bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anorganische Chemie 2008
Authors: Beckmann Jens , Pietschnig Rudolf
Published: April 2009

Das Interesse an Verbindungen der Hauptgruppenelemente für die Aktivierung und Speicherung von Wasserstoff hält an. Außerdem im Fokus: Hochenergetische Stickstoffverbindungen. Fortschritte bei ungewöhnlichen Bindungssituationen und der Synthese neuer Katalysatoren für die Wasserspaltung erzielte die Koordinationschemie. Schwerpunkt der bioanorganischen Chemie waren Hydrogenasen. Auch bei Eisen‐Schwefel‐Clustern und der Photosynthese gab es neue Entwicklungen.
Festkörperchemie 2008
Authors: Möller Angela , Schmidt Peer , Wilkening Martin
Published: April 2009

Unkonventionelle Supraleitung, Symbiose von Theorie und Experiment und detaillierte Untersuchungen von Transporteigenschaften — die Festkörperchemie präsentierte sich im vergangenen Jahr in bester Form.
Physikalische Chemie 2008
Authors: Bron Michael
Published: April 2009

Der Bedarf an stabileren, aktiveren Katalysatoren für Brennstoffzellen und Elektrolyse treibt die Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der Elektrokatalyse voran. Im vergangenen Jahr gab es Neuerungen bei Modellkatalysatoren, In‐situ‐Methoden und theoretischen Ansätzen zur Beschreibung elektrokatalytischer Vorgänge. Von ionischen Flüssigkeiten wurde der Dampfdruck bestimmt, sie werden auf Oberflächen adsorbiert, dienen der Herstellung von Nanopartikeln und als Elektrolyte. Neue Techniken der optischen Mikroskopie erreichen Auflösungen von wenigen zehn Nanometern: die Stimulated‐Emission‐ Depletion‐Mikroskopie und die hochaufgelöste Mikroskopie mit stochastischer Photoaktivierung.
Makromolekulare Chemie 2008
Authors: Herrmann Andreas
Published: April 2009

Polymere fassen in der Solarenergie Fuß und und interagieren mit biologischen Systemen. Definierte Polymerarchitekturen bilden den Schlüssel für organische und anorganische Nanomaterialien.
Lebensmittelchemie 2008
Authors: Schwerdtle Tanja , Hartwig Andrea
Published: April 2009

Aktuelle Beispiele für die Wirkung von Halbmetallen in Lebensmitteln sind Arsen und Selen:  In Lebensmitteln aus dem Meer wurden neue Arsenverbindungen entdeckt und die toxische Wirkung von Arsenmetaboliten untersucht. Die biochemische Funktion des essenziellen Spurenelements Selen ist heute besser verstanden, wobei das Halbmetall, je nach Spezies und Konzentration, toxisch wirken kann.
Forscher arbeiten an Materialien für Energieanwendungen
Authors: Leker Jens , Lecou Christos
Published: April 2009

Eine neue Doktorandenschule an der Universität Münster verzahnt anwendungsorientierte Forschung und wissenschaftliche Ausbildung mit einem neuen Konzept.
Feinstaub: Verursachern auf der Spur
Authors: Jürgens Marion , Rösch Petra , Keller Fred , Popp Jürgen
Published: April 2009

Ein neuer Vor‐Ort‐Detektor für Feinstaub kombiniert Aerosol‐Messtechnik mit molekülspezifischen Nachweisverfahren und soll so einzelnen Verursachern von Luftverschmutzung auf die Spur kommen.
N und C simultan analysieren
Authors: Gierszewski Bettina , Hupach Sascha
Published: April 2009

Die DIN 38409 H27 zur Bestimmung des gesamten gebundenen Stickstoffs ist zurückgezogen. Neuere Methoden ermitteln gleichzeitig den Gehalt an gebundenem Stickstoff und an organischem Kohlenstoff.
Fachkräfte fehlen im Osten Deutschlands
Authors: Heinrich Guido
Published: April 2009

Die Wirtschaftsleistung der ostdeutschen Chemieindustrie steigt. Neue Arbeitsplätze entstehen. Aber qualifizierte Chemiker streben in den Westen.
Minerals and vitamins in bone health: the potential value of dietary enhancement
Authors: Bonjour Jean-Philippe , Guéguen Léon , Palacios Cristina , Shearer Martin J. , Weaver Connie M.
Published: April 2009

Nutrition is important to bone health, and a number of minerals and vitamins have been identified as playing a potential role in the prevention of bone diseases, particularly osteoporosis. Despite this, there is currently no consensus on maximum levels to allow in food or as dietary supplements. The benefits of supplementation of populations at risk of osteoporosis with Ca and vitamin D are well established. Prolonged supplementation of Ca and vitamin D in elderly has been shown to prevent bone loss, and in some intervention studies to prevent fragility fractures. Although P is essential to bone health, the average intake is considered to be more than sufficient and supplementation could raise intake to adverse levels. The role of vitamin K in bone health is less well defined, though it may enhance the actions of Ca and vitamin D. Sr administered in pharmacological doses as the ranelate salt was shown to prevent fragility fractures in postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, there is no hard evidence that supplementation with Sr salts would be beneficial in the general population. Mg is a nutrient implicated in bone quality, but the benefit of supplementation via foodstuffs remains to be established. A consensus on dietary supplementation for bone health should balance the risks, for example, exposure of vulnerable populations to values close to maximal tolerated doses, against evidence for benefits from randomised clinical trials, such as those for Ca and vitamin D. Feedback from community studies should direct further investigations and help formulate a consensus on dietary supplementation for bone health.
Shorn and unshorn Awassi sheep III. Respiration rate
Authors: Eyal E.
Published: March 2009

1. Respiration rate of shorn and unshorn sheep was compared; animals were maintained in the shade and in direct sunlight during various seasons of the year, and at different hours of the day. The average respiration rate, for all seasons when sheep were maintained in the shade, was 55 and 32 respirations per minute, for the unshorn and shorn sheep, respectively.

