bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Grass and Legume Effects on Nutritive Value of Complex Forage Mixtures
Authors: Brink G.E. , Sanderson M.A. , Casler M.D.
Published: March 2015

Dry matter productivity of complex forage mixtures is typically influenced by a dominant species, but nutritive value may be a function of multiple components. Two experiments were conducted in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin during 2 yr. Each experiment consisted of 15 mixtures and monocultures of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), quackgrass (Elymus repens (L.) Gould), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and white clover (Trifolium repens L.), or of meadow fescue [Schedonorus pratensis (Huds.) P. Beauv.], reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), and kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum M. Bieb.). Vegetative‐stage mixtures and monocultures were harvested five times each year. Botanical composition was used to calculate the additive effect of each species, or the expected change in nutritive value associated with a change in proportion of a species in the mixture from 0 to 100%. Nutritive value differences among mixtures attributed to abundance of sown species were evident the first year, but except for monocultures, had largely disappeared in the second year. White clover and meadow fescue had a positive additive effect on forage digestibility (range of 36 to 80 g kg−1), but alfalfa and reed canarygrass had no additive effect on digestibility. Legumes generally had a negative additive effect (range of −179 to −81 g kg−1) and grasses a positive effect (range of 81 to 166 g kg−1) on forage neutral detergent fiber concentration. The results suggest that species with high nutritive value relative to other species within the same functional group have a disproportionate effect on nutritive value of complex mixtures.
Phenomorphological Characterization of Vegetable Soybean Germplasm Lines for Commercial Production
Authors: Williams Martin M.
Published: March 2015

Growing demand for vegetable soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] has renewed interest in producing the crop in the United States, a significant importer of vegetable soybean despite being the world's largest producer and exporter of grain‐type soybean. Field studies were conducted over 3 yr to(i) compare phenomorphological traits of vegetable and grain‐type soybean and (ii) identify candidate lines for vegetable soybean production in the North Central United States, the nation's leading soybean‐producing region. A total of 136 vegetable soybean entries from 22 sources were compared to 14 grain‐type cultivars representing a range of maturity groups. Germination and emergence of vegetable soybean were poorer than grain‐type entries. Seedling growth traits and rate of phenological development were higher in vegetable soybean. However, by the time of crop harvest (i.e., R6 growth stage), vegetable soybean produced shorter, smaller plants than grain‐type soybean. Seed mass accounted for some of the variation in emergence and seedling traits. Filtering entry responses by criteria essential to viable commercial production, including a sensory evaluation, 12 entries from eight seed sources were identified as the most promising candidate lines for use in the North Central United States. By comparing vegetable soybean responses to grain‐type soybean, this work puts into perspective the agronomic performance of vegetable soybean germplasm available to growers in the United States and points to specific areas of future research and crop development.
Transport of Antibiotic Resistance Plasmids in Porous Media
Authors: Chen Chaoqi , Li Jing , DeVries Stephanie L. , Zhang Pengfei , Li Xiqing
Published: March 2015

Antibiotic resistance plasmids play important roles in resistance buildup and spread in soil and groundwater. However, very limited work has been reported in the literature to examine the transport behavior of free resistance plasmids in the environment. In this work, the transport of eight resistance plasmid vectors (pUC18, pBlueScript II SK(+), pBR322, pFastBac HT A, pBABE‐Puro, pcDNA3.1(+)/myc‐His A, pcDNA3.1(+)/Flag‐His A+ATM, and pAdEasy‐1) in quartz sand was investigated through packed column experiments. At ionic strengths up to 0.05 mol L−1 in NaCl solutions and 0.006 mol L−1 in CaCl2 solutions, adsorption rate coefficients of all the plasmids examined were <0.19 h−1 at a fluid velocity of 6.1 m d−1. This result indicates that under environmentally relevant flow and solution chemistry conditions, free plasmids may transport across significant distances and may have the potential to spread antibiotic resistance to much larger areas and more receptors in the environment. As ionic strength increased, adsorption of plasmids in CaCl2 solutions increased dramatically. Adsorbed plasmids could be partly desorbed at reduced ionic strengths. These observations indicate that the transport behavior of free plasmids is very similar to the transport of colloids commonly examined in the literature (e.g., latex microspheres and bacteria). No noticeable difference in breakthrough concentrations of linear and supercoiled plasmids was observed. At higher ionic strengths (0.02 and 0.05 mol L−1) in CaCl2, the size of the plasmids was found to play a predominant role in governing their transport under identical flow and solution chemistry conditions.
Comparison of ultraviolet light emitting diodes with traditional UV for greywater disinfection
Authors: Crook M. J. , Jefferson B. , Autin O. , MacAdam J. , Nocker A.
Published: March 2015

