Unveiling Palomar 2: The Most Obscure Globular Cluster in the Outer Halo

We present the first color-magnitude study for Palomar 2, a distant and heavily obscured globular cluster near the Galactic anticenter. Our (V,V-I) color-magnitude diagram (CMD), obtained with the UH8K camera at the CFHT, reaches V(lim) = 24 and clearly shows the principal sequences of the cluster, though with substantial overall foreground absorption and differential reddening. The CMD morphology shows a well populated red horizontal branch with a sparser extension to the blue, similar to clusters such as NGC 1261, 1851, or 6229 with metallicities near [Fe/H] = -1.3$. From an average of several indicators, we estimate the foreground reddening at E(B-V) = 1.24 +- 0.07 and obtain a true distance modulus (m-M)_0 = 17.1 +- 0.3$, placing it about 34 kpc from the Galactic center. We use starcounts of the bright stars to measure the core radius, half-mass radius, and central concentration of the cluster. Its integrated luminosity is M_V = -7.9, making it clearly brighter and more massive than most other clusters in the outer halo.Comment: 25 pages, aastex, with 8 postscript figures; accepted for publication in AJ, September 1997. Also available by e-mail from [email protected]. Please consult Harris directly for (big) postscript files of Figures 1a,b (the images of the cluster

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Determination of Probiotic and/or Chlortetracycline Inclusion Effects on Nursery Pig Growth Performance

A total of 300 nursery pigs (DNA 200 × 400, Columbus, NE; initially 13.0 lb BW) were used in a 42-d study evaluating the effects of feeding chlortetracycline (CTC) in combination with probiotics on nursery pig performance. Probiotics are a class of antimicrobial alternatives designed to enhance growth performance and digestive tract health. Pigs were weaned at approximately 21 d of age and allotted to pens based on initial BW. Pigs were fed a common pelleted starter diet for 4 d and then weighed, and pens were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments based on BW in a completely randomized design. The treatments were arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial with main effects of chlortetracycline (0 vs. CTC at 400 g/ton from d 0 to 42) and probiotic (0 vs. 1 lb/ton Bioplus 2B (Chr. Hansen USA, Inc., Milwaukee, WI)) vs. 1 lb/ton Poultry Star (Biomin America, Inc., San Antonio, TX). Experimental diets were fed in 2 phases (Phase 1: d 0 to 14 and Phase 2: d 14 to 42) and fed in meal form. On d 14 and 28, CTC was removed from the diet according to FDA regulations. For overall performance, there were no interactions (P \u3e 0.05) between added probiotics and CTC. However, pigs fed CTC had improved (P \u3c 0.001) ADG, ADFI, and overall BW compared with those fed diets without CTC. While adding Poultry Star to the diet increased (P \u3c 0.05) BW and ADFI on d 14, there were no consistent benefits of feeding either probiotic alone or in combination with CTC

The exceptional influence of storm ‘Xaver’ on design water levels in the German Bight

Design water levels for coastal structures are usually estimated based on extreme value statistics. Since their robustness depends heavily on the sample size of observations, regular statistical updates are needed, especially after extreme events. Here, we demonstrate the exceptional influence of such an event based on storm 'Xaver', which caused record breaking water levels for large parts of the southwestern German North Sea coastline on 6 December 2013. We show that the water level estimates for a 1 in 200 years event increased by up to 40 cm due to the update after 'Xaver', a value twice as large as the estimated regional sea level rise for the entire 20th century. However, a thorough analysis of different independent meteorological (winds and pressure) and oceanographic components (tides, surges, mean sea level (MSL) anomalies) driving the event reveals that their observed combination does not yet represent the physically possible worst case scenario. Neither tides, nor surges nor MSL anomalies were at their observational maximum, suggesting that there is a realistic risk of a storm like 'Xaver' to cause even higher extreme water levels by a few decimetres under current climate conditions. Our results question purely statistical design approaches of coastal structures, which neglect the physical boundary conditions of individual extreme events

Effects of Added Copper and Zinc on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Finishing Pigs Fed Diets with or without Ractopamine HCl

