A note on muscle composition and colour of Holstein-Friesian, Piedmontese × Holstein-Friesian and Romagnola × Holstein-Friesian steers.

peer-reviewedHolstein-Friesian (HF), Piedmontese × Holstein-Friesian (PM) and Romagnola × Holstein-Friesian (RO) steers were compared for muscle composition and colour. A total of 120 steers in a 3 breed types (HF, PM and RO) × 2 feeding levels (low and high) × 2 finishing periods (short, S and extended, E) factorial experiment were used. Three samples of m. longissimus were taken for chemical analysis, measurement of drip loss and Hunterlab colour measurements. Muscle moisture and protein concentrations were lower, and lipid concentration was higher for HF than for PM and RO, which were similar. There were no effects of feeding level on chemical composition, but after blooming all colour values except hue were lower for the higher feeding level. The E finishing period reduced moisture, protein, drip-loss, L (lightness), a (redness) and chroma values. It is concluded that PM and RO had similar muscle composition but HF had a higher lipid concentration. Feeding level had few effects on muscle composition, but extended finishing increased all measures of fatness and reduced colour values

Mortgage refinancing and the concentration of mortgage coupons

Because of the concentrated distribution of interest rates on outstanding mortgages, modest interest rate declines in 1997 and 1998 made refinancing a smart choice for a record number of homeowners. In addition, the strong economy and the age of mortgage loans likely contributed to the surge in refinancing activity.Mortgages ; Housing - Finance ; Interest rates

Extensive Genomic Diversity among Bovine-Adapted Staphylococcus aureus: Evidence for a Genomic Rearrangement within CC97

peer-reviewedStaphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen associated with both human and veterinary disease and is a common cause of bovine mastitis. Genomic heterogeneity exists between S. aureus strains and has been implicated in the adaptation of specific strains to colonise particular mammalian hosts. Knowledge of the factors required for host specificity and virulence is important for understanding the pathogenesis and management of S. aureus mastitis. In this study, a panel of mastitis-associated S. aureus isolates (n = 126) was tested for resistance to antibiotics commonly used to treat mastitis. Over half of the isolates (52%) demonstrated resistance to penicillin and ampicillin but all were susceptible to the other antibiotics tested. S. aureus isolates were further examined for their clonal diversity by Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (MLST). In total, 18 different sequence types (STs) were identified and eBURST analysis demonstrated that the majority of isolates grouped into clonal complexes CC97, CC151 or sequence type (ST) 136. Analysis of the role of recombination events in determining S. aureus population structure determined that ST diversification through nucleotide substitutions were more likely to be due to recombination compared to point mutation, with regions of the genome possibly acting as recombination hotspots. DNA microarray analysis revealed a large number of differences amongst S. aureus STs in their variable genome content, including genes associated with capsule and biofilm formation and adhesion factors. Finally, evidence for a genomic arrangement was observed within isolates from CC97 with the ST71-like subgroup showing evidence of an IS431 insertion element having replaced approximately 30 kb of DNA including the ica operon and histidine biosynthesis genes, resulting in histidine auxotrophy. This genomic rearrangement may be responsible for the diversification of ST71 into an emerging bovine adapted subgroup

Is Your Wireless Network Being Hacked?

Wireless networks provide vulnerable gateways for unauthorised entry to networks or even a standalone wireless computer. The independent radio signals that constitute wireless communications have no physical boundary to keep them in check. This allows a third party to easily eavesdrop on communications sessions and by capturing the data packets, they can break the encryption keys and access the data within the network. The public awareness of the insecurity of wireless networks is surprisingly poor despite frequent news media reports of the vulnerabilities of the equipment and the activities of the criminals prepare to exploit it. In this paper we review the security protocols commonly used on wireless networks and investigate their weaknesses by showing how easy it is to crack the codes using tools freely available on the Internet

Designing zeolite catalysts for shape-selective reactions: Chemical modification of surfaces for improved selectivity to dimethylamine in synthesis from methanol and ammonia

The relative contributions of external and intracrystalline acidic sites of small pore H-RHO zeolite for the selective synthesis of methylamines from methanol and ammonia have been studied. Nonselective surface reactions which produce predominantly trimethylamine can be eliminated by “capping” the external acidic sites with trimethylphosphite (TMP) and other reagents, thus improving the selectivity toward the formation of dimethylamine. For small pore zeolites, neither the zeolite pore size nor the internal acidic sites is significantly affected by this treatment. In situ infrared and MAS-NMR studies show that TMP reacts irreversibly with the zeolite acidic sites via a modified Arbusov rearrangement to form surface-bound dimethylmethylphosphonate

The mechanism of trichloroethylene neurotoxicity and its relation to Parkinsonism

