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Introduction Recurrence after surgery for pilonidal sinus disease is a recognised problem and patients often re-present months after discharge. We routinely treat primary and recurrent pilonidal sinus disease with Pilonidal sinus Laser-Assisted Closure (PiLAC). Long-term outcomes following PiLAC surgery was examined following clinical and telephone review. Methods All patients undergoing PiLAC as a day-case between April 2016 and July 2019 were included. Patients were followed up in a nurse-led clinic until complete healing or recurrence. A prospective database and retrospective audit of notes combined with longer-term follow-up by telephone were used. Results A total of 35 patients underwent PiLAC, median age 28 (18–53 years), 28 males:7 females. A total of 28 patients had long-term (>60 days) follow-up, mean 407 days (range 67–887 days); 25/28 patients (89.3%) had healed with no recurrence on long-term follow-up. Of these 28 patients, 11 were first presentation of pilonidal disease and underwent PiLAC as their first treatment, with a 91% heal rate long term. A total of 15 patients had seton drainage prior to PiLAC, with a 93% heal rate versus no seton (83%). Fisher's exact test showed no significant difference between sex, new/recurrent pilonidal disease and seton placement (p>0.05). Conclusions Healing after PiLAC for the treatment of primary and recurrent pilonidal sinus disease is preserved with excellent long-term outcomes. We recommend it as an alternative to surgical excision.

Laser-assisted stripping is a novel approach to H- charge exchange that overcomes long-standing limitations associated with the traditional, foil-based method of producing high-intensity, time-structured beams of protons. This paper reports on the first successful demonstration of the laser stripping technique for microsecond duration beams. The experiment represents a factor of 1000 increase in the stripped pulse duration compared with the previous proof-of-principle demonstration. The central theme of the experiment is the implementation of methods to reduce the required average laser power such that high efficiency stripping can be accomplished for microsecond duration beams using conventional laser technology. The experiment was performed on the Spallation Neutron Source 1 GeV H- beam using a 1 MW peak power UV laser and resulted in ~95% stripping efficiency.

The Proton Improvement Plan-II (PIP-II) encompasses a set of upgrades and improvements to the Fermilab accelerator complex aimed at supporting a world-leading neutrino program over the next several decades. PIP-II is an integral part of the strategic plan for U.S. High Energy Physics as described in the Particle Physics Project Prioritization Panel (P5) report of May 2014 [1] and formalized through the Mission Need Statement approved in November 2015. As an immediate goal, PIP-II is focused on upgrades to the Fermilab accelerator complex capable of providing proton beam power in excess of 1 MW on target at the initiation of the Long Baseline Neutrino Facility/Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (LBNF/DUNE) program [2], currently anticipated for the mid- 2020s. PIP-II is a part of a longer-term goal of establishing a high-intensity proton facility that is unique within the world, ultimately leading to multi-MW capabilities at Fermilab....

This Letter reports on the first demonstration of laser-assisted H^{-} charge exchange for microsecond duration H^{-} beam pulses. Laser-assisted charge exchange injection is a breakthrough technology that overcomes long-standing limitations associated with the traditional method of producing high intensity, time structured beams of protons in accelerators via the use of carbon foils for charge exchange injection. The central theme of this experiment is the demonstration of novel techniques that reduce the laser power requirement to allow high efficiency stripping of microsecond duration beams with commercial laser technology.

We used four pregnant Holstein cows to delineate ruminal adaptations as cows transitioned from one lactation to the next. Cows were fed typical diets through far-off and close-up dry periods and lactation. We measured ruminal characteristics on day 72 (late lactation), 51 (far-off dry), 23 and 9 (close-up dry) prepartum and on days 6, 20, 34, 48, 62, 76 and 90 postpartum (early lactation). Measurements included: ruminal fill (weight of actual contents), ruminal capacity (volume of rumen when fully filled), digestibilities and ruminal passage rates. Ruminal capacity tended to increase linearly during early lactation but was stable during dry and transition periods. Both total and liquid fill decreased linearly during the dry period, increased across parturition, and increased linearly through early lactation. Dry matter fill decreased as cows were fed the close-up diet at day 23 prepartum then increased near parturition and continued to increase across early lactation. Solid passage rate was greatest when cows were fed the close-up diet, and decreased throughout the transition period. In lactation, solid passage rate responded quadratically with peak at day 48 followed by decreases through day 90 postpartum. Liquid passage increased linearly across the transition period. Total tract organic matter digestibilities increased linearly over the dry period with significant increases prior to or immediately after parturition, then they remained relatively stable over early lactation until they increased at day 90. Fibre digestibilities demonstrated quadratic responses over early lactation, being higher on day 6 and day 90 than at other times. Starch digestibilities decreased linearly across both the dry and transition periods with decreases in lactation until day 62 followed by increases until day 90. High producing lactating dairy cows go through a multitude of ruminal adaptations, in terms of digestion, passage, capacity and fill, as they transition from one lactation to the next.

We evaluated growth-related responses to ractopamine in steers and heifers. Sixteen Angus steers (512 kg) and 16 Angus heifers (473 kg) housed in individual pens were used in a complete block design. At 90 to 97 d before the experiment, steers were implanted with 120 mg of trenbolone acetate and 24 mg of estradiol-17beta (Component TE-S) and heifers were implanted with 140 mg of trenbolone acetate and 14 mg of estradiol-17beta (Component TE-H). Treatments were arranged as a 2 x 2 factorial and included sex (steer vs. heifer) and ractopamine-HCl (0 or 200 mg/d). Cattle were fed a diet based on steam-flaked corn once daily. Blood and LM and biceps femoris (BF) biopsy samples were collected on d 0 (before ractopamine feeding) and after 14 and 28 d of ractopamine feeding. Serum insulin concentrations were not affected by ractopamine or sex. Serum IGF-I concentrations were greater in steers than heifers (P0.001), and steers demonstrated greater IGF-I mRNA expression in BF than heifers (P = 0.05). Ractopamine decreased serum IGF-I concentrations in heifers on d 14, but increased serum IGF-I concentrations in steers on d 28 (sex x ractopamine x day interaction; P = 0.03). Ractopamine did not affect (Por= 0.19) mRNA expression of IGF-I, IGFBP-3, or calpastatin in BF or LM. However, ractopamine led to increases in LM expression of IGFBP-5 in heifers, but to decreases in expression in steers (ractopamine x sex interaction; P = 0.04). Ractopamine decreased myosin heavy chain IIA mRNA expression in BF (P = 0.04) but not in LM (P = 0.99). Ractopamine decreased beta(2)-receptor mRNA expression in LM of steers on d 14, but not on d 28; in contrast, expression of beta(2)-receptor mRNA in LM of heifers was not affected by ractopamine (sex x ractopamine x day interaction; P = 0.03). Although there were a few criteria for which ractopamine led to differences in response between steers and heifers, there were no striking disparities to suggest that the effectiveness of ractopamine would markedly differ between sexes.

