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Many of the world’s agriculturally important plant and animal populations consist of hybrids of subspecies. Cattle in tropical and sub-tropical regions for example, originate from two subspecies, Bos taurus indicus(Bos indicus) and Bos taurus taurus (Bos taurus). Methods to derive the underlying genetic architecture for these two subspecies are essential to develop accurate genomic predictions in these hybrid populations. We propose a novel method to achieve this. First, we use haplotypes to assign SNP alleles to ancestral subspecies of origin in a multi-breed and multi-subspecies population. Then we use a BayesR framework to allow SNP alleles originating from the different subspecies differing effects. Applying this method in a composite population of B. indicusand B. taurushybrids, our results show that there are underlying genomic differences between the two subspecies, and these effects are not identified in multi-breed genomic evaluations that do not account for subspecies of origin effects. The method slightly improved the accuracy of genomic prediction. More significantly, by allocating SNP alleles to ancestral subspecies of origin, we were able to identify four SNP with high posterior probabilities of inclusion that have not been previously associated with cattle fertility and were close to genes associated with fertility in other species. These results show that haplotypes can be used to trace subspecies of origin through the genome of this hybrid population and, in conjunction with our novel Bayesian analysis, subspecies SNP allele allocation can be used to increase the accuracy of QTL association mapping in genetically diverse populations.

Polled cattle, or those that are naturally hornless, are highly advantageous from both an economic and animal welfare perspective. While there are a number of different mutations that result in a polled phenotype, a duplication on bovine chromosome 1, referred to as the Celtic mutation, is the most common within beef cattle. Tropically adapted beef cattle typically have some degree of indicine influence, which are all naturally horned breeds. Polled genes must therefore be introgressed into tropically adapted cattle from naturally polled breeds, such as Angus, carrier of the Celtic mutation. However, Angus are not as well suited for hot, humid climates and introgression cannot happen at the expense of productivity or adaptation. Therefore, strategies must be developed to balance the introgression of poll alleles into a population with continued genetic improvement for economically important traits. This study utilized a privately owned, commercial population of admixed cattle to address this challenge. These cattle (n = ~3,000; single year cohort) were previously genotyped and SNP effects were estimated for heifer pregnancy as part of the internal genetic evaluation of the private enterprise. Management and selection of male and female replacements were modelled using actual production parameters in a digital twin framework. Four different breeding systems, multi-sire natural service, artificial insemination, and invitro fertilization collecting either five or 10 oocytes, were modelled and compared with account for differences in selection intensity. Selection index weighting of poll vs heifer pregnancy was modelled in eight different combinations. Genetic crosses were then simulated using the real genotypes in the genomicSimulation package in R for 5, 10, and 30 years of crosses to evaluate long and short-term consequences. We found that this approach of combining digital twin modelling with simulated crosses can be used to identify the selection strategy that should be applied to optimally balance selection for poll and economically important traits, such as fertility. This modelling approach provides a framework that may be customized to fit specific production parameters or genetic populations representing individual operations. More generally, this particular study used cattle and management practices representative of the northern Australian beef industry, and may be used as a reference for producers in that production system of strategies for increasing the rate of polled animals in their herds. Furthermore, this approach may be applied to the selection for or against other single gene traits, such as many genetic disorders. The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Several reports from the EU Commission and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime emphasize that Europe is a core destination for trafficking in persons for sex exploitation. Europe [...]

Studies have demonstrated successful return to sport rates following Achilles tendon rupture and repair. The purpose of this study is to understand the subjective intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors influencing an athlete's return to pre-injury level of sport following Achilles tendon repair. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews of 23 athletes who had undergone Achilles tendon repair were conducted and analyzed to derive codes, categories, and themes. Three major themes affecting return to sport were elucidated from the interviews: personal motivation, shift in focus, and confidence in healthcare team. These findings can direct healthcare teams on how to better guide patients post-operatively.

From the time oocytes leave quiescence, there are constant microenvironmental influences contributing to development, thus acquiring developmental competence is not a simple, linear phenomenon. During folliculogenesis, oocytes experience many morphological and cytological changes that contribute toward the acquisition of developmental competence, a process defined by an oocyte's ability to progress through folliculogenesis, be fertilized, undergo cleavage, and develop into an embryo. Many factors, such as ovarian follicle size, cow age, and the morphology of the cumulus-oocyte complex, have been extensively investigated to understand this process. In parallel to aiding in the understanding of oocyte biology, these features have been used to characterize an oocyte's ability to achieve competence. In addition, oocytes undergo intense gene transcription and protein translation to accumulate the maternal stores. When the oocyte is fully grown, most genes are transcriptionally inactive, and the chromatin is densely compacted. More recently, RNA profiling has been used to further define the transcriptional parameters that are associated with oocyte development. Here, focusing on cattle, we provide an overview of the experimental models commonly used to understand the underlying biology related to oocyte developmental competence. We compiled public data and showed that cattle oocytes can express over 15 000 protein-coding genes, suggesting a complex transcriptome landscape. Surprisingly, less than 2% of the expressed genes have been linked to developmental competence. The identification of the gene products that contribute to oocyte development, and understanding their biological function, are a vital component of our quest toward defining oocyte developmental competence at the molecular level.

