Goose Feathers Research Articles

Neck Abscess due to Goose Feathers Leaked From a Down Comforter

We present a 10-month-old baby girl who developed a neck abscess from the penetration of neck skin by 2 goose feathers that leaked from a down comforter. We review the risks of down and feather bedding and discuss consumer recommendations for parents and pediatricians.

Factors affecting DNA quality in feathers used for non-invasive sampling

The development of genetic methods broadens the scope of non-invasive sample types. Large shed feathers are good material for genetic analyses, since they are easy to collect and a single feather can provide a sufficient amount of DNA for PCR-based methods. Previous studies have demonstrated that feather quality and type affect the DNA quality extracted from the feather tips. Besides the tip, the superior umbilicus part of the shaft is also proposed as an appropriate source of DNA. In our study, we examined whether some feather parameters (physical condition, type and size) and storage time affect amplification success of DNA extracted from the superior umbilicus of shed Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) feathers. We also tested the effects of sunlight, temperature and humidity on DNA extracted from Domestic Goose (Anser anser domesticus) feathers with amplification of fragments of various sizes, modelling the environmental conditions of the moulting season. While good quality feathers usually provided sufficient DNA, the usability of the DNA extracted from moderate quality feathers were affected by feather type. DNA quality was influenced in order of importance by humidity, direct sunlight and heat. Our findings support the usability of DNA samples derived from the superior umbilicus of shed feathers, and help to schedule field work by careful consideration of our results about feather quality and environmental factors.

Development of Launcher Machine with Two Rollers for Badminton

Shuttlecock used in a badminton match is light in mass (around 5 grams), and is strongly influenced by air drag force. For professional badminton players, the highest initial speed of the shuttlecock exceeds 84m/s (300km/hr), which is the fastest speed for a ball, racket or projectile sports. The shuttlecocks are of two kinds: one of feather and one that is a synthetic shuttlecock. A feather shuttlecock is constructed of 16 goose feathers with a cork base mostly. Also, a synthetic shuttlecock is made of plastic or nylon with a cork. Both shuttlecocks are light and of a complicated shape, therefore, it is extremely difficult for the shuttlecock to be launched at speeds of more than 42m/s without breaking the feather, even if the newest mechanical technology is used. In this study, new insertion equipment and the motion control system were proposed, and an exercise machine for badminton, used to project the shuttlecock at high speeds (over 42m/s), has been developed. The mechanism of the shuttlecock launcher in this machine was achieved using the friction force between two turn rollers and the shuttlecock. The results of the launcher experiments using the badminton machine show that the machine can project the feather shuttlecock at the maximum flight distance of about 11.5m, with a standard error of about 0.32m and the highest initial speeds being 52.8m/s. In the case of the synthetic shuttlecock, this machine achieved the maximum flight distance of about 9.7m, and the highest speeds being 47.8m/s.

Production and welfare aspects of goose down and feather harvesting

Goose feather and down is a renewable natural product valued for its peculiar quality properties. This material is largely obtained after the slaughter of waterfowl and on a smaller scale by harvesting from live geese at time of moulting. During the course of slaughter and processing, feather and down is exposed to various unfavourable effects which degrade its quality. Conversely, the feather and down harvested by hand from live geese is superior to the industrial feather product in several respects. However, animal rights activist groups recently began to protest vigorously against the hand-harvesting of feathers from live geese. To this end, they frequently display images of illegal live-harvesting or live-plucking in the media which differs markedly from the proper practice regulated by the law. Live-plucking is prohibited by EU legislation, and the Hungarian laws and regulations approve the live-harvesting of mature feathers at time of moulting according to the rules specified. This procedure is based on the inherent moulting characteristics of domestic geese (i.e. shorter feather maturation with more frequent moults compared to wild geese) and is technically feasible without any harm to the goose, its well-being or production, as evidenced by clinical and productivity data. Illegal hand-harvesting of feathers differing from the approved practice is strictly penalised in Hungary and cruelty to animals is defined as a crime.

