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Presents letters to the editor related to articles previously published. Exclusion of the London "Nation" from foreign mails; Press references to the Monroe Doctrine as an obstacle to American intervention in the war; Excerpt from a book "Ordeal by Battle," by F.S. Oliver.

Presents several letters to the editor. Describes about two novels "Breadwinners" and "Democracy"; comments on Mongolian noses and Indian noses; comments on abuse of law making; comments on the article "Doctors in court."

Fecal nutrients and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) were predicted using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) of feces collected from the pen floor or the rectum of feedlot cattle in 2 studies, and pen floor samples were assessed for their ability to predict NEg, ADG, and G:F. In study 1, 160 crossbred beef steers in 16 pens (4 pens per treatment) were fed dry-rolled barley or wheat (89% of diet DM) processed at 2 levels. Study 2 utilized 160 crossbred beef steers in 20 pens (5 pens per treatment) that were fed dryrolled barley with 4 levels of barley silage (0%, 4%, 8%, and 12% of diet DM). Both studies fed steers to a target weight of 650 kg. Differences in composition of feces collected from the rectum and the pen floor of a subset of steers (3 to 7) were examined. Fecal pats from the pen floor of each pen were collected throughout the feeding period and composited by pen. Except for DM, which was higher (P <0.01) in pen floor than rectal fecal samples, there were minimal differences in fecal constituents between collection methods. In study 1, interactions between grain type and processing index (P≤ 0.05) were observed, with a reduction in DM, OM, and starch and an increase in NDF and ADL concentrations being associated with more extensively processed wheat than barley. As grain was more extensively processed, ATTD of all nutrients increased (P <0.01). In study 2, fecal ADF and ADL linearly increased (P <0.01) with increasing silage in the diet, whereas fecal DM and N linearly decreased (P <0.01). Digestibility of all nutrients except starch linearly decreased (P <0.01) with increasing silage. Apparent total tract digestibility of GE predicted using NIRS was related to NEg of the diets as estimated by performance for the wheat-fed steers in study 1 (R2= 0.58, P= 0.03) and those fed increasing silage in study 2 (R2= 0.43, P< 0.01). Similarly, observed ADG could be predicted using NIRS for steers fed wheat in study 1 (R2= 0.48, P= 0.05) and silage in study 2 (R2= 0.40, P< 0.01), but G:F could not. Using NIRS of feces collected from multiple cattle off the feedlot pen floor demonstrated potential for predicting growth performance of finishing cattle. However, grain type and stage of maturity of the cattle impacted the predictability of equations. Increasing the sample size and sampling frequency may be necessary to improve predictions.

The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional value of barley grain differing in diastatic power (DP; high vs. low; a malt trait) and processing index (PI; 75 vs. 85). One hundred sixty Angus · Hereford crossbred yearling steers (467 ± 38 kg; 144 intact and 16 rumen cannulated) were used in a complete randomized 2 · 2 factorial experiment. Steers were assigned to 16 pens, 8 of which were equipped with the GrowSafe system to measure individual feed intake. Cannulated steers (2 per pen) were randomly assigned to the 8 GrowSafe pens. Diets consisted of high- or low-DP barley grain (80.0% of diet DM) processed to an index of either 75 or 85% (PI-75 and PI-85, respectively). Ruminal pH in cannulated steers was measured over four 5-d periods using indwelling electrodes. Fecal samples were collected every 28 d from the rectum of each steer to assess digestibility using AIA as a marker. No differences (P> 0.10) in rumen pH were observed among cattle as measured by the indwelling pH meters. However, lower (P< 0.05) rumen pH was observed for steers fed low- as opposed to high-DP barley in rumen samples collected just prior to feeding and measured in the laboratory. Intake of DM and OM were not affected (P≥ 0.24) by DP but were lower (P< 0.01) with more severe processing (PI-75 vs. PI-85). Low-DP barley tended to exhibit higher (P= 0.09) total tract DM digestibility than high-DP barley. Steers fed PI-75 barley also had higher (P= 0.06) G:F and NEg. Digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NDF, and starch was higher (P< 0.05) for PI-75 barley than for PI-85 barley. Low-DP barley increased (P< 0.05) carcass dressing percentage by 0.5% compared with high-DP barley, with a lower PI tending to increase (P= 0.06) rib eye area. Compared with steers fed high-DP diets, steers fed low-DP diets had more (P= 0.01) total (41.7 vs. 19.4%) and severe liver abscesses (22.2 vs. 9.7%). Results suggest that although low-DP barley increased liver abscesses, differences in DP did not alter digestion or growth performance but low-DP barley did improve dressing percentage. Barley with different DP responded similarly to processing, with more intensive processing (PI-75) of barley improving starch digestion, feed efficiency, and NEg without negatively affecting rumen pH.

