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We present the ionised gas outflow morphology in the Circinus galaxy using the Narrow Field Mode (NFM) of the MUSE instrument on board the Very Large Telescope (VLT). The NFM observations provide a spatial resolution of $\sim$0.1", corresponding to a physical scale of $\sim$2 pc, one of the highest spatial resolution achievable using ground-based AO-assisted observations in the optical wavelengths. The MUSE observations reveal a collimated clumpy outflow profile originating near the AGN location and extending up to 1.5" ($\sim$30 pc) in the NW direction. The collimated structure then fragments into two filaments, giving the entire outflowing gas a ``tuning-fork'' morphology. These structures remain undetected in the lower spatial resolution MUSE Wide Field Mode data. We explain the origin of this tuning-fork structure to the interaction of the outflow with a dense clump in the interstellar medium (ISM) as the outflow propagates outward. The origin of the collimated structure itself could be from jet-ISM interactions on small scales. These observations also provide evidence to the origin of the ionised gas filaments previously observed in the Circinus galaxy out to kiloparsec scales. We find instantaneous and time-averaged mass outflow rates of 10$^{-2}$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$ and 10$^{-4}$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$, respectively. Based on the star formation rate in the Circinus galaxy reported in the literature, the observed ionised outflows are not expected to regulate star formation within the $\sim$100 pc scales probed by the NFM data., 8 pages, 8 figures; accepted for publication in MNRAS

A total of 606 sows (PIC 1050) and their progeny (PIC 1050 × 280) were used to determine if feeding gestating and lactating sows a proprietary strain of Pichia guilliermondii as a whole-cell inactivated yeast product (WCY; CitriStim, ADM Animal Nutrition, Quincy, IL) improves sow and litter performance in a commercial production system. Once confirmed pregnant at d 35 post-breeding pregnancy check, sows were fed a basal gestation control (CON) diet (0.55% SID lysine) or the control diet fortified with 0.15% of the WCY replacing corn in the CON diet. Dietary treatments were also fed in lactation (1.05% SID lysine) once sows were moved into farrowing crates on approximately d 112 of gestation until weaning. Sows supplemented with WCY in gestation and lactation had increased total born piglets by 0.45 pigs (P < 0.04), piglets born alive (14.27 vs. 13.85; P < 0.04), and, therefore, heavier born alive litter weights (P < 0.001) compared to CON fed sows. A greater post cross-foster litter size (P < 0.001) meant that litter size at weaning was increased by 0.54 pigs when sows were fed WCY compared to CON (P < 0.001). However, litter weaning weights and 21-d adjusted litter weaning weights were similar (P > 0.158), although numerically greater, for WCY fed sows. Pigs from CON fed sows were 0.35 kg heavier at weaning compared to pigs from WCY fed sows (P < 0.001). This increase in weaning weight of pigs from CON fed sows is partially explained by their 0.93 d longer lactation (P < 0.001) and may also be due to the smaller litter size throughout lactation. The percent of litters treated for scours decreased from 38.3 to 14.2% when sows were fed WCY (P < 0.001). The distribution of birth and weaning weights was not impacted (P > 0.2461) by treatment. In conclusion, feeding gestating and lactating sows a proprietary strain of Pichia guilliermondii as a whole-cell inactivated yeast product increased the number of pigs born and weaned, and decreased the prevalence of scours during lactation.