The objective of this research was to determine the effects of mid-gestational maternal inflammation on performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of offspring. Pregnant gilts were administered either lipopolysaccharide (LPS; n= 7) or saline (CON, n= 7) from days 70 to 84 of gestation. Gilts assigned to the LPS treatment were administered an intravenous injection of reconstituted LPS every other day with a beginning dose of 10 μg LPS/kg body weight and subsequent doses increasing by 12%, while CON gilts received intravenous injections of comparable volumes of saline. Gilts farrowed naturally, and at day 66 of age, a total of 59 pigs, both barrows and gilts began a 3-phase feeding regimen designed to meet or exceed nutrient requirements for growing-finishing pigs. Pigs were weighed on days 0, 35, 70, and 105 of the finishing trial to determine average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F). On day 106, pigs were slaughtered under the supervision of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service. Ending live weight, hot carcass weight, and dressing percentage were determined. The left side of carcasses was weighed and fabricated to determine carcass cutting yields. The semitendinosus was collected for histological samples. Fresh belly characteristics and loin quality were measured. Two chops were collected for Warner–Bratzler shear force and proximate analysis. No differences (P≥ 0.13) between LPS and CON pigs were observed for growth performance in phases 1, 2, 3, or overall (days 0 to 105) performance with the exception of overall G:F reduced in CON pigs compared with LPS pigs (P= 0.03). There was a tendency for carcass yield to be reduced (P= 0.06; 0.82% units) in LPS pigs compared with CON pigs. Additionally, longissimus muscle area tended to be reduced (P= 0.10) 2.27 cm2in LPS compared with CON pigs. Loin chop quality traits including instrumental color, subjective color, marbling, firmness, pH, and drip loss were not different (P≥ 0.09) between LPS and CON pigs. Fresh belly characteristics were not different (P≥ 0.22) between LPS and CON pigs. There were no differences in primal and subprimal weights, except that LPS pigs tended to have a reduction (P≥ 0.07) in tenderloin and Canadian back weights compared with CON pigs. Furthermore, LPS pigs had no differences (P≥ 0.25) in muscle fiber composition or size; however, LPS pigs tended (P= 0.10) to have a 13% reduction in estimated muscle fibers number compared with CON pigs. In summary, mid-gestational inflammation did not result in reduced meat quality, growth performance, or carcass yields of offspring.An acute maternal inflammatory challenge during mid-gestation tended to reduce muscle fiber number in the offspring, but did not impact growth performance, carcass characteristics, or overall pork quality.Gestation is a crucial time for communicating the outside environment to the fetus. Any influence on the fetus during gestation may have lifelong effects on the offspring. Most muscle fiber formation occurs in the beginning of the third trimester of gestation. Therefore, maternal inflammation during this period may be detrimental to fetal muscle development, which can ultimately stunt growth potential and influence carcass characteristics and meat quality. A majority of previous research that investigates maternal inflammation as a result of innate immune activation focuses on neuropsychiatric disorders in the offspring, offering little relevance to animal agriculture. The influence of maternal infection on long-term growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality has received little attention. Therefore, the objective of this study was to elucidate the impact of maternal inflammation on offspring growth, efficiency, carcass characteristics, and pork quality. The gestational challenge resulted in pigs that tended to have fewer total muscle fibers. However, gestational inflammation did not have an impact on overall growth performance, carcass characteristics, or pork quality of the offspring.

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are common mental health issues worldwide and can lead to other chronic diseases. Stress is a major factor in the development and continuation of AUDs, and adolescent alcohol exposure can lead to enhanced stress-responsivity and increased risk for AUD development in adulthood. The exact mechanisms behind the interaction between adolescence, stress, and alcohol are not fully understood and require further research. In this regard, the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS) provides dense norepinephrine projections to the extended amygdala, providing a key pathway for stress-related alcohol behaviors. While NTS norepinephrine neurons are known to be alcohol sensitive, whether adolescent alcohol disrupts NTS-norepinephrine neuron development and if this is related to altered stress-sensitivity and alcohol preference in adulthood has not previously been examined. Here, we exposed male and female C57Bl/6J mice to the commonly used adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE) vapor model during postnatal day 28-42 and examined AIE effects on: 1) tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA expression in the NTS across various ages (postnatal day 21-90), 2) behavioral responses to acute stress in the light/dark box test in adulthood, 3) NTS TH neuron responses to acute stress and ethanol challenges in adulthood, and 4) ethanol conditioned place preference behavior in adulthood. Overall the findings indicate that AIE alters NTS TH mRNA expression and increases anxiety-like behaviors following acute stress exposure in a sex-dependent manner. These mRNA expression and behavioral changes occur in the absence of AIE-induced changes in NTS TH neuron sensitivity to either acute stress or acute alcohol exposure or changes to ethanol conditioned place preference.

Heifers that have an earlier age at puberty often have greater lifetime productivity. Age at puberty is moderately heritable so selection should effectively reduce the number of days to puberty, and improve heifer productivity and profitability as a result. However, recording age at puberty is intensive, requiring repeat ovarian scanning to determine age at first corpus luteum (AGECL). Genomic selection has been proposed as a strategy to select for earlier age at puberty; however, large reference populations of cows with AGECL records and genotypes would be required to generate accurate GEBV for this trait. Reproductive maturity score (RMS) is a proxy trait for age at puberty for implementation in northern Australia beef herds, where large scale recording of AGECL is not feasible. RMS assigns a score of 0 to 5 from a single ovarian scan to describe ovarian maturity at ~600 d. Here we use multivariate genomic prediction to evaluate the value of a large RMS data set to improve accuracy of GEBV for age at puberty (AGECL). There were 882 Brahman and 990 Tropical Composite heifers with AGECL phenotypes, and an independent set of 974 Brahman, 1,798 Santa Gertrudis, and 910 Droughtmaster heifers with RMS phenotypes. All animals had 728,785 real or imputed SNP genotypes. The correlation of AGECL and RMS (h2 = 0.23) was estimated as -0.83 using the genomic information. This result also demonstrates that using genomic information it is possible to estimate genetic correlations between traits collected on different animals in different herds, with minimal or unknown pedigree linkage between them. Inclusion of heifers with RMS in the multi-trait model improved the accuracy of genomic evaluations for AGECL. Accuracy of RMS GEBV generally did not improve by adding heifers with AGECL phenotypes into the reference population. These results suggest that RMS and AGECL may be used together in a multi-trait prediction model to increase the accuracy of prediction for age at puberty in tropically adapted beef cattle.

Today, the United States exports 2.2 million tons of pork and pork products annually, representing just over 26% of U.S. pork production. In order to meet specific demands of a growing export market, pork quality and carcass characteristics are now integrated into breeding objectives. Color and marbling are 2 loin quality traits that influence consumer acceptability of pork and while correlations between early and aged ventral quality have been established, it is unclear if those correlations differ between production objectives (meat quality vs. lean growth). Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to compare correlations among early postmortem ventral loin quality characteristics and aged ventral loin and chop quality characteristics between pigs sired by either Pietrain (lean growth) or Duroc (meat quality) boars. Early postmortem (~1 d) quality traits included: instrumental and visual color, marbling and firmness, and loin pH on the ventral surface of the loin. Loins were aged until 14 d postmortem in vacuum packages. Aged quality traits included traits evaluated early as well as Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and cook loss. Correlations were compared between Pietrain and Duroc-sired pigs using a Fisher’s z-test. Early instrumental lightness (L*) was moderately correlated with aged ventral L* (Pietrain r= 0.47; Duroc r= 0.65) and aged ventral visual color (Pietrain r= 0.42; Duroc r= 0.58). Early ventral visual color was moderately correlated with aged chop L* (Pietrain r= 0.46; Duroc r= 0.60) and aged chop visual color (Pietrain r= 0.45; Duroc r= 0.57). Early visual marbling was strongly correlated (Pietrain r= 0.68; Duroc r= 0.84) with aged chop visual marbling. Within the Duroc-sired pigs, early L* was moderately correlated with aged chop L* (r= 0.64) but only weakly correlated (r= 0.35) within the Pietrain-sired pigs and those correlations differed at P≤0.02. Within the Duroc-sired pigs, early ventral visual color was moderately correlated with aged pH (r= 0.44) and aged ventral L* (r= 0.57) but only weakly correlated (r≤ 0.29) within the Pietrain-sired pigs and those correlations differed at P≤0.03. No early postmortem quality traits were correlated (|r| ≤ 0.34) with WBSF or cook loss for either sire line. In summary, correlations between early and aged postmortem quality traits rarely differed between Duroc- and Pietrain-sired pigs. It is not necessary to account for sire line when relating early and aged quality characteristics.