The diurnal trend of the respiration rate of shorn sheep resembled that of the ambient temperature. There was a delay in the lowering of respiration rate of the unshorn sheep during the evening hours.

2. The critical temperature for the increase in respiration of animals maintained in the shade was 22° C. and 26–30° C. for the unshorn and shorn sheep, respectively.

When the animals were exposed to the direct sunlight the critical ambient temperature for the increase in respiration rate was 15–18° C. and 18–22° C. for the unshorn and shorn sheep, respectively. The respiration rate of the shorn sheep exceeded that of the unshorn but decreased very steeply when the animals returned to the shade.

3. The effect of humidity was noted particularly with ambient temperatures exceeding 27° C. The respiration rate of the unshorn sheep increased and that of the shorn decreased with the rise in the relative humidity. In the sun there was a rise in the respiration rate of both groups with increase in humidity. The rise was steeper in the shorn animals.

4. The effect of the wind in reducing respiration rate was particularly noted on shorn sheep and at elevated ambient temperatures.

5. With equal rectal temperature, the respiration rate of shorn sheep was lower than that of the unshorn ones. Assumed critical rectal temperature for the rise in respiration rate was lower in the unshorn sheep.

6. The differences between the respiration responses of the unshorn and shorn sheep stemmed from the variation in their thermal balance. The latter resulted from the differences in the insulating characteristics of body surface and the differences between the macroclimate and the microclimate existing in the fleece.
The induction of pregnancy in the anoestrous ewe by hormonal therapy III. The use of repeated progesterone-pregnant mare's serum therapy
Authors: Gordon I.
Published: March 2009

Following preliminary work conducted in Part II of this series, an attempt was made in the anoestrus of 1958 to provide further information on the conception percentage which follows hormonal induction of a ‘repeat’ oestrus. Two hundred and twenty-one ewes, seventy-six of which were lactating (lambs 8 weeks or older), were available in seven farm flocks. Ewes were of several different breeds and ages but excluded yearling or maiden animals. The trial was conducted during anoestrus over the period starting 26 April and ending 2 August. Treatment consisted of the repeated application of the following injection sequence: three doses of 50 nig. progesterone in oil solution, given at intervals of 3 days, with a dose of 750 i.u. p.m.s. administered 2 days after the final progesterone dose. This therapy was repeated after an interval of 7 days; a 15-day-period therefore separated the two administrations of p.m.s., i.e. approximating to one ovarian cycle.

Rams were joined at the cessation of therapy; in most flocks, one ram was allowed for every ten ewes injected. Two hundred and six of the ewes came in oestrus (93·2%) over the period 2–8 days after the final p.m.s. dose. The oestrous response varied little among flocks, the percentage in oestrus rangingfrom 85 to 100%. One hundred and forty-one conceived at the induced ‘repeat’ oestrus (63·8%) and produced a total of 207 lambs (1·47 per ewe). As a percentage of ewes mating, 68·4 conceived. In none of the flocks did the conception percentage fall below 50; lactating ewes conceived as readily as ‘dry’ sheep. The period during which autumn lambings occurred varied from 4 to 8 days among the flocks.

The results strongly suggest that a much higher conception percentage is likely to follow this extended treatment than follows normal progesterone-p.m.s. treatment. From the practical viewpoint, the technique has the disadvantage that eight injections are necessary and that treatment is prolonged to a 24-day period.
Effect of breed, sex, type of cereal and supplementary hay upon the performance of beef cattle given high-concentrate diets
Authors: Owen E. , Davies G. M.
Published: March 2009

1. In a 2×3×3 factorial experiment a total of seventy-two female or castrated pure Friesian, Charolais × Friesian and Welsh Black × Friesian cattle were fed individually and ad libitum on three diets from 200 lb to slaughter at 800 or 900 lb, depending on sex. The diets were ground barley (87%) and protein-mineral-vitamin supplement (13%) given with or without 1 lb of hay per animal daily, or ground maize (87%) and supplement (13%) given with 1 lb of hay daily.

2. The three breed-types differed significantly in growth rate and feed conversion efficiency. Gaining at 2·66 lb/day and converting 4·56 lb of meal into 1 lb live-weight gain, the Charolais crosses grew 7·7 % faster than pure Friesians and consumed 14·1% less meal per unit gain. Welsh Black crosses made 9·3% less rapid gains and required 7·7 % more meal per unit gain than pure Friesians. The disparity between the three breedtypes increased with increasing liveweight.
Fibre-type arrays and kemp succession in sheep
Authors: Guirgis R. A.
Published: March 2009

A study of fibre-type arrays in relation to kemp succession in Kerry, Cheviot-cross and Swaledale lambs has been carried out. It is found that:

1. There is a general association between HH grade and array such that higher grades tend to have stronger arrays.
The decomposition of crotonylidene di-urea in soil and the recovery of nitrogen by ryegrass
Authors: Gasser J. K. R.
Published: March 2009

Crotonylidene di-urea (CD-urea) in a sandy-loam and two clay-loam soils decomposed slowly at 7°C, and from 8 to 15% was recovered as mineral-N after 24 weeks. At 25°C, it decomposed faster in the sandy-loam than the clay-loam soils; with 100 ppm N, a maximum of 86% was recovered after 16 weeks, and 80% of 1000 ppm N after 24 weeks. Recovery after 24 weeks ranged from 30 to 60% in the clay loams.