Our objective was to develop a model to predict the acidosis potential of barley based on the in vitro batch culture incubation of 50 samples varying in bulk density, starch content, processing method, growing location, and agronomic practices. The model was an adaptation of the acidosis index (calculated from a combination of in situ and in vitro analyses and from several components of grain chemical composition) developed in Australia for use in the feed industry to estimate the potential for grains to increase the risk of ruminal acidosis. Of the independent variables considered, DM disappearance at 6 h of incubation (DMD6) using reduced-strength (20%) buffer in the batch culture accounted for 90.5% of the variation in the acidosis index with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 4.46%. To evaluate our model using independent datasets (derived from previous batch culture studies using full-strength [100%] buffer), we performed another batch culture study using full-strength buffer. The full-strength buffer model using in vitro DMD6 (DMD6-FS) accounted for 66.5% of the variation in the acidosis index with an RMSE of 8.30%. When the new full-strength buffer model was applied to 3 independent datasets to predict acidosis, it accounted for 20.1, 28.5, and 30.2% of the variation in the calculated acidosis index. Significant (P< 0.001) mean bias was evident in 2 of the datasets, for which the DMD6 model underpredicted the acidosis index by 46.9 and 5.73%. Ranking of samples from the most diverse independent dataset using the DMD6-FS model and the Black (2008) model (calculated using in situ starch degradation) indicated the relationship between the rankings using Spearman's rank correlation was negative (ρ = −0.30; P= 0.059). When the reduced-strength buffer model was used, however, there were similarities in the acidosis index ranking of barley samples by the models as shown by the result of a correlation analysis between calculated (using the Australian model) and predicted (using the reduced-strength buffer DMD6 model) acidosis index (ρ = 0.67; P< 0.001). Results suggest that our model, which is based on a reduced-strength buffer in vitro DMD6, has the potential to predict acidosis risk and can rank barley samples based on their acidotic risk. Nonetheless, the model would benefit from further refinement by expanding the database.

To investigate the dynamics of submersible mussel rafts, the finite element program Aqua-FE™, developed by the University of New Hampshire (UNH), was applied to rafts moored at the surface and submerged. The submerged configuration is used to reduce wave forcing and to avoid contact with floating ice during winters in northern waters. Each raft consists of three pontoons connected by a grid framework. Rafts are intended to support densely spaced mussel ropes hung from the framework. When submerged, the pontoons are flooded, and the raft is held vertically by floats attached by lines. The computer models were developed in Aqua-FE™ to simulate the effects of waves and current. They were validated by comparison with wave tank results by use of a 1/10 scale raft physical model. Comparisons showed good agreement for the important heave (vertical) and pitch (rotational) motions, though there was a tendency towards conservative results for wave and current drag. Full-scale simulations of surface and submerged single raft and two rafts connected in tandem were performed. Submerged raft wave response was found to be reduced relative to that at the surface for both the single and two-raft configurations. In particular, the vertical motion of mussel rope connection points was significantly reduced by submergence, resulting in reduced potential for mussel drop-off. For example, the maximum vertical velocities of mussel rope attachment points in the submerged two raft case were 7%–20% of the corresponding velocities when at the surface.

Digestibility of ether extract (EE) or fatty acids (FA) is traditionally measured by chemical analyses for EE or GLC methods for FA combined with marker concentration in diet and digesta or feces. Digestibility of EE or FA may be predicted by marker concentrations and spectral analyses of diet and digesta or feces. On the basis of Beer's law, a noncalibration spectroscopic method, which used functional group digestibility (FGD) determined with marker concentration and peak intensity of spectra of diets and undigested residues (digesta or feces), was developed to predict the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of total FA and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of EE. To validate, 4 diets containing 30% flaxseed and field pea coextruded with 4 extruder treatments and a wheat and soybean basal diet with predetermined AID of total FA and ATTD of EE were used. Samples of ingredients, diets, and freeze-dried digesta and feces were scanned on a Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) instrument with a single-reflection attenuated total reflection (ATR) accessory. The intensity of either the methylene (CH2) antisymmetric stretching peak at 2,923 cm-1(R2= 0.90, P< 0.01) or the symmetric stretching peak at 2,852 cm-1(R2= 0.86, P< 0.01) of ingredients, diet, and digesta spectra was related strongly to the concentration of total FA. The AID of total FA of diets measured using GLC was predicted by the spectroscopic method using FGD at 2,923 and 2,852 cm-1(R2= 0.75, P< 0.01) with a bias of 0.54 (SD = 3.78%) and -1.35 (SD = 3.74%), respectively. The accumulated peak intensity in the region between 1,766 and 1,695 cm-1of spectra was related to EE concentration in ingredients and diets (R2= 0.61, P= 0.01) and feces (R2= 0.88, P< 0.01). The relation was improved by using second-derivative spectra of the sum of peak intensities at 1,743 and 1,710 cm-1for ingredients and diets (R2= 0.90, P= 0.01) and at 1,735 and 1,710 cm-1for feces (R2= 0.92, P< 0.01). The ATTD of EE of test diets determined with proximate analysis was estimated by the FGD of nonderivative spectra with or without baseline (R2= 0.90, P< 0.01) with a bias of 3.15 (SD = 3.14%) and 3.50 (SD = 3.24%), respectively. In conclusion, instead of using GLC methods or predictions based on calibrations, the AID of total FA and ATTD of EE can also be estimated directly from ATR FT-IR spectra, provided the ratio of marker in the diet and undigested residue is known.