The current technological status of ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) has reached a point where small-scale ultraviolet (UV) water disinfection applications, that is, for greywater reuse appear increasingly promising. This study compares the germicidal and economical aspects of UV-LEDs with traditional UV. Pure cultures and environmental greywater samples were exposed to different radiation doses from both UV sources with the germicidal effect comparative at equivalent doses. The impact of particle size on disinfection efficiency was investigated in two greywater fractions of varying mean particle size. Disinfection efficiency was found to be dependent on particle size with larger particles reducing microbial inactivation for both UV sources. Post-UV blending to detach particle-associated coliforms resulted in higher bacterial counts for both UV sources although to a lesser extent for UV-LEDs suggesting that it might be less affected by the presence of particles than traditional UV sources, possibly due to the UV radiation being emitted by multiple diodes at different angles compared to the traditional UV collimated beam setup. Nevertheless, removal of particles prior to UV disinfection is necessary to meet strict water reuse standards. Although UV-LEDs are currently prohibitively expensive, improvements in performance indicators might make this technology economically competitive within the next few years.
Relations Between Subclinical Disease Markers and Type 2 Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, and Incident Cardiovascular Disease: The Jackson Heart Study
Authors: Xanthakis Vanessa , Sung Jung Hye , Samdarshi Tandaw E. , Hill Alethea N. , Musani Solomon K. , Sims Mario , Ghraibeh Kamel A. , Liebson Philip R. , Taylor Herman A. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Fox Ervin R.
Published: March 2015

OBJECTIVE

The presence of subclinical disease measures has been directly associated with the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in whites. African Americans (AAs) in the U.S. are at higher risk of CVD compared with non-Hispanic whites; however, data on the prevalence of subclinical disease measures in AAs and their association to CVD remain unclear and may explain the higher CVD risk in this group.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We evaluated 4,416 participants attending the first examination of the Jackson Heart Study (mean age 54 years; 64% women) with available subclinical disease measures.

RESULTS

There were 1,155 participants (26%) with subclinical disease, defined as the presence of one or more of the following: peripheral arterial disease, left ventricular hypertrophy, microalbuminuria, high coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, and low left ventricular ejection fraction. In cross-sectional analyses using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression, participants with metabolic syndrome (MetS) or diabetes (DM) had higher odds of subclinical disease compared with those without MetS and DM (odds ratios 1.55 [95% CI 1.30–1.85] and 2.86 [95% CI 2.32–3.53], respectively). Furthermore, the presence of a high CAC score and left ventricular hypertrophy were directly associated with the incidence of CVD (265 events) in multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models (P < 0.05). In prospective analyses, having MetS or DM significantly increased the hazard of incident CVD, independent of the presence of subclinical disease (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In our community-based sample of AAs, we observed a moderately high prevalence of subclinical disease, which in turn translated into a greater risk of CVD, especially in people with MetS and DM.
Explanation of penetration depth variation during laser welding under variable ambient pressure
Authors: Pang Shengyong , Hirano Koji , Fabbro Remy , Jiang Tao
Published: March 2015

It has been observed that the penetration depth during laser welding (LW) under vacuum or reduced ambient pressure could be significantly greater than that during welding under atmospheric pressure. Previous explanations of this phenomenon usually limit to specific wavelength laser welding and have difficulties in explaining why the variation will disappear, as the welding speed increases. Here, we propose that this variation is caused by the temperature difference of keyhole wall under variable ambient pressure based on a correct physical description of related processes. A new surface pressure model, dependent on ambient pressure, is proposed for describing the evaporation process during laser material interaction under variable ambient pressure. For laser welding of a 304 stainless steel with 2.0 kW laser power and 3 m/min welding speed, it is shown that the average keyhole wall temperature is around 2900 K under atmospheric pressure, and only around 2300 K under vacuum, which results in significant penetration depth variations. Interestingly, it is also shown that as the welding speed increases, the average temperature of the front keyhole wall gradually rises due to the reduction of the mean incident angle of laser, and the magnitude of this increase is larger in welding under vacuum than under atmospheric pressure. It allows us to explain why the penetration depth improvement decreases to zero with the increase of welding speed.
The morphology of tense and aspect in Nama, a Papuan language of southern New Guinea
Authors: Siegel Jeff
Published: March 2015

This paper describes the complex tense and aspect morphology in Nama, a previously undocumented Papuan language of southern New Guinea. Tense/aspect suffixes followed by agent/actor referencing suffixes occur in combination with one of two sets of patient referencing prefixes. Most of the tense/aspect suffixes mark two possible tenses, and the choice of a prefix from a particular set determines the appropriate interpretation. The distinction between imperfective and perfective aspect is central to the Nama tense/aspect system, and the forms of the perfectivity markers depend on the number category of the grammatical arguments: dual versus non-dual, which encompasses both singular and plural (i.e. more than two). At the same time, the agent/actor suffixes and patient referencing prefixes generally index two different number categories: singular versus non-singular. Each of the two basic aspects has three different tenses, with some other aspectual distinctions occurring only with singular arguments. A combination of imperfective and perfective marking is also used.
Modeling Alterations in Sinonasal Physiology after Skull Base Surgery
Authors: Frank-Ito Dennis O. , Sajisevi Mirabelle , Solares C. Arturo , Jang David W.
Published: March 2015

Background

Endonasal endoscopic skull base surgery (EESBS) often requires significant alterations in intranasal anatomy. For example, posterior septectomy (PS) with middle turbinate resection (MTR) is frequently performed to provide access to large sellar and clival tumors. However, little is known about the alterations that occur in sinonasal physiology. This study was designed to assess changes in sinonasal physiology after virtually performed endoscopic skull base surgery.