Ryegrass grown in pots produced more extra dry matter, containing more N, during 16 weeks when given ammonium sulphate than it did during 50 weeks with CD-urea.
The effect on nitrogen utilization in the sow of variation in dietary protein concentration and pattern of feeding in pregnancy
Authors: Pike I. H.
Published: March 2009

In a factorial experiment, two protein concentrations and three patterns of feeding were administered to eighteen Large White × Wessex sows (three per treatment) in their second pregnancy. Treatments were repeated in their third pregnancy, when balance trials were conducted. The high protein diet (HP) (19·5% crude protein) contained 15% white-fish meal. The low protein diet (LP) (10·5% crude protein) contained protein of vegetable origin only. The pattern treatments involved intakes of 1·8 kg (L) 2·7 kg (C) and 3·6 kg (H) per day, the three pregnancy feeding patterns being HL, C and LH. Parturition results and lactation performance in the third reproductive cycle were similar to those recorded in the previous reproductive cycle (Pike & Boaz, 1969) reported earlier. Nitrogen retention in the third pregnancy was significantly higher in the HP sows(1606 g N)thaninthe LP sows(1082 g N) (P < 0·001). Intra-uterine nitrogen deposition in pregnancy was not affected by any of the treatments. Extra-uterine nitrogen deposition was significantly greater in the HP than the LP sows (P < 0·001). Dietary protein differences influenced extra-uterine rather than intra-uterine deposition of nitrogen in the pregnant sow, greater extra-uterine nitrogen deposition appearing to enhance subsequent lactation in this and the previous (Pike & Boaz, 1969) experiment. Protein utilization was more efficient in late than early pregnancy, suggesting that the feeding of higher levels of protein in late pregnancy should lead to greater efficiency over the whole pregnancy, provided energy intake is sufficient to promote optimum protein utilization.
The effects of diet supplements and gamma irradiation on dissimilation of low-quality roughages by ruminants: I. Studies on the terylene-bag technique and effects of supplementation of base ration
Authors: McManus W. R. , Manta L. , McFarlane J. D. , Gray A. C.
Published: March 2009

The terylene-bag technique was evaluated as a means of establishing the rate of intra-ruminal degradation of the following test materials: nassella (Nassella trichotoma), wire grass (Aristidasp.), rice straw, lucerne chaff and cotton lint. The tests were made in sheep fed base rations of lucerne chaff, wire grass and rice straw at different levels of intake. Values established by this technique are of acceptable repeatability and provided a more responsive indicator of intraruminal degradation rates of the test materials than did base diet apparent digestibility.

Supplementation with casein, urea and sucrose did not significantly alter voluntary feed intake of sheep fed rice straw. Supplementation had no statistically significant effects on apparent digestibility of the base diet of rice straw, but had significant effects upon the rate of degradation of test materials suspended in the reticulo-rumen in terylene bags for 72 h.

Results are presented which indicate that casein supplementation of rice-straw-fed sheep enhanced ruminal production of trace VFA's (butyric, iso-butyric, iso-valeric and valeric). Urea supplementation did not lead to statistically significant increases in VFA concentration or proportion of individual acids in rumen liquor, with the exception of valeric acid.
Seasonal and Other Changes in The gestation duration of Sheep
Authors: Amir D. , Genizi A. , Schindler H.
Published: March 2009

Data from 266 pregnancies of 144 Finn x German Mutton Merino and Finn x Awassi ewes were used to determine the effects of season of mating, dam and sire breeds, litter size and sex of the offspring, and age of the ewe on the duration of gestation.

June, September–October and January matings resulted in significantly different durations of gestation of 143·3, 145·3 and 146·1 days, respectively.

Suffolk rams’ matings resulted in a significantly shorter gestation than matings with German Mutton Merino, Schwarzkopf or cross-bred rams.

A highly significant linear regression (b = –0·80) of the duration of gestation on the number of lambs was found.

Male lambs were carried longer than female lambs.

The intraclass correlation between the gestation periods for lambs which were maternal half-sibs was highly significant.
Effect of severe dehydration and rapid rehydration on the activity of the rumen microbial population of black Bedouin goats
Authors: Brosh A. , Sneh B. , Shkolnik A.
Published: March 2009

Drinking regimes of Bedouin goats affect their feeding behaviour and the ruminal environmental conditions, as expressed by changes in osmotic pressure as well as in pH of the rumen content. The osmotic concentration of the rumen content of a goat drinking once daily was 330 m-osmole/kg just before drinking. After water deprivation for 4 days, the osmotic concentration reached 360 m-osmole/kg and, immediately after excessive drinking, decreased to 82 m-osmole/kg. After a short while, the osmotic concentration increased to 300 m-osmole/kg and after 13 h reached the peak of 440 mosmole/kg, mainly owing to the release of degradation products. The pH was also affected by food consumption. Just prior to drinking, the pH in the rumen of dehydrated goats was 6·9. It decreased to 6·0 after excessive drinking and feeding. Later, it ranged between 6·4 and 7·1.