The genetic structure of Chaoborus flavicans was analyzed to start an investigation of the evolutionary status of this Holarctic species and to make inferences about C. flavicans’ historical distribution and dispersal. We sequenced a 611bp fragment of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I and II gene for 26 populations spread across Europe and North America. We found distinct North American and European C. flavicans clades. Chaoborus crystallinus, widely accepted as a sister species of C. flavicans, clustered within the European C. flavicans clade, suggesting potential peripatric speciation. The genetic relationship of the C. flavicans haplotypes within Europe suggests that several glacial refugia existed during the last ice age in southern Europe. European C. flavicans recolonized central and northern Europe from refugia in France and/or Spain after glaciers retreated. This phylogeographic structure was roughly comparable to that of other zooplankton species. The correlation between genetic and geographic distance within Europe was significant, indicating that short distance dispersal in C. flavicans is more common than in other passively dispersing zooplankton species.

ABSTRACTThe role of soil invertebrate fauna in decomposition of organic residues and thus nutrient release, soil structure and soil-water relations is well appreciated. The scope, however, of their manipulation to derive the potential benefits is little understood. A study was undertaken to assess how soil fertility management strategies within an agroforestry system affect soil biodiversity (macrofauna diversity and populations). The study was conducted on-farm during the 1997 Short Rains (Oct 1997—Feb 1998) in western Kenya with the following treatments: (1) control without any input, (2) fertilizer at 120 kg N, 150 kg P and 100 kg K/ha, (3) Tithonia diversifoliabiomass at 5 t/ha dry weight and (4) Senna spectabilis at5 t/ha dry weight. Riparian natural forest and a 6-year grassland fallow were assessed and used as reference standards. Macrofauna diversity and populations were monitored in soil monoliths (25 × 25 × 30 cm) at the beginning of the season, 6 weeks after sowing maize and at maize harvest. Faunal diversity was assessed using the Shannon-Wiener index of diversity (H'). Data were subjected to analyses of variance (ANOVA) in a split-plot design and treatment differences evaluated using least significance difference (LSD) at P=0.05. Macrofauna diversity and populations of most of the macrofauna groups were significantly higher under natural forest (H' = 2.31) than in all the other treatments (each H' = < 1). Although the 2 organic residues did not affect faunal diversity, addition of senna significantly increased earthworm population by 400% and tithonia by 240% over the control. Even though termite population increased by 145% in senna and 118% in tithonia over the control, the increase was not significant because of high variability between replications of the same treatment. Fertiliser use did not change either the diversity or population of termites and earthworms. The study indicates that: (1) Short-term addition of organic residues do not significantly increase faunal diversity, (2) Soil invertebrate fauna populations can be manipulated by external additions of organic residues such as senna and (3) Changes in land use systems, especially those that reduce the amount, range and diversity of food resources for macrofauna bring about instability in below ground biodiversity. There is therefore a need to clearly define the conditions in which such impairment is critically important to agricultural production and sustainability and to determine what management interventions may be made to alleviate or ameriolate problems resulting from loss of diversity.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of maturity and mechanical processing of two hybrids of whole plant corn silage on DM and OM digestibility, nitrogen metabolism, ruminal fermentation, and milk production and composition in lactating Holstein cows. In the first experiment, Pioneer hybrid 3845 whole plant corn was harvested at hard dough, one-third milkline, and two-thirds milkline with a theoretical length-of-cut of 6.4mm. At each stage of maturity, corn was harvested with (1-mm roll clearance) and without (15.9-mm roll clearance) mechanical processing using a John Deere 5830 harvester with an on-board kernel processor. In the second experiment, Pioneer hybrids 3845 and Quanta were harvested at one-third milkline, two-thirds milkline, and blackline stages of maturity with and without mechanical processing. The theoretical length-of-cut was 12.7mm. Total tract DM and OM digestibilities were lower for cows fed diets containing processed corn silage in experiment 1, and tended to be lower for cows fed diets containing unprocessed corn silage in experiment 2. Ruminal acetate concentrations were greater and ruminal propionate concentrations were lower 2 and 6h after feeding for cows fed diets containing corn silage harvested at physiological maturity in experiment 2. This