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Meta-analyses techniques using 11 independent datasets were used to determine correlations between pork loin quality evaluated at 1-d postmortem and quality evaluated at 12- to 28-d postmortem. Datasets encompassed approximately 3,957 loins. The effects of aging on ventral loin surface quality were determined using a paired-T test. Ventral loin surfaces become 8% lighter (P< 0.0001), 44.5% redder (P< 0.0001), and 46% more yellow (P< 0.0001) during the aging period. Therefore, it is apparent that loin quality changes during postmortem aging. Because of this, it becomes necessary to determine the correlation between early and aged pork quality parameters. Pearson correlation coefficients within original datasets were calculated, and then sample-weighted mean correlations r¯and variances [Var(r)] were calculated across datasets. Early postmortem ventral instrumental lightness (L*) was moderately correlated with aged ventral L* r¯= 0.50), aged ventral visual color r¯= −0.38), aged chop face (freshly cut) L* r¯= 0.44), and aged chop face visual color r¯= −0.38). Early postmortem ventral instrumental redness (a*) was moderately correlated with aged ventral a* r¯= 0.49) and aged chop face a* r¯= 0.46). Early postmortem ventral visual color was moderately correlated with aged ventral L* r¯= −0.51), aged ventral color (r¯= 0.50), aged chop face L* r¯= −0.43), and aged chop face visual color r¯= 0.43). However, no instrumental or visual color parameters were moderately or strongly correlated with instrumental tenderness or sensory panel ratings of tenderness and juiciness (|r¯| ≤ 0.36). Early postmortem ventral visual marbling was moderately correlated with aged ventral marbling r¯= 0.63) and aged chop face visual marbling r¯= 0.56). Visual marbling was not (|r¯| ≤ 0.12) correlated with instrumental tenderness or sensory panel ratings of tenderness and juiciness. Stepwise regression, using a holo-analysis approach, was used to determine the predictive ability of early postmortem ventral color, marbling, firmness, and pH on sensory panels ratings of tenderness (R2= 0.13), juiciness (R2= 0.09), and flavor (R2= 0.28). Early postmortem color and marbling are important pork quality traits in consumers purchasing decisions, but are poorly related to traits associated with eating experience. Still, they may be predicative of traits associated with purchasing intent.

The objective was to evaluate the interaction of a trace mineral (TM) injection (Multimin 90) and a supranutritional concentration of dietary vitamin E (VITE) on performance, carcass characteristics, and color stability of strip steaks from feedlot heifers. Prior to trial initiation, Angus × Simmental cross heifers (N= 48) were managed on a common diet supplemented to meet the NRC recommendations. Heifers were stratified by BW and allotted to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: 1) no supplemental vitamin E and saline injection (CONT + SAL), 2) 1,000 IU vitamin E·heifer−1·d−1and saline injection (VITE + SAL), 3) no supplemental vitamin E and TM injection (CONT + MM), or 4) vitamin E and TM injection (VITE + MM). Trace mineral injection contained 15, 10, 5, and 60 mg/mL of Cu, Mn, Se, and Zn, respectively, and TM injection or saline injection (1 mL/68 kg BW) were given on day 0 of the 89-d finishing period. All heifers were fed a common diet containing a basal concentration of 19.8 IU/kg DM vitamin E. Heifers were slaughtered and loins sections were collected. Strip steaks were cut and placed in overwrap trays for evaluation of color stability for 16 d. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Color stability data were analyzed as repeated measures. Neither TM injection nor VITE had an effect on final BW, DMI, or G:F (P≥ 0.12). There was a tendency (P= 0.09) for TM injection to increase ADG. A tendency (P= 0.08) was observed for TM injection to increase DMI of heifers receiving supranutritional VITE. Trace mineral injection and VITE had no effect on HCW, yield grade, 12th-rib backfat thickness, or ribeye area (P≥ 0.34). Marbling scores tended to increase (P= 0.08) in VITE heifers compared with control-fed heifers. Vitamin E supplementation decreased final lipid oxidation (1.00 vs. 1.97 µg malondialdehyde/g fat, P= 0.03) and total visual discoloration (15.82% vs. 33.96%, P= 0.04) of steaks compared with steaks from nonsupplemented heifers. Heifers fed supranutritional VITE produced steaks that maintained retail color longer shown by lower hue angle values (38.17° vs. 38.66°, P< 0.01) than nonsupplemented heifers. A TM injection × vitamin E × day interaction (P< 0.01) revealed by day 16 steaks from the CONT + MM heifers exhibited greater discoloration than VITE + SAL and VITE + MM steaks with CONT + SAL intermediate. Overall, VITE improved color stability and TM injection appeared to increase discoloration of strip steaks from feedlot heifers after day 14 of display.