Most of the micro-organisms in the rumen are attached to the fibres fraction. No difference could be observed in direct bacterial counts in the fluid fraction between dehydrated and goats drinking daily. However, the number of protozoa was reduced in dehydrated goats, especially after excessive drinking, as some species of protozoa seem to explode in a hypo-osmotic ambient.

The fermentation capacity of the fibres fraction was higher than that of the fluid fraction, indicating also the presence of more micro-organisms in the fibres. In addition, the osmotic changes occurring during the dehydration-rehydration cycles had no significant effect on fermentation capability of the rumen micro-organisms.

At a low osmotic concentration in an NaCl deficient ambient, there was some decrease in fermentation rate, but this could be nullified with the addition of NaCl, which is required for microbial activity. The decrease in fermentation rate is not due to its effect on the osmotic concentration. The micro-organisms in the fibres fraction were found to be less affected by NaCl deficiency in the ambient medium.
Differences between grass species and varieties in rate of drying at 25 °C
Authors: Owen I. G. , Wilman D.
Published: March 2009

One hundred and forty different varieties of grass, from seven species, were harvested in spring, in 1, 2 or 3 years, at a D-value of 67 and dried at 25 °C. Moisture content was determined every 3 h for at least the first 48 h and less frequently thereafter until the grass was about dry enough to store as hay.

Rate of drying was in the order tall fescue > Italian ryegrass = meadow fescue > timothy = cocksfoot > perennial and hybrid ryegrass. The perennial and hybrid ryegrass took twice as long to dry as did tall fescue. Tetraploid varieties of the ryegrasses took appreciably longer to dry than the diploid varieties. Apart from this there were some differences between varieties within a species in rate of drying. Differences in moisture content at cutting, in the proportion of leaf blade and in the number of leaf sheaths per ‘stem’ may have accounted for some of the differences between species and varieties in rate of drying. Further research is suggested.
Glutamate and glutamine metabolism in tissues of developing lambs
Authors: Pell Jennifer M. , Tooley Julia , Jeacock Marjorie K. , Shepherd D. A. L.
Published: March 2009

The activities of glutamine synthetase, phosphate-dependent glutaminase, phosphate-independent glutaminase, glutamate dehydrogenase, γ-glutamyl transferase and glutamine-oxo-acid aminotransferase were assayed in liver, kidney cortex, brain (cerebral hemispheres), spleen, skeletal muscle and ileum obtained from lambs of 100–260 days conceptual age. A curve was fitted to each set of data relating enzyme activity and conceptual age.

In the ileum, glutaminase and γ-glutamyl transferase activities declined during development. Glutamine synthetase activity in the spleen increased markedly after birth, whereas glutamate dehydrogenase activity declined as rumen function was established. In the liver, glutamate dehydrogenase and glutamine synthetase activities were highest in suckling lambs and there was a gradual increase in hepatic γ-glutamyl transferase activity throughout the period studied. The activity of phosphate-dependent glutaminase was lowest in the kidney cortex of ruminating lambs but renal activities of glutamate dehydrogenase, phosphate-independent glutaminase, glutamine synthetase and γ-glutamyl transferase were highest in ruminating lambs. In skeletal muscle, a gradual increase in glutamine synthetase activity occurred after 180 days conceptual age, whereas there was no detectable glutaminase activity in ruminating lambs. In the brain, there was an increase in glutamate dehydrogenase, phosphatedependent glutaminase and glutamine synthetase activities during the foetal and early suckling periods, whereas γ-glutamyl transferase activity increased throughout the period studied.

Glutamine-oxo-acid aminotransferase activity was not detected in any of the tissues studied. Phosphate-independent glutaminase activity was always less than 10% of phosphate-dependent glutaminase activity and therefore must have a minor role in the metabolism of glutamine in lambs.

A consideration of the relative activities of the enzymes at different stages of development indicated that the ileum, spleen, liver, kidney cortex and brain have a substantial potential for glutamine utilization during foetal life. As a lamb matures after birth, there are changes in the metabolism of glutamate and glutamine which indicate that there is a greater potential for net glutamine synthesis in older lambs. This could be associated with the need for detoxification of ammonia in ruminating lambs.
Soil physical environment affecting root growth of upland rice
Authors: Kar S. , Varade S. B. , Ghildyal B. P.
Published: March 2009

Root growth of rice (Oryza saliva L.) is frequentlyinhibited by an adverse physical environment resulting from high moisture stress and strength of soilunder upland conditions, and the effects are often reflected in poor performance of the crop. This necessitates a critical understanding of rice root growth under varying soil physical conditions.

The growth responses of the rice root system to the interaction between moisture regime and bulk density of soil as well as to the induced soil physical characteristics were assessed under controlled glasshouse conditions. Four moisture regimes: 0 (M1), 0–20 (M2), 0–350(M3), and 350–10000 (M4) mb, were superimposed on low, medium and high bulk density treatments in clay, loam and sandy loam soils. The soil physical environment was characterized by measurements of moisture distribution, penetrationenergy and oxygen diffusion rate in soils as functions of depth.