Methods

Three-dimensional models of the sinonasal passage were created from computed tomography scans in three subjects with varying anatomy: no SD (SD), right anterior SD, and left anterior SD, respectively. Four additional surgery types were performed virtually on each model: endoscopic transsphenoidal approach (ETSA) with small (1 cm) PS (smPS), ETSA with complete (2 cm) PS, ETSA with smPS and right MTR, and ETSA with complete PS and right MTR. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed on the 3 presurgery and 12 virtual surgery models to assess changes from surgery types.

Results

Increased nasal airflow corresponded to amount of tissue removed. Effects of MTR on unilateral airflow allocation were unchanged in subject with no SD, worsened in leftward SD, and reversed in rightward SD. Severity of airflow and mucosal wall interactions trended with amount of tissue removed. MTR hindered flow interactions with the olfactory mucosa in subjects with SD.

Conclusion

CFD simulations on virtual surgery models are able to reasonably detect changes in airflow patterns in the computer-generated nasal models. In addition, each patient's unique anatomy influences the magnitude and direction of these changes after virtual EESBS. Once future studies can reliably correlate CFD parameters with patient symptoms, CFD will be a useful clinical tool in surgical planning and maximizing patient outcomes.
Development of Taiwan Smell Identification Test: A Quick Office-Based Smell Screening Test for Taiwanese
Authors: Hsu Ning-I , Lai Jen-Tsung , Shen Ping-Hung
Published: March 2015

Background

Objective smell tests not only identify levels of smelling ability but also provide information on changes in olfaction after treatment. Odor identification is strongly socially and culturally dependent; therefore, the odorants used in a smell identification test should be familiar to the test population. We developed this smell test for Taiwanese populations with two aims: the test odors should be familiar to Taiwanese and the test should be easily and quickly administered in a busy clinic.

Methods

Additives that are familiar to Taiwanese people were selected for this smell identification test. Subsequently, the test was validated with the traditional Chinese version of the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (TC-UPSIT). Finally, this Taiwan Smell Identification Test (TWSIT) was implemented in daily clinical use, and cut-off points of “normosmia,” “hyposmia,” and “anosmia” were established.

Results

A total of 1000 subjects were included in the market survey to identify commonly recognized odors. Eight odorants with identification rate greater than 95% were selected. The TWSIT is an array of multiple-choice questions to select the odor. In addition, patient also reported the strength of the odor. The full score was 48. Thirty-seven patients simultaneously received both TWSIT and TC-UPSIT, and the correlation was high (r = 0.874). Based on the testing results of an additional 187 subjects, we concluded that scores of 47–48, 15–44, and 2–12 corresponded to normosmia, hyposmia, and anosmia, respectively. Patients with scores falling in the gaps require retesting at a later time.

Conclusion

The TWSIT is a quick, office-based, and useful odor identification tool for Taiwanese. The experience of developing a culturally specific olfaction test like the TWSIT can be applied in different countries and cultures.
New Way to Utilize Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Lee Jing-Fong Jennifer , Williams Jeffrey
Published: March 2015

Travel behavior analysis and demand models have been relying on data collected from households through questionnaires. This study demonstrated a combined analysis of the license plates obtained through remote sensing of vehicle emissions, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) address records, and census proxies of those addresses, referred to collectively as an automated road travel survey (ARTS). This study demonstrated an application of the ARTS method to the analysis of the income distribution of motorists in Los Angeles, California, at a spatially and temporally disaggregated level. The demonstration used the data of 1 day from a single study site obtained in 2007 by the California South Coast Air Quality Management District. By a match of 4,704 license plate images to California DMV registration records, anonymized individual owner ship records were obtained. The missing demographic and socioeconomic profiles of vehicle owners were supplemented with census data at the level of census block groups. In contrast to household-based methods such as traditional travel surveys, ARTS provided several advantages: ( a) the precise time log of the trips, ( b) fewer missing data because correct license numbers are registered for most of the vehicles passing a monitoring site, and ( c) data for any desired length of monitoring time at minimal cost. When linked to ownership databases, remote sensing data opened new avenues for research into travel behavior, complementary to travel surveys.
Methodology to Map Routes from Truck Permit Database, Using a Linear Reference System and Network Analysis
Authors: Dayan Sinaya , Nichols Andrew P. , Chou Chih-Sheng , Yoo Sanghong , Nguyen Tuan , Pennington Eric
Published: March 2015

