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abstract:This article revisits the gender politics of Poetry: A Magazine of Verse during founding editor Harriet Monroe's tenure (1912–1936). Although Poetry is often lauded for achieving gender parity and publishing formally experimental poetry, it is rarely acknowledged that the magazine published zero Black women poets in its first decades of existence. This article argues that reading Poetry from this constitutive absence brings into view the antiblack reproductive logic that drove Poetry's editorial choices. This article shows that Monroe and her collaborators engaged with Anglo-Saxonist prosodic histories and plantation imaginaries to construct experimental poetry as key to the reproduction of whiteness.

AbstractWe explore the similarities and differences between the governing Risk Evaluation and Assessment (REA) principles for rail and road infrastructure. We frame our analysis with infrastructure managers in mind. In England, Network Rail and National Highways are the key rail and road infrastructure managers, respectively. The intention is to demonstrate that seemingly unrelated rail and road infrastructure upgrade projects are not that different – at least from the REA point of view. By breaking the potential REA barriers between the two modes, a number of benefits can be realised across the project lifecycle and beyond. Safely allowing the space for future change and innovation is a key guiding principle. Our findings point towards ‘systems thinking’ where rail and road can be approached as a single system – at least from the REA activities point of view. At a project level, this means that there are potentially many unexplored synergies between the two sectors. This may not only be in terms of safety, but also in terms of managing capital expenditure and operational expenditure and efficiencies. Future work would concentrate on drawing parallels between rail and road REA approaches for operating companies (and vehicles) to support our ‘Systems Thinking’ vision.

The historical archive in Feltre (Veneto) preserves inventories of its Teatro Sociale that testify to this provincial theatre’s importance to the town and the surrounding area during the 19th century. These inventories are rare sources that have never previously been analysed. Based on these documents, this article investigates the world behind the scenes and extracts information on the staff involved in running the theatre. Offstage workers are generally forgotten on playbills and in theatre periodicals (which pay tribute to onstage artists and report the repertoire of travelling theatre companies), and they do not figure significantly in the documents of theatre companies such as contracts, correspondence and regulations. To a greater extent than other sources, these inventories provide a window onto the labour of these workers, who made a highly significant, if less visible, contribution to performances and the running of a theatre.

Vor etwas mehr als 50 Jahren, am 8. Dezember 1971, besetzten Jugendliche ein größeres Gebäude in Berlin und nannten es Georg-von-Rauch-Haus. Die Autoren nehmen das Jubiläum zum Anlass, um über die Frage nachzudenken, was sich aus den im Haus gemachten Erfahrungen mit Selbstorganisation für die heutige Jugendhilfe lernen lässt. Sie untersuchen insbesondere die Konflikte zwischen den Jugendlichen und den staatlichen Jugendbehörden.

Bipolar disorder is a severe and chronic psychiatric disease resulting from a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors. Here, we identified a significant higher mutation rate in a gene encoding the calcium-dependent activator protein for secretion (CADPS) in 132 individuals with bipolar disorder, when compared to 184 unaffected controls or to 21,070 non-psychiatric and non-Finnish European subjects from the Exome Aggregation Consortium. We found that most of these variants resulted either in a lower abundance or a partial impairment in one of the basic functions of CADPS in regulating neuronal exocytosis, synaptic plasticity and vesicular transporter-dependent uptake of catecholamines. Heterozygous mutant mice for Cadps+/−revealed that a decreased level of CADPS leads to manic-like behaviours, changes in BDNF level and a hypersensitivity to stress. This was consistent with more childhood trauma reported in families with mutation in CADPS, and more specifically in mutated individuals. Furthermore, hyperactivity observed in mutant animals was rescued by the mood-stabilizing drug lithium. Overall, our results suggest that dysfunction in calcium-dependent vesicular exocytosis may increase the sensitivity to environmental stressors enhancing the risk of developing bipolar disorder.

Two‐sided bounds for the efficiency of the torsion function are obtained in terms of the square of the distance to the boundary function under the hypothesis that the Dirichlet Laplacian satisfies a strong Hardy inequality. Localization properties of the torsion function are obtained under that hypothesis. An example is analyzed in detail.