2.5 Cents (from Conversations over Stolen Food )

From antiquity to the present, social theory has often fused critical and creative discourse, esoteric and exhibitionistic tendencies. Socrates and Diogenes first announced many of their most radical propositions from the Athenian marketplace. Thoreau sowed his solitary beans while remaining (as scholar Stanley Cavell suggests) just barely within his neighbors' view. And now, as archivists of evanescent urban experience, as grazers of the public space (commercial, aural, textual), we have recorded forty-fiveminute conversations for thirty straight days throughout New York City. Half these talks took place at a Union Square health-food store, which we call WF. Other locations included the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Opera House, Central Park, Prospect Park, and a Tribeca parking garage. For this special issue on the market, we have prepared a WF conversation. 6:43 p.m. Friday, January 26 Union Square WF J: How should we begin tonight? A: Any suggestions? J: The man behind me with heavy eyelids - looks like he had a rough day. A: Yes, it seems hard to have a stiff neck and such loose lips simultaneously. He's tried to stretch himself out of confusion. J: What did he tear to pieces? A: Foil He'd bought late lunch before going under. Does the brown bottle contain beer? Could this be a nervous ... or or chemical reaction from antibiotics? J: I think he bought a ginger beer. Though WF has started stocking a handful of beers near the juices. A: Yeah I remember slipping beer into coat pockets as I'd shop at the Twenty-third Street branch, Twenty-sixth, whatever . . . J: You lifted beers from there? A: I've had one brief shoplifting phase independent of this pro] ect. Before flying to Berlin I'd felt a survivalist need to save every cent. J: Perhaps you hoped to treat Kristin . . . A: But it was in relation to Kristin that I stopped stealing. There's nothing else I don't tell her about - that I withhold, and would want to deny if asked about. Staying dishonest sounds lonely. J: Because you'd get left with who you are. You can't come fully across to meet someone else. Now what would this guy keep in his bag? It appears more stuffed . . . A: Than... J: any bags packed by a cashier downstairs. A: I could only imagine, since it does look stuffed: compressed clothes or paper scraps. Torn-up scraps can always be compacted. J: Or could he have visited from New Haven? A: Last last night I crossed a block entirely covered with goose feathers. Cats had ripped a bedspread. I wonder if he retrieved the ... oh his arms just soared above his head. J: Right, he may realize now and then that he's in public and can't doze off. A: Does it exhaust you to watch eyelids flutter? J: No. A: Approaching someone stylish I'll feel well dressed myself, or horribly self-conscious. J: So did... A: My clothes comment could be subliminal. I heard three cymbal beats while passing the Turkey's Nest (that Bedford bar) and now can't forget the song Sharp Dressed Man. J: May I take a sip of tea? A: Has your cough . . . J: I've, I'm back at 100 percent. A: Okay. I need to avoid a cold right now. This nostril pimple hurts to wipe. J: Did the the man purposely deprive himself of sleep? Could he soon hit his seventy-second hour, at which point people turn clinically insane? A: He started packing his bag, then stopped - much as that drugged guy in the East Village several years ago tried to make a phone call. Both drained themselves instead of rallying. J: Hmm. The East Village guy abandoned that call, yet thought he'd fix his hair in a shop window. He pulled a comb from his pocket and combed his bangs but couldn't get them right. He tried again and again: nearly dozing . …

