Growth performance,carcass and pork quality of finisher pigs fed oat-based diets containing different levels of beta-glucans

A study was undertaken to investigate the growth performance and carcass and meat quality of pigs (BW = 52 to 108 kg) fed oat-based (Avena sativa L.) diets containing four levels of mixed-linkage (1 --> 3), (1 --> 4)-beta-D-glucans. One hundred sixty pigs-80 barrows and 80 gilts (average starting BW = 52.7 kg)--were allocated to one of five diets: a wheat-barley-based control diet and four experimental diets. The groats of Marion, a covered oat, and OT789, a hulless oat, were used to formulate four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets to achieve 4.1,3.3, 2.1, or 1.6% total /beta-glucans (as fed). Growth performance (daily gain and gain to feed ratio) was not affected (P > 0.05) by the different levels of beta-glucans. Carcass yield, although lower (P < or = 0.05) for pigs fed the control diet, was similar (P > 0.05) for pigs fed any of the experimental diets. Cutout yields were also alike (P > 0.05) across the five diets. Beta-glucan content had no effect (P > 0.05) on the longissimus muscle area, or, by and large, on the proportions of commercial cuts; the only exceptions were a commercial picnic from pigs fed the 2.1% diet lower (P < 0.05) relative to all other diets and a lower (P < 0.5) commercial loin from pigs fed diets 4.1 or 3.3% relative to the control diet. Furthermore, the relative proportions oftotal lean, total bone, and total dissectable fat in the four lean cuts (picnic, butt, loin, and ham) were not different (P > 0.05) among the five diets. For pigs fed 4.1% beta-glucans, the proportion of lean in each of the four major cuts was lower (P < 0.05). No differences (P > 0.05) associated with the level of beta-glucans were detected for either the initial or ultimate pH mean values, the subjective assessment of color or structure of the longissimus muscle, or the instrumentally measured color (L value). Similarly, drip loss was not influenced (P > 0.05) by the level of beta-glucans in the diets. Soluble protein did differ (P < 0.05) among the high- to low-beta-glucans diets. No differences (P > 0.05) associated with diets were found for fat hardness and shear values of grilled pork chops. Chemical fat of the longissimus muscle from pigs fed 4.1, 3.3, or 2.1% beta-glucans was lower (P < 0.05) compared to pigs fed the control or 1.6% beta-glucans diets. In summary, no evidence of detrimental effect of beta-glucans in oat-based diets, particularly at levels below 4%, was detected, lending support for the inclusion of oat into finisher diets.     

Life strategies in intra-annual dynamics of wood formation: example of three conifer species in a temperate forest in north-east France

We investigated whether timing and rate of growth are related to the life strategies and fitness of three conifer species. Intra-annual dynamics of wood formation, shoot elongation and needle phenology were monitored over 3 years in five Norway spruces (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), five Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) and five silver firs (Abies alba Mill.) grown intermixed. For the three species, the growing season (delimited by cambial activity onset and cessation) lasted about 4 months, while the whole process of wood formation lasted 5-6 months. Needle unfolding and shoot elongation followed the onset of cambial activity and lasted only one-third of the season. Pines exhibited an 'extensive strategy' of cambial activity, with long durations but low growth rates, while firs and spruces adopted an 'intensive strategy' with shorter durations but higher growth rates. We estimated that about 75% of the annual radial increment variability was attributable to the rate of cell production, and only 25% to its duration. Cambial activity rates culminated at the same time for the three species, whereas shoot elongation reached its maximal rate earlier in pines. Results show that species-specific life strategies are recognizable through functional traits of intra-annual growth dynamics. The opposition between Scots pine extensive strategy and silver fir and Norway spruce intensive strategy supports the theory that pioneer species are greater resource expenders and develop riskier life strategies to capture resources, while shade-tolerant species utilize resources more efficiently and develop safer life strategies. Despite different strategies, synchronicity of the maximal rates of cambial activity suggests a strong functional convergence between co-existing conifer species, resulting in head-on competition for resources.     

In vitro antiviral activity of thirty-six plants from La Réunion Island

Methanol extracts of 36 medicinal plants from La Réunion Island were evaluated against two viruses: Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and poliovirus type 2 (PV). Five of them showed an effect against HSV-1 and five against PV, Senecio ambavilla being inhibitor for both viruses.     

Citrobacter freundii septicemia in two dogs.

A 4-month-old Maltese puppy and a 7.5-year-old Collie were diagnosed with septicemia associated with Citrobacter freundii. The puppy died soon, after developing weakness and mucohemorragic diarrhea. The Collie had immune-mediated hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia and was treated with immunosuppressive drugs before being euthanized. Gross examination of the puppy revealed mucohemorrhagic intestinal contents. Focal necrotic hepatitis, fibrinous peritonitis, interstitial pneumonia, and hemorrhagic gastrointestinal contents were observed in the older dog. Histologically, there was a diffuse, moderate, histiocytic meningitis in the puppy and a focal fibrinonecrotic hepatitis in the adult dog. Lesions in both dogs contained numerous gram-negative rods. Citrobacter freudii is a potential cause of monomicrobic bacteraemia-septicemia in puppies or immunocompromized adult dogs.The gastrointestinal tract is probably the main site of entry.     

