Pigmentation and growth performance in the blue gourami,Trichogaster trichopterus,fed marigold,Calendula officinalis,powder, a natural carotenoid source

The present study aimed to determine the effects of different levels of marigold, Calendula officinalis, powder, 0 (control), 0.5% (M0.5), 1.5% (M1.5), and 2.5% (M2.5), on pigmentation and growth performance of the blue gourami after a 70‐day trial. At the end of the experiment, no significant differences (p > 0.05) were found in fish growth performance and body compositions. Color parameters (L*, a*, and b*) were weekly evaluated by examining a point posterior to the fish operculum. The marigold‐fed fish were darker than the control fish at Weeks 9 and 10. Yellowness intensity of the M2.5 was significantly higher than the other treatments at Week 9. Skin and caudal fin total carotenoids, astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, and β‐carotene contents of the treatment M2.5 were significantly different (p < 0.05) compared to the other treatments. Muscle total carotenoids, astaxanthin, and canthaxanthin contents of the marigold‐treated fish were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the control group. Muscle β‐carotene contents of the treatments M1.5 and M2.5 were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the control group. This study shows that marigold powder may be considered an efficient natural carotenoid source for pigmentation in blue gourami.     

Automatische Temperaturregulierung von Kartoffellagerhäusern

Ohne Zusammenfassung Vortrag gehalten für „The 4th International Informal Potato Conference” at Lund, August 1957.     

Seed spacing and seedling biomass: Effect on root growth potential of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda)

Results from three studies conducted in bare-root nurseries indicate a positive linear relationship between seed spacing and root growth potential of Pinus taeda L. seedlings. However, root growth potential was also correlated with several morphological variables, including seedling weight, root collar diameter, root weight, root volume, foliage weight and stem weight. Because seedlings grown at wider spacings were larger in diameter and biomass, covariate analyses (using either root collar diameter or foliage ovendry weight) were also conducted. These analyses indicate that differences in root growth potential between seed spacings can be accounted for by differences in seedling size.     

Micropropagation of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla [Raf.] Sarg.) from embryonic explants

An in vitro propagation protocol is described for western hemlock, an important forestry species in Canada. For shoot bud induction, embryonic explants were placed initially on one-third strength Schenk and Hildebrandt medium containing 5 M N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) or 5 M BA in combination with either 5 M kinetin or 5 M 2-isopentenyl adenine for 14 days. The explants were transferred to basal medium without cytokinins for 3 weeks, and then to basal medium containing 0.05% activated charcoal. Elongating shoots were subcultured every 4 weeks on charcoal medium. Shoots, 10 mm in stem height, were rooted either in agar or sterilized peat/perlite (1:1). Up to 70% of the shoots formed roots when they were transferred to the latter, moistened with 1/2 strength Gresshoff and Doy medium containing 5 M -naphthaleneacetic acid. About 90% of the plantlets survived transfer to greenhouse conditions.     

School-based internet-tailored fruit and vegetable education combined with brief counselling increases children's awareness of intake levels

OBJECTIVE: Children's fruit/vegetable intake is still below recommended levels. This study applied Internet-tailored advice for schoolchildren and Internet-supported brief dietary counselling (with child and parent) within preventive health care to promote fruit/vegetable intake. SETTING/SUBJECTS: The study involved 30 seventh-grade classes (16 in the intervention group and 14 in the control group) with a total of 675 children aged 9-12 years, of whom 495 were allowed to participate. DESIGN: A cluster-randomised baseline-post-test experimental design was applied. During school hours, all children completed Internet-administered questionnaires on fruit/vegetable intake and related determinants. Children in the intervention group received immediate online individually tailored nutrition feedback. For each child in the intervention group, a nurse received information concerning the assessment of fruit/vegetable intake via the Internet to support a 5 min counselling protocol to promote fruit/vegetable intake. Children completed a similar post-test questionnaire 3 months after the first assessment. Intention-to-treat analyses were conducted using multilevel regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 486 children (98% of 495) participated (263 in the intervention group, 223 in the control group); 240 child-parent couples in the intervention group attended the counselling. Awareness of inadequate fruit intake (odds ratio (OR) = 3.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.8-5.3) and knowledge of recommended vegetable intake levels (OR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.8-4.1) were significantly more likely at post-test in the intervention group than in the control group. No significant effects were found on intake or other determinants. CONCLUSIONS: A compact, integrated two-component intervention can induce positive changes in knowledge and awareness of intake levels of fruit/vegetables among schoolchildren. To induce changes in intake levels, more comprehensive interventions may be needed.     

Cadmium and lead residue control in a hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) environment

In 2003-2004, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) conducted an exploratory assessment to determine the occurrence and levels of cadmium and lead in randomly collected samples of kidney, liver, and muscle tissues of mature chickens, boars/stags, dairy cows, and heifers. The data generated in the study were qualitatively compared to data that FSIS gathered in a 1985-1986 study in order to identify trends in the levels of cadmium and lead in meat and poultry products. The exploratory assessment was necessary to verify that Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point plans and efforts to control exposure to these heavy metals are effective and result in products that meet U.S. export requirements. A comparison of data from the two FSIS studies suggests that the incidence and levels of cadmium and lead in different slaughter classes have remained stable since the first study was conducted in 1985-1986. This study was conducted to fulfill FSIS mandate to ensure that meat, poultry, and egg products entering commerce in the United States are free of adulterants, including elevated levels of environmental contaminants such as cadmium and lead.     

Protein-peptide interactions in mixtures of whey peptides and whey proteins

The effects of several conditions on the amounts and compositions of aggregates formed in mixtures of whey protein hydrolysate, made with Bacillus licheniformis protease, and whey protein isolate were investigated using response surface methodology. Next, the peptides present in the aggregates were separated from the intact protein and identified with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Increasing both temperature and ionic strength increased the amounts of both intact protein and peptides in the aggregates. There was an optimal amount of added intact WPI that could aggregate with peptides, yielding a maximal amount of aggregated material in which the peptide/protein molar ratio was around 6. Under all conditions applied, the same peptides were observed in the protein-peptide aggregates formed. The dominant peptides were beta-lg AB [f1-45], beta-lg AB [f90-108], and alpha-la [f50-113]. It was hypothesized that peptides could form a kind of glue network that can include beta-lactoglobulin via hydrophobic interactions at the hydrophobic binding sites at the surface of the protein.     

Color and albedo heterogeneity of Vesta from Dawn

Multispectral images (0.44 to 0.98 μm) of asteroid (4) Vesta obtained by the Dawn Framing Cameras reveal global color variations that uncover and help understand the north-south hemispherical dichotomy. The signature of deep lithologies excavated during the formation of the Rheasilvia basin on the south pole has been preserved on the surface. Color variations (band depth, spectral slope, and eucrite-diogenite abundance) clearly correlate with distinct compositional units. Vesta displays the greatest variation of geometric albedo (0.10 to 0.67) of any asteroid yet observed. Four distinct color units are recognized that chronicle processes--including impact excavation, mass wasting, and space weathering--that shaped the asteroid's surface. Vesta's color and photometric diversity are indicative of its status as a preserved, differentiated protoplanet.