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In this research the meat quality of the two canary sheep local breeds, Canaria breed (CB) and Canaria Hair breed (CHB), was evaluated, making groups of 10 males and females from each, slaughtered at live weights of 9.78 ± 0.49 kg, 15.8 ± 0.66 kg and 24.9 ± 0.76 kg. The breed affected to meat and fat colour at 24 h after slaughter. Meat of CB showed more redness and more chroma values. Fat of CB showed greater lightness. Related to the physio-chemical analysis of the meat, CB showed higher water-holding capacity, shear force and intramuscular fat content that CHB; however, CHB showed higher protein and ash percentages that CB. In relation to fat quality, CB presented higher MUFA percentage and CHB had higher PUFA percentage. CHB showed the lower atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes. Slaughter weight affected the pH, meat and fat colour and also all physio-chemical parameters, except shear force and collagen content and the fatty acid profile. Males had higher moisture content, soluble collagen and PUFA, while females had higher MUFA. The breed effect on meat quality was shown mainly in lambs slaughtered at 10 kg. Owing to their fatty acid profile, the healthiest meat was from lambs slaughtered at 25 kg. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Domestic goats ( Capra hircus) are spread across the five continents with a census of 1 billion individuals. The worldwide population of goats descends from a limited number of bezoars ( Capra aegagrus) domesticated 10 000 YBP (years before the present) in the Fertile Crescent. The extraordinary adaptability and hardiness of goats favoured their rapid spread over the Old World, reaching the Iberian Peninsula and Southern Africa 7000 YBP and 2000 YBP respectively. Molecular studies have revealed one major mitochondrial haplogroup A and five less frequent haplogroups B, C, D, F and G. Moreover, the analysis of autosomal and Y-chromosome markers has evidenced an appreciable geographic differentiation. The implementation of new molecular technologies, such as whole-genome sequencing and genome-wide genotyping, allows for the exploration of caprine diversity at an unprecedented scale, thus providing new insights into the evolutionary history of goats. In spite of a number of pitfalls, the characterization of the functional elements of the goat genome is expected to play a key role in understanding the genetic determination of economically relevant traits. Genomic selection and genome editing also hold great potential, particularly for improving traits that cannot be modified easily by traditional selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eighty carcasses of Canaria Hair breed (CHB) and Canaria breed (CB) were evaluated; 10 carcasses by sex, breed and slaughter weight (15.8 ± 0.66 kg and 24.9 ± 0.76 kg live weight, respectively). Breed effect was observed in measurements, fatness, commercial category and tissue composition of the carcass. CHB presented carcasses with more leg length and rump perimeter (but only in 25 kg lambs), heaviest shoulder and more muscle percentage. CB showed carcasses more fatness (8.18 ± 1.66 vs. 6.63 ± 1.46) and with more fat depth (3.90 ± 1.35 vs. 2.86 ± 1.15). CB increases its fatness faster because 16 kg lambs of CB showed similar values that 25 kg lambs of CHB (7.45 vs. 7.26, respectively). All carcass measurements, conformation, compactness indices and carcass fatness were affected by weight; 25 kg lambs showed higher values. Weight effect was also found in the tissue composition; 25 kg lambs showed more intermuscular fat (IF) percentage and less bone percentage. Sex effect was observed in first category joints, in total fat and IF; females showed higher percentages than males. In relation to carcass quality, we conclude that CB could be more commercially attractive in light carcasses because this breed increases its fatness faster and CHB more commercially attractive in heavy lambs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the course of human migrations, domestic animals often have been translocated to islands with the aim of assuring food availability. These founder events are expected to leave a genetic footprint that may be recognised nowadays. Herewith, we have examined the mitochondrial diversity of goat populations living in the Canarian and Balearic archipelagos. Median-joining network analysis produced very distinct network topologies for these two populations. Indeed, a majority of Canarian goats shared a single ancestral haplotype that segregated in all sampled islands, suggesting a single founder effect followed by a stepping-stone pattern of diffusion. This haplotype also was present in samples collected from archaeological assemblies at Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, making evident its widespread distribution in ancient times. In stark contrast, goats from Majorca and Ibiza did not share any mitochondrial haplotypes, indicating the occurrence of two independent founder events. Furthermore, in Majorcan goats, we detected the segregation of the mitochondrial G haplogroup that has only been