Creep in chipboard     

J. M. Dinwoodie  B. H. Paxton  Jo-Anne Higgins  D. J. Robson 《Wood Science and Technology》1991,26(1):39-51

Summary Ten samples from each of ten brands of commercial chipboard, covering a range of UF, MUF and PF resins, were stressed over a 5-year period at 30% of their short term ultimate bending strength, under protected external conditions. No relationship could be established for the term of the experiment between fluctuations in creep deflection and changes in environmental conditions. Exceptionally, for two short periods of time, relationships were established and these were in line with current views on mechano-sorptive behaviour. Differences in relative creep between the ten brands were significantly greater than those occurring between samples of any one brand. Although there were significant differences in relative creep among the six brands of MUF bonded boards, the relative creep of all these boards was significantly lower than those brands made with UF and high-alkaline cured PF resins. While most of the MUF bonded samples survived the duration of the experiment, all UF and PF samples failed before the end of the 5-year period. For the first 6 months of the experiment, the mean relative creep under protected external conditions was equal to, or slightly less than, that obtained in matched samples tested under a constant environment of 20°C 90% rh.  相似文献   

Is the Production of Embryos in Small‐Scale Farming an Economically Feasible Enterprise?          下载免费PDF全文

Z Sánchez  MA Lammoglia  MA Alarcón  JJ Romero  CS Galina 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2015,50(4):574-579

The present assay attempts to evaluate the feasibility of using embryo transfer in small community farmers by in vivo study and by modelling the results obtained. From the total of 59 donor cows, 62.7% responded to treatment, with a significant difference (p = 0.002) in the percentage of the response between breeds, being 90.5% (19/21) in Holstein and 47.4% (18/38) in Brahman. A total of 283 embryos were graded as transferable, while 141 as non‐transferable, without difference in the percentage of transferable embryo by breed (p = 0.18). The mean of transferable embryos graded as class I and II was not different between Holstein and Brahman (p = 0.96 and p = 0.92, respectively); besides, no differences were observed in the other grades (non‐transferable). The highest difference in costs, regardless of its quality by breed, was seen in the lower levels of probable fertility of the embryo transferred, even reaching several hundred dollars. When modelling the expected costs for embryo produced and transferred, values can reach nearly $2000.00 when the probable fertility is only 10%. However, when the probable fertility was 60%, embryo cost was close to $300.00. This technology seems to be viable on average or high‐scale systems, having a superovulatory response between 60 and 80% with 4–6 transferrable embryos. Yet, in small‐scale farming, due to the reduced number of donors and/or recipients, the costs surpass the economical feasibility of the technique.  相似文献   

Zoonotic Helminths of Urban Brown Rats (Rattus norvegicus) in the UK: Neglected Public Health Considerations?          下载免费PDF全文

J. W. McGarry  A. Higgins  N. G. White  K. C. Pounder  U. Hetzel 《Zoonoses and public health》2015,62(1):44-52

Urban brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) carry microbial human pathogens but their role as reservoir hosts for helminths of public health importance is less well known. In this study, 42 brown rats trapped on Merseyside were subject to thorough combined helminthological and pathohistological post‐mortem examination. Eggs of the rodent‐borne zoonotic nematode Calodium hepaticum were initially detected in histological sections of the livers of 9.5% of rats, but overall diagnostic sensitivity increased to 16.6% when entire liver tissue was disrupted and the resulting filtrates were examined for released eggs. In their rat host, mainly trapped inside the dockland, infections with C. hepaticum were associated with a chronic multifocal pyogranulomatous hepatitis with intralesional eggs and peripheral fibrosis. Mean intensity of hepatic C. hepaticum egg infections was 1041 eggs. This is the first report of C. hepaticum in an urban brown rat population in the UK and provides original data for liver egg burdens in this abundant commensal rodent. The zoonotic cestode Rodentolepis nana had a prevalence of infection of 14.3%. Rodent‐specific, non‐zoonotic helminths found were the spiruroid Mastophorus muris (16.0%) in the stomach, the trichuroid Trichosomoides crassicauda in the urinary bladder (31.0%); the ascarid Heterakis spumosa was the commonest helminth of the large intestine (76.2%). Many millions of brown rats inhabit cities and rural areas of the UK, and the infective stages of the zoonotic worm species, particularly C. hepaticum, are likely to be widely distributed in the environment presenting a threat to public health.  相似文献   

