Search

Potentially mineralizable nitrogen (PMN) is a widely used indicator of a soil’s organic nitrogen (N) availability, and is often measured by incubation. While it is known that the handling of soil p...

Innovation habitats have fostered entrepreneurship and assisted in the creation and development of innovative ventures. Among the existing innovation habitats, the pre-incubator has contributed to the creation of a successful business model. Thus, the current study aims to analyze the perception of the pre-incubated on the importance of pre-incubation in the development of their business. A case study was conducted through personal interviews with participants from the pre-incubator in Florianópolis. As a main result, it verified that the pre-incubator contributed to the development of the business model of its pre-incubated. In addition, it served as a learning environment on entrepreneurship and the business world. However, negative points also raised, such as management changes in the middle of the pre-incubation process. Finally, it noted that the environment positively evaluated by the informants, mainly as a place of knowledge sharing and development of their business models.

Laccases that are tolerant to organic solvents are powerful bio-catalysts with broad applications in biotechnology. Most of these uses must be accomplished at high concentration of organic solvents, during which proteins undergo unfolding, thereby losing enzyme activity. Here we show that organic-solvent pre-incubation provides effective and reversible 1.5- to 4.0-fold enhancement of enzyme activity of fungal laccases. Several organic solvents, including acetone, methanol, ethanol, DMSO, and DMF had an enhancement effect among all laccases studied. The enhancement was not substrate-specific and could be observed by using both phenolic and non-phenolic substrates. Laccase preincubated with organic solvents was sensitive to high temperature but remained stable at 25 °C, for an advantage for long-term storage. The acetone-pre-incubated 3-D structure of DLac, a high-efficiency fungal laccase, was determined and confirmed that the DLac protein structure remains intact and stable at a high concentration of organic solvent. Moreover, the turnover rates of fungal laccases were improved after organic-solvent pre-incubation, with DLac showing the highest enhancement among the fungal laccases examined. Our investigation sheds light on improving fungal laccase usage under extreme conditions and extends opportunities for bioremediation, decolorization, and organic synthesis.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of eggs stored with and without pre-incubation on chick embryos with emphasis on: embryo body, heart weight, malformations, and mortality. For this study, a total of 120 chick embryos were divided into three groups, based on the length of storage before hatching (3, 7 and 10 days). Observations of the weight of chick embryo bodies, chick embryo hearts, and the level of mortality and appearance of malformations were noted. With an increase in days stored, the chick embryo’s weight decreased. The pre-incubation period had a positive effect on the weight of chick embryo, and chick hearts. Malformations, including: hydrocephalus, open body cavity and underdeveloped wings, were observed in all three groups, with the highest proportion seen in the pre-incubated hatching eggs stored for 10 days; this group also displayed the highest level of mortality. Non-pre-incubated eggs showed the most promise with better results in all experimental groups. In conclusion, the research suggests the optimal storage for chick embryos to be 3 days, with lowest levels of mortality, malformations and limited effects on the body and heart weight.

Institutions of higher education play a key role in regional innovation support ecosystems. Their role, apart from prevailing education and research missions, is also to transfer knowledge and technology to business. This transfer may take place in various ways, and one of them is to support students, doctoral students and academics in developing innovative ideas within university incubators. Innovations are strongly associated with risk; that is why, it is so important to support any emerging idea at the first stage of its development. This role is played, among others, by university-based incubators as well as pre-incubation, incubation and post-incubation programmes they offer. The aim of this article is to discuss the typology and role of incubators in supporting business ideas and to characterise the phases of incubation process. The example of a pre-incubation programme from Polish universities presented in the article illustrates the course of the process and the support package offered to idea originators.

A total of 1800 broiler breeder , Ross 308 at 47 wks old , hatching eggs .Were used in the present study . Eggs were randomly distributed into 12 experimental treatments ,150 eggs pretreatment groups . The treatment groups were as follows : T1 treatment without pre-incubation + 4 days eggs storage period T2 treatment without pre-incubation + 8 days eggs storage period T3 treatment without pre-incubation + 12 days eggs storage period T4 treatment 4 hours pre-incubation + 4 days eggs storage period T5 treatment 4 hours pre-incubation + 8 days eggs storage period T6 treatment 4 hours pre-incubation + 12 days eggs storage period T7 treatment 8 hours pre-incubation + 4 days eggs storage period T8 treatment 8 hours pre-incubation + 8 days eggs storage period T9 treatment 8 hours pre-incubation + 12 days eggs storage period T10 treatment 12 hours pre-incubation + 4 days eggs storage period. T11 treatment 12 hours pre-incubation +8 days eggs storage period T12 treatment 12 hours pre-incubation + 12 days eggs storage period. Experimental parameters measured included : Fertility , hatchability percentage from the total incubated eggs and from fertile eggs , hatching chicks length , weekly embryonic mortality ,piped eggs and quality evaluation of navel for hatching chicks . The results of this study showed a significant increase (P