The objective of this research was to determine the effects of feeding zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) for 0, 20, 30, or 40 d before slaughter (ZH0, ZH20, ZH30, or ZH40, respectively) on semimembranosus (SM) color development and stability. A 7.62-cm-thick portion was removed from 60 beef steer SM subprimals and stored (2 degrees C) for 21 d; then two 2.54-cm-thick steaks were cut, overwrapped with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film, and assigned to 0 or 3 d of display. Remaining portions of the subprimals were stored in a vacuum for 10 d and then enhanced 10% to a meat concentration of 0.3% sodium chloride, 0.35% phosphate, and 0.05% rosemary extract. Steaks were packaged in a high-oxygen (HO-MAP) or carbon monoxide (CO-MAP) modified atmosphere and assigned to 0, 3, or 5 d (HO-MAP) or 0 or 9 d (CO-MAP) of display. The deep (DSM) and superficial (SSM) portions of steaks were evaluated for initial color, display color, discoloration, pH, L*, a*, b*, hue angle, and saturation indices. For steaks in PVC, no differences (P > 0.05) occurred in initial or discoloration color scores because of ZH feeding duration. The enhanced SSM steaks from ZH20 in PVC were brighter red (P < 0.05) than SSM steaks from ZH40 in PVC. The DSM in PVC had less (P < 0.05) pH and paler (P < 0.05) color than the SSM. Display color scores for the DSM of PVC steaks were brighter red (P < 0.05) than the SSM initially (d 0 and 1), but the DSM discolored faster (P < 0.05) than the SSM on d 1 to 3. The SM steaks from steers fed ZH20 or ZH30 were slightly brighter and less discolored during display in PVC than the ZH40 diet. For enhanced steaks in HO-MAP, the DSM of ZH20 and ZH30 diets displayed 4 d and the DSM of ZH20 displayed 5 d was a brighter (P < 0.05) red than the DSM from ZH40. At display d 1 and 5, the SSM of ZH20 steaks in HO-MAP was a brighter (P < 0.05) red than SSM steaks from ZH40. The SSM of ZH40 HO-MAP steaks was darker (P < 0.05) red on d 3 than the SSM from other diets. For enhanced steaks in CO-MAP, ZH30 steaks were brighter (P < 0.05) red than ZH0 or ZH40 steaks on d 0 and 9 of display. Steaks in CO-MAP from all feeding durations were less than 20% discolored through d 9. The DSM was lighter (P < 0.05) than the SSM on d 0 for steaks packaged in HO-MAP and CO-MAP. Feeding cattle ZH for 20 or 30 d will yield steaks with color characteristics equal to or better than steaks from control cattle, whereas feeding ZH for 40 d will likely produce less desirable meat color traits.

To determine the effects of feeding zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) for 0, 20, 30, or 40 d (ZH0, ZH20, ZH30, ZH40) on semimembranosus (SM) steak color and color stability in 3 packaging systems, SM subprimals were removed from 60 calf-fed Holstein steers 24 h postmortem. A 7.62-cm-thick portion was removed from each subprimal and stored (2 degrees C) for 21 d; then two 2.54-cm-thick steaks were cut, overwrapped with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film, and assigned to 0 or 3 d of display. Remaining portions of the subprimals were vacuum packaged for 10 d and then enhanced (10% with a solution containing 0.3% sodium chloride, 0.35% phosphate, and 0.05% rosemary extract), cut into steaks, packaged in high-oxygen (HO-MAP) or carbon monoxide (CO-MAP) modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and assigned to 0, 3, or 5 d (HO-MAP) or 0 or 9 d (CO-MAP) of display. Panelists evaluated the deep and superficial portions of SM steaks for initial color, display color, discoloration, pH, L*, a*, b*, hue angle, and saturation indices. Feeding duration did not affect (P > 0.05) initial color scores of steaks in PVC. Steaks displayed in PVC from ZH20 or ZH30 diets were slightly brighter and less discolored than the ZH40 treatment. For enhanced steaks in HO-MAP, ZH20 steaks were darker on d 5 (P 0.05) to have improved display color compared with other dietary regimens; however, steaks in CO-MAP from all feeding durations had less than 20% metmyoglobin through d 9 of display. Overall, feeding ZH20 might result in steaks with slightly less color stability when packaged in HO-MAP; however, feeding ZH20 or ZH30 to calf-fed Holstein steers will yield steaks that have equal to or more desirable color traits when packaged in PVC or CO-MAP. Regardless of ZH feeding regimen, HO-MAP and CO-MAP extended the color life of the SM. The CO-MAP system minimized color differences between the superficial and deep portions of the SM muscle and extended total case life compared with traditional and HO-MAP packaging.

Recognition of the parallels between animal life and flame provided the impetus to view life as combustion. Animal digestion and metabolism experiments revealed principles of nutrient sources of energy, the relation of chemical content to absorbed nutrient value, respiratory quotient, and biological value. Measurements of heat loss by animals revealed dramatic, >30-fold, differences in mass specific biological oxidation, leading to mass exponential descriptions of these metabolic rates, e.g., the Kleiber-Brody Law. More recent animal experiments have explored principles explaining the large mass specific rate variation, leading to principles of visceral organ mass primacy and the importance of ion pumping, proton leak, and membrane lipid composition as drivers of the variation.

