Utilization of Weather Data in Predicting Bread Loaf Volume by Neural Network Method

The unique ability of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) flour to produce cohesive dough has helped to make it the most widely used cereal crop for bread and other baked food products. Measurement of end‐use qualities, such as loaf volume, is ideally carried out through assessing loaves of bread; however, this is resource intensive. Predictive testing methods are more often utilized to identify wheat genotypes with potentially acceptable loaf volume, although more accurate predictive methods would be beneficial. Our objectives were to study the influence of weather observations on bread loaf volume and flour and dough quality data, to use a neural network (NN) model to predict loaf volume with select input data, and to compare the best multiple regression models identified with their NN counterparts. Weather data collected at 20 days after heading (DAH) showed the highest correlations with bread loaf volume when compared with prior intervals. A NN model containing maximum, minimum, and nighttime temperatures produced the highest coefficient of determination for predicting loaf volume. Our results showed that the NN model explained up to 20% more loaf volume variation than a similar regression model. Weather parameters representing conditions at 20 DAH played a significant role in loaf volume prediction.     

Variability and Relationships Among Mixolab,Mixograph, and Baking Parameters Based on Multienvironment Spring Wheat Trials

Because of the large number of cultivars that require examination in the development of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, breeding programs use predictive methods to test end use quality. The Mixograph is a widely used predictive test with which end use quality of many genotypes can be assessed in a short time. By comparison, the Mixolab is a relatively new device with additional capability that might be used for the same purpose. Our objective was to document variability of, and relationships among, 20 parameters obtained from Mixolab, Mixograph, and bake tests. Tests were performed on flour from 18 genotypes grown in 20 environments. Both genotype and environment had significant effects on quality parameter values. Several Mixograph and Mixolab parameters were highly significantly correlated, particularly when genotype mean values over environments were considered. Correlations between loaf volume and Mixolab parameters within environments were inconsistent and suggest that average genotype values over environments will be most useful. For example, the correlation between Mixolab stability and loaf volume (r = 0.25, P < 0.001) was much higher when genotype averages (r = 0.70, P < 0.001) were considered. Our results show that selection for Mixolab stability and water absorption should help delineate and improve the selection of genotypes with greater loaf volume.     

A dot enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (dot ELISA): Comparison with standard fluorescent antibody test (FAT) for the diagnosis of rabies in animals

A modified enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (Dot ELISA) is described for visual detection of rabies antigen in animals. The test materials were dotted onto the nitrocellulose paper and allowed to react with rabies antiserum. The bound antigen—anti-body were reacted with a peroxidase conjugated antirabbit immunoglobulin. Positive reactions were easily visualized as brown dots after enzyme degradation of the substrate. A total of 400 specimens from various geographical locations were tested with the dot ELISA technique, and also with the fluorescent antibody test (FAT), which was used as a reference method. The concordance between the two tests was 95.25%. The dot ELISA may have potential applications as a rapid, simple and economical field test in the diagnosis of rabies.     

Effect of carrageenan on humoral and protective immune responses of chicks vaccinated with Newcastle disease virus

The effect of carrageenan (CGN) treatment on the generation of humoral and protective immune response to Newcastle disease virus vaccine was investigated in chicks. Carrageenan treatment significantly impaired the primary humoral immune response in vaccinated chicks. Further, the protective immune response in CGN-treated chicks was only 50% of that in the control vaccinated chicks. However, the post-challenge response was not altered by drug treatment. Indomethacin, a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, was able to reverse the immunosuppressive effect of CGN. This finding suggests that prostaglandins might be involved in CGN-mediated immunosuppression in chicks.     

Development of Dry Artificial Fish Bait for Trap Fishing Using Tuna Red Meat and Shrimp Head Wastes

ABSTRACT

This study developed and evaluated dry artificial fish bait for trap fishing utilizing tuna red meat (TRM) and shrimp head powder (SHP), aiming to replace the usage of edible fishes, such as sardines and squids, as bait. A total of 23 dry baits were prepared and tested for stability in seawater and acceptance by tilapia. Based on the stability and acceptability test results, two baits were selected as ideal and were further tested for protein leaching and dry matter loss in seawater. The tests revealed that the stick-shaped bait containing 61% TRM and 15% SHP was the ideal bait, with a protein leaching rate of 24.82 mg/g/h and dry matter loss of 36.6 mg/g/h. The catch rate of the traps baited with the artificial fish bait was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those baited with squid meat (17 Nos/trap) and sardines (23 Nos/trap). Further, the catch rate of traps baited with artificial bait (38 Nos/trap) was found to be comparable with those baited with raw shrimp head wastes (SHW) (40 Nos/trap). When the bait was concentrated with 0.1% sodium benzoate, shelf life was extended by up to 6 months.     

Effect of Wheat Genotype and Environment on Relationships Between Dough Extensibility and Breadmaking Quality

Dough extensibility affects processing ease, gas retention, and loaf volume of finished products. The Kieffer dough extensibility test was developed to assess extensibility of small dough samples and is therefore adapted for use in breeding programs. Information is lacking on relationships between wheat growing environments and dough properties measured by the Kieffer dough extensibility test. This study documents the variability of dough extensibility (Ext), maximum resistance to extension (Rmax), and area under the extensibility curve (Area) in relation to breadmaking quality, and the effect of wheat growing environments. Mixograph, Kieffer dough extensibility, and bake tests were performed on flour milled from 19 hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes grown during three growing seasons (2007‐2009) at six South Dakota locations. Although both genotype and environment had significant effects on Kieffer dough extensibility variables, environment represented the largest source of variation. Among genotype means, Area was most correlated (r = 0.63) with loaf volume, suggesting that by selecting lines with increased Area, loaf volume should improve. Rmax was positively correlated (r = 0.58) with loaf volume among genotype means but negatively correlated (r = –0.80) among environmental means. Ext was positively correlated (r = 0.90) with loaf volume among environmental means. Weather variables were correlated with Rmax, Ext and loaf volume and therefore could help predict end‐use quality.     

Plasma Inhibin Levels in Relation to Steroids and Gonadotrophins during Oestrous Cycle in Buffalo

The study was conducted on six Murrah buffalo synchronized and induced to oestrus. An indwelling catheter was placed in the jugular vein of each buffalo 4 days before the expected onset of the oestrus following the induced oestrus and blood samples were collected at 8 h intervals from each animal throughout the oestrous cycle. Plasma immunoreactive inhibin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol-17β and progesterone were estimated by radioimmunoassay to study the variations in the peripheral levels of these hormones and their inter-relationships in order to elucidate the feedback systems controlling them during the oestrous cycle of buffalo. Plasma inhibin levels ranged between 391.25 and 631.97 pg/ml during various phases of the oestrous cycle and were found to be higher than reported in cows. Peak LH and FSH levels during oestrus were 38.40 ± 9.21 and 24.04 ± 4.75 ng/ml, respectively and estradiol-17β and progesterone were 19.50 ± 5.51 pg/ml and 0.61 ± 0.25 ng/ml, respectively. The mean plasma inhibin concentration on the day of oestrus was 562.5 ± 18.9 pg/ml. Levels of FSH in the plasma showed three mid-cycle elevations which corresponded to comparatively lower inhibin and elevated estradiol-17β levels during the same period. From this observation it was deduced that both inhibin and estradiol-17β have a feed-back regulatory effect on FSH secretion in buffalo.