Influence of temperature on the production and infectivity of entomopathogenic nematodes against larvae and pupae of vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus, (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Susceptibility of late instar vine weevil Otiorhynchus sulcatus larvae and pupae to four species entomopathogenic nematodes were tested. Bioassays on production and infectivity to larvae and pupae were compared for two steinernematids and two heterorhabditis such as Steinernema carpocapsae, S. feltiae, Heterorhabditis indica and H. bacteriophora. Nematodes production of all species was determined by the number infective juveniles (IJs) established in vine weevil larvae and pupae O. sulcatus using sand and filter paper bioassay. S. feltiae produced the maximum number in larvae and pupae at 20°C as compared to other nematodes but production of H. indica, was better at 25°C in larvae and pupae followed by H. bacteriophora, S. carpocapsae and Infectivity test of larvae and pupae was also done in sand media. Infective juveniles recovered from larvae and pupae when infected with S. feltiae produced maximum infective juveniles at 20°C temperatures than all other isolates. H. bacteriophora produced higher number of IJs in larvae and pupae than all other nematode isolates at 25°C. This paper indicates the application of nematodes with the knowledge of insect pest biology represents a possible new strategy for O. sulcatus larvae and pupae.

Formation and circulation of the cold intermediate layer in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence

[ 1] The local heat content and formation rate of the cold intermediate layer (CIL) in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence are examined using a combination of new in situ wintertime observations and a three-dimensional numerical model. The field observations consist of five moorings located throughout the gulf over the period of November 2002 to June 2003. The observations demonstrate a substantially deeper surface mixed layer in the central and northeast gulf than in regions downstream of the buoyant surface outflow from the Saint Lawrence Estuary. The mixed-layer depth in the estuary remains shallow (< 60 m) throughout winter, with the arrival of a layer of near-freezing waters between 40 and 100 m depth in April. An eddy-permitting ice-ocean model with realistic forcing is used to hindcast the period of observation. The model simulates well the seasonal evolution of mixed-layer depth and CIL heat content. Although the greatest heat losses occur in the northeast, the most significant change in CIL heat content over winter occurs in the Anticosti Trough. The observed renewal of CIL in the estuary in spring is captured by the model. The simulation highlights the role of the northwest gulf, and in particular, the separation of the Gaspe Current, in controlling the exchange of CIL between the estuary and the gulf. In order to isolate the effects of inflow through the Strait of Belle Isle on the CIL heat content, we examine a sensitivity experiment in which the strait is closed. This simulation shows that the inflow has a less important effect on the CIL than was suggested by previous studies.

The use of life cycle assessment to compare the environmental impact of production and feeding of conventional and genetically modified maize for broiler production in Argentina

The paper presents the methods and results of a life-cycle assessment (LCA) applied to the production of maize grain from a conventional variety compared with maize grain from a variety genetically modified to be herbicide tolerant and insect protected and to contain an enhanced oil and lysine content, and its impact when fed to broiler chickens. The findings show that there are both environmental and human health benefits of growing GM maize including lower impacts on global warming, ozone depletion, freshwater ecotoxicity and human toxicity. However, when considered in terms of the use of maize as a feed input to broiler chicken production, the benefits of the GM alternative become negligible compared to the use of conventional maize.

Effect of corn silage from an herbicide-tolerant genetically modified variety on milk production and absence of transgenic DNA in milk

Data from 60 multiparous Holstein cows were used in a 12-wk continuous design feeding trial. Cows were allocated to 1 of 4 experimental treatments (T1 to T4). In T1 and T2, the total mixed ration (TMR) contained either corn silage from the genetically modified (GM) variety Chardon Liberty Link, which is tolerant to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium, or its near isogenic nonGM counterpart, whereas the TMR used in T3 and T4 contained corn silage from the commercially available nonGM varieties Fabius and Antares, respectively. The objectives of the study were to determine if the inserted gene produced a marked effect on chemical composition, nutritive value, feed intake, and milk production, and to determine if transgenic DNA and the protein expressed by the inserted gene could be detected in bovine milk. The nutritive value, fermentation characteristics, mineral content, and amino acid composition of all 4 silages were similar. There were no significant treatment effects on milk yield, milk composition, and yield of milk constituents, and the dry matter (DM) intake of the GM variety was not significantly different from the 2 commercial varieties. However, although the DM intake noted for the nonGM near-isogenic variety was similar to the commercial varieties, it was significantly lower when compared with the GM variety. Polymerase chain reaction analyses of milk samples collected at wk 1, 6, and 12 of the study showed that none of the 90 milk samples tested positive, above a detection limit of 2.5 ng of total genomic DNA/mL of milk, for either tDNA (event T25) or the single-copy endogenous Zea mays gene, alcohol dehydrogenase. Using ELISA assays, the protein expressed by the T25 gene was not detected in milk.

Short Communication: effects of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid isopropyl ester on milk production and composition of lactating Holstein dairy cows

Sixteen multiparous Holstein cows were used to determine the effects of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid isopropyl ester (HMBi: 0 vs. 1.26 g/kg of total ration dry matter (DM) and dietary crude protein (CP) concentration [14.7% (low) vs. 16.9% (standard), DM basis] on milk yield and composition using a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design experiment with 4-wk periods. Cows were fed ad libitum a total mixed ration with a 1: 1 forage-to-concentrate ratio (DM basis), and diets provided an estimated 6.71 and 1.86% lysine and methionine, respectively, in metabolizable protein for the low-protein diet and 6.74 and 1.82% in the standard protein diet. Dry matter intake, milk yield, and composition were measured during wk 4 of each period. There were no effects on DM intake, which averaged 24.7 kg/d. There was an interaction between dietary CP and HMBi for milk yield and 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM). Feeding HMBi decreased milk and FCM yield when fed with the low-CP diet but did not affect milk or FCM yield when fed with the standard CP diet. Feeding HMBi increased milk protein concentration regardless of diet CP concentration and increased milk protein yield when added to the standard CP diet but not the low-CP diet. The positive effect of HMBi on milk protein yield was only observed at the standard level of dietary CP, suggesting other factors limited the response to HMBi when dietary protein supply was restricted.

