Directly-prelithiated carbon nanotube film for high-performance flexible lithium-ion battery electrodes

Carbon nanotube (CNT) films are very flexible and serve as active materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Hence, they have high potential as flexible free-standing electrodes for wearable batteries. However, nanocarbon materials such as CNTs and graphene are of limited use as electrodes because they have a large initial irreversible capacity due to the formation of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Herein, we prelithiated the CNT films to make them available as electrodes for flexible batteries by reducing their irreversible capacity. The SEI is pre-formed through a direct prelithiation (DP) method that brings lithium metal into direct contact with CNT films in an electrolyte. As a result, the capacity of directly-prelithiated CNT film electrodes continues to increase to 1520 mAh/g until 350th cycle of charge/discharge and their initial irreversible capacity vanishes. The changes in the electrochemical properties of CNT film electrodes by DP treatment and their flexibility are investigated.     

Isolation and characterization of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli from national horse racetracks and private horse-riding courses in Korea

Limited information is available regarding horse-associated antimicrobial resistant (AR) Escherichia (E.) coli. This study was designed to evaluate the frequency and characterize the pattern of AR E. coli from healthy horse-associated samples. A total of 143 E. coli (4.6%) were isolated from 3,078 samples collected from three national racetracks and 14 private horse-riding courses in Korea. Thirty of the E. coli isolates (21%) showed antimicrobial resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent, and four of the AR E. coli (13.3%) were defined as multi-drug resistance. Most of the AR E. coli harbored AR genes corresponding to their antimicrobial resistance phenotypes. Four of the AR E. coli carried class 1 integrase gene (intI1), a gene associated with multi-drug resistance. Pulsed-field gel electrophoretic analysis showed no genetic relatedness among AR E. coli isolated from different facilities; however, cross-transmissions between horses or horses and environments were detected in two facilities. Although cross-transmission of AR E. coli in horses and their environments was generally low, our study suggests a risk of transmission of AR bacteria between horses and humans. Further studies are needed to evaluate the risk of possible transmission of horse-associated AR bacteria to human communities through horse riders and horse-care workers.     

Plants as de-worming agents of livestock in the Nordic countries: historical perspective, popular beliefs and prospects for the future.

Preparations derived from plants were the original therapeutic interventions used by man to control diseases (including parasites), both within humans and livestock. Development of herbal products depended upon local botanical flora with the result that different remedies tended to develop in different parts of the world. Nevertheless, in some instances, the same or related plants were used over wide geographic regions, which also was the result of communication and/or the importation of plant material of high repute. Thus, the Nordic countries have an ancient, rich and diverse history of plant derived anthelmintic medications for human and animal use. Although some of the more commonly used herbal de-wormers were derived from imported plants, or their products, many are from endemic plants or those that thrive in the Scandinavian environment. With the advent of the modern chemotherapeutic era, and the discovery, development and marketing of a seemingly unlimited variety of highly efficacious, safe synthetic chemicals with very wide spectra of activities, herbal remedies virtually disappeared from the consciousness--at least in the Western world. This attitude is now rapidly changing. There is a widespread resurgence in natural product medication, driven by major threats posed by multi-resistant pest, or disease, organisms and the diminishing public perceptions that synthetic chemicals are the panacea to health and disease control. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive account of the depth of historical Nordic information available on herbal de-wormers, with emphasis on livestock and to provide some insights on potentially rewarding areas of "re-discovery" and scientific evaluation in this field.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS—PYLOROGASTRIC INTUSSUSCEPTION IN A DOG

A 7-year-old female Maltese presented for evaluation of severe vomiting. A diagnosis of pylorogastric intussusception was made during ultrasonographic examination. The intussusception spontaneously underwent reduction by the following morning.     

