Performance and cost of pigs fed 50% rice bran diets with addition of phytase and/or cellulase

Animal performance and feed costs were evaluated in pigs fed during growing and finishing phases diets containing 50% rice bran (RB) without enzymes (Treatment T1); or with addition of 1,000 units of phytase (T2); or with 250,000 units of carboxy-methylcellulase (T3); or with both enzymes per kilogram of diet (T4); in addition to a conventional maize and soy-based diet (T5). Eighty-five castrated males, 70 days old and varying in initial weight from 17.5 to 31.1 kg, were subjected to five treatments in six randomized blocks. Animals receiving the conventional diet consumed more feed and gained more weight. However, their feed conversion ratio was similar to that of animals fed the 50% RB diets, with or without enzymes, and feed costs were lower with the latter than with the maize and soy diet

On the Absorption of X-rays in the Interstellar Medium

We present an improved model for the absorption of X-rays in the ISM intended for use with data from future X-ray missions with larger effective areas and increased energy resolution such as Chandra and XMM, in the energy range above 100eV. Compared to previous work, our formalism includes recent updates to the photoionization cross section and revised abundances of the interstellar medium, as well as a treatment of interstellar grains and the H2molecule. We review the theoretical and observational motivations behind these updates and provide a subroutine for the X-ray spectral analysis program XSPEC that incorporates our model.Comment: ApJ, in press, for associated software see http://astro.uni-tuebingen.de/nh

New limits on di-nucleons decay into invisible channels

Data of the radiochemical experiment [E.L.Fireman, 1978] with 1.7 t of KC_2H_3O_2, accumulated deep underground during ~1 yr, were reanalyzed to set limits on di-nucleons (nn and np) decays into invisible channels (disappearance, decay into neutrinos, etc.). The obtained lifetime bounds tau_np > 2.1 10^25 yr and tau_nn > 4.2 10^25 yr (at 90% C.L.) are better (or competitive) than those established in the recent experiments.Comment: 3 pages, accepted in JETP Letter

Suomi NPP VIIRS Ocean Color Data Product Early Mission Assessment

Following the launch of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) aboard the Suomi National Polarorbiting Partnership (NPP) spacecraft, the NASA NPP VIIRS Ocean Science Team (VOST) began an evaluation of ocean color data products to determine whether they could continue the existing NASA ocean color climate data record (CDR). The VOST developed an independent evaluation product based on NASA algorithms with a reprocessing capability. Here we present a preliminary assessment of both the operational ocean color data products and the NASA evaluation data products regarding their applicability to NASA science objectives

Double Beta Decay: Historical Review of 75 Years of Research

Main achievements during 75 years of research on double beta decay have been reviewed. The existing experimental data have been presented and the capabilities of the next-generation detectors have been demonstrated.Comment: 25 pages, typos adde

New constraints on protostellar jet collimation from high-density gas UV tracers

The analysis of high-resolution profiles of the semiforbidden UV lines of C III](1908) and Si III](1892) in the spectra of T Tauri stars (TTSs) shows the following : (1) There is C III](1908) and Si III](1892) emission at velocities that are similar to those observed in the optical forbidden lines formed in the TTSs jets. The luminosity of the UV lines is comparable to that of the optical lines. (2) The comparison between the optical and UV light curves indicates that the C III](1908) and Si III](1892) emission of RY Tau is not associated with accretion shocks, but it is produced farther than 2 R-* from the star. (3) The profiles of the UV semiforbidden lines are significantly broader than those of the optical forbidden lines. These profiles cannot be produced in a narrow collimated beam, and they are most likely produced in a bow-shaped shock wave formed at the base of the optical jet, where the hot gas emits in a broad range of projected radial velocities. (4) The atmosphere of RU Lup contributes significantly to the Si III](1892) emission. (5) A puzzling narrow feature is observed close to the C III](1908) line. The feature is blueshifted by -260 km s(-1), which corresponds to the wind terminal velocity measured in the P Cygni profile of the Mg II (UV1) lines. Moreover, constraints are derived on the characteristics of the C III](1908) and Si III](1892) emitting region in RY Tau. It is shown that 4.7 less than or equal to log T-e less than or equal to 5.0 and 10(9) cm(-3) less than or equal to N-e less than or equal to 10(11) cm(-3) provided that the emission is produced in a collisional plasma and that the 1665 Angstrom feature observed in low-dispersion International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) spectra is confirmed to be O III](1665) emission produced in the wind. These very high densities are difficult to generate in the shocks produced by the magnetic pinching of centrifugally driven magnetized disk winds. The data also suggest that the shocked layer has a radius of some few stellar radii and it is closer than similar to 38 R-* to the star

The role of atopy in otitis media with effusion among primary school children: audiological investigation