was due to decreased digestion of starch at advanced maturities in experiment 2. Ruminal pH tended to decline rapidly after feeding for cows fed hybrid Quanta (2h) compared to hybrid 3845 (5h) corn silage based diets. Ruminal acetate concentrations decreased and ruminal propionate concentrations increased 2 and 6h after feeding for cows fed diets containing hybrid Quanta corn silage compared to hybrid 3845 corn silage. This was related to a greater starch concentration in the corn silage, greater starch intake, and increased rate of starch digestion for cows fed hybrid Quanta corn silage-based diets. Microbial nitrogen flow was lower and feed nitrogen flow was greater for cows fed diets containing hybrid Quanta corn silage. The lower microbial nitrogen flow was due to lower microbial nitrogen concentration and nonammonia nitrogen flow to the duodenum. Milk fat and protein concentrations had a strong quadratic relationship with forage NDF intake as a percentage of body weight. When forage NDF intake as a percentage of body weight dropped below 0.70%, there was a rapid decline in milk fat and protein concentrations.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of maturity and mechanical processing of two hybrids of whole plant corn on starch, fiber, and ether extract digestibilities and energy content of the total mixed ration fed to lactating Holstein cows. In the first experiment, Pioneer®hybrid 3845 whole plant corn was harvested at hard dough, one-third milkline, and two-thirds milkline with a theoretical length of cut of 6.4mm. At each stage of maturity, corn was harvested with and without mechanical processing. In the second experiment, Pioneer®hybrids 3845 and Quanta were harvested at one-third milkline, two-thirds milkline, and blackline stages of maturity with and without mechanical processing. The theoretical length of cut was 12.7mm. The measured TDN and NELconcentrations were lower for diets containing processed corn silage in experiment 1 and greater for diets containing processed corn silage in experiment 2, compared with diets containing unprocessed corn silage. The lower energy content for diets containing processed corn silage in experiment 1 can be explained by the lower total tract NDF, ether extract, and CP digestibilities. The greater energy content for diets containing processed corn silage in experiment 2 can be attributed to greater total tract starch and NDF digestibilities for cows fed processed corn silage diets. In experiment 2, diets containing processed corn silage (1.59 Mcal/kg) had approximately 2.6% more energy available per kilogram of DM consumed compared with diets containing unprocessed corn silage (1.55 Mcal/kg). For hybrid Quanta in experiment 2, the TDN and NELconcentrations of diets containing corn silage harvested at two-thirds ML were greater than at other maturities.

Engineering and manufacturing SMEs must embrace e-commerce to survive and prosper. Existing e-commerce models tend to be 'product' orientated, hence the large number of catalogues that exist on the WWW. We believe that engineering companies are defined by their competencies, not by their existing products. Also existing models are biased towards the needs, resources and skills of larger companies. The West Midlands collaborative commerce marketplace builds on the strengths of the existing models and limits their weaknesses by leveraging regional resources and loyalties.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of hybrid, maturity, and mechanical processing of whole plant corn on chemical and physical characteristics, particle size, pack density, and dry matter recovery. In the first experiment, hybrid 3845 whole plant corn was harvested at hard dough, one-third milkline, and two-thirds milkline with a theoretical length-of-cut of 6.4mm. In the second experiment, hybrids 3845 and Quanta were harvested at one-third milkline, two-thirds milkline, and blackline stages of maturity with a theoretical length-of-cut of 12.7mm. At each stage of maturity, corn was harvested with and without mechanical processing by using a John Deere 5830 harvester with an onboard kernel processor. The percentage of intact corn kernels present in unprocessed corn silage explained 62% of variation in total tract starch digestibility. As the amount of intact kernels increased, total tract starch digestibility decreased. Post-ensiled vitreousness of corn kernels within the corn silage explained 31 and 48% of the variation of total tract starch digestibility for processed and unprocessed treatments, respectively. For a given amount of vitreous starch in corn kernels, total tract starch digestibility was lower for cows fed unprocessed corn silage compared with processed corn silage. This suggests that processing corn silage disrupts the dense protein matrix within the corn kernel where starch is embedded, therefore making the starch more available for digestion. Particle size of corn silage and orts that contained corn silage was reduced when it was processed. Wet pack density was greater for processed compared with unprocessed corn silage.