Effect of corn silage from an herbicide-tolerant genetically modified variety on milk production and absence of transgenic DNA in milk

Data from 60 multiparous Holstein cows were used in a 12-wk continuous design feeding trial. Cows were allocated to 1 of 4 experimental treatments (T1 to T4). In T1 and T2, the total mixed ration (TMR) contained either corn silage from the genetically modified (GM) variety Chardon Liberty Link, which is tolerant to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium, or its near isogenic nonGM counterpart, whereas the TMR used in T3 and T4 contained corn silage from the commercially available nonGM varieties Fabius and Antares, respectively. The objectives of the study were to determine if the inserted gene produced a marked effect on chemical composition, nutritive value, feed intake, and milk production, and to determine if transgenic DNA and the protein expressed by the inserted gene could be detected in bovine milk. The nutritive value, fermentation characteristics, mineral content, and amino acid composition of all 4 silages were similar. There were no significant treatment effects on milk yield, milk composition, and yield of milk constituents, and the dry matter (DM) intake of the GM variety was not significantly different from the 2 commercial varieties. However, although the DM intake noted for the nonGM near-isogenic variety was similar to the commercial varieties, it was significantly lower when compared with the GM variety. Polymerase chain reaction analyses of milk samples collected at wk 1, 6, and 12 of the study showed that none of the 90 milk samples tested positive, above a detection limit of 2.5 ng of total genomic DNA/mL of milk, for either tDNA (event T25) or the single-copy endogenous Zea mays gene, alcohol dehydrogenase. Using ELISA assays, the protein expressed by the T25 gene was not detected in milk.

Development of a process for the production and purification of alpha- and beta-galactooligosaccharides from Bifobacterium bifidum NCIMB 41171

Synthesis of prebiotic alpha- and beta-galactooligosaccharides (GOS) using the whole cells of Bifidobacterium bifidum NCIMB 41171 was investigated. Determination of alpha- and beta-galactosidase activities showed them to be at 3 and 205 g(-1) of freeze dried biomass, respectively, and they increased to 5 and 344 U g(-1), respectively, when cells were treated with toluene. Starting with 450-500 mg mL(-1) lactose, maximum GOS concentrations were observed at 80-85% lactose conversions and the mixtures contained oligosaccharides (with a degree of polymerisation >= 3) at 77-109 mg mL(-1) and trans-galactosylated disaccharides between 85-115 mg mL(-1). The GOS yield values varied between 36% and 43%. An alpha-linked disaccharide was detected and its presence was confirmed by gas chromatography mass spectroscopy. Cells were re-used up to 8 times without changes in reaction times or the substrate conversions to GOS. Oligosaccharide synthesis was not inhibited by the presence of glucose or galactose. The mixtures were successfully purified from glucose (92% of glucose removed) by fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae with no losses in the oligosaccharide content and only a small decrease on the galactose. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The production and consumption of commercial real estate market forecasts

Whilst the vast majority of the research on property market forecasting has concentrated on statistical methods of forecasting future rents, this report investigates the process of property market forecast production with particular reference to the level and effect of judgemental intervention in this process. Expectations of future investment performance at the levels of individual asset, sector, region, country and asset class are crucial to stock selection and tactical and strategic asset allocation decisions. Given their centrality to investment performance, we focus on the process by which forecasts of rents and yields are generated and expectations formed. A review of the wider literature on forecasting suggests that there are strong grounds to expect that forecast outcomes are not the result of purely mechanical calculations.

Production and evaluation of dry alginate-chitosan microcapsules as an enteric delivery vehicle for probiotic bacteria

This study investigates the production of alginate microcapsules, which have been coated with the polysaccharide chitosan, and evaluates some of their properties with the intention of improving the gastrointestinal viability of a probiotic (Bifidobacterium breve) by encapsulation in this system. The microcapsules were dried by a variety of methods, and the most suitable was chosen. The work described in this Article is the first report detailing the effects of drying on the properties of these microcapsules and the viability of the bacteria within relative to wet microcapsules. The pH range over which chitosan and alginate form polyelectrolyte complexes was explored by spectrophotometry, and this extended into swelling studies on the microcapsules over a range of pHs associated with the gastrointestinal tract. It was shown that chitosan stabilizes the alginate microcapsules at pHs above 3, extending the stability of the capsules under these conditions. The effect of chitosan exposure time on the coating thickness was investigated for the first time by confocal laser scanning microscopy, and its penetration into the alginate matrix was shown to be particularly slow. Coating with chitosan was found to increase the survival of B. breve in simulated gastric fluid as well as prolong its release upon exposure to intestinal pH.

Production and comprehension of English and Hindi in multilingual transcortical aphasia

This study investigates the two later-acquired but proficient languages, English and Hindi, of two multilingual individuals with transcortical aphasia (right basal ganglia lesion in GN and brain stem lesion in GS). Dissociation between lexical and syntactic profiles in both the languages with a uniform performance across the languages at the lexical level and an uneven performance across the languages at the syntactic level was observed. Their performances are discussed in relation to the implicit/explicit language processes (Paradis, 1994 and Paradis, 2004) and the declarative/procedural model (Ullman, 2001b and Ullman, 2005) of bilingual language processing. Additionally, their syntactic performance is interpreted in relation to the salient grammatical contrasts between English and Hindi.