Thymidine nucleotides in nucleic acid synthesis

Abstract Not Provided

Effects of improved nutrition in pregnant reindeer on milk quality, calf birth weight, growth, and mortality

A group of 35 pregnant reindeer (Rangifcr tarandus) was divided into two groups in mid-February. Until calving in May one of the groups (L) received lichen ad lib., while the other group (IN) received an improved diet, rich in protein and minerals. After calving both groups received the same improved diet. In both groups it was distinguished between young (<3 years) and old (>3 years) animals. At the start of the experiment the body weight of L-young animals was 58.5 ± 4.6 kg, IN-young 56.2 ± 2.8 kg, L-old 70.3 ± 6.0 kg and IN-old 68.2 ± 4.8 kg. At calving the weights of the same animals were 55.9 ± 4.5 kg (L-young), 68.1 ± 2.5 (IN-young), 70.0 ± 6.9 kg (L-old) and 81.6 ± 6.8 kg (IN-old). Birth weight of IN-young calves was 4.5 ± 0.7 kg and of L-young calves 3.7 ± 0.5 kg. Birth weight of IN-old calves was 5.7 ± 0.8 kg and of L-old calves 4.4 ± 0.6 kg. The birth weight of the calves in all groups was correlated to the weight of the female just prior to calving. Growth rates in all but the IN-old group were not different, the IN-old group showing a significantly higher growth rate than the other groups. In mid-September, however, the average body weight for the calves from the L and IN-groups did not differ significantly. Neither chemical composition nor total energy content of the milk differed significantly between the groups. Total mortality in the L-group was 28% as compared to 7% in the IN-group. Two females in the IN-old group had not given birth at the end of the experimental period.Virkningen av bedret ernæring til drektige reinsimler på melkekvalitet, kalvenes fødselsvekt, vekst og dødelighet.Abstract in Norwegian / Sammendrag: En flokk på 35 drektige reinsimler (Rangifer tarandus) ble delt i to grupper i midten av februar. Frem til kalving i mai ble den ene gruppen gitt lav ad lib. (L-gruppe), mens den andre gruppen ble tilleggsforet med 2 kg RF - 71/dag (IN-gruppe). Etter kalving ble begge gruppene gitt 2 kg RF - 71/dag. Innen begge gruppene ble det skilt mellom unge (<3 år) og gamle (>3 år) simler. Ved forsøkets start var kroppsvekten for unge simler ca. 57 kg, og for gamle simler ca. 69 kg, i begge ernæringsgruppene. Ved kalving var kroppsvekten for unge simler 55.9 ± 4.5 kg (L-gruppe), og 68.1 ± 2.5 kg (IN-gruppe) mens kroppsvekten for gamle simler var 70.0 ± 6.9 kg (L-gruppe) og 81.6 ± 6.8 kg (IN-gruppe). Fødselsvekt for kalver etter IN-unge simler var 4.5 ± 0.7 kg, og 3.7 ± 0.5 kg for kalver etter L-unge simler. De tilsvarende fødselsvektene for kalver