Site and Extent of Digestion of Finishing Diets Containing Syngenta Enhanced Feed Corn

Four ruminally and duodenally fistulated steers were utilized to evaluate the effects of Syngenta Enhanced Feed Corn™ containing an alpha amylase enzyme trait (SYT- EFC) compared to the isoline parental control corn without the alpha amylase enzyme trait (Negative Isoline) on site and extent of digestion in finishing diets. Cattle fed SYT- EFC dry rolled corn had numerically greater postruminal starch digestibility, excreted lower fecal starch, and had greater total tract starch digestibility compared to cattle fed Negative Isoline corn. These data would suggest that cattle are able to utilize more starch from corn containing the SYT- EFC trait, which has resulted in greater gains and efficiencies

Spontaneous and �-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-activated GABA A receptor channels formed by � subunit-containing isoforms

ABSTRACT A new ␥-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptor (GABAR) subunit class, ⑀, has recently been cloned and shown to form functional channels when coexpressed with both ␣ and ␤ subunits. We report that the combination of ␣1␤3⑀ subunit subtypes expressed in L929 cells produced functional chloride ion channels that were both spontaneously active and gated by the application of extracellular GABA. When cells were voltage-clamped at -75 mV in the whole-cell configuration, holding currents of 50 to 300 pA associated with increased noise were consistently recorded. The application of pentobarbital and loreclezole, which increase GABAR currents, increased the holding current, whereas the application of zinc and picrotoxin, which reduce GABAR currents, reduced the holding current in a concentration-dependent manner. Coexpression of ␣1␤3␥2L, ␣1␤3␦, ␣1⑀, ␤3⑀, ␣1␤3, or ⑀ subtypes did not produce holding currents that were sensitive to picrotoxin (30 M). Cells expressing ␣1 ␤3⑀ subtypes had concentration-dependent GABAR currents that were potentiated by pentobarbital, loreclezole, and lanthanum and inhibited by zinc and furosemide. Spontaneous and GABAR single-channel currents from ␣1␤3⑀ receptors had single-channel conductances of ϳ24 pS. The biophysical properties and the effects of allosteric modulators were similar for spontaneous and evoked GABAR currents, suggesting that a single GABAR isoform was responsible for both currents. These data extend the pharmacological characterization of ⑀-containing GABARs and demonstrate that incorporation of the ⑀ subunit permits spontaneous channel gating while preserving the structural information necessary for GABA sensitivity

Impact of Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn on Finishing Cattle Performance and Carcass Characteristics

Two finishing experiments were conducted to evaluate Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn containing an alpha amylase enzyme trait compared to the near negative isoline control corn at two locations on cattle performance and carcass characteristics. No statistical differences were observed for final BW, DMI, ADG, or F:G for steers fed Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn versus the near negative isoline control corn. Fat depth and calculated yield grade were greater for steers fed Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn; however, HCW and marbling scores were not different. Previous research has observed a 2.6% to 16.4% decrease in F:G when Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn was fed; however, under this study a 1.6% reduction in F:G was observed

Evaluation of Protein from Distillers Grains in Finishing Diets on Nutrient Digestibility

A metabolism trial was conducted to evaluate protein from modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) in finishing diets on nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation characteristics. Isolated protein from corn was not different than MDGS for dry matter, organic matter, or neutral detergent fiber digestibility. However, steers fed MDGS tended to have lower total tract organic matter digestibility compared to corn and protein from corn. Protein had greater total tract organic matter and starch digestibility than MDGS. Protein from corn did not contribute towards the lower digestibility of MDGS. Protein is more easily digestible than the other components in distillers grains plus solubles

Evaluation of Protein from Distillers Grains in Finishing Diets on Nutrient Digestibility

A metabolism trial was conducted to evaluate protein from modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) in finishing diets on nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation characteristics. Isolated protein from corn was not different than MDGS for dry matter, organic matter, or neutral detergent fiber digestibility. However, steers fed MDGS tended to have lower total tract organic matter digestibility compared to corn and protein from corn. Protein had greater total tract organic matter and starch digestibility than MDGS. Protein from corn did not contribute towards the lower digestibility of MDGS. Protein is more easily digestible than the other components in distillers grains plus solubles

Values of natural and human-made wetlands: A meta-analysis

The values of goods and services provided by wetland ecosystems are examined through a meta-analysis of an expanded database of wetland value estimates and with a focus on human-made wetlands. This study extends and improves upon previous meta-analyses of the wetland valuation literature in terms of the number of observations, geographical coverage, wetland class and integrity, and the measurement of the effects of scarcity and anthropogenic pressure. We find that water quality improvement, nonconsumptive recreation, and provision of natural habitat and biodiversity are highly valued services. Substitution effects are observed through the negative correlation between values and abundance of other wetlands. Wetland values are found to increase with anthropogenic pressure. An extended metaregression model with cross effects shows that the valuation of specific services varies with the type of wetland producing them. Human-made wetlands are highly valued for biodiversity enhancement, water quality improvement, and flood control

JWST-TST DREAMS: Quartz Clouds in the Atmosphere of WASP-17b

Clouds are prevalent in many of the exoplanet atmospheres that have been observed to date. For transiting exoplanets, we know if clouds are present because they mute spectral features and cause wavelength-dependent scattering. While the exact composition of these clouds is largely unknown, this information is vital to understanding the chemistry and energy budget of planetary atmospheres. In this work, we observe one transit of the hot Jupiter WASP-17b with JWST's MIRI LRS and generate a transmission spectrum from 5-12 $\rm{\mu}$m. These wavelengths allow us to probe absorption due to the vibrational modes of various predicted cloud species. Our transmission spectrum shows additional opacity centered at 8.6 $\rm{\mu}$m, and detailed atmospheric modeling and retrievals identify this feature as SiO$_2$(s) (quartz) clouds. The SiO$_2$(s) clouds model is preferred at 3.5-4.2$\sigma$ versus a cloud-free model and at 2.6$\sigma$ versus a generic aerosol prescription. We find the SiO$_2$(s) clouds are comprised of small ${\sim}0.01$ $\rm{\mu}$m particles, which extend to high altitudes in the atmosphere. The atmosphere also shows a depletion of H$_2$O, a finding consistent with the formation of high-temperature aerosols from oxygen-rich species. This work is part of a series of studies by our JWST Telescope Scientist Team (JWST-TST), in which we will use Guaranteed Time Observations to perform Deep Reconnaissance of Exoplanet Atmospheres through Multi-instrument Spectroscopy (DREAMS).Comment: 19 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