SETTING The QuantiFERON®-TB Gold (QFT) assay is an interferon-gamma release assay used for the clinical diagnosis of latent tuberculous infection. Relatively high rates of indeterminate results are a significant downside of the test. OBJECTIVE To evaluate clinical variables associated with lower QFT-indeterminate rates after reducing pre-incubation delay. DESIGN In 2016, a new protocol of on-site incubation of QFT samples, followed by analysis at the outside laboratory, was implemented, resulting in much shorter pre-incubation delay of the samples. We retrospectively identified 3583 patients who underwent QFT before and after implementation of the new protocol. Patient records were scrutinized and QFT results were evaluated with respect to associated clinical conditions. RESULTS The patients were analyzed by dividing them into two cohorts based on maximum pre-incubation time (standard vs. immediate). Monthly indeterminate results dropped from 12.7% ± 0.02 in the standard cohort to 5.5% ± 0.03 in the immediate cohort (P < 0.001). A significant reduction in relative indeterminate rates was found in the immediate cohort patients with immunocompromised state, autoimmune conditions, liver disease and hypoalbuminemia. No difference was identified in patients with malignancies and renal failure. CONCLUSION Limiting the pre-incubation time to 1 h maximum significantly improved QFT performance, especially in patients from certain clinical categories.

The paper concentrate on the problems of customers satisfaction from services in incubator centres in USA and Poland. The aim of the paper is to analyse the level of satisfaction of Business Incubation Centre on the example of two incubator centres one from USA (Hazelton CAN-Be in Pennsylvania and second in Gliwice Poland). The analysis was conducted in pre-incubation and incubation stage. The analysis was conducted on example of survey analysis in both incubator centres. On the base of achieved results we assessed the priority of customers in each incubator centre.

EnglishIn vitro gas production techniques represent a valuable tool to describe the kinetics of ruminal degradation of food. However, the ruminal liquor used as a microbial inoculum has been a great source of variation and error. A standardization of this factor should contribute to assure the independence of food fermentation parameters from those of the inocula. In this research it was hypothesized that a controlled pre-incubation treatment of ruminal liquor could contribute to stabilize and homogenize the undigested residues of blanks and as a consequence, of the production of residual cumulative gas production (CGP). A pre-incubation (i.e. previous real incubation) of rumen inocula was developed with a simple substrate similar to the diet offered to donors at 1% w/v for 0, 1, 2 and 4 h (Control, Prei-1, Prei-2 and Prei-4 treatments respectively). Once the pre-incubation hours were completed, they were incubated with contrasting substrates and without substrate (i.e. blanks) in order to evaluate the CGP, in vitro digestibility of the DM and fermentation products. Although, the fermentative activity of the pre-incubated inoculums worked satisfactorily in the in vitro system, contrary to what was speculated, residues of the pre-incubation increased the variability and heterogeneity of variances among blanks. Consequently, it was concluded that the pre-incubations did not work to generate more homogeneous and less variable ruminal liquor for the in vitro gas production system portuguesTecnicas de producao de gas in vitro representam uma ferramenta valiosa para descrever a cinetica de degradacao ruminal dos alimentos. No entanto, o liquido ruminal utilizado como inoculo microbiano tem sido uma grande fonte de variacao e erro. A padronizacao deste fator deve contribuir para garantir a independencia dos parâmetros de fermentacao dos alimentos a partir dos inoculos. Neste trabalho, hipotetizou-se que um tratamento controlado de pre-incubacao do liquido ruminal poderia contribuir para estabilizar e homogeneizar os residuos nao digeridos dos brancos e, como consequencia, da producao de producao cumulativa de gas residual (CGP). Uma pre-incubacao (ou seja, incubacao real previa) dos inoculos do rumen foi desenvolvida com um substrato simples semelhante a dieta oferecida aos doadores a 1% p/v por 0, 1, 2 e 4 h (Controle, Prei-1, Pre- 2 e Prei-4 tratamentos respectivamente). Uma vez completadas as horas de pre-incubacao, elas foram incubadas com substratos contrastantes e sem substrato (ou seja, brancos) para avaliar o CGP, a digestibilidade in vitro da MS e os produtos de fermentacao. Embora a atividade fermentativa dos inoculos pre-incubados tenha funcionado satisfatoriamente no sistema in vitro, ao contrario do que foi especulado, os residuos da pre-incubacao aumentaram a variabilidade e heterogeneidade das variâncias entre os brancos. Consequentemente, concluiu-se que as pre-incubacoes nao funcionaram para gerar um liquido ruminal mais homogeneo e menos variavel para o sistema de producao de gas in vitro

