Effect of end connections on mid-span load capacity of laminated particleboard bookshelves

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of joints on the mid-span load capacity of bookshelves made from laminated particleboard. Twenty types of joints were selected based on their popularity in the cabinet-making industry. Results showed that highest mid-span load capacities were obtained with glued groove joints that included glued wooden dowels. Overall, highest mid-span load capacities were obtained with fixed shelf-joint constructions, whereas lower capacities were obtained with adjustable constructions. Based on its high-load capacity and ease of construction, the spline joint appears best-suited for use by most craftsmen. Statistical lower tolerance limits were used to take capacity variability into account for design purposes. The 75% confidence|75% proportion limits for the glued wood spline and glued fiberboard spline joints were 94% and 93% of average, respectively.     

Modeling the relationship between the main emulsion components and stability, viscosity, fluid behavior, zeta-potential, and electrophoretic mobility of orange beverage emulsion using response surface methodology

The possible relationships between the main emulsion components (namely, Arabic gum, xanthan gum, and orange oil) and the physicochemical properties of orange beverage emulsion were evaluated by using response surface methodology. The physicochemical emulsion property variables considered as response variables were emulsion stability, viscosity, fluid behavior, zeta-potential, and electrophoretic mobility. The independent variables had the most and least significant ( p < 0.05) effect on viscosity and zeta-potential, respectively. The quadratic effect of orange oil and Arabic gum, the interaction effect of Arabic gum and xanthan gum, and the main effect of Arabic gum were the most significant ( p < 0.05) effects on turbidity loss rate, viscosity, viscosity ratio, and mobility, respectively. The main effect of Arabic gum was found to be significant ( p < 0.05) in all response variables except for turbidity loss rate. The nonlinear regression equations were significantly ( p < 0.05) fitted for all response variables with high R (2) values (>0.86), which had no indication of lack of fit. The results indicated that a combined level of 10.78% (w/w) Arabic gum, 0.56% (w/w) xanthan gum, and 15.27% (w/w) orange oil was predicted to provide the overall optimum region in terms of physicochemical properties studied. No significant ( p > 0.05) difference between the experimental and the predicted values confirmed the adequacy of response surface equations.     

Epidemiology, pathology, immunology and diagnosis of bovine farcy: a review

Bovine farcy (which is caused by Mycobacterium farcinogenes and Mycobacterium senegalense) is a chronic suppurative granulomatous inflammation of the skin and lymphatics of cattle and is seen mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. It is not yet certain whether Nocardia farcinica causes cutaneous nocardiosis (farcy) in animals that mimics bovine farcy. Epidemiological data have steadily reported finding bovine farcy in adult cattle of the transhumance pastoralist tribes of the Sahel and the Sudanian savannah zones. M. farcinogenes and or M. senegalense do not affect other domestic or non-domestic animals; it is not known whether these bacteria are zoonotic. The disease--once widespread in many regions--has disappeared from some countries historically known to have it. Reports of bovine farcy prevalence seem to be linked to the existence of survey initiatives by governments and diagnostic capabilities in each country. Farcy causes economic loss due to damaged hides and also is a public-health burden (because the lymphadenitis due to farcy resembles the lesions of bovine tuberculosis in carcasses and the meat is considered inappropriate for human consumption). The current literature is deficient in establishing definitely the prevalence, transmission patterns, and risk factors of bovine farcy. Ixodid ticks transmit other skin diseases (such as dermatophilosis) and might play a role in bovine farcy (given the similarity in the bio-physiology and geographic distribution of the disease). In addition, the tick-resistance of cattle breeds such as the N'Dama, Fulani or the Nilotic might explain their resistance to bovine farcy. Apart from the judicious use of conventional smear-and-culture methods, few diagnostic tests have been developed; the molecular and serological tests have not been evaluated for reproducibility and accuracy. This review points out aspects of bovine farcy that need further research and updates available data on the prevalence, distribution, risk factors, economic and public health implications, diagnosis, and control.     

