Individual Boxes Research Articles

Calculation of water exchange times in the ICES-boxes with a eulerian dispersion model using a half-life time approach

The transport of passive, dissolved and conservative matter is calculated with a three-dimensional Eulerian transport model in order to estimate the water exchange times for the ICES-Boxes. Daily flow fields calculated with a baroclinic circulation model (Pohlmann [1991]) are used to drive the transport model. The half-life time of water exchange in a box is defined analogously to the half-life time of radioactive substances. To determine the half-life time for every ICES-Box, the water in this specific box is marked by a constant concentration, whereas the concentration outside the box is set to zero. The calculation stops when the concentration of matter in the box reaches 50% of its initial value. In the classical approach the total exchange of water in a box is characterized by the time that is needed for the total box mass to flow through the open boundaries of the respective box (flushing-time approach). The advantage of the half-life time approach introduced in this study is the fact that it takes into account the structure of the underlying flow field as well as horizontal and vertical diffusion processes. Moreover, it is possible that matter leaves a box and returns, following a change in the flow field. In such a situation the concentration in the box may increase, inducing a longer exchange time compared to the flushing-time. Depending on the starting time there are significant inter-annual deviations between the half-life times for individual boxes. In comparison with the classical flushing-time approach used by Davies [1982], Backhaus [1984], Lenhart [1990] and Lenhart & Pohlmann [1996], the results of the method presented here show that in boxes with a predominantly inhomogeneous flow field (i.e. the ICES-Boxes 3a, 4, 5a, (6b), 7a and 7b) the time needed to reduce the concentration of a contaminant is longer than was to be expected from earlier studies. This is due to the fact that in these boxes the flushing depends not only on the strength of the flow but also on the structure of the flow field, which is not taken into account in the classical flushing-time approach.

Interaction of the Initiator Protein DnaA of Escherichia coli with Its DNA Target

Equilibrium and kinetic rate constants were determined for the binding of the initiator protein DnaA of Escherichia coli to its binding site, the non-palindromic 9-bp DnaA box, using gel retardation techniques. The dissociation constant for specific binding was between 1 and 50 nM for individual DnaA boxes on 21-bp double-stranded oligonucleotides. Only DnaA boxes of the sequence TT(A/T)TNCACA resulted in specific fragment retention. Both the 9-bp consensus sequence and flanking sequences determined the binding efficiency. One DnaA monomer was found to bind to a DnaA box and to induce a bend of about 40 degrees.

Development of a bioassay method for the selection of entomopathogenic fungi virulent to the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål)

AbstractAn inoculation technique was developed to assay isolates of entomopathogenic fungi, mainly Metarhizium spp., against the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria. Both sexes can be used and neither feeding nor maintenance of a high humidity is necessary. Assays were routinely conducted at 35% relative humidity and 30°C. The technique uses a dose of 2–5 μl conidial suspension formulated in vegetable oil, which is applied with a micropipette or an automatic applicator beneath the dorsal pronotal shield of an adult locust 7–10 days post‐fledging. The speed of kill is dose dependent; at a dose of 3.75 × 105 conidia/g body weight (7.5 × 105 conidia/insect) chosen as a standard, locusts began dying 4 days post application. Several vegetable oils were suitable as diluents for the conidial suspensions, but neem was toxic to the insects. After inoculation, locusts had to be maintained in individual boxes. If inoculated and uninoculated insects were placed in close proximity immediately after inoculation with an oil suspension of conidia, the uninoculated insects succumbed to infection 2–3 days later than the inoculated ones, indicating transfer of inoculum.

Effect of dam nutrition and suckling on lactation in Borana cows and growth in their Borana × Friesian crossbred calves in an early weaning system in Ethiopia