Animals that depend on water sources in dry environments must balance their water demands with predation risk. In settings of water scarcity, predators may strategically exploit prey’s dependence on water; prey may adjust their use of water sources either spatially or temporally to avoid overlapping with predators. To examine the spatiotemporal dynamics of predators and prey at water sources, we studied the use of semipermanent waterholes in the dry season by red-fronted lemurs (Eulemur rufifrons), a primate species that exhibits flexible circadian activity patterns and inhabits a dry deciduous forest in western Madagascar. We hypothesized that lemurs avoid predators in their spatiotemporal use of waterholes. We analyzed the patterns of camera trap activations at waterholes by red-fronted lemurs and their two main predators: fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) and Madagascar harrier hawks (Polyboroides radiatus). We found that red-fronted lemurs were unlikely to use waterholes at times of day when predators were commonly present, and that the distributions of times of waterhole use differed between red-fronted lemurs and each of their predator species. Red-fronted lemurs frequently used waterholes that were also used by predators within the same week in part because the predators used a variable set of water resources. In this system, predators did not appear to exploit waterholes for the high density of red-fronted lemurs attracted to them, but instead likely used waterholes primarily to meet their own water demands. Our findings suggest that when predators and prey share water sources, prey may adjust their behavior to reduce their risk of overlap with predators, including through avoidance of indirect cues of predation, such as waterholes at particular times of day.

To promote sustainability, the pet food industry could use fermented co-products from ethanol and beer production as ingredients. However, these ingredients may impact the appearance, smell, and taste of the final product. The aim of this study was to analyze the sensory characteristics of extruded dog kibble produced with fermented co-products. Four diets were evaluated: 1) a control diet with no fermented co-products (CON), 2) a diet containing 3.5% brewers dried yeast (BDY), 3) a diet with 17.5% distillers dried grains plus solubles and 2.5% brewer's dried yeast (DDGS+BDY), and 4) a diet with 17.5% corn fermented protein (CFP). Five human trained panelists rated various characteristics of the product in terms of appearance, texture, aroma, and flavor from 0 to 15 (0 = none; 15 = extremely high). Results were analyzed using the sensory package in XLSTAT, and for significant attributes (P< 0.05), sample effects were assessed using Fisher LSD. For appearance, DDGS+BDY was browner than the other treatments (P< 0.05), and all treatments had similar porosity (P> 0.05). For texture, all treatments had similar ratings for particle amount, toothpacking, and oily mouthcoating (P> 0.05). The CFP was harder than DDGS+BDY (P< 0.05), and DDGS+BDY had decreased fracturability than CON and BDY (P< 0.05). The aroma characteristics including grain, cardboard, metallic, and overall intensity were similar for all treatments (P> 0.05). The BDY had less oxidized oil aroma than CON and CFP (P< 0.05). The CFP had less barnyard aroma than DDGS+BDY (P< 0.05),but was more brothy than DDGS+BDY (P< 0.05). The CON had a less intense vitamin aroma than BDY and DDGS+BDY (P< 0.05). In terms of flavor, barnyard, fish, brothy, salt, bitter, and metallic flavors were similar for all treatments (P< 0.05). Treatment CFP had stronger grain flavor than BDY (P< 0.05). Vitamin flavor was less intense for CON than DDGS+BDY and CFP (P< 0.05). Cardboard flavor was stronger for DDGS+BDY than BDY (P< 0.05), and oxidized oil flavor was less intense for DDGS+BDY than CON (P< 0.05). In addition to producing a nutritionally balanced product, the pet food industry must also accommodate the preferences of human consumers. For this reason, the final product must contain sensory characteristics that appeal to pet parents. Overall, the fermented ingredients evaluated did not seem to negatively impact the food sensory properties, resulting in desirable texture, aroma, and flavor profiles.

Bounds are obtained for the Lpnorm of the torsion function vΩ, i.e. the solution of -Δv=1,v∈H01(Ω),in terms of the Lebesgue measure of Ωand the principal eigenvalue λ1(Ω)of the Dirichlet Laplacian acting in L2(Ω). We show that these bounds are sharp for 1≤p≤2.

