The comparative advantage of dryland soybean production in Brits, North West

The effect of policy on the South African soybean industry is analysed, using the policy analysis matrix. The absence of effective protection from cheap imports of soy-cake and -oil, as well as the ineffectiveness of the processing industry, lead to relatively low farmgate prices of soybeans in South Africa. This could result in producers using their resources for more profitable crops, thus depriving the South African feed industry to benefit from more full fat soy in feed rations.Crop Production/Industries,

Scanning electron microscopy aided observations on and therapy of teat canal infections

An examination of teat canal swabs established that 51 teat canals out of 68 quarters of machine milked cows were colonized by Staphylococcus aureus. Only 31 of these quarters yielded milk from which S. aureus could be cultured, and 6 out of the 31 produced milk containing somatic cell counts in excess of 500 000/mℓ. No inhibitory substances could be detected in milk samples 12h after 10 mg of sodium cloxacillin had been deposited in the teat canal on 1-4 successive occasions. Teat canal swabs and milk sample cultures of the same quarters became and remained bacteriologically negative for at least a week after the last treatment. Six quarters, which according to the International Dairy Federation criteria were suffering from subclinical mastitis, became negative after local teat canal therapy. Scanning electron micrographs of one infected teat canal revealed the presence of cocci in depressions and crevices on the epithelial surface, suggesting that such cocci are not always flushed out into milk samples. Teat canal therapy should make a marked contribution to the control of bovine mastitis.This article has been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 300dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-Format

Intra uterine growth restriction

In the beginning of the 20th century, the only explanation that was offered to a small baby born was that of prematurity. Fetal growth was defined by birth weight alone. The concept that a fetus might suffer poor growth in utero became recognized in the 1960's. In 1963 Lubchenco and colleagues showed that the classification of neonates by birth weight percentile had a significant prognostic advantage. This classification improved the detection of neonates with intra uterine growth restriction and those at risk of adverse health events throughout life.http://www.ogf.co.z

Obstetric haemorrhage and the use of blood and blood products

Obstetric haemorrhage remains one of the most challenging conditions to manage in pregnancy. Irrespective of the level of skill and experience of the attending health care provider, bleeding of an obstetric patient poses many difficulties from the moment of presentation, through making the correct diagnosis and providing timely and life-saving treatment. Prompt resuscitation and reversal of coagulopathy are critical while definitive measures are carried out to arrest the bleeding.www.ogf.co.zaam201

Measurements of the Composite Fermion masses from the spin polarization of 2-D electrons in the region 1<ν<21<\nu<2

Measurements of the reflectivity of a 2-D electron gas are used to deduce the polarization of the Composite Fermion hole system formed for Landau level occupancies in the regime 1<\nu<2. The measurements are consistent with the formation of a mixed spin CF system and allow the density of states or `polarization' effective mass of the CF holes to be determined. The mass values at \nu=3/2 are found to be ~1.9m_{e} for electron densities of 4.4 x 10^{11} cm^{-2}, which is significantly larger than those found from measurements of the energy gaps at finite values of effective magnetic field.Comment: 4 pages, 3 fig

Isolation and significance of anaerobic bacteria isolated from cases of bovine mastitis

The role of obligate anaerobic bacteria in the aetiology of mastitis of lactating dairy cows was investigated. Anaerobes were isolated from 12% of lactating mastitic cows, which were representative of 50% of the 10 dairy herds examined. Bacteroides fragilis was the most frequently isolated organism (50%), followed by Peptococcus indolicus (33%), Eubacterium lentum (33%), E. aerofaciens (17%), Propionibacterium granulosum (17%) and an anaerobic Streptococcus sp. (17%). These obligate anaerobes were always isolated together with organisms classically involved in mastitis. It was possible to induce overt clinical mastitis in healthy lactating udders within 24 hours by infection with single pure cultures of anaerobes via the teat canal. All B. fragilis strains were resistant to penicillin G and tetracycline. In addition, one strain was also resistant to ampicillin, cephalothin and amoxicillin. Anaerobic gram positive cocci and bacilli were sensitive to most antibiotics. These findings imply an important role for anaerobes in the aetiology of mastitis.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format

