Polymorphs of Alumina Predicted by First Principles: Putting Pressure on the Ruby Pressure Scale

Fully optimized quantum mechanical calculations indicate that Al2O3 transforms from the corundum structure to the as yet unobserved Rh2O3 (II) structure at about 78 gigapascals, and it further transforms to Pbnm-perovskite structure at 223 gigapascals. The predicted x-ray spectrum of the Rh2O3 (II) structure is similar to that of the corundum structure, suggesting that the Rh2O3 (II) structure could go undetected in high-pressure x-ray measurements. It is therefore possible that the ruby (Cr3+-doped corundum) fluorescence pressure scale is sensitive to the thermal history of the ruby chips in a given experiment.     

An Economics Approach to Hard Computational Problems

A general method for combining existing algorithms into new programs that are unequivocally preferable to any of the component algorithms is presented. This method, based on notions of risk in economics, offers a computational portfolio design procedure that can be used for a wide range of problems. Tested by solving a canonical NP-complete problem, the method can be used for problems ranging from the combinatorics of DNA sequencing to the completion of tasks in environments with resource contention, such as the World Wide Web.     

A national serological survey to verify Australia's freedom from porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome

Objective To provide serological data to support Australia's claim of freedom from porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome.
Design A national serological survey was designed to provide 99% confidence of detecting at least one infected pig herd in Australia, assuming that at least 5% of herds would have been exposed to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and that at least 25% of the 'finisher' pigs in these herds would have antibodies to the virus.
Procedure A two-stage testing regime was used. All samples were tested with a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. If assay reactions were found, all samples from the herd were to be tested using the indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay.
Results Of the 875 samples from 163 herds from all States in Australia, there was some evidence of reactivity in only four samples from four herds on the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Further testing using the indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay according to the study protocol demonstrated that the reactions were not due to the presence of specific porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus antibodies in the sera.
Conclusion The results of this study support the view that Australian pigs are free of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.     

Broiler breeders do not respond positively to photoperiodic increments given during the laying period

1. Broiler breeders were given a 3-h increase in photoperiod to 11 h at 20 week and then a series of increases to reach 16 or 17 h either immediately after the initial increment or in 30-min, 1- or 2-h increments starting at various ages after peak rate of lay. Controls were maintained on 11 h from 20 weeks. Changes in plasma LH concentration (after 7 d) were measured in birds that had been transferred to 11 or 16 h at 20 weeks and given further increases in photoperiod at 41 or 61 weeks of age. 2. Birds that were transferred to 16- or 17-h photoperiods, irrespective of when and how the maximum photoperiod was reached, had inferior rates of lay between 52 and 60 weeks of age to birds maintained on 11 h from 20 weeks. However, the 11-h birds laid more eggs on the floor and produced a larger number of cracked and dirty eggs, resulting in similar numbers of settable eggs. 3. Although transferring birds from 11- to 16-h photoperiods at 41 weeks of age significantly increased plasma LH concentration, there was no effect on egg production during the ensuing 12 d. None of the other increases in photoperiod significantly increased plasma LH, whether given at 41 or 61 weeks. 4. It is concluded in broiler breeders, that increases in photoperiod applied during the laying period, from 11 or 16 h, have little or no effect on LH secretion, do not compensate for age-related declines in egg production, and adversely affect rate of lay.     

A mechanistic, stochastic, population model of egg production

1. A mechanistic, stochastic egg production model is presented. Mean age at first egg may be predicted from the lighting programme applied during rearing, using the Bristol-Reading model (Lewis et al., 2002). 2. Rate of ovulation is determined by an amended version of the mathematical model of the ovulatory cycle, originally proposed by Etches and Schoch (1984). 3. Oviposition times are estimated from ovulation times. 4. Yolk, albumen and shell weights are calculated using allometric functions. 5. The model predicts egg production of a theoretical flock of laying hens for a full laying year, including random occurrences of double-yolked and soft-shelled eggs and internal ovulations.     

Model to predict age at sexual maturity in broiler breeders given a single increment in photoperiod