Percentage of Ubiquitinated Spermatozoa does not Correlate with Fertilizing Capacity of Thawed Bovine Semen     

I Rodríguez‐Lozano  A Ávalos‐Rodríguez  H Castillo‐Juárez  F Borderas‐Tordesillas  JJ Roa‐Vidal  AM Rosales‐Torres 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2014,49(1):27-31

In the spermatozoa of some species, the ubiquitin–proteasome system detects altered proteins and tags them for elimination by the proteasome. In some species' ejaculates, a high proportion of ubiquitinated spermatozoa (i.e. those having ubiquitin bound to the altered or damaged membrane proteins) has been related to infertility. The aim of this study was to assess whether the percentage of ubiquitinated spermatozoa relates to fertility of dairy bulls and whether ubiquitination increases during protein remodelling that occurs during in vitro spermatic capacitation. Thirty‐two frozen semen straws from four high‐fertility (ReproMax^®) and four normal‐fertility (Normal) Holstein‐Friesian sires were evaluated. Ubiquitinated and capacitated spermatozoa were quantified by sperm ubiquitin tag immunoassay and chlortetracycline stain, respectively. Fertilizing capacity of sires was assessed by in vitro fertilization. No differences were found between Normal and ReproMax^® sires with regard to the observed percentage of ubiquitinated spermatozoa (42.97 ± 3.69% and 49.68 ± 9.27%, respectively; p > 0.05). Additionally, no differences were found in the percentage of ubiquitinated spermatozoa as a consequence of spermatic capacitation in either Normal (42.97 ± 3.69% before capacitation vs 44.67 ± 7.5% after; p > 0.05) or ReproMax^® sires (49.68 ± 9.27% before vs 45.05 ± 7.51% after; p > 0.05). The percentage of ubiquitinated spermatozoa in a thawed sperm samples did not correlate with its in vitro fertilizing capacity; thus, this assay does not prove useful to detect in vivo fertility differences between sires. Additionally, protein degradation occurring during remodelling of the spermatozoon plasma membrane during the capacitation process does not seem to involve the ubiquitin–proteasome system.  相似文献   

Starvation Induced Alterations in Hepatic Lysine Metabolism in Different Families of Rainbow Trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus  mykiss</Emphasis>)     

Angela?D.?Higgins  Jeffrey?T.?Silverstein  Juanita?Engles  Matthew?E.?Wilson  Caird?E.?RexroadIII  Kenneth?P.?BlemingsEmail author 《Fish physiology and biochemistry》2005,31(1):33-44

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Microbial origin of the abdominal swelling affecting farmed larvae of gilt-head seabream, Sparus aurata L.     

J Sedano  I Zorrilla  MA Moriñigo  MC Balebona  A Vidaurreta  MA Bordas  JJ Borrego 《Aquaculture Research》1996,27(5):323-333

The aetiological agents of the abdominal swelling affecting farmed larvae of gilt-head seabream, Sparus aurata L., were studied. Four Vibrio strains were isolated from larvae of S. aurata affected by this disease, and all strains reproduced the disease in healthy larvae under controlled infection experiments, producing a significant increase of the mortality rates compared to the control (non-inoculated larvae). Several enzymatic properties, which can act as .virulence factors, were demonstrated both in the extracellular products (ECPs) and In live cells of the strains tested. Histopathological examinations of the infected fish larvae revealed important changes of the anterior intestine and liver characterized by a marked hyperthrophy of the intestinal epithelium and hepatocytes, and by a separation of the mucosal and submucosal layers in the digestive tube. These histological alterations were associated with the constant presence of cocobacillar bacteria in the anterior intestine and in the liver. However, the precise pathogenic mechanisms of the strains tested have not been completely elucidated yet.  相似文献   

Is That a Rodent in Your Luggage? A Mixed Method Approach to Describe Bushmeat Importation into the United States     

H. Bair‐Brake  T. Bell  A. Higgins  N. Bailey  M. Duda  S. Shapiro  H. E. Eves  N. Marano  G. Galland 《Zoonoses and public health》2014,61(2):97-104