AbstractForty-four Borana × Friesian F1 crossbred calves born to Borana (Bos indicus) cows were randomly assigned to either suck their dams hvice daily or bucket-feeding with 1341 milk over a 57-day pre-weaning period. Their dams were also allocated either to a supplement group with grass hayad libitumand 5 kg per head per day of a concentrate ration or to an unsupplemented group withad libitumgrass hay only. Calves were fed in individual boxes in a calf house. The mean birth weight of calves was 24·8 (s.e. 1·8) kg. Suckled calves were heavier (P < 0·01) at weaning (47·7 (s.e. 1·9) v.37·1 (s.e. 1·8) kg) and had faster pre-weaning growth rate (411 (s.e. 30)v.215 (s.e. 29) g/day) than bucket-fed calves. Calves which sucked supplemented cows were heavier (P < 0·001) at weaning (51·2 (s.e. 2·6)v. 44·2 (s.e. 2·6) kg), had faster (P < 0·01) pre-weaning growth rate (477 (s.e. 41)v.346 (s.e. 41) glday) and higher (P<0·01) daily milk intake (2·6 (s.e. 0·2)v.1·6 (s.e. 0·2) I/day) than those which sucked unsupplemented cows. Mean concentrate intake was 302 (s.e. 30) g/day for bucket-fed calves and 341 (s.e. 33) and 408 (s.e. 33) g/day for calves which sucked supplemented and unsupplemented cows. Cow milk production was higher (P < 0·01) in suckled than in milked cows (3·3 (s.e. 0·2)v.1·0 (s.e. 0·2) I/day) and in supplemented than unsupplemented cows (3·9 (s.e. 0·2)v.2·7 (s.e. 0·2) I/day). Concentrations of milk protein, fat and total solids averaged 39 (s.e. 15), 49 (s.e. 16) and 143 (s.e. 21) g/kg, respectively and were not significantly influenced by either concentrate supplementation or suckling. Restricted suckling and early weaning coupled with appropriate calf and cow feeding regimes could be one of the alternatives for calf rearing under smallholder and small scale peri-urban dairy production systems. However, further studies are warranted to evaluate the effects of such a strategy on both calf and cow performances under these production systems.

Ensaio de palatabilidade e digestibilidade com rações comerciais para eqüinos em regime de estabulação forçada. (nota prévia)

Estudou-se, em eqüinos a palatabilidade e digestibilidade da ração comercial em regime de estabulação forçada. Os animais estabulados receberam ração contendo 4g de óxido crômico por dia de experimento. As excreções colhidas quantitativamente em períodos de 24 horas compuseram as amostras representativas e do total de 5 dias. A ração foi bem aceita pelos animais que consumiram 6 kilos/dia durante 18 dias experimentais. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade médios (88,35 e 89,59) revelaram um alto índice de aproveitamento da ração.

Gestation et reprise de l'activité sexuelle après le part chez la brebis Djallonké, variété "Mossi"

Cette étude vise à déterminer les caractéristiques physiologiques de la gestation et de la reprise de la cyclicité après le part chez la brebis Djallonké variété "Mossi" (n=52). L'observation des gestations sur 20 brebis saillies naturellement en octobre et en novembre (saison sèche et fraîche), permet d'évaluer à 149 plus ou moins 2,4 jours la durée de gestation, à 92 % le taux de fertilité, à 118 % le taux de prolificité, à 108 % le taux de fécondité et à 7,1 % le taux de resorption embryonnaire. La croissance du foetus et de ses annexes est lente durant les 2 premiers mois (< 10 g/j). A partir du troisième mois, elle s'accélère avec 27 g/j. La progestèronémie plasmatique maternelle augmente durant cette deuxième période. Sur 14 autres brebis le suivi de l'activité sexuelle après la parturition, par l'observation de la de la reprise des chaleurs pour des mises bas survenues entre décembre et janvier (saison sèche et froide), indique un intervalle d'agnelage-premier oestrus de 56,6 plus ou moins dix jours. Le suivi d'un groupe expérimental de 18 brebis placées en boxes individuels avec un niveau alimentaire variable (80, 100 et 120 % des besoins) soumises à l'allaitement pendant 4, 5 et 6 semaines montre que le délai d'apparition des chaleurs dépend à la fois de ce niveau alimentaire et de la durée de l'allaitement (P < 0,05).

Characterization of the arginine repressor from Salmonella typhimurium and its interactions with the carAB operator

Primer extension experiments showed that the argR gene, encoding the arginine repressor in Salmonella typhimurium, is transcribed from a single promoter that is negatively regulated by arginine. A repressor overproducing strain was constructed and the repressor was purified to homogeneity. Gel filtration, sedimentation and cross-linking studies established that the native repressor is a hexamer of identical 17,000 M r subunits. Gel retardation experiments indicate that the apparent dissociation constant for repressor/ carAB operator is 6 × 10 −12 m. These experiments showed that arginine is essential for binding of the repressor to the DNA and that pyrimidine nucleotides have no significant effect on this binding. These results indicate that the effect of pyrimidines on expression of the arginine sensitive “downstream” carAB promoter is not directly mediated by the arginine repressor. These experiments also suggest that a single hexamer binds to the carAB operator, which carries two previously defined “ARG box” sequences that characterize operators for arg genes. Gel retardation experiments with DNA fragments carrying the individual ARG boxes showed that both boxes are required for effective binding of the hexameric repressor to the operator, indicating that the ARG boxes comprise a single binding site for the repressor. Analysis of the potential secondary structure of the arginine repressor does not reveal any of the recognizable structural motifs common to a number of DNA-binding proteins. A combination of DNase I, premethylation interference, depurination and hydroxyl radical footprinting techniques were employed to characterize the interactions of the repressor with the carAB operator, with the results suggesting that the repressor predominantly interacts with A · T residues in this region. Comparative DNA sequence analysis of the known arginine operators of enteric bacteria further indicates that the specificity of interaction may be based more on the precise distance between two defined A · T-rich regions rather than on the specific nucleotide sequence.

