No description available.

The present work has been divided into two parts. At first, research projects attempt to evaluate technologies that increase digestibility of energy and other nutrients in cereal grains and their co-products. Differences in starch digestibility have been attributed to various factors, including the the type of corn endosperm, the presence of proteins and prolamins, the presence of lipids, the amylose-amylopectin ratio, the starch granule structure, the particle size, the conservation and processing methods. Second part of my work was dedicated to investigate the sensors of diet compounds which could be considered as potential markers to monitor nutrition status of organism. Activation of these receptors is believed to influence the hunger-satiety cycle, and their expression levels may be altered by dietary composition. Thus, the aim was to investigate for the first time the effect of arabinoxylans (AX) and β-glucans (BG) on the relative level of expression of carbohydrates, amino and fatty acid nutrient sensors genes in porcine oral and non-oral tissues. / The present work has been divided into two parts. At first, research projects attempt to evaluate technologies that increase digestibility of energy and other nutrients in cereal grains and their co-products. Differences in starch digestibility have been attributed to various factors, including the the type of corn endosperm, the presence of proteins and prolamins, the presence of lipids, the amylose-amylopectin ratio, the starch granule structure, the particle size, the conservation and processing methods. Second part of my work was dedicated to investigate the sensors of diet compounds which could be considered as potential markers to monitor nutrition status of organism. Activation of these receptors is believed to influence the hunger-satiety cycle, and their expression levels may be altered by dietary composition. Thus, the aim was to investigate for the first time the effect of arabinoxylans (AX) and β-glucans (BG) on the relative level of expression of carbohydrates, amino and fatty acid nutrient sensors genes in porcine oral and non-oral tissues.

Commonly referred to as “red tide”, harmful algal blooms (HABs) formed by Karenia brevis occur frequently in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). A bloom is defined as cell abundances >105 cells L-1. This thesis will focus primarily on Karenia brevis, formerly known as Gymnodinium breve, in the Gulf of Mexico. K. brevis is harmful because it produces brevetoxin, a ladder-frame polyether that acts as a potent neurotoxin in vertebrates. K. brevis commonly causes fish kills, respiratory irritation in humans, and Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP) if ingested. Blooms of K. brevis occur almost annually along the West Florida Shelf (WFS) in the late summer and early fall, when the coastal current is favorable for bloom initiation. Along the Texas-Louisiana shelf (TLS) however, blooms of K. brevis are infrequent and sporadic. While much is known of the blooms along the WFS due to their frequent presence, little is known of the mechanisms driving the blooms along the TLS due to their inconsistent presence. To understand the stochastic nature of HABs along the TLS, historical data of bloom occurrences from 1996 to present were compared with NOAA station PTAT2 wind, sea-level pressure, air and water temperature data and NCEP NARR-A sea-level pressure data. The difference in the monthly-mean along-shore component of the wind was statistically significant between bloom and non-bloom years in September (p<<0.001) and April (p=0.0015), with bloom years having a strong downcoast current. Monthly mean water temperature values yielded similar results between bloom and non-bloom years. Both March and September monthly-mean water temperature values were lower during non-bloom years with p-values of 0.01 and 0.048, respectively. These results suggest the possibly of forecasting for HABs along the TLS with currently measured, publicly available data.