Trucking companies can obtain permits from state agencies allowing them to haul oversize and overweight (OSOW) loads. Most permit systems assign a specific route to be followed that accounts for various network travel restrictions. The routes assigned in these permits can provide a wealth of information for different types of transportation analyses. Unfortunately, the permit data are not always generated by a geographic information system (GIS) or archived in a manner that facilitates analysis in a GIS platform. This paper presents a methodology that was developed to process archived permit records from the West Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT) so that the records could be imported into a GIS and plotted by using the existing West Virginia DOT linear referencing system (LRS). Some agencies do not have a GIS-based OSOW permitting system, and those that use a GIS permitting system are still faced with the challenge of integrating archive data with existing GIS–LRS platforms. The methodology presented here should be widely applicable for those facing such challenges. The automated procedure was able to assign an LRS code and map 91.4% of the permits that contained route data for the month of July 2011.
Improved Computational Framework for Efficient Bayesian Probabilistic Inference of Damage in Truss Structures Based on Vibration Measurements
Authors: Zheng Wei , Shen Jinlei , Wang Jianguo
Published: March 2015

This paper presents a computationally efficient Bayesian inference framework and its application to infer damage in truss bridges. The novelty of the proposed framework for reducing the computational burden of Bayesian inference of structural damage lies in ( a) the revised transitional Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm for efficiently drawing statistical samples of damage indexes and ( b) the likelihood function in the frequency domain based on modal properties that could be derived from the stochastic subspace identification. Other special features of the proposed framework include ( a) explicitly modeling complexities of truss joints for allowing identification of truss joint damage and the assessment of its associated uncertainties and ( b) incorporating the structural finite element model into the probabilistic inference computational environment through the program application interface. Those improvements make new contributions to the field of damage identification for truss bridges, leading to the practical application of Bayesian inference of the large amounts of potential damage not only in truss members but also in truss joints. The applicability and efficiency of the proposed framework are illustrated and examined by using numerical simulation of a damaged prototype truss structure. Simulation results indicate that the proposed approach has the potential capacity for determining the extent and location of large amounts of truss damage and the probabilistic characteristics. Finally, the limitation of this study and the future research need for practical application of the proposed probabilistic framework are discussed.
Outcomes of intraventricular hemorrhage and posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in a population-based cohort of very preterm infants born to residents of Nova Scotia from 1993 to 2010
Authors: Radic Julia A. E. , Vincer Michael , McNeely P. Daniel
Published: March 2015

OBJECT

Intraventicular hemorrhage (IVH) is a common complication of preterm birth, and the prognosis of IVH is incompletely characterized. The objective of this study was to describe the outcomes of IVH in a population-based cohort with minimal selection bias.

METHODS

All very preterm (≥ 30 completed weeks) patients born in the province of Nova Scotia were included in a comprehensive database. This database was screened for infants born to residents of Nova Scotia from January 1, 1993, to December 31, 2010. Among very preterm infants successfully resuscitated at birth, the numbers of infants who died, were disabled, developed cerebral palsy, developed hydrocephalus, were blind, were deaf, or had cognitive/language scores assessed were analyzed by IVH grade. The relative risk of each outcome was calculated (relative to the risk for infants without IVH).

RESULTS

Grades 2, 3, and 4 IVH were significantly associated with an increased overall mortality, primarily in the neonatal period, and the risk increased with increasing grade of IVH. Grade 4 IVH was significantly associated with an increased risk of disability (RR 2.00, p < 0.001), and the disability appeared to be primarily due to cerebral palsy (RR 6.07, p < 0.001) and cognitive impairment (difference in mean MDI scores between Grade 4 IVH and no IVH: −19.7, p < 0.001). No infants with Grade 1 or 2 IVH developed hydrocephalus, and hydrocephalus and CSF shunting were not associated with poorer outcomes when controlling for IVH grade.

CONCLUSIONS

Grades 1 and 2 IVH have much better outcomes than Grades 3 or 4, including a 0% risk of hydrocephalus in the Grade 1 and 2 IVH cohort. Given the low risk of selection bias, the results of this study may be helpful in discussing prognosis with families of very preterm infants diagnosed with IVH.
Antimicrobial-impregnated and -coated shunt catheters for prevention of infections in patients with hydrocephalus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Konstantelias Athanasios A. , Vardakas Konstantinos Z. , Polyzos Konstantinos A. , Tansarli Giannoula S. , Falagas Matthew E.
Published: March 2015

OBJECT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of antimicrobial-impregnated and -coated shunt catheters (antimicrobial catheters) in reducing the risk of infection in patients undergoing CSF shunting or ventricular drainage.

