homogenization temperature: 262-455 degrees C, salinity <7 eq. wt.% NaCl) or H2O-NaCl (homogenization temperature: 182-266 degrees C, and salinity <5.1 eq. wt.% NaCl), both of which evolved by mixing with deeply circulating meteoric water. Hematite from the quartz veins in the Daenam mine was mainly deposited by unmixing of H2O-CO2-NaCl CH4 fluids with loss of the CO2 + CH4 vapor phase and mixing with downward percolating meteoric water providing oxidizing conditions. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The heterogeneity in lifetime (2–6 years of age) reproductive performance within three research flocks maintained at the Agricultural Research Centre, Trangie, in central-western New South Wales, was used to establish the potential to improve flock reproductive performance by identifying performance segments for either selection or for differential management. The data comprised a total of 32 716 records from 7322 ewes, collected over the period from 1977 to 2003. Within each of the flocks, there were large differences (P < 0.001) in lifetime net reproduction rate, and each of its components (fertility, fecundity and lamb survival), between each of the net reproduction rate quartiles. The difference in net reproduction between the ewes in the top quartile and those in the bottom quartile was equivalent to an additional lamb per ewe annually. These differences in reproduction rate between the quartiles were not related to pre-joining liveweight or condition score. Higher reproductive rates were associated with a cost to clean fleece weight, although the estimated effects on fibre diameter were small. Opportunities to use this variation to improve reproduction rates are discussed and include retaining high-performing ewes longer in the breeding flock, removing poor performers and targeting management interventions towards ewes that will yield the largest responses.

SUMMARY The variation between ewes in lifetime (2-6 years of age) reproductive performance within 3 research flocks maintained at Trangie in central western NSW was analysed. For each of the flocks, there were large differences (P<0.001) in lifetime net reproduction rate (NRR), and each of its components (fertility, fecundity and lamb survival), between each of the NRR quartiles. The difference in net reproduction between the ewes in the top quartile compared with those in the bottom quartile was equivalent to an additional lamb per ewe annually. These results identify reproductive levels that could be achieved, establish a basis for selection to improve performance and provide a means to segment the breeding flock for differential management.

Combined analysis of data from two or more resource populations can improve the power and accuracy of QTL mapping and allow some cross-validation of results. In this study, we performed a genome-wide scan using combined data from two F(2) populations derived from a cross between Large White and Chinese Meishan pigs. A total of 739 pigs were included in the analysis. In total 187 markers were genotyped in the two populations, including 115 markers genotyped in both populations, and these markers covered 2282 cM of the pig genome with an average of 13.58 cM between markers. Seven traits (teat number, birth weight, weaning weight, test-end weight, fat depth at shoulder, fat depth at mid back and fat depth at loin) were analysed for both individual populations and the combined population. There were 9 (2, 10), 1 (4, 4) and 14 (5, 18) QTL that achieved 1% genome-wide, 5% genome-wide and suggestive significance levels respectively in population 1 (population 2, combined population). Additive effects of QTL detected in the two populations at all significance levels were largely consistent suggesting that the QTL represent real genetic effects, but this was not the case for dominance or imprinting effects. There were also a number of significant interactions between detected QTL effects and population.

Most of the large scaled casualties are caused by loss of structural strength and stability due to the progressive flooding and the effect of waves and wind. To prevent foundering and structural failure, it is necessary to predict the motion of the damaged ship in waves.This paper describes the motion of damaged ship in waves resulting from a theoretical and experimental study. A time domain theoretical model, which can be applied to any type of ship or arrangement, for the prediction of damaged ship motion and accidental flooding has been developed considering the effects of flooding of compartments. To evaluate the accuracy of the model, model tests are carried out in ship motion basin for three different damaged conditions: engine room bottom damage, side shell damage and bow visor damage of Ro-Ro ship in regular and irregular waves with different wave heights and directions. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the origin plants, the habitat and the characteristics of the origin-plants of the medicine herbs belong to Araceae. Methods : To achieve the purpose of this study 48 bibliographies about 4 kinds of herbs belong to Araceae were examined. The examination was focused on the origin plants, habitat, the efficacy. Standing on this analysis the list and characteristics of the origin-plants were presented. Results : The results indicated that 1. In the original plants of 4 kinds of herbs, there were 27 species of scientific name totally, 25 species belonged to Araceae, and 2 species didn't. The origin plants of Pinelliae rhizoma were 3 species of different family plant, 16 species for Arisaematis Rhizoma, 2 species for Typhoni Rhizoma, and 6 species for Acori Graminei Rhizoma. 2. In the view of its authenticity, there was one kind of genuine species, 2 species of substitutes in the origin plants of Pinelliae Rhizoma, 14 kinds of genuine species, 2 species of substitutes in the origin plants of Arisaematis Rhizoma, and Whole origin plants of Typhoni Rhizoma, Acori Graminei Rhizoma were genuine species. 3. According to the habitat, there were 15 species distributed in Korea, China and so on. And 16 species were distributed in Korea, 25 species were of foreign origin. 1 species was unknown. 4. The each efficacy of origin plants were reported in the main subject Conclusions : Among the 4 medicinal herbs in the commonly using family Araceae, there were 27 origin plants(25 species belong to Araceae, and 2 species doesn't), so the number of origin plants are almost 6.75 times compared with the cases of the herbal name. Also, according to the habitat, approximately 59.3% of origin plants were producted in Korea, and approximately 92.6% of origin plants were of foreign origin.