The Goddard Cumulus Ensemble (GCE) model is used to examine the sensitivities of multiday 2D simulations of deep tropical convection to surface fluxes, interactive radiation, and ice microphysical processes. The simulations incorporate large-scale temperature, moisture, and momentum forcings, from the Tropical Ocean Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Response Experiment (TOGA COARE) for the period 19–27 December 1992. This study shows that, when surface fluxes are eliminated, the mean simulated atmosphere is much cooler and drier, convection and CAPE are much weaker, precipitation is less, and low-level to midlevel cloudiness is much greater. Surface fluxes using the TOGA COARE flux algorithm are weaker than with the aerodynamic formulation, but closer to the observed fluxes. In addition, trends similar to those noted above for the case without surface fluxes are produced for the TOGA COARE flux case, albeit to a much lesser extent. The elimination of shortwave and longwave radiation is found to have only minimal effects on the mean thermodynamics, convection, and precipitation. However, exclusion of radiation in the model does have a significant impact on cloud temperatures and structure above 200 mb. The removal of ice microphysical processes produces major changes in the structure of the clouds. Much of the liquid water is transported to the upper levels of the troposphere and evaporates, resulting in less mean total surface precipitation. The precipitation primarily occurs in regions of narrow, but intense, convective rainfall bands. The elimination of melting processes (diabatic cooling and conversions to rain) leads to greater (ice) hydrometeor mass below the 0°C level and reduced latent cooling. This, along with weaker vertical cloud mass fluxes, produces a much warmer and moister boundary layer, and a greater mean CAPE. Finally, the elimination of the graupel species has only a small impact on mean total precipitation, thermodynamics, and dynamics of the simulation, but does produce much greater snow mass just above the melting layer.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential for using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) root colonization and pasture reflectance characteristics as indicators of changes in tallgrass prairie vegetation resulting from differences in grazing history. The experiment was conducted within the context of a separate long-term experiment in which eight 4·9-ha pastures were grazed by either bison or cattle for nine consecutive years. Two separate ungrazed pastures were selected for comparison with grazed areas on the basis of similarity in burning regime, vegetation, soil and topographic characteristics. Four 45 m-long transects were located in the upland sites within each pasture, and four plots were clipped to ground level along each transect. Reflectance readings were taken with a hand-held radiometer at each sampling location and a soil core was collected within each plot for analysis of AMF root colonization. Reflectance readings at sixteen different wavelengths were used directly as inputs during multiple regression development or were transformed into each of three vegetation indices (normalized difference vegetation index, soil-adjusted vegetation index and wide-dynamic-range vegetation index) and used in simple linear regressions. Ungrazed pastures were characterized by higher (P < 0·01) grass biomass, total biomass and canopy height than grazed pastures, but had a lower proportional abundance of forbs (P < 0·01) and amounts of forb biomass (P = 0·04). Species of herbivore did not significantly influence above-ground characteristics that were measured. In general, AMF root colonization was relatively small and was not significantly affected by treatment and, accordingly, the variation was insufficient to test its potential as an indicator of grazing effects on vegetation or its potential relationship with pasture reflectance. Multiple regression equations based on individual wavelength reflectance values explained significantly more of the variation in above-ground vegetation characteristics than did simple regressions using vegetation indices as predictor variables (r² values from 0·36 to 0·46 vs. 0·11 to 0·27) and have the potential to predict above-ground vegetation characteristics in heterogeneous rangelands.

Two in vitro experiments were conducted to study the effects of supplemental non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC) and fermentation pH on rate and extent of forage neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestion by mixed ruminal microorganisms. A low-quality grass hay (53 g/kg CP and 761 g/kg NDF) that was finely ground served as the basal forage substrate. In Experiment 1, treatments were arranged as a 4 × 2 factorial in a randomized complete block design. The first factor consisted of supplemental NFC type: none (i.e., control, grass hay only), glucose, maltose, or soluble starch. The second factor was fermentation pH: adjusted (i.e., maintained at approximately pH 6.8) or non-adjusted (i.e., pH allowed to vary from an initial pH of 6.8 without interference). Treatments in Experiment 2 were arranged as a 4 × 2 factorial in a completely randomized design. The first factor consisted of supplemental NFC type: none (i.e., control, grass hay only), glucose, corn starch, and soluble starch. The second factor consisted of fermentation pH: adjusted or non-adjusted (the same as in Experiment 1). In both experiments NFC treatments were set such that the supplemental NFC supplied approximately 200 g/kg of the total substrate dry matter. In Experiment 1, an NFC type × pH interaction (P

We evaluated effects of wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) and a novel product (SHSL) containing raw soybean hulls and corn steep liquor on performance and digestion in lactating dairy cows. In Experiment 1, 46 multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to control (C), WCGF (20% of diet DM), or SHSL (20% of diet DM). Diets were fed as a total mixed ration beginning after calving. The C diet contained (dry matter [DM] basis) 30% alfalfa hay, 15% corn silage, 32% corn, 9.3% whole cottonseed, 4.4% solvent soybean meal (SBM), and 3.3% expeller SBM. The WCGF replaced 10% alfalfa hay, 5% corn silage, and 5% corn grain, while expeller SBM replaced solvent SBM to maintain diet rumen undegradable protein. The SHSL replaced 10% alfalfa hay, 5% corn silage, 3% solvent SBM, and 2% corn. Dietary crude protein averaged 18.4%. Milk, energy-corrected milk (ECM), DM intake (DMI), and ECM/DMI were similar among diets during the first 13 wk of lactation. During wk 14 through 30 postpartum, WCGF and SHSL improved milk, ECM, milk component yield, and ECM/DMI. In Experiment 2, 6 cows were used to evaluate digestibility and rumen traits. Dry matter intake and total tract digestibilities of DM, fiber, and crude protein were not different among diets. Diets did not affect ruminal liquid dilution rate, pH, or concentrations of total volatile fatty acids or ammonia, but acetate:propionate was higher for C (3.38) than for WCGF (2.79) or SHSL (2.89). The WCGF and SHSL products can serve as alternative feedstuffs in diets fed to lactating dairy cattle.