Beef cow stayability is a complex, economically important trait often used as an indicator of a cow’s potential lifetime productivity. Stayability is defined as capability of a cow to maintain a perfect record up to 6 yr of age. This age is commonly cited as a financial break-even point, where initial costs of cow development and maintenance are recovered by her cumulative net income from yearly calf receipts. Later-maturing Bos indicus–Bos tauruscrossbred cows may experience reproductive difficulty early in life but have a high potential for a long reproductive life span. It was the objective of this study to identify genetic variants associated with measures of beef cow stayability. A population of B. indicus–B. tauruscrossbred cows (n= 305) from central Texas was used. Phenotypes for various measures of stayability to 6 yr of age were produced by artificially imposing five different culling criteria on data from the population. Cows were scored either as a 1 (indicating a perfect record through 6 yr) or a 0 (indicating failure at or before 6 yr), under each criterion. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were conducted for each criterion using univariate procedures and prefitting the fixed effect of cow contemporary group. SNP associations for two criteria surpassed the false discovery threshold of 0.15, when a cow was scored as 0 upon her first failure to wean a calf, regardless of reason, through 6 yr (criterion 2), and when a cow was scored as 0 upon her first failure to give birth to a calf, through 6 yr (criterion 3). Associated SNP were found on bovine chromosomes (BTA) 1, 2, 5, 9, 18, and 21 for criterion 2 and on BTA 1, 5, 11, 15, and 24 for criterion 3. A critical region on BTA 5: 43–50 Mb was identified for each criterion. Due to the similarities to prior work, the tendency for B. indicuscattle to experience reproductive difficulties early in life, and due to the large proportion of cows that left the herd at an early age under these criteria, these results suggest that the associations are likely driven by an early life trait such as age at puberty or rate of heifer development.

Oncogenic mutations in BRAF are believed to initiate serrated colorectal cancers; however, the mechanisms of BRAF-driven colon cancer are unclear. We find that oncogenic BRAF paradoxically suppresses stem cell renewal and instead promotes differentiation. Correspondingly, tumor formation is inefficient in BRAF-driven mouse models of colon cancer. By reducing levels of differentiation via genetic manipulation of either of two distinct differentiation-promoting factors (Smad4or Cdx2), stem cell activity is restored in BRAFV600Eintestines, and the oncogenic capacity of BRAFV600Eis amplified. In human patients, we observe that reduced levels of differentiation in normal tissue is associated with increased susceptibility to serrated colon tumors. Together, these findings help resolve the conditions necessary for BRAF-driven colon cancer initiation. Additionally, our results predict that genetic and/or environmental factors that reduce tissue differentiation will increase susceptibility to serrated colon cancer. These findings offer an opportunity to identify susceptible individuals by assessing their tissue-differentiation status.

The prevalence of Haldane’s rule suggests that sex chromosomes commonly have a key role in reproductive barriers and speciation. However, the majority of research on Haldane’s rule has been conducted in species with conventional sex determination systems (XY and ZW) and exceptions to the rule have been understudied. Here we test the role of X-linked incompatibilities in a rare exception to Haldane’s rule for female sterility in field cricket sister species (Teleogryllus oceanicus and T. commodus). Both have an XO sex determination system. Using three generations of crosses, we introgressed X chromosomes from each species onto different, mixed genomic backgrounds to test predictions about the fertility and viability of each cross type. We predicted that females with two different species X chromosomes would suffer reduced fertility and viability compared with females with two parental X chromosomes. However, we found no strong support for such X-linked incompatibilities. Our results preclude X–X incompatibilities and instead support an interchromosomal epistatic basis to hybrid female sterility. We discuss the broader implications of these findings, principally whether deviations from Haldane’s rule might be more prevalent in species without dimorphic sex chromosomes.

Feeding growing-finishing pigs supplemental fat is a common practice in the swine industry and can result in improved feed efficiency and reduced feed intake; however, dietary lipids also play a key role in determining pork quality. Objectives of the study were to evaluate the effects of feeding graded levels of high oleic soybean oil (HOSO) on loin and belly quality. A total of 288 pig raised in two separate blocks (144 pigs each) were assigned to one of four diets containing either 25% dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS), 2% high oleic soybean oil (HOSO2), 4% high oleic soybean oil (HOSO4), or 6% high oleic soybean oil (HOSO6). Following the conclusion of the feeding trial, 144 pigs were slaughtered at the University of Illinois Meat Science Laboratory. Following fabrication, loins were collected for the evaluation of fresh quality measurements and color stability. Belly quality and fatty acid composition were evaluated using skin-on natural fall bellies. There were no differences (P≥ 0.11) in pH, visual color, lightness (L*), drip loss, or WBSF among dietary treatments. However, visual marbling was increased (P≤ 0.01) in loin chops from pigs fed HOSO4and HOSO6treatments compared with chops from pigs fed the DDGS dietary treatment. Additionally, loin chops were more red (a*) (P≤ 0.01) from pigs fed HOSO diets when compared with pigs fed DDGS. Extractable lipid was decreased (P≤ 0.01) in fresh loin chops from pigs fed DDGS and HOSO2diets compared with pigs fed HOSO6. There were no differences (P≥ 0.75) in trained sensory tenderness, juiciness, or flavor for loin chops from pigs fed different dietary treatments. Pork fatty acid composition was altered by dietary HOSO inclusion, with pigs fed DDGS having (P≤ 0.01) the greatest concentration of C16:0 and was decreased with increasing levels of HOSO inclusion. Inversely, the percentage of C18:1n-9 was least (P≤ 0.01) in pigs fed DDGS and increased with increasing levels of HOSO inclusion. Pigs fed DDGS produced wider (P≤ 0.03) and thinner (P≤ 0.04) bellies with reduced flop distance compared with pigs fed HOSO diets. Overall, HOSO diets did not negatively affect fresh loin quality or sensory traits of loin chops. Furthermore, feeding HOSO to swine resulted in bellies containing greater percentages of oleic acid and reduced percentages of palmitic and linoleic acid.High oleic soybean oil can be fed as a supplemental dietary fat source to growing-finishing pigs with little impact on fresh loin quality and palatability. Feeding diets containing high oleic soybean oil resulted in carcasses with thicker bellies and increased flop distance compared with an industry-reference diet.Feeding pigs supplemental fat to increase caloric density is a common practice in the swine industry. However, dietary fats are also a key determinant of pork fat composition and may influence product quality. High oleic soybean oil (HOSO), a relatively new feed ingredient, differs from conventional soybean oil in that it contains an increased proportion of oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid. However, HOSO has not been extensively researched in pig diets. Therefore, our goal was to investigate the use of dietary HOSO on fresh belly and loin quality. A total of 144 pigs, fed one of four diets that differed in fat source, were slaughtered at the University of Illinois Meat Science Laboratory. One diet contained 25% dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS), while the other three had graded levels of high oleic soybean oil (2%, 4%, or 6%). Pigs were fed diets for the last 14 weeks leading up to slaughter. Pigs fed HOSO produced thicker, firmer bellies and fat tissue containing a decreased proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids compared with DDGS-fed pigs. Feeding HOSO had little impact on fresh loin quality and palatability compared with feeding an industry-reference diet containing DDGS.