Antigen‐specific IgG antibodies in feather duvet lung

Feather duvet lung (FDL) is a rare subgroup of bird fancier's lung (BFL). We were interested in determining antigen-specific IgG antibodies in patients with FDL and comparing them with those with BFL. Specific IgG antibodies against goose and duck feathers, analysed with an automated fluorimetric enzyme immunoassay, were measured in healthy subjects (group A, n = 30), in patients with FDL (group B, n = 10) and with BFL (group C, n = 35); typical specific IgG antibodies of BFL in groups B and C. An optimal threshold value for antibodies against goose or duck feathers to differentiate patients with either BFL or FDL from healthy subjects was determined at 10.85 mg L(-1) for goose feathers and at 8.81 mg L(-1) for duck feathers, respectively. Specific IgG antibodies against goose feathers were significantly higher in group B compared with group C. A ratio of specific IgG antibodies against goose feathers and budgerigar antigens with a threshold value of 0.91 could discriminate between patients with FDL and BFL with a specificity of 97% and a sensitivity of 90%. We were able to demonstrate the significant difference in IgG antibodies in patients with FDL and BFL and their contribution to discriminate between these similar kinds of extrinsic allergic alveolitis.

Presenting Features of Feather Duvet Lung

Background: Feather duvet lung (FDL) is a rare subgroup of bird fancier’s lung. It is caused by inhalation of organic dust due to goose or duck feathers in duvets or pillows. Methods: A retrospective review of the medical records of 13 patients with FDL was performed to assess the specific history and review clinical characteristics of patients with this disease. Results: All patients were female with a mean age of 53 years (26–71). They were recently exposed to feather duvets (6), pillows (1) or both (6). Specific histories were duvets or pillows filled with raw goose feathers from their own farms (4), intensive contact with goose feathers in youth (3), and bird exposure prior to symptom onset (5). In all patients specific IgG antibodies to goose and/or duck feathers were detected. Pulmonary function tests revealed a moderate to severe reduced diffusion capacity and a mild restrictive pattern. High-resolution computed tomography was performed in 11 patients and demonstrated predominantly ground-glass opacities (10) and fibrosis (6). In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, lymphocytic alveolitis was demonstrated in all patients. Lung biopsies were obtained in 9 patients and demonstrated lymphocytic alveolitis (8), granulomas (3), bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia pattern (2), and usual interstitial pneumonia pattern (1). Conclusions: The clinical findings of FDL are typical of extrinsic allergic alveolitis. Primary sensitization could be due to former exposure to bird antigens at home or goose/duck feather exposure in youth. In view of the increasing popularity of feather duvets, FDL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with extrinsic allergic alveolitis.

Degradation of Native Feathers by a Novel Keratinase-Producing, Thermophilic Isolate, Brevibacillus thermoruber T1E

Strain T1E, isolated and identified as Brevibacillus thermoruber, and evolutionally distant from the known keratinolytic isolates, proved to have feather-degrading ability. During the 7-day fermentation period, T1E consumed 10 g/l native goose feathers as the sole source of carbon and energy at 50 degrees C under aerobic conditions. The isolate secreted a thermostable, keratinolytic protease, which exhibited activity optimally at pH 6.5, whilst it was inhibited at alkaline pH. The keratin cleavage and catabolism resulted in the accumulation of free aspartic acid and soluble peptides with maximum values of 31.6 and 720 mg/l, respectively. The majority of the fermentation end-products were found to be small oligopeptides with an average molecular mass of 2275 Da.

That's the Way the Ball Bounces (or Is It?)

Balls used in different sports are made up of various materials, or even combinations of materials, depending on what the ball is designed to do. For example, golfers might desire a ball that travels as far as possible on an opening drive. Golf balls were originally constructed with materials such as wood and even goose feathers wrapped in leather. These balls did not travel very far. Improvements in distance traveled have been achieved over the years by incorporating different materials, such as types of rubber. These days, balls have been even further improved through the addition of modern materials such as titanium. When you see and use a golf ball made of these particular materials, you tend to know how it will act.