This study was conducted to assess the impact of type of supplemental non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC) and source of supplemental rumen degradable protein (RDP) on low quality forage intake, ruminal fermentation, and total tract digestion. Twelve ruminally fistulated beef steers (average initial body weight (BW) 500±22 kg) given ad libitum access to a low quality grass hay (53 g/kg crude protein; 748 g/kg neutral detergent fiber (NDF)) were used in a two period, two treatment crossover design nested within a six treatment completely randomized design. Periods consisted of an 11 day adaptation to treatments, a 5 day interval for intake and digestibility determination, and a 2 day ruminal sampling interval. Treatments were arranged as a 2×6 factorial and consisted of two different NFC types (corn starch and dextrose; fed at 1.6 g/kg of initial BW) each offered with an equal amount of RDP (0.87 g/kg of initial BW) but with six different proportions of non-protein nitrogen (NPN; supplied as urea) and true protein (supplied as casein) as sources of RDP. Proportions of supplemental N from urea, expressed as a percent of the supplemental RDP, were: 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100. Treatments were dosed ruminally once daily. There were no NFC type×RDP source interactions for forage intake, digestion, or passage rate. Forage organic matter (OM) and total digestible OM intakes decreased linearly (P

An experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of infusing protein postruminally on the utilization of low-quality grass hay by beef steers concurrently ruminally infused with increasing levels of protein. Twelve ruminally fistulated steers (361±8.2 kg BW) were used in a two-treatment, two-period cross-over design nested within a six treatment completely randomized experiment. Steers were allowed ad libitum access to a low-quality grass hay (53 g/kg CP, 717 g/kg NDF) for 17 days before and throughout the experiment. Each period of the experiment had five intervals: (1) 10 days adaptation to treatments; (2) 7 days measurement of intake and digestibility; (3) 3 days ruminal sampling; (4) 10 days ad libitum access to hay only; (5) 7 days measurement of intake. Steers were supplemented in a 6×2 factorial arrangement of treatments. For the first factor, steers were dosed ruminally once daily with one of six levels of sodium caseinate (0, 0.29, 0.58, 0.87, 1.16, and 1.45 g/kg of initial BW) to simulate ruminally degradable protein supplementation. For the second factor, steers were infused postruminally once daily with one of two levels of sodium caseinate (0 and 0.87 g/kg of initial BW) via infusion lines anchored in the abomasum to simulate ruminally undegradable protein supplementation. Provision of protein ruminally resulted in a linear ( P ≤0.03) increase in hay OM intake, total digestible OM intake (TDOMI), and OM digestion. Infusion of protein postruminally tended ( P =0.06) to increase hay OM intake, and increased TDOMI, and OM digestion ( P ≤0.01). A trend to a ruminal protein level×postruminal protein interaction ( P =0.07) was observed for TDOMI, which was due to a lower response to the first increment of ruminal protein supplementation when steers received postruminal protein. A quadratic increase ( P =0.03) in NDF digestion occurred with increasing ruminal protein although, postruminal protein did not affect NDF digestion. Ruminal and postruminal protein supplementation improved forage utilization, but the response to direct ruminal protein provision was higher. Improvements in forage utilization in response to postruminal protein supply may be due to N recycling, or other effects related to improved N status of the animal.

Sixteen ruminally fistulated beef steers (BW=220±16 kg) were used to evaluate the interaction of non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC) type and level of rumen degradable protein (RDP) supplementation on low-quality forage utilization. Steers given ad libitum access to a low-quality grass hay (51 g/kg CP, 762 g/kg NDF) were used in a 15 treatment, two period crossover experiment. Steers were subjected to two 24-day periods that included intervals for measuring intake and total fecal output, ruminal evacuation, and monitoring ruminal fermentation. Treatments were arranged as a 2×7 factorial plus an additional treatment which served as a negative control (i.e., no supplemental NFC or RDP). Treatments within the supplemented groups consisted of feeding one of two sources of NFC (starch or dextrose) at 3.0 g/kg of initial BW in combination with one of seven levels of RDP (casein; 0, 0.15, 0.51, 0.87, 1.23, 1.59, 1.95 g/kg of initial BW). Supplements were ruminally dosed once daily. No NFC type×RDP level interactions occurred for intake or digestion measure. Total digestible OM intake increased with increasing supplemental RDP, but at a decreasing rate (quadratic; P P P =0.17 and 0.18, respectively) were observed. Type of supplemental NFC did not affect forage, total or digestible OM intake. In response to increasing RDP supplementation, digestion of OM increased linearly ( P =0.03) whereas NDF digestion tended (quadratic; P =0.08) to increase initially but plateaued. When compared with the negative control, digestion of NDF was depressed ( P P

The effect of altering supplementation frequency on host N balance and key N transactions in the ruminal ecosystem were monitored. Four ruminally fistulated beef steers (BW = 513 kg; SEM = 6.5) were used in a 2 x 2 crossover design with two periods and two supplementation frequency treatments. Supplementation frequencies were 2 and 7 d/wk. Steers were fed tallgrass prairie hay (73.1% NDF, 5.3% CP) ad libitum. Supplement (42% CP; DM basis) was fed at 0.36% BW/d to steers supplemented 7 d/wk. Steers supplemented 2 d/wk received the same amount of supplement per week, but it was equally split among the two supplementation events. Steers supplemented 7 d/wk had higher forage (P < 0.02) and total digestible OM intake (P < 0.06), total N intake, fecal N excretion, and N retention. Although both supplementation frequencies were characterized by positive N balance, the decrease in N retention in the steers supplemented 2 d/wk was due to higher (P < 0.01) urinary N loss. Ruminal fluid was sampled at 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after supplementation beginning on a day when both treatments were supplemented. Frequency x hour interactions (P < 0.02) were observed for ruminal N metabolism criteria. Counts of peptide- and AA-fermenting bacteria peaked at 2 h and returned to nadir by 12 h for steers supplemented 7 d/wk. Steers supplemented 2 d/wk peaked at 6 h with a greater population and returned to nadir at 48 h. Ruminal ammonia concentrations followed a similar trend. Specific activity of ammonia production was lower (P < or = 0.05) immediately after supplementation for steers supplemented 2 d/wk, but by 12 h was the same as for 7 d/wk steers. Ruminal peptides and free AA peaked at 2 h for steers supplemented 2 d/wk and were generally higher (P < or = 0.05) during the first 6 h compared with steers supplemented 7 d/wk. Total VFA concentration was not different (P = 0.35) due to supplementation frequency. Frequency x hour interactions (P < 0.01) were observed for all molar proportions of VFA. The molar proportion of acetate and acetate:propionate ratio were lower (P < 0.01) and the molar proportions of propionate and butyrate were higher for steers supplemented 2 d/wk from 4 h to 24 h. In conclusion, forage use and N balance improved with supplementation 7 d/wk, but supplementation 2 d/wk was associated with some desirable shifts in select ruminal events that may contribute to moderating potential negative impacts of supplementing infrequently.