The objective was to evaluate the use of guava extract (Psidium guajava L.) as an antioxidant additive in the diets of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in laying phase and to verify the incubation parameters of eggs stored at different periods pre-incubation. The experiment was conduced at Federal University of Goias. The extract contained 2.13% ellagic acid. A four hundred and thirty-two (432) eggs of Japanese quails fed with guava extract in the diet were incubated in a completely randomized design, in a single-stage incubator. Temperature of 37°C and humidity of 65% was manteined. The eggs were distributed in 4x2 factorial design (levels of guava extract and stored pre-incubation period) with 54 replicates, each egg being considered an experimental unit. Four levels of guava extract were added in diets of the breeders (0.0%, 0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9%) and two stored pre-incubation period (three and nine days) were studied. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey test at 5% probability. To embryo diagnostic was used Fisher exact test. The eclosion percentage was not influenced by factors studied. There was a significant interaction (P < 0.05) between effects of levels of guava extract in diet and stored pre-incubation period on hatch window. The hatch window was shorter for quails from egg storage for nine days and breeders fed a 0.0% guava extract. The lower level of guava extract supplementation in diets (0.3%) of breeder promotes padronizing hatcheries time. The neonates quails from eggs storaged for nine days hatched in shorter period time in relation to quails from the eggs stored for three days. Values of the embryo diagnostic were not different (P > 0.05). It is concluded that the use of 0.3% inclusion of guava extract containing ellagic acid in layer quail diets promotes standardization of hatchery window of neonate quails.

The objective was to evaluate the use of guava extract (Psidium guajava L.) as an antioxidant additive in the diets of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in laying phase and to verify the quality of neonate quail hatched by eggs stored at different periods pre-incubation. The experiment was conduced at Federal University of Goias. A four hundred and thirty-two (432) eggs of layer Japanese quails fed with guava extract (contained 2.13% ellagic acid) in the diet were incubated in a completely randomized design, in a single-stage incubator. Temperature of 37°C and humidity of 65% was manteined. The eggs were distributed in 4x2 factorial design (levels of guava extract and stored pre-incubation period) with 54 replicates, each egg being considered an experimental unit. Four levels of guava extract were added in the ration of the breeders (0.0%, 0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9%) and two stored pre-incubation period (three and nine days) were studied. The quail neonate quality and intestinal development were analyzed. The results were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test at 5% probability. To score quality was used Fisher exact test. The egg weight, neonate quail weight and quail lenght were lower when eggs were stored for nine days (P < 0.05) independent of levels of guava extract in breeder diets. The quality of neonate quail was not influenced by guava extract and stored pre-incubation period. The use of 0.9% guava extract as an antioxidant resulted in higher crypt depth in quails hatched from eggs stored for nine days. It is possible that antioxidant effect of el-lagic acid preserved the lipidic structures of the intestinal villi during the stored pre-incubation period. It is concluded that the use of 0.9% inclusion of guava extract in layer quail diets enhanced the intestinal development of the neonate quail but did not improve quality of neonate quail.

Temperature extremes alter development, growth, hatching, and survival of eggs of ground-nesting birds, particularly during pre-incubation (egg laying) when eggs are left unattended and exposed to the environment for days or weeks before parental incubation begins. The northern bobwhite quail is a ground-nesting bird whose eggs experience high temperatures (≥45° C) during pre-incubation. It is known that chronic high temperatures during pre-incubation alter development and reduce hatching and survival of bobwhite eggs, but it is not known if acute doses of high temperatures during pre-incubation have the same effect. In this study, the 12-d pre-incubation period was divided into thirds. Fresh bobwhite eggs were exposed to either a commercial holding temperature for all 12 d (serving as a control), or a high oscillating temperature regimen for 4 d (one third of pre-incubation) either in the early, middle, or late third of pre-incubation, with a low oscillating temperature regimen during the remaining 8 d. The timing of acute exposure to high oscillating temperatures significantly affected bobwhite development. Eggs exposed in the first 2/3 of pre-incubation developed twice as much as eggs exposed late in pre-incubation, even though all eggs received the same amount of heating degree-hours. Thus, a critical window of thermal susceptibility exists for developing northern bobwhites. Acute exposure to high oscillating temperatures resulted in reduced hatchling mass, hatching success, survival, and compromised hatching synchrony. Thus, acute hyperthermic nest temperatures during pre-incubation could result in the observed reductions in the percentage of juveniles in natural populations during hot and droughty years.