Mixed sex pigs (n = 720) were placed in 12 rooms (Purdue Swine Environmental Research Building) to measure the effect of reduced crude protein (CP), amino acid (AA)-supplemented diets on growth and the carcass. Pigs were blocked by body weight (BW) and gender and allotted to room and pen (10 mixed-sex pigs/pen). Pigs were fed a nine-phase, wean-finish program. Control pigs consumed corn-soybean meal-distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) diets containing no to minimal (Met) synthetic AA. The 2X diet was formulated to meet the seventh most-limiting AA, and balanced using synthetic AAs to meet all AA needs. The 1X diet was formulated to meet a CP value halfway between the control and 2X diet, and also balanced using synthetic AAs to meet all AA needs. Diets were formulated to identical net energy concentrations and balanced to meet standard ileal digestible NRC 2012 AA requirements. Pit vacuum samples were collected at the end of each growth phase for analyses of nitrogen, C and dry matter (DM). Pigs fed the Control and 1X diet grew faster (P < 0.005), had greater gain:feed (P < 0.001), and were heavier at market (P < 0.001) than animals fed the 2X diet. No consistent effects of diet were observed on average daily feed intake. Carcass data were analyzed for sex, diet and sex*diet effects. Reductions in dietary CP resulted in a linear reduction in ammonium nitrogen excretion per kg of BW gain in Nursery (P < 0.001) and Grow-Finish (P < 0.001) phases. Reductions in dietary CP, with synthetic AA supplementation resulted in a linear reduction in total nitrogen excreted per kg BW gain in the Grow-Finish phase (P < 0.001) and overall (P < 0.001). Total mineral excretion per kg gain was reduced in pigs fed 1X and 2X diets compared with control-fed pigs (P < 0.005). Reductions in dietary CP of ~3 and 5%-units from wean-finish result in reductions of total N excretion of 11.7 and 24.4%, respectively. Reduced performance and carcass characteristics observed in pigs fed the 2X diets indicates an inaccurate estimate of NRC 2012 AA requirements or ratios to lysine in a low CP diet.

A developmental Bacillus based direct-fed microbial (DFM) was added to nursery pig diets to evaluate the effect on growth and health in two 35-d randomized complete block design experiments blocked on initial BW and sex. Experiment 1 used 315 weaned pigs (20.1 d of age; 6.11 kg initial BW) allotted to one of three diets: 1) Negative Control (NC; no antibiotics but with pharmacological Zn or Cu), 2) NC+DFM 0.55x109CFU, 3) NC+DFM 1.1x109CFU. Experiment 2 used 376 weaned pigs (17.8 d of age; 5.99 kg initial BW) allotted to one of four diets, the same 3 diets from Experiment 1 plus a lower inclusion rate: 4) NC+DFM 0.275x109CFU. Both studies had 15 replicates/treatment, 6–7 pigs/pen. Pigs were budget fed phase 1–3 diets (1.13 kg/pig; 2.72 kg/pig; and 6.35 kg/pig, respectively) and ad libitum fed Phase 4 diet to d35. For Experiment 1, during week 1 pigs fed the DFM tended to linearly decrease ADFI (P = 0.086) and linearly increase G:F (P = 0.085). During day 21–35 of Experiment 1 pigs fed DFM linearly increased ADG (P = 0.035) and quadratically increased ADFI (P = 0.027). Overall for experiment 1, ADG (P = 0.114) and ADFI (P = 0.104) tended to quadratically increase and G:F linearly increased (P = 0.012) with increasing concentrations of DFM. Experiment 2; during week 1 and 3 ADFI (P = 0.084, P = 0.050, respectively) quadratically increased and G:F (P = 0.081; P = 0.022, respectively) quadratically decreased as DFM increased in the diet. During d21–35 of experiment 2, ADG (P = 0.064) quadratically increased and G:F (P = 0.012) quadratically decreased as DFM increased. Overall for Experiment 2 ADFI numerically increased (4.3%) with no increase in ADG, resulting in a quadratic decrease in G:F (P = 0.010) as the DFM increased in the diet. Summarizing these two studies, the DFM product had its greatest effect increasing ADFI while inconsistently impacting gain and efficiency.