The performance, in-system reprogrammability, flexibility, and reduced costs of SRAM-based field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) make them very interesting for high-speed on-orbit data processing, but the current generation of radiation-tolerant SRAM-based FPGAs are based on commercial-off-the-shelf technologies and, consequently, are susceptible to single-event upset effects. In this paper, we discuss in detail the consequences of radiation-induced single-event upsets (SEUs) in the state of half-latch structures found in Xilinx Virtex FPGAs and describe methods for mitigating the effects of half-latch SEUs. One mitigation method's effectiveness is then illustrated through experimental data gathered through proton accelerator testing at Crocker Nuclear Laboratory, University of California-Davis. For the specific design and mitigation methodology tested, the mitigated design demonstrated more than an order of magnitude improvement in reliability over the unmitigated version of the design in regards to average proton fluence until circuit failure.

Hereford×Angus steers were used in a 14-treatment, 2-period, crossover design experiment to examine effects of a wide range in the ratio of supplemental starch to rumen degradable protein (RDP) on low-quality forage utilization and ruminal characteristics. Steers were given ad libitum access to grass hay (4.9% CP, 42.4% ruminally degradable) and supplemented in a 2×7 factorial arrangement of treatments. All supplements were administered directly into the rumen and delivered one of two levels of ruminally degradable starch (cornstarch grits; 0 and 0.3% of initial BW) and one of seven levels of RDP (sodium caseinate; 0, 0.015, 0.051, 0.087, 0.123, 0.159, and 0.195% of initial BW). Supplementation with RDP increased consumption of forage OM, total OM, NDF, and digestible OM in a quadratic (P

Based on the knowledge that alpaca (Lama pacos) have a lower fractional outflow rate of feed particles (particulate FOR) from their forestomach than sheep (San Martin 1987), the current study measured methane (CH4) production and other digestion parameters in these species in three successive experiments (1, 2 and 3): Experiment 1, lucerne hay fed indoors; Experiment 2, grazed on perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture (PRG/WC); and Experiment 3, grazed on birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) pasture (Lotus). Six male alpaca and six castrated Romney sheep were simultaneously and successively fed on the forages either ad libitum or at generous herbage allowances (grazing). CH4 production (g/day) (using the sulphur hexafluoride tracer technique), voluntary feed intake (VFI), diet quality, and protozoa counts and volatile fatty acid concentrations in samples of forestomach contents were determined. In addition, feed digestibility, energy and nitrogen (N) balances and microbial N supply from the forestomach (using purine derivatives excretion) were measured in Experiment 1.Diets selected by alpaca were of lower quality than those selected by sheep, and the voluntary gross energy intakes (GEI, MJ) per kg of liveweight0·75 were consistently lower (Pv. 1·36, 0·61 v. 1·32 and 0·77 v. 2·53 on lucerne hay, PRG/WC and Lotus, respectively). Alpaca and sheep did not differ (P>0·05) in their CH4 yields (% GEI) when fed on lucerne hay (5·1 v. 4·7), but alpaca had a higher CH4 yield when fed on PRG/WC (9·4 v. 7·5, Pv. 2·7, PPP>0·05) in diet N partition or microbial N yield, but alpaca had higher (Pv. 0·461) and lower (Pv. 5·8 % GEI) than sheep. It is suggested that differences between these species in forestomach particulate FOR might have been the underlying physiological mechanism responsible for the differences in CH4 yield, although the between-species differences in VFI and diet quality also had a major effect on it.

Summary Diversity studies of Echinochloa spp. are complicated by problems in taxonomy and species identification, caused by the existence of morphologically intergrading types. Six amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) primer combinations and five microsatellites were used to assess variation in 24 samples morphologically identified as E. crus-galli, E. colona and E. crus-pavonis, from Bangladesh, India, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire and Philippines. Out of 909 AFLP bands generated, 775 were polymorphic. Genotype diversity for the microsatellites ranged from 0.28 to 0.72. Similarity matrices were calculated using Jaccard coefficient, and input into cluster and principal coordinates analyses. AFLP and microsatellite results were highly correlated. Echinochloa crus-pavonis and E. crus-galli were intermixed, consistent with the view that E. crus-galli occurs as numerous intergrading races in the four countries (Bangladesh, India, Cote d'Ivoire and Philippines). The E. colona samples clustered as a distinct group. In 15 samples of E. crus-pavonis collected from rice fields in a valley in Cote d'Ivoire (over a 2-km distance), four different genotypes were found in a 4 m × 4 m area. These results suggest that AFLPs and SSRs may be useful not only for discriminating genotypes and studying population structure but also for helping to resolve taxonomic relationships in Echinochloa spp.

We present a decision-tree-based symbolic rule induction system for categorizing text documents automatically. Our method for rule induction involves the novel combination of (1) a fast decision tree induction algorithm especially suited to text data and (2) a new method for converting a decision tree to a rule set that is simplified, but still logically equivalent to, the original tree. We report experimental results on the use of this system on some practical problems.