A total of 480 pigs (PIC 327 × 1050; initially 107.4 lb) were used to determine the interactive effects of supplemental Cu, Zn, and Ractopamine HCl on finishing pig growth performance, carcass characteristics, and antimicrobial susceptibility of enteric bacteria. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial with main effects of added copper sulfate (CuSO4; 0 vs. 125 ppm Cu), added zinc oxide (ZnO; 0 vs. 150 ppm Zn), and Ractopamine HCl (0 vs. 10 ppm during the last 28 d prior to marketing; Paylean®; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN). All finishing diets were fed in four phases in meal form and contained 11 ppm Cu and 73 ppm Zn from the trace mineral premix. The study design was structured as a randomized complete block design and replicated with two finishing groups. Pigs were randomly allotted to pens upon entry into the finisher barn. Pens of seven (group 1) or eight (group 2) pigs were balanced on initial BW and randomly allotted to 1 of the 4 mineral treatment diets with two treatment replications per weight block and four weight blocks per finishing group. At 28 d prior to marketing, pens within each block and mineral treatment were randomly assigned to receive either 0 or 10 ppm Ractopamine HCl in addition to the mineral treatment. At the conclusion of the 90-d (group 1) or 83-d (group 2) finishing period, carcass characteristics were measured. Adding Cu or Zn alone resulted in numerical improvements in overall F/G and caloric efficiencies; however, the improvements were not additive (Cu × Zn, P = 0.065, 0.068, and 0.064 for F/G and caloric efficiency on a ME and NE basis, respectively). No significant improvements were observed in overall ADG or ADFI due to added Cu and/or Zn. In contrast, Ractopamine HCl improved (P \u3c 0.001) overall ADG, F/G, and caloric efficiency, thereby increasing final BW by 3% with no change in ADFI. Ractopamine HCl also increased (P \u3c 0.001) HCW, percentage carcass yield, and HCW F/G. Adding Zn or Cu alone to diets containing Ractopamine HCl numerically improved percentage carcass yield and HCW F/G, but this effect was not present when the mineral was added to the control diet or when the minerals were fed in combination in the Ractopamine HCl diets (Cu × Zn × Ractopamine, P = 0.011 and 0.024 respectively). Regardless of HCW, pigs fed Ractopamine HCl had decreased (P = 0.014) backfat, increased (P \u3c 0.001) loin depth, and percent fat-free lean. No effects of added minerals on these carcass traits were observed. In summary, the addition of 125 ppm Cu and/or 150 ppm Zn to diets containing Ractopamine HCl failed to improve finishing pig growth performance and carcass characteristics while 10 ppm Ractopamine HCl increased lean tissue deposition and improved feed and caloric efficiency

Assessment of the radioanatomic positioning of the osteoarthritic knee in serial radiographs: comparison of three acquisition techniques

SummaryObjectiveRecent studies using various standardized radiographic acquisition techniques have demonstrated the necessity of reproducible radioanatomic alignment of the knee to assure precise measurements of medial tibiofemoral joint space width (JSW). The objective of the present study was to characterize the longitudinal performance of several acquisition techniques with respect to long-term reproducibility of positioning of the knee, and the impact of changes in positioning on the rate and variability of joint space narrowing (JSN).MethodsEighty subjects were randomly selected from each of three cohorts followed in recent studies of the radiographic progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA): the Health ABC study (paired fixed-flexion [FF] radiographs taken at a 36-month interval); the Glucosamine Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) (paired metatarsophalangeal [MTP] radiographs obtained at a 12-month interval), and a randomized clinical trial of doxycycline (fluoroscopically assisted semiflexed anteroposterior (AP) radiographs taken at a 16-month interval).Manual measurements were obtained from each radiograph to represent markers of radioanatomic positioning of the knee (alignment of the medial tibial plateau and X-ray beam, knee rotation, femorotibial angle) and to evaluate minimum JSW (mJSW) in the medial tibiofemoral compartment. The effects on the mean annualized rate of JSN and on the variability of that rate of highly reproduced vs variable positioning of the knee in serial radiographs were evaluated.ResultsParallel or near-parallel alignment was achieved significantly more frequently with the fluoroscopically guided positioning used in the semiflexed AP protocol than with either the non-fluoroscopic FF or MTP protocol (68% vs 14% for both FF and MTP protocols when measured at the midpoint of the medial compartment; 75% vs 26% and 34% for the FF and MTP protocols, respectively, when measured at the site of mJSW; P<0.001 for each). Knee rotation was reproduced more frequently in semiflexed AP radiographs than in FF radiographs (66% vs 45%, P<0.01). In contrast, the FF technique yielded a greater proportion of paired radiographs in which the femorotibial angle was accurately reproduced than the semiflexed AP or MTP protocol (78% vs 59% and 56%, respectively, P<0.01 for each). Notably, only paired radiographs with parallel or near-parallel alignment exhibited a mean rate of JSN (±SD) in the OA knee that was more rapid and less variable than that measured in all knees (0.186±0.274mm/year, standardized response to mean [SRM]=0.68 vs 0.128±0.291mm/year, SRM=0.44).ConclusionThis study confirms the importance of parallel radioanatomic alignment of the anterior and posterior margins of the medial tibial plateau in detecting JSN in subjects with knee OA. The use of radiographic methods that assure parallel alignment during serial X-ray examinations will permit the design of more efficient studies of biomarkers of OA progression and of structure modification in knee OA