A retrospective study of canine house soiling: diagnosis and treatment

A retrospective study was conducted to determine the relative frequency and type of elimination problem seen in dogs at a university referral practice and to evaluate the efficacy of the suggested treatments. Cases presented to the Animal Behavior Clinic at Cornell University between 1987 and 1996 were reviewed. Of 1,173 cases, 105 (9%) were house-soiling cases. Of these cases, the authors obtained outcome information from 70. Within the diagnosis of house soiling, incomplete housebreaking (n=59; 84%) were the most frequent referral cases, of which 48 cases (81%; 95% confidence interval, 69% to 90%) improved. Separation anxiety was considered the second most common underlying cause (n=27; 39%), of which 85% (n=23; 95% confidence interval, 66% to 96%) improved. Behavior modification was the most often suggested treatment (n=58), with 48 (83%) cases improving. Behavior modification consisted of accompanying the dog to the preferred elimination area, rewarding the dog for eliminating there, and punishing the dog only when caught in the act of house soiling. These results suggest that correct house training, behavior modification involving positive reinforcement, and appropriate punishment are essential to diminish house-soiling problems in dogs.     

Effects of chilled drinking water on the performance of lactating sows and their litters during high ambient temperatures under farm conditions

Heat stress has detrimental effects on lactating sows and their litters, including decreased feed intake and milk production in sows and decreased weight gain in their offspring. It also increases respiration rate, rectal temperature, and weaning to estrus interval in sows. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of chilled water (CW) on the performance of lactating sows and their litters exposed to high ambient temperatures for 21 days. Ninety multiparous sows (Yorkshire × Landrace; parity range: 2 to 5) and their litters (Yorkshire × Landrace × Duroc) were divided into 3 blocks (30 each). Sows and their litters within each block were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups (n = 10 each). Each group was provided with drinking water at 10, 15, or 22 °C (control) under farm conditions where ambient temperature above 25 °C was consistent during the experimental period. Sows on CW (both 10 and 15 °C) consumed more feed and water than did control (P < 0.01) and higher estimated milk production compared with control (P < 0.01), but had lower rectal temperature and respiration rate compared with control (P < 0.01). Mean weaning weight (P < 0.01) and average daily gain (P < 0.01) of litters in CW groups were higher than those in control group. There were no differences in the measured variables, with the exception of the respiration rates, between the two CW treatment groups. These results suggest that CW may improve the performance of sows and their litters exposed to high ambient temperatures and the 15 °C water, from an energy viewpoint, may be more effective.     

Beef quality traits of heifer in comparison with steer,bull and cow at various feeding environments

The present review has been focused largely on the sex type differences in beef quality among heifers, cows, steers and bulls in various feeding environments. Genetic groups, feeding systems and gender are the major factors that change carcass characteristics and fatty acid profiles of cattle. Studies identified that heifer beef has super characteristics in eating quality and a better healthy composition in fatty acids than steer, cow and bull. Diet influences the variation of fatty acid profile; particularly the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) interacts with breed and sex. Animals finished in pasture systems were reported to show better ratios of PUFA/ saturated fatty acids and n‐6/n‐3. Carcasses of roughage‐fed beef are lighter and have less marbling and lower quality grades but have higher cutability than carcasses of grain‐fed bulls. Heifers and cows are reported to deposit more fat than steers and bulls. Among males, lower production of testosterone by steers favors more fat thickness compared with bulls. Marbling greatly varies among cattle belonging to different sexes, and particularly, females have genetic makeup that efficiently controls deposition. The current review identified that heifers can be a premium beef brand, while steer beef currently take a large part of market share across the world.     

烟草生产全程机械化作业研究

为了探索烟叶生产过程中各机械的性能及工作效率,2013年在福建省建阳市莒口镇河坝新村开展了烟叶生产全程机械化作业试点研究。结果表明,起垄环节,碎土率方面邵武华友履带式起垄机表现最好(89.9%),沟底积土方面松溪永顺表现最好;覆膜环节,各测试机型表现中等,在效率方面优于人工覆膜;移栽环节,漏栽率上江苏久泰移栽机高于江苏井关移栽机;培土环节,漳州南冠培土机操作简便,掉头灵活,单人操作,单行双侧作业,深受烟农喜爱;拔杆环节,龙岩诚德拔杆机单人操作,操作简便,动力较足,拔杆顺畅,拔杆带土较少,效果较好,适应性较强。