etter gamle simler var 5.7 ± 0.8 kg (IN-gruppe) og 4.4 ± 0.6 kg (L-gruppe). Fødselsvektene var korrelert til simlenes kroppsvekt like før kalving. Kalveveksten i de første tre ukene etter fødselen var signifikant høyere for kalver etter IN-gamle simler, sammenlignet med kalveveksten i de øvrige tre gruppene, som ikke var innbyrdes signifikant forskjellige. I midten av september var det ingen signifikante forskjeller i kalvenes kroppsvekt gruppene imellom. Det var ingen signifikante forskjeller hverken i totalt energiinnhold eller i kjemisk sammensetning av melken fra simlene i de to ernæringsgruppene. Total dødelighet for kalver i L-gruppen var 28% mot 7% i IN-gruppen i løpet av de tre første ukene etter fødselen. To av de gamle simlene i IN-gruppen hadde ikke kalvet ved forsøkets slutt.Kantavien porovaatimien parannetun ravinnon vaikutus maidonlaatuun, vasojen syntymåpainoon, kasvuun ja kuolleisuuteen.Abstract in Finnish / Yhteenveto: 35 kantavan porovaatimen (Rangifer tarandus) lauma jaettiin kahteen ryhmaan helmikuun puolivålisså. Vasomiseen saakka toukokuussa annettiin toiselle ryhmalle jåkalaa ad. Ub. (L-ryhmå), kun taas toinen ryhma sai lisåravintona 2 kg RF-71 rehua påivåsså (IN-ryhmå). Vasomisen jålkeen annettiin molemmille ryhmille 2 kg RF-71 rehua påivåsså. Molemmissa ryhmisså erotettiin nuoret (< 3-vuotiaat) ja vanhat (> 3-vuotiaat) vaatimet toisistaan. Tutkimuksen alkuvaiheessa oli nuorten vaatimien ruumiinpaino n.57 kg, ja vanhojen vaatimien n.69 kg, molemmissa ravintoryhmisså. Vasomisen aikana oli nuorten vaatimien ruumiinpaino 55,9 ± 4,5 kg (L-ryhmå), ja 68,1 ± 2,5 kg (IN-ryhmå), kun taas vanhojen vaatimien ruumiinpaino oli 70,0 ± 6,9 kg (L-ryhmå) ja 81,6 ± 6,8 kg (IN-ryhmå). Vasojen syntymåpaino IN-nuorten vaatimien ryhmåsså oli 4,5 ± 0,7 kg, ja 3,7 ± 0,5 kg L-nuorten vaatimien ryhmåsså. Vastaavat syntymåpainot vanhojen vaatimien vasoilla olivat 5,7 ± 0,8 kg (IN-ryhmå) ja 4,4 ± 0,6 kg (L-ryhmå). Syntymåpainot olivat vastaavuussuhteessa vaatimien ruumiinpainoon våhåå ennen vasomista. IN-vanhojen vaatimien vasojen kasvu ensimmåisten kolmen viikon aikana syntymån jålkeen oli merkittåvåsti korkeampi, verrattuna niiden kolmen muun ryhmån vasankasvuun, jotka eivåt olleet keskenåån merkittåvån erilaisia. Vasojen ruumiinpainossa ryhmien kesken ei ollut mitåån merkittåviå eroavaisuuksia syyskuun puolivålisså. Nåiden kahden ravintoryhmån vaatimien maidossa ei ollut mitåån merkittåviå eroja kokonaisuudessa ravinnon sisåltoon eikå kemialliseen kokoonpanoon nåhden. Vasojen kokonaiskuolleisuus L-ryhmåsså oli 28% ja IN-ryhmåsså 7% kolmena ensimmåisenå viikkona syntymån jålkeen. Kaksi vanhaa vaadinta IN-ryhmåsså ei ollut vasonut tutkimuksen lopussa

