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International audience; We present here an original application of the non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) method, for the case of extra-financial data. These data are subject to high correlations between co-variables, as well as between observations. NMF provides a much more relevant clustering of co-variables and observations than a simple principal component analysis (PCA). In addition, we show that an initial data separation step before applying NMF further improves the quality of the clustering.

The aim of the present study is to detect abrupt trend changes in the mean of a multidimensional sequential signal. Directly inspired by papers of Fernhead and Liu ([4] and [5]), this work describes the signal in a hierarchical manner : the change dates of a time segmentation process trigger the renewal of a piece-wise constant emission law. Bayesian posterior information on the change dates and emission parameters is obtained. These estimations can be revised online, i.e. as new data arrive. This paper proposes explicit formulations corresponding to various emission laws, as well as a generalization to the case where only partially observed data are available. Practical applications include the returns of partially observed multi-asset investment strategies, when only scant prior knowledge of the movers of the returns is at hand, limited to some statistical assumptions. This situation is different from the study of trend changes in the returns of individual assets, where fundamental exogenous information (news, earnings announcements, controversies, etc.) can be used.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) derive from the mucosa of the aerodigestive area and still have worse prognoses. Despite of new treatment strategies like the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody Erbitux the survival rates have not increased yet. The native mucosa expresses several receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) like EGFR and fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) that regulate survival and proliferation. We hypnotized that the tumor cells can switch between the different RTKs to overcome the therapy. To improve therapy in HNSCC, this study determined the effectiveness of a combined treatment targeting EGFR and FGFR. In an in-vitro drug trial Detroit-562, CAL-27 and PJ-15 cell lines were studied. BGJ398 (Novartis) that inhibits FGFRs and/or Erbitux (Merck) treatment was performed. Apoptosis was verified by caspases activity. The expression of the different RTKs was determined by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. The cell lines expressed EGFR, KGFR and low amounts of FGFR1 and FGFR3. In all tested cell lines, the treatment with BGJ398 or Erbitux significantly reduce survival and proliferation. The combination of both drugs enhanced the effect at lower concentrations compared to the single drug treatment. This study demonstrated that the combination of BGJ-398 and Erbitux is a promising treatment regime for HNSCCs. In the future, the reduction in drug concentrations may reduce side effects. Supported by: Novartis Pharma GmbH Der Erstautor gibt keinen Interessenkonflikt an., GMS Current Posters in Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery; 13:Doc229

Einleitung: Das Wachstumshormon Somatotropin ist ein entscheidender Faktor im Rahmen der embryonalen Entwicklung des zentralen Nervensystems. Kürzlich wurde auch eine Bedeutung dieses Proteohormons für das Überleben neuraler Stammzellen des Gehirns nachgewiesen. Ziel dieser Arbeit war[zum vollständigen Text gelangen Sie über die oben angegebene URL], 88. Jahresversammlung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie

Einleitung: HPV-positive Oropharynx-Karzinome unterscheiden sich bezüglich des Alters bei Erstdiagnose, dem TNM-Stadium sowie dem histologischen Grading von HPV-negativen Oropharynx-Karzinomen. Für HPV-positive Larynxkarzinome ist dieser Zusammenhang bisher weit weniger gut untersucht. Wir untersuchten diese Eigenschaften an Gewebeproben unserer Klinik. Methoden: Insgesamt standen Datensätze von 118 Patienten mit gesichertem Plattenepithelkarzinom des Larynx zur Verfügung. Hiervon waren 20 (17%) HPV-positiv. Das Alter bei Erstdiagnose, die TNM-Klassifikation sowie das histologische Grading wurden aus den Patientenakten und unserer Tumordatenbank ermittelt. Ergebnisse: HPV-positive Patienten erkrankten im Durchschnitt 7,2 Monate früher als die HPV-negativen Patienten (p = 0,827). Die Unterschiede in der T-Klassifikation zwischen beiden Gruppen waren gering. In den frühen Tumorstadien T1 und T2 befanden sich 57,8% aller HPV-positiven Patienten. Bei den HPV-negativen Patienten betrug dieser Anteil 54,6%. Bei HPV-positiven Patienten zeigte sich häufiger ein N0-Status bei Diagnosestellung (63,2% versus 55,1%). In den Stadien N1-N3 zeigten sich kaum Unterschiede zwischen beiden Gruppen (p = 0,763). Im histologischen Grading wiesen die HPV-positiven Patienten häufiger eine histologisch hohe oder mäßige Differenzierung auf als HPV-negativen Patienten (94,7% versus 77,7%). Schlussfolgerungen: Unsere Untersuchungen zeigen einen Trend hin zu einem früheren Erkrankungsalter bei HPV-positiven Patienten. Weiterhin sollte an größeren Kollektiven überprüft werden, ob HPV-positive Larynxkarzinome anhand dieser Kriterien eine eigene Entität innerhalb der Larynxkarzinome darstellen. Der Erstautor gibt keinen Interessenkonflikt an., GMS Current Posters in Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery; 12:Doc126

