Investigation of the Defatted Colostrum 1H-NMR Metabolomics Profile of Gilts and Multiparous Sows and Its Relationship with Litter Performance

The aim of the study was to characterize the soluble metabolomics profile of defatted colostrum of sows at different parity number (PA) and to correlate the metabolomics profile with the Brix percentage estimate of colostrum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and sow productive traits. A total of 96 Meidam (crossbreed Large White × Meishan) sows of PA from 1–4 (PA1: 28; PA2:26; PA3:12; PA4:26) were included, and their productive traits were recorded at 10 days post-farrowing. Colostrum IgG was quantified using a Brix refractometer, and metabolomics profile was assessed using 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Sows’ PA slightly influenced the metabolomics profile of colostrum. lactose and glycine were higher in PA1 compared with PA4 (p 0.05) and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) tended to be higher in PA2 than PA3 and PA4 (p < 0.10). The Brix percentage of IgG was negatively associated with lactose and positively with creatine, myo-inositol, and O-phosphocholine (p < 0.05). Taurine was positively related to litter weight at birth. GlcNAc and myo-inositol were linked to piglet mortality at day 10 with a negative and positive trend, respectively. In conclusion, colostrum of gilts and multiparous sows had a similar metabolomics profile. Specific metabolites contributed to explanation of the variability in colostrum Brix percentage estimate of IgG concentration and the sows’ productive performance.

Hypsometric models for a clonal plantation of Tectona grandis Linn F. subjected to selective thinning

At a moment when the importance of planted forests in the Amazon region is increasing, hypsometric models become highly relevant tools as they allow monitoring of and planning for tree plantations in a way that is practical and economic for the producer. Thus, the objective of the current study was to select and adjust a model of hypsometric relationships for a clonal plantation of Tectona grandis Linn F., submitted to selective thinning, located in Capitão Poço municipality, Pará state, Brazil. Data were collected from permanent plots in five-year-old stands using the fixed area method and systematic process. The best adjusted model was selected with an adjusted determination coefficient (R²aj.%), residual standard deviation of the percentage estimate (Syx%), recalculated residual standard error (Syxr%), diagnosis of distribution of residuals as a percentage and the Percent Average Deviation (PAD%). Hyperbolic models 2 and 3 had the highest determination coefficients (83.42 and 83.40%) and lowest PAD (-0.006 and -0.154%). The polynomial (1) and hyperbolic models (2 and 3) showed the smallest errors in related to the estimates. Model 2 (hyperbolic) was found to generate the best estimate of total T. grandis clonal plantation height. Use of this hypsometric model will allow a significant reduction of costs and time in forest inventory studies.

Sanctioning Large-Scale Domestic Cannabis Production - Potency, Yield, and Professionalism

Domestically cultivated cannabis, referred to as sinsemilla, constitutes a growing share of the illicit drug markets in the Scandinavian countries. In this study we present forensic evidence of THC content in sinsemilla and resin confiscated by the Danish police from 2008 to 2012. The purpose is to establish a mean potency, a yield estimate for professionally grown plants, and an assessment of how „professionalism” applies to domestic cultivation. We find a mean THC content in our sample normally distributed around 12% for sinsemilla (n=35) and 11.7% for resin (n=99). This is markedly higher than the assumption of THC content in sinsemilla between 6-8% as is currently applied in Norway and Sweden. It is also higher than the previous estimate of resin potency. The yield in sinsemilla plants is found to be 46 grams per plant. This is much lower than the estimate applied in criminal cases, which indicates that courts do not apply a yield-percentage estimate. The specificities of domestic cannabis cultivation also relate to the sanction criteria „professionalism”. Firstly, the number of plants found can provide for calculation of an aggregate quantum. Secondly, this can be related to the formal quantum thresholds between the (various) grades of illicit drug crimes in the national legal systems. Finally, we introduce the nationality of the gardener as an indication of professionalism in combination with the equipment found on site. We conclude that proportionality in criminal sanctioning of large-scale cannabis cases would improve by applying a 1:1 potency level between sinsemilla and resin.