Bushmeat, defined as meat derived from wild animals, is a potential source of zoonotic pathogens. Bushmeat from restricted animals is illegal to import into the United States under US federal regulations. We reviewed US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) port of entry surveillance records from September 2005 through December 2010 and conducted focus group studies to describe trends in and reasons for bushmeat importation into the United States. In total, 543 confiscated bushmeat items were recorded. Half of the confiscated bushmeat items identified were rodents. Africa was the most frequent continent of origin. Seasonality was evident, with bushmeat confiscations peaking in late spring to early summer. Four times more bushmeat was confiscated during an enhanced surveillance period in June 2010 compared with the same period in previous years, suggesting that routine surveillance underestimated the amount of bushmeat detected at US Ports of Entry. Focus groups held in three major US cities revealed that bushmeat importation is a multifaceted issue. Longstanding cultural practices of hunting and eating bushmeat make it difficult for consumers to acknowledge potential health and ecologic risks. Also, US merchants selling African goods, including bushmeat, in their stores have caused confusion among importers as to whether importation is truly illegal. Enhancing routine surveillance for bushmeat and consistent enforcement of penalties at all ports of entry, along with health education aimed at bushmeat importers, might be useful to deter illegal importation.  相似文献   

Cross-Canada Disease Report ◆ Rapport Des Maladies Diagnostiquées Au Canada: QUEBEC. Urinary tract infection associated with Corynebacterium pilosum in a dog          下载免费PDF全文

Robert Higgins  Serge Messier 《The Canadian veterinary journal. La revue veterinaire canadienne》1997,38(4):242

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Evaluation of reproductive traits in Bos taurus and Bos indicus crossbred heifers: effects of postweaning energy manipulation     

D J Patterson  L R Corah  J R Brethour  M F Spire  J J Higgins  G H Kiracofe  J S Stevenson  D D Simms 《Journal of animal science》1991,69(6):2349-2361

Reproductive traits were evaluated in Bos taurus and Bos indicus crossbred heifers that were fed different diets during the postweaning period. The study was designed in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Angus x Hereford (AH; n = 148) and Brahman x Hereford (BH; n = 148) heifers were sorted after weaning by body weight into light (LW) and heavy (HW) weight blocks. Heifers in each weight block were assigned to diets calculated to reach a target weight of 55% (LE) or 65% (HE) of their projected mature weights by the start of the breeding season. Puberty was determined after a 160-d observation period and characterized by the following criteria: 1) behavioral estrus, 2) presence of a palpable corpus luteum (d 6 to 10; estrus = d 0), and 3) rise in serum progesterone above 1 ng/ml (d 6 to 10). A higher (P = .01) proportion of AH heifers than of BH heifers reached puberty by the breeding season (93% vs 67%). Interactions of breed x weight block and energy level x weight block also contributed to this difference. Weight at puberty was heavier (P = .001) among HE than among LE heifers and greater for heifers in HW than for those in LW blocks (P = .02). Differences in prebreeding weight, body condition, average daily gain, hip height, and pelvic area were influenced selectively by breed, energy level, or weight block. Pregnancy rates were higher (P = .01) among AH than among BH heifers. Incidence and severity of dystocia was influenced by the breed x energy level interaction (P = .01). Brahman x Hereford heifers had less (P = .01) dystocia than AH heifers, HE heifers had less (P less than .02) dystocia than LE heifers, and HE-AH heifers had less (P less than .01) dystocia than LE-AH contemporaries. Subsequent duration of the postpartum interval to estrus was shorter (P = .002) among AH than among BH females. Pregnancy rates at the end of the 2nd yr were higher (P = .02) among LW than among HW females and weights were heavier (P = .001) at weaning among calves weaned from BH dams.  相似文献   

Assessment of Suitable Porcine Semen for Freezing,According to the Ejaculate Characteristics in the Iberico × Landrace Breed     

LF Goslvez  JJ Valdelvira  A Vidal  JMR Alvario 《Reproduction in domestic animals》2002,37(5):282-284

A total of 35 ejaculates were studied in order to assess the suitability of porcine semen for freezing according to the ejaculate characteristics. The effects of the freezing procedure were identified; a decrease in motility and acrosome quality was found after thawing. The best results on motility were linked to the ejaculates with a volume of less than 100 ml of the sperm‐rich fraction, a concentration lower than 450 × 10⁶ spermatozoa/ml and an agglutination score below 2. However, the best normal apical ridge (NAR) was found when the volume of the sperm‐rich fraction was greater than 150 ml. For this reason, an intermediate volume of the sperm‐rich fraction of the ejaculate for the best motility and the best NAR, a concentration lower than 450 × 10⁶ spermatozoa/ml and a rate of agglutination below 2 should provide the best quality after freezing. This study also attempted to determine whether a positive effect of ejaculate selection on the overall freezing performance might be expected.  相似文献