The isolation and attenuation of a virus causing rhinotracheitis in turkeys in South Africa

In March 1978, a number of turkeys with severe respiratory symptoms affecting over 80 % of the flock were investigated for a possible causative agent. With the standard techniques used for the isolation of bacteriae, mycoplasmae and viruses, only Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma meleagridis and Newcastle disease virus were isolated. Tracheal organ cultures were subsequently prepared from 27- day-old turkey embryos and inoculated with sinus exudate from affected turkeys. After an incubation period of 4 days a virus was isolated with which the typical symptoms, as observed in the field, could be reproduced in susceptible turkeys after 3-5 days. Following primary isolation in tracheal organ cultures, the virus grew readily in embryonated eggs and Vero cells. With the electron microscope, virus-like particles, varying in size from 40 nm-500 nm, were observed, having a pleomorphic shape and studded with fine surface projections. The virus seems to fall into the family Paramyxoviridae. A vaccine produced from attenuated virus in embryonated eggs afforded good protection against mortalities due to airsacculitis that normally follows on to turkey rhinotracheitis infection. The serological and clinical effects of the virus on chickens are also reported on.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.lmchunu2014mn201

Effect of heat-stress on conception in a dairy-herd model in the Natal highlands of South Africa

Regression models are proposed for predicting conception rate in a dairy herd under South African and especially Natal conditions. Conception rate (CR%) was related to mean monthly temperature-humidity index (THI) by curvilinear regression equation model; CR% = -812,7 + 28,61THI - 0,2322THI² (P = 0,061), and by linear regression equation model; CR% = 188,0 - 1,906THI (P = 0,023). Conception rate was related to numerical month of the year (M) by: CR% = 44,34 + 6,168M - 0,428M² (P = 0,1 06). Further investigations to test the proposed regression models under various dairy-herd conditions and to improve reproduction in South African dairy herds are needed.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.mn201

Heat stress in dairy cattle under southern African conditions. II. Identification of areas of potential heat stress during summer by means of observed true and predicted temperature-humidity index values

November-March are the hottest months of the year with the highest monthly mean "temperature-humidity index" (THI) in South Africa and Namibia. These 5 months are associated with severe heat stress in dairy cattle, are of critical importance for their performance and may have great economic implications for the owner as well as for the dairy industry. Firstly, compared with the existing Livestock Weather Safety Index (LWSI), more relevant meteorological data can be generated when mapping South Africa and Namibia according to the LWSI modified for lactating dairy cattle (LDC). Secondly, compared with the observed true THI values alone, more relevant data on heat stress and its deleterious effects on dairy cattle performance, become available when mapping South Africa and Namibia according to the combined observed true and predicted THI values. Minimum precautions against heat stress in dairy cattle are recommended depending on THI values as classified by the LWSI for LDC.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.mn201

The susceptibility of management accountants to framing bias

PURPOSE : The emerging business partner role of management accountants (MAs) results in an increased requirement of MAs to make business decisions. Frame dependence cognitive biases regularly influence decisions made in conditions of uncertainty, as is the case in business decision-making. Consequently, this study aims to examine susceptibility of MAs to frame dependence bias. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : A survey was conducted among an international sample of practising MAs. The proportion of MAs influenced by framing bias was analysed and compared to findings in other populations. Logistic regression was then used to determine whether MAs who exhibit a higher preference for evidence-based (as opposed to intuitive) decision-making are more susceptible to framing bias. FINDINGS : Despite a comparatively high preference for evidence-based decision-making, the prevalence of framing bias among MAs is comparable to that of other populations. A higher preference for evidence-based decision-making was found to only be associated with higher susceptibility to endowment effect bias. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively examine framing bias for MAs as a group of decision-makers. Additionally, this study’s sample consists of practising MAs, and not only students.https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/issn/2049-372Xhj2023Financial Managemen