Feed for maintenance of the ewe flock is a major cost in lamb production systems and a reduction in these feed requirements could have an effect on carrying capacity and both biological and economic efficiency in sheep flocks. Inclusion of feed intake in breeding programs requires knowledge of its genetic variation and genetic relationships with other production traits. This study reports on the variation in relative digestible dry matter intake (rDDMI) of 2528 mature, non-pregnant, crossbred ewes that are the progeny of 91 rams of various maternal breeds. Feed intake of pasture under grazing conditions was estimated using the faecal marker dilution technique with chromium sesquioxide controlled-release devices. There was significant variation in intake associated with liveweight, liveweight gain, prior reproductive status, fat depth, and muscle depth of the ewes. Sire breed was not significant for rDDMI, although there was a considerable range of > 30% across sire progeny groups within most sire breeds, and rDDMI had an estimated heritability of 0.41 +/- 0.07 (s.e.). The genetic correlations with a range of production traits (growth, carcass, wool, and reproduction) were all close to zero. The potential for inclusion of genetic improvement of efficiency of feed utilisation in breeding programs for sheep is discussed.

This retrospective study was designed to evaluate a salvage technique for free flaps suffering venous congestion by using a cross-leg vein repair in patients with venous-impaired lower extremities. Four free flap reconstructions were performed using the latissimus dorsi muscle to reconstruct soft tissue defects in the lower extremity. The recipient artery was confined to the ipsilateral leg and the venous anastomosis was performed with a long saphenous vein from the contralateral side. The legs were immobilised together by means of an external fixator. All patients were males with a mean age of 31 years. The mean time of pedicle division was 8.8 days (7-10). The mean size of the free flap was 186.5 cm(2). All flaps survived after pedicle division without venous congestion. There were no complications such as joint stiffness or donor site morbidity except for a linear scar. The cross-leg venous repair is a refinement of a salvage procedure for compromised free flaps used in the reconstruction of severe soft tissue defects in vascularly compromised lower extremities.

'Boar taint' is a strong perspiration-like, urine-like unpleasant odour given off upon heating or cooking of meat from some intact (uncastrated) male pigs. Data from the F(2) generation of a Large White (LW) x Meishan (MS) crossbred population were analysed to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) for traits associated with boar taint. Fat samples from 178 intact male pigs slaughtered at 85 +/- 5 kg were analysed for the major contributors to boar taint (androstenone, indole and skatole). Fat and lean samples from cooked meat were scored for boar, abnormal and pork flavour and odour by a trained sensory panel (SP). A scan with 117 markers covering the whole genome was performed in the F(2) individuals, together with their F(1) parents and purebred grandparents. At the 5% chromosomal significance threshold (approximately equal to the genome-wide suggestive significance threshold), QTL were detected for the laboratory estimate of androstenone on chromosomes 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9. However, only on chromosome 6 were there QTL for boar flavour (BF) traits in the same or adjacent marker intervals as a QTL for the laboratory estimate of androstenone. On chromosome 14, QTL were detected for the laboratory estimates of indole and skatole, the SP score for skatole and the scores for BF in lean and BF in fat. In all five cases, the MS allele generally increased the estimate or score, compared with the LW allele, but it appeared that desirable and undesirable alleles were present in both breeds. This locus on chromosome 14 has considerable potential for use to reduce the incidence of boar taint, especially if further research can identify the causative polymorphism or strongly associated markers.