Collar-mounted monitoring devices for collecting behavioural or positional data (e.g. sound recorders, accelerometers, GPS, VHF) are increasingly used in wildlife research. Although these tools represent an improvement in terms of data quality, they require capturing animals. Using remotely releasable collars allows for reducing the number of captures by half; however, currently this technology is primarily available for large mammals. Here, we present a locking mechanism design that is remotely releasable and light enough (22 g) for medium-sized mammals (>1 kg), can run in low-power mode for years, is reusable directly after recharge, and has a material cost of less than €50. An Android application operates this mechanism over a Bluetooth connection. We developed custom-purpose software for both the locking mechanism and the Android application. We tested two collars equipped with this locking mechanism in field-like conditions on two ring-tailed lemurs Lemur catta. The release mechanism has an operational range of 10–50 m and can run in active mode (allowing remote release) for several hours. Implementation of the presented release mechanism for collars on medium-sized mammals provides a low-cost solution to reduce the number of captures. We demonstrate that some low-cost technical improvements of tools used for studying wildlife can have significant effects on reducing the stress experienced by animals during capture. Detailed description of this new mechanism design provides a starting-block for potential adaptations for a broader range of species.

Due to their small size, ultrafine particles (UFP) are believed to exert higher toxicity than larger particles. As numerous studies on health effects of UFP have been published since the last systematic review in 2013, we aim to systematically review the new literature. We searched MEDLINE and the specialized LUDOK database for studies published between 01.01.2011 and 11.05.2017 investigating health effects of ambient air pollution-related UFP. We included epidemiologic studies containing UFP measures and quantifiable measures of associations. Relevant data were extracted on the basis of previously developed evaluation criteria. We identified 85 original studies, conducting short-term (n= 75) and long-term (n= 10) investigations. Panel (n= 32), scripted exposure with predefined settings (n= 16) or time series studies (n= 11) were most frequent. Thirty-four studies adjusted for at least one other pollutant. Most consistent associations were identified for short-term effects on pulmonary/systemic inflammation, heart rate variability and blood pressure. The evidence suggests adverse short-term associations with inflammatory and cardiovascular changes, which may be at least partly independent of other pollutants. For the other studied health outcomes, the evidence on independent health effects of UFP remains inconclusive or insufficient.

Co-products from the ethanol industry, such as distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), can provide alternative protein sources for pet food. Corn fermented protein (CFP) is produced using postfermentation technology to split the protein and yeast from fiber prior to drying. This results in a higher protein ingredient compared to DDGS, increasing its appeal for pet food. In addition, the substantial yeast component, at approximately 20% to 25%, may promote gut health through modulation of the microbiome and the production of short-chain fatty acids. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of CFP on the fecal microbiome of cats. The 4 experimental diets included a control with no yeast (T1) and diets containing either 3.5% brewer’s dried yeast (T2), 2.5% brewer’s dried yeast plus 17.5% DDGS (T3), or 17.5% CFP (T4). All diets except T1 were formulated to contain 3.5% yeast. Diets were fed to adult cats (n= 11) in an incomplete 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design. Cats were adapted to diet for 9 d followed by a 5-d total fecal collection. During each collection period, fresh fecal samples from each cat were collected and stored at −80 °C until analysis. Fresh fecal samples (n= 44) were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Raw sequences were processed through Mothur (v.1.44.1). Community diversity was evaluated in R (v4.0.3). Relative abundance was analyzed within the 50 most abundant operational taxonomic unitsusing a mixed model of SAS (v9.4, SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC). Diet was the fixed effect and cat and period were random effects. Results were considered significant at P< 0.05. Alpha-diversity indices (Observed, Chao1, Shannon, Simpson) and beta-diversity metric (principal coordinate analysis) were similar for all treatments. Predominant phyla were Firmicutes (66%), Bacteroidetes (25%), Actinobacteria (8%), Proteobacteria (0.64%), and Desulfobacteria (0.54%). The relative abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria was lower (P < 0.05) for T3 compared to T4 and T2, respectively. On a more specific phylogenic level, 17 genera resulted in differences (P< 0.05) among dietary treatments. Overall, this data indicates that compared to traditional yeast and distillers dried grains, CFP did not alter the overall diversity of the fecal microbiome of healthy adult cats over a 14-d period.The overall diversity of the fecal microbiome of cats was comparable when fed diets containing either soybean meal, brewer’s dried yeast, a combination of brewer’s dried yeast and distillers dried grains with solubles, or corn fermented protein. However, the relative abundance of taxonomic classifications shifted based on dietary substrate available for microbial fermentation.Specific components of yeast may affect gut microbiota and health. Corn fermented protein (CFP) is a co-product from ethanol production which contains approximately 20% to 25% yeast. In this work, 11 cats were fed diets containing no yeast (T1) and either 3.5% brewer’s dried yeast (T2), 2.5% brewer’s dried yeast plus 17.5% distillers dried grains with solubles (T3), or 17.5% CFP (T4). Cats were fed each dietary treatment for 14 d with a 9-d adaptation phase followed by a 5-d total fecal collection. Fresh fecal samples were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Beta and alpha diversity were comparable for cats fed dietary treatments. The relative abundance of the Firmicutes and Actinobacteria phyla was lower for T3 compared to T4 and T2, respectively. When compared on a more specific phylogenic level, 17 genera out of the 50 most abundant OTU resulted in significant differences among dietary treatments. This data indicates that CFP did not alter the overall diversity of the fecal microbiome of healthy adult cats over a 14-d period. The shifts in relative abundance of taxa appeared to be influenced by the type of dietary substrate available for microbial fermentation.