Comparison of General Circulation Model and Observed Regional Climates: Daily and Seasonal Variability

Abstract Validation of general circulation model (GCM) current climate simulations is important for further GCM development and application to climate change studies. So far, studies that compare GCM output with observations have focused primarily on large-scale spatial averages of the surface climate variables. Here we discuss two approaches to compare output of individual GCM grid boxes with local station observations near the surface and in the free troposphere. The first approach, proposed by Chervin, involves the application of standard parametric statistical analysis and hypothesis testing procedures. The second approach is nonparametric in the sense that no ideal distributions are postulated a priori to ascertain significance of the difference of mean temperature or the ratio of the temperature variance between model grid boxes and local stations. Instead, station observations are first subjected to a bootstrap technique and then used to define a unique set of distributions and confidence limits fo...

Resonant tunneling through coupled, double-quantum-box nanostructures.

We present calculations of resonant tunneling through coupled, double-quantum-box (CDQB) nano- structures. Resonant tunneling through states confined in individual boxes and resonant tunneling through CDQB states, resonantly coupled between the two boxes, are both important tunneling channels. For weakly coupled boxes separated by a thick barrier, the dominant tunneling channels are the CDQB states. For strongly coupled boxes separated by a thin barrier, CDQB states and individual box states both provide effective tunneling channels. Our results suggest that recent measurements of resonant tunneling in strongly coupled, double-quantum-box nanostructures can be explained as tunneling through states in the box adjacent to the emitter contact.

Prevalence of serum precipitating antibodies in horses to fungal and thermophilic actinomycete antigens: effects of environmental challenge

Sera from 54 two- to three-year-old Thoroughbred horses from an English racing stable were examined for precipitins to antigen extracts prepared from 18 species of moulds (fungi and thermophilic actinomycetes) isolated from the same stable. Twenty-seven horses exhibited serum precipitins to one or more antigens; sixteen of the mould antigens elicited positive reactions in sera from one or more horses. Significantly more precipitins occurred in sera of those horses stabled in a barn than among those stabled in individual boxes. This indicated a possible association between type of housing, level of exposure to airborne moulds and presence of serum precipitins. None of the horses had overt respiratory disease. This study agrees with reports of the presence of serum precipitating antibodies to mould antigens in clinically healthy horses and confirms that serological tests, therefore, are of little value in the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or 'heaves'.

Subsequent response to early diet cholesterol and feed restriction in swine

Three four-way cross (Chester White × Landrace × Large White × Yorkshire) female pigs from each of twelve litters were used. One pig from each trio remained with its primiparous dam and its other littermates to age 28 d. Two pigs from each trio were removed to individual boxes at age 24 to 36 h and fed liquid sow-milk substitute containing low cholesterol (14 mg/100 g) or high cholesterol (151 mg/100 g) to age 28 d. All pigs were weaned to a dry diet containing 182 mg cholesterol/100 g to age 12 wk and 115 mg cholesterol/100 g from age 12 wk to 20 wk. Carcass measurements and organ weights were recorded at slaughter (20 wk) and liver was analyzed for cholesterol. Body weights were recorded weekly to 28 d and bi-weekly thereafter; serum total cholesterol was determined on d 1, 28, 56, 84, 112 and 136. Sow-reared (SR) pigs were heavier (P<0.01) at age 28 d than sow-milk substitute-reared pigs and the difference persisted to age 20 wk. Weights of trimmed Boston butt, picnic, loin and ham and of liver, heart, spleen, kidneys, except brain, were reduced (P<0.01) proportionately in sow-milk substitute-reared compared with SR pigs, but HC and LC were similar to each other. Serum cholesterol of LC pigs was less than that of HC and SR pigs by d 28 (77, 171 and 145 mg/100 mL, respectively, P<0.01). Serum cholesterol response curves over time and peak concentration were less for LC than HC and SR (LC<HC<SR, P<0.01). Peak concentration was reached later in LC than in HC and SR pigs (91, 70 and 70 d, respectively, P<0.01). Liver cholesterol concentration was unaffected by early cholesterol deprivation (LC vs HC) or by reduced growth due to early weaning to liquid diets. It is concluded that dietary cholesterol deprivation of pigs during the first 4 wk of postnatal life reduced the serum cholesterol response to a high cholesterol diet fed from age 4 wk to 20 wk, but had no effect on concentrations of cholesterol in liver at age 20 wk.