The vibrations of a rectangular porous plate can be described by two coupled equations involving the time and space derivatives of the deflection and of the relative fluid–solid motion. These equations were established previously and are solved in the present article by Galerkin's variational method. As in the classical theory of plates (non-porous), the solutions are approximate and their mathematical form is chosen. The Rayleigh–Ritz decomposition on the basis of orthogonal or quasi-orthogonal eigenfunctions is used and the solutions are inserted in the vibrational equations. This procedure leads to an explicit form for the solid lateral deflection wsand for the fluid–solid relative diplacement w within the pores. In this study, the chosen eigenfunctions or trial functions are obtained from the linear combination of sinusoidal and hyperbolic functions. The solutions have a single generic form allowing one to account for any boundary condition at the edges involving simply supported, free or clamped edges. Numerical results are given for three different porous plates with the four edges clamped. Simple experiments have also been carried out in order to check the validity of the method. The results are presented and compared with the predictions.

Experiments were carried out in an anechoic chamber using a 1:20 scale model of a high-speed train to determine the insertion loss of various forms of track-side noise barrier. All the barriers investigated had the upper edge level with the bottom of the train windows and were positioned as close as possible to the train, within the limitations of the structure gauge. They thus provided attenuation of noise from sources in the lower portion of the train, in the region of the rails and wheels. The measured performance of plane screens with rigid and sound-absorbing surfaces is compared with values predicted by standard prediction methods for railway noise and the results of a numerical model. The effect of barrier shape and absorptive surfaces upon screening performance is investigated. Results are presented in terms of the insertion loss of the peak SPL of the pass-by profile for a single bogie noise source and for the whole train, and also insertion loss based onLAeq,1 h . Results for these three measures show similar trends. For the conditions tested insertion loss values for all the screens were lower when the ground behind the barrier was absorbing than when the ground was rigid. The relative changes in insertion loss for the different forms of barrier were similar for the two ground types. Insertion loss values for rigid screens were between 6 and 10 dB lower than those for similar screens with complete sound absorbing surfaces. The application of absorbing areas on rigid screens significantly increases the insertion loss by between 3 and 6 dB. The least efficient screen was a corrugated barrier with a rigid surface. The most efficient screens tested were plane and curved barriers with absorbing surfaces and a multiple edge screen with a part-absorbing surface.

Summary Plasma membranes have been isolated on a large scale from cultured human skin fibroblasts by methods which avoid treatment with either proteases or heavy metals. Cells (0.5–1.0×109) were harvested from roller, bottles and disrupted by manual agitation in hypotonic medium. A plasma membrane-enriched fraction (10–15 mg protein) was then obtained by conventional differential and density gradient centrifugation. Fractionation was monitored by phase-contrast and electron microscopy, measurement of activities of marker enzymes and recovery of125I wheat germ agglutinin which was bound to the cell surface prior to disruption. The membranes obtained were mainly vesicular (0.1–2 µm diameter) and banded at a sucrose density of 1.12. 5'-Nucleotidase was purified approximately 20-fold with respect to the cell homogenate and nearly 50% of this enzyme was recovered in the plasma membrane-enriched fraction. Activities of Mg2+-ATPase, (Na++K+)Mg2+-ATPase and prostaglandin E, and fluoride-stimulated adenylate cyclases were also maximal in this fraction. Recovery and specific activity of125I wheat germ agglutinin bound to the cell surface was greatest in these membranes. The only contaminating structures identifiable in electron micrographs resembled the flat cisternal plates of the Golgi apparatus. The detection of sialyl and galactosyl transferase activities was consistent with the presence of these structures. Some further subfractionation of the various markers in the preparation was possible. A similar plasma membrane-enriched fraction also was obtained by a second method in which cells were harvested by scraping from the roller bottles and disrupted by homogenization in isotonic media.

Abstract: The formation of a shoal was investigated in the Piscataqua River, New Hampshire, which is a well-mixed channel with low freshwater flow and tidal currents up to 2.3 m s−1. Observations of sediment characteristics, bathymetry, and bottom current were made, and theory was used to predict bedload transport. Sediment sampling showed the bottom material to be coarse sand and gravel, and sidescan sonar revealed large sand waves directed upriver at the shoal. Bottom current measurements were made along transects upriver and downriver of the shoal and downriver of an adjacent deepwater area that was also studied for comparison. Bedload flux inferred from current measurements using the Brown-Einstein theory indicated that transport is generally directed upriver. Sediment budget calculations showed the shoal area to be depositional before, immediately after, and subsequent to a dredging operation at rates of 0.36 m yr−1, 1.06 m yr−1, and 0.35 m yr−1, respectively. Predredge and subsequent rates were consistent with the historical record of removal by dredging at the shoal.

