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The Arizona Imager/Spectrograph is a set of imaging spectrographs and two-dimensional imagers for space flight. Nine nearly identical spectrographs record wavelengths from 114 to 1090 nm with a resolution of 0.5-1.3 nm. The spatial resolution along the slit is electronically selectable and can reach 192 elements. Twelve passband imagers cover wavelengths in the 160-900-nm range and have fields of view from 2 [degrees] to 21 [degrees]. The spectrographs and imagers rely on intensified CCD detectors to achieve substantial capability in an instrument of minimum mass and size. By use of innovative coupling techniques only two CCD's are required to record images from 12 imagers, and single CCD's record spectra from pairs of spectrographs. The fields of view of the spectrographs and imagers are coaligned, and all spectra and images can be exposed simultaneously. A scan platform can rotate the sensor head about two orthogonal axes. The Arizona imager/spectrograph is designed for investigations of the interaction between the Space Shuttle and its environment. It is scheduled for flight on a Shuttle subsatellite.

The aim of the study was to analyze infection of sows with endoparasites depending on their physiological phase and length of exploitation, as well as to determine the effects of infection on selected parameters of reproductive performance. 300 fecal samples collected from the same 75 sows in 4 phases of the production cycle (dry sows, low pregnancy, high pregnancy, lactation) were tested in the experiment. Species and gender diversity, prevalence, OPG and EPG were determined in the study. These parameters were compared in terms of the physiological phase and the length of exploitation. Selected parameters of reproductive performance of sows were also examined, which were compared taking into account the length of exploitation and sows infection with individual parasites.

Contents This article studies the effect of a boar's birth season and breed on semen parameters and its further reproductive performance. Research material consisted of 72 boars from three breeds (24 Polish Large White PLW, 24 Polish Landrace PL, 24 Duroc × Pietrain D× P). During the whole period of the study, selected semen parameters were analysed: semen volume, spermatozoa concentration, total number of spermatozoa, total number of motile spermatozoa, number of insemination doses and also reproductive indicators: farrowing rate, total born litter size, total number of piglets born live and still, and average piglet weight. Boars born in the winter and summer months demonstrated the highest spermatozoa concentrations (383.25 and 392.37 × 106/ml), total number of spermatozoa (91.75 and 93.21 × 109), total number of motile spermatozoa (76.10 and 77.99 × 109) and number of insemination doses (24.53 and 24.89; p ≤0.01). Statistically lower values for these parameters were observed for boars born in the spring and especially in autumn (p ≤0.01). The significant impact of birth season on farrowing rate (p ≤ 0.05) and average piglet weight (p ≤ 0.05) was confirmed for PLW boars. For the PL breed, only the total number of piglets born live was proven to be significantly affected (p ≤ 0.05). No impact of birth season was shown on semen quality or reproductive performance for D× P boars. In our study, we showed that the birth season of a boar had a more impact on the level of semen parameters, and less on the reproductive performance indicators. The results indicated that both the quality of semen and reproductive performance varied in terms of the study factors, as well as between individual breeds of boars involved in the experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The object of his study was to determine slaughter value and fattening characteristics of pig crossbreeds in relation to gender. Obtained results suggest that investigated population reached higher meatiness level than found in general country population. Values of certain slaughter and fattening traits differ depending on gender, however only some of stated differences were statistically important. Performed research confirmed that sow carcasses had lower fat deposition and higher meatiness. During fattening sows gain lower daily grains than hogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is becoming more specialized and requires a business activity. Today's nonagricultural operators have entered into sphere of food production, purchase and keep large farms. Subsytem of agrobusiness is creating great opportunities for development, as the renewable agricultural resources can be used to produce variable products, not only food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]