A low moisture stress of 20 mb in low density soils favoured rice root growth. In low density soils, even though the number of roots at the base (proximal end) was maximum under M1, the depth of penetration, volume and dry weight of root were significantly more underM2 than under M1; M3 and M4. Irrespective of bulk density, even though oxygen diffusion rates in soils under M3 and M4 were greater than those under M1 and M2, the number of roots at the base, volume and dry weight of the root system decreased under M3 and M4 owing to low moisture content and high penetration energy in the surface layer (0–5 cm) of all the soil types. Lower moisture content and higher penetration energy at higher bulk densities of the soil types significantly reduced the root growth and especially the depth of penetration.
Synthetic pheromones to attract honeybee (Apis mellifera) swarms
Authors: Free J. B. , Pickett J. A. , Ferguson A. W. , Smith M. C.
Published: March 2009

Lures containing the synthetic pheromone components (E)- and (Z)-citrals, geraniol and nerolic and geranic acids made new hives, not previously occupied by honeybee colonies, more attractive to caged honeybee swarms than unbaited hives (20 out of 20 tests). The lure also made old hives, previously occupied by colonies, more attractive to caged swarms (19 out of 20 tests) and to swarms in natural conditions (12 occupied compared with none without the lure). Adding (E)-9-oxo-2-decenoic acid (part of the queen's mandibular gland pheromone) to the lure increased its attractiveness to caged swarms (20 out of 20 tests). Practical implications in beekeeping are discussed.
Pilot survey of the mechanical conditions and fuel consumptions of agricultural tractors
Authors: Slater J. K. W. , Manby T. C. D.
Published: March 2009

1. A pilot survey was designed to provide information on the mechanical conditions and fuel consumptions of vaporizing oil tractors, on their operation in the field and on the technique required to obtain such data.

2. Two areas were chosen offering a contrast in soil and farming types. A sampling frame was prepared for each area in which the farms were grouped according to the number of tractors.
Nitrogen metabolism in the ovine stomach: 4. Nitrogenous components of the abomasal secretions
Authors: Harrop C. J. F.
Published: March 2009

The major nitrogenous components of gastric juice were determined in sheep with innervated pouches in the fundic and pyloric regions of the abomasum.

Fundic secretions contained mean levels of 36–55 mg total-N/100 ml in the fluid fraction, and pyloric secretions contained 38–70 mg/100 ml. Of this, 65–76% and 75–91% could be attributed to protein, in the fundic and pyloric secretions respectively. Tungstic acid was found to be the most suitable precipitant of proteins in the gastric juice.

Dissolved mucin accounted for 2–16% of the total-N in the fluid fraction of the fundic secretions, and for 6–14% in the pyloric secretions. Urea + ammonia contributed 2·8–13·4% of the total-N.

The daily output of nitrogen by the fundic region of the abomasum, including that contributed by the cellular debris and visible mucus, was calculated at 0·46–2·4 g. The comparable values for the pyloric region varied between 0·05 and 0·37 g N/day.

The electrophoretic patterns of the abomasal secretions were similar to those reported for human gastric juice.
Experiments on the nutrition of the dairy heifer
Authors: Broster W. H. , Smith T. , Broster Valerie J. , Siviter J. W.
Published: March 2009

Eight experiments, comprising four randomized-block feeding trials each with 20–45 animals and four changeover-design nitrogen (N) balance trials each with 6–10 animals, were used to study the effect of the addition of formaldehyde to fishmeal and to casein, of severe heating of fishmeal, and of tannin treatment of a mixture of vegetable protein-rich foods on the utilization of N for growth. Added in moderate amounts to rations demonstrated within the experiments to be deficient in N, quantities, but not the preparations, of N in the diet were critical to growth save at very low N intakes when the untreated foodstuffs were used more efficiently. Additional energy given in isonitrogenous rations increased growth, reducing N losses in the urine.
The effect of environment and heredity on lactation III. Butterfat percentage
Authors: Mahadevan P.
Published: March 2009

1. On the basis of 5000 records from twelve leading herds of Ayrshire cattle in south-west Scotland for the period 1930–9, a statistical study has been made of some of the causes of variations which occur in butterfat percentage.

2. Butterfat percentage was found to be affected only very slightly by month of calving, age and length of calving intervals.

3. Selection for milk yield would not affect butterfat percentage adversely to any appreciable extent.

4. The average repeatability of butterfat percentage was 0·691 in the present material, and heritability was of the order of 0·50–0·60.

5. Mass selection would be an effective tool in bringing about improvement in butterfat percentage.
Comparative aspects of water intake and its flow through the gastro-intestinal tract of kids and lambs
Authors: Alam M. R. , Poppi D. P. , Sykes A. R.
Published: March 2009

It is increasingly being recognized that water intake in goats is considerably lower than in sheep on the same feed (Gihad, 1976; Gihad, El-Bedawy & Mehrez, 1980; Alam, Poppi & Sykes, 1983). It is, however, difficult to judge the significance of this difference for water transactions in the digestive tract. This paper describes the comparative water consumption and flow in the digestive tract of kids and lambs.
A rapid method of data collection and processing
Authors: Rowell J. G.
Published: March 2009

A method of collecting data in a form suitable for computer analysis is described. Cards are marked in the field or laboratory with a pencil and are read by an optical mark reader which enables the data to be processed by a computer. Accuracy is achieved by verifying a printed list of data as stored by the computer against written figures at the top of the marked cards. Apart from this, no other intermediate step is required and this has enabled a summary of experimental data to be available to the experimenter within one week of collection. Provided an optical mark reader is available locally, the method is inexpensive, involving only computer time and the small cost of cards.
Effects of simultaneous reductions of food intake and dietary protein concentration on the growth and carcass quality of bacon pigs
Authors: Fuller M. F. , English P. R. , Livingstone R. M. , Crofts R. M. J.
Published: March 2009

Diets containing 10·5, 13, 15·5 or 18% protein were formulated by progressively replacing barley by a 2:1 mixture of soya-bean meal and fish meal. Each diet was given at three levels of intake proportional to (body weight) 0·73. A total of 144 pigs were used at two centres.

