Evaluation of optimum inclusion levels of Biostrong® 510 as replacement for antibiotic growth promoters in broiler chickens production under field conditions in Nigeria

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the response of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with Biostrong® 510 as  replacement for antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs). A total of 396 day old Ross broiler chicks were allotted randomly to six dietary treatments each replicated thrice, with 22 chicks per replicate. Biostrong® 510 was included at 0g, 15g, 17.5g and 20g/100 Kg diet for T1-T4 respectively while T5 and T6 had Oxytetracyclineand water-grade Neocyril plus respectively. Data was collected ongrowth performance indices, haematological parameters, liver function indices, ileum and ceacum microbial contents, tibia bone quality indices, and litter quality indices. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and significant differences among treatment means were compared using the Dunnett test of significance. The result for the starter phase showedbirds on the AGPs had significantly (P<0.05) higher final weight and weight gain than birds on Biostrong® 510 and control. Feed consumption was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for the controlthan for birds on antimicrobials. Haematological indices was not significantly (P>0.05) different, while liver function indices showed decreased concentration for Alanine-amino transferase (ALT) (24.33-12.67 μL) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (140.67-81.33 μL respectively) for the Biostrong® 510 diets compared to control treatment values of 34.00μL and 294.00μL for ALT and ALP respectively. Feed consumption was significantly highest for finisher birds on control diet as birds fed growth promoters utilized significantly less feed, to gain similar weights with the control. Biostrong® 510 significantly improved feed conversion similar to the antibiotics. There was significantly (P<0.05) higher values for dry matter content of litter for birds fed Biostrong® 510 above the control and AGPs. Bone density was significantly (P<0.05) higher for Biostrong® 510 diets. Potential pathogenic bacteria species identified were mainly in treatments with no Biostrong® 510. It is concluded that Biostrong® 510 though did not significantly improve growth of broiler chickens, but however improved feed conversion, similar Onimisi, P.A., Moses, O. and Jegede J.O. 203 to the antibiotics; significantly lowered cost of production even more than the AGPS; improved bone strength, and litter quality and consequently the health of birds.Biostrong® 510is therefore a potential replacement for antibiotic growth promoters.Key words: Biostrong® 510, Antibiotic growth promoter, Performance, broiler chickens

Growth performance and hematological parameters of broiler chicken fed raw and boiled senna obtusifolia seed meal

This study was conducted to determine the growth performance and hematological parameters of broiler chicken fed raw and boiled Senna obtusifolia seed meal. Three hundred (300) Ross day old chicks were used for this study. Chicks were randomly allotted to five treatment groups in a complete randomized design having three replicate with twenty birds each. Birds were housed in a deep litter system where water and feed was provided ad-libitum for eight weeks. Five experimental diets were formulated with inclusion of raw and boiled S. obtusifolia seed meal at two different levels 5% and 10% each for raw and boiled respectively. Diets were coded as T1(Control), T2(5% Raw S. obtusifolia seed meal), T3 (10% Raw S. obtusifolia seed meal), T4 (5% Boiled S. obtusifolia seed meal; (BSOSM first user define) and T5(10% Boiled Senna obtusifolia seed meal), respectively. Data collected from this study on growth performance and hematological parameters were analyzed using general linear model of SAS, 2009. Differences among means were separated using Duncan multiple range test. Result obtained from this study shows that there were significant (P<0.05) differences in final weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and feed cost/kg gain across treatment groups at the starter and finisher phases. On the other hand, there was no significant (P > 0.05) difference recorded on feed intake, mortality record and all the hematological parameters measured. Birds fed 5% BSOSM had increased weight gain at the starter phase and improved feed conversion ratio in the finisher phase than other treatment groups. Also, birds fed control diet had increased weight gain at the finisher phase and improved feed conversion ratio in the starter phase than other treatment groups. Hematological parameters obtained in this study revealed that there were no significant (p > 0.05) differences across treatment groups. This implies that S. obtusifolia seed meal is safe for feeding broiler birds either raw or boiled with inclusion levels of up to 10% without any adverse effect on the performance. Key words: Growth performance, hematology, broiler chicken, Senna obtusifolia, Ross breed

Vacuum local and global electromagnetic self-energies for a point-like and an extended field source

We consider the electric and magnetic energy densities (or equivalently field fluctuations) in the space around a point-like field source in its ground state, after having subtracted the spatially uniform zero-point energy terms, and discuss the problem of their singular behavior at the source's position. We show that the assumption of a point-like source leads, for a simple Hamiltonian model of the interaction of the source with the electromagnetic radiation field, to a divergence of the renormalized electric and magnetic energy density at the position of the source. We analyze in detail the mathematical structure of such singularity in terms of a delta function and its derivatives. We also show that an appropriate consideration of these singular terms solves an apparent inconsistency between the total field energy and the space integral of its density. Thus the finite field energy stored in these singular terms gives an important contribution to the self-energy of the source. We then consider the case of an extended source, smeared out over a finite volume and described by an appropriate form factor. We show that in this case all divergences in local quantities such as the electric and the magnetic energy density, as well as any inconsistency between global and space-integrated local self-energies, disappear.Comment: 8 pages. The final publication is available at link.springer.co