Einleitung: Zahlreiche Studien belegen einen ätiologischen Zusammenhang zwischen einer HPV-16-Infektion und dem Risiko an einem Oropharynx-Karzinom (OC) zu erkranken. Ebenfalls als gesichert gilt, dass ein positiver HPV-16-Status bei OC mit einem besseren Gesamtüberleben (GÜ) assoziiert ist. Es gibt jedoch vergleichsweise wenige Studien, welche die HPV-Prävalenz in anderen HNSCC-Subregionen untersucht haben. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war es die Verteilung der HPV-16-Prävalenz und das HPV-16-abhängige GÜ in den drei relevantesten HNSCC-Subregionen zu untersuchen. Methodik: Retrospektiv wurden Gewebeproben von insgesamt 279 Patienten mit einem HNSCC untersucht. Diese setzten sich wie folgt zusammen: 104 OPC, 118 Larynxkarzinome (LC) und 57 Hypopharynxkarzinome (HPC). Der HPV-Nachweis erfolgte mittels PCR und p16-Immunhistochemie. Das HPV-abhängige GÜ wurde statistisch ausgewertet. Ergebnisse: Die HPV-16-Prävalenz in den einzelnen HNSCC-Subregionen war folgendermaßen verteilt: OPC 11.5% (n=12), LC 17% (n=20) und HPC 28.1% (n=16). Durchschnittlich zeigten in allen HNSCC-Subregionen die HPV-16-positiven Patienten einen Überlebensvorteil gegenüber den HPV-negativen. Die Zunahme der Überlebensrate betrug: OC +48% (p=0.04), LC +45.6% (p=0.061), HPC +39% (p=0.706). Allerdings war dieser Überlebensvorteil lediglich in der Gruppe der OC statistisch signifikant (p=0.04). Schlussfolgerungen: Neben den OC zeigen auch andere HNSCC-Subregionen eine relevante Rate an HPV-16-Infektionen. Allerdings konnte ein vom HPV-Status abhängiger, positiver Effekt auf die Überlebensrate nur in der Gruppe der OC nachgewiesen werden. Es besteht somit der Verdacht, dass die Relevanz der HP-Viren hinsichtlich der Ätiologie und Prognose von HNSCC innerhalb der einzelnen Subregionen stark variiert. Der Erstautor gibt keinen Interessenkonflikt an., GMS Current Posters in Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery; 12:Doc029

Einleitung: Es existiert eine evidente Datenlage, dass der Proliferationsmarker Ki67 beim Mammakarzinom mit der Prognose korreliert. Bei Plattenepithelkarzinomen im Kopf-Hals-Bereich (HNSCC) findet Ki67 bisher lediglich in der pathologischen Diagnostik routinemäßige Anwendung. Vor diesem Hintergrund[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL], 86. Jahresversammlung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie

Einleitung: In den vergangenen Jahren konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Infektion mit dem humanen Papillomavirus einen unabhängigen Risikofaktor für die Entwicklung eines Oropharynx-Karzinoms darstellt. Wir untersuchten die Prävalenz der High risk-Typen Typen 16 und 18 in Tumorgewebeproben des Hypopharynx und Larynx unserer klinikeigenen Gewebebank. Methoden: Der HPV-Nachweis erfolgte zunächst mittels einer Screening PCR. Die hier positiven Proben wurden in einer nachfolgenden zweiten PCR auf die high risk-Typen HPV 16 und HPV 18 untersucht. Desweiteren wurde immunhistochemisch die Expression von p16 untersucht. Ergebnisse: Insgesamt wurden 98 Gewebeproben untersucht. Hierbei zeigte sich in 13 Proben (13%) eine Infektion mit HPV 16. In einer Gewebeprobe (1%) konnte die Infektion mit HPV 18 nachgewiesen werden. Schlussfolgerungen: Unsere Untersuchungen weisen darauf hin, dass die high risk-Typen HPV 16 und HPV 18 auch in der Carcinogenese von Hypopharynx- und Larynxkarzinomen eine Rolle spielen. Hier sollte weiter untersucht werden, ob sich die HPV typischen Tumorcharakteristika, insbesondere die verbesserte Prognose von HPV-positiven Tumoren, auch für Hypopharynx- und Larynxkarzinome nachweisen lässt. Der Erstautor gibt keinen Interessenkonflikt an., GMS Current Posters in Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery; 10:Doc144; ISSN 1865-1038

Investigations with 15N'‐labelled urea were carried out to find out the influence of the amount of fibre on the reflux of 15N’ into the caecum to take part in the caecal metabolism. Two pelleted diets, containing 9.7% (group 1 with 23% oat hulls) and 2.2% (Group 2 without oat hulls) crude fibre, with urea with 60 atom% 15N‐excess (15N) used as marker were given to three White New Zealand rabbits each group. Group 1 and 2 consumed 109 and 72 g fresh matter per rabbit and day, respectively. Daily 15N'‐intake per rabbit was 307 mg in group 1 and 279 mg in group 2. Most of 15N’ was eliminated directly via the urine. The daily faecal excretion in group 1 and 2 was 5.3 and 2.3 mg 15N’, respectively. Only about 20 to 30% of 15N’ and volatile fatty acids in the caecum and higher amounts of 15N’ in muscles were found. The animals of this group consumed nearly the total amount of faeces by caecotrophy. Therefore 24 g of group 2 was still satisfying compared to 33 g live weight gain/rabbit and day of group 1. It is ...

Einleitung: Plattenepithelkarzinome des Kopf- und Halses sind die 6 häufigste Krebserkrankung weltweit.Eine Erklärung für die schlechte Prognose ist die Tumorheterogenität und das daraus resultierende ungleiche ansprechen des Tumors auf die Therapie. Das Model der Krebsstammzellen(CSC)[for full text, please go to the a.m. URL], 84. Jahresversammlung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie

This series of short communications introduces and celebrates the occasion of World Nutrition Rio2012, and looks ahead. There will be another series published next month in our May issue, which will be on-line early, at 0001 GMT on Thursday 26 April, the day before Rio2012 begins.\ud \ud The questions and answers: Our contributors, this month and next month, have been asked to write within a standard framework, based on their knowledge and experience, in a style comparable with those of the news and comment sections of journals concerned with public health. Their contributions are judgements, as any policy statements are and must be. The first question is about Rio2012 itself. The second question is addressed to young colleagues. All the questions are designed to look forward and to advise, warn and encourage.\ud \ud What do I hope Rio2012 will achieve?\ud My advice to a young public health nutritionist\ud When I am optimistic, what is my vision?\ud When I am pessimistic, what do I foresee?\ud My most highly recommended writer\ud One choice of my own publications