Low perinatal lamb loss and fast lamb growth rates are important measures for efficient sheep production. To understand the role of ewe nutrition in late pregnancy, 100 adult Border Leicester × Merino ewes were joined at a synchronised oestrus. Ewes were nutritionally managed to maintain maternal body condition until day 130 of pregnancy at which time 50 twin-bearing ewes entered single pens. Thirteen ewes were allocated as controls and 14, 11 and 12 ewes for the 3 treatments groups. All were fed a base diet of lucerne hay (17.3% crude protein; 9.4 MJ ME/kg DM). Three of the 4 treatment groups were supplemented with oaten grain, formaldehyde-treated sunflower meal or lupin grain at 1 of 3 nominal feeding levels: 250, 500 or 750 g/ewe.day of supplement. Actual intake was less than amounts offered. Intakes measured in the final 5 days prepartum, were used in the analysis. Data were collected on peripheral progesterone and insulin-like growth factor-1 at 4 days prepartum and 50 min postpartum; peripheral oestrone sulfate at 4 and 3 days prepartum and 50 min postpartum; and colostrum weight and score at 50 min postpartum. Feeding level of supplement, but not type of supplement, significantly increased insulin-like growth factor-1 and decreased progesterone and oestrone sulfate levels. Correlations of energy and nitrogen intake with insulin-like growth factor-1, progesterone and oestrone sulfate levels were positive (P<0.01), as were the correlations of colostrum weight with these traits. An unexpected high correlation between energy and nitrogen intake masked any differential effects on colostrum production and hormone response. Nevertheless, the supply of energy and protein supplements were associated with elevated colostrum weights and scores, and lower progesterone concentration. Lowering progesterone levels is considered necessary for successful parturition. Oaten grain was the least desirable grain supplement. These observations support the practical importance of providing adequate nutrition in late pregnancy and its effect on colostrum yield and presumably lamb survival and growth.

The authors successfully performed a series of 32 distal finger reconstructions using partial second toe-to-finger transfers solely for aesthetic indications. The resulting hand function shows an average static 2-point discrimination of 8 mm. Total active range of motion was 205 degrees. Key-pinch strength and grip strength averaged 65 and 90% of the normal contralateral side, respectively. Patient satisfaction, as reflected by the average subjective satisfaction scores for aesthetic appearance and function (SSSAF) of the reconstructed distal finger, was high at 82 and 78, respectively. The SSSAF for the donor site averaged 88 for function and 75-80 for aesthetic appearance, which is statistically significant (p<0.05). The authors modified the technique of distal finger reconstruction using second toe transfers in three ways. One is to skeletonize the neurovascular bundle of the harvested toe and pass it through a subcutaneous tunnel between the distal finger incision and the web space incision to avoid lengthy and unsightly scars on the reconstructed finger. Another is to defat the skin flaps developed at the amputated stump and to use a zigzag incision on the toe flap to create a smoother skin junction between the stump and the transferred toe. The third refinement is to perform the arterial microanastomosis at the level of the web space to take advantage of the larger diameter of the vessels in this area. Cosmetic reconstruction of the distal finger with a partial second toe-to-hand transfer provides a high degree of patient satisfaction, both aesthetically and functionally.

A study was conducted comparing 3 methods of measuring the skin area of a clipped patch on sheep to determine the most appropriate technique in terms of its precision, repeatability and ease of measurement. The methods were: 1) using callipers to take 3 measurements of both dimensions, 2) tracing the patch outline onto plastic, and 3) photographing the patch with an object of known area. Two clipped patches on the mid-side of 20 weaner sheep at each of 2 geographic locations were measured 2-3 times by each of the 3 methods.Linear relationships, and high correlations (0.83-0.89), between the patch area estimates by each of the methods indicate consistency between the methods in discriminating relative differences in patch size. The mean patch area was larger (P<0.01) when measured using callipers (21.0 ± 3.2 cm2) than when estimated by the tracing technique (18.5 ± 2.7) or photography (18.7 ± 2.7), although the overall coefficients of variation (CV) were similar (14.7-15.1%). The between-patch variance was also larger with callipers than tracing or photography, having between-patch CVs of 14.3, 13.6 and 13.9 %, respectively. However, the within-patch CVs of callipers and photography were lower (4.7 and 5.0%) than that for tracing (5.9%). All methods were associated with a high degree of repeatability. Callipers provided the highest level of repeatability (t=0.90), followed by photography (0.88) with tracing the least repeatable (0.84).