Two Collision Tolerant Pile Structure (CTPS) design concepts were developed for the deployment of navigation aids in shallow water. The CTPS concept consists of the marker/light mounted on a single pile hinged just above the mud line. The hinge allows the pile to flex during a vessel/pile collision yet retains a restoring moment to return the pile to an upright position. The two designs presented here are a peripheral stay/central universal joint hinge concept and a central stay concept. For each design, a 4 m physical model was built for testing. Experiments included laboratory restoring moment-angle tests and in-water barge collision experiments and wave response measurements. Field experiments demonstrated that the pile sustains negligible damage during barge collisions, recovery is prompt, and pile motion in large waves is very small. Experiment results were compared with a 2-dimensional computer simulation of the pile dynamics with good agreement.

The critical factor in the survival of newly-founded colonies of the fungus-growing termites (Macrotermitinae) is the successful inoculation of the new comb with the fungus Termitomyces. At least two methods have evolved within the subfamily, which appear to be mutually exclusive. Namely, inoculation by carriage of conidia by reproductive alates (Macrotermes bellicosus, 5 species of Microtermes) and collection of basidiospores by foraging workers (3 species of Ancistrotermes, Macrotermes subhyalinus, 2 species of Odontotermes). Basidiocarps, associated with five of these species have been recorded in the Nigerian savanna and although uncommon, the timing of their appearance is closely geared to the requirements of new colonies for basidiospores.

The effects of single 10 mg oral doses of the antidepressant mianserin on psychomotor performance, subjective sedation and supine and standing blood pressure were compared in ten young and nine elderly healthy volunteers. Immediate and residual sedation following this subtherapeutic dose was readily detected in both groups. In contrast to previous studies with benzodiazepines, the sedation effect was not accentuated in the older subjects. Subjective awareness of sedation was significant in the young but not, however, in the elderly. “First-dose” postural hypotension, presumably due to post-synaptic alpha-blockade also occurred in young subjects only. Caution may be needed on initial dosage of mianserin in young individuals who drive or undertake skilled tasks and in the elderly who may be unaware of psychomotor impairment. The reported alpha2 receptor selectivity of mianserin might explain the lack of postural effects in the elderly, and might constitute a potentially useful characteristic in the development of new compounds.

The pattern of decomposition of branch-wood greater than 2 cm diameter is described for a one hectare site at Meathop Wood, Cumbria, based on studies carried out as part of the IBP between 1967 and 1972. Three phases of decomposition are recognised. Following the death of branches in the canopy and their colonisation by fungi, decomposition proceeded at an average annual loss rate of about 8.4%. Wood at branch-fall had on average lost about 40% of its original dry weight. On the forest floor the average annual rate of weight lost to decomposition was 17.1%. This could be divided into two phases; fungi were predominant initially but shortly after branch-fall invasion by wood-boring animals occurred. The average annual branch-fall between 1967 and 1971 was 31.5 g·m-2. The standing crop of dead branch-wood on the forest floor was estimated in 1971 to be 203.3 g·m-2. Assuming steady state this implies an annual turnover of 15.5% of the standing crop which is in good agreement with the observed decomposition rate.

A polymorphic site at D11S384, which shows zero recombination with the ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) locus, was originally detected by Mutation Detection Enhancement Gel and Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis. In order to increase the throughput and decrease the complexity of the assays, we developed a site directed mutagenesis using primers with mismatched 3′ends, followed by restriction digestion, as a rapid, nonradioactive method for detecting polymorphisms/mutations.

Diversion boom approaches are developed to contain oil spills close to shore when high‐current velocities prevent normal booming operations. In the diversion boom configuration, one end is anchored outside the spill, while the other is secured to shore. The boom is angled to the current to deflect the oil towards a shore pickup point. Boom configuration (planform shape) must be designed for each site‐specific current environment to prevent leakage under the boom. A mathematical model relating mooring points, boom parameters, and current is developed, calibrated, and validated. The model is applied, as a representative example, to the design of a boom configuration for the Northeast Petroleum terminal on the Piscataqua River, N.H. Current information is obtained, and trial configurations are evaluated employing the model and using a leakage criterion of 0.31 m/s (0.6 knots) for the maximum normal component of current. The recommended design is found to behave as predicted in a demonstration experiment (without oil). Thus, the model and design procedures are observed to be suitable for diversion configuration design in high‐speed currents.