Pork hot carcass weights (HCW) have been increasing 0.6 kg per year, and if they continue to increase at this rate, they are projected to reach an average weight of 118 kg by the year 2050. This projection in weight is a concern for pork packers and processors given the challenges in product quality from heavier carcasses of broiler chickens. However, previous work demonstrated that pork chops from heavier carcasses were more tender than those from lighter carcasses. Therefore, the objective was to determine the effects of pork hot carcass weights, ranging from 90 to 145 kg with an average of 119 kg, on slice shear force and sensory traits of Longissimus dorsi chops when cooked to 63 or 71 °C, and to assess if differences in chilling rate can explain differences in sensory traits. Carcasses were categorized retrospectively into fast, medium, or slow chilling-rates based on their chilling rate during the first 17 h postmortem. Loin chops cut from 95 boneless loins were cooked to either 63 or 71 °C and evaluated for slice shear force and trained sensory panel traits (tenderness, juiciness, and flavor) using two different research laboratories. Slopes of regression lines and coefficients of determination between HCW and sensory traits were calculated using the REG procedure in SAS and considered different from 0 at P≤ 0.05. As hot carcass weight increased, chops became more tender as evidenced by a decrease in SSF (63 °C β = −0.0412, P= 0.01; 71 °C β = −0.1005, P< 0.001). Furthermore, HCW explained 25% (R2= 0.2536) of the variation in chilling rate during the first 5 h of chilling and 32% (R2= 0.3205) of the variation in chilling rate from 5 to 13 h postmortem. Slow- and medium-rate chilling carcasses were approximately 12 kg heavier (P< 0.05) than fast chilling carcasses. Slice shear force of chops cooked to 63 and 71 °C was reduced in slow and medium chilling compared with fast chilling carcasses. Carcass temperature at 5 h postmortem explained the greatest portion of variation (R2= 0.071) in slice shear force of chops cooked to 63 °C. These results suggest that carcasses tend to chill slower as weight increases, which resulted in slight improvements in sensory traits of boneless pork chops regardless of final degree of doneness cooking temperature.Heavier pork carcasses produce more tender pork. This has been demonstrated previously. However, these data suggest that slower chilling rates accompany heavier pork carcasses particularly during the conversion of muscle to meat. Hot carcass weight explained a significant portion of the variation in chilling rate during the first 5 h postmortem, and carcass temperature at 5 h postmortem explained a significant portion of the variation in instrumental tenderness.Pork carcass weights have increased year over year for at least the past 25 yr. The poultry industry has experienced similar increases in carcass weights in the recent past. The increases in broiler carcass weights have resulted in detrimental impacts on quality. Contrary to the poultry industry, increases in pork carcass weights have resulted in a general improvement in pork quality, including tenderness. The underlying cause of these improvements has not been explained. In the present study, chilling rate was associated with carcass weights, particularly during the first 5 h postmortem. In fact, carcass temperature measured in the Longissimus dorsi muscle at 5 h postmortem was the most predictive of instrumental tenderness values when boneless pork chops were cooked according to UDSA guidelines for whole-muscle pork products. The metabolic conversion of muscle to meat is most active during this initial chilling period. Therefore, chilling rate, which is associated with carcass weight, may be influencing the conversion of muscle to meat and provide some explanation as to why heavy carcasses result in more tender pork chops.

Variation in the genome region coding for PLAG1has well-documented associations with skeletal growth and age at puberty in cattle. However, the influence of PLAG1on other economically important traits such as cow stayability has not yet been explored. Here we investigate the effect of PLAG1variation on early and later in life female fertility, as well as size and growth, in a well-phenotyped Australian Brahman herd. Yearly pregnancy and productivity records were collected from 2,839 genotyped Brahman cows and used to generate fertility, growth, and weight phenotypes. A variant on chromosome 14 in PLAG1(NC_037341.1:g.23338890G>T, rs109815800) was previously determined to be a putative causative mutation associated with variation in cattle stature. The imputed PLAG1genotype at this variant was isolated for each animal and the effect of PLAG1genotype on each trait was estimated using linear modeling. Regardless of how heifer fertility was measured, there was a significant (P< 0.05) and desirable relationship between the additive effects of PLAG1genotype and successful heifer fertility. Heifers with two copies of the alternate allele (TT) conceived earlier and had higher pregnancy and calving rates. However, the effects of PLAG1genotype on fertility began to diminish as cows aged and did not significantly influence stayability at later ages. While there was no effect of genotype on growth, PLAG1had a negative effect on mature cow weight (P< 0.01), where females with two copies of the alternate allele (TT) were significantly smaller than those with either one or none. Selection emphasis on improved Brahman heifer fertility will likely increase the frequency of the T allele of rs109815800, which may also increase herd profitability and long-term sustainability through improved reproductive efficiency and reduced mature cow size.PLAG1 is a gene with allelic variation that has well-documented associations with stature and age at puberty in cattle. Here we extend knowledge of the effect of the PLAG1alleles to later in life female fertility, as well as size and growth, in Australian Brahmans. Records were collected from 2,839 genotyped Brahman cows and used to generate fertility, growth, and weight phenotypes. A variant on chromosome 14 in PLAG1(rs109815800) was previously determined to be highly associated with variation in cattle stature. The allele combination (the genotype) at this position was isolated for each animal and the effect of PLAG1genotype on each trait was estimated using linear modeling. Regardless of how heifer fertility was measured, there was a significant and desirable relationship between PLAG1genotype and successful heifer fertility. However, the effects of allele combination on fertility began to diminish as cows aged and did not significantly influence stayability at later ages. While there was no effect of genotype on growth, PLAG1had a negative effect on mature cow weight. Selection emphasis on improved Brahman heifer fertility will likely increase the frequency of the desirable PLAG1allele, which may have additional benefits on herd profitability and long-term sustainability.An allele of PLAG1genotype had a significant and positive relationship with Brahman heifer fertility, although the effect on fertility diminished as cows aged. While there was no effect of PLAG1genotype on growth, there was a significant and negative relationship of the allele improving heifer fertility with mature cow weight.