In order to evaluate the effect of pre-incubation storage conditions on embryonic development and chick quality of Camperos breeders, 320 hatching eggs were selected. Before the incubation, they were kept for 4 days at a controlled storage and environment. Then, were kept for 21 days in the incubation process with the same technological conditions. Bioproductive performance on biological controls at 6, 11 and 18 days and at 21 days in hatchers were determined. Embryonic mortality and broken eggs were unchanged (p>0.05) during all the experiment. Also, at 6 days, clear eggs and the embryos with blood rings, tremulous air chamber and normal development and weak were not modified (p>0.05). Furthermore, at 11 days, the storage conditions did not affect the embryos with closed allantois and open (p>0.05). Similarly, at 18 days, the embryonic mortality and with and without air chamber head did not change according the pre-incubation storage conditions (p>0.05). In hatchers (21 days) the hatched chicks, first and second chicks showed no significant differences between treatments (p>0.05). These findings indicate that pre-incubation storage at environment temperature did not affect the embryonic development and chick quality of Camperos breeders on biological controls (6, 11 and 18 days) and hatchers (21 days), respectively.

Magnesium based implants could revolutionize applications where orthopedic implants such as nails, screws or bone plates are used because they are load bearing and degrade over time. This prevents a second surgery to remove conventional implants. To improve the biocompatibility we studied here if and for how long a pre-incubation of the material under cell culture conditions is favorable for cell attachment and proliferation. For two materials, Mg and Mg10Gd1Nd, we could show that 6 h pre-incubation are already enough to form a natural protective layer suitable for cell culture.

The effects of a specific rice starch (SRS), containing highly resistant starch (RSIII), on gel properties of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and the influence of five levels of SRS (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%w/w) on gel physicochemical properties at three different pre-incubation temperatures (4 °C, 25 °C, and 40 °C) were investigated. Gels with increasing amounts of SRS addition showed lower expressible water contents and cooking loss values than did control gels. SDS gel electrophoresis revealed no changes in protein patterns, regardless of different SRS-added levels at the same pre-incubation temperature, but an evident decrease in the MHC when the pre-incubation temperature increased. The texture properties, colour attributes, SEM were optimal in the treatments containing 4%w/w SRS at the pre-incubation temperature 25 °C. Thus, the optimum SRS addition level and pre-incubation temperature are proposed to be 4%w/w and 25 °C, respectively.

International audience; The zootechnical performances of broilers at the end of the rearing period depend in part on the quality of day-old chicks at placement. The quality of day-old chicks is highly affected by the incubation conditions, by hatch time (which determines the time spent in the hatcher under high temperature and humidity), and by the handling of chicks after hatch. This article first presents an overview of the most relevant pre-incubation factors that affect chick quality: egg size, egg weight, quality of eggs, sex of embryos, age of breeders, and conditions and duration of egg storage. It then reviews the most important incubation factors that affect hatch time, hatchability and hatch window (temperature, humidity, turning, ventilation and concentration of gases). Finally, the effect of early post-hatch handling (including processing and especially transportation of chicks) as a possible source of stress influencing the quality of chicks at placement is discussed

The rationale for the preparation of DNA-templated gold nanoclusters (DNA-Au NCs) has not been well understood, thereby slowing down the advancement of the synthesis and applications of DNA-Au NCs. The interaction between metal ions and the DNA template seems to be the key factor for the successful preparation of DNA-templated metal nanoclusters. With the help of circular dichroism in this contribution, we put efforts into interrogating the necessity of pre-incubation of HAuCl4 with poly-adenine template in the formation of Au NCs by citrate reduction. Our results revealed that the pre-incubation of HAuCl4 with poly-adenine is not favorable for the formation of Au NCs, which is distinctly different from the formation process for silver nanoclusters. It is our hope that this study can provide guidance in the preparation of Au NCs with more DNA templates.

The Ames microplate format (MPF™) test, which uses liquid media and in 384-well microplates with a readout based on a colour-change, has been used for over 10 years at several major pharmaceutical companies for screening the genotoxic potential of early drug candidates when compound supply is minimal. Meanwhile, Xenometrix has adapted this screen from the two-strain Ames II test for use with five tester strains, in compliance with OECD Guideline 471. A set of 15 equivocal to weakly positive chemicals selected from the National Toxicology Program (NTP) database was tested simultaneously in the Ames microplate format (MPF) and the standard Ames pre-incubation method on agar plates. Such a direct comparison of the two test methods with the same overnight culture(s), chemicals and S9-mix preparation should exclude external variability factors. Thirteen of the 15 chemicals showed concordant results in both tests despite the choice of chemicals that showed varying inter- and even intra-laboratory results in the NTP studies. These results indicate that the Ames MPF™ assay is a reliable predictive tool that can be used like the regular Ames test to evaluate compounds for mutagenicity.