METHODS

The PubMed and Scopus databases were searched. Catheter implantation was classified as either shunting (mainly ventriculoperitoneal shunting) or ventricular drainage (mainly external [EVD]). Studies evaluating antibioticimpregnated catheters (AICs), silver-coated catheters (SCCs), and hydrogel-coated catheters (HCCs) were included. A random effects model meta-analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Thirty-six studies (7 randomized and 29 nonrandomized, 16,796 procedures) were included. The majority of data derive from studies on the effectiveness of AICs, followed by studies on the effectiveness of SCCs. Statistical heterogeneity was observed in several analyses. Antimicrobial shunt catheters (AICs, SCCs) were associated with lower risk for CSF catheter–associated infections than conventional catheters (CCs) (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.35–0.56). Fewer infections developed in the patients treated with antimicrobial catheters regardless of randomization, number of participating centers, funding, shunting or ventricular drainage, definition of infections, de novo implantation, and rate of infections in the study. There was no difference regarding gram-positive bacteria, all staphylococci, coagulase-negative streptococci, and Staphylococcus aureus, when analyzed separately. On the contrary, the risk for methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA, RR 2.64, 95% CI 1.26–5.51), nonstaphylococcal (RR 1.75, 95% CI 1.22–2.52), and gram-negative bacterial (RR 2.13, 95% CI 1.33–3.43) infections increased with antimicrobial shunt catheters.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on data mainly from nonrandomized studies, AICs and SCCs reduce the risk for infection in patients undergoing CSF shunting. Future studies should evaluate the higher risk for MRSA and gram-negative infections. Additional trials are needed to investigate the comparative effectiveness of the different types of antimicrobial catheters.
Complications following cranioplasty: incidence and predictors in 348 cases
Authors: Zanaty Mario , Chalouhi Nohra , Starke Robert M. , Clark Shannon W. , Bovenzi Cory D. , Saigh Mark , Schwartz Eric , Kunkel Emily S. I. , Efthimiadis-Budike Alexandra S. , Jabbour Pascal , Dalyai Richard , Rosenwasser Robert H. , Tjoumakaris Stavropoula I.
Published: March 2015

OBJECT

The factors that contribute to periprocedural complications following cranioplasty, including patient-specific and surgery-specific factors, need to be thoroughly assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors that predispose patients to an increased risk of cranioplasty complications and death.

METHODS

The authors conducted a retrospective review of all patients at their institution who underwent cranioplasty following craniectomy for stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, epidural hematoma, subdural hematoma, and trauma between January 2000 and December 2011. The following predictors were tested: age, sex, race, diabetic status, hypertensive status, tobacco use, reason for craniectomy, urgency status of the craniectomy, graft material, and location of cranioplasty. The cranioplasty complications included reoperation for hematoma, hydrocephalus postcranioplasty, postcranioplasty seizures, and cranioplasty graft infection. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Confidence intervals were calculated as the 95% CI.

RESULTS

Three hundred forty-eight patients were included in the study. The overall complication rate was 31.32% (109 of 348). The mortality rate was 3.16%. Predictors of overall complications in multivariate analysis were hypertension (OR 1.92, CI 1.22–3.02), increasing age (OR 1.02, CI 1.00–1.04), and hemorrhagic stroke (OR 3.84, CI 1.93–7.63). Predictors of mortality in multivariate analysis were diabetes mellitus (OR 7.56, CI 1.56–36.58), seizures (OR 7.25, CI 1.238–42.79), bifrontal cranioplasty (OR 5.40, CI 1.20–24.27), and repeated surgery for hematoma evacuation (OR 13.00, CI 1.51–112.02). Multivariate analysis was also applied to identify the variables that affect the development of seizures, the need for reoperation for hematoma evacuation, the development of hydrocephalus, and the development of infections.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors' goal was to provide the neurosurgeon with predictors of morbidity and mortality that could be incorporated in the clinical decision-making algorithm. Control of a patient's risk factors and early recognition of complications may help practitioners avoid the exhaustive list of complications.
Artificial insemination services under different institutional framework in Bangladesh
Authors: Uddin MM , Sultana MN , Huylenbroek GV , Peters KJ
Published: March 2015

The objective of the study was to compare the provision of the existing artificial insemination service delivery system (AI-SDS) among public, private and autonomous institutions to the small-scale dairy farmers in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional survey was conducted by using a pre-tested and pre-designed questionnaire and face-to-face interview technique. A stratified-purposive sampling technique was applied to select 165 small-scale dairy farmers from four study areas. Descriptive statistics were performed to know the frequency of the provision of AI services. Public services were available in all study areas whereas autonomous services were only delivered in Mymensingh district. The private service was increasing faster than the public and autonomous service. The public service had higher incentives and network coverage compared to private and autonomous services. The results also showed that 50% of the respondent perceived the AI service as public goods and showed no willingness to pay (e.g., free of charge for public service). The demand for the services has been increasing but the existing organizations were not able to provide the services especially to the remote areas. From this study, it is recommended that farmers needs should be translated in a way that they get access to their required services in a satisfactory manner.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v43i3.21643 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2014. 43 (3): 166-174
Effect of potato (Solanum tuberosum) meal on broiler production
Authors: Sakib N , Sultana F , Howlider MAR , Rana MS
Published: March 2015

