Origin of magnetization decay in spin-dependent tunnel junctions

Spin-dependent tunnel junctions based on magnetically hard and soft ferromagnetic layers separated by a thin insulating barrier have emerged as prime candidates for information storage. However, the observed instability of the magnetically hard reference layer, leading to magnetization decay during field cycling of the adjacent soft layer, is a serious concern for future device applications. Using Lorentz electron microscopy and micromagnetic simulations, the hard-layer decay was found to result from large fringing fields surrounding magnetic domain walls in the magnetically soft layer. The formation and motion of these walls causes statistical flipping of magnetic moments in randomly oriented grains of the hard layer, with a progressive trend toward disorder and eventual demagnetization.     

Selecting the optimum genetic background for transgenic varieties, with examples from Brassica

Summary The performance of transgenic varieties depends not only upon the stable and correctly-regulated expression of specific transgenes but also upon the agronomic potential of the background genotype. Ideally, transgenes should be introduced into agronomically-superior cultivars and transgenic varieties will become out-classed if their agronomic properties are not continually improved. It will often prove desirable to use conventional breeding techniques, as opposed to new cycles of transformation, to carry out this process of varietal improvement.Continuing advances in marker-assisted selection have made possible the selection and manipulation of an entire genetic background. This means that transgenes can be transferred to new and often untransformable varieties with relative ease. To carry out this process efficiently requires the correct choice of male and female parents, the use of appropriate marker-systems and the concentration of selection on the most appropriate generations.Efficient, phenotypically-neutral marker-systems have revolutionised the identification and manipulation of quantitative trait loci (QTLs). The loci which modify the expression of transgenes are a form of QTL. Desirable alleles at modifier QTLs can be transferred to new varieties along with the transgenes themselves, using marker-assisted breeding.The strategies for maker-assisted selection are becoming ever more sophisticated. A range of complementary marker systems allows the selection of desirable genotypes. In addition, the meiotic reassortment and recombination of chromosomes which produces new genotypes is becoming better understood. The most efficient plant breeding methods and the most powerful genetics will make optimal use of both markers and meiosis.     

Repeatability and Intra‐ and Inter‐observer Agreement of Cervical Vertebral Sagittal Diameter Ratios in Horses with Neurological Disease

Background

Sagittal ratio values (SRVs) of cervical vertebrae are used for ante‐mortem diagnosis of cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy, but intraobserver and interobserver variability in measurement may influence radiographic interpretation of vertebral stenosis in horses with neurological disease.

Objectives

To determine intraobserver repeatability in SRVs, intra‐ and interobserver agreement in SRVs and whether or not agreement was influenced by animal age.

Animals

Forty‐two horses (>1 year old) with neurological disease from which laterolateral computed radiographic images of C2–C7 were obtained.

Methods

Four observers made measurements from C2 to C7 for each horse and interobserver agreement for intra‐ and intervertebral SRVs was determined using Bland–Altman analysis (acceptable agreement: limits of agreement [LOA] ≤ 0.05) on all horses and those ≤3 (n = 25) and >3 (n = 17) years old. Each observer also made repeated measurements for 10 horses and intraobserver repeatability and agreement were determined.

Results

Adequate intraobserver repeatability was achieved for 6 sites. Within observers, paired measurements had a median difference ≤5.7%, but a large range in differences often occurred, most frequently at intervertebral sites. For C5, C6, C7, and C3–4, LOA ≤ 0.05 were achieved by at least 1 observer. With the exception of C5 for 1 pair, LOA were >0.05 for interobserver agreement, regardless of animal age. LOA were largest at intervertebral sites.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Within and between observers, measurement error may limit the diagnostic accuracy of SRVs and result in discrepancies of diagnosis and treatment and warrants consideration when used clinically in horses with neurological disease.     

Developing a landscape‐scale,multi‐species,and cost‐efficient conservation strategy for imperilled aquatic species in the Upper Tennessee River Basin,USA

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Validation of a digital audio recording method for the objective assessment of cough in the horse

Aim

To validate the use of digital audio recording and analysis for quantification of coughing in horses.

Materials and methods

Part A: Nine simultaneous digital audio and video recordings were collected individually from seven stabled horses over a 1 h period using a digital audio recorder attached to the halter. Audio files were analysed using audio analysis software. Video and audio recordings were analysed for cough count and timing by two blinded operators on two occasions using a randomised study design for determination of intra-operator and inter-operator agreement. Part B: Seventy-eight hours of audio recordings obtained from nine horses were analysed once by two blinded operators to assess inter-operator repeatability on a larger sample.

Results and conclusions

Part A: There was complete agreement between audio and video analyses and inter- and intra-operator analyses. Part B: There was >97% agreement between operators on number and timing of 727 coughs recorded over 78 h. The results of this study suggest that the cough monitor methodology used has excellent sensitivity and specificity for the objective assessment of cough in horses and intra- and inter-operator variability of recorded coughs is minimal.     

Manure composition of swine as affected by dietary protein and cellulose concentrations

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of reducing dietary CP and increasing dietary cellulose concentrations on manure DM, C, N, S, VFA, indole, and phenol concentrations. Twenty-two pigs (105 kg initial BW) were fed diets containing either 14.5 or 12.0% CP, in combination with either 2.5 or 8.7% cellulose. Pigs were fed twice daily over the 56-d study, with feed intake averaging 2.74 kg/d. Feces and urine were collected after each feeding and added to the manure storage containers. Manure storage containers were designed to provide a similar unit area per animal as found in industry (7,393 cm2). Before sampling on d 56, the manure was gently stirred to obtain a representative sample for subsequent analyses. An interaction of dietary CP and cellulose was observed for manure acetic acid concentration, in that decreasing CP lowered acetic acid in pigs fed standard levels of cellulose but increased acetic acid in pigs fed greater levels of cellulose (P = 0.03). No other interactions were noted. Decreasing dietary CP reduced manure pH (P = 0.01), NH4 (P = 0.01), isovaleric acid (P = 0.06), phenol (P = 0.05), and 4-ethyl phenol (P = 0.02) concentrations. Increasing dietary cellulose decreased pH (P = 0.01) and NH4 (P = 0.07) concentration but increased manure C (P = 0.03), propionic acid (P = 0.01), butyric acid (P = 0.03), and cresol (P = 0.09) concentrations in the manure. Increasing dietary cellulose also increased manure DM (P = 0.11), N (P = 0.11), and C (P = 0.02) contents as a percentage of nutrient intake. Neither cellulose nor CP level of the diet affected manure S composition or output as a percentage of S intake. Headspace N2O concentration was increased by decreasing dietary CP (P = 0.03) or by increasing dietary cellulose (P = 0.05). Neither dietary CP nor cellulose affected headspace concentration of CH4. This study demonstrates that diets differing in CP and cellulose content can significantly impact manure composition and concentrations of VFA, phenol, and indole, and headspace concentrations of N(2)O, which may thereby affect the environmental impact of livestock production on soil, air, and water.