Seven institutions conducted a collaborative trial to compare three methods for estimating effective degradability (ED) of forage protein from alfalfa (Medicago sativa; 2.9% N), bermuda (Cynodon dactylon; 1.4% N), brome (Bromus inermis; 0.9% N), forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor; 0.8% N), and prairie (mixture of native tallgrass prairie species; 0.9% N) hays. To facilitate the collaborative nature of this study, an adaptation of an abbreviated in situ procedure proposed by Broderick [Quantifying forage protein quality. In: Fahey, G.C., Collins, M., Mertens, D.R., Moser, L.E. (Eds.), Forage Quality, Evaluation, and Utilization. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI, USA, pp. 200–228] and subsequently validated by Vanzant [J. Anim. Sci. 74 (1996) 2773] was adopted for comparison with other procedures. The abbreviated in situ procedure (conducted at four institutions) assumed first-order degradation kinetics and entailed not incubating (0 h) as well as ruminally incubating (2, 8, and 96 h) duplicate polyester bags ( 10 cm ×20 cm) of each forage (5 g) in the rumens of two steers per location during each of two periods. Rinsing, drying, and microbial correction procedures were standardized. The in situ estimates of ED were compared with two single time-point enzyme assays (using Streptomyces griseus protease) derived from the work of Roe [Techniques for measuring protein fractions in feedstuffs. In: Proceedings of the Cornell Nutrition Conference, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, pp. 81–88] and Krishnamoorthy et al. [Br. J. Nutr. 50 (1983) 555] with adaptations based on the work of Abdelgadir et al. [J. Anim. Sci 75 (1997) 2215] and Coblentz et al. [J. Diary Sci. 82 (1999) 343]. For the protease assays, duplicate forage samples (15 mg N) were incubated (at seven institutions) in 40 ml of a buffer solution for 1 h. Subsequently, 10 ml of a S. griseus protease solution (0.33 U of activity/ml) were added to the buffer plus forage and incubated for 48 h. In addition, a shorter procedure was evaluated (at six institutions) wherein an increased concentration (33.0 U of activity/ml) of S. griseus concentration was used to compensate for shorter incubation time (4 h). Average ED values obtained from both the 48 and 4 h S. griseus assays explained a large portion of the variation observed for the average ED values from the in situ technique (r2=0.87 and r2=0.88, respectively). However, there did appear to be some evidence that the S. griseus assays tested overestimated in situ ED in forages with low degradability. The 4 h/high-concentration and 48 h/low-concentration S. griseus assays were closely related (r2=0.99) with little bias evident in the relationship. These assays were also less variable than the abbreviated in situ approach. In conclusion, single time-point S. griseus assays with appropriately balanced incubation lengths and enzyme concentrations appear promising for estimating ED under routine laboratory conditions.

The paper describes the conservation importance and rationale for examining ecological restoration options for the Lymington/Keyhaven saltmarshes in Southern England. Physical process studies have established why this coastal habitat is under pressure and have quantified the rate of erosion. A vegetation survey of the saltmarshes suggested that (a) wave attack, (b) ship wash, (c) poor drainage, (d) deferential sedimentation, and (e) relative sea-level rise are contributing to the loss of saltmarsh quality and quantity. Saltmarsh re-creation is not a viable option for this site; instead, a combination of rehabilitation techniques is proposed.

Mathematical modeling of the dynamic behavior of vulcanizates is reviewed with the emphasis on carbon black filled natural rubber (NR). The 3 constant standard triboelastic solid (STS) model and its behavior are described, in general terms and with specific reference to low frequency shear data for a wide range of filled NR vulcanizates. Good general agreement is found between model and experiment for the data obtained at strain amplitudes down to 0.01; there is also acceptably good correlation between carbon black loading and values of STS constants. For previously published data down to very low strain amplitudes (1×10−4), agreement is much less satisfactory.

A 2-year study was conducted to determine the abundance of rice arthropods as affected by weeding regimes and toposequence sites, from upland to lowland, in an inland valley in Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa. Toposequence site had an effect on insect populations. Most insects were found in the moist, lower portion of the slope (hydromorphic or phreatic zone) and in the valley bottom (irrigated lowland). Among these were the white leafhoppers Cofana spectra and C. unimaculata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), the green leafhoppers Nephotettix spp. (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), and the diopsids Diopsis longicornis and D. apicalis (Diptera: Diopsidae). Stemborer damage was generally most severe in the lowland ecology. Weed dry weights and weed species composition were affected by toposequence site. Cyperns difformis L. was most abundant in the lowland and Digitaria horizontalis Willd. in the upland sites. Weeding regime had an effect on the abundance of insect pests and natural enemies (spiders and damselflies) and on the extent of stemborer damage, the effect varying with toposequence site. Implications of the results for the integrated management of weeds and insects are discussed.

Effects of five weed management regimes on abundance of weeds, insect pests, generalist predators and on pest damage and rice yield were investigated in upland rice in Côte d‘Ivoire over two years. In both years there was a highly significant negative correlation between weed biomass and grain yield across all treatments. Only two pest insect groups,Nephotettixspp. (Cicadellidae) and seed sucking Heteroptera, were consistently more abundant in unweeded plots and had a consistent significant positive correlation between abundance and weed biomass across all seven treatments. These polyphagous groups may have been more dependent on resources provided by weeds than the other pests studied. However, pest damage was not affected by presence or absence of weeds, suggesting that populations were below a damage threshold. Ants were the most abundant predators in the rice canopy and were most abundant in unweeded treatments. Abundance of both ants and spiders was significantly positively correlated with weed biomass across treatments. Abundance of reduviid bugs was positively correlated with weed biomass only in 1995. Any benefits due to presence of weeds in the crop were completely outweighed by loss of crop yield due to weed competition. However, if crop losses due to weeds were sufficiently reduced, it is possible that significant losses due to insect pests might emerge.