Tyrimas atliktas 2012-2014 metų laikotarpiu Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų universitete, Veterinarijos akademijoje, GTF Paukščių lesalų ir paukštininkystės laboratorijoje, prie Gyvulininkystės katedros, AB „Vilniaus paukštynas“ ir KTU maisto instituto juslinių tyrimų laboratorijoje. Darbas turi 46 puslapius, 18 lentelių, 6 paveikslus. Darbo tikslas yra ištirti lesalų, papildytų skirtingų koncentracijų fermentinio priedo, įtaką viščiukų broilerių linijos Ross-308 produktyvumui bei mėsos kokybei. Darbo uždaviniai yra ištirti fermentinio priedo įtaka viščiukų broilerių produktyvumui, išgyvenimui, virškinamojo trakto turinio sausųjų medžiagų kiekiui, krūtinės ir kojų raumenų pH, vidinių organų, žarnyno svoriui ir ilgiui, viščiukų skerdenos rodikliams ir viščiukų mėsos juslinėms savybėms. Gauti rezultatai: Skirtingi fermentinio preparato kiekiai viščiukų broilerių augimo intensyvumui esminės įtakos neturėjo, tačiau juos naudojant lesalų konversija pagerėjo 1-2 proc. Tiriamosiose grupėse buvo nustatytas didesnis broilerių išsaugojimas 1,5-2 proc., palyginus su kontroline grupe. Analizuojant sausųjų medžiagų ir vandenilio jonų koncentracijas viščiukų broilerių virškinamajame trakte statistiškai patikimų skirtumų tarp kontrolinės ir tiriamųjų paukščių grupių nenustatyta. Tiriamųjų viščiukų broilerių žarnyno ir aklosios žarnos bendras ilgis padidėjo 4-5 proc., liaukinio skrandžio išsivystymas 5-43 proc., vidaus organų, kaip širdies ir kepenų, svoriai didėjo 8-27 proc., tačiau kasos ir... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Name of work: “The influence of different concentrations of xylanase, beta-glucanase and cellulase on productivity and meat quality of broilers chickens cross line Ross-308”. The work was performed in year 2012-2014 at Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Veterinary Academy, in Poultry Feed and Poultry Products Laboratory, JSC „Vilniaus paukšynas“ and Food Institute of Kaunas University of Technology, in Sensory Analysis Laboratory. The work has 46 pages, 18 tables and 6 images. The aim of the work was to investigate the effect of different concentrations of NSP enzymes on Productivity and meat quality of broiler chickens. The tasks of the work were to investigate the effect of different concentrations of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) enzymes for productivity of broiler chickens; effect on broiler chickens mortality, intestinal dry mass, intestinal pH value, breast muscle and leg muscle pH, internal organ weight, intestinal length, broiler carcass results and meat sensory and textual properties. Results: Different enzyme concentrations did not influence broiler chicken growth performance in general. Though feed conversion was better by 1-2 percent than in the control group. In enzyme treatment groups Broiler chicken mortality was lower by 1,5-2 percent compared to the control group. During the analysis of dry mass and hydrogen ion concentrations in the gastrointestinal tract of Broiler chickens, results showed that statistically significant differences could not... [to full text]

The HIV and Aids pandemic and its impact on socio-economic development in South Africa led to the development of the broad National Strategic Plan (NSP 2007-2011) with the aim to guide the country’s response to the pandemic. This document was the second plan post 1994, to deal with the pandemic, the first one being the NSP 2000-2005. However, despite addressing the HIV and Aids pandemic since the 1990s, national statistics indicate that the country still grapples with curbing the spread of new HIV infections. The goal of the study was to investigate the alignment of the FBOs HIV and Aids service delivery with the NSP 2007-2011 in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM). To achieve this goal, the study conceptualised and analysed the NSP 2007-2011 with regards to its implications for partnerships in addressing the HIV and Aids pandemic within the context of the social development approach. The study investigated the Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) HIV and Aids service delivery, the main partners in the field and policy implementation, to establish the extent of their service alignment with the NSP 2007-2011 and to identify and describe elements required for service delivery necessary for alignment to the policy. A qualitative research approach, using a collective case study design was utilised for the study. Data was gathered by means of two focus group interviews with the HIV and Aids Projects’ managers/coordinators in the employment of the Christian-based FBOs in Ekurhuleni. Findings showed that most FBOs HIV and Aids service delivery focus on the management of the disease, and as a result neglect the grassroots and fundamental integrative prevention services. Some difficulties in the partnership between FBOs and government were found by the study, coupled with poor communication between government and FBOs leading to the isolation of FBOs in rendering HIV and Aids services. Research findings further revealed poor application of the NSP 2007-2011 elements of effective communications, partnerships, service coordination, monitoring and evaluation including provision of support through financial resources by government to enhance FBOs HIV and Aids service delivery. The study concluded that the FBOs service delivery in the field of HIV and Aids in EMM is not in full alignment with the NSP 2007-2011. Furthermore, it was established that without an application of the developmental approach to facilitate the implementation of the NSP elements, FBOs HIV and Aids service delivery in alignment with the NSP 2007-2011, will be difficult to achieve. The study recommended that the NSP implementation must be based on the social development model to facilitate HIV and Aids service delivery linkages amongst government departments on a broad range of the interrelated development issues caused by the pandemic. It was also recommended that future National Strategic Plans should include social developmental themes, to ensure improved alignment of FBOs HIV and Aids service delivery, namely, a rights-based approach; partnerships; economic and social development; participation and a macro and micro focus. In particular, it was noted that government needs to strengthen its partnership with the FBOs and to provide intensified funding towards HIV and Aids service delivery. Further research should be conducted to establish how the NSP 2012-2016 (RSA, 2012) has incorporated these recommendations in order to fill the gaps identified in this study. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lk2014 / Social Work and Criminology / MA / Unrestricted