Effects of L-Carnitine Supplemented Throughout all Grow-Finish Phases or Only in Late Finishing on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Pigs

A total of 1,833 mixed-sex growing-finishing pigs (PIC, 337 × 1050; initially 58.5 ± 1.62 lb) were used in a 112-d growth trial to determine the effects of adding L-Carnitine throughout the entire grow-finishing period or for just the last 28 d before marketing on growth performance and carcass characteristics. There were 26 replicate pens per treatment and 20 (group 1) or 27 (group 2) pigs per pen in a completely randomized design. There were three treatment diets: 1) control with no added L-Carnitine; 2) diets containing 50 ppm of L-Carnitine for the entire trial; and 3) control diet until d 84 and then a diet containing 50 ppm of L-Carnitine. On day 84, half of the control pens were randomly assigned to the diet containing 50 ppm of L-Carnitine. The experimental diets were corn-soybean meal-DDGS-based and were fed in 4 phases. From d 0 to 84, statistical analyses compared the 52 pens of pigs fed the control diets to the 26 pens of pigs that were fed diets with L-Carnitine. From d 85 until market, comparisons were made using all 3 treatments. In the first 28 d, pigs fed L-Carnitine had greater (P \u3c 0.002) BW, ADG, and ADFI and similar F/G (P = 0.459) as those fed the control diet. No evidence for differences (P \u3e 0.13) were observed in growth performance from d 29 to 56 and from d 57 to 84. From d 0 to 84, pigs fed L-Carnitine had a tendency (P = 0.052) for greater ADFI, but there was no evidence (P \u3e 0.14) of differences for ADG, F/G, removals, and mortalities. From d 85 to market and overall, there was no evidence of differences (P \u3e 0.22) for ADG, ADFI, F/G, or removals and mortalities. For carcass traits, no difference (P \u3e 0.54) in HCW, yield, backfat, lean, and loin depth were detected between treatments. In conclusion, added L-Carnitine improved performance in the early grow-finishing phase, but due to greater variation, this statistical difference did not last until market, resulting in the same overall performance. Feeding L-Carnitine only for the last 28 d also did not elicit growth and carcass improvements