identified in goats from Egypt, Iran and Turkey. This finding suggests the translocation of Asian and/or African goats to Majorca, possibly as a consequence of the Phoenician and Carthaginian colonisations of this island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 180 mt DNA sequences from hair Caribbean (93), West African (73) and Canarian-wooled (14) sheep were analysed to shed light on the origin of hair sheep. A comparison of 360 Iberian sheep sequences retrieved from Gen Bank was performed to assess a possible European origin of the Caribbean hair sheep. These 180 sequences gave 48 different haplotypes (16 in Caribbean sheep). All Caribbean and Canarian-wooled sequences and 91.8% of the West African samples belonged to haplogroup B. The sheep analysed showed wide haplotypic identity. Caribbean sheep shared roughly two-thirds of their samples with Canarian-wooled and West African samples, respectively. Principal component analysis showed that the Caribbean and the Canarian-wooled sheep clustered together. Additional analyses showed that hair and Iberian sheep had wide genetic identity. It was not possible to ascertain a single Canarian, African or European origin of the Caribbean hair sheep using mt DNA markers only. European, African and Caribbean hair sheep maternal genetic backgrounds likely result from related domestication events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire doors are widely used in buildings. These doors act as delimiters or fire enclosures and require specific fire resistance. However, in general, the thermal and mechanical properties of materials change substantially upon exposure to high temperatures. Therefore, in order to optimize the performance of fire doors, we require adequate knowledge about the fire-related behavior of the materials used for making these doors. In this paper, we present an analysis of the thermal behavior of fire doors EI2-60 subjected to standard tests in a furnace. Infrared thermography and traditional techniques of passive measurements involving the use of thermocouples were used in this study. The main physical phenomena occurring in the considered compartmentalized elements when subjected to high temperatures were characterized experimentally. These experiments were carried out on two fire doors that open into and away from the furnace; these are the only two types of configurations used in buildings. Moreover, the thermal behaviors of several component materials of the fire doors were investigated. The use of infrared thermography during a furnace test allowed us to observe the separation evolution between wool and sheet metal, enabling the appearance of convection currents. In this study, we analyzed the different phenomena occurring in a fire door during a furnace test. The temperature-dependent behavior of the unexposed side of the fire door was characterized into three sections. During the furnace test, the separation between the component materials of the door was found to increase; this increase in turn led to an increase in the heat transfer coefficient and simultaneously enabled the appearance of convection currents in this closed space. These phenomena were found to have a direct effect on the temperature-dependent behavior of the unexposed side of the fire door. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of dietary docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n3; DHA) supplementation on meat quality and immunity in goat (Capra hircus) kids was examined. Goat kids (n = 30) were fed 1 of 3 experimental diets: goat milk (GM), cow {Bos taurus) milk (CM), and CM supplemented with DHA (CM-DHA). Animals were fed ad libitum twice daily and weighed twice each week. Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture daily during the first 10 d of life and were subsequent-ly collected every 5 d until slaughter at a BW of 8 kg. Carcass size (linear measurements) and weight, as well as meat pH, color, tenderness, and chemical composi-tion were determined. Fatty acid profiles of intramuscu-lar, peri-renal, pelvic, subcutaneous, and intermuscular fats were analyzed. Blood IgG and IgM concentrations, complement system activity (classical and alternative pathways), and chitotriosidase activity were recorded. Results indicated that the diet containing DHA did not affect (P > 0.05) carcass linear measurements, meat quality characteristics, or proximate composition of the meat. However, C22:6n3 fatty acid levels, mainly in intramuscular fat, were enriched (P < 0.05) in CM-DHA animals, and the n-6 to n-3 PUFA ratio was improved (P < 0.05). No differences (P > 0.05) in immune func-tion were observed among groups. In conclusion, pow-dered whole CM is an effective option for feeding goat kids, and the inclusion of DHA to CM increases the quantity of this fatty acid in the meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