Le concept de l’origine développementale de la santé et des maladies adultes (DOHaD) suggère que de nombreuses maladies adultes seraient programmées durant le développement par l’environnement. Ceci est particulièrement le cas pour l’impact de la nutrition en périodes fœtale et postnatale précoces sur les maladies cardiométaboliques. Cette programmation des maladies adultes est associée à la mise en place de nouveaux seuils pour les régulations physiologiques, pouvant ainsi rendre l’organisme plus susceptible à développer une maladie avec le temps. Elle implique des modifications permanentes de l’expression de gènes, notamment par des mécanismes épigénétiques. Parmi ces derniers, les études récentes suggèrent un rôle de plus en plus important des micro-ARN. Les micro-ARN sont de petits ARN non-codants capables d’inhiber la traduction des ARNm en protéine. La complémentarité de leur action par rapport aux autres modifications épigénétiques est illustrée ici dans un modèle de retard de croissance intra-utérin programmé pour développer une insulinorésistance. Une réévaluation du rôle des micro-ARN avec de nouvelles données montrant une capacité d’action sur des organes à distance, cruciale pour le développement et la progression des maladies métaboliques, est également abordée.

To describe the implementation of a medication therapy management (MTM) collaborative within a pediatric health system to ensure the safe use of medication.

Sustainability is one of the trending keywords in the pet food industry today. Utilizing protein-rich fermented co-products such as corn fermented protein (CFP) can promote sustainable pet food. However, co-product ingredients have been avoided in pet food due to negative consumer perception. Unlike traditional dried distillers grain, corn fermented protein (CFP) contains 50% protein due to a substantial yeast component, which may improve consumer perception. The objective was to evaluate the effect of CFP inclusion in dry dog food on consumer acceptance. Treatments included a control diet (CON, no fermented co-products), a brewer’s dried yeast diet (BDY, 3.5% brewer’s dried yeast), a distillers dried grains with solubles plus brewer’s dried yeast diet (DDGS+BDY, 17.5% DDGS + 2.5% brewer’s dried yeast), and a corn fermented protein diet (CFP, 17.5% corn fermented protein). The consumer acceptance data were collected from 104 dog owners who purchased dry dog food and feed their dogs during a central location test. Data were collected using RedJade software and analyzed by one-way ANOVA (Sensory XLStat package) to determine significant differences among overall appearance, color, aroma, and assumed dog liking. The effects were assessed using Fisher’s Least Significant Difference with significance at P< 0.05. All treatments were equally liked (P> 0.05) based on 9-point scale. More consumers showed liking in aroma for yeast containing treatments (CFP, n = 51; DDGS+BDY, n = 46; BDY, n = 45) than CON (n = 37). Consumer opinion of pet food ingredients were also evaluated. Chicken and salmon were considered most appropriate (> 85%) by consumers, while brewer’s dried yeast, corn meal, yeast, and corn gluten meal were considered appropriate from less than 10% of consumers. The most inappropriate ingredients according to consumers were corn gluten meal (>50%), corn meal, brewer’s yeast, dry yeast, and yeast. In conclusion, consumers liked the kibble that contained BDY, DDGS, or CFP at the same level as the control diet when evaluated based on sensory perceptions. However, there is a need to improve consumer perception of corn and yeast ingredients to promote sustainable pet foods.