A total of 606 sows (PIC 1050) and their progeny (PIC 1050×280) were used to determine if feeding gestating and lactating sows a proprietary strain of Pichia guilliermondi as a whole-cell inactivated yeast product (WCY; CitriStim, ADM Animal Nutrition, Quincy, IL) improves sow and litter performance in a commercial production system. Once confirmed pregnant at d 35 post-breeding pregnancy check, sows were fed either a basal gestation control (CON) diet (0.55% SID Lysine) or the control diet fortified with 0.15% (1.36 kg/ton) of the WCY replacing corn in the CON diet. Dietary treatments were also fed in lactation (1.05% SID Lysine) once sows were moved into farrowing crates on approximately d 112 of gestation until weaning. Sows supplemented with WCY in gestation and lactation had a greater number of total born piglets by 0.45 pigs (P=0.040), born alive (P< 0.04), heavier born alive litter weight (P< 0.001), and greater post cross-foster litter size (P< 0.001) compared to CON fed sows. Litter size at weaning was increased by 0.54 pigs when sows were fed WCY compared to CON (P< 0.001). However, the average piglet weaning weights from CON fed sows were heavier by 0.35 kg compared to WCY (P< 0.001). This increase in body weight of piglets from CON fed sows is partially explained by their 0.93 days longer lactation (P< 0.001), and may also be due to the smaller litter size nursed throughout lactation. The percent of litters treated for scours decreased from 38.3% to 14.2% when sows were fed WCY (P< 0.001). The distribution of birth weights by body weight range was not different (P=0.2461) between treatments. In conclusion, feeding gestating and lactating sows a proprietary strain of Pichia guilliermondi as a whole-cell inactivated yeast product increased the number of piglets born and number weaned as well as decreased the prevalence of scours during lactation.

Forty-seven sows and their progeny were used to determine if feeding gestating and lactating sows a Bacillus licheniformis direct-fed microbial (DFM), an organic acid blend of medium chain and short chain fatty acids (OA), or in combination improves sow lactation feed and water intake, litter growth, and subsequent reproductive performance. On approximately d80 of gestation, sows were fed one of four diets in a 2 x 2 factorial design: 1) gestation control (CON; 0.55% SID Lysine), 2) CON with DFM (1.6x109 CFU/kg of complete feed), 3) CON with 0.4% OA, 4) CON with both DFM and OA. Dietary treatments were also fed throughout lactation (1.00% SID Lysine) starting on approximately d112 of gestation when sows entered farrowing facility. There was a tendency (P = 0.079) for DFM to decrease the amount of sow body weight loss in lactation by approximately 6% compared to sows not consuming the DFM, likely related to DFM sows numerically (P = 0.124) consuming 8.4% more feed during d7-14 of lactation. Sows fed the OA diets had fewer mummies/litter (P = 0.038) compared to diets not containing OA. Sows fed diets with the DFM gave birth to lighter pigs born alive (P = 0.003) compared to non-DFM fed sows, and a tendency for an interaction (P = 0.092) existed where feeding OA+DFM lessened the decrease in born alive BW. There was an interaction tendency (P = 0.133) where sows fed DFM returned to estrus 22 hours sooner than CON, but only 8 hours sooner when sows were fed the OA+DFM diet. In conclusion, feeding a Bacillus licheniformis DFM to sows may decrease pig born alive weight but reduce sow BW loss through 6.4% more lactation feed intake, quickening the return to estrus. Feeding the OA alone or in combination did not improve sow reproductive and litter growth performance in this study, and may require a larger sample size.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of total or partial replacement of animal and fish proteins with a fortified protein blend (PROPLEX MVP) on growth performance of nursery piglets. PROPLEX MVP is a blend of two distinct fermentation biomass streams, refined soybean products, select amino acids, and a NSP enzyme complex. A total of 306 barrows and gilts [(Duroc x (Landrace x Yorkshire), avg. 22 d age and BW 6.37 ± 1.24 kg)] were used in a randomized complete block design with three dietary treatments, each with 19 replicates (pens) of 5 piglets. Dietary treatments were: 1) Control diet (CONT) with animal and fish protein sources (Blood meal, Spray-dried Plasma, and Fish meal); 2) PROPLEX MVP (MVP): CONT with MVP replacing Fish meal; 3) PROPLEX MVP 100 (MVP100): CONT with MVP replacing 100% of animal and fish proteins. Pigs were fed a budgeted amount per head of the assigned experimental diets for the first three feeding phases (Phase 1: 2.3 kg/pig; Phase 2: 4.5 kg/pig; Phase 3: 6.8 kg/pig). A common diet was provided in Phase 4 until day 42 post-weaning. Pigs fed CONT had greater ADG (P < 0.05) compared to MVP100 pigs d 0-7 post-weaning. From d 7 to 14, pigs fed MVP and MVP100 had a significantly greater ADG and G:F (P < 0.05) than pigs fed CONT diet. For the remainder of the experimental period (d 14 to 42), no differences (P > 0.10) were observed among treatments. The use of MVP100 reduced (P < 0.05) the total nursery feed cost by US $1.03/pig and feed cost/kg of weight gain by 12%. In conclusion, MVP protein blend can effectively substitute for animal and fish proteins sources without compromising overall nursery pigs’ growth performance and results in significant feed cost savings.