Feeding growing-finishing pigs supplemental fat is a common practice in the swine industry and can result in improved feed efficiency and reduced feed intake; however, dietary lipids also play a key role in determining pork composition. The objectives of the current study were to evaluate the effects of feeding graded levels of high oleic soybean oil (HOSO) on growth performance and carcass characteristics. A total of 288 pigs raised in two separate blocks (144 pigs each) were assigned to one of four diets containing either 25% dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS), 2% high oleic soybean oil (HOSO2), 4% high oleic soybean oil (HOSO4), or 6% high oleic soybean oil (HOSO6). Pigs were housed 4 per pen and fed for 98 d using a 3-phase feeding system. Pigs were individually weighed and feed intake was recorded throughout the trial to calculate average daily feed intake (ADFI) and gain to feed ratio (G:F). A total of 144 pigs were transported to the University of Illinois Meat Science Laboratory and fabricated into primal and subprimal cuts to calculate carcass cutting yields. Differences in growth performance were observed, with pigs fed the DDGS treatment exhibiting greater (P≤ 0.01) overall ADFI consuming 0.21, 0.18, and 0.28 kg/d more than HOSO2, HOSO4, and HOSO6 diets, respectively. Pigs fed the HOSO6 diet had greater (P≤ 0.03) overall G:F than pigs fed DDGS and HOSO2 diets but did not differ (P= 0.12) from pigs fed HOSO4. Furthermore, differences in carcass traits were observed. Hot carcass weight was increased (P≤ 0.03) in pigs fed the HOSO6 diet compared with pigs fed the DDGS and HOSO2 diets, while pigs fed HOSO4 did not differ (P> 0.05) from either extreme. Additionally, pigs fed HOSO4 and HOSO6 produced fatter (P≤ 0.01) carcasses with reduced (P≤ 0.01) standardized fat-free lean. Minimal differences were observed in primal weights expressed as a percentage of chilled side including bone-in Boston butt, trimmed loin, and trimmed ham with primal weights decreasing with increasing inclusion of dietary HOSO. Overall, pigs fed HOSO2 had reduced ADFI with similar backfat thickness and standardized fat-free lean compared with pigs fed the DDGS treatment. However, pigs fed HOSO 4% and 6% not only had improvements in ADFI and G:F but also had increased backfat thickness, which resulted in reductions in standardized fat-free lean and primal weights expressed as a percentage of chilled side weight.Feeding pigs supplemental fat to increase caloric density is a common practice in the swine industry and can result in improved feed efficiency. However, high oleic soybean oil (HOSO), a relatively new feed ingredient, has not been extensively researched in pig diets. HOSO differs from conventional soybean oil in that it contains an increased proportion of oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid. Therefore, our goal was to investigate the use of HOSO in the diets of pigs in the weeks leading up to marketing. A total of 288 pigs were fed one of four diets that differed in their source of fat. One diet contained 25% dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS), while the other three had graded levels of HOSO (2%, 4%, or 6%). Pigs were fed diets for the last 14 wk leading up to slaughter. Pigs fed the highest level of HOSO grew more efficiently and were heavier than those fed the diet containing DDGS. However, pigs fed 6% HOSO were also fatter and yielded a reduced percentage of boneless meat cuts than those fed DDGS.High oleic soybean oil (HOSO) can be fed as a supplemental dietary fat source to growing-finishing pigs to increase marketing weights. Feeding diets containing 6% HOSO resulted in increased feed efficiency but reduced boneless meat yield compared with an industry-reference diet.

Abstract: We establish asymptotic normality for sums of triangular arrays of near integrated linear processes with martingale difference innovations. The results are obtained under minimal conditions. We also obtain weak convergence of the corresponding partial sum processes. The results are applicable to near unit root settings in statistical and econometric applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The daily BW gain of stocker steers grazing tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum(Schreb.) S.J. Darbysh. = Schedonorus arundinaceus(Schreb.) Dumort.]-based pastures typically declines during summer. To avoid these declines, in part to mitigate the effects of tall fescue toxicosis, it is commonly advised to move cattle to warm-season forage during this period. A 3-yr (2006, 2007, and 2008) grazing study was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing 25% of the area of a tall fescue/clover (81% endophyte-infected) pasture system with “Ozark” bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon(L.) Pers.] overseeded with clover (Trifoliumspp.) to provide summer grazing for stocker steers (TF+BERM). The TF+BERM treatment was compared with a grazing system in which tall fescue/clover (TF) pastures were the only type of forage available for grazing. Our objective was to determine if replacement of 25% of the land area in a fescue system with bermudagrass would increase annual beef production compared with a system based solely on tall fescue. The study was conducted at the Southwest Research and Education Center of the University of Missouri near Mt. Vernon. Each treatment was rotationally stocked with 5 steers (248 ± 19.3 kg) on 1.7 ha. Fertilizer applications were applied at rates recommended for each respective forage species. Total forage production, BW gain per hectare, and season-long ADG of steers was greater (P< 0.06) for TF+BERM than for TF in 2006, but none of these measures differed (P> 0.19) in 2007 or 2008. In vitro true digestibility of pastures was greater (P= 0.01) for TF (84.4%, SEM = 0.64%) compared with TF+BERM (80.6%, SEM = 0.79%), even in summer. The decreased in vitro true digestibility of the bermudagrass pastures likely negated any benefit that animals in TF+BERM had in avoiding the ergot-like alkaloids associated with endophyte-infected tall fescue. Renovating 25% of the pasture system to bermudagrass provided some benefit to the system in years when summertime precipitation was limited (2006) but provided no value in wetter years (2007 and 2008). Although renovating endophyte-infected tall fescue pastures to a warm-season forage is a widely used practice to mitigate tall fescue toxicosis, the benefits of this practice are limited if forage quality of the warm season component is poor.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including one about the status of nuclear energy as green or sustainable, one about electric battery life in the August 2010 issue, and one about bicycles on trains.