Biochemical methane potential tests were conducted to evaluate the effect of using a blank versus a pre-incubated inoculum in digestion of primary sludge at different waste to inoculum ratios (S/X). In addition, this study explored the influence of using two different anaerobic inoculum sources on the digestion of food waste: digested sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant and from a digester treating the organic fraction of municipal solid wastes. The results revealed that although there was no significant difference in methane yield (on average 114 mL CH4/g TCODsub) or biodegradability (on average 28.3%) of primary sludge using pre-incubated or non-incubated inocula, the maximum methane production rates using non-incubated inoculum were higher than those using pre-incubated inoculum at all S/X ratios. Moreover, interestingly the inoculum from an anaerobic digester treating municipal wastewater sludge was superior over the inoculum from anaerobic digester treating food waste in digesting food waste.

The effects of controlled energy restriction and duration of pre-incubation egg holding on fertility, hatchability and hatch losses were evaluated in aged broiler breeders (64 wk). The energy (ME) required for maintenance, activity, growth and anticipated egg production was calculated and offered to a control group (283-471 kcal/kg) from 21-64 weeks of age. In three other groups, ME was quantitatively reduced either by 20% (SER; severe energy restriction) or 10% (MER; moderate energy restriction) and increased by 10% (EEF; excess energy feeding) over the control group (CER; controlled energy restriction). Each diet was offered to 130 pullets in individual cages, and the quantity of ME increased with age. At the end of 64 weeks, fertile eggs were collected from each dietary group for 11 consecutive days and grouped under 4 holding periods based on the length of storage (2, 5, 8 or I 1 d). The influence of energy regimes, egg holding intervals and their interaction was evaluated on fertility, hatch losses and hatchability. Broiler breeders maintained on SER regime (231-419 kcal/d) produced maximum number of eggs (993) followed by MER (819), CER (624) and EEF (438) during the 11-day period. The percent fertility and hatchability was significantly (p

A study to determine the effect of pre-incubation storage of the eggs of the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) was conducted during the cool harmattan season in the north-east arid region (Sahel) of Nigeria. Eggs were collected daily from six-months-old quail and stored at room temperature (2529 C) for 0 to 20 days before incubation in an electric incubator. Eggs that failed to hatch were opened for o determination of fertility and estimation of time of death of embryos. A total of 196 (29.3 %) eggs out of 668 incubated hatched successfully. The length of pre-incubation storage was negatively correlated (r = -0.91; P < 0.0001) with hatchability. The highest hatchability (72.3%) was obtained from eggs that were not stored (Day 0 of storage). Hatchability dropped sharply after storage for 9 days. No egg hatched following preincubation storage of over 11 days. Among the unhatched eggs, there were significantly more apparently infertile than fertile eggs (P < 0.0002). There was no relationship between pre-incubation length of storage and the proportion of embryos that died in early, middle or late incubation period. However, the proportion of the apparently infertile eggs increased with increasing length of pre-incubation storage (r = 0.95; P < 0.0001). No egg stored for 18 days or more was found to be apparently fertile. It was concluded that the length of pre-incubation storage has detrimental effect on hatchability of quail eggs in the Sahel area and that quail eggs for incubation should not be stored at room temperature for more than 9 days, even in the coolest season.

A study was conducted to review the effects of pre-incubation and incubation conditions on hatchability and chick quality of Kuroiler chickens. The most important incubation factors that affect hatch time, hatchability and hatch window (temperature, humidity, turning, and ventilation) were reviewed. There was a significant influence (P 0.05) between size of egg and hatch window. The performance of Kurolilers at the end of the rearing period depended, in part, on the quality of day-old chicks at placement. The quality of day-old chicks was highly affected by the incubation conditions, hatch time (which determines the time spent in the hatchery under high temperature and humidity), and handling of chicks after hatch.Key words: Egg shell, hatch handling, hatch time, hatch window

11 páginas, 3 tablas., The effects of the exogenous fibrolytic enzyme (ENZ) commercial preparation Dyadic® xylanase PLUS (Dyadic International, Inc., Jupiter, USA), containing endo-1,4-β-d-xylanase, on ruminal fermentation of maize stover, oat straw, and sugarcane bagasse were examined using the in vitro gas production (GP) technique. The ENZ commercial preparation was added at 0 (control), 60 (low), 120 (medium), and 240 (high) μg/g dry matter of substrate, and at two times of application (direct addition just before fermentation or with a 72-h pre-incubation before fermentation). Ruminal GP volumes were recorded at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 24, and 48 h of incubation, and substrate degradability and concentration of fermentation end-products (volatile fatty acids, ammonia, methane) in the cultures were determined at 48 h of incubation. Increased (P < 0.05) GP volume was observed in fibrous feeds treated with ENZ compared with untreated substrates. The pre-incubation vs the direct addition of ENZ resulted in greater GP volume (P < 0.05) with the three tested feeds. Enzyme addition decreased (P < 0.05) rumen pH compared to control when maize stover and sugarcane bagasse were incubated. Ammonia-N and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) were not affected (P > 0.05) by ENZ application in maize stover and oat straw. However, total and individual VFA concentrations, and CH and CO volumes were greater (P < 0.05) when sugarcane bagasse was incubated with 240 μg ENZ/g (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that the application of endo-1,4-β-d-xylanase enhances rumen fermentation of roughages, although the magnitude of the effects depends on the fibrous substrate fermented, the time of application, and the amount of enzyme added., A.E. Kholif thanks the National Council for Science and Technology (CONACyT, Mexico) and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS, Italy) for his Postdoctoral fellowship at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico.