Progeny from sows fed diets containing a Bacillus licheniformis direct-fed microbial (DFM), an organic acid blend of medium and short chain fatty acids (OA), DFM+OA, or a control (CON) diet from d80 of gestation until weaning were used to determine if feeding CON, DFM, OA, or DFM+OA to the dam and/or progeny post-weaning improved nursery growth performance. Weaned pigs from 47 dams (n = 384, Initial BW=6.15 kg) were blocked by initial BW and sex and allotted (6 pigs/pen, 8 pens/treatment) to one of 8 nursery treatments. Pigs from CON sows were fed a negative (NC; no antibiotics, pharmacological Zn or Cu) or positive [PC; Neo-Terramycin phases 1 and 2 (827 and 551 ppm) and Carbadox phase 3 (55 ppm)] control diet. Pigs from sows fed DFM, OA, or DFM+OA were fed the NC diet or a diet representative of their dam. Diets with DFM contained 1.6x109 CFU/kg DFM and diets with OA contained 0.5, 0.4, and 0.3% OA in phases 1–3, respectively. Weaning weight was used as a covariate for nursery performance. For all phases and overall, PC fed pigs had greater ADG, ADFI, and G:F (P < 0.05). Feeding DFM or OA in sow diets improved (interaction; P< 0.042) nursery pig G:F, but DFM+OA offspring had no improvement for d7–14, 0–14, and 0–21 G:F. Feeding DFM or OA to sows and their progeny decreased ADFI (interaction; P < 0.042) but improved G:F (interaction; P < 0.028) for d7–14 and 0–14 with DFM+OA having no improvement above CON. For d14–21 and 0–21, feeding DFM or OA to sows and their progeny decreased ADFI whereas DFM+OA increased ADFI above CON (interaction; P < 0.019). In conclusion, feeding DFM or OA to sows or their offspring may improve nursery feed efficiency and feeding DFM+OA diet to sows and their progeny may increase ADFI late in the nursery period.

A total of 535 sows and their progeny (PIC 359×1050) were used to determine the effect of feeding gestating and lactating sows a proprietary strain of Pichia guilliermondi as a whole-cell inactivated yeast product (WCY; CitriStim, ADM Animal Nutrition, Quincy, IL) on sow and litter performance in a commercial production system. Within 24 hours of breeding, sows were allotted to 1 of 2 dietary treatments. Parity distribution was equalized across treatments. Sows were fed either a basal gestation control (CON) diet or CON fortified with 0.1% (0.91 kg/ton) of the WCY at the expense of corn throughout gestation. Sow dietary treatments were also maintained through lactation. Of the 535 sows that completed the initial reproductive cycle (cycle 1), 358 sows were maintained on dietary treatment and followed through a second gestation and lactation (cycle 2). The direction and magnitude of the differences in total born and born alive pigs in cycle 1 and cycle 2 was similar between treatments. Supplementing sows with WCY in cycle 1 increased the number of total born pigs by 0.59 pigs/litter (P=0.038) and tended to increase the number of pigs born alive by 0.52 pigs/litter (P=0.064) compared to CON fed sows. For cycle 2, the total number of born and born alive pigs numerically increased by 0.44 pigs/litter (P=0.180) and 0.43 pigs/litter (P=0.179) respectively for sows fed WCY. The distribution of pig birth weights was not different between treatments in cycle 1 (P=0.536) nor cycle 2 (P=0.256). Also, the litter growth rate on a weight gain per pig per day basis was not different between treatments in cycle 1 (P=0.103) nor cycle 2 (P=0.379). In conclusion, feeding gestating and lactating sows a proprietary strain of Pichia guilliermondi as a whole-cell inactivated yeast product significantly increased the number of total born pigs during cycle 1.