SUMMARY The botanical composition of simple herbage mixes has been successfully estimated using the alkane profiles of pasture species. In this report, the ability of the n-alkane technique to identify the component species in more complex herbage mixes from a pastoral environment was examined. Herbage samples (quadrat cuts), collected from 3 heterogeneous pastures at Condobolin, were sorted by hand to identify the botanical components and their proportional representation. Within each pasture, 19-20 individual species were identified. Groups of species were subsequently formed on the basis of a principal components analysis of their alkane profiles. The botanical composition determined by hand sorting was then compared with the estimates obtained from a least-squares optimisation of the alkane profiles, and significant differences between the techniques were found. In general, the proportions of the Medicago spp. component, and of the component including Avena spp., in the herbage mixes were underestimated.

The procedure to estimate pasture intake using a dosed alkane requires knowledge of the dietary concentration of an alkane pair, or of the botanical composition of the diet so that the dietary alkane concentrations can be estimated from the alkane profiles of the pasture species. This report compares the diet estimated using alkanes with that estimated using a microhistological method. The repeatability of the proportions of each botanical component in the diet estimated by each of the techniques ranged from 0 to 0.5. There were significant differences between methods, between sheep and between sampling days in the estimated composition of the diets. Overall, the herbage species selected in the diet by sheep grazing heterogenous pastures were poorly estimated. This is likely to have been as a consequence of insufficient differences in the concentrations of the 9 available alkanes in the large number of botanical components.

Data from the F2 generation of a Large White (LW) ✕ Meishan (MS) crossbred population were analysed to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) for leg and gait scores, osteochondrosis and physis scores. Legs, feet and gait score were assessed in 308 F2 animals at 85 ( + 5) kg and osteochondrosis and physis scores were recorded for the right foreleg after slaughter. A genome scan was performed using 111 genetic markers chosen to span the genome that were genotyped on the F2 animals and their F1 parents and purebred grandparents. A QTL on chromosome 1 affecting gait score was significant at the genome-wide significance level. Additional QTL significant at the chromosomewide 5% threshold level (approx. equivalent to the genome-wide suggestive level) were detected on chromosome 1 for front feet and back legs scores, on chromosome 13 for front legs and front feet scores, on chromosome 14 for front legs, front feet and back legs scores and on chromosome 15 for back feet score. None of the QTL for osteochondrosis score exceeded the chromosome-wide suggestive level, but one chromosome-wide QTL for physis score was found on chromosome 7. On chromosome 1, gait and front feet scores mapped to the middle of the chromosome and showed additive effects in favour of the LW alleles and no dominance effects. The QTL for back legs score mapped to the distal end of the chromosome and showed a dominant effect and no additive effect. On chromosomes 14 and 15, the LW allele was again superior to the MS allele. On chromosome 13, there were both additive and dominance effects in favour of the MS allele. The MS alleles on chromosome 13 may have potential for introgression into a commercial LW population. The other putative QTLs identified may have value in marker-assisted selection in LW or MSsynthetic populations.

The objectives of this study were to estimate the genetic variation in pasture intake and digestibility of the selected diet by young and by adult sheep, and to determine the genetic relationships between pasture intake and productivity traits. The pasture intakes of groups of young and adult sheep, each containing sheep from 11 bloodlines, were measured using the paired alkane technique. The wool grown, and its fibre diameter, over the intake measurement period were also estimated, as were liveweight and fat depth. Differences in pasture intake between bloodlines were largely related to liveweight in both groups of sheep, and were repeatable (t=0.8) between the groups. The repeatability of wool growth and wool growth efficiency was a little higher (t>0.9). Combining all the known estimates improved the precision of the genetic parameter estimates. The pooled estimates of heritability of DOMI, wool growth, wool growth efficiency and fibre diameter were 0.12±0.04, 0.37±0.05, 0.25±0.05 and 0.66±0.08, respectively. The genetic relationships of wool growth efficiency with wool growth and fibre diameter were 0.84±0.20 and −0.03±0.12, respectively, while those for feed intake (as DOMI) with wool growth and fibre diameter were −0.02±0.17 and 0.40±0.15.