Organism development is controlled by both genetic programs and the environment to insure a reproductive success as adults. Linear growth is an important part of the development and is mostly controlled by genetic factors. However, the variability of height in a given species does not seem to be specifically associated with SNP. This suggests that environment may play a crucial role. In agreement, an important part of height-related genes present CpG island in their proximal promoter, indicating potential involvement of epigenetic mechanisms. In mammals, the linear growth is regulated by the IGF system, with IGF-I and IGF-II during the fetal period, and IGF-I being included within the somatotropic axis during the postnatal period. Nutrition during the lactating period programs linear growth and adult size through a modulation of the somatotropic axis development and of the setting of its activity later on. The study of underlying mechanisms suggest two waves of programming, which involve both structural adaptation during the early postnatal period and permanent functional adaptation in adulthood. The former may involve a direct stimulation of axon growth of GHRH neurons by IGF-I in first weeks of life while the latter could involve permanent epigenetic modifications in adulthood.

The World Health Organization has developed ambient air quality guidelines at levels considered to be safe or of acceptable risk for human health. These guidelines are meant to support governments in defining national standards. It is unclear how they are followed. We compiled an inventory of ambient air quality standards for 194 countries worldwide for six air pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide. We conducted literature and internet searches and asked country representatives about national ambient air quality standards. We found information on 170 countries including 57 countries that did not set any air quality standards. Levels varied greatly by country and by pollutant. Ambient air quality standards for PM2.5, PM10and SO2poorly complied with WHO guideline values. The agreement was higher for CO, SO2(10-min averaging time) and NO2. Regulatory differences mirror the differences in air quality and the related burden of disease around the globe. Governments worldwide should adopt science based air quality standards and clean air management plans to continuously improve air quality locally, nationally, and globally.

The inclusion of yeast in pet food can provide health benefits and increase palatability. Corn fermented protein is a co-product from ethanol production which contains approximately 20% to 25% yeast. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the yeast in CFP on diet production and utilization when fed to healthy adult cats. The four experimental diets included a control with 15% soybean meal (CON) and diets containing either 3.5% brewer’s dried yeast (BDY), 2.5% brewer’s dried yeast plus 17.5% distillers dried grains with solubles (BDY+DDGS), or 17.5% corn fermented protein (CFP). All treatments except CON were formulated to contain 3.5% yeast. Experimental diets were fed to adult cats (n= 11) in an incomplete 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design. Cats were adapted to diet for 9 d followed by a 5-d total fecal collection. Titanium dioxide (0.4%) was added to all diets as an external marker to estimate digestibility. Data were analyzed using a mixed model in SAS (version 9.4, SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC) with treatment as a fixed effect and cat and period as random effects. Preconditioner discharge temperature was greater (P< 0.05) for CON and BDY (average, 96 °C) compared to BDY + DDGS and CFP (average, 91 °C). Extruder screw speed, die temperature, kibble toughness, and kibble hardness were greatest (P< 0.05) for CFP. The bulk density of BDY + DDGS at 392 g/L was greater (P< 0.05) than BDY and CFP (average, 342 g/L). The sectional expansion index of kibble for CFP was greater (P< 0.05) than BDY + DDGS and smaller (P< 0.05) than CON but similar to BDY. Fecal output was greatest (P< 0.05) for cats fed BDY + DDGS. Nutrient digestibility was lowest (P< 0.05) for BDY + DDGS. The concentrations of short-chain and branched-chain fatty acids in fecal samples were not altered (P> 0.05) by dietary treatment. Cats had no preference (P> 0.05) when comparing CON to BDY or BDY + DDGS. However, cats consumed significantly less CFP compared to CON. The significant differences for bulk density, fecal output, and nutrient digestibility among dietary treatments are likely due to a greater fiber effect of DDGS compared to CFP. Therefore, the yeast component in CFP may provide greater kibble expansion and nutrient utilization compared to DDGS when fed to cats.Corn-fermented protein is a co-product from ethanol production which contains approximately 20% to 25% yeast. Based on the effects of CFP on processing parameters, kibble characteristics, stool quality, nutrient digestibly, and palatability compared to traditional yeast, CFP would be best utilized as a protein or fiber source for pet food.The inclusion of yeast in pet food can provide health benefits and increase palatability. Corn-fermented protein is a co-product from ethanol production which contains approximately 20% to 25% yeast. In this work, 11 cats were fed diets containing no yeast (CON) and either 3.5% brewer’s dried yeast (BDY), 2.5% brewer’s dried yeast plus 17.5% distillers dried grains with solubles (BDY+DDGS), or 17.5% corn fermented protein (CFP). Cats were fed each dietary treatment for 14 d with a 9-d adaptation phase followed by a 5-d total fecal collection. Processing parameters, kibble characteristics, stool quality, nutrient digestibility, and palatability were analyzed. Processing parameters needed to be adjusted for CFP to result in a similar bulk density to BDY. The CFP resulted in harder and tougher kibble compared to BDY. The total fecal output and fecal score of cats were similar for BDY and CFP. However, nutrient digestibility was lower for CFP compared to BDY, likely due to the increase in dietary fiber. Short-chain and branched-chain fatty acid concentrations in fecal samples were not altered among diets. The palatability of BDY appeared to be greater than CFP for cats. Further research is needed to evaluate the possible impact of yeast in CFP on animal health.