Due to the presence of autocorrelation between sequentially measured nitrogen oxide (NOx) concentrations in stack gas from portland cement kilns, the determination of the average emission rates and the uncertainty of the average has been improperly calculated by the industry and regulatory agencies. Documentation of permit compliance, establishment of permit levels, and the development and testing of control techniques for reducing NOx emissions at specific cement plants requires accurate and precise statistical estimates of parameters such as means, standard deviations, and variances. Usual statistical formulas such as for the variance of the sample mean only apply if sequential measurements of NOx emissions are independent. Significant autocorrelation of NOx emission measurements revealed that NOx concentration values measured by continuous emission monitors are not independent but can be represented by an autoregressive, moving average (ARMA) time series. Three orders of time-variability of NOx emissio...

The effects of weed residues on the abundance and activity of generalist arthropod predators and insect pests and on rice yields in upland rice were studied. Weed residues were placed in the experimental plots in three ways: (1) residues left in situ where weeds are uprooted; or (2) placed in small piles throughout the field; or (3) removed from the field but heaped at the edges to be burnt when dry. The study investigated the effects of residue disposal in upland rice under research station conditions designed to simulate conditions in farmers' fields. Spider activity was significantly greater in plots with scattered residues and strips of residue and least in plots from which residues had been removed. Staphylinid beetle activity was significantly greater in plots with a supplementary weed mulch than in other treatments. By contrast, spider density was greater when residue was piled or used as mulch rather than when scattered but the smallest populations occurred in the no-residue plots. Carabi...

A high precision, computer‐controlled adsorption isotherm apparatus has been constructed and used to investigate a variety of physisorbed systems. Suitable for absolute measurements, this apparatus features good vapor pressure resolution and outstanding temperature stability. The hallmark of the apparatus, however, is the graphical computer interface, written using the popular LABVIEW package, which offers a flexibility and ease‐of‐use not achieved in previous automated systems. This article will demonstrate the quality of data obtainable with this system, as well as the simplicity of operation afforded by the graphical interface.

(eds M.C.S. Wopereis et al.) 367 emerging needs and opportunities. ‘Looking over the fence’ is common practice. For instance, when asked how they decided on what seed to use, rice farmers in northern Ghana said they always assessed their neighbours’ fields throughout the growing season. If a crop outperformed their own or had an attribute of particular interest, farmers would often attempt to acquire some of their successful neighbour’s crop seed to try it out the next season. By that time they are already fairly familiar with its characteristics although they may further test it for yield stability, adaptability and processing traits (in the case of a new variety). Observing the variety regularly in the field and the fact that it has worked for her or his neighbour has given the farmer confidence to test the technology.

Aspects of the mechanical behavior of filled vulcanizates are reviewed with reference to existing mathematical models. The basic equations of the triboelastic theory, previously described by Turner, are derived. A standard triboelastic solid (STS) three parameter model, analogous to the standard linear solid, is described and a computationally efficient approximation developed. Comparisons are made between the predictions of the STS model and the behavior of testpieces of heavily filled natural rubber vulcanizates when subjected to simple and to complex deformation histories at various frequencies; the model is found to give a satisfactory representation of material behavior. Limitations of the STS model are also discussed.

Increasing atmospheric concentrations of methane have led scientists to examine its sources of origin. Ruminant livestock can produce 250 to 500 L of methane per day. This level of production results in estimates of the contribution by cattle to global warming that may occur in the next 50 to 100 yr to be a little less than 2%. Many factors influence methane emissions from cattle and include the following: level of feed intake, type of carbohydrate in the diet, feed processing, addition of lipids or ionophores to the diet, and alterations in the ruminal microflora. Manipulation of these factors can reduce methane emissions from cattle. Many techniques exist to quantify methane emissions from individual or groups of animals. Enclosure techniques are precise but require trained animals and may limit animal movement. Isotopic and nonisotopic tracer techniques may also be used effectively. Prediction equations based on fermentation balance or feed characteristics have been used to estimate methane production. These equations are useful, but the assumptions and conditions that must be met for each equation limit their ability to accurately predict methane production. Methane production from groups of animals can be measured by mass balance, micrometeorological, or tracer methods. These techniques can measure methane emissions from animals in either indoor or outdoor enclosures. Use of these techniques and knowledge of the factors that impact methane production can result in the development of mitigation strategies to reduce methane losses by cattle. Implementation of these strategies should result in enhanced animal productivity and decreased contributions by cattle to the atmospheric methane budget.

Dopamine agonists have been indicated as treatment for disorders such as Parkinson's disease, cardiogenic shock and dopamine insufficiency. A unique relationship exists between dopamine and carcinogenicity. Chronic prolactin stimulation has been identified as a promoter of carcinogenicity. Prolactin secretion is regulated through dopamine receptor activation. Dopaminergic agonists inhibit prolactin release and antagonists increase release. High levels of prolactin have been shown to suppress production of estrogen and progesterone. As a result of these findings, a series of experiments were designed to examine the effects of a specific dopamine agonist, SKF 38393, against MCF-7 cells. MDA-MB231 and MCF-10 cells were used as negative controls. The breast cancer in vitro screening procedure involved the plating of MCF-7, MDA-MB231 and MCF-10 cells in a 96-well plate assay. After 1 day, the cells were exposed to SKF 38393 for 2 days and cell growth was determined by the Alamar blue dye reagent method. The optical density data was analyzed and IC50 values determined. The results indicated that SKF 38393 caused a significant decrease in proliferation of MCF-7 cells. The IC50 value was 0.1 +/- 0.03 microM. The results also indicated no significant effect on MDA-MB231 and MCF-10 cells.

We have begun a search for “anomalous emission” and “anomalous temporal decay” of nuclear resonant radiation using internal sources located inside thick single crystals. Our samples are two iron single crystals of thicknesses 0.5 and 1.0 mm that have been doped on one side with57Co. From ordinary considerations, these samples are much too thick to allow any 14.4-keV radiation to pass through the crystal and out the other side. However, our results suggest that 14.4-keV radiation is able to be transmitted through the crystals. Furthermore, using coincidence techniques we examined the temporal decay of the 14.4-keV nuclear level under these circumstances.