Dog anti-rabies vaccination coverage in Jos South LGA of Plateau State, Nigeria CI Odita1, IS Tekki2*, DG Moses3, JI Barde3, KO Egwu3,

Domestic dog (Canis familiaris), a well-known companion of man, is the main reservoir host of rabies virus and source of infection to humans in 95% cases in Africa. Vaccination of dogs against rabies is the most effective way of controlling the disease. WHO recommends that annual vaccination coverage of dog populations should be 70% and above for effective control of rabies. However, vaccination coverage of dogs is very low in most African countries, including Nigeria, where the global burden of the disease is highest next to Asia. The aim of this study was to determine and compare rabies vaccination coverage of dog population in Jos South Local Government area (LGA), Plateau State, Nigeria, using two survey approaches. Data on vaccination profile of rabid suspected dogs in Jos South LGA, were retrieved from records of cases presented to the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Nigeria, for confirmatory diagnosis from 2011 to 2016. Field data on demography and vaccination profile of owned domestic dogs were also obtained by face to face interview with dog owners in the LGA using structured questionnaire. Vaccination coverage of 4.9% and 19.7% were obtained for record and field surveys respectively, for sample estimates. Although average vaccination coverage was estimated as 12.4%, the true population vaccination coverage could be between 12% and 18%, (95% CI). The P-value (0.000) for association between survey approach and true vaccination coverage of dog populations in Jos South LGA was significant. Consequently, evaluation of regular vaccination by active survey is key to achieving WHO recommended vaccination coverage. Nigeria can only align with the world rabies elimination target of 2030 set by the WHO, OIE and FAO by active disease surveillance and enforcement of responsible dog ownership.Keywords: Domestic dog, Jos South LGA, Rabies, Surveillance, Vaccinatio

Large scale numerical investigation of excited states in poly(phenylene)

A density matrix renormalisation group scheme is developed, allowing for the first time essentially exact numerical solutions for the important excited states of a realistic semi-empirical model for oligo-phenylenes. By monitoring the evolution of the energies with chain length and comparing them to the experimental absorption peaks of oligomers and thin films, we assign the four characteristic absorption peaks of phenyl-based polymers. We also determine the position and nature of the nonlinear optical states in this model.Comment: RevTeX, 10 pages, 4 eps figures included using eps

The effect on melanoma risk of genes previously associated with telomere length.

Telomere length has been associated with risk of many cancers, but results are inconsistent. Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously associated with mean leukocyte telomere length were either genotyped or well-imputed in 11108 case patients and 13933 control patients from Europe, Israel, the United States and Australia, four of the seven SNPs reached a P value under .05 (two-sided). A genetic score that predicts telomere length, derived from these seven SNPs, is strongly associated (P = 8.92x10(-9), two-sided) with melanoma risk. This demonstrates that the previously observed association between longer telomere length and increased melanoma risk is not attributable to confounding via shared environmental effects (such as ultraviolet exposure) or reverse causality. We provide the first proof that multiple germline genetic determinants of telomere length influence cancer risk.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Oxford University Press via http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jnci/dju26

Crop losses in Brazilian cassava varieties induced by the Cassava common mosaic virus

ABSTRACT Despite the widespread distribution of the Cassava common mosaic virus (CsCMV) in Brazil, little is known about the losses it causes in yield. The effect of CsCMV on different varieties was evaluated by reference to several agronomic traits. Four field trials were established in 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 using six varieties of cassava. Following mechanical inoculation with CsCMV, the presence of the virus was confirmed using the ELISA assay. The evaluated traits were plant height (PH), dry matter content (DMC), harvest index (HI), aerial part yield (APY), root yield (RoY), and starch yield (StY) in both inoculated and non-inoculated plants. Overall, the presence of the virus contributed little to the reduction in PH, HI, and DMC across the varieties, with PH being significantly reduced by 9.2 and 7.0 % in the BGM0212 and BRS Kiriris varieties, respectively. In contrast, APY, RoY, and StY were reduced by 30.2, 29.3, and 30.0 %, in the virus-infected plants respectively. While the BRS Kiriris and BRS Jari varieties suffered the highest reductions overall and were considered highly susceptible to CsCMV, none of the traits suffered reductions in the inoculated BRS Formosa plants. Although RoY and StY were reduced in inoculated plants of BRS Tapioqueira, crop yield for this variety was the highest. Thus, BRS Formosa and BRS Tapioqueira exhibited tolerance against CsCMV, which warrants further investigation

An Observational Overview of Solar Flares

We present an overview of solar flares and associated phenomena, drawing upon a wide range of observational data primarily from the RHESSI era. Following an introductory discussion and overview of the status of observational capabilities, the article is split into topical sections which deal with different areas of flare phenomena (footpoints and ribbons, coronal sources, relationship to coronal mass ejections) and their interconnections. We also discuss flare soft X-ray spectroscopy and the energetics of the process. The emphasis is to describe the observations from multiple points of view, while bearing in mind the models that link them to each other and to theory. The present theoretical and observational understanding of solar flares is far from complete, so we conclude with a brief discussion of models, and a list of missing but important observations.Comment: This is an article for a monograph on the physics of solar flares, inspired by RHESSI observations. The individual articles are to appear in Space Science Reviews (2011