A natural phenomenon characterized by dense aggregations of unicellular photosynthetic marine organisms has been termed colloquially as red tides because of the vivid discoloration of the water. The dinoflagellate Karenia brevis is the cause of the Florida red tide bloom. K. brevis produces the brevetoxins, a potent suite of neurotoxins responsible for substantial amounts of marine mammal and fish mortalities. When consumed by humans, the toxin causes Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP). The native function of brevetoxin within the organism has remained mysterious since its discovery. There is a need to identify factors which contribute to and regulate toxin production within K. brevis. These toxins are produced and retained within the cell implicating a significant cellular role for their presence. Localization of brevetoxin and identification of a native receptor may provide insight into its native role as well as other polyether ladder type toxins such as the ciguatoxins, maitotoxins, and yessotoxins. In higher organisms these polyether ladder molecules bind to transmembrane proteins with high affinity. We anticipated the native brevetoxin receptor would also be a transmembrane protein. Photoaffinity labeling has become increasingly popular for identifying ligand receptors. By attaching ligands to these photophors, one is able to activate the molecule after the ligand binds to its receptor to obtain a permanent linkage between the two. Subsequent purification provides the protein with the ligand directly attached. A molecule that is capable of fluorescence is a fluorophore, which upon excitation is capable of re-emitting light. Fluorescent labeling uses fluorophores by attaching them covalently to biologically active compounds. The synthesis of a brevetoxin photoaffinity probe and its application in identifying a native brevetoxin receptor will be described. The preparation of a fluorescent derivative of brevetoxin will be described and its use in localizing the toxin to an organelle within K. brevis. In addition, the general utility of a synthesized photoaffinity label with other toxins having similar functionality will be described. An alternative synthetic approach to a general photoaffinity label will also be discussed whose goal was to accelerate the preparation and improve the overall synthetic yields of a multifunctional label.

No description available.

In mehrfaktoriellen 2 x 2 x 4 Untersuchungen im Zeitraum vom 7. - 28. Lebenstag und in Bilanzversuchen vom 15. - 20. Lebenstag mit männlichen Broilerküken (Cobb 500) wurden die Effekte der Versuchsfaktoren Zerkleinerung (Hammermühle vs. Walzenstuhl), thermische Behandlung (Konditionierung bei 70°C vs. Konditionierung/Expandierung 100°C) und Zusätze von Zink-Bacitracin bzw. Roxazym G2 (ohne Zusatz, mit Zink-Bacitracin 50 mg, mit Roxayzm G2 150 ppm und deren Zusatzkombination A+E) sowie die Interaktionen untersucht. Als Kriterien dienten die Parameter Futterverzehr, Lebendmassezunahme, Futteraufwand, Nährstoffansatz und -verwertung, ileale Verdaulichkeit von ausgewählten Aminosäuren, Proteinverwertung/Proteinqualität und Umsetzbarkeit der Energie. Die Versuchstiere erhielten ab dem 7. Lebenstag die entsprechenden Versuchsmischungen. Der Gehalt an XP und MEn aller Versuchsmischungen war einheitlich (XP 21,7% und MEn 12,3 MJ/kg Futter). Die Lysinversorgung wurde auf 90 % unter der optimalen Bedarfsdeckung in allen Futtermischungen limitiert. Die Auswirkungen der Versuchsfaktoren lassen sich wie folgt zusammenfassen: - Zerkleinerung : Die Zerkleinerungstechnologie mit dem Walzenstuhl übte einen signifikanten Einfluss auf den Futterverzehr (-3,5 %) und Futteraufwand (-2,8 %) gegenüber der Zerkleinerung mit der Hammermühle aus. Die Nährstoffverwertung (XP und Energie) zeigten durch Walzenstuhl-Zerkleinerung tendenzielle Verbesserungen. Die ileale Lysinverdaulichkeit blieb unverändert, die ileale Verdaulichkeit von Threonin und Met+Cys wurde signifikant erhöht. Die Walzenstuhl-Zerkleinerung führte zu einer besseren Futterstruktur und zu einer höheren Nährstoffdichte in den Pellets. Das wird deutlich durch die höhere N-Aufnahme bzw. N-Bilanz sowie durch gesteigerte N-Verwertungsparameter und einen erhöhten Gehalt an N-korrigierter umsetzbarer Energie (MEn). - Thermische Behandlung : Durch erhöhte Hitzeapplikation mit dem Expander konnten in der vorliegenden Arbeit hinsichtlich der Leistungsparameter, Nährstoffansatz und -verwertung keine Unterschiede gegenüber der Konditionierung festgestellt werden. Die Expandierung führte zu einer signifikant erhöhten ilealen Lysinverdaulichkeit, die durch die gemessene Lysinwirksamkeit im Bilanzversuch jedoch nicht widergespiegelt wurde. Auch signifikant niedrigere N-Bilanz und physiologische Proteinnutzwerte (PNu) sowie die tendenzielle Verringerung der N-Verdaulichkeit und des Gehaltes an umsetzbarer Energie deuten auf eine negative Wirkung der intensiveren thermischen Behandlung durch Expandieren hin. Hierzu sind weitere klärende Untersuchungen notwendig. - Futterzusätze: Durch die alleinige Supplementierung mit dem Antibiotikum Zink-Bacitracin oder NSP-spaltenden Enzym Roxazym G2 bzw. deren Kombination reagierten Mastleistung und Futterverwertung signifikant positiv. Während der Effekt der Enzymzulagen bei Nährstoffverwertung und ilealer Verdaulichkeit ausgewählter Aminosäure signifikant höher gegenüber der unsupplementierten Gruppe war, blieb ein Effekt von Zink-Bacitracin hinsichtlich dieser Parameter aus. Der Effekt der Zusatzkombination war bei Mastleistung, Nährstoffansatz und -verwertung und bei der ilealen Verdaulichkeit der ausgewählten Aminosäuren gegenüber der Kontrolle oder dem alleinigen Zusatz signifikant höher. Das deutet auf einen synergistischen Effekt der gleichzeitigen Applikation der beiden Additive hin. Die N-Verwertung einschließlich des Gehalts an N-korrigierter scheinbar umsetzbarer Energie lag nach alleiniger Applikation von Zink-Bacitracin unerwartet signifikant niedriger gegenüber den anderen Zusätzen bzw. tendenziell gegenüber der Kontrolle. Die Gehalte an scheinbar umsetzbarer Energie (AMEn) waren deutlich durch den Enzymzusatz allein oder in Kombination mit Zink-Bacitracin erhöht. -Interaktionen: Die Abhängigkeit der Versuchsfaktoren voneinander im Mastversuch war nicht stark ausgeprägt. Die Zerkleinerung in Verbindung mit anschließender thermischer Behandlung führte zur Beeinflussung der Futterverzehrsdaten. Danach verbesserten die Verfahrenskombinationen Hammermühle x Konditionierung oder Walzenstuhl x Expandierung bedingt durch einen erhöhten Futterverzehr die Lebendmassezunahme und den Nährstoffansatz signifikant. Hinsichtlich der ilealen Aminosäurenverdaulichkeit zeigten die Futterzusätze eine Abhängigkeit von der Behandlung bzw. Zerkleinerung und Behandlung. Die Enzymzulage allein oder in Kombination mit Zink-Bacitracin zeigte stärkere Effektivität in Verbindung mit der thermischen Behandlung durch Expandieren.

