COMBINED EFFECT OF FLUSHING AND HORMONAL TREATMENT ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL GOAT.

This study was aimed to investigate the combined effect of flushing and hormonal treatment on reproductive aspects of local goats, 60 adult does were divided equally into two groups, the first was fed concentrate plus grazing commencing 3 weeks prior to mating and continue for 4 weeks post mating (flushed) F, whereas the 2nd group was raised on pasture only (P). All does were synchronized using impregnated with 40 mg medroxy acetate for 14 days. Following sponges withdrawn, the flushed and non- flushed does were then sub-divided in to four equal groups, the 1st flushed does were injected with 250 i.u hCG (T1), the 2nd only flushed (T2), the 3rd was only injected with hCG (T3) and the 4th was the control (T4). Results revealed that estrus response was significantly higher in T1 (100%), followed by T3 and T4 (86.66%) and T2 (80%). Fertility rate was significantly (P˂0.01) higher in T1 (80%) followed by T3 (73.33%), T4 (66.66%) and T2 (60.0%). Highest kidding rate (120.0%) and litter size (1.50) was noticed in T1, while the lowest kidding rate (86.66%) were found in T2 and T4. Insulin level was significantly higher in flushed does (6.04) compared to non-flushed does (2.81 uIU/ML)

EFFECT OF SEX AND SLAUGHTER WEIGHT ON MEAT QUALITY OF BLACK GOAT AND MERIZ KIDS

The objectives of this work was to study the effect of sex and weight at slaughter on meat quality in the longissimus muscle of Black goat and Meriz goat .Twenty four weaned kids from each breed were divided equally and penned individually into two groups .The 1st was castrated using rubber ring ,and the 2nd was left intact ,and was assigned to be slaughtered at 15,20 and 25 kg live body weight .The overall means of  pH, lightness ,redness ,yellowness, drip loss, cooking loss and tenderness were 5.94±0.009 , 46±1.16 , 20.01±0.68 , 35.68±0.78 ,0.25±0.01, 12.17±0.35 ,1.65 ±0.008, respectively. Results revealed neither breed nor sex had a significant effect (p>0.05) on pH, color, drip loss, cooking loss and tenderness. It seems that kids slaughtered at 15 kg had more lightness, have more drip loss, and lower cooking loss as compared with kids slaughtered at 20 and 25 kg

Opioid precursor protein isoform is targeted to the cell nuclei in the human brain

Background: Neuropeptide precursors are traditionally viewed as proteins giving rise to small neuropeptide molecules. Prodynorphin (PDYN) is the precursor protein to dynorphins, endogenous ligands for the kappa-opioid receptor. Alternative mRNA splicing of neuropeptide genes may regulate cell- and tissue-specific neuropeptide expression and produce novel protein isoforms. We here searched for novel PDYN mRNA and their protein product in the human brain. Methods: Novel PDYN transcripts were identified using nested PCR amplification of oligo(dT) selected full-length capped mRNA. Gene expression was analyzed by qRT-PCR, PDYN protein by western blotting and confocal imaging, dynorphin peptides by radioimmunoassay. Neuronal nuclei were isolated using fluorescence activated nuclei sorting (FANS) from postmortem human striatal tissue. lmmunofluorescence staining and con focal microscopy was performed for human caudate nucleus. Results: Two novel human PDYN mRNA splicing variants were identified. Expression of one of them was confined to the striatum where its levels constituted up to 30% of total PDYN mRNA. This transcript may be translated into ASP-PDYN protein lacking 13 N-terminal amino acids, a fragment of signal peptide (SP). Delta SP-PDYN was not processed to mature dynorphins and surprisingly, was targeted to the cell nuclei in a model cellular system. The endogenous PDYN protein was identified in the cell nuclei in human striatum by western blotting of isolated neuronal nuclei, and by confocal imaging. Conclusions and general significance: High levels of alternatively spliced Delta SP-PDYN mRNA and nuclear localization of PDYN protein suggests a nuclear function for this isoform of the opioid peptide precursor in human striatum. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Forensic dentistry now and in the future

Forensic dentistry (odontology) deals with the examination, handling and presentation of dental evidence for the legal system. In the UK this work mainly involves criminal cases but in many other countries its remit also extends to civil litigation. There are four main aspects to forensic dentistry: single body identification, Disaster Victim Identification (DVI), age estimation and bite mark identification and analysis. This article provides a brief introduction to the topics and discusses potential future developments that aim to reduce the subjectivity in the analysis process and simplify presentation of evidence to non-dental parties. CPD/Clinical Relevance: This article highlights ways that dental practitioners can assist legal investigations and, in particular, forensic dentists

Rib biomechanical properties exhibit diagnostic potential for accurate ageing in forensic investigations

Age estimation remains one of the most challenging tasks in forensic practice when establishing a biological profile of unknown skeletonised remains. Morphological methods based on developmental markers of bones can provide accurate age estimates at a young age, but become highly unreliable for ages over 35 when all developmental markers disappear. This study explores the changes in the biomechanical properties of bone tissue and matrix, which continue to change with age even after skeletal maturity, and their potential value for age estimation. As a proof of concept we investigated the relationship of 28 variables at the macroscopic and microscopic level in rib autopsy samples from 24 individuals. Stepwise regression analysis produced a number of equations one of which with seven variables showed an R2=0.949; a mean residual error of 2.13 yrs ±0.4 (SD) and a maximum residual error value of 2.88 yrs. For forensic purposes, by using only bench top machines in tests which can be carried out within 36 hrs, a set of just 3 variables produced an equation with an R2=0.902 a mean residual error of 3.38 yrs ±2.6 (SD) and a maximum observed residual error 9.26yrs. This method outstrips all existing age-at-death methods based on ribs, thus providing a novel lab based accurate tool in the forensic investigation of human remains. The present application is optimised for fresh (uncompromised by taphonomic conditions) remains, but the potential of the principle and method is vast once the trends of the biomechanical variables are established for other environmental conditions and circumstances

A Web-Based Virtual Reality Model for Preliminary Estimates of Hi-Rise Building Projects

Cost estimating of a construction project at its early stage is considered to be very important task since it will be used as a base to commit or otherwise not to commit funds to that project. Preparation of a reliableand realistic preliminary estimate to aid the decision makers to commit funds for a specific project is a complicated assignment. Traditional methods and operations produced unsatisfactory aid due to lack ofaccuracy especially in the pre-design stage of a project. This participates in the increase of percentage of bankruptcy in the construction industry, which has dramatically climbed up and ranked as 15 percent of thewhole bankruptcies claimed in Canada (Statistic Canada 1998). This paper presents a methodology for developing and a Web-based model to automate preliminary cost estimates for hi-rise buildings. This is achieved by integrating a database with design drawings in a Virtual Reality (VR) environment. The model will automatically generate preliminary estimates after modifying a 3D CAD drawing. It provides the user the option to visualize and simulate the drawing and its cost data through VR environment. Having done that, it will allow owners, architects and cost engineers to view a constructed building project, change its geometric objects and shapes, and accordingly generate a new conceptual cost estimate

Synchronized scheduling model for container terminals using simulated double-cycling strategy

202303 bcwwNot applicableSelf-fundedPublished36 month