137,597 research outputs found
Effect of Stocking Rate of Thai-Esaan Native Beef Cattle under Alternate Grazing Methods on Growth Performance and Botanical Changes in Grass-Legume Mixture Pastureland
This experiment was carried out at the University Farm, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand during April 2011 to September 2012. The work aimed to study effect of stocking rate of Thai-Esaan native beef cattle carried out under “cut and carry” and alternate grazing methods with respect to beef cattle growth performance and the changes in botanical composition of grass-legume mixture regime of the pastureland. Korat soil series (Oxic paleustults) was used. The experiment was laid in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 replications and each replication had 2 heads of Thai-Esaan native beef cattle. The experiment consisted of 4 treatments, i.e. T1 (control, “cut and carry” method) had 0.25 rai/head, T2 had a grazing area of pastureland of 0.25 rai/head, T3 had a grazing area of pastureland of 0.50 rai/head and T4 had a grazing area of pastureland of 0.75 rai/head (1 hectare = 6.25 rai). The results showed that Korat soil series (Oxic Paleustults) is a poor fertility soil with an average pH value of 5.5 and most of the available soil nutrients (NPK) were relatively low. Total dry weights of grass plus legume before grazing were highest for T4 than the rest. This result was also found at the end of the experimental grazing period. Crude protein yields were highest with T3 followed by T4, T2 and least with T1 with mean values of 1,789, 1,740, 1,370 and 951 kg/ha, respectively. Feed intake values were highest with T4 followed by T3, T2 and least with T1 with the mean values of 5.65, 4.95, 3.85 and 3.43 kg/head/day, respectively. The difference was large and highly significant (P < 0.01). Average daily live weight gained was higher for T3 and T4 than T2 and T1 with values of 414, 456, 257 and 190 g/day, respectively. The percentages of total fat in rumen were higher for T3 and T4 than T2 and T1 with values of 0.06, 0.05, 0.02 and 0.02, respectively. The difference was large and statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conjugated linoleic acid values of total fat were highest with T4 followed by T3, T2 and T1 with the values of 1.50, 1.12, 0.17 and 0.11%, respectively. The difference was large and statistically significant. Alternate grazing methods significantly affected dry matter yields, botanical composition changes of the pastureland, and the beef cattle performance and also conjugated linoleic acid in the rumen of the beef cattle. Optimum stocking rate of 0.5 rai/head of T3 was the best recommended treatment for Korat soil series (Oxic Paleustults).Peer reviewedFinal Published versio
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Cholinergic regulation of mood: from basic and clinical studies to emerging therapeutics.
Mood disorders are highly prevalent and are the leading cause of disability worldwide. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying depression remain poorly understood, although theories regarding dysfunction within various neurotransmitter systems have been postulated. Over 50 years ago, clinical studies suggested that increases in central acetylcholine could lead to depressed mood. Evidence has continued to accumulate suggesting that the cholinergic system has a important role in mood regulation. In particular, the finding that the antimuscarinic agent, scopolamine, exerts fast-onset and sustained antidepressant effects in depressed humans has led to a renewal of interest in the cholinergic system as an important player in the neurochemistry of major depression and bipolar disorder. Here, we synthesize current knowledge regarding the modulation of mood by the central cholinergic system, drawing upon studies from human postmortem brain, neuroimaging, and drug challenge investigations, as well as animal model studies. First, we describe an illustrative series of early discoveries which suggest a role for acetylcholine in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. Then, we discuss more recent studies conducted in humans and/or animals which have identified roles for both acetylcholinergic muscarinic and nicotinic receptors in different mood states, and as targets for novel therapies
Non-Isotropic Angular Distribution for Very Short-Time Gamma-Ray Bursts
While most gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are now believed to be from cosmological
distances, the origin of very short-time GRBs is still not known. In the past,
we have shown that GRBs with time duration (T90) less than 100 ms may form a
separate class of GRBs based on the hardness and time distribution of these
events. We have also shown that the ln N ln S distribution is consistent with
the expectation of quasi-Euclidean distribution of sources. In this paper, we
report the study of the angular location of these GRBs showing a strong
deviation from isotropy within the Galactic coordinates of plus 180 degrees <
longitude < 90 degrees and -30 degrees < latitude < 30 degrees. We have studied
the rest of the GRBs and do not find a similar deviation. This further
indicates that the very-short GRBs likely form a separate class of GRBs, most
probably from sources of Galactic or near solar origin
Regional and Racial Variation in Health Care Among Medicare Beneficiaries
Focuses on variations in healthcare delivery and outcomes among and within hospital service areas, in addition to racial and geographic disparities, as measured by five indicators. Discusses variations in spending and considers implications for reform
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