Observation of pulsed gamma-rays above 25 GeV from the Crab pulsar with MAGIC

One fundamental question about pulsars concerns the mechanism of their pulsed electromagnetic emission. Measuring the high-end region of a pulsar's spectrum would shed light on this question. By developing a new electronic trigger, we lowered the threshold of the Major Atmospheric gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov (MAGIC) telescope to 25 giga-electron volts. In this configuration, we detected pulsed gamma-rays from the Crab pulsar that were greater than 25 giga-electron volts, revealing a relatively high cutoff energy in the phase-averaged spectrum. This indicates that the emission occurs far out in the magnetosphere, hence excluding the polar-cap scenario as a possible explanation of our measurement. The high cutoff energy also challenges the slot-gap scenario.     

Wind speed and wind-associated leaf injury affect severity of citrus canker on Swingle citrumelo

Citrus canker (caused by the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, Xcc) can cause severe damage to citrus. It is endemic in Florida, and occurs in other citrus growing regions. The bacterium is dispersed predominantly in rain splash. To simulate dispersal in splash, and to investigate the effect of wind speed on infection, young plants of Swingle citrumelo were exposed to sprayed inoculum at different wind speeds. Wind was generated using an axial fan, and a pressurized sprayer delivered the inoculum spray. In the five experiments, higher wind speeds (>10 m s⁻¹) consistently resulted in higher incidence and severity of citrus canker developing. By 15 ms⁻¹, there was a dramatic increase in disease. Visible injury to leaves of Swingle citrumelo due to wind was evident at wind speeds ≥ 13 m s⁻¹. The relationship between wind speed and disease, and wind speed and injury was described by a logistic model. More disease was associated with visible injury as the wind speed increased, and disease not associated with visible injury also increased with wind speed. The petiole-leaflet junction was more often infected at higher wind speeds (≥17 m s⁻¹). The concentration of the Xcc inoculum increased the incidence and severity of citrus canker in all experiments. Reducing wind speed in citrus groves with the aid of wind breaks may contribute to a reduction in the severity of an epidemic by reducing dispersal and infection events.     

Fruit and nut weight in pecan tree canopies in relation to the severity of pecan scab at different heights

Fusicladium effusum is the cause of pecan scab, the most destructive disease of pecan in the south‐eastern USA. The aim of the study was to determine how scab severity at different sample heights in tall trees (14–16 m) affected fruit and nut weight at those same heights. Three experiments were performed in 2010‐2011 on trees of scab‐susceptible cultivars (cvs. Desirable and Wichita) and either received fungicide using an air‐blast sprayer or were non‐treated controls. Samples for measures of fruit and nut weight were taken at 0–5.0, 5.0⁺–7.5, 7.5⁺–10.0, 10.0⁺–12.5 and 12.5⁺–15.0 m (and were assessed for scab severity). A general linear mixed model analysis showed main effects of sample height, fungicide treatment and sample height × fungicide treatment interactions in all experiments on fruit and nut weight and on disease severity. Control trees had significantly more severe disease on fruit lower in the canopy, while fungicide‐treated trees either had similar disease severity at all heights or slightly more severe disease in the upper canopy. On control trees, where there was a linear relationships between fruit or nut weight and sample height, it was invariably positive (R²= .85–.94). On fungicide‐treated trees, fruit or nut weight most often had a negative linear relationship with sample height (R²=.69–.89). When significant, in control and treated trees, there was invariably a negative linear relationship between fruit or nut weight and scab severity (R²=.66–.94). Gradients in fungicide coverage and scab severity impact fruit and nut weights that can have ramifications on yield for a tree as a whole. Understanding the distribution of scab in pecan and other tall tree canopies provides a basis for developing management strategies and fungicide application methods to uniformly minimize disease.     

Polymyxin B: pharmacokinetics of single doses given intravenously and intramuscularly to turkeys, and minimal inhibitory concentrations for Escherichia coli and Pasteurella multocida.