The thesis consists of two parts. Part 1 deals with the preparation of thin films and sub-micron powders of complex metal oxides by nebulized spray pyrolysis (NSP) and Part 2 consists of Brillouin scattering studies of solid materials exhibiting interesting phase transitions. The simple technique of NSP has been employed to prepare thin films of A12O3, PbTiO3, Pb(Zr0.5Ti0.5)O3 (PZT) and PbZrO3 on single crystal substrate. The films were characterized by various techniques for their composition, structure, morphology and dielectric properties. Ferroelectric (FE) films of the configuration FE/LaNiO3/SiO2/Si (FE = PbTiO3 and PZT), wherein the LaNiO3 barrier electrode was also deposited on the SiO2/Si substrate by NSP, have been investigated. The films exhibit satisfactory ferroelectric properties. PbZrO3 films deposited on LaNiO3/SiO2/Si substrates show good features, including a reversible AFE ↔ FE transition. Sub-micron particles of TiO2, ZrO2, Pb(Zr0.5Ti0.5)O3, Al2O3, S1O2 and mullite have been prepared by NSP and characterized by various techniques. Brillouin scattering has been used, for the first time, not only to characterize the Peierls transition but also the incommensurate to commensurate transition in the one-dimensional blue bronze, K0.3M0O3. The charge density wave transition in NbSe2 has also been investigated by Brillouin scattering. The charge ordering and antiferromag-netic transitions in single crystals of the rare earth manganates, Nd0.5Ca0.5MnO3 and Pr0.63Ca 0.37MnO3, have been investigated by Brillouin scattering. It is noteworthy that the temperature variation of the Brillouin shift and intensity parallel to that of the magnetization, thereby throwing light on magnetic excitations in charge-ordered state. Brillouin scattering investigations of C60 and C70 films have yielded values of the elastic moduli.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / The United States has spent over $2 billion during the last six years to reconstruct and stabilize Afghanistan through the Commander's Emergency Response Program (CERP). This effort is only one of several simultaneous programs attempting to stabilize Afghanistan using approaches including providing humanitarian aid, education, government and security reform, and construction. Construction often involves simple infrastructure development with tangible benefits including increased access, growing commerce and better security. Construction projects can also employ the local population and, if done correctly, develop a sense of community and social capital. What causes construction projects to miss the mark failing to result in creating a stable community? This research compares four different construction programs including CERP, National Solidarity Program (NSP), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT) to determine their potential impact on Afghan stability. It uses a combination of statistical regression, correlation, geospatial and temporal analysis to compare completed construction with recorded SIGACTs (Significant Acts) reported by U.S. forces and NGOs. The results imply that the identified stabilization programs are not using construction effectively to create social capital and stability.