Disturbed autoregulation and CO2 reactivity have been reported in patients with brain tumors. Therefore, we decided to monitor the cerebrovascular effects of anesthetic drugs and hyperventilation. Transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) can measure noninvasively alterations of flow velocities (v) and cross-sectional vessel area (VA) in large brain arteries. Twenty-eight patients with large malignant brain tumors in the territory of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) randomly received propofol or thiopental for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and TCD parameters (vMCA and VA of the tumor or nontumor side) were determined at six data points (DP). The first measurements (MAP, HR, and TCD of the nontumor side) were performed before (DP I) and 60 s after (DP II) induction of anesthesia with either 2 mg/kg propofol or 4 mg/kg thiopental. After intubation and normoventilation (50% O2 in air), 0.05-0.1 mg/kg midazolam and an alfentanil infusion (100 micrograms/kg x h) were initiated. Then MAP, HR, vMCA, and VA of the tumor side were analyzed before (DP III) and 60 s after (DP IV) either propofol (1 mg/kg) or thiopental (2 mg/kg) were given. Finally, the effects of hyperventilation on HR, MAP, vMCA, and VA (tumor side) were determined (DP V and VI). Mean +/- SD, thiopental or propofol reactivity (non-tumor and tumor side) and CO2 reactivity (tumor side) were calculated; statistical comparison between DP I and II, III and IV, and V and VI was performed by paired t tests (p < 0.05). Unpaired t tests were used to evaluate differences between groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In einem Wachstumsversuch mit 2 Gruppen zu je 25 Kreuzungslammern und in einem N‐Bilanzversuch mit 5 Lammern wurde die Eignung eines Hydrolyseruckstandes aus der ersten Stufe einer Extraktionsschrothydrolyse zur Lysinerzeugung als Zusatzstoff fur Wiederkauer gepruft. Im Wachstums versuch waren die Lammer zu Versuchsbeginn durchschnittlich 25 kg schwer. Eine Gruppe erhielt industriell hergestelltes Lammermastmischfutter. Die zweite Gruppe bakam ein pelletiertes Strohkonzentratgemisch mit 30 % Stroh‐ und 52 % Gerstenanteil sowie je 5 % Sojaextraktionsschrot, Trockenschnitzel und Hydrolyseruckstand. Das Gemisch enthielt 10,71 MJ ME bzw. 5,51 MJ NEFr und 166 g Rohprotein je kg Trockensubstanz. Im Durchschnitt der 43 Versuchstage nahmen die Lammer der Gruppe 2 um 8 % weniger Trockensubstanz, 26 % weniger Energie und 32 % weniger verdauliches Rohprotein auf als die der Gruppe 1. Die Masttagszunahmen der Gruppe 1 bzw. 2 betrugen 374 g bzw. 241 g. Der Unterschied von 35 % war signifikant. Die Gruppe 2 benotigte j...

Durch Veroffentlichungen von Williams angeregt, sind Untersuchugen uber die Bezichungen zwischen Wollertrag und Cyst(e)in-Konzentration im Blutplasma von Schafen vorgesehen. Dazu erfolgten zunachst methodische Versuche, bei denen zwei Methoden gut reproduzierbare Analysendaten ergaben. Dabei muste das austauschbare Bindungsverhalten eines Teiles des freien Cystins im Blutplama mit den Plasmaproteinen und dessen Wirkung auf die Analysenergebnisse berucksichtigt werden. Die beiden Methoden und ihre Anwendung werden unter Beachtung der auf die Analysenergebnisse wirkenden Einflusfaktoren beschrieben, und die Schlusfolgerung gezogen, das sie fur den vorgesehenen Zweck geeignet sind. RELATIONS BETWEEN WOOL YIELD AND CYST(E)INE CONCENTRATION IN BLOOD PLASMA. 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM AND ANALYSIS Publications from Williams were the stimulation to study the relations between wool yield and cyst(e)ine concentration in blood plasma. Methodical experiments were carried out and the two methods used each...

Analytical possibilities for nitrate determination in milk on the base of photometric methods are discussed. An automated method, similar to Nijhuis u. a. (1979), is proposed using flow stream analyser ADM 300. Natrium nitrate (5 g and 10 g/kg live weight resp.) was given to two dairy cows after morning feeding on the 1st and on the 3rd day of experiment. The increase of nitrate content in the milk was very quick, maximal concentrations after 2 h were found as 5.6 mg/l (animal 1) and 3.2 mg nitrate-N/l (animal 2). But nitrate also disappeared relatively quickly, after 24 h there only values were observed corresponding to normal range of 1 mg/l.

In an N balance experiment with male crossbreeding lambs at an age of 3 ... 4 months four different rations were given differing in energy concentration (high greater than 700 EFU cattle/kg DM and low less than 650 EFU cattle/kg DM) and in the energy source (sugar, starch or crude fibre) with crude protein intake being almost equal. The rations contained 2% urea. Microbial protein synthesis in the rumen was assessed according to ROTH and KIRCHGESSNER (1978) (1), RYS et al. (1975) (2) and BICKEL-BAUMANN and LANDIS (1986) (3) on the basis of allantoin excretion in urine. The highest ruminal protein synthesis quotas were 868 ... 921 mg protein N per kg LW0.75 in (2). In (3) 723 ... 766 mg protein N/kg LW0.75 were synthesized. From the 15N labelling of the supplemented urea and the excreted allantoin it could be calculated that 26 ... 40% of the microbial protein resulted from the urea-N of the ration. Despite a high crude protein content of the ration of between 16 and 17% in the DM and a relation of NPN: pure protein of 0.95 the utilization of the NPN in the ration was relatively high but slightly lower than the utilization of pure protein. The variants with higher energy concentration showed as a tendency higher allantoin excretion in spite of slightly lower dry matter intake and a slightly higher NPN utilization than the variants with lower energy concentration.

