Periodic emission from the gamma-ray binary 1FGL J1018.6-5856

Gamma-ray binaries are stellar systems containing a neutron star or black hole, with gamma-ray emission produced by an interaction between the components. These systems are rare, even though binary evolution models predict dozens in our Galaxy. A search for gamma-ray binaries with the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) shows that 1FGL J1018.6-5856 exhibits intensity and spectral modulation with a 16.6-day period. We identified a variable x-ray counterpart, which shows a sharp maximum coinciding with maximum gamma-ray emission, as well as an O6V((f)) star optical counterpart and a radio counterpart that is also apparently modulated on the orbital period. 1FGL J1018.6-5856 is thus a gamma-ray binary, and its detection suggests the presence of other fainter binaries in the Galaxy.     

Medium‐chain triglyceride as an alternative of in‐feed colistin sulfate to improve growth performance and intestinal microbial environment in newly weaned pigs

Five hundred and twenty‐eight newly weaned pigs were given four treatments, with eight replicates per treatment. Sixteen to 18 pigs were assigned per replicate and were fed diets supplemented with 0 or 3% medium‐chain triglyceride (MCT) and 0 or 40 ppm colistin sulfate (CS) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement for 2 weeks. The results showed that dietary supplementation with MCT improved the gain‐to‐feed ratio during days 3‐7 and in the overall period (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with MCT decreased coliforms counts (C) in colon and rectum content (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with CS decreased C and lactic acid bacteria plus C counts (L + C) in cecum (P < 0.05), and C, L + C (P < 0.01) and ratio of L and C (P < 0.05) in colon and rectum contents. The lack of interactions between MCT and CS indicates different modes of action and additive effects between the two supplementations. In conclusion, supplementation with MCT in diet with or without CS could improve the intestinal microbial environment and the feed utilization efficiency of newly weaned pigs.     

Comparative studies on the hypolipidemic and growth suppressive effects of oolong, black, pu-erh, and green tea leaves in rats

The four major commercial teas, oolong, black, pu-erh, and green teas, have been manufactured in southeast Asia. In this study, we evaluated the growth suppressive and hypolipidemic effect of these four different tea leaves by oral feeding to male Sprague-Dawley rats for 30 weeks. The results showed that the suppression of body weights of tea leaves-fed groups were in the order: oolong tea > pu-erh tea > black tea > green tea. Pu-erh tea and oolong tea could lower the levels of triglyceride more significantly than that of green tea and black tea, but pu-erh tea and green tea were more efficient than oolong tea and black tea in lowering the level of total cholesterol. In lipoprotein, 4% pu-erh tea could increase the level of HDL-C and decrease the level of LDL-C, but other teas simply decrease the levels of both. The activity of antioxidant enzyme SOD is increased in all tea-fed groups as compared to the basal diet-fed group. Finally, relative weight ratios of liver to epididylmal adipose tissue were lower in feeding oolong tea and pu-erh tea groups. On the basis of these findings, it seemed that the fully fermented pu-erh and black tea leaves and partially fermented oolong tea leaves were more effective on their growth suppressive and hypolipidemic effects as compared to the nonfermented green tea leaves.     

A novel receptor capable of monitoring applied pressure in the abdomen of an insect

A pair of receptors, responding tonically to pressure applied internally, occurs on the ventral body wall of abdominal segments two to five in the adult of the blood-feeding insect, Rhodnius prolixus. These receptors are located in a region of the body wall subject to forces directly related to the size and movement of the stomach, an enlarged region of the midgut which stores the blood meal, and are therefore well suited for monitoring the degree of distension there. The initiation of many endocrinological processes in Rhodnius is known to be associated with the detection, over a period of several days, of abdominal distension, and these sensory receptors are capable of responding to abdominal distension for extended periods of time.     

上海郊区土壤的排水问题

上海郊区水田土壤,可以古岗为界分成东西两部分:浦东的沙泥、夹沙泥、黄泥头以及岗身的沟干泥是由长江沉积物发育起来的草甸土,地势较高(吴淞0.4米以上),地下水位较低(地面1米以下),质地偏中(轻壤-重壤),土壤通气孔隙较多,渗透性较好,因此土壤比较爽水,生产性能好,产量较高;浦西的青紫泥是由古太湖和其他许多湖荡港叉葑淤成陆的沼泽土,地势低洼(地面高程在吴淞零上2.2-3.5米),地下水位高(地面以下0.3-0.8米),质地偏粘(中壤-重壤),土壤通气孔隙少,毛管孔隙多,吸持力强,土壤透水性差,易于囊水,根系环境不良.     

Base temperature selection for the prediction of european corn borer instars by the growing degree day method

Base temperatures for use in the growing degree day prediction method of European corn borer instars were determined based on a 25-year larval-stage observation record from a south-central Minnesota station. The results indicate a linear or curvilinear trend with the base temperatures increasing from about 2.8°C (37°F) to 5.6°C (44°F) for instars one to five. A base temperature of 10°C (50°F) seems to be acceptable only for the mature larval to pupal stages.These results provide useful field operation base temperatures. In addition they substantiate observations of veteran field observers that the corn borer larvae are active during periods too cool for active corn growth, for which 10°C (50°F) is the generally accepted base temperature.     