A 2-yr production study was conducted to evaluate 3 systems of growing stocker calves under rotational stocking. One group of steers was stocked on pasture from early April to mid August (spring-stocked steers = SSS), and another group of steers was stocked from early July to late October (fall-stocked steers = FSS). Steers were stratified by BW (n = 72, BW = 229 ± 11 kg for SSS; n = 72, BW = 248 ± 18 kg for FSS) and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments. The 3 treatments were 1) rotationally stocked only (control; CON), steers rotated to a new paddock as forage availability dropped below acceptable levels in the occupied paddock; 2) rotationally stocked with distillers grains (DIST); this was the same as CON except steers were supplemented with varying amounts of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) based on forage nutritive value; and 3) rotationally stocked with round-bale silage (SIL); excess forage in spring was harvested and stored as round-bale silage and fed back as needed. Total BW gain/ha over the entire grazing season did not differ between DIST and SIL (P= 0.09) steers, but both were greater than CON (P< 0.01). Total BW gain/ha for DIST, SIL, and CON was 459 (SEM = 11.5), 402 (SEM = 31.0), and 276 (SEM = 26.2) kg, respectively. For ADG, there was a group × year (P< 0.01) and group × treatment (P= 0.02) interaction. Steer ADG for SSS did not differ between SIL and DIST (P= 0.51), but was greater than the CON (P= 0.01). The ADG for SSS was 0.79 (SEM = 0.04), 0.81 (SEM = 0.05), and 0.62 (SEM = 0.05) kg for DIST, SIL, and CON, respectively. For the FSS, ADG for all 3 treatments was different (P= 0.02). The FSS ADG was 0.72 (SEM = 0.03), 0.53 (SEM = 0.04), and 0.29 (SEM = 0.04) kg for DIST, SIL, and CON, respectively. The only treatment with equivalent (P= 0.07) ADG between early and late-stocked steers (SSS vs. FSS) was DIST. Adjusting the amount of DDGS supplemented to steers based on forage nutritive value resulted in consistent BW gains throughout the grazing study, whereas steers in the SIL and CON treatments gained less BW during the latter portion of the season. Controlling forage maturity by removal in the SIL treatment resulted in total BW gains/ha that were not different than the DIST treatment.

It was hypothesized that hybrid rye may replace corn in diets for growing and finishing pigs without impacting growth performance, carcass characteristics, or meat quality. A total of 128 pigs (23.69 ± 2.51 kg) were allotted to four treatments with eight replicate pens per treatment. Phases 1 and 2 diets were fed for 35 d each and phase 3 diets were fed for 27 d. Within each phase, pigs were fed a control corn and soybean meal diet or a diet in which 33%, 66%, or 100% of the corn in the control diet was replaced with hybrid rye. Average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) decreased (linear, P< 0.05) in phase 1 with increased dietary inclusion of hybrid rye. In phase 3, gain:feed (G:F) increased and then decreased (quadratic, P< 0.05) with more hybrid rye in the diet. Overall ADG, ADFI, and G:F did not differ among treatments. Diet did not impact most carcass traits, but loin (visual) and backfat (instrumental L*) color were paler (linear, P< 0.05) with greater inclusion of hybrid rye in the diet. Organ weights increased (linear, P< 0.05) with increased dietary hybrid rye. In conclusion, pigs fed hybrid rye consumed less feed in phase 1, resulting in reduced ADG, but growth performance for the entire growing-finishing period did not differ among treatments. Hybrid rye may replace all the corn in growing and finishing pig diets without diminishing growth performance or carcass quality, but feed intake may be reduced at high inclusion rates.

Glass forming ability has been found in only a small number of binary alloys, one being CuZr. In order to simulate this glass, we fitted an interatomic potential within Effective Medium Theory (EMT). For this purpose we use basic properties of the B2 crystal structure as calculated from Density Functional Theory (DFT) or obtained from experiments. We then performed Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations of the cooling process and studied the thermodynamics and structure of CuZr glass. We find that the potential gives a good description of the CuZr glass, with a glass transition temperature and elastic constants close to the experimental values. The local atomic order, as witnessed by the radial distribution function, is also consistent with similar experimental data.

The phenomenon of enthalpic relaxation was evaluated for poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA, 50:50), in terms of storage of nanospheres for use as a controlled drug delivery system. Samples were stored for different times and temperatures below the glass transition temperature (Tg). Relaxation occurred at a significant rate up to 15 degrees below the Tg of 39.2°C. The effect of polymer morphology was considered by comparing the relaxation kinetics of the raw polymer with that of nanospheres formed using a novel technique. The nanospheres were shown to have a larger change in heat capacity at the glass transition and a longer average relaxation time than that of the raw polymer, and the relationship between these two parameters was discussed. For both the raw polymer and the nanospheres, relaxation was found to occur at a significant rate at room temperature. The storage of this system at subambient temperatures was therefore deemed important for maintaining the physicochemical properties of the system. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1868–1872, 2002

A modulated temperature power compensated differential scanning calorimeter, MTDSC, has been built from a standard Perkin-Elmer DSC model-2 such that a computer generated voltage has been applied to induce a sinusoidal change in sample temperature superimposed on a linear heating rate. The effect of amplitude of the temperature fluctuation, modulation period and block temperature on the reversibility has been assessed from the Lissajous diagram of heat flow vs. sample temperature. From their reproducibility and symmetry the most effective conditions for operating the MTDSC has been deduced. The specific heat of sapphire has been measured using these operational conditions for comparison with conventional DSC. Phase separated blends of polycarbonate (PC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) have been analysed.

One of the important aspects of diagnosis in the mixed dentition is the determination of the tooth size-arch length relationship. Such a determination is often made before eruption of the permanent canines and first and second premolars. The most commonly used prediction method of Tanaka and Johnston is based on data from a sample of children of Northern European descent. The accuracy of this method when applied to a different ethnic population is questionable. In this study, 201 dental plaster casts of Asia-Pacific-American subjects, all of whom were under the age of 21 years, were used. The actual measurements were compared with the predicted values derived from the Tanaka and Johnston equations and significant differences were found. The data illustrate the limitations of the Tanaka and Johnston method when applied to a sample population of other than European descent. From this data, two linear regression equations were developed for tooth size prediction in Asian-American children. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 1998;113:293-9.)

A model that simulates changes in mineral N in the soil and N uptake by crops has been adapted to require as little detailed information as possible so that it is useful as an aid to management. The adapted model, which was developed in the UK, was tested against data from six experiments on winter wheat in the Netherlands. It proved reasonably successful in simulating the amounts of mineral N found in the soil in early spring and the changes that resulted from applying small amounts of fertilizer N in February. It was much less successful in simulating the effects of later, larger applications of N, mainly because the mineral N measured in the soil did not seem to respond to these applications. The uptake of N by the crops and their production of dry matter were simulated very well in some cases and rather less so in others.