Archival flash images: Optical counterparts of gamma-ray bursts or defects?

We report about further results of our analysis of archival plates for possible optical counterparts of gamma-ray bursts (GRB). The first part is devoted to the analysis of individual GRB error boxes: 1. i)|No flash image could be found in the error box of the strong burst GB 881024 localized by Phobos/Ginga. 2. ii)|The ICE-detected 1981 May 8 transient of the Soft Gamma Repeater 1806-20 was not accompanied by an optical flash up to L gamma L opt = 100 . 3. iii)|Inside the error box of the GRB source GBS 0008+13 an optical outburst image was found on three simultaneously exposed plates. Possible explanations will be given. In the second part we report on microscopy by reflected light of stellar images on photographic plates. This method in most cases allows a clear distinction between real stellar images and star-like defects. Applying this method to all candidate objects of GRB optical counterparts found on plates of Sonneberg Observatory, we show that most of these objects are plate defects.

An Investigation Into the Accuracy of the Vector Method by Comparison With ECP Measurements

In an attempt to investigate the accuracy of the vector method for crystal texture analysis, a comparison has been made between the inversion result of the pole figure made by X-ray studies using the VM and the inversion result of the pole figure made by ECP. A comparison has been made between the inversion by the pole figure generated by direct measurement of orientations by ECP and the actual orientation distribution (measured by ECP) displayed in the same mode. The materials studied were recrystallized Fe–3% Si and Fe–50% Ni. The main findings were:• In the mean intensities of each individual Box, the inversion results of pole figures made from orientations determined by ECP were in good agreement with the inversion from (100) pole figures made by X-ray or actual orientation distribution (made by ECP) displayed in the same mode as the vector method.• For Fe–3% Si, quite a good agreement was obtained between the results inverted from X-ray pole figure and the direct measurement by ECP for the intensity distribution of minor texture component along ζ angle. It was concluded from these investigations that the inversion of the pole figure by the vector method is accurate enough for most practical purposes.

A methodology for assessing the reliability of ‘boxes’

Abstract In many practical situations, it is important to estimate the reliability of a system even though operational experience with the complete system is limited or nonexistent. In such situations, one is forced to fall back upon information available at the level of ‘boxes’ (i.e. of subunits of the complete system). Experience at this level often consists of results of various kinds of tests, all partially, but not totally, relevant to the performance of the box when it is part of the system. This paper lays out a language, conceptual framework, and methodology for dealing with such situations. The process is based on Bayes' theorem. The results are in the form of probability curves against the reliabilities of the individual boxes and the complete system. The probability curves show what state of knowledge or confidence we may logically have, at any moment, based upon the totality of information available at that time.

Many-sided performance testing of Finnsheep rams

Central performance testing of young rams has been conducted in Finland since 1975, in 1985—87 indoors as combined phenotype and 1/2-sib tests, which are the subject of this study. There were 100 individual boxes available, of which ca. 90 were annually used for Finnsheep (F). The rams were fed on concentrate diet (13.5 % DCP) ad lib. + hay. The test period was from 60 to 150 days of age. Feed intake (FI) was recorded daily, live weights (LW) fortnightly. At the end, MLD-areas were ultrasonically scanned, fleeces weighed, some linear body measurements taken, and fleshiness and wool quality scored. A total of 276 F rams were tested. They were progeny of 85 sires (2—4 half-brothers/sire). The means for all rams (30 selected rams) were: birth type 3.19 (3.18), rearing type 2.93 (3.01), age at start 64.3 (63.7) days, 60-day LW 19.5 (19.5) kg, 150-day LW 45.1 (47.6) kg, ADG 284 (312) g/d, FI 1.28 (1.34) kg/d, FE 4.49 (4.29) kg/kg gain, MLD-area 8.83 (9.63) cm2. There was considerable variation in the important traits (ADG, FI, FE, MLD-area), in spite of preselection. The phenotypic correlations of ADG with 150-d. LW, FI, Fl/kg gain and MLD-area were .61, .57, —.63 and .37, resp. (PC.001). Those of 150-d.LW with the last three traits were .59, —.15 NS and 0.44, resp.(P&lt; .001). Selection for ADG, 150-d. LW, Fl/kg gain and MLD area in the performance test appeared to improve the value of offspring for meat production in F.