Low values for urea were found in samples of ruminal fluid of sheep fed concentrate rations if urea determination was carried out by the urease method. The present paper describes a both simple and sensitive colorimetric method of analysis using diacetyldioxime. The method is suitable for determining urea in coloured solutions such as ruminal fluid or silage extracts.

Lambs of an age of 2 or 4 months and of an average live weight of 14.7 and 27.4 kg resp. received rations consisting of 44% cereals, 46% dried sugar beet pulp, 6% wheat starch, 2% urea and 2% mineral-vitamin mixture. The crude protein content was 17.1 and 15.9% resp. in the dry matter, that of native crude protein 10.6 and 9.4% resp. During a 6-day N balance period 8 and 16 g 15N urea resp. with a 15N excess (15N') of 9.26 and 9.40 atom-% were fed orally instead of commercial feeding urea. There were no significant differences between the two age groups with regard to the digestibility of the organic matter and the crude nutrients. The average N balance of 372 +/- 85 mg/kg LW 0.75/day were in the intermediate range of N retention capacity and accounted for 26 +/- 5% of the consumed N. N retention in per cent. was slightly lower in younger lambs. Projections of urea utilization in a quasi stationary state resulted in an efficiency of the utilization of 33 +/- 4%. The dismembering of the lambs at the end of the main period showed between 0.02 and 0.22 atom-% 15N' in the total N, TCA precipitable N and amino acid N of the meat. At between 0.24 and 0.38 atom-% 15N' they were highest in the heart and jaw muscles. The quota of 15N' amounts found in the total N of the meat were 10.6 +/- 3% of the 15N-intake and 20.1 +/- 5.1% of the 15N' amount remaining in the body. The bones contained 7.7 +/- 1.7% and the fleece 7.9 +/- 3.1% of the 15N'-intake. Generally seen, the total N and urea utilization was slightly lower in younger lambs than in older ones.

The average time the test feed remains in sheep was determined with ewes during three stages of the reproduction cycle. The feed was labelled with 51Cr2O3. Experiment conditions are described under which the experiments can be carried out within the permissible limits.

In an experiment 12 lambs of the merino species were divided into 4 groups. The variants HE received 740 or 718 EFU cattle/kg DM and the variants NE 689 or 671 EFU cattle/kg DM. The different energy concentrations resulted from differentiated quotas of dried sugar beet chips and wheat starch supplements. Within the variants, sub-variants with (HESZ, NESZ) or without (HES, NES) sugar supplements were formed. Due to varied DM intake, the average energy intake in all groups was 42 EFU cattle/kg LW0.75. N balance experiments using 15N-labelled urea were carried out, and 15N accumulation of N excretion was projected to a steady state. The partial utilization of pure protein and NPN in the ration was ascertained with the help of a 3-pool compartment model of N utilization in ruminants. In the non-amino acid N pool HE utilized 84% of NPN and NE 77% for the synthesis of amino and nucleic acids. The efficiency of protein synthesis in the amino acid N-pool were in HESZ 64%, HES 70%, NESZ 70% and NES 73%, resp. The total utilization of NPN is the sum of the partial utilization in the two pools, whereas the total utilization of pure protein is calculated from the true digestibility and the efficiency of the utilization in the AA-N pool. The total utilization of NPN for the synthesis of protein for the protein pool amounted to 40/35/41/33% and that of pure protein to 54/51/49/50%. Energy intake being identical, energy concentration did not have an influence on the utilization of pure protein and NPN, whereas NPN utilization was better in rations containing sugar. The pure protein in the ration was by 19 ... 52% better utilized than NPN.