Yeast-derived 1,3/1,6 β-glucans may alter host immunity to produce robust and quickly resolved responses that align with companion animal health goals. In adult dogs, immunomodulation by yeast 1,3/1,6 β-glucans in extruded kibble diet have not been well documented. The study objective was to evaluate systemic immune responses in dogs fed kibble diets with two yeast 1,3/1,6 β-glucans doses before and after vaccine challenge. Twenty-four adult Labrador Retrievers were assigned to three dietary treatments consisting of a basal diet (control) supplemented with 0.012% or 0.023% (0.5 or 1×, respectively) yeast 1,3/1,6 β-glucan with equal sex representation within each treatment (8 dogs/diet). Animals were fed experimental diets for a 29-d acclimation period, after which baseline blood samples were collected before administration of a combination canine distemper virus, parvovirus, and adenovirus-2 vaccine. Blood samples were collected weekly for 21 d following vaccination with whole blood for CBC analysis, serum for titer and cytokine assays, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated for flow cytometric immune cell profiling. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure with diet and timepoint fixed effects. Serum titer was analyzed by Kruskal–Wallis test (SAS 9.4; P≤ 0.05). Prior to vaccination, β-glucan diets did not affect serum cytokines, antibody titer, or immune cell populations. In the first 7 d post-vaccination (dpv), PBMC CD21lowB cells increased 36.5% to 58.1% in all groups but the magnitude of change was lesser in the 0.5× β-glucan diet resulting in 25.6% lower CD21lowpopulations compared to control-fed dogs (P= 0.007). By 21 dpv, B-cell populations recovered to baseline levels in dogs fed 1× β-glucan, but CD21highcells remained elevated 50.5% in dogs fed 0.5× β-glucan diets compared with baseline (P< 0.0001). While no differences in serum titer or cytokines were observed, feeding both β-glucan diets maintained stable blood monocytes, whereas a 53.0% decrease between baseline and 14 dpv was observed in control-fed dogs (P= 0.01). Collectively, these outcomes suggest that a 1× dose of 1,3/1,6 yeast β-glucan in extruded kibble diets altered monocytes associated with trained immunity, did not reduce PBMC CD21lowB-cell responsiveness, and simultaneously contributed to B-cell population resolution by 21 dpv in adult dogs. Additional research to assess the functionality of these changes is needed.Yeast 1,3/1,6 β-glucans have shown promise in training human immune responses, but similar outcomes have not been described in adult companion animals. Here, we show potential benefits of yeast 1,3/1,6 β-glucans on canine immunity during vaccine challenge but also identify new areas of emphasis in assessing adult companion animal immunity.Companion animal food trends reflect the growing demand for healthy, functional foods. Yeast-derived β-glucans have been shown to train the human immune system to respond and resolve inflammation quickly, which aligns with companion animal health goals of providing disease protection without excessive inflammation. In this work, 24 healthy adult Labrador Retrievers were fed diets without or with yeast β-glucans at two doses (0.5 and 1×). After feeding experimental diets for 4 wk, blood samples were collected to establish baseline immunity before dogs were challenged with a commercially available vaccine. Blood samples were collected weekly for 3 wk post-vaccination to determine changes, if any, to serum antibody, cytokine production, and blood counts. All dogs achieved protective antibody titers within 1 wk post-vaccination. Dogs fed the 1× β-glucans inclusion showed potentially reduced reliance on cells associated with early immune responses without prolonging responses by antibody-producing cells. These outcomes suggest beneficial responses to dietary yeast β-glucans in vaccinated adult Labrador Retrievers, but further research and refinement of immunological assessment in companion animals are needed.