Growth rate increased with food intake at each protein level, but to the greatest extent with the 13% crude protein (CP) diet. Growth rate also increased with protein level; the results suggested that there would be no further improvement above 18% CP. The effects of protein concentrationon food conversion generally reflected those on daily gain.

Carcass fatness, estimated by both midline and introscope measurements of fat thickness and by specific gravity, increased significantly with the intake of all but the 18% protein diet. When theeffects of food intake were taken into account, carcass fatness increased steadily with reductions in protein level down to 13%; the reduction from 13 to 10·5% produced a much greaterincrease in fatness.

The reductions in daily food intake necessary to achieve equal carcass fatness as protein level wasreduced were of the order of 0·1 kg per 1% CP from 18% to 13% CP, but ofthe order of 0·3 kg per 1% CP below 13%.

Differences between the sexes were greatest at high protein concentration; significant differences between the centres were found only with the low protein diets.
The prediction of voluntary intake of grazing dairy cows
Authors: Caird Lindsey , Holmes W.
Published: March 2009

Information on the total organic matter intake, concentrates supplied (C), live weight (LW), week of lactation (WL), milk yield (MY), herbage organic matter digestibility (HOMD), herbage mass, sward height (SHT) or herbage allowance (HAL) measured individually for 357 cows at one of three sites was assembled. Observed intake was compared with intakes predicted by existing intake equations and new prediction equations based on regression models or regression and least-squares constants were developed. Major factors affecting intake were MY, LW, WL, C and HAL or SHT. Although HOMD was correlated with intake, better predictions were obtained when HOMD was omitted. There were differences between sites possibly associated with differences in measurement techniques.

The predictive value of some existing equations and new equations were tested against independent sets of data. A simple equation (A) based on MY and LW (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, 1975) gave satisfactory average predictions but the mean square prediction error (MSPE) was high. The equations of Vadiveloo & Holmes (1979) adjusted for bias gave a relatively low MSPE. The preferred new equations for grazing cattle included MY, LW, WL, C and HAL or SHT, and their MSPE were similar to or lower than for indoor equations.

The discussion indicates that a simple equation (A) would give adequate predictions for farm planning. The more detailed equations illustrate the inter-relations of animal with sward conditions and concentrate allowances. Predicted intakes may deviate from actual intakes because of short-term changes in body reserves.
Effects of Incorporating or Burning Straw, and of Different Cultivation Systems, on Winter Wheat Grown on Two Soil Types, 1985–91
Authors: Prew R. D. , Ashby J. E. , Bacon E. T. G. , Christian D. G. , Gutteridge R. J. , Jenkyn J. F. , Powell W. , Todd A. D.
Published: March 2009

Disposal methods for straw from continuous winter wheat were tested on two soil types, a flinty silty clay loam and a sandy loam, over 7 years (1985–91). The methods tested were burnt or chopped straw in full factorial combination with four cultivation methods (tined to 10 cm, tined to 10 cm then to 20 cm; ploughed to 20 cm; tined to 10 cm then ploughed to 20 cm). Measurements were taken to determine the effects on crop establishment and growth, pest and disease incidence, and the consequent effects on yield. Another experiment (1985–91) on the flinty silty clay loam site, investigated the interactions between straw treatments (burnt, baled or chopped in plots that were all shallow cultivated to 10 cm) and five other factors; namely, time of cultivation, insecticides, molluscicides, fungicides and autumn nitrogen. All the straw x cultivation systems allowed satisfactory crops to be established but repeated incorporation of straw using shallow, non-inversion cultivations resulted in very severe grass-weed problems. Early crop growth, as measured by above-ground dry matter production, was frequently decreased by straw residues, but the effect rarely persisted beyond anthesis. Pests were not a problem and their numbers were not greatly affected either by straw or cultivation treatments, apart from yellow cereal fly which, especially on the heavier soil, was decreased by treatments which left much straw debris on the soil surface. Incorporating straw also caused no serious increases in the incidence of diseases. Indeed, averaged over all sites and years, eyespot and sharp eyespot were both slightly but significantly less severe where straw was incorporated than where it was burnt. Eyespot, and even more consistently sharp eyespot, were often more severe after ploughing than after shallow, non-inversion cultivations. Effects on take-all were complex but straw residues had much smaller effects than cultivations. Initially the disease increased most rapidly in the shallow cultivated plots but these also tended to go into the decline phase more quickly so that in the fourth year (fifth cereal crop) take-all was greater in the ploughed than in the shallow cultivated plots. On average, yields did not differ greatly with straw or cultivation systems, although there were clear effects of take-all in those years when the disease was most severe. In the last 2 years, yields were limited by the presence of grass weeds in the plots testing chopped straw incorporated by tining to 10 cm.
Root nitrogen transformation and mineral composition in selected forage legumes
Authors: Nnadi L. A. , Haque I.
Published: March 2009

A study was conducted at Debre Zeit, Ethiopia to examine the differences in mineral composition, root N contents and their rates of transformation in the soil of different species of four genera of forage legumes,Trifolium steudneri(ILCA D/Z),Trifolium steudneri(Shola),Vicia dasycarpa(ILCA 6795),Vicia benghalensis, Lablab purpureuscv. Rongai,Lablab purpureuscv. Highworth,Medicago scutellatacv. Snail andMedicago truncatulacv. Barrel.M. truncatulacv. Barrel had higher N and P values thanM. scutellatain both roots and tops. Root N contents of the legumes ranged from 2·43% forViciato 0·87% forLablab. These differences were also reflected in the rates of organic root N transformation in soil as determined in laboratory incubation studies.