In two digestion experiments with wethers and seven feeding experiments with 198 fattening bulls with rations rich in (greater than 55% of the dry matter intake from roughage), the influence of the antibiotic monensin on the digestibility of the ration, on rumen-physiologic characteristic values and on fattening and slaughtering results was investigated. The digestibility of the organic matter and the crude nutrients was not significantly influenced by the use of monensin (20 mg/kg dry matter). The administration of 200 mg monensin per fattening bull and day resulted in an increase of the molar concentration of propionate in the rumen fluid by 9.7 mol%, the concentration of acetate and butyrate decreased by 7.3 resp. 2.8 mol %. On an average of the seven experiments the intake of dry matter was diminished by 5.1% through the use of monensin, the live weight increase remained almost unaffected (3.0% additional increase), feed and energy requirement per kg live weight were improved by 7.9%. The fattening results do not always correspond in the various experiments. The results of the dressing of the carcass, the composition of the carcass and the quality of the meat remained unaffected by the administration of monensin.

The target of the investigations was to register part of the synthesis performance in the rumen of ewes during the complete reproduction cycle. With the help of in-vitro experiments with artificial rumen the concentration and production rates of volatile fatty acids in the rumen fluid were measured. From the experiments the measured data of fertility-accentuated crossbreeding (experiment 1) and crossbreeding (experiment 2) ewes were contrasted. The average concentrations of volatile fatty acids in ewes are 95.4 m mol/l in experiment 1 and 109.2 m mol/l in experiment 2 during the early stage gestation, 121.4 m mol/l in experiment 1 and 99.8 m mol/l in experiment 2 in the last stage stage of gestation, 129.6 m mol/l in experiment 1 and 112.8 m mol/l in experiment 2 during lactation and 106.6 m mol/l in experiment 1 and 112.9 m mol/l in experiment 2 during the dry period. The production rates of volatile fatty acids calculated form their concentration amount to 4.8 m mol/l X h in experiment 1 and 2.6 m mol/l X h in experiment 2 in the early stage of gestation, 3.5 m mol/l X h in experiment 1 and 3.1 m mol/l X h in experiment 2 in the last stage of gestation, 3.2 m mol/l X h in experiment 1 and 2.7 m mol/l X h in experiment 2 during lactation and 3.7 m mol/l X h in experiment 1 and 2.9 m mol/l X h in experiment 2 in the dry period. The correlation between the concentration and the production rate of volatile fatty acids is not significantly negative in either of the ewe experiments. The scattering of the individual values is wide so that the individual influence of the test animals as well as the influence of the in-vitro method used permit the conclusion that a significant statement on the influence of the genotype and the stage of reproduction on the production rates cannot be made.

The average passage time, the rumen fluid volume and the digestibility of the organic matter were determined in addition to 3 individual feeding experiments with fertility oriented crossbreed ewes, which received pelleted straw-concentrate mixtures. The average passage time of the feed particles through the digestive tract is shorter in pregnant animals than in lactating ones. It is longest in non-pregnant sheep. High quotas of straw and coarse particles prolong the passage time, increasing feed intake and supplements of long straw shorten it. The volume of rumen fluid is lower in ewes fed ad libitum in the stage of late pregnancy and after lactation than during lactation. The rumen fluid volume is also lower in restrictively fed animals during the stage of late pregnancy than during lactation. In animals in the stage of late pregnancy it correlates negatively with the weight of the litter. On an average of all experiments at maintenance level the digestibility of the organic matter in ewes in the 4th month of pregnancy gravidity amounted to 56.6%, in the 2nd month of lactation to 59.8% and in wethers to 59.5% Due to an increase of energy intake from maintenance to 2. maintenance digestibility of the straw-concentrate mixture with 40% straw decreased by 5.5 units and of that with 60% straw by 17.8 units in the period before delivery. Pregnancy in the 4th month resulted in a digestion depression of between 3.0 and 5.8 units.

Subsequent to a growth experiment with intensively fattened lambs the value of the carcasses of 4 animals each from 7 groups was determined. The control groups with mixed fattening feed for lambs and the groups with wheat and barley mixtures containing urea showed higher carcass yields, net gains, fat percentage and padding, dry matter and fat content of the carcass and lower quotas of important cuts as well as a lower crude protein content in the carcass than groups with grain without urea and groups with straw. This is due to the higher weight gains of the first-mentioned groups. There were no significant differences in the carcass characteristics between the animals of the control group and the grain-urea groups. The carcass quality of the male lambs was better than that of the female ones.