This experiment observed the effects of replacing animal and fish proteins with a fortified protein blend (PROPLEX MVP) on growth performance, immune status, microbial metabolites, and fecal scoring of nursery pigs. A total of 244 barrows and gilts [Duroc x (Landrace x Yorkshire), avg. 19 d age and BW 5.88 ± 1.38 kg] were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design (2 dietary treatments × 2 feeding programs). The dietary treatments were: 1) Control diet (CONT) with animal and fish proteins and 2) PROPLEX MVP (MVP100): CONT with MVP replacing 100% of the animal and fish proteins. The feeding programs for each feeding phase were: high budget (H): Phase 1: 2.3 kg/pig; Phase 2: 4.5 kg/pig; Phase 3: 6.8 kg/pig and low budget (L): Phase 1: 1.1 kg/pig; Phase 2: 2.3 kg/pig; Phase 3: 3.4 kg/pig). For d 0-7, pigs fed CONT had greater ADG, ADFI, and G:F (P < 0.001) compared to MVP100. From d 7 to 14, ADG and G:F were greater (P < 0.05) for pigs fed MVP100 compared to CONT pigs and greater for pigs fed the H budget compared to the L budget (P < 0.05). Overall, d 0 to 35, there were no differences (P > 0.05) in pig final BW, overall ADG, and G:F. For week two and most of the experimental period, pigs fed CONT had greater (P < 0.05) fecal scores, more soft and watery feces, and increased diarrhea incidence compared to MVP100 pigs. The total concentration of fecal volatile fatty acids was greater (P < 0.05) in CONT compared to MVP100 fed pigs. In conclusion, the MVP protein blend can be used as a cost effective alternative to animal and fish proteins in nursery pig diets without compromising overall growth performance, immune status, and post-weaning diarrhea.

Hot, Dust-Obscured Galaxies (Hot DOGs), selected from the WISE all sky infrared survey, host some of the most powerful Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) known, and might represent an important stage in the evolution of galaxies. Most known Hot DOGs are at $z> 1.5$, due in part to a strong bias against identifying them at lower redshift related to the selection criteria. We present a new selection method that identifies 153 Hot DOG candidates at $z\sim 1$, where they are significantly brighter and easier to study. We validate this approach by measuring a redshift $z=1.009$, and an SED similar to higher redshift Hot DOGs for one of these objects, WISE J1036+0449 ($L_{\rm\,Bol}\simeq 8\times 10^{46}\rm\,erg\,s^{-1}$), using data from Keck/LRIS and NIRSPEC, SDSS, and CSO. We find evidence of a broadened component in MgII, which, if due to the gravitational potential of the supermassive black hole, would imply a black hole mass of $M_{\rm\,BH}\simeq 2 \times 10^8 M_{\odot}$, and an Eddington ratio of $\lambda_{\rm\,Edd}\simeq 2.7$. WISE J1036+0449 is the first Hot DOG detected by NuSTAR, and the observations show that the source is heavily obscured, with a column density of $N_{\rm\,H}\simeq(2-15)\times10^{23}\rm\,cm^{-2}$. The source has an intrinsic 2-10 keV luminosity of $\sim 6\times 10^{44}\rm\,erg\,s^{-1}$, a value significantly lower than that expected from the mid-infrared/X-ray correlation. We also find that the other Hot DOGs observed by X-ray facilities show a similar deficiency of X-ray flux. We discuss the origin of the X-ray weakness and the absorption properties of Hot DOGs. Hot DOGs at $z\lesssim1$ could be excellent laboratories to probe the characteristics of the accretion flow and of the X-ray emitting plasma at extreme values of the Eddington ratio., Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ, 16 pages