The 50% and 90% minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC50 and MIC90) of polymyxin B for avian Escherichia coli and Pasteurella multocida isolates were determined by the agar plate dilution method. Polymyxin B at approximate MIC level in serum was bactericidal for E. coli in 2 to 4 hours. Aqueous polymyxin B sulfate was administered by a single bolus intravenous injection into turkeys at 10,000 IU/kg, and by a single bolus intramuscular injection at 5,000, 10,000 or 20,000 IU/kg. Effective serum drug concentrations after intramuscular injection (MIC50 levels or greater) were maintained for E. coli for 7.0 hr (10,000 IU/kg) and 11.5 hr (20,000 IU/kg), and for P. multocida for 3.0 hr (10,000 IU/kg) and 4.1 hr (20,000 IU/kg). Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by non-compartmental methods. Elimination time half-lives, mean residence time, clearance, and apparent volume of distribution at steady state (Vdss) were all much higher for i.m. injection of 20,000 IU/kg than for i.m. injection of 10,000 IU/kg. We postulate that there exists a minimal tissue-interaction threshold concentration (MTC) at which polymyxin B can enter previously unavailable compartments or bind to previously refractory tissue components. Bioavailability of polymyxin B injected i.m. was 0.904 for the 10,000 IU/kg dose and 0.675 for the 20,000 IU/kg dose. Dosage intervals necessary to produce minimal steady state concentrations (Cssmin) equal to the MIC were calculated. Certain aspects of the use of the parameter Vdss, and limitations on the use of dosage interval calculations for polymyxin B, are discussed. One week after i.m. injection of polymyxin B at 10,000 IU/kg, high tissue drug levels were present, especially in bound form in liver. Following single injections, no toxic effects on turkeys were observed.     

Effect of graded high-energy-level protein supply on fattening performance and retention and utilization of feed energy, protein and amino acids in female fattening swine. 4. Nitrogen and amino acid content in carcasses and parts

The slaughtering and cutting up of 7 (6) female pigs in each of 3 groups (live weight approximately 113 kg) fed on approximately 80, 100 and 120% protein (lysine) of the norm as well as the determination of nitrogen and amino acids in the individual parts of the body had--in comparison to 6 reference animals (live weight approximately 36 kg) treated in the same way at the beginning of the experiment--the following results: In the course of growth the quota (in % of the slaughter weight) of bacon, belly fat + intestinal fat tissue is more than doubled; the relative quotas of bones, skin + ears, bristles + claws, blood and entrails, however, decrease. The total meat quota is 54% and remains relatively equal independent of the live weight. The N-quotas (in % of the empty body-N) of muscle and fat tissue and of the skin increase in the course of fattening, those of bones, useable organs and offal decrease distinctly. At the end of fattening the muscle protein of the animals amounted to 59% of the empty body protein and to 87% of the carcass protein. The amino acid content (g/16 g N) hardly changes in the individual parts during growth; the percentage amino acid distribution follows the weight-and N-distribution. The lysine content of the edible parts of the carcass is 8.4 g/16 g N. The chosen grades in the protein (lysine) supply of the test animals did not result in any significant changes with regard to the qualitative parameters (protein and amino acid content of the valuable and less valuable parts of the body as well as their percentage distribution in the empty body). The quantitative parameters (live weight gain, protein (amino acid) retention per day) are diminished in approximately the same relation as the insufficiency of the alimentary supply; by excessive supply, however, they do not significantly increase. The results are compared with corresponding data from literature and discussed.     

Absorption and utilization of amino acids infused into the cecum of growing pigs. 2. 15N-labeled lysine

Over a period of 4 days 15N-labelled lysine was infused into two growing female pigs (live weight approximately 50 kg) through a caecal cannula. The feeding was restrictive (1,400 g dry matter/day) and, with regard to lysine, it didn't meet the requirement. In a 7-day experiment the N- and 15N-content was measured periodically in the excretions (feces and urine), in various fractions of the blood and in selected slaughtering samples. From the infused 15N 3-5% are excreted as lysine in feces, another 5% are in other amino acids of the bacteria protein. The disappearance rate of 15N' from the large intestine makes greater than or equal to 90%. The biggest part of this 15N (78-88%) is excreted with the urine in form of 15N-urea. Obviously the infused amino acid is decomposed to NH3 in the large intestine and then absorbed. The absorbed ammonia is changed into urea in the ornithine cycle and excreted in urine. The recovery rate of the 15N infused as 15N-lysine is 93 and 84% resp. Incorporation of 15N in to serum protein or other body protein could not be detected so that the remaining difference of 7-16% cannot necessarily be interpreted as incorporation rate of 15N into the body protein. Under practical conditions the maximal utilisation of lysine from the feed in the large intestine is 1.6% and should thus be without importance.     