CHANGING PERSPECTIVES IN BRITISH FOREIGN POLICY. Kenneth Younger. Chatham House Essays: 7. London, Oxford University Press, 1964. Pp. 139. 15/9.BRITISH EMIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA. R. T. Appleyard. Australian National University, Canberra, 1964. Pp. xiii + 255. £2/17/6.BRITAIN AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY 1955-1963. Miriam Camps. London, Oxford University Press, 1964. Pp. x + 547. £A4.14.6.INTERNAL WAR. Harry Eckstein (ed.). Glencoe, The Free Press, 1964. Pp. 339. $6.50.MODERN GUERRILLA WARFARE. Franklin Mark Osanka (ed.). Glencoe, The Free Press, 1962. Pp. xxii + 519, bibliog.MALAYSIA. K. G. Tregonning. Cheshire for the Australian Institute of International Affairs, 1964. Pp. 98. 13/6.MALAYSIA; A SURVEY. Wang Gungwu (ed.). Melbourne, F. W. Cheshire, 1964. Pp. 466. £5.SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA. Milton E. Osborne. Data Paper: Number 53, Southeast Asia Program, Cornell University, 1964. Pp. 115. $2.50.SOUTHEAST ASIAN UNIVERSITY. A COMPARATIVE ACCOUNT OF SOME DEVELOPMENT PROBLEMS. T. H. Silcock. Durham, North Carolina, Duke University Press, 1964. Pp. xiii + 194. $6.CHINA. K. S. Latourette. New Jersey, Prentice-Hall, 1964. Pp. viii + 152. $1.95.MODERN CHINA. Edited by A. Feuerwerker. New Jersey, Prentice-Hall, 1964. Pp. vi + 186. $1.95.CEYLON. S. Arasaratnam. New Jersey, Prentice-Hall, 1964. Pp. vi + 182. $1.95.TRADITIONAL INDIA. Edited by O. L. Chavarria-Aguilar. New Jersey, Prentice-Hall, 1964. Pp. vi + 153. $1.95.DEFIANCE IN MANCHURIA: THE MAKING OF JAPANESE FOREIGN POLICY, 1931-1932. Ogata Sadako. Berkeley and Los Angeles, Calif., 1964. Pp. xvi + 259, bibliog. $5, Aust. 65/6.THE MILITARY AND SOCIETY IN LATIN AMERICA. John J. Johnson. Stanford University Press, California, 1964. x + 308 pp. $7.00.

At the genetic locus D11S384, one probe detects a Taq1 RFLP and another detects a RFMP. In 52 pedigrees of North American A-T patients, parental haplotypes based on these two bi-allelic systems have a heterozygosity of 0·69 and a PIC of 0·64. No recombinant events between D11S384 and the A-T locus were detected in the 43 pedigrees in which this marker locus was informative.

Without Abstract:

As contamination with cereal ergot has been increasing in Western Canada, a study was conducted to evaluate impacts of feeding an alkaloid binder (Biomin® II) on nutrient digestibility, alkaloid recovery in feces and lamb growth performance. Forty-eight ram lambs (25.9 + 1.4 kg) were randomly assigned to one of four barley-based diets: Control (C), no added alkaloids, Control +binder fed at 30 g/hd/d (CB); Ergot, 2564 ppb total R + S epimers (E); Ergot + binder, 2534 ppb epimers and alkaloid binder (EB). Lambs were individually fed ab libitum for up to 10 wks until slaughter at > 46 kg LW. Both ADG and gain: feed were greater (P < 0.05) for lambs fed C and CB diets as compared to those contaminated with ergot. Serum prolactin concentrations were 1.73 X increased in EB as compared to E-fed lambs (P < 0.01) although both were lower than those of lambs fed C or CB (P < 0.001). Rectal temperatures of E lambs were greater (P = 0.002) than those receiving other diets. In a digestibility study using 8 ram lambs, NDF digestibility was 11% reduced (P = 0.003) for E compared to other treatments. Nitrogen retention was 18.8% greater (P < 0.05) for lambs receiving control compared to ergot-contaminated diets. Evaluating feces for R epimers, EB lambs had 30.6% greater (P < 0.001) fecal alkaloid recovery compared to those fed E. Based on the sparing effect on prolactin and reduced body temperature, binder may mitigate impacts of ergot alkaloids by directing more of these toxins into feces. Alkaloid concentration in E and EB diets were at limits allowed in feeds for sheep in Canada. Future studies will be required to determine if greater dietary concentrations of binder can also mitigate negative impacts of alkaloids on nitrogen retention and animal performance.