gouti signaling protein (ASIP) is one of the key players in the modulation of hair pigmentation in mammals. Binding to the melanocortin 1 receptor, ASIP induces the synthesis of phaeomelanin, associated with reddish brown, red, tan, and yellow coats. We have sequenced 2.8 kb of the goat ASIP gene in 48 individuals and identified two missense (Cys126Gly and Val128Gly) and two intronic polymorphisms. In silico analysis revealed that the Cys126Gly substitution may cause a structural change by disrupting a highly conserved disulfide bond. We studied its segregation in 12 Spanish and Italian goat breeds ( N = 360) with different pigmentation patterns and found striking differences in the frequency of the putative loss-of-function Gly allele (Italian 0.43, Spanish Peninsular 0.08), but we did not observe a clear association with coat color. This suggests that the frequency of this putative loss-of-function allele has evolved under the influence of demographic rather than selection factors in goats from these two geographical areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of parameters of pyrolysis characterization of a medium density polyethylene (MDPE) was chosen to perform its behaviour under fire conditions. Two kinds of parameters, the material properties - effective values of the mass density (ρ), specific heat capacity (cP), thermal conductivity (k), absorption coefficient (κ) and emissivity (ε) - and the reaction parameters - e×ponential factor (Z), energy of activation (Δ?), reaction mechanism f(α) and enthalpy of reaction (Δhd) - were used. Simultaneous Thermal Analyzer (STA) tests were carried out at heating rates of (3.33, 8.33 and 16.67) ×10-2Ks-1 in N2 atmosphere to obtain the kinetic triplet. Cone calorimeter tests at irradiance levels of (25, 40, 50 and 75) ×103Wm-2 were used both to compare and to optimize the simulated mass loss rate against real mass lost rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 60 twin-goat kids (30 male and 30 female) of the Canary Island Majorera dairy breed were used in 2 experiments to evaluate 2 types of electronic identification mini-boluses and their effects on rearing performances and reticulorumen development. Electronic identification mini-boluses were cylindrical and made of ceramic materials (Bi, 9.0 g and 38.5 x 9.5 mm; B2, 16.3 g and 42.2 x 12.2 mm), contained a 32-mm half-duplex passive transponder, and were administered to kids at different BW. In Exp. 1, treatments were 1) control, without bolus (n = 15) and 2) identified with Bi at 4.8 kg of BW (n = 15). In Exp. 2, treatments were 1) control, without bolus (n = 15) and 2) identified with B2 at 5.6 kg of BW (n = 15). Kids were penned separately, according to mini-bolus treatments, fed a milk replacer daily, and slaughtered at 10 kg of BW. Milk replacer intake was recorded individually twice weekly and boluses read weekly until slaughter. The full and empty stomach complex was measured immediately after slaughter, and mini-bolus location was recorded. Samples of the reticulum and rumen wall were taken to measure the number and length of the papillae and crest. Despite the light BW of kids at time of mini-bolus treatment, no negative effects (P > 0.05) of Bi and B2 mini-boluses were observed on milk intake, growth rate, or G:F in either experiment. No kid mortality or mini-bolus losses were observed during either experiment. All mini-boluses were retained until slaughter, and all were found in the rumen upon dissection, except one B2, which was found in the reticulum. Mini-bolus treatment did not affect (P > 0.05) the weight of full and empty reticulorumen or the number of papillae and crest size of the reticulum epithelium. Moreover, the Bi-treated kids showed a greater number of papillae in the rumen wall than the control kids (22.4 ± 1.0 vs. 18.9 ± 0.9 papillae/cm, respectively; P < 0.05) in Exp. 1. In conclusion, the use of mini-boluses was suitable for the electronic identification of growing kids from early ages (wk 2 to 5 of age and 5 to 6 kg of BW) and did not produce negative effects on their growth performances or on reticulorumen development. These results support the use of properly designed boluses as a unique identification device for the entire lifespan of goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have analysed the genetic diversity of South and Central American (SCA) goats by partially sequencing the mitochondrial control region of 93 individuals with a wide geographical distribution. Nucleotide and haplotype diversities reached values of 0.020 ± 0.00081 and 0.963 ± 0.0012 respectively. We have also observed a rather weak phylogeographic structure, with almost 69% of genetic variation included in the within-breed variance component. The topology of a median-joining network analysis including 286 European, Iberian, Atlantic and SCA mitochondrial sequences was very complex, with most of the haplotypes forming part of independent small clusters. SCA sequences showed a scattered distribution throughout the network, and clustering with Spanish and Portuguese sequences occurred only occasionally, not allowing the distinguishing of a clear Iberian signature. Conversely, we found a prominent cluster including Canarian, Chilean, Argentinian and Bolivian mitochondrial haplotypes. This result was independently confirmed by constructing a Bayesian phylogenetic tree (posterior probability of 0.97). Sharing of mitochondrial haplotypes by SCA and Canarian