Assessment of a low virulence Australian isolate of Anaplasma marginale for pathogenicity, immunogenicity and transmissibility by Boophilus microplus

A 14-year-old cow (Dawn) born and kept in a Boophilus microplus-free region gave birth to a calf, which showed the presence of an Anaplasma marginale infection after splenectomy. The calf's grand dam was from a B. microplus infected area and we assume the infection originated via the transplacental route over two generations. An isolate, prepared from the calf, had similar or lower pathogenicity as Anaplasma centrale, and previously exposed steers were resistant to challenge by four A. marginale field isolates. Two attempts to transmit the isolate using B. microplus were unsuccessful. Our results indicate that Dawn A. marginale may be a useful vaccine in Australia and warrants larger scale validation of its safety and potency locally as well as of the protection it affords against African and New World isolates.     

Immunity following use of Australian tick fever vaccine: a review of the evidence

OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence available on the degree and duration of immunity provided by Australian tick fever vaccines against Babesia bovis, B. bigemina and Anaplasma marginale infections in Australia and overseas. BACKGROUND: Vaccines containing attenuated strains of B bovis and B bigemina as well as A. centrale grown in splenectomised calves have been used in Australia since 1964 to immunise cattle against tick fever. About 800,000 doses of vaccine are supplied annually and much of the evidence for protection is field evidence rather than conventional immunological measures or pen trials. CONCLUSIONS: Immunity to Babesia bovis and B. bigemina--A single inoculation generally provides sound, long-lasting protection both in Australia and overseas. No evidence was found of a loss of immunity with time. Vaccine failures to B. bovis do occur, but are uncommon and evidently caused by a number of factors, including immune responsiveness of the vaccinated animals, and immunogenicity of the vaccine strain. Immunity to Anaplasma marginale--The vaccine containing A. centrale provides partial, variable protection against A. marginale. Protection against challenge in Australia is adequate in most cases to prevent disease and use of the vaccine in this country appears to be justified. Protection against antigenically diverse, highly virulent stocks of A. marginale in other countries is, at times, clearly inadequate and better vaccines are required in situations where the challenge is severe.     

Elements of societal perception of farm animal welfare: A quantitative study in The Netherlands

Insemination of rabbit does at early post-partum combined with dam-litter separation (DLS) can increase prolificacy and decrease parturition intervals, but little is known about longer-term effects on kit survival and growth. In this study, does (n = 138) were artificially inseminated on day 4 post-partum (nine times over a period of 10 months, 35-day reproductive rhythm, kits weaned at 25 days), after DLS (for 48 or 24 h) or 48 h after 25 UI eCG injection. The litters from each group were adjusted to seven to nine kits per doe and then weighed at 2, 4, 16 and 25 days of age. Mortality was calculated in the pre-weaning period and development of the digestive system was quantified (length of intestinal villi). After DLS24 or DLS48, 4-day-old kits were lighter than eCG or controls of the same age. By 16 and 25 days of age, 48-h weaned kits had regained the same weight as the eCG and control groups (higher daily weight gain). The 24-h weaned kits weighed less, probably because their litter size was larger and daily weight gain was lower. Total kit mortality (day 2 to day 25) was highest in the DLS48 group but percentage mortality varied among treatments depending on the period considered (days 2–4, days 5–16 and days 17–25). In the first period, mortality was higher for DLS48; in the second, mortality was similar for all groups except eCG (which was lower). After 16 days of age, mortality was quite low and similar in all groups. There was a significant effect of the number of parturitions on the parameters considered. Intestinal villi were measured in 12 kits slaughtered at 4, 16 and 25 days of age (DLS for 24 or 48 h on days 3 and 2, respectively) and compared with controls (2, 4, 16 and 25 days old). At 4 days (immediately after separation), the stomach and whole digestive system were lighter in DLS48 than controls, due to the absence of the milk, but there were no significant differences among groups by days 16 and 25. Intestinal villi were shorter in 4-day-old DLS kits (24 and 48 h) compared to controls of the same age, longer at 16 days (possibly due to an intense cellular proliferation) and similar among all groups by day 25. In summary, both 24-h DLS and 48-h DLS can substitute hormonal treatments to synchronize oestrus in intensive rhythms, but kit mortality was higher after 48-h DLS in primiparous does, suggesting that results would improve if those females had a better body condition.