The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional value of barley grain differing in diastatic power (DP; high vs. low, a malt trait) and processing index (PI; 75 vs. 85). One hundred sixty Angus × Hereford crossbred yearling steers (467 ± 38 kg; 144 intact; 16 rumen cannulated) were used in a complete randomized 2 × 2 factorial experiment. Steers were assigned to 16 pens, 8 of which were equipped with the GrowSafe system to measure individual feed intake. Cannulated steers (2 per pen) were randomly assigned to the 8 GrowSafe pens. Diets consisted of high- or low-DP barley grain (80.0% of diet DM) processed to an index of either 75 or 85% (PI). Ruminal pH in cannulated steers was measured over four 5-d periods using indwelling electrodes. Fecal samples were collected every 28 d from the rectum of each steer to assess digestibility using AIA as a marker. No differences (P> 0.10) in rumen pH were observed among cattle as measured by the indwelling pH meters. However, lower (P< 0.05) rumen pH was observed for steers fed low- as opposed to high-DP barley in rumen samples collected just before feeding and measured in the laboratory. Intake of DM and OM were not affected (P≥ 0.24) by DP but were lower (P< 0.01) with more severe processing (PI-75 vs. PI-85). Low-DP barley tended to exhibit higher (P= 0.09) total tract DM digestibility than high-DP barley. Steers fed PI-75 barley also had higher (P= 0.06) G:F and NEg. Digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NDF, and starch was higher (P< 0.05) for PI-75 barley than for PI-85 barley. Low-DP barley increased (P< 0.05) carcass dressing percentage by 0.5% compared with high-DP barley, with a lower (P= 0.06) PI tending to increase rib eye area. Compared with high DP, steers fed low-DP diets had more (P= 0.01) total (41.7 vs. 19.4%) and severe liver abscesses (22.2 vs. 9.7%). Results suggest that although low-DP barley increased liver abscesses, differences in DP did not alter digestion or growth performance, but low-DP barley did improve dressing percentage. Barley with different DP responded similar to processing, with more intensive processing (PI-75) of barley improving starch digestion, feed efficiency, and NEgwithout negatively affecting rumen pH.

The 24-h variation in fecal nutrient excretion and accuracy of digestibility predictions using spot samples collected from feedlot cattle were evaluated using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Six heifers were individually housed and randomly assigned to one of two feeding frequencies; once per day (0900), or twice per day (two equal feedings at 0900 and 1700), first over a backgrounding period, followed by a finishing period. Heifers were fed the backgrounding diet for 21 d, transitioned to the finishing diet over 20 d, which was fed for 21 d. During the last 4 d of both periods, total fecal collections were conducted at 4-h and 4-d-24-h intervals and NIRS calibrations were used to predict fecal organic matter (OM), starch, nitrogen (N), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL). Estimated total tract digestibility (eTTD) using NIRS predicted fecal nutrients and ADL and apparent total tract digestibility (aTTD) of DM, OM, starch, NDF, and ADF determined using previously derived NIRS calibrations were calculated at each 4-h interval as well as over 4 d. Fecal DM (%), NDF, and ADF varied among 4-h interval samples in the backgrounding period, and fecal DM, starch, NDF, ADF, and ADL varied in the finishing period. Fecal starch was able to predict aTTD during both feeding periods (backgrounding: R2 = 0.96, P< 0.01; finishing: R2 = 0.98, P< 0.01). Most 4-h interval samples could be used to predict eTTD of nutrients and aside from starch in the finishing period, there were no differences for eTTD using fecal samples collected at any of the 4-h intervals versus those collected over 4 d. The NIRS calibrations for predicting aTTD coefficients using the 4-h interval samples or the 4 d-24-h composite were least accurate for NDF and ADF. Spot fecal samples collected at any time point from multiple cattle have potential to predict digestibility. However, timing of sampling after feeding must be standardized to predict starch digestibility during the finishing period, with samples between 0–4 h and 8–16 h generating estimates of both starch concentration and digestibility that were closest to that derived from 4-d-24-h composite samples.

A RECENT discovery by two of us (P. E. M. and J. M.), working on an idea which the latter had developed during a previous period of work on African soils1, has revealed that the two species of Hyparrhenia, grasses abundant in the Rhodesian high-veld savanna, secrete a toxin which suppresses the growth of nitrifying bacteria. This toxin may be the cause of the extreme poverty of the high-veld soils in available nitrogen2.

SUBERIZED tissue has for a long time been regarded as among the most resistant of plant tissues to fungal decay. Cork can be virtually immune from breakdown1,2, and the production of cork barriers is a common host reaction to fungal infection3. Nevertheless, there can be little doubt that suberin must eventually be degraded by micro-organisms in the soil and litter; similarly, it is known that several fungi are capable of penetrating suberized barriers. Among these is Armillaria mellea, which was shown by Thomas4to be able to penetrate directly through the bark of host roots. Although this penetration was largely mechanical, Thomas reported some degradation of the cork layers in advance of the fungal hyphae. This suggestion of enzymatic breakdown of the cork layers has been largely discounted by later authors5,6.