PhD ThesisParkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition characterised by deterioration of the dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). The exact mechanism by which SNpc cell death in PD occurs is poorly understood but several lines of evidence implicate both environmental and genetic factors. Trichloroethylene (TCE) is an industrial solvent used as a degreasing agent and in dry cleaning. TCE is a major environmental contaminant in the air, the water system and soil and is therefore exposed at low levels to various groups in the population. There have been links between chronic exposure to TCE and Parkinson-like symptoms reported and in vivo experiments support this link. It has also been discovered that TCE can be converted, via chloral, to a potentially DA neurotoxin TaClo in man. This project investigated this link between TCE and PD and to elucidate any causative mechanisms. Cellular exposure paradigms were used to show neurotoxicity of TCE, chloral and TaClo in DA neurons. The mechanism of this cell death in TaClo was found to be necroptotic - and not apoptotic - in nature and involve induction of autophagy, DNA damage and an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) in exposed cells. A possible source of this ROS was suggested with the findings that TaClo significantly inhibits Complex I of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation chain - an effect known to produce superoxide - and an increase in mitochondrial ROS seen in cells following TaClo treatment. The cell death induced by chloral was found to follow a different path, with neither apoptotic or necroptotic characteristics observed in exposed cells, and Complex I only inhibited at high doses. However, chloral was found to block the reduction of cytochrome c at lower doses, a property that may be involved in the neurotoxicity seen with chloral. Animal models of TCE, chloral and TaClo exposure found no significant motor or cognitive abnormalities in behavioural testing of either wild-type mice or rats or human A30P mutated α-synuclein overexpressing mice. However, TCE and TaClo exposed wild-type and A30P mice did show a significant decrease in DA neuronal number and density in the SNpc, suggesting both compounds are neurotoxic to DA neurons in vivo. An LC-MS/MS assay was developed to assess neurotransmitter levels in the brains of toxin exposed animals, however the method was not found to be consistently accurate and showed extreme variability in results. In conclusion, the main results of this thesis suggest that TCE does lead to DA neurodegeneration in the SNpc of exposed individuals, probably through metabolism to the neurotoxic compound TaClo. The neurotoxic properties of TaClo are DA specific and relatively potent. The mechanism of neurotoxicity is hypothesised to be through inhibition of mitochondrial Complex I, inducing increased ROS production and damage of intracellular organelles, DNA and proteins, which in turn leads to the activation of autophagy and PARP activation. This intracellular stress instigates RIP1 mediated necroptosis and death of the cells

The sky lancer: 417th Bomb Group

The Sky Lancers have established an enviable record in combat against the Japanese in the Southwest Pacific Theatre of Operations. We have advanced twenty-five hundred miles since debarking at Cape Sudest, New Guinea; we have delivered destruction to the enemy over every mile of it and part of our great task still lies ahead on the road to Tokyo. Our gains have not been made easily and the price has been paid in both men and equipment. It is to our gallant comrades who made their last flight with our organization that The SKY LANCER is dedicated, for it was they who contributed so greatly to our success and to the ultimate peace we are to gain through their courageous efforts. Milton W. Johnson, Lt. Col., Air Corps, Commandinghttps://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1078/thumbnail.jp

Computed tomography in veterinary medicine: currently published and tomorrow’s vision

The utilisation of Computed Tomography (CT) in veterinary practice has been increasing rapidly in line with reduced cost, improved availability and the increase in expertise and technology. This review briefly examines the recent technological advancements in imaging in the veterinary sector, and explores how CT and micro-CT (μCT) have furthered basic understanding and knowledge, and influenced clinical practice and medicine. The uses of CT technology in veterinary research, especially in relation to bone, vasculature and soft tissues, are explored and compared in relation to the different species. CT is essential not only for the diagnosis and treatment of many disorders, but it is now being used to understand areas ranging from drug delivery and surgical advancements through to anatomical and educational uses throughout the world

Performance of Masonry Blocks Containing Different Proportions of Incinator Bottom Ash

AbstractThis paper presents the results from an experimental suite of tests as a trial to assess the structural and material performance of masonry blocks with different proportions of incinerator bottom as (IBA) as a fine aggregate replacement. The tests undertaken include compressive and flexural strengths, water absorption and density.Research into the use of waste by-products in construction materials has been increasing over the past 20years. IBA produced in an Irish waste incinerator facility is currently landfilled following pre-treatment. This project assesses the suitability of this IBA to replace 0, 10, 20, 30, 50, 75 or 100% of natural fine aggregates in masonry blocks (100mm high×215mm wide×440mm long) with a design strength of 7N. Structural tests included compressive and tensile strength, density and water absorption in accordance with ASTM C140.The results indicate that bottom ash replacement levels below 20% provide adequate compression and tensile strengths with density and absorption also within satisfactory levels

Schizophrenia, recovery and the self: An introduction to the special issue on metacognition

In this special issue, work is presented linking metacognition among persons with schizophrenia with a range of psychosocial outcomes including vocational functioning, empathy, motivation, self-evaluation, and other cognitive functions. This overview will highlight how these works allow for the quantitative study of processes which underpin alterations in self-experience in schizophrenia, which in turn allows self-experience to be studied as part of a larger set of brain-based and social phenomena whose interaction influences the trajectory of one's life and illness. We explore the hypothesis that metacognitive capacity, as a node in a larger biopsychosocial network, may be accessible by psychosocial treatment and, if successfully targeted, may disrupt the processes which perpetuate disability. Limitations and directions for future research are also discussed