In this study, as a part of our efforts to improve the robustness and economical feasibility of cell-free protein synthesis, we developed a simple method of preparing the cell extracts used for catalyzing cell-free protein synthesis reactions. We found that the high-speed centrifugation, pre-incubation, and dialysis steps of the conventional procedures could be omitted without losing the translational activity of the resulting cell extract. Instead, a simple centrifugation step at low speed (12,000 RCF for 10 min) followed by a brief period of incubation was sufficient for the preparation of an active extract to support cell-free protein synthesis with higher productivity and consistency. Compared to the present standard procedures for the preparation of the S30 extract, the overall cost of the reagents and processing time were reduced by 80 and 60%, respectively.

Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Kyoto Institute of Technology,Matsugasaki-Hashigamichou 1, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan(Received September 2, 2005; Accepted October 25, 2005; Published March 15, 2006)KEY WORDS Insulin / Amyloid / High Pressure / Protein / Denaturation / Aggregation /[DOI 10.1295/polymj.38.302]

Alcoholism is considered a physical dependence disorder. More than 18 million people are alcoholics in the USA and England and between 1/3 to ½ of them present some kind of physical disorder. In general the literature is focused on alcoholic trunk muscle disorders. These muscles have different embryological origins if compared to the masticatory muscles. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of alcohol on the masticatory muscles in order to compare them with the somitic muscles. For this purpose, 15 male Wistar rats weighing around 250g were used. The rats were divided into three groups: Normal control (N), Alcoholic (A) and Isocaloric (I). Slices of the masseter muscle, temporalis muscle and rectus abdominal muscle were harvested and submitted to histochemical reactions (m-ATPase: acid and alkaline pre incubation and NADH-TR). The myofibers were classified in SO, FOG and FG. The results showed atrophy of the fast fibers (FG and FOG) in the masticatory muscles but this atrophy was not statistically significant in this study (p< 0.05). On the other hand, significant atrophy occurred in the rectus abdominal muscle (p

Nests of radiotransmittered wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) that are destroyed or abandoned prior to incubation are particularly difficult to locate. As a result researchers often report only incubated nests or estimate numbers of nests attempted by localization of movement or other behavioral changes without quantification. We used radiotelemetry to obtain movement data on female wild turkeys during the nesting season (1 Apr-30 Jun) in South Dakota. We collected prelaying (1 April until 14 days before the female initiated incubation) and laying (

The aim of the studywas to define the egg parameters, which could be measured on an intact egg prior to incubation, to accuratelypredict chick weight after hatching. The eggs from laying hens of the White Leghorn, Rhode Island White and Rhode Island Red parent stocks were investigated. The results showed that egg volume (coefficient of variation CV = 6� 9%) and weight (CV = 6� 2%) were the most variable egg parameters as compared with less variable egg surface area (CV = 4� 5%) and density (CV = 3� 1%). There was no significant inter-strain difference in egg weight. Other egg parameters such as volume, shell surface area, density, and egg–chick weight ratios differed significantly. Chick weights differed significantly onlybetween the White Leghorn and Rhode Island White lines. Egg densitywas chosen as an indirect indicator of shell thickness and/or shell density, but the correlation between chick weight and egg density was too small (correlation coefficient R =0 � 02) to state that shell parameters influence much chick weight. Egg weight alone had the biggest correlation with chick weight (R =0 � 56) in comparison with egg volume (R =0 � 50) and surface area (R =0 � 50) for the combined data across three strains. The accuracyof the results of chick weights predicted bythe proposed mathematical equations and expressed in terms of coefficient of determination R 2 varied from 0� 250 to 0� 615, depending on the strain data and the type of the predictive formula. The best prediction was obtained for the quadratic type of the equation when three basic egg parameters (weight, volume and surface area) were considered. # 2002 Silsoe Research Institute. Published byElsevier