Cross-resistance spectra of colonies of Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) resistant to strains of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner subspp. kurstaki, aizawai , and entomocidus reflected the toxin composition of the B. thuringiensis isolates used for selection. Subsp. kurstaki caused relatively narrow-spectrum resistance to CryIA(b) and CryIA(c) toxins. The subspp. aizawai and, entomocidus strains caused broader-spectrum resistance to CryIA(a), CryIA(b), CryIA(c), CryIB, CryIC, and CryIIA toxins. Thus, some isolates of subspp. aizawai and entomocidus can elicit resistance to half of the known B. thuringiensis toxins active against Lepidoptera.

Nutrient digestion and kinetic characteristics of alfalfa hay, brewers grains, beet pulp, and cottonseed hulls were studied in two experiments. In the first experiment, these feedstuffs were fed with a mineral/vitamin supplement in a 4 x 4 Latin square to eight ewes to determine total tract digestibilities by 8-d total collection and rates of passage using Yb as a marker. In the second experiment samples of the same feedstuffs were incubated in situ in four ruminally fistulated steers in a 4 x 4 Latin square design to quantify ruminal disappearance of NDF and ADF. Three Dacron bags were placed in the rumen for each of six time periods: 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. Total tract digestibilities of DM ranged from 33% for cottonseed hulls to 78% for beet pulp. Digestibilities of NDF ranged from 32% for cottonseed hulls to 81% for beet pulp. Total tract retention times ranged from 74 h for beet pulp to 44 h for alfalfa. Retention time for alfalfa was lower (P < .05) than those for beet pulp or cottonseed hulls. Calculation of TDN values yielded values similar to those of NRC other than for cottonseed hulls, for which NRC values were 18 to 29% higher. Alfalfa hay and beet pulp were the feedstuffs with the most rapidly disappearing NDF, .124/h for alfalfa and .116/h for beet pulp, which were faster (P < .05) than those found in brewers grains and cottonseed hulls, .035 and .043/h, respectively. Potentially digestible NDF ranged from 55% for alfalfa hay to 94% for beet pulp.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of the β-agonist, ractopamine-HCl (ractopamine), on skeletal muscle protein turnover were evaluated in 16 steers (512 kg) and 16 heifers (473 kg). Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design and included gender (steer vs. heifer) and ractopamine (0 or 200 mg/d). Steers were implanted with 120 mg trenbolone acetate and 24 mg estradiol-17β, heifers with 140 mg trenbolone acetate and 14 mg estradiol-17β. Cattle were fed a diet based on steam-flaked maize. Muscle biopsy samples were collected from m. longissimus and m. biceps femoris on day 0 (prior to ractopamine feeding) and after 14 and 28 d of ractopamine feeding. In vitro protein synthesis rates in m. longissimus tended to be greater for steers than for heifers, but no effect of gender was observed in m. biceps femoris. Gender did not affect in vitro protein degradation rates for either muscle. Ractopamine significantly decreased rates of in vitro protein degradation in m. longissimus, but rates in m. biceps femoris were not affected by ractopamine. Ractopamine did not affect in vitro protein synthesis rates. In general, there were no striking differences between steers and heifers in response to ractopamine, indicating that its effectiveness should be similar between genders. Keywords: Cattle, β-agonist, protein turnover, ractopamine

We examined the impact of dose fractionation and altered MICs on survivorship in a neutropenic rat model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis employing the new fluoroquinolone antibiotic lomefloxacin. Once-daily administration of a drug dose which produced a high peak concentration/MIC (peak/MIC) ratio (ca. 20/1) produced significantly better survivorship compared with regimens employing the same daily dose but on a more fractionated schedule. The use of a smaller dose, producing lower (< 10/1) peak/MIC ratios, did not show this effect, as once-daily and twice-daily regimens produced equivalent results (the area under the concentration-time curve/MIC ratio was linked to survivorship). Challenge with resistant mutants selected for altered MICs of fluoroquinolones (two and four times the MIC for the parent strain, respectively) resulted in markedly diminished survivorship. Challenge with the parent strain and use of a drug dose which produced a peak/MIC ratio identical to that for animals challenged with the mutant for which the MIC was four times that for the parent strain and treated with the larger drug dose produced survivorship curves which were not different. For this animal model, peak/MIC ratio was linked to survivorship, particularly when high ratios (10/1 to 20/1) were obtained. At lower doses, producing peak/MIC ratios < 10/1, the area under the concentration-time curve relative to the MIC appeared to be most closely linked to outcome. The time that levels in plasma exceeded the MIC did not influence survivorship. The hypothesis most likely to explain these findings is that higher peak/MIC ratios can suppress the parent strain and mutant organisms (gyrA and transport mutants) for which the MIC is higher but limited (no more than eight times that for the parent strain).

We used four pregnant Holstein cows to delineate ruminal adaptations as cows transitioned from one lactation to the next. Cows were fed typical diets through far-off and close-up dry periods and lactation. We measured ruminal characteristics on day 72 (late lactation), 51 (far-off dry), 23 and 9 (close-up dry) prepartum and on days 6, 20, 34, 48, 62, 76 and 90 postpartum (early lactation). Measurements included: ruminal fill (weight of actual contents), ruminal capacity (volume of rumen when fully filled), digestibilities and ruminal passage rates. Ruminal capacity tended to increase linearly during early lactation but was stable during dry and transition periods. Both total and liquid fill decreased linearly during the dry period, increased across parturition, and increased linearly through early lactation. Dry matter fill decreased as cows were fed the close-up diet at day 23 prepartum then increased near parturition and continued to increase across early lactation. Solid passage rate was greatest when cows were fed the close-up diet, and decreased throughout the transition period. In lactation, solid passage rate responded quadratically with peak at day 48 followed by decreases through day 90 postpartum. Liquid passage increased linearly across the transition period. Total tract organic matter digestibilities increased linearly over the dry period with significant increases prior to or immediately after parturition, then they remained relatively stable over early lactation until they increased at day 90. Fibre digestibilities demonstrated quadratic responses over early lactation, being higher on day 6 and day 90 than at other times. Starch digestibilities decreased linearly across both the dry and transition periods with decreases in lactation until day 62 followed by increases until day 90. High producing lactating dairy cows go through a multitude of ruminal adaptations, in terms of digestion, passage, capacity and fill, as they transition from one lactation to the next.