The P concentration in the tops of the legumes ranged from 0·32% inViciato 0·14% inMedicagospp. The observed P concentration in theMedicagospecies suggests a low internal P requirement. Potassium concentrations in theTrifoliumspecies were much higher than the average for all legumes.

The results suggest that theViciaspecies used in this study could contribute a considerable amount of N to subsequent crops even when the tops are not returned to the soil. Also, theMedicagospecies are more likely to thrive better under low soil P conditions than the other legumes.
Not fade away: the HPA axis and depression
Authors: Cowen P. J.
Published: April 2009

Salivary cortisol sampling has confirmed the presence of increased cortisol secretion in depression and has also revealed that some aspects of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis disturbance have trait-like characteristics that may predict the risk of future illness. Persistent hypersecretion of cortisol in individuals vulnerable to depression also has implications for the medical co-morbidities associated with mood disorder. Pharmacological treatments targeted at the HPA axis represent a novel approach to the management of depression and its complications; however, a better understanding of the molecular basis of HPA axis dysfunction in depressed patients will be needed before this promise can be fulfilled.
Different growth strategies in the tropical pioneer treeTrema micranthaduring succession on a large landslide on Casita Volcano, Nicaragua
Authors: Velázquez Eduardo , Gómez-Sal Antonio
Published: April 2009

In this study we examined the size-structures and allometric relationships between height and diameter over 2 y in populations of the pioneer treeTrema micranthaon a large landslide (Casita Volcano, Nicaragua). The landslide comprised three different zones (erosional, depositional and transitional) based on fertility and geomorphological stability. We attempted to analyse the development of canopy hierarchies and intraspecific competition, and the existence of different growth strategies, within theT. micranthapopulations of the different landslide zones. Vegetation was surveyed in 2810 × 10-m plots in which a total number of 307T. micranthaindividuals were recorded and tagged. In the depositional zones, size-hierarchies and one-sided competition for light were apparent and, among the short stems (0.0–2.5 m) of the understorey, plastic responses to shade consisting in a marked increase in height in relation to diameter were evident. In the erosional zones, size-hierarchies were not apparent. All stems were small and, among them, the shortest ones (0.0–1.0 m) were dead whereas the tallest (>1.5 m) grew slowly, increasing their diameter to a greater extent than their height. Our study shows thatT. micranthaindividuals developed different growth strategies in the different areas of the landslide and suggests that this species allocates resources to growth and survival differently depending on environmental conditions.Trema micranthais a highly versatile species capable of dealing not only with extremely infertile substrates and conditions of high light availability, but also with partially shaded environments such as those in secondary forests.
On knot polynomials of annular surfaces and their boundary links
Authors: GRUBER HERMANN
Published: April 2009

Stoimenow and Kidwell asked the following question: letKbe a non-trivial knot, and letW(K) be a Whitehead double ofK. LetF(a,z) be the Kauffman polynomial andP(v,z) the skein polynomial. Is then always max degzPW(K) − 1 = 2 max degzFK? Here this question is rephrased in more general terms as a conjectured relation between the maximumz-degrees of the Kauffman polynomial of an annular surfaceAon the one hand, and the Rudolph polynomial on the other hand, the latter being defined as a certain Möbius transform of the skein polynomial of the boundary link ∂A. That relation is shown to hold for algebraic alternating links, thus simultaneously solving the conjecture by Kidwell and Stoimenow and a related conjecture by Tripp for this class of links. Also, in spite of the heavyweight definition of the Rudolph polynomial {K} of a linkK, the remarkably simple formula {◯}{L#M} = {L}{M} for link composition is established. This last result can be used to reduce the conjecture in question to the case of prime links.
Maternal depressive symptoms in infancy: Unique contribution to children's depressive symptoms in childhood and adolescence?
Authors: Bureau Jean-François , Easterbrooks M. Ann , Lyons-Ruth Karlen
Published: April 2009

This prospective 20-year study assessed associations between maternal depressive symptoms in infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and child and adolescent depressive symptoms in a sample of families at high psychosocial risk. Maternal symptomatology was assessed with the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) when children were infants (12 months), school-aged (age 8), and adolescents (age 19). Children's depressive symptoms were measured at age 8 (Dimensions of Depression Profile for Children and Adolescents) and age 19 (CES-D). Maternal depressive symptoms during infancy contributed to the prediction of child depressive symptoms at age 8, after controlling for concurrent maternal depressive symptoms, clinical risk in infancy, and gender. Clinical risk in infancy marginally contributed to the prediction model. Disorganization of attachment in infancy and maternal hostility were independent predictors of depressive symptoms at age 8 and did not mediate the relation between maternal and child depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms in adolescence were predicted by gender, children's depressive symptoms at age 8, maternal depressive symptoms in adolescence, and maternal depressive symptoms in infancy. There was no moderating effect of gender. Adding to previous evidence on the importance of early maternal depression, maternal depressive symptoms during infancy were related to the development of depressive symptoms in childhood and adolescence even when other variables of potential relevance were controlled.
THE FINITE SUM OF THE PRODUCTS OF TWO TOEPLITZ OPERATORS
Authors: DING XUANHAO
Published: April 2009