Soil microbial C and N (Cmic, Nmic) estimation by the chloroform fumigation-extraction method is erroneous in densely rooted soils due to CHCl3-labile C and N compounds. The effect of a pre-extraction with 50 mM K2SO4 and a pre-incubation (conditioning at 25 °C for 7 days) on the flush in extractable, CHCl3-labile C (C-flush) and N (N-flush) was tested with reference to rooting density (0.3—75 mg root dry matter g—1) in one arable and 3 grassland soils. In the arable soil and in the second horizon (10—20 cm) of a grassland soil, C-flush values were not affected by the pre-extraction. However, the pre-extraction considerably reduced C-flush values in the top soils of the grassland (above 10 cm). Only about 42 % was found in the pre-extracted roots and the rest was lost during the pre-extraction. The estimated concentrations of Nmic decreased due to pre-extraction of soil samples with low root biomass. Clearly, the concentrations of Nmic were underestimated by introducing the pre-extraction. Soil pre-incubation reduced C-flush values only slightly, whereas N-flush values were not affected. It can be concluded that (1) CHCl3-labile root C and N is partly extracted with K2SO4 after pre-incubation and (2) CHCl3-labile C and N removed with the roots during pre-extraction is partly derived from microbial biomass. Soils with low rooting density (arable soils, grassland soils below approximately 10 cm depth) should therefore be fumigated and extracted without pre-extraction. In densely rooted soils, fumigation extraction with and without pre-extraction probably gives estimates for the minimum and maximum of Cmic and Nmic. Einschrankungen bei der Quantifizierung des mikrobiellen Kohlenstoffs und Stickstoffs durch Fumigation-Extraktion in durchwurzelten Boden Die Abschatzung der Gehalte an bodenmikrobiellen C und N (Cmic, Nmic) mittels der Chloroform-Fumigations-Extraktions-Me-thode wird in stark durchwurzelten Boden durch CHCl3-labile C- und N-Verbindungen verfalscht. Der Effekt einer Vorextraktion und einer Vorinkubation (7 Tage bei 25 °C) auf die zusatzlich extrahierbare, CHCl3-labile C- und N-Menge (C-flush bzw. N-flush) wurde in Abhangigkeit von der Durchwurzelung (0.3—75 mg Wurzel-TM g—1) an einem Acker- und drei Grunlandboden gepruft. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Vorextraktion keinen Effekt auf den C-flush des Ackerbodens und des zweiten Horizonts (10—20 cm Tiefe) des Grunlandbodens hatte. Dahingegen nahm der C-flush jeweils in der oberen Schicht (bis 10 cm) der Grunlandboden deutlich ab. Lediglich ca. 42 % davon wurden in den vorextrahierten Wurzeln gefunden, und der Rest ging wahrend der Vorextraktion verloren. Die Vorextraktion verringerte den N-flush in Bodenproben mit geringer Wurzelmasse und fuhrte offensichtlich zu einer Unterschatzung des mikrobiellen N. Eine Vorinkubation der Bodenproben verringerte den C-flush dagegen nur wenig, der N-flush war unbeeinflusst. Es kann geschlussfolgert werden, dass (1) CHCl3-labiler Wurzel-C und -N nach der Vorinkubation teilweise mit K2SO4 extrahiert wird und (2) wahrend der Vorextraktion mit den Wurzeln entfernter, CHCl3-labiler C und N teilweise aus der mikrobiellen Biomasse stammt. Bodenproben mit geringer Durchwurzelungsdichte (Ackerboden, Grunlandboden unter ca. 10 cm Tiefe) sollten daher ohne Vorextraktion begast und extrahiert werden. In stark durchwurzelten Boden ergibt die Fumigations-Extraktions-Methode mit und ohne Vorextraktion wahrscheinlich Schatzwerte des Minimums bzw. Maximums von Cmic und Nmic.

1. Eggs were stored for two different times at varying temperatures. The effects on hatchability, chick weight at hatch and hatching time were examined in two broiler breeder lines from 33 to 58 weeks of age. 2. Short storage (1 to 3 d). Storage at 20 degrees C compared with 16.5 degrees C reduced hatchability of all eggs set. No effect was observed on hatchability of fertile eggs, hatching time or chick weight. 3. Long storage (9 to 11 d). Storage at 16.5 degrees C compared with 10 degrees C decreased both hatchability of fertile eggs and chick weight at hatch. Incidence of early embryonic death increased and incubation time decreased at 16.5 degrees C compared with 10 degrees C. 4. Chicks from morning eggs were heavier than those from afternoon eggs irrespective of storage conditions. 5. Hatchability (all eggs set and fertile eggs) and chick weight varied with hen age irrespective of storage conditions. During long storage, hatching time varied with hen age independently of breeder line, storage temperature or egg laying time. 6. Hatchability (all eggs set and fertile eggs) was higher in line A than in line B. Line B eggs hatched later and produced heavier chicks than line A eggs irrespective of storage time.