goats suggests that goat populations from the Atlantic archipelagos, where Spanish and Portuguese ships en route to the New World used to stow food and supplies, participated in the foundation of SCA caprine breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large Atriums of airports and railway stations facilitate the access to transport vehicles including shopping malls, cultural spaces, etc. For this reason, they are used by an elevated number of passengers and visitors. Numerous malls contain a large atrium too, as a principal access or as a food court, and they usually have high occupant loads. In case of fire, the smoke can affect human health seriously, and people may be unable to reach a safe place before being overcome by the conditions created by the fire. The traditional approach to fire protection by compartmentation is not applicable to these large volume spaces and the ability of sprinklers to suppress fire in spaces with high ceilings is limited. This work evaluated—using scale tests, fire computer modeling and analytical methods—a comparative analysis of the different results obtained for the smoke control in large atria when the smoke filling approach is applied. Smoke layer and plume temperatures have been registered during the scale test—based on the Froude Modeling—and they have been compared opposite to the FDS scale simulation and the FDS large scale simulation. Smoke layer descend has been studied and compared for the scale test, the computer simulations developed and the empirical equations used. The results demonstrated that the evacuation time calculation is conservative when the zone computer model CFAST, the field computer model FDS or the empirical equations are used, although it turns out to be difficult to define the interface height based on the temperatures registered during the scale tests. The zone computer models generate results faster than field computer models or smoke tests, so it would be necessary to develop better calculation algorithms to define the smoke layer interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Potentiometric dyes are useful tools for studying membrane potential changes from compartments inaccessible to direct electrical recordings. In the past, we have combined electrophysiological and optical techniques to investigate, by using absorbance and fluorescence potentiometric dyes, the electrical properties of the transverse tubular system in amphibian skeletal muscle fibers. In this paper we expand on recent observations using the fluorescent potentiometric indicator di-8-ANEPPS to investigate structural and functional properties of the transverse tubular system in mammalian skeletal muscle fibers. Two-photon laser scanning confocal fluorescence images of live muscle fibers suggest that the distance between consecutive rows of transverse tubules flanking the Z-lines remains relatively constant in muscle fibers stretched to attain sarcomere lengths of up to 3.5 μm. Furthermore, the combined use of two-microelectrode electrophysiological techniques with microscopic fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging allowed us to compare the spectral properties of di-8-ANEPPS fluorescence in fibers at rest, with those of fluorescence transients recorded in stimulated fibers. We found that although the indicator has excitation and emission peaks at 470 and 588 nm, respectively, fluorescence transients display optimal fractional changes (13%/100 mV) when using filters to select excitation wavelengths in the 530–550 nm band and emissions beyond 590 nm. Under these conditions, results from tetanically stimulated fibers and from voltage-clamp experiments suggest strongly that, although the kinetics of di-8-ANEPPS transients in mammalian fibers are very rapid and approximate those of the surface membrane electrical recordings, they arise from the transverse tubular system membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An anatomical study of the mammary gland by computed tomography, X-rays and histology was carried out. Three canarian breed goats were used. Identification of the udder structures by different methods represented the basis of this study. Using these techniques the internal and external organization of the caprine mammary gland was studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects on blood serum and colostrum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels from including conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in the diet were evaluated in goats. In experiment 1, 20 goats were allotted into two groups; the CLA group received 20 g/kg of dry matter of CLA 60 and the control group received 0 g/kg of CLA 60, from the third month of gestation until partum. Blood samples were taken every 2 weeks from 1 day before CLA inclusion to partum. From partum until 96 hours, blood and colostrum samples were taken every 24 h. Before partum, IgG serum blood levels were 15.6 and 9.4 mg/ml (CLA and control, respectively); the time effect was statistically significant. After partum (96 h), the effect of CLA dietary inclusion was statistically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]