Objective of this study is to value the role of atopy in otitis media with effusion (OME) in children attending primary school in Western Sicily focusing on the audiological characteristics among atopic and non atopic subjects suffering from OME. 310 children (5-6 years old) were screened by skin tests and divided into atopics (G1) and non atopics (G2). The samples were evaluated for OME by pneumatic otoscopy, tympanogram and acoustic reflex tests. The parameters considered were: documented persistent middle ear effusion by otoscopic examination for a minimum of 3 months; presence of B or C tympanogram; absence of ipsilateral acoustic reflex and a conductive hearing loss greater than 25 dB at any one of the frequencies from 250 Hz through 4 kHz. 56 children (18.06%) resulted atopics while 254 were non atopics. OME was identified in 24 atopic children and in 16 non atopic children for a total number of 40 children; the overall prevalence rate was 12.9% (42.85% for G1 and 6.30% for G2). OME was bilateral in 28 children (70%), with a significative difference between G1 (79.17%) and G2 (56.25%). The prevalence of B tympanogram was 70.59%, corresponding to 79.07% for G1 and 56% for G2. The mean air conduction pure tone was respectively 31.97 dB for G1 and 29.8 dB for G2. The prevalence value of OME in atopics children, also supported by the higher predominance of bilaterality, B tympanogram and hearing loss among this group, could suggest the important role of allergy in the pathogenesis of OME

Early bronchopulmonary involvement in Crohn disease: a case report

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary manifestations of Crohn disease have been rarely described in children, including both subclinical pulmonary involvement and severe lung disease. CASE PRESENTATION: A 6.5-year-old girl is described with early recurrent bronchopulmonary symptoms both at presentation and in the quiescent phase of Crohn disease. Pulmonary function tests (lung volumes and flows, bronchial reactivity and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity) were normal. Bronchoalveolar cytology showed increased (30%) lymphocyte counts and bronchial biopsy revealed thickening of basal membrane and active chronic inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and histological findings in our young patient suggest involvement of both distal and central airways in an early phase of lung disease. The pathogenesis of Crohn disease-associated lung disorders is discussed with reference to the available literature. A low threshold for pulmonary evaluation seems to be advisable in all children with CD

New limits on nucleon decays into invisible channels with the BOREXINO Counting Test Facility

The results of background measurements with the second version of the BOREXINO Counting Test Facility (CTF-II), installed in the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory, were used to obtain limits on the instability of nucleons, bounded in nuclei, for decays into invisible channels ($inv$): disappearance, decays to neutrinos, etc. The approach consisted of a search for decays of unstable nuclides resulting from $N$ and $NN$ decays of parents $^{12}$C, $^{13}$C and $^{16}$O nuclei in the liquid scintillator and the water shield of the CTF. Due to the extremely low background and the large mass (4.2 ton) of the CTF detector, the most stringent (or competitive) up-to-date experimental bounds have been established: $\tau(n \to inv) > 1.8 \cdot 10^{25}$ y, $\tau(p \to inv) > 1.1 \cdot 10^{26}$ y, $\tau(nn \to inv) > 4.9 \cdot 10^{25}$ y and $\tau(pp \to inv) > 5.0 \cdot 10^{25}$ y, all at 90% C.L.Comment: 22 pages, 3 figures,submitted to Phys.Lett.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Influenza Vaccination, and Antecedent Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Infections: A Case-Centered Analysis in the Vaccine Safety Datalink, 2009–2011

Background: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) can be triggered by gastrointestinal or respiratory infections, including influenza. During the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic in the United States, monovalent inactivated influenza vaccine (MIV) availability coincided with high rates of wildtype influenza infections. Several prior studies suggested an elevated GBS risk following MIV, but adjustment for antecedent infection was limited. Methods: We identified patients enrolled in health plans participating in the Vaccine Safety Datalink and diagnosed with GBS from July 2009 through June 2011. Medical records of GBS cases with 2009–10 MIV, 2010–11 trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV), and/or a medically-attended respiratory or gastrointestinal infection in the 1 through 141 days prior to GBS diagnosis were reviewed and classified according to Brighton Collaboration criteria for diagnostic certainty. Using a case-centered design, logistic regression models adjusted for patient-level time-varying sources of confounding, including seasonal vaccinations and infections in GBS cases and population-level controls. Results: Eighteen confirmed GBS cases received vaccination in the 6 weeks preceding onset, among 1.27 million 2009–10 MIV recipients and 2.80 million 2010–11 TIV recipients. Forty-four confirmed GBS cases had infection in the 6 weeks preceding onset, among 3.77 million patients diagnosed with medically-attended infection. The observed-versus-expected odds that 2009–10 MIV/2010–11 TIV was received in the 6 weeks preceding GBS onset was odds ratio = 1.54, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.59–3.99; risk difference = 0.93 per million doses, 95% CI, −0.71–5.16. The association between GBS and medically-attended infection was: odds ratio = 7.73, 95% CI, 3.60–16.61; risk difference = 11.62 per million infected patients, 95% CI, 4.49–26.94. These findings were consistent in sensitivity analyses using alternative infection definitions and risk intervals for prior vaccination shorter than 6 weeks. Conclusions: After adjusting for antecedent infections, we found no evidence for an elevated GBS risk following 2009–10 MIV/2010–11 TIV influenza vaccines. However, the association between GBS and antecedent infection was strongly elevated