Capability of different non‐nutritive feed additives on improving productive and physiological traits of broiler chicks fed diets with or without aflatoxin during the first 3 weeks of life

An experiment was conducted to determine whether some non‐nutritive feed additives (NNFA) could block the adverse effects of aflatoxin (AF) on growth performance and physiological parameters of Cobb broilers throughout the period from 1 to 21 day of age. There were eight treatments consisting of two levels of AF at 0 and 200 ppb and four NNFA within each AF level. These additives included mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) at 2 g/kg diet, hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) at 2 g/kg diet and Lactobacillus acidophilus (Lac) at 2 g/kg diet. At 21 day of age, five chickens of each treatment were slaughtered to study dressing percentage and relative weight of inner organs and glands. AF had a significant negative effect on body weight gain (BWG), and feed intake, while impairing feed conversion ratio (FCR). Aflatoxin significantly increased percentage liver, lymphocyte (%), monocyte (%), serum triglyceride level, and the aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), concentrations while decreasing dressing percentage, intestinal percentage, white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), haemoglobin (Hgb), packed cell volume (PCV), heterophil (%), heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, total serum protein and serum albumin. Aflatoxin adversely affected the morphology of the liver, bursa and the thymus. There was a significant interaction between AF and NNFA on the relative weights of liver, heart and intestine. Lac completely blocked the negative effects of AF on the percentage liver and the heart and partially on the intestine. In conclusion, Lac was most effective in reversing the adverse effects of AF on growth and FCR and on the percentage, functions and morphology of the liver. Hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate also improved the economic traits of broilers but was less effective than Lac and more effective than MOS.     

Nocardia farcinica--a significant cause of mastitis in goats in Sudan

Fifteen of 100 mastitic milk samples from goats suffering from mastitis were tentatively identified as members of the genus Nocardia on the basis of selected phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics. Six of the 155 strains were confirmed as Nocardia farcinica by 16S rDNA gene sequencing and subsequent aligning with relevant actinomycetes found in electronic databases and 2 by other identification criteria. N. farcinica is a serious cause of mastitis with a significant prevalence (15%) among the examined goats. Efforts are needed to optimise and simplify isolation and identification methods.     

Alleviation of mycotoxin biodegradation agent on zearalenone and deoxynivalenol toxicosis in immature gilts

Background: The current study was carried out to evaluate the effects of mycotoxin biodegradation agent(MBA, composed of Bacillus subtilis ANSB01 G and Devosia sp. ANSB714) on relieving zearalenone(ZEA) and deoxynivalenol(DON) toxicosis in immature gilts.Methods: A total of forty pre-pubertal female gilts(61.42 ± 1.18 kg) were randomly allocated to four diet treatments: CO(positive control); MO(negative control, ZEA 596.86 μg/kg feed and DON 796 μg/kg feed);COA(CO + 2 g MBA/kg feed); MOA(MO + 2 g MBA/kg feed). Each treatment contained 10 replicates with 1 gilt per replicate. Gilts were housed in an environmentally controlled room with the partially slatted floor.Results: During the entire experimental period of 28 d, average daily gain(ADG) and average daily feed intake(ADFI)of gilts in MO group was significantly reduced compared with those in CO group. The vulva size of gilts was significantly higher in MO group than CO group. In addition, significant increases in the plasma levels of Ig A,Ig G, IL-8, IL-10 and PRL were determined in MO group compared with that in CO group. ZEA and DON in the diet upregulated apoptotic caspase-3 in ovaries and uteri, along with down-regulated the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in ovaries. The supplementation of MBA into diets co-contaminated with ZEA and DON significantly increased ADG, decreased the vulva sizes, reduced the levels of Ig G, IL-8 and PRL in plasma, and regulated apoptosis in ovaries and uteri of gilts.Conclusions: The present results indicated that feeding diet contaminated with ZEA and DON simultaneously(596.86 μg/kg + 796 μg/kg) had detrimental effects on growth performance, plasma immune function and reproductive status of gilts. And MBA could reduce the negative impacts of these two toxins, believed as a promising feed additive for mitigating toxicosis of ZEA and DON at low levels in gilts.     

Comparison of different soilless media for growing gerbera under alkalinity stress condition

A factorial experiment was developed with two factors of the growing medium (v/v): 100% coconut fiber (CF), 75% vermicompost+25% perlite (VP), 25% zeolite+75% perlite (ZP), 75% peat+25% perlite (PP), 75% coco chip+25% perlite (CCP), 75% coconut fiber+25% perlite (CFP) and 100% perlite (P); and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) (0, 20 and 40 mM) involving the growth of gerbera cv. Dafne. Compared with CF substrate, NaHCO₃ in the nutrient solution caused significant decrease in vegetative and reproductive traits and nutrient concentration [especially iron, phosphorus, and magnesium (Fe, P and Mg)] in the rest of the media. The improved crop performance of plants grown onto CF substrate was attributed to their strong capacity to accumulate Fe in the aerial part under alkaline conditions and to maintain a better plant nutritional status (higher P and Mg). It is concluded that the use of CF substrate could provide a useful tool to improve alkalinity tolerance of gerbera plants under NaHCO₃ stress.     

IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma mRNA expression in pulmonary lymphocytes in equine heaves

Heaves is a common condition of horses of cold climate that is characterized by small airway inflammation and obstruction following exposure of susceptible horses to moldy hay and straw. It has been shown that helper T lymphocytes (Th) orchestrate the inflammatory response in asthma and in various animal models of allergic lung diseases by the release of Th2-type cytokines. Results of previous studies indicate that a predominant expression of Th2-type response by airway cells may also be present in heaves. To evaluate the temporal mRNA expression of Th1 (IFN-gamma) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-5) type cytokines in heaves and their relationship to clinical disease, we studied the pulmonary mechanics and cytokine mRNA expression (IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma) in bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytes of horses with heaves (n=6) and control (n=6) before and after 24h and 9 days of continuous natural inhalation challenge. Starting 24h after challenge horses with heaves, but not control horses, had a significant increase in pulmonary elastance and the number of lymphocytes expressing mRNA for IL-4 and IL-5. These changes were further increased at 9 days, at which time the number of cells positive for IFN-gamma mRNA was decreased. In this study we have shown that BAL lymphocytes of horses with heaves during clinical exacerbation have a predominant Th2-type cytokine response and that this response coincides in time with the presence of airway obstruction.     

Common carotid artery intima-media thickness and atherosclerotic plaques in carotid bulb in patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis: a case-control study

The Common Carotid artery Intima-Media Thickness (CCIMT) can reflect systemic atherosclerosis in renal patients on hemodialysis. This study aimed to compare CCIMT measured by color Doppler ultrasonography between two groups including dialytic patients and normal subjects. In this case-control setting, 48 patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) on hemodialysis (case group) and 46 age and sex-matched healthy subjects (control group) were enrolled in this study. Color Doppler ultrasound was used to measure CCIMT and determine presence of atherosclerotic plaques in carotid bulb in both groups. Various laboratory parameters were also determined. Serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, fasting sugar, ionized calcium, inorganic phosphorus and magnesium were comparable between the two groups. Hypertension and elevated levels of serum C-reactive protein, as well as the mean levels of serum non-fasting homocysteine and phosphate were significantly higher in the case group. Mean levels of serum high-density lipoprotein and albumin were significantly higher in the controls. Mean maximum CCIMT was significantly higher in the case group than in controls (0.73 +/- 0.15 vs. 0.68 +/- 0.08 mm, p = 0.01) even after adjusting for other confounding variables. Frequency of patients with atherosclerotic plaques in carotid bulbs was not significantly different between case and controls. In conclusion, this study showed that CCIMT is significantly higher in CKD patients on hemodialysis comparing with matched normal counterparts. Furthermore, this difference was independent of other conventional risk factors for atherosclerosis.     

Evaluation of copper desorption characteristics using DTPA and citric acid for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rhizosphere of soils amended with sewage sludge

A greenhouse experiment was carried out to determine copper (Cu) desorption characteristics in ten bulk and rhizosphere soils (Typic Calcixerepts) amended with sewage sludge (1% w/w) using rhizoboxes. The kinetics of Cu desorption in the bulk and the rhizosphere soils were determined after successive extraction with DTPA‐TEA and 10 mM citric acid in a period of 1 to 504 h at (25 ± 1)°C. The results show that Cu extracted after 504 h using DTPA‐TEA were significantly (P < 1%) lower in the rhizosphere than the bulk soils. However, Cu extracted after 504 h using citric was significantly (P < 1%) higher in the rhizosphere than in the bulk soils. The results illustrated that, on average, citric acid extracted 56% more Cu from the bulk soils than DTPA‐TEA, and citric acid extracted 85% more Cu from the rhizosphere soils than DTPA‐TEA. Desorption kinetics of Cu in the two extractants was well described by power‐function, parabolic diffusion, and first‐order equations. The results show that a 10 mM citric acid extractant may be recommended to determine the kinetics of Cu desorption in calcareous soils amended with sewage sludge.