We consider in this paper the question of when the finite sum of products of two Toeplitz operators is a finite-rank perturbation of a single Toeplitz operator on the Hardy space over the unit disk. A necessary condition is found. As a consequence we obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for the product of three Toeplitz operators to be a finite-rank perturbation of a single Toeplitz operator.
AUTOMORPHISM GROUPS OF THE IMPRIMITIVE COMPLEX REFLECTION GROUPS
Authors: SHI JIAN-YI , WANG LI
Published: April 2009

We describe the group of all reflection-preserving automorphisms of an imprimitive complex reflection group. We also study some properties of this automorphism group.
Kann es an der Nahrung liegen? Nahrungsmittelallergie, Nahrungsmittelintoleranz oder funktionell?
Authors: Wüthrich
Published: April 2009

Entgegen den Vorstellungen in den Medien, von Laien und Patienten, kommen Unverträglichkeitsreaktionen auf Nahrungsmittel und Nahrungsmittelzusatzstoffe (Additiva) weniger häufig als vermutet vor. Nicht jede Hypersensitivitätsreaktion auf ein Nahrungsmittel ist eine Allergie. Häufig wird eine Nahrungsmittelallergie durch unkonventionelle, alternative Testmethoden gestellt, obwohl keine solche vorliegt. Klare Begriffsbestimmungen sind deshalb dringend notwendig. Prinzipiell muss man zwischen echten Allergien und Intoleranzen unterscheiden. Mögliche allergische Reaktionen reichen vom milden oralen Allergiesyndrom (OAS) und Magen-Darm-Symptomen (Durchfälle, Bauchkoliken) zu Hautausschlägen (Nesselfieber- und Neurodermitis-Schübe) über Asthmaanfälle bis zum anaphylaktischen Schock. Intoleranzreaktionen auf Additiva und histaminreiche Nahrungsmittel (Histaminintoleranz) sind den allergischen Reaktionen ähnlich und werden deshalb auch als Pseudoallergien bezeichnet. Klinik, Diagnostik und Therapie der verschiedenen Hypersensitivitätsreaktionen werden besprochen.
Wie werden ältere IngenieurInnen im Vergleich zu jüngeren eingeschätzt?
Authors: Verworn Birgit
Published: April 2009

Zusammenfassung. Im Zuge des demografischen Wandels werden in Deutschland die Belegschaften in den nächsten Jahrzehnten erheblich altern. Gleichzeitig ist im Ingenieursbereich ein Fachkräftemangel zu beobachten bzw. zu erwarten. Wie werden ältere IngenieurInnen im Vergleich zu jüngeren eingeschätzt und bei Personalentscheidungen behandelt? Dieser Frage geht die vorliegende Studie mit Hilfe einer schriftlichen Befragung nach. Die zu Grunde liegenden Hypothesen werden vom Drei-Komponenten-Modell der Einstellung nach Rosenberg und Hovland abgeleitet. Die Existenz bisher in der Literatur diskutierter negativer und positiver Altersstereotype konnte für die eingegrenzte Berufsgruppe der Ingenieure bestätigt werden. Ebenso wurden jüngere Ingenieure bei einer fiktiven Beförderungsentscheidung auf eine innovative Position gegenüber älteren bevorzugt, d. h. stereotype Einstellungen zum Alter schlugen sich in Absichtsäußerungen nieder, Ältere zu diskriminieren. Weiterhin werden die Rolle des Geschlechts des Einstellungsobjektes und des Geschlechts des Einstellungssubjektes sowie mögliche Interaktionseffekte diskutiert.
Reversion Toward the Mean Independently of Regression Toward the Mean
Authors: Krause Merton S.
Published: April 2009

There is another important artifactual contributor to the apparent improvement of persons subjected to an experimental intervention which may be mistaken for regression toward the mean. This is the phenomenon of random error and extreme selection, which does not at all involve the population regression of posttest on pretest scores but involves a quite different and independent reversion of subjects’ scores toward the population mean. These two independent threats to the internal validity of intervention evaluation studies, however, can be detected and differentiated on the sample data of such studies.
Item Selection Rules in Computerized Adaptive Testing
Authors: Barrada Juan Ramón , Olea Julio , Ponsoda Vicente , Abad Francisco José
Published: April 2009

The item selection rule (ISR) most commonly used in computerized adaptive testing (CAT) is to select the item with maximum Fisher information for the current trait estimation (PFI). Several alternative ISRs have been proposed. Among them, Fisher information considered in an interval (FI*I), Fisher information weighted with the likelihood function (FI*L), Kullback-Leibler information considered in an interval (KL*I) and Kullback-Leibler weighted with the likelihood function (KL*L) have shown a greater precision of trait estimation at the early stages of CAT. A new ISR is proposed, Fisher information by interval with geometric mean (FI*IG), which tries to rectify some detected problems in FI*I. We evaluate accuracy and item bank security for these six ISRs. FI*IG is the only ISR which simultaneously outperforms PFI in both variables. For the other ISRs, there seems to be a trade-off between accuracy and security, PFI being the one with worse accuracy and greater security, and the ISRs using the likelihood function the reverse.