An investigation of arsenic compounds in fur and feathers using X-ray absorption spectroscopy speciation and imaging

The accumulation of arsenic in fur and feathers has been used as an indicator of environmental quality and animal health. However, difficulties remain in distinguishing between arsenic present from external sources versus ingestion. In addition, low extraction efficiencies limit the complete characterization of arsenic compounds in such tissues by conventional analytical techniques (e.g. high performance liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, HPLC-ICP-MS). X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) provides an alternative method for determining the speciation of arsenic compounds directly.Inorganic arsenic is hypothesized to bind to thiol groups present in keratin-rich fur and feathers; however, arsenic-sulphur compounds are rarely reported in extracts of these tissues. Here we report that 5–58% of the total detected arsenic in rodent fur (vole, deer mouse, red squirrel) and bird feathers (gray jay, American tree sparrow, dark-eyed junco) from animals living in areas of elevated arsenic best resembled an arsenic(III)-sulphur compound as determined using XAS. In addition, fur and feathers with non-detectable levels of arsenic by XAS, were able to reduce pentavalent arsenic applied as either contaminated soil or an arsenate solution. XAS-imaging was used to localize dominant trivalent (AsIII) and pentavalent (AsV) arsenic compounds, and results were used to produce a “map” of arsenic in the sample. It is believed that the some of the reduced arsenic was absorbed, while external AsV compounds associated with soil/dust particles were easily distinguished on goose feathers. However, distinguishing whether internal arsenic arose from exogenous (from the environment) or endogenous (from the body) sources proved difficult with this technique.

Dimensional stability of waterlogged wood treated with hydrolyzed feather keratin

We have developed a new method for the conservation of archaeological waterlogged wood using avian feather keratin. Feather keratin is a soluble protein with lower molecular weight and cystine content than wool or hair keratins. We obtained stable solutions of duck, chicken, or goose feathers dissolved using sodium hydroxide. Feather keratin impregnation into archaeological waterlogged wood was carried out by stepwise rises in concentration of hydrolyzed feather solution from 10% up to 40%. The popular conservation method using polyethylene glycol (PEG) impregnation required a rise in PEG concentration up to 90%. The anti-shrink efficiency of duck feather keratin treatment was higher than that of chicken or goose feather keratin treatments. The explanation was that the hydrolyzed structures of duck feather keratin were characterized by higher crystallinity and anti-alkali structures contributing to the good dimensional stability.

Goose Feather, Rabbit Fur

Goose Feather, Rabbit Fur

Allergic alveolitis due to goose feathers in a duvet

Allergic alveolitis due to goose feathers in a duvet

The Use of Isoelectric Focusing to Identify Rhinoceros Keratins

Keratins represent the principal structural proteins of hair. They are also found in horn, nail, claw, hoof, and feather. Hair and nail samples from human and canine sources and hair samples from mule deer, white tail deer, cat, moose, elk, antelope, caribou, raccoon, and goat were studied. Parrot and goose feathers were also analyzed. Keratins are polymorphic, and species differences are known to exist. Proteinaceous extracts of deer and antelope antlers and bovine and rhinoceros horn were prepared by solubilizing 10 mg of horn sample in 200 microL of a solution containing 12M urea, 74mM Trizma base, and 78mM dithiothreitol (DTT). Extraction took place over a 48-h period. A 25-microL aliquot of extract was removed and incubated with 5 microL of 0.1 M DTT for 10 min at 25 degrees C. Keratins were then separated by isoelectric focusing (IEF) on 5.2% polyacrylamide gels for 3 h and visualized using silver staining. At least 20 bands could be observed for each species studied. However, band patterns differed in the position of each band, in the number of bands, and in band coloration resulting from the silver staining process. Horn from two species of rhinoceros was examined. For both specimens, most bands occurred in the pH range of 4 to 5. Although similar patterns for both species were observed, they differed sufficiently to differentiate one from the other. As might be expected, the closer two species are related phylogenetically, the greater the similarity in the IEF pattern produced from their solubilized keratin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The blocked amino-terminal peptide of feather keratin.