The study was conducted to find out the performance of broiler birds fed different levels of potato meal (PM). The levels of potato meal in the different treatment rations were control 0, 5, 10, and 15 g/kg, respectively. Dietary levels of PM did not affect live weight at 7, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days of age. However, live weight of broiler differed significantly (p<0.05) among different levels of PM in  the diet at 14 days of age and increasing level of PM had a tendency to decrease live weight between 7 and 14 days of age. Feed intake increased linearly with the increasing level of dietary PM (p<0.05) up to 35 days of age followed by a decline at 42 days of age. At 14 days of age, feed intake in control diet and 10g PM diets were similar and intermediate, it was highest in 15g PM and lowest on 5g PM diet. However, feed intake did not differ (p>0.05) among different levels of PM in diet at 21, 28, 35, and 42 days of age. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased between 7 and 14 days of age with the least conversion observed at 15 g/kg PM level. FCR didnt differ significantly (p<0.05) among different levels of PM in diet. Mortality did not alter due to the increasing levels of PM regardless of age of broiler. Dietary PM  did not modify the dressing yield, breast meat, thigh meat and other carcass traits. Feed cost in different dietary PM groups were more or less similar, whereas total production cost per kg broiler were increased in 10 % Potato Meal than control (p<0.05). However, sale price (Taka/broiler) and sale price (Taka/kg broiler) were more or less similar in all treatments. Profit per broiler and per kg broiler were reduced as the PM level increased in the diet. It was therefore concluded that use of potato meal at 5 to 15g/kg diet may not be suitable for growth and profitability in broiler production.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v43i3.21647 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2014. 43 (3): 192-196
Effect of di-calcium phosphate on calcium balance and body condition score of dairy cows fed Napier grass
Authors: Rahman MZ , Ali MY , Huque KS , Talukder MAI
Published: March 2015

A research work was undertaken to evaluate the feeding effects of di-calcium phosphate (DCP) on calcium balance and body condition score of dairy cows fed Napier grass. The trial was conducted in the village Alokdiar of Shajadpur upazilla under Sirajgonj district. Twenty crossbred lactating dairy cows of 320 ±15.5 kg live weight were used for the trial. Animals were equally and randomly allocated into four groups, T0 (Napier+concentrate), T1 (Napier+concentrate+100g DCP), T2 (Napier+concentrate+150g DCP) and T3 (Napier+concentrate+200g DCP). Total DMI did not differ significantly (p>0.05) among the groups but highly significant differences (p<0.01) were found in Ca intake. Ca balance; and Ca in feces, Ca in urine, Ca in milk and total Ca excretion differed significantly (p<0.05). No significant  difference (p>0.05) was found in DM in feces (%), DM in feces (kg/d) and milk production (L) among the treatment groups except urine excretion. There was a linear increase of body condition score (BCS) with DCP (T1, T2 and T3), but BCS was linearly declined in non DCP diet (T0). Diets with 150g DCP may be suggested for optimizing Calcium balance and body condition score of dairy cows fed Napier grasses.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v43i3.21648 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2014. 43 (3): 197-201
Effect of freezing period and defrosting methods on chemical composition and microbial count in beef cuts
Authors: Biswas RC , Akhter S , Hossain MM , Rana MS , Habibullah M
Published: March 2015

The experiment was conducted to examine the effect of freezing and defrosting methods on the quality of beef. Two types of beef samples named as fresh and cured beef samples were taken. Both types were divided into three sub divisions namely air, water and microwave oven. These samples were stored at -20°C temperature in the freezer for 90 days and analyzed on 10th, 45th and 90th day. The dry matter, crude protein, ether extract and ash percentages and standard plate count (SPC) were differed significantly (p<0.01) among the air, water and microwave defrosted samples. Up to 90th days of freezing at -200C dry matter content increased with the increase of storage time almost in all samples except microwave fresh samples. The protein content decreased with the increase of storage time from 10 to 45 days but increased from 45 to 90 days. The ash content decreased with the increase of storage time in case of fresh frozen samples but increased with the increase of storage time in case of cured frozen samples except microwave oven cured sample. Ether extract value gradually increased with the increasing of storage period in case of air fresh, water fresh, air cured and water cured frozen samples but decreased with the increasing of storage period in case of microwave oven fresh and microwave oven cured samples. The SPC value increased with the increase of storage time in case of all samples and differed significantly (p<0.01) among the parameters. The cured microwave defrosted beef was proved as the best technique of defrosting frozen beef.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v43i3.21649 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2014. 43 (3): 202-206
Effects of heat-treated Jack beans on the performance characteristics and hematology profile in the commercial broiler
Authors: Akanji AM , Ogungbesan AM
Published: March 2015