Suppression of allergic reactions by dehulled adlay in association with the balance of TH1/TH2 cell responses

Dehulled adlay is known as a natural Chinese medicine having antiallergic activity, although its mechanism remains unclear. This study examined the effects of dehulled adlay on antigen-specific antibody and cytokine production. Mice were immunized three times with ovalbumin (OVA) in alum adjuvant. It was found that oral administration of dehulled adlay in mice suppressed the production of IgE against OVA antigen. Serum anti-OVA IgG(2a) antibody levels were significantly increased in mice after oral administration of dehulled adlay. Furthermore, the production of IL-2 by OVA-stimulated splenocytes was augmented in dehulled adlay-fed mice. Although dehulled adlay had no effect on the serum anti-OVA IgG(1) antibody levels, it had a great capacity to reduce IL-5 secretion by means of OVA-stimulated splenocytes. Hydrothermal processes, including steaming and extrusion cooking, did not change the capacity of dehulled adlay to suppress IgE production. Three fractions of dehulled alday, including methanolic extract, warm water extract, and residue, were obtained. The methanolic extract exhibited the greatest capacity to reduce anti-OVA IgE production. These results suggest that dehulled adlay has a modulating ability to shift the balance from Th2 to Th1 dominance in the T cell mediated immune system and may be beneficial for the treatment of allergic disorders.     

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella choleraesuis recovered from Taiwanese swine.

Minimum inhibition concentrations (MICs) were determined for ampicillin, ceftiofur, cephalothin, chloramphenicol, enrofloxacin, gentamicin, lincomycin, lincospectin (lincomycin/spectinomycin), neomycin, premafloxacin, spectinomycin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and tetracycline against a total of 180 isolates of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella choleraesuis (60 each) clinically isolated from pigs on farms in Taiwan from 1994 to 1996. No more than 3 isolates per farm were used. Ceftiofur had the highest activity in vitro against isolates of A. pleuropneumoniae, E. coli, and S. choleraesuis, with MIC90 values of 0.03, 2, and 1 microg/ml, respectively. Premafloxacin was highly active against isolates of A. pleuropneumoniae, E. coli, and S. choleraesuis, with MIC90 values of 2, 8, and 0.5 microg/ml, respectively, which were lower than those with enrofloxacin (MIC90 8, 32, and 2 microg/ml, respectively). Neomycin was moderately active against A. pleuropneumoniae and E. coli, with MIC90 values of 8 and 64 microg/ml, respectively, but was inactive with S. choleraesuis. Gentamicin showed high activity against A. pleuropneumoniae (MIC90 of 2 microg/ml) but was only moderately active with E. coli and S. choleraesuis (MIC90 of 64 and 32 microg/ml). Cephalothin was highly active against isolates of A. pleuropneumoniae (MIC90 of 1 microg/ml) but was inactive with E. coli (MIC90 of 128 microg/ml). Lincomycin had moderate activity (MIC90 of 32 microg/ml) against A. pleuropneumoniae. Chloramphenicol, lincomycin, and tetracycline were inactive with E. coli and S. choleraesuis (MIC90 > 128 microg/ml). In conclusion, ceftiofur and premafloxacin were highly active against isolates of A. pleuropneumoniae, E. coli, and S. choleraesuis, enrofloxacin and gentamicin were highly to moderately active; cephalothin was highly active against A. pleuropneumoniae and moderately active against S. cholearesuis; chloramphenicol, lincomycin, and tetracycline were active only with A. pleuropneumoniae; neomycin was moderately active against A. pleuropneumoniae and E. coli. The other antimicrobials tested were inactive.     

Modified atmosphere and humidity packages for conservation of paper antiques

Modified atmosphere and humidity (MAH) agents were developed to manipulate the gas composition and humidity for controlling the foxing of paper materials during storage. Sodium ascorbate, sodium carbonate decahydrate, ferrous sulfate heptahydrate, and silica gel were selected as the basic ingredients to formulate the MAH agents that could effectively remove oxygen, release carbon dioxide, and control the relative humidity (RH). With all the MAH agents developed in our study, RH was reduced and maintained without decreasing the MAH efficiency. To evaluate the inhibition of microorganisms on antique paper by MAH agents, the properties of Wikstroemia papers were measured after accelerated aging and inoculation with Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium citrinum. Under high (90%) or low (50%) RH conditions, as long as MAH agents were used, even after 80 days, the color difference value of Wikstroemia paper was kept below 1.5 and foxing was not found. Paper packaged without MAH agents and under RH as high as 90% showed a substantial color difference in 60 days. Snowflake-like foxing was also found by ultraviolet light inspection. Wikstroemia paper inoculated with P. citrinum without an MAH agent showed a significant color difference in 80 days.     

A modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of avian pneumovirus antibodies.

Avian pneumovirus (APV) infection of turkeys in Minnesota was first confirmed in March 1997. Serum samples (n = 5,194) from 539 submissions to Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory were tested by a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Of these, 2,528 (48.7%) samples from 269 submissions were positive and 2,666 (51.3%) samples from 270 submissions were negative for APV antibodies. Most positive samples were from Kandiyohi, Stearns, Morrison, and Meeker counties in Minnesota. In addition, 10 samples from South Dakota were positive. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA test with anti-chicken and anti-turkey conjugates were compared by testing field and experimental sera. The ELISA test with anti-turkey conjugate was more sensitive than that with anti-chicken conjugate. The ELISA tests with antigens prepared with APV strains isolated from Colorado and Minnesota were also compared. No difference was detectable. Currently, the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory uses an antigen prepared from the Colorado isolate of APV and a goat anti-turkey conjugate in the ELISA test.