This paper describes a longitudinal study of over 10 years of university pre-incubation in Wales, using case studies of incubated businesses to track their performance since 2001. Surviving ‘graduated’ businesses were investigated and quantitative and qualitative data were gathered to profile the current status of these businesses and assess their development following the incubation process. It was noted that the off-site location was beneficial in recruiting both graduate and non-graduate clients and gave rise to a proactive and enabling business environment. Overall, a positive contribution by the pre-incubator was found, in terms of turnover generated and jobs created in an area of economic underperformance.

The aim of the study was to extend the survival of adult spinal motor neurons in serum free culture. Anterior half of the spinal cord was removed from young adult mice and dissociated. Cultured cells attempted to extend neurites within hours of incubation at 37 degrees C and died within 24 h. To prevent this early regenerative activity, thus to decrease the metabolic requirements of the neurons, cultures were transferred to 4 degrees C immediately after they were set and kept there for 3 days. Preparations were then taken to 37 degrees C where they lived up to 8 days. Some neurons continued to extend neurites until the day they died. To understand whether the enhancement of survival involves new protein synthesis, transcription and translation were blocked during cold pre-incubation, which shortened the half life of neurons but not changed the maximum survival period. In conclusion this study has shown that, in the serum-free cultures, the survival of adult spinal motor neurons can be significantly enhanced by cold pre-incubation whose effect seems to depend largely on a reduction in the metabolic activity and less on new protein synthesis. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The present study was carried out to determine the sex of the fertilized white layer eggs with using morphological measurements. A total of 300 Super Nick White Layer (54 wks of age) eggs were incubated and sexed in the end of incubation period. Before incubation egg length, width and weight were measured. The egg volume and shape index were estimated with using these measurements for each egg. The effect of egg weight and replicate number was not significant on the sex of the hatching chick (p > 0.05). The effects of egg shape index (p = 0.001), egg length (p = 0.0018), egg width (p < 0.01) and volume (p = 0.004) of the egg had significant effect on the sex of hatching chick. According to the results of the current study, morphological measurements of the pre-incubated egg might be an indicator of sex of the hatching chick. The shape index and egg volume were more informative for the likelihood of the sex of hatching chick. According to the positive results of the current study, it is possible to incubate more female chicks with using the morphological measurements of egg. This may increase the incubation capacity and decrease the number male chicks that are killed at layer hatcheries.

The cocoa beans produced by farmers in Indonesia are mostly nonfermented with unfavourable taste and flavour. Incubating the cocoa beans in acetate buffer medium has been shown to improve the quality of non fermented dried cocoa beans. Pre-incubation treatments of non fermented cocoa beans by physical treatments such as soaking and crushing them prior to the incubation in acetate buffer is expected to improve the beans quality (i.e. fermentation index and polyphenol). The aim of the research was to determine the effect of pre-incubation treatment of non fermented dried cocoa beans in acetate buffer medium on fermentation index and total polyphenols content.The research was carried out in Process Engineering Laboratory, Food Chemical and Biochemical Laboratory, and Postharvest Technology Laboratory at Gadjah MadaUniversity from April to December 2013. The research used three treatments, first: the crushed beans size 4 mm, whole beans soaked in water (45°C; 16 hours), and beans without soaking (control). The incubation was performed in two stages, the first stage was in the acetate buffer medium at pH 2.7; 600 mM for 24 hours, then subconsequently at pH 5.5; 600 mM for 12 hours. The results showed that crushed bean treatment of non fermented cocoa beans prior to incubation increased the fermentation index values, from 1.15 to1.54 and decreased total polyphenol content from 55.69 to 24.16mg GAE/g.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of feeding turkey breeder hens of different genotypes a diet containing 5 g kg−1 yeast culture (YC) and its effect on pre-incubation egg storage duration (Experiment 1, eggs stored 0–7 and 8–14 days; Experiment 2, eggs stored 0–4, 5–9, and 10–14 days), hen reproductive performance, and the hatchability of fertile eggs. Wrolstad Medium White turkey hens, representing three distinct genetic lines, Low (L), High (H), and Cross (C), were fed pelleted 15.4% crude protein (CP) corn/soya breeder diets without or with 5 g kg−1 YC (XP yeast culture®,Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Diamond V. Mills Inc., Cedar Rapids, IA). The results of Experiment 1 indicated that early embryonic mortality (Days 0–10) of eggs stored from Days 0 to 7 was reduced (P The results of Experiment 2 were similar to those in Experiment 1; early embryonic mortality was reduced in eggs stored from Days 5 to 9 in Lines H and C. Significant genotype-dietary YC interactions were noted for egg storage times of Days 5–9 (P