The  PDF from another article was originally loaded for this article by mistake and on 9th February 2015 the correct PDF was loaded.A study was carried out to assess the effects of aqueousheated and dryheated Jack beans on the growth, hematology, serum metabolites and enzymes of broiler chickens. Jack beans were processed by aqueous heating into two different batches.  In the first batch of aqueousheated Jack beans (AHJB1), raw seeds were soaked in distilled water for 48 hrs prior to cooking in fresh water for 1 hr The second batch (AHJB2) had raw Jack beans soaked in distilled water for 48 hrs prior to 2 hrs cooking at 1 hr interval. In preparing the dryheated Jack beans (DHJB), the raw seeds were roasted in an oven at 120°C for 30 minutes. Four hundred and twenty (420) broiler chicks of ANAK strain were randomly allotted to seven dietary groups. The aqueous  heated and dryheated Jack beans were incorporated in to the diets at 15% and 30% levels respectively. Higher residual amounts of canavanine, trypsin inhibitor and haemagglutinin were retained in DHJB. The Performance characteristics showed significant (P<0.05) reductions in feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency of birds fed 15% and 30% AHJB1 and DHJB, and 30% AHJB2, respectively. Blood studies revealed marked reductions (P<0.05) in red blood cells, packed cell volume and hemoglobin of birds fed DHJB diets. Over all, the best significant improvements in the response indices were obtained in birds fed 15% AHJB2 as the birds fed on the diet compared favorably with the control group.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v43i3.21650 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2014. 43 (3): 207-212
A socioeconomic analysis of GO-NGO versus self-managed dairy farming in two districts of Bangladesh
Authors: Uddin MT , Akhi K , Begum J , Islam MS , Khatun MM
Published: March 2015

With a view to address the present status of intervention received by dairy farmers from different government and non-government organizations and its impact on farmers livelihood pattern in relation to self-managed farmers, this present study was performed in two districts of Bangladesh namely, Manikganj and Sirajganj. Altogether 165 dairy farmers were selected from two districts. A combination of descriptive, statistical and mathematical techniques was applied to achieve the objectives and to get the meaningful results. The BCR were 2.3 for NGO supported and 2.4 for GO supported farmers. The productivity in terms of physical volume was higher in case of supported dairy farmers for both the areas which were tested by t-statistics. In determining the effects of the different variable inputs, four out of six variables (i.e., labor cost, paddy straw cost, green grass cost and concentrate feed cost) were found to have significant effect on gross returns from milk production for both supported and self-managed farmers. To accomplish the profit maximization, all types of dairy farmers have scope to attain full efficiency in milk production by reallocating the resources. Supported farm created greater opportunity for employment of both male and female than self-managed dairy farmers. Ravallion test results showed that the income was increased by the amount of Tk. 25400.6 due to intervention. Expenditure elasticity was also estimated at 0.40% which means that expenditure increased by 0.40%, on an average, due to 1% increase in income, other things remaining the same. The asset pentagon approach shows that there is a noteworthy improvement based on different capitals namely, human capital, social capital, natural capital, physical capital and financial capital of supported dairy farming. Although dairy farmers reported problems of low price of output, inadequate capital, etc., these could be minimized if both government and non-government organizations take proper measures in this regard, which will ultimately lead to improve farmers socioeconomic conditions and livelihood status.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v43i3.21656 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2014. 43 (3): 232-241
Efficacy of propranolol in infantile hemangioma
Authors: Rahman Mizanur , Islam Md Tarikul , Banik Ratan Lal Dutta , Rasul Choudhury Habibur
Published: March 2015

Hemangiomas, are the most common benign tumors of infancy. Despite their selflimited course, infantile capillary hemangiomas can cause local complications e.g. pain, ulceration, bleeding etc. The usual treatments include oral/intralesional steroids, alpha interferon, cytotoxins, pulsed dye laser and cosmetic surgery resection. These treatments are not free of multiple complications and toxic side effects. We report our experience with the use of propranolol in 2 children with haemangiomas along with review of relevant literature. Both the hemangioma cases promptly responded to low-dose oral propranolol. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmjk.v47i1-2.22561 Bang Med J (Khulna) 2014; 47 : 32-35
A Comparison of ETKF and Downscaling in a Regional Ensemble Prediction System
Authors: Zhang Hanbin , Chen Jing , Zhi Xiefei , Wang Yanan
Published: March 2015

Based on the operational regional ensemble prediction system (REPS) in China Meteorological Administration (CMA), this paper carried out comparison of two initial condition perturbation methods: an ensemble transform Kalman filter (ETKF) and a dynamical downscaling of global ensemble perturbations. One month consecutive tests are implemented to evaluate the performance of both methods in the operational REPS environment. The perturbation characteristics are analyzed and ensemble forecast verifications are conducted; furthermore, a TC case is investigated. The main conclusions are as follows: the ETKF perturbations contain more power at small scales while the ones derived from downscaling contain more power at large scales, and the relative difference of the two types of perturbations on scales become smaller with forecast lead time. The growth of downscaling perturbations is more remarkable, and the downscaling perturbations have larger magnitude than ETKF perturbations at all forecast lead times. However, the ETKF perturbation variance can represent the forecast error variance better than downscaling. Ensemble forecast verification shows slightly higher skill of downscaling ensemble over ETKF ensemble. A TC case study indicates that the overall performance of the two systems are quite similar despite the slightly smaller error of DOWN ensemble than ETKF ensemble at long range forecast lead times.
Structural Evolution of Molybdenum Carbides in Hot Aqueous Environments and Impact on Low-Temperature Hydroprocessing of Acetic Acid
Authors: Choi Jae-Soon , Schwartz Viviane , Santillan-Jimenez Eduardo , Crocker Mark , Lewis Samuel , Lance Michael , Meyer Harry , More Karren
Published: March 2015

