Debeaking Laying Stock to Control Cannibalism.

4 p

Effect of Ferulic Acid Esterase Enzyme Application on the \u3ci\u3ein Vitro\u3c/i\u3e Digestibility and \u3ci\u3ein Situ\u3c/i\u3e Rumen Degradability of Tropical Grasses

Tropical grasses are the primary staple diet of most of the domesticated ruminants in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. However, dry matter (DM) digestibility (DMD) and intake levels of these C4 grasses are considerably low, partly because of high lignin contents. Ferulic acid also impedes fibre digestion in such forages due to formation of cross linkages with digestible xylans. Certain esterase enzymes have been shown to cleave ferulic acid cross linkages in wheat bran but no studies have examined whether such enzymes can be used to increase the digestion of tropical grasses. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of a ferulic acid esterase preparation applied at different rates on the digestibility of C4 grasses

The core structure of presolar graphite onions

Of the ``presolar particles'' extracted from carbonaceous chondrite dissolution residues, i.e. of those particles which show isotopic evidence of solidification in the neighborhood of other stars prior to the origin of our solar system, one subset has an interesting concentric graphite-rim/graphene-core structure. We show here that single graphene sheet defects in the onion cores (e.g. cyclopentane loops) may be observable edge-on by HREM. This could allow a closer look at models for their formation, and in particular strengthen the possibility that growth of these assemblages proceeds atom-by-atom with the aid of such in-plane defects, under conditions of growth (e.g. radiation fluxes or grain temperature) which discourage the graphite layering that dominates subsequent formation of the rim.Comment: 4 pages, 7 figures, 11 refs, see also http://www.umsl.edu/~fraundor/isocore.htm

Keys to Profitable Management of Broiler Breeders.

4 p

Clinical efficacy, radiographic and safety findings through 2 years of golimumab treatment in patients with active psoriatic arthritis: results from a long-term extension of the randomised, placebo-controlled GO-REVEAL study

Objectives: To assess long-term golimumab efficacy/safety in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).<p></p> Methods Adult PsA patients (≥3 swollen, ≥3 tender joints, active psoriasis) were randomly assigned to subcutaneous injections of placebo, golimumab 50 mg or 100 mg every 4 weeks (q4wks) through week 20. All patients received golimumab 50 or 100 mg beginning week 24. Findings through 2 years are reported. Efficacy evaluations included ≥20% improvement in American College of Rheumatology (ACR20) response, good/moderate response in Disease Activity Scores incorporating 28 joints and C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP), ≥75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI75) and changes in PsA-modified Sharp/van der Heijde scores (SHS).<p></p> Results: Golimumab treatment through 2 years was effective in maintaining clinical response (response rates: ACR20 63%–70%, DAS28-CRP 77%–86%, PASI75 56%–72%) and inhibiting radiographic progression (mean change in PsA-modified SHS in golimumab-treated patients: −0.36), with no clear difference between doses. No new safety signals were identified through 2 years. With the study's tuberculosis screening and prophylactic measures, no patient developed active tuberculosis through 2 years.<p></p> Conclusions: Golimumab 50 and 100 mg for up to 2 years yielded sustained clinical and radiographic efficacy when administered to patients with active PsA. Increasing the golimumab dose from 50 to 100 mg q4wks added limited benefit. Golimumab safety through up to 2 years was consistent with other antitumour necrosis factor α agents used to treat PsA. Treatment of patients with latent tuberculosis identified at baseline appeared to be effective in inhibiting the development of active tuberculosis.<p></p&gt

Growth in densely populated Asia: implications for primary product exporters

Economic growth and integration in Asia is rapidly increasing the global economic importance of the region. To the extent that this growth continues and is strongest in natural resource-poor Asian economies, it will add to global demand for imports of primary products, to the benefit of (especially nearby) resource-abundant countries. How will global production, consumption and trade patterns change by 2030 in the course of such economic developments and structural changes? We address this question using the GTAP model and Version 8.1 of the 2007 GTAP database, together with supplementary data from a range of sources, to support projections of the global economy from 2007 to 2030 under various scenarios. Factor endowments and real gross domestic product are assumed to grow at exogenous rates, and trade-related policies are kept unchanged to generate a core baseline, which is compared with an alternative slower growth scenario. We also consider the impact of several policy changes aimed at increasing China's agricultural self-sufficiency relative to the 2030 baseline. Policy implications for countries of the Asia-Pacific region are drawn out in the final section

Reducing the electricity cost of a Three-Pipe Water Pumping System – a case study using software

Efficient control is often the most cost-effective option to improve on the running cost of a ThreePipe Water Pumping System. However, the effect of changing the control strategy (i.e. on energy consumption) is usually difficult to predict. A new simulation tool, QUICKcontrol, was used to investigate the energy cost savings potential in a Three-Pipe Water Pumping System. The influence of pump scheduling, dam level set points, control parameters and different combinations thereof were investigated. The simulation models were firstly verified with measurements obtained from the existing system to confirm their accuracy for realistic control retrofit simulations. With the aid of the integrated simulation tool, it was possible to predict savings of R195 000 per year with an average 3.8 MW of load shifted out of peak times. These control strategies can be implemented in the pumping system with a direct payback period of less than 6 months

Reducing the electricity cost of a Three-Pipe Water Pumping System – a case study using software

Efficient control is often the most cost-effective option to improve on the running cost of a ThreePipe Water Pumping System. However, the effect of changing the control strategy (i.e. on energy consumption) is usually difficult to predict. A new simulation tool, QUICKcontrol, was used to investigate the energy cost savings potential in a Three-Pipe Water Pumping System. The influence of pump scheduling, dam level set points, control parameters and different combinations thereof were investigated. The simulation models were firstly verified with measurements obtained from the existing system to confirm their accuracy for realistic control retrofit simulations. With the aid of the integrated simulation tool, it was possible to predict savings of R195 000 per year with an average 3.8 MW of load shifted out of peak times. These control strategies can be implemented in the pumping system with a direct payback period of less than 6 months