Proteins extracted from reduced and carboxymethylated feather keratins (SCM-keratins) have been studied by Harrap and Woods (1964a, 1964b, 1967). They have demonstrated the presence of electrophoretic heterogeneity amongst the proteins and have obtained a molecular weight of approximately 11,000 in agreement with earlier work of Woodin (1954). There was no indication of marked heterogeneity with respect to size. Using acid hydrolysis and determination of acetic acid produced they found an acetyl content of 1 �30 molesj104 g in the rachis off owl feathers. These were thought to be attached to primary amino groups since there were no O-acetyl groups. In the present paper the isolation and characterization of the predominant, and probably sole, amino-terminal tripeptide from goose feather calamus is described. Goose feather calamus was chosen because its extracted proteins had one of the simplest electrophoretic patterns of proteins from the feathers of a number of species (Harrap and Woods 1967).

Effect of Processing Methods and Amino Acid Supplementation on Dietary Utilization of Feather Meal Protein by Chicks

INTRODUCTIONTHE keratin proteins have generally been considered to be of little nutritive value because of their chemical structure which makes them insoluble and poorly digestible. Early attempts to use powdered sources of keratin as dietary protein were only slightly successful even when amino acid supplements were provided to offset the deficiencies of these proteins. Routh (1942) reported that powdered chicken feathers, as the sole source of protein for rats, were capable of supporting a moderate growth rate only when supplemented by tryptophan, methionine, histidine and lysine. Balance experiments conducted by Mangold and Dubski (1930) failed to show any digestion of white goose feathers by cats and owls. Thus it appeared that native feather keratin was not only seriously deficient in certain amino acids but was also poorly digestible.The development by Binkley and Vasak (1950) of a method for processing feathers into a friable, high density meal stimulated new…

Feather Meal and Poultry Meat Scrap in Chick Starting Rations

INTEREST has grown in the use of feathers and poultry offal (blood, viscera, heads and feet) as components of poultry rations. Disposal problems associated with an accumulation of these waste materials at poultry processing plants have led many to inquire into possible uses for such wastes. While untreated offal and feathers have been applied directly to the soil as fertilizer, this method of disposal is generally unsatisfactory.The keratin proteins have generally been considered to be of little nutritive value because of their structure, insolubility and consequent indigestibility. Mangold and Dubiski (1930) conducted balance studies which failed to show any digestion of quills of white goose feathers when these were fed to owls, cats, dogs and rats. Routh (1942) found that powdered feathers were capable of supporting moderate growth in the young rat when supplemented with tryptophan, methionine, histidine and lysine. Wagner and Elvehjem (1942 Wagner and Elvehjem (1943) showed that rats and …

The Amino Acid Composition of Certain Morphologically Distinct Parts of White Turkey Feathers, and of Goose Feather Barbs and Goose Down

The Amino Acid Composition of Certain Morphologically Distinct Parts of White Turkey Feathers, and of Goose Feather Barbs and Goose Down

Sensitivity to house dust and goose feathers in infantile eczema: The roˆle of specific allergens

Sensitivity to house dust and goose feathers in infantile eczema: The roˆle of specific allergens

Constitution of the Keratin Molecule

FROM a study of the elastic properties of wool fibres in solutions of varying hydrogen ion concentration, Speakman1 has argued that the long peptide chains of wool are bridged by salt linkages formed from the acid side chains of aspartic and glutamic acids, and the basic side chains of arginine, lysine and histidine. In addition, chemical equivalence between the free acid and basic side chains was deduced from the form of the curve relating the ease of fibre extension to the pH of the medium. Such is the salt linkage theory, for which support was later found in the titration curves of wool2 and feather keratins3, as well as in deductions concerning the influence of the salt linkages on the reactivity of the disulphide bond in strained animal fibres4. Unfortunately, however, the amounts of aspartic and glutamic acids isolated from wool and goose feather by Abderhalden5 are insufficient to account for the basic side chains as well as amide nitrogen. The difficulties of protein analysis are so great that the salt linkage theory is not called into question by Abderhalden's results, but it was felt desirable to augment the supporting evidence already available by direct proof based on new determinations of the dicarboxylic acids in wool and seagull quill, which may be regarded as typical keratins.