In a digestibility experiment with 4 X 4 calves the animals received 100 g mixture for calves, 50 g dried green fodder and either 656 g dried whole milk and 164 g dried skim milk (VM) or 656 g dried whole milk and 164 g added fat. The added fat consisted of a mixture of tallow and lard in a 1:1 ratio plus 10% emulgator ES 20 (FE) or 8% ES 20 and 2% soybean lecithin (FL) or 25% lard, 25% tallow, 40% rape/sunflower oil with 10% ES 20 (FO). The apparent digestibility of the fat amounted to 91% in group VM and in groups FE/FL/FO to 66/70/67% resp. The composition of fatty acids and the use of an unsuitable charge of dried skim milk are considered to be the causes of the low apparent digestibility. The apparent digestibility of the fatty acids decreased with their growing chain length. The higher digestibility of the unsaturated fatty acids is largely caused by changes due to bacterial activity in these fatty acids in the intestines and by the influence of metabolically changed faecal fat. The combination of the synthetic emulgator with lecithin did not improve fat digestion but diminished the total fat content in the blood.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) became a nation state in 1975. Prior to that it had ninety-one years under colonial authority of one sort or another. It is the largest tropical island, with high rainfall and considerable geographical diversity. Coastal regions, inland swamps and highland valleys all provide ecosystems distinct from each other, and history and geography have together helped to shape dietary patterns in PNG. The agricultural ecology of PNG has evolved over the last 10,000 years or so in response to varied environmental conditions, demographic pressures and social and cultural needs. Subsistence practices changed throughout prehistory as new crops were introduced or 'traded in'. The pace of change accelerated with the onset of European colonial administration which brought with it many new crops, including cash crops. Concomitant with this was the introduction of a cash economy and the possibility of wage labour. Foods imported from other countries also became available. With independence, the range of subsistence options has not increased, but the proportion of people involved in either cash cropping or wage labour has. Dietary change is taking place at an ever greater rate, and this chapter examines this process from prehistory until 1984.

In order to estimate the influence of plant architectural traits on the erosivity of throughfall we studied throughfall kinetic energy (KE) under tree saplings in a plantation-like experiment in the humid subtropics. Our analyses of rainfall and throughfall KE are based on measurements using calibrated splash cups. Two experiments were carried out, one focusing on density effects and the other testing for species-specific effects and effects of species mixtures. The major architectural traits were measured to characterize sapling morphology. Mixed effects models were used for statistical analysis. In both models, rainfall KE was identified as the most important effect on throughfall KE. Overall, rainfall KE per area was reduced by 59% below the canopy of the studied saplings. We found a significant effect of sapling density on throughfall KE. This is primarily due to the relation between free throughfall and released throughfall. As free throughfall possesses a far higher KE than released throughfall originating from saplings, lower sapling density results in higher total throughfall KE. We also showed that the influence of density on throughfall KE decreases with increasing sapling height due to lateral canopy growth of the saplings. Throughfall KE was significantly different among species. We attribute this to species-specific differences in crown architectural traits. These traits have opposite influence on throughfall KE and interact with each other. Depending on its magnitude, one crown trait can possibly superimpose contrary effects of others. In order to estimate the influence of plant architectural traits on the erosivity of throughfall we studied throughfall kinetic energy (KE) under tree saplings in a plantation-like experiment in the humid subtropics. Our analyses of rainfall and throughfall KE are based on measurements using calibrated splash cups. Two experiments were carried out, one focusing on density effects and the other testing for species-specific effects and effects of species mixtures. The major architectural traits were measured to characterize sapling morphology. Mixed effects models were used for statistical analysis. In both models, rainfall KE was identified as the most important effect on throughfall KE. Overall, rainfall KE per area was reduced by 59% below the canopy of the studied saplings. We found a significant effect of sapling density on throughfall KE. This is primarily due to the relation between free throughfall and released throughfall. As free throughfall possesses a far higher KE than released throughfall originating from saplings, lower sapling density results in higher total throughfall KE. We also showed that the influence of density on throughfall KE decreases with increasing sapling height due to lateral canopy growth of the saplings.Throughfall KE was significantly different among species. We attribute this to species-specific differences in crown architectural traits. These traits have opposite influence on throughfall KE and interact with each other. Depending on its magnitude, one crown trait can possibly superimpose contrary effects of others. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.