Dried distillers’ grains, coproducts from the ethanol industry, may provide sustainable ingredients for pet food. Due to new post-fermentation separation techniques, corn-fermented protein (CFP) is higher in protein and lower in fiber compared with traditional dried distillers’ grains, increasing its appeal for inclusion into pet food. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the effects of increasing levels of CFP on stool quality, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), and palatability in adult cats. Four extruded diets were fed to 11 adult cats in an incomplete 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design. The control diet contained 15% soybean meal (0C) and CFP was exchanged for soybean meal at either 5%, 10%, or 15% (5C, 10C, 15C). Cats were fed each dietary treatment for 9-d adaption followed by 5-d total fecal collection. Feces were scored on a 1 to 5 scale, with 1 representing liquid diarrhea and 5 representing hard pellet-like (Carciofiet al., 2008). A fecal score of 3.5 to 4 was considered ideal. Titanium dioxide was added to all diets (0.4%) as a marker to estimate digestibility. Data were analyzed using a mixed model in SAS (version 9.4, SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC) with treatment as a fixed effect and cat and period as random effects. Fecal dry matter percent and dry fecal output were greater (P< 0.05) at elevated levels of CFP. Stool scores were maintained (P> 0.05) throughout treatments (average; 4). Dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and gross energy ATTD decreased when cats were fed 15C. There was no difference in ATTD of fat or total dietary fiber among treatments. For palatability assessment, cats preferred 5C over 0C but had no preference with increased CFP inclusion. These results suggest that CFP is comparable to SBM, but there may be a maximum inclusion level of 10% when fed to cats.Corn-fermented protein (CFP) could provide a sustainable protein source for pet food. This work supports the inclusion of CFP into pet food based on acceptable stool quality, diet digestibly, and palatability when fed to cats.Sustainable ingredients are of increasing demand within the pet food industry. Corn-fermented protein (CFP) could provide a sustainable protein source for pet food. CFP is a coproduct from ethanol production, which is produced using post-fermentation separation technology to create a high-protein, low-fiber ingredient. In this work, 11 healthy cats were fed diets containing 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% CFP in exchange for soybean meal. Cats were fed each dietary treatment for 14 d with a 9-d adaptation phase followed by a 5-d total fecal collection. Stool quality and diet digestibility were analyzed. Total fecal output of cats increased, and diet digestibility decreased with the 15% CFP inclusion. These results are likely due to the fiber component of CFP indicating a maximum inclusion level at 10% when fed to cats. In addition, palatability of diets was evaluated at a commercial kennel and proved to be acceptable at all CFP inclusion levels when fed to cats. Further research is needed to evaluate the possible impact of CFP on animal health when included in pet food.

We calculate to three-loop order the renormalization group flow of the interaction constants for polymer solutions containing several chemically different polymer species. Close to the fixed points we determine the flow by a Padé-Borel analysis using information on the asymptotic behaviour of the perturbation expansion. We furthermore derive exact relations which connect the correction to scaling exponents of binary solutions or of star polymers, and in the cross over region we integrate the flow equations numerically to get a global picture. To clarify the relation to previous work based on “direct renormalization” we present a detailed discussion of the interpenetration ratio for two chains of different chemistry or size.