Effects of improved nutrition in pregnant reindeer on milk quality, calf birth weight, growth, and mortality

A group of 35 pregnant reindeer (Rangifcr tarandus) was divided into two groups in mid-February. Until calving in May one of the groups (L) received lichen ad lib., while the other group (IN) received an improved diet, rich in protein and minerals. After calving both groups received the same improved diet. In both groups it was distinguished between young (3 years) animals. At the start of the experiment the body weight of L-young animals was 58.5 ± 4.6 kg, IN-young 56.2 ± 2.8 kg, L-old 70.3 ± 6.0 kg and IN-old 68.2 ± 4.8 kg. At calving the weights of the same animals were 55.9 ± 4.5 kg (L-young), 68.1 ± 2.5 (IN-young), 70.0 ± 6.9 kg (L-old) and 81.6 ± 6.8 kg (IN-old). Birth weight of IN-young calves was 4.5 ± 0.7 kg and of L-young calves 3.7 ± 0.5 kg. Birth weight of IN-old calves was 5.7 ± 0.8 kg and of L-old calves 4.4 ± 0.6 kg. The birth weight of the calves in all groups was correlated to the weight of the female just prior to calving. Growth rates in all but the IN-old group were not different, the IN-old group showing a significantly higher growth rate than the other groups. In mid-September, however, the average body weight for the calves from the L and IN-groups did not differ significantly. Neither chemical composition nor total energy content of the milk differed significantly between the groups. Total mortality in the L-group was 28% as compared to 7% in the IN-group. Two females in the IN-old group had not given birth at the end of the experimental period. Virkningen av bedret ernæring til drektige reinsimler på melkekvalitet, kalvenes fødselsvekt, vekst og dødelighet. Abstract in Norwegian / Sammendrag: En flokk på 35 drektige reinsimler (Rangifer tarandus) ble delt i to grupper i midten av februar. Frem til kalving i mai ble den ene gruppen gitt lav ad lib. (L-gruppe), mens den andre gruppen ble tilleggsforet med 2 kg RF - 71/dag (IN-gruppe). Etter kalving ble begge gruppene gitt 2 kg RF - 71/dag. Innen begge gruppene ble det skilt mellom unge (3 år) simler. Ved forsøkets start var kroppsvekten for unge simler ca. 57 kg, og for gamle simler ca. 69 kg, i begge ernæringsgruppene. Ved kalving var kroppsvekten for unge simler 55.9 ± 4.5 kg (L-gruppe), og 68.1 ± 2.5 kg (IN-gruppe) mens kroppsvekten for gamle simler var 70.0 ± 6.9 kg (L-gruppe) og 81.6 ± 6.8 kg (IN-gruppe). Fødselsvekt for kalver etter IN-unge simler var 4.5 ± 0.7 kg, og 3.7 ± 0.5 kg for kalver etter L-unge simler. De tilsvarende fødselsvektene for kalver etter gamle simler var 5.7 ± 0.8 kg (IN-gruppe) og 4.4 ± 0.6 kg (L-gruppe). Fødselsvektene var korrelert til simlenes kroppsvekt like før kalving. Kalveveksten i de første tre ukene etter fødselen var signifikant høyere for kalver etter IN-gamle simler, sammenlignet med kalveveksten i de øvrige tre gruppene, som ikke var innbyrdes signifikant forskjellige. I midten av september var det ingen signifikante forskjeller i kalvenes kroppsvekt gruppene imellom. Det var ingen signifikante forskjeller hverken i totalt energiinnhold eller i kjemisk sammensetning av melken fra simlene i de to ernæringsgruppene. Total dødelighet for kalver i L-gruppen var 28% mot 7% i IN-gruppen i løpet av de tre første ukene etter fødselen. To av de gamle simlene i IN-gruppen hadde ikke kalvet ved forsøkets slutt. Kantavien porovaatimien parannetun ravinnon vaikutus maidonlaatuun, vasojen syntymåpainoon, kasvuun ja kuolleisuuteen. Abstract in Finnish / Yhteenveto: 35 kantavan porovaatimen (Rangifer tarandus) lauma jaettiin kahteen ryhmaan helmikuun puolivålisså. Vasomiseen saakka toukokuussa annettiin toiselle ryhmalle jåkalaa ad. Ub. (L-ryhmå), kun taas toinen ryhma sai lisåravintona 2 kg RF-71 rehua påivåsså (IN-ryhmå). Vasomisen jålkeen annettiin molemmille ryhmille 2 kg RF-71 rehua påivåsså. Molemmissa ryhmisså erotettiin nuoret ( 3-vuotiaat) vaatimet toisistaan. Tutkimuksen alkuvaiheessa oli nuorten vaatimien ruumiinpaino n.57 kg, ja vanhojen vaatimien n.69 kg, molemmissa ravintoryhmisså. Vasomisen aikana oli nuorten vaatimien ruumiinpaino 55,9 ± 4,5 kg (L-ryhmå), ja 68,1 ± 2,5 kg (IN-ryhmå), kun taas vanhojen vaatimien ruumiinpaino oli 70,0 ± 6,9 kg (L-ryhmå) ja 81,6 ± 6,8 kg (IN-ryhmå). Vasojen syntymåpaino IN-nuorten vaatimien ryhmåsså oli 4,5 ± 0,7 kg, ja 3,7 ± 0,5 kg L-nuorten vaatimien ryhmåsså. Vastaavat syntymåpainot vanhojen vaatimien vasoilla olivat 5,7 ± 0,8 kg (IN-ryhmå) ja 4,4 ± 0,6 kg (L-ryhmå). Syntymåpainot olivat vastaavuussuhteessa vaatimien ruumiinpainoon våhåå ennen vasomista. IN-vanhojen vaatimien vasojen kasvu ensimmåisten kolmen viikon aikana syntymån jålkeen oli merkittåvåsti korkeampi, verrattuna niiden kolmen muun ryhmån vasankasvuun, jotka eivåt olleet keskenåån merkittåvån erilaisia. Vasojen ruumiinpainossa ryhmien kesken ei ollut mitåån merkittåviå eroavaisuuksia syyskuun puolivålisså. Nåiden kahden ravintoryhmån vaatimien maidossa ei ollut mitåån merkittåviå eroja kokonaisuudessa ravinnon sisåltoon eikå kemialliseen kokoonpanoon nåhden. Vasojen kokonaiskuolleisuus L-ryhmåsså oli 28% ja IN-ryhmåsså 7% kolmena ensimmåisenå viikkona syntymån jålkeen. Kaksi vanhaa vaadinta IN-ryhmåsså ei ollut vasonut tutkimuksen lopussa