Effects of Increasing Levels of Soybean Meal in Nursery Diets on Growth Performance and Fecal Characteristics of 22- to 60-lb Pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of increasing soybean meal (SBM) on late nursery pig performance. In Exp. 1, a total of 266 pigs (241 × 600 DNA; initially 22.2 ± 0.37 lb) were used in a 21-d trial with 14 replicate pens per treatment and 4 to 5 pigs per pen. Pens of pigs were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments which were corn-based with SBM levels of 25.0, 28.9, 32.5, or 36.2%. In Exp. 2, a total of 340 pigs (241 × 600 DNA; initially 29.8 ± 0.40 lb) were used in a 21-d trial with 14 replicate pens per treatment and 4 to 5 pigs per pen. Pens of pigs were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments which were corn-based with SBM levels of 25.0, 28.9, 32.5, or 36.2, or 40.0%. In both experiments, at weaning, pigs were distributed into pens based on body weight, gender, sow parity, and age. Before the start of the experimental period, pigs were fed a phase 1 followed by a phase 2 control diet. After 21 and 26 d for Exp. 1 and 2, respectively, pens of pigs were randomly allotted to treatments in a randomized complete block design with BW as the blocking factor. An addition of SBM replaced feed-grade amino acids (AAs) to form experimental diets and all diets were formulated to be nearly isocaloric with SBM NE considered to be 100% of corn NE. Dietary additions of feed-grade AA were adjusted to meet or exceed AA requirements in relation to Lys for Ile, Met, Cys, Thr, Trp, and Val. Diets were fed in meal form. In Exp. 1, increasing SBM from 25.0 to 36.2%, decreased ADG (linear, P = 0.012), ADFI (linear, P \u3c 0.001), and final BW (linear, P = 0.021) with the greatest change occurring when SBM increased from 28.9 to 32.5%. No evidence for difference was observed for F/G (P = 0.729). In Exp. 2, starting with a heavier initial weight, increasing SBM from 25.0 to 40.0%, decreased ADFI (linear, P = 0.017) with the greatest change occurring when SBM increased from 32.5 to 36.2%. However, no evidence for difference (P ≥ 0.198) was observed for ADG, final BW, and F/G. This study showed that when pigs were fed high levels of SBM starting from 22 lb in the nursery period, pig performance was negatively affected. However, delaying the use of elevated SBM levels until pigs reach 30 lb resulted in reduced feed intake without impacting growth or feed efficiency. Thus, feeding up to 28.9% SBM for nursery pigs starting at 22 lb does not compromise performance, and starting pigs on higher SBM diets when pigs are closer to 30 lb did not affect ADG or F/G

Effects of Increasing Soybean Meal Levels on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Pigs in Grower and Late-Finishing Phases

Four experiments were conducted to determine the effects of increasing soybean meal (SBM) on grower and late-finishing pig performance. In Exp. 1, a total of 615 pigs (initially 95.2 ± 1.51 lb) were used in a 28-d trial with 14 replicate pens per treatment and 8 to 10 pigs per pen. Pens of pigs were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments which were corn-based with soybean meal levels of 19.1, 22.6, 26.3, 29.9, or 33.5%. In Exp. 2, a total of 615 pigs (initially 225.5 ± 3.42 lb) were used in a 30-d trial with 14 replicate pens per treatment and 8 to 10 pigs per pen. Pens of pigs were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments which were corn-based with soybean meal levels of 11.2, 14.2, 17.2, 20.2, or 23.2%. In both experiments, treatments were assigned in a completely randomized design and soybean meal inclusion was increased, replacing feed grade amino acids to form the treatments. For Exp. 1, increasing SBM increased (linear, P = 0.038) ADG and improved (P \u3c 0.001) feed efficiency, with the greatest change from increasing SBM from 19.1 to 22.6%. For late-finishing pigs (Exp. 2), no differences (P \u3e 0.10) were observed for any growth performance or carcass criteria. Experiments conducted in a second series were conducted with the same basic procedures as Exp. 1 and 2, but all diets contained DDGS, and were conducted in a commercial facility. In Exp. 3, a total of 1,080 pigs (initially 86.1 ± 1.72 lb) were used in a 28-d trial with 10 replicate pens per treatment and 27 pigs per pen. Pens of pigs were assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments which were corn-20% DDGS-based and soybean meal was added at 18.2, 23.5, 28.9, or 34.3%. For Exp. 4, a total of 1,080 pigs (initially 225.2 ± 2.50 lb) were used in a 33-d trial with 10 replicate pens per treatment and 27 pigs per pen. Pens of pigs were assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments which were corn-10% DDGS-based with soybean meal levels of 9.5, 13.5, 17.5, or 21.5%. When DDGS was included in the diet, no differences (P \u3e 0.10) were observed for any growth performance criteria for early- or late-finishing pigs. In conclusion, increasing levels of SBM (up to 33.5% of the diet) in grower pig diets linearly improved ADG and feed efficiency in corn-soybean meal-based diets. However, when DDGS was included in the diet, pig performance was not affected when SBM ranged from 18.2 to 34.3%. For late-finishing pig diets, increasing the SBM from approximately 10 to 23% in diets with or without DDGS did not result in any changes in growth and carcass parameters. These results suggest that high levels of SBM in the diet (no feed-grade amino acids) are well tolerated and do not negatively affect pig growth