Effect of specimen structural orientation on the moisture content — water potential relationship of wood

Summary The boundary desorption curve of the moisture content — water potential relationship of aspen sapwood was determined at 20 °C by the tension plate and pressure membrane methods for three specimen structural orientations and four imposed water potential values. The results show that the relationship is independent of the wood structural direction considered. Also, they further demonstrate that the discrepancies observed in a previous study between the moisture content — water potential relationships obtained with specimens of different structural orientations were due to a lack of equilibrium.This research was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada through operating grant no. OGP0121954     

Spatial autocorrelation and statistical tests: Some solutions

Spatial dependence or spatial autocorrelation often occurs in ecological data and can be a serious problem in analysis, affecting the significance rates of statistical tests, making them too liberal when the dependence is positive. Ecological phenomena often are patchy and give data with a wave structure, producing autocorrelation that cycles between positive and negative with increasing distance, further complicating the situation. This article describes the essentials of dealing with this problem as commonly encountered in analyzing ecological data for two variables. We investigated two related approaches to correcting statistical tests for data with spatial autocorrelation from one-dimensional sampling schemes like the transects used in plant ecology, the example of interest here. Both approaches estimate the “effective sample size” based on the observed autocorrelation structures of the variables. We examined tests of correlation and bivariate goodness-of-fit tests, as well as extensions beyond both of these test classes. The correction methods prove to be robust for a wide range of spatial autocorrelation structures in one-dimensional data and provide reliable corrections in most cases. They fail only when the data have strong and consistent waves that cause persistent cycles in the autocorrelation as a function of distance. By examining the spatial autocorrelation structure of the ecological data, we can predict the likelihood of successful correction for these bivariate tests.     

Moisture-induced stresses in engineered wood flooring with OSB substrate

Engineered wood flooring (EWF) is a multilayer composite flooring product. The cross layered structure is designed to give good dimensional stability to the EWF under changing environmental conditions. However, during winter season in North America, the indoor relative humidity could decrease dramatically and generate an important cupping deformation. The main objective of this study was to characterize the interlaminar stresses (σ ₃₃, σ ₁₃ and σ ₂₃) distribution at free-edges in EWF made with an OSB substrate. A three-dimensional (3D) finite element model was used to predict the cupping deformation and to characterize stresses developed in the EWF. The finite element model is based on an unsteady-state moisture transfer equation, a mechanical equilibrium equation and an elastic constitutive law. The physical and mechanical properties of OSB substrate were experimentally determined as a function of the density and moisture content. The simulated EWF deformations were compared against the laboratory observations. For both simulation and experimental results, the cupping deformation of EWF was induced by varying the ambient relative humidity from 50 to 20% at 20°C. A good agreement has been found between the numerical and experimental EWF cupping deformation. The stress distribution fields generated by the model correspond to the delaminations observed on the OSB substrate in the climate room. Delamination in EWF can occur principally under the action of the tension stress or a combination of tension and shear stresses. Finally, simulated results show that the levels of interlaminar stresses are maximal near the free-edges of EWF strips.     

Quantifying the spatial relationship between bird species’ distributions and landscape feature boundaries in southern Ontario, Canada

Understanding what features of the landscape affect species distribution is critical to effectively implement conservation strategies. This study investigates how a boundary analysis framework can be used to characterize the spatial association between boundaries (i.e., spatial locations of high rates of change) in bird species?? distributions and landscape features at the regional scale. The study area covers 92,000?km² in southern Ontario (Canada) and extends from the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence biome to the southern Canadian Shield biome. Landcover composition was derived from Ontario Land Cover data (1991?C1998; 7 types) and elevation data were derived from the Canada3D digital elevation model. Bird distributions were estimated using indicator kriging based on point counts obtained from the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas data (2001?C2005; 60 species). Boundaries were delineated for both data types using a 10?×?10?km cell resolution. Spatial boundary overlap statistics were used to quantify the spatial relationship between landscape features and bird boundaries and tested using a randomization procedure. There was significant positive association and spatial overlap between delineated landscape feature boundaries and bird boundaries. The number of spatially overlapping cells between the two boundary types was 67 out of 164 (41?%) and 76?% of cells were within 11.42?km of each other. These results were statistically significant (P?<?0.001) and suggest a strong spatial relationship between high rates of change in landscape features and bird species?? distributions at the regional scale. A boundary analysis framework could be used to identify boundary shifts in response to climate change and anticipate changes in species distributions.