Effects of Postharvest Processing on Texture Profile Analysis of Cooked Rice

The effects of drying conditions, final moisture content, and degree of milling on the texture of cooked rice varieties, as measured by texture profile analysis, were investigated. Instrumentally measured textural properties were not significantly (α = 0.05) affected by drying conditions, with the exception of cohesiveness. Cohesiveness was lower in rice dried at lower temperatures (18°C or ambient) than in that dried at the higher commercial temperatures. Final moisture content and degree of milling significantly (α = 0.05) affected textural property values for adhesiveness, cohesiveness, hardness, and springiness; their effects were interdependent. The effects of deep milling were more pronounced in the rice dried to 15% moisture than that dried to 12%. In general, textural property values for hardness were higher and those for cohesiveness, adhesiveness, and springiness were lower in regular-milled rice dried to 15% moisture than in that dried to 12%. In contrast, hardness values were lower and cohesiveness, adhesiveness, and springiness values were higher in deep-milled rice dried to 15% moisture than in that dried to 12% moisture. Deep milling resulted in rice with lower hardness values and higher cohesiveness, adhesiveness, and springiness values.     

Alternative antimicrobial agents in the treatment of proliferative enteropathy in horses

Seven young horses 5 to 12 months old, each diagnosed with proliferative enteropathy, were studied. All seven cases responded to alternative antimicrobial therapy to the traditional treatment of erythromycin ± rifampin. Three cases were treated with chloramphenicol, two cases with doxycycline, one with azithromycin, and one with clarithromycin and rifampin. All showed resolution of clinical and clinicopathological abnormalities within 8 weeks of initiation of treatment. Proliferative enteropathy is an increasingly recognized malabsorptive and maldigestive disease of young horses. Supportive care and antimicrobial therapy are the mainstays of therapy with erythromycin being the traditional antibiotic of choice. The knowledge that alternative therapeutic antimicrobials are clinically efficacious in the treatment of Lawsonia intracellularis broadens the therapeutic options for this potentially fatal condition.     

OSTEODYSTROPHIA FIBROSA IN HORSES AT PASTURE IN QUEENSLAND: FIELD AND LABORATORY OBSERVATIONS

Horses grazing manily Cenchrus ciliaris and/or Panicum maximum var. trichoglume pastures on over 30 properties in southern central Queensland developed lesions of osteodystrophia fibrosa. Horses on individual properties in coastal Queensland grazing Setaria anceps, Brachiaria mutica or Pennisetum clandestinum also developed the disease. Ill-thrift, lameness, and fibrous swellings of nasal bones, maxillae and mandibles were observed. Calcium and phosphorus levels of pasture were normal but all the above pasture species contained oxalates which were suspected of causing the disease.     

Aragonite Crystals within Codiacean Algae: Distinctive Morphology and Sedimentary Implications

Morphologic studies of single crystals of aragonite within Codiacean algae reveal characteristic crystal forms produced by two distinctly different modes of calcification. Diagnostic serrated crystals (1 micrometer in length) of aragonite originating within the extracellular sheaths of capitular filaments are incorporated into modern lime sediments and may serve as effective tracers for particles of algal origin. Intracellular calcification within Penicillus dumetosus, previously unueported, is represented by doubly terminated aragonite crystals ranging in size from 48 to 160 micrometers.     

Patterns in the modern decline of western Australia''s vertebrate fauna: Causes and conservation implications

The conservation status of terrestrial vertebrates occurring on the mainland of Western Australia was assessed. Extinctions and declines are virtually confined to non-flying mammals with mean adult body weights between 35 g and 4200 g. Variation in patterns of attrition within this critical weight range (CWR) can be explained almost entirely by a combination of regional patterns in rainfall and, to a lesser extent, species' habitat and dietary preferences. Similar patterns of mammal attrition were recognisable throughout the continent, except that the CWR was 35 to 5500 g.

Environmental changes since European settlement have emulated an increase in aridity by reducing the environmental productivity available to vertebrates. These include the diversion of environmental resources to humans and introduced species, and a reduction in vegetative cover by exotic herbivores and changed fire regimes. Our analyses support the view that the reduction in available productivity has caused CWR mammals to suffer the greatest attrition because of their limited mobility, but relatively high daily metabolic requirements. The direct elimination of confined populations of mammals by exotic predators has exacerbated this attrition. We derive priorities for the conservation of Australian mammals.     

Does Amia Calva aestivate?

During gradual air exposure, Amia calva show no reduction in oxygen consumption, no increase in plasma urea levels or in urea excretion. Blood pH remains constant, and plasma total CO₂, P_{CO 2}, HCO₃ ^-. total ammonia and NH₃ concentrations all rise significantly. Exposure to 923 μmol/l NH₄Cl does not elicit an increase in urea production or airbreathing. Aquatic hypoxia without access to air does not cause a reduction in aerobic metabolism, and moderate levels result in death. These results suggest that Amia are incapable of aestivation, due to an inability to detoxify ammonia to urea and reduce metabolism, and die following three to five days of air exposure.     

The Effect of Seeding Rate and Nitrogen Fertilization on Barley Yield and Yield Components in a Cool Maritime Climate

Soil and climatic conditions in Newfoundland are on the margins of agricultural capability, and almost all feed grain is imported. The overall objective of this work was to develop guidelines for the production of barley in Newfoundland, with the goal of establishing modern cropping recommendations. We conducted a 4-year study near St. John's to examine the effect of seeding rate and topdress ammonium nitrate (N) fertilization rate on Chapais six-row barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) yield components and grain yield. Increasing seeding rate from 200 to 380 seeds m^–2 did not alter grain yield in any year. Increasing topdress fertilization from 0 to 60 kg N ha^–1 increased spike density m^–2 at harvest, resulting in linear increases in grain yield in all years. Highest N rates had greatest lodging in two years. Based on our results, agronomic recommendations for eastern Newfoundland now include barley seeding rates of 250 ± 50 seeds m^–2, with topdress applications up to at least 30 kg N ha^–1.