Spins and Shapes of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids

Asteroids whose orbits lie close to that of the Earth (called near-Earth objects) are a threat to our planet. Though none of the known asteroids are currently on a collision course with the Earth, there is a class called potentially hazardous asteroids (PHA's) whose orbits may in a few tens of years be perturbed to make a collision possible. In such case, we should have thorough knowledge of the physical properties of these objects because, unlike most other natural disasters, such a hazard is in principle avoidable. Thus in the fall of 2003, a group of asteroid and comet researchers from the Nordic countries have set started an observing program called Nordic NEON (Nordic Near-Earth Object Network). Both photometric and astrometric observations of PHA's have been carried out since April 2004. Photometry is used for determining the spin state and shape of PHA's and astrometry for computing more accurate orbits. In this DPS meeting we will concentrate on the photometric part of the program. We use methods developed in the University of Helsinki for analysing both kinds of data. Spin state and convex shape solution are obtained using the convex inversion method described in [1] and information of the nonconvex shape features are obtained with the spherical harmonics method (Muinonen and Torppa, in preparation). For initial period estimation only a few nights of observations is usually enough, while pole and shape determination requires more abundant data. Previously observed photometric data exists for about 35 PHA's, but only an approximate period is known for most of these. Properties of well over 500 PHA's are totally unknown. So far we have obtained period estimates for 4 new PHA's, and improved spin and shape solution for 3 targets. A number of foundations and universities from all the participating countries have taken part in funding this project

Physical and Dynamical Characterization of Near-Earth Objects by the NEON Program

In order to accrue knowledge on the physical and dynamical properties of near-Earth objects (NEOs), the recently established Nordic Near-Earth-Object Network (NEON) carries out a long-term photometric and astrometric NEO observing program at the 2.56-m Nordic Optical Telescope on La Palma (http://www.astro.helsinki.fi/~psr/NEO/not_obs.html). The spin vector, shape, and surface properties of an individual NEO are estimated from photometric observations at varying observation and illumination geometries. Improved orbits---including potential collision orbits with the Earth---can be derived from sky-plane positions available from the dedicated astrometry or the photometric observations. We have developed novel algorithms for statistical inversion of an object's shape from lightcurves and/or sparsely distributed photometric observations. The algorithms allow the computation of shapes starting from a single observed lightcurve and yield a complete error analysis of the spins and shapes obtained. Note that when only small numbers of observations are available the spectrum of potential spins and shapes is wide. As to the astrometric component of the program, we concentrate on potentially hazardous NEOs in need of a few additional observations to secure their recovery in the subsequent apparition. As one goal of the astrometric component, we aim at obtaining R-band photometry for each observed object. In the long run, this will provide us information of the true NEO absolute magnitude and size distributions greatly improving the impact risk estimation. As of 2004 Sept. 1, NEON has made photometric observations of seven NEOs: (1917) Cuyo, (2061) Anza, 2001 US16, (68950) 2002 GF15, 2003 RX7, 2004 LJ1, and 2004 HW. Making use of the new observations, we show up-to-date models for the spins and shapes of these objects. NEON has made astrometric observations of more than 30 NEOs in urgent need of additional positions---these observations have culminated in the recovery of 1998 VN (MPEC 2004-M30)