Nest box design and nesting material in a deep litter house for laying hens

Abstract 1. Preferences of hens for different types of nest box were tested in two deep litter pens, each containing 300 Isabrown laying hens. Four types were offered: traditional wooden nests with litter, metal rollaway nests with plastic liners, wooden rollaway nests with artificial turf and autonests. 2. Most eggs were laid in traditional nests (70% in pen 1, 66% in pen 2). Metal rollaways were the next preferred type. These preferences were confirmed by analysis of records from individual nest boxes, and by observations of hens marked with wing tags. 3. Choice of nesting material was tested in one pen of 370 hens. Traditional nests were provided, containing either wood shavings or a mixture of buckwheat and oat husks. 4. Preferences for type of nesting material were equivocal. The majority of eggs were laid on wood shavings initially, but on buckwheat/oat husks later. Individual hens were inconsistent in their choice. A deep (100 mm) layer of nesting material was preferred to a shallow (25 mm) layer. 5. Individual, wooden nest boxes incorporating buckwheat/oat husk nesting material on a movable belt are probably the most suitable system for automation of egg collection in deep litter houses.

Robotic palletization of multiple box sizes

This paper addresses the problem of loading pallets with multiple size boxes. It focuses on the physical aspects of using a robot to load multiple size boxes on pallets. The paper presents an algorithm that determines individual box placement on a multiple layer pallet, assuming that multiple box sizes is a limitation. This study was done using an algorithm and a robot sequence program. The program was run on an IBM RS-1 robot. The problems associated with robotic implementation are discussed in detail.

Air hygiene in stables. 1: Effects of stable design, ventilation and management on the concentration of respirable dust.

The concentration of fungal spores, the main constituents of respirable dust in stables, is determined by rates of release from fodder and bedding and rate of clearance, principally by ventilation. This paper outlines the principles that govern the application of natural ventilation to the control of air hygiene in barns and individual boxes for horses. When release rates are low, ventilation rates over four air changes per hour are satisfactory. Ventilation was satisfactory in individual boxes but usually unsatisfactory in barns and specific recommendations are made for improvement. Preliminary observations in stables with clean, well-managed bedding revealed only small differences between straw, wood shavings and paper. In these circumstances hay tended to be the major source of respirable spores.

Specific binding of TUF factor to upstream activation sites of yeast ribosomal protein genes.

Transcription activation of yeast ribosomal protein genes is mediated through homologous, 12-nucleotide-long and, in general, duplicated upstream promoter elements (HOMOL1 and RPG, referred to as UASrpg). As shown previously, a yeast protein factor, TUF, interacts specifically with these conserved boxes in the 5'-flanking sequences of the elongation factor genes TEF1 and TEF2 and the ribosomal protein gene RP51A. We have now extended our studies of TUF-UASrpg binding by analysing--using footprinting and gel electrophoretic retardation techniques--the genes encoding the ribosomal proteins L25, rp28 (both copy genes), S24 + L46 and S33. Most, but not all, conserved sequence elements occurring in front of these genes, turned out to represent binding sites for the same factor, TUF. The two functionally important boxes that are found in a tandem arrangement (a characteristic of many rp genes) upstream of the L25 gene are indistinguishable in their factor binding specificity. Large differences were shown to exist in the affinity of the TUF factor for the various individual boxes and in the half-life of the protein-DNA complexes. No binding cooperativity could be demonstrated on adjacent sites on L25 or RP51A promoters. Based on binding data, the UASrpg sequence ACACCCATACAT appears to be the one recognized most efficiently by the TUF factor. Previously, no conserved box was found in front of the gene encoding S33. Nevertheless, complex formation with the protein fraction used was observed in the upstream region of the S33 gene. Competition experiments disclosed the existence of an additional binding component, distinct from TUF. This component may possibly regulate a subset of genes for the translational apparatus.

Albumin/Hetastarch Drug Utilization Review in an Operating Room Pharmacy

A prospective drug utilization review (DUR) was performed on the colloids albumin 5% and hetastarch 6% at the University of Illinois Hospital Operating Room Pharmacy. This DUR's purpose was to evaluate the usage patterns of the two colloids. With the addition of hetastarch 6% to the formulary, an alternative colloid was available that could be therapeutically substituted for albumin 5% at a cost savings. Its usage, however, was not what would have been expected. Usage information was obtained by placing utilization forms inside the individual boxes of albumin 5% and hetastarch 6%. These forms were completed by the anesthesiologists and returned to the pharmacy, where the remainder of each form was completed. It was concluded that 93 percent of the patients administered albumin 5% could have received hetastarch 6%. Hence, potential yearly savings of approximately $12,346.00 could be realized by the Department of Pharmacy.