Lactoferrin is a secreted iron binding protein which is expressed during normal functional development of mammary epithelium. Murine mammary epithelial cell lines competent for milk protein expression were used to identify microenvironmental factors that regulate lactoferrin expression. While lactoferrin was not expressed in adherent monolayer cultures under standard subconfluent conditions on plastic, lactoferrin mRNA and protein steadily accumulated when the cells aggregated to form spheroids on a reconstituted basement membrane gel. However, unlike other milk proteins such as beta-casein, lactoferrin expression was also induced at high cell density in the absence of exogenously added basement membrane or prolactin. These results led us to examine whether changes in cell growth, cell-cell interactions and/or cell shape were responsible for regulation of lactoferrin gene expression. Rounded, non-proliferating cells in suspension in serum-free medium expressed lactoferrin even as single cells. Conversely, lactoferrin expression could be inhibited in non-proliferative cells in serum-free medium by maintaining them in contact with an air-dried extracellular matrix which caused the cells to retain flat, spread morphologies. These findings indicated that cessation of cell growth was not sufficient, that cell-cell interactions were not required, and that cell culture conditions which minimize cell spreading may be important in maintaining lactoferrin expression. Additional data supporting this latter concept were generated by treating spread cells with cytochalasin D. The resulting disruption of microfilament assembly induced both cell rounding and lactoferrin expression. Shape-dependent regulation of lactoferrin mRNA was both transcriptional and post-transcriptional. Surprisingly, treatment of rounded cells with a transcription inhibitor, actinomycin D, produced a stabilization of lactoferrin mRNA, suggesting that transcription of an unstable factor is required for degradation of lactoferrin mRNA. Importantly, lactoferrin mRNA expression was regulated similarly in early passage normal human mammary epithelial cells. In vivo, the changing extracellular matrix components of the mammary gland during different stages of normal and abnormal growth and differentiation may provide different physical constraints on the configurations of cell surface molecules. These physical constraints may be communicated to the cell interior through mechanical changes in the cytoskeleton. Unlike beta-casein whose expression is upregulated by specific integrin-mediated signals, lactoferrin may be representative of a class of proteins synthesized in the mammary gland using basal transcriptional and translational machinery. The suppression of lactoferrin expression that is observed in monolayer culture and in malignant tissues may reflect inappropriate cell shapes and cytoskeletal structures that are manifested under these conditions.

We previously established a rapid three-dimensional assay for discrimination of normal and malignant human breast epithelial cells using a laminin-rich reconstituted basement membrane. In this assay, normal epithelial cells differentiate into well-organized acinar structures whereas tumor cells fail to recapitulate this process and produce large, disordered colonies. The data suggest that breast acinar morphogenesis and differentiation is regulated by cell-extra-cellular matrix (ECM) interactions and that these interactions are altered in malignancy. Here, we investigated the role of ECM receptors (integrins) in these processes and report on the expression and function of potential laminin receptors in normal and tumorigenic breast epithelial cells. Immunocytochemical analysis showed that normal and carcinoma cells in a three-dimensional substratum express profiles of integrins similar to normal and malignant breast tissues in situ. Normal cells express alpha 1, alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 6, beta 1 and beta 4 integrin subunits, whereas breast carcinoma cells show variable losses, disordered expression, or downregulation of these subunits. Function-blocking experiments using inhibitory anti-integrin subunit antibodies showed a > 5-fold inhibition of the formation of acinar structures by normal cells in the presence of either anti-beta 1 or anti-alpha 3 antibodies, whereas anti-alpha 2 or -alpha 6 had little or no effect. In experiments where collagen type I gels were used instead of basement membrane, acinar morphogenesis was blocked by anti-beta 1 and -alpha 2 antibodies but not by anti-alpha 3. These data suggest a specificity of integrin utilization dependent on the ECM ligands encountered by the cell. The interruption of normal acinar morphogenesis by anti-integrin antibodies was associated with an inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis. Function-blocking antibodies had no inhibitory effect on the rate of tumor cell growth, survival or capacity to form colonies. Thus under our culture conditions breast acinar formation is at least a two-step process involving beta 1-integrin-dependent cellular growth followed by polarization of the cells into organized structures. The regulation of this pathway appears to be impaired or lost in the tumor cells, suggesting that tumor colony formation occurs by independent mechanisms and that loss of proper integrin-mediated cell-ECM interaction may be critical to breast tumor formation.

The effect of various post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) cycles on the as welded heat affected zone (HAZ) microstructures of C–Mn steels microalloyed with niobium, or niobium plus vanadium, has been studied. Single pass welds were produced at an arc energy of 3·5 kJ mm-1; examination was carried out using optical and electron microscopy, along with hardness and crack tip opening displacement testing. As welded, the C–Mn–Nb HAZ contained a significant proportion of auto tempered martensite. After PWHT at 550°C, isolated hard regions remained, but at 600°C all hard regions had been removed, with a concomitant increase in cleavage resistance. In contrast, ferrite with aligned second phase with lower hardness was found mainly in the as welded HAZ of the C–Mn–Nb–V steel. When the PWHT temperature was raised, HAZ hardness increased to a maximum at 600°C; overaging would be required to obtain improved toughness, although this would soften the parent plate. The results indicate that the current practice of specifying a common heat treatment procedure for steels to a given specification is not satisfactory; allowance should be made for the particular composition and as welded HAZ microstructure.MST/1190

The concentrations of many components of the cerebrospinal fluid are much lower than in serum. Values for sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium are similar to those in other primates. Activities of alkaline phosphatase (18·7 U/l), creatine phosphokinase (9·9 U/l), glutamine oxaloacetate transaminase (13·7 U/l), glutamine pyruvate transaminase (9·2 U/l), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (3·1 U/l), α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (33·0 U/l, lactate dehydrogenase (47·2 U/l) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (3·9 U/l), and levels of zinc (1·0 μg/dl), copper (2·6 μg/dl), iron (35·9 μg/dl) and triglycerides (33·2 μg/dl) have not previously been reported for this species. Values for free amino acids, total protein, creatinine and urea nitrogen are compared with those of other primates. The use of gradient pore polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for analysing proteins of CSF is described.

Normal values for a number of blood components of grivet monkeys are reported. Haematological data and values for glucose, cholesterol and urea are similar to those of rhesus monkeys. Activities of alkaline phosphatase (1526 U/l), glutamine oxaloacetate trans-aminase (30·9 U/l), glutamine pyruvate transaminase (13·7 U/l), lactate dehydrogenase (629 U/l), α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (175 U/l), creatine phosphokinase (227 U/l), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (38·7 U/l) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (14·2 U/l), and levels of lysozyme (178 mg/dl), zinc (162 μg/dl), copper (81·3 μg/dl) and iron (296·5 μg/dl) have not previously been reported for this animal. Values for serum amino acids, proteins, electrolytes, triglycerides and creatinine are compared with those of other primates.