1. Data from 9 experiments in which broiler breeder pullets had been photostimulated at two or more ages were integrated to produce a model to predict age at 50% egg production following a single increase in photoperiod during rearing. 2. It was clear that the photosexual response in broiler breeders was strongly influenced by the feed allowance and hence the rate of prepubertal growth. Regressions for birds given either a constant photoperiod or a single increase indicated that mean age at 50% lay advances by 2 d for every 100-g increase in body weight at 20 weeks. 3. The general response of broiler breeders was similar to that previously reported for egg-type pullets, but with important changes in the ages at which the birds progressed from one physiological state to the next, depending on body weight. 4. Broiler breeders, unlike modern egg-type pullets, exhibit juvenile photorefractoriness and, depending on their body weight, require up to 20 weeks to dissipate this (faster growth allows quicker dissipation). As a consequence, a group of birds grown to a typical weight of 2.1 kg at 20 weeks do not start to be photoresponsive until about 10 weeks and are not uniformly responsive until 19 or 20 weeks. A transfer to a stimulatory photoperiod before a bird has dissipated photorefractoriness causes a delay of about 3 weeks in its sexual development, and this results in a bimodal distribution of ages at maturity when a flock is photostimulated between 10 and 20 weeks. 5. Once photosensitive, the response of broiler breeders to an increment in photoperiod is between 0.50 and 0.65 of that observed in ISA Brown egg-type pullets. However, a flock of broiler breeders with typical feed restriction starts to mature spontaneously under the influence of the initial photoperiod from about 25 weeks. 6. There is a difference of only 1 to 3 d in age at 50% egg production between a flock transferred to 11 or 12 h followed by further increases to 15 or 16 h and one increased abruptly to one of these photoperiods, and so this model can be used to predict maturity in a commercial flock of birds even though they are likely to be given a stepped, rather than a single, increase in photoperiod.     

Evaluation of an Immunochromatographic Test to the Diagnosis of Canine Brucellosis Caused by Brucella canis

This study evaluated the performance of an immunochromatographic test (ICT) for the diagnosis of canine brucellosis caused by Brucella canis, comparing its results with that of the rapid slide agglutination test with and without the use of 2‐mercaptoethanol and the agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID). The microbiological culture, PCR and clinical examination were used as reference. According to the results obtained in clinical examination, blood culture, culture of semen and vaginal swab and PCR in blood, semen and vaginal swab, a total of 102 dogs were divided into three groups: B. canis‐infected dogs (Group 1), B. canis‐non‐infected dogs (Group 2) and dogs with suspected brucellosis (Group 3). The diagnostic sensitivity of RSAT, 2ME‐RSAT, AGID and ICT in Group 1 was, respectively, 75%, 37.5%, 27.8% and 89.58%. The diagnostic specificity of RSAT, 2ME‐RSAT, AGID and ICT in Group 2 was, respectively, 91%, 100%, 100%, and 100%. In dogs with suspected brucellosis, 9.67% were RSAT positive, none was positive by 2ME‐RSAT, 3.22% were AGID positive and 6.45% were ICT positive. The main drawback concerning canine brucellosis diagnosis is the lack of a highly sensitive serological assay to be used as a screening test to the rapid identification of infected animals. The ICT showed a high diagnostic specificity and a diagnostic sensitivity value greater than that observed in the RSAT, 2ME‐RSAT and AGID. However, 10.41% of infected dogs had negative results by ICT. These dogs were positive by microbiological culture and/or PCR, indicating active infection and consequently a higher potential of spreading Brucella. Although rapid and simple to perform, the ICT lacked sensitivity to be used as a screening test.     

Use of transesophageal echocardiography for visualization of the patent ductus arteriosus during transcatheter coil embolization

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) enhances our ability to see the patent ductus arteriosus in the dog. The improved visualization may potentially improve our ability to perform transcatheter coil embolization in patients that are more likely to have a successful outcome. This report uses still and video images to detail the specifics of coil embolization as performed with the assistance of TEE and compares the images with those of angiography, surgery and postmortem examination.     

Short‐Term Antiandrogen Flutamide Treatment Causes Structural Alterations in Somatic Cells Associated with Premature Detachment of Spermatids in the Testis of Pubertal and Adult Guinea Pigs

In spite of widespread application of flutamide in the endocrine therapies of young and adult patients, the side effects of this antiandrogen on spermatogenesis and germ‐cell morphology remain unclear. This study evaluates the short‐term androgen blockage effect induced by the administration of flutamide to the testes of pubertal (30‐day old) and adult (65‐ and 135‐day old) guinea pigs, with an emphasis on ultrastructural alterations of main cell types. The testes removed after 10 days of treatment with either a non‐steroidal antiandrogen, flutamide (10 mg/kg of body weight) or a pharmacological vehicle alone were processed for histological, quantitative and ultrastructural analysis. In pubertal animals, flutamide androgenic blockage induces spermatogonial differentiation and accelerates testes maturation, causing degeneration and detachment of primary spermatocytes and round spermatids, which are subsequently found in great quantities in the epididymis caput. In post‐pubertal and adult guinea pigs, in addition to causing germ‐cell degeneration, especially in primary spermatocytes, and leading to the premature detachment of spherical spermatids, the antiandrogen treatment increased the relative volume of Leydig cells. In addition, ultrastructural evaluation indicated that irrespective of age antiandrogen treatment causes an increase in frequency of organelles involved with steroid hormone synthesis in the Leydig cells and a dramatic accumulation of myelin figures in their cytoplasm and, to a larger degree, in Sertoli cells. In conclusion, the transient exposition of the guinea pigs to flutamide, at all postnatal ages causes some degenerative lesions including severe premature detachment of spermatids and accumulation of myelin bodies in Leydig and Sertoli cells, compromising, at least temporarily, the spermatogenesis.