We investigated the structural evolution of molybdenum carbides subjected to hot aqueous environments and their catalytic performance in low-temperature hydroprocessing of acetic acid. While bulk structures of Mo carbides were maintained after aging in hot liquid water, a portion of carbidic Mo sites were converted to oxidic sites. Water aging also induced changes to the non-carbidic carbon deposited during carbide synthesis and increased surface roughness, which in turn affected carbide pore volume and surface area. The extent of these structural changes was sensitive to the initial carbide structure and was lower under actual hydroprocessing conditions indicating the possibility of further improving the hydrothermal stability of Mo carbides by optimizing catalyst structure and operating conditions. Mo carbides were active in acetic acid conversion in the presence of liquid water, their activity being comparable to that of Ru/C. The results suggest that effective and inexpensive bio-oil hydroprocessing catalysts could be designed based on Mo carbides, although a more detailed understanding of the structure-performance relationships is needed, especially in upgrading of more complex reaction mixtures or real bio-oils.
A Varied VSVM Strategy for Balancing the Neutral-Point Voltage of DC-Link Capacitors in Three-Level NPC Converters
Authors: Gui Shi , Lin Zhen , Huang Sheng
Published: March 2015

In the research field of multilevel converters, three-level NPC (neutral-point-clamped) converters, which unfortunately may cause the deviation of the neutral-point voltage of DC-link capacitors, are widely discussed. Theoretically, virtual space vector modulation (VSVM) could guarantee the balance control of the neutral-point voltage. However, there still exist some uncontrollable space vector regions. Based on VSVM, this paper proposes a varied virtual space vector modulation (VVSVM) method for three-level NPC converters. Under complete modulation conditions, this method can control the balance of the neutral-point voltage of DC-link capacitors by adjusting the duty cycle of small vectors and regulating the current generated by virtual medium vectors. Compared with commonly used VSVM methods and mixed modulation strategies, this method is simpler and more practical. The effectiveness and validity of this method are verified by simulations and experiments.
Radiological Impacts and Regulation of Rare Earth Elements in Non-Nuclear Energy Production
Authors: Ault Timothy , Krahn Steven , Croff Allen
Published: March 2015

Energy industries account for a significant portion of total rare earth usage, both in the US and worldwide. Rare earth minerals are frequently collocated with naturally occurring radioactive material, imparting an occupational radiological dose during recovery. This paper explores the extent to which rare earths are used by various non-nuclear energy industries and estimates the radiological dose which can be attributed to these industries on absolute and normalized scales. It was determined that typical rare earth mining results in an occupational collective dose of approximately 0.0061 person-mSv/t rare earth elements, amounting to a total of 330 person-mSv/year across all non-nuclear energy industries (about 60% of the annual collective dose from one pressurized water reactor operated in the US, although for rare earth mining the impact is spread out over many more workers). About half of the collective dose from non-nuclear energy production results from use of fuel cracking catalysts for oil refining, although given the extent of the oil industry, it is a small dose when normalized to the energy equivalent of the oil that is used annually. Another factor in energy industries’ reliance on rare earths is the complicated state of the regulation of naturally occurring radiological materials; correspondingly, this paper also explores regulatory and management implications.
Ameliorative Effects of PACAP against Cartilage Degeneration. Morphological, Immunohistochemical and Biochemical Evidence from in Vivo and in Vitro Models of Rat Osteoarthritis
Authors: Giunta Salvatore , Castorina Alessandro , Marzagalli Rubina , Szychlinska Marta , Pichler Karin , Mobasheri Ali , Musumeci Giuseppe
Published: March 2015

Osteoarthritis (OA); the most common form of degenerative joint disease, is associated with variations in pro-inflammatory growth factor levels, inflammation and hypocellularity resulting from chondrocyte apoptosis. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide endowed with a range of trophic effects in several cell types; including chondrocytes. However; its role in OA has not been studied. To address this issue, we investigated whether PACAP expression is affected in OA cartilage obtained from experimentally-induced OA rat models, and then studied the effects of PACAP in isolated chondrocytes exposed to IL-1β in vitro to mimic the inflammatory milieu of OA cartilage. OA induction was established by histomorphometric and histochemical analyses. Changes in PACAP distribution in cartilage, or its concentration in synovial fluid (SF), were assessed by immunohistochemistry and ELISA. Results showed that PACAP abundance in cartilage tissue and SF was high in healthy controls. OA induction decreased PACAP levels both in affected cartilage and SF. In vitro, PACAP prevented IL-1β-induced chondrocyte apoptosis, as determined by MTT assay; Hoechst staining and western blots of apoptotic-related proteins. These changes were also accompanied by decreased i-NOS and COX-2 levels, suggesting an anti-inflammatory effect. Altogether, these findings support a potential role for PACAP as a chondroprotective agent for the treatment of OA.