E.S. du Toit

Effect of South African beef production systems on post-mortem muscle energy status and meat quality.

Post-slaughter muscle energy metabolism meat colour of South African production systems were compared; steers (n=182) of Nguni, Simmental Brahman crossbreds were reared on pasture until A-, AB-, or B-age, in feedlot until A-AB-age. After exsanguination carcasses were electrically stimulated (400 V for 15 s). M. longissimus dorsi muscle energy samples were taken at 1, 2, 4 and 20 h. Post-mortem samples for meat quality studies were taken at 1, 7 and 14 days post-mortem. Production systems affected muscle glycogen, glucose, glucose-6-P, lactic acid, ATP, creatine-P glycolytic potential (P<0.05), with the muscles of feedlot carcasses having a faster glycolysis rate than pasture carcasses. Energy metabolites correlated (0.40.5) water holding capacity, drip loss, and Warner Bratzler shear force. Muscle energy only affected muscle contraction of the A-age-pasture system (shortest sarcomere length of 1.66 μm vs 1.75 μm highest WBS of 6 kg vs 5 kg 7 days post-mortem).

Effect of temperature on the growth of Lachenalia cv. Ronina during the bulb preparation phase

Lachenalia cultivars have excellent characteristics as flowering pot plants. The effect of three temperature regimes on the growth of small bulbs of Lachenalia cv. Ronina to flowering size (± 7 g) was studied. Potted bulbs were grown in three temperature controlled cabinets with temperature regimes chosen to represent a cold, a moderate and a warm winter. Plants were destructively harvested to investigate environmental effects on plant morphology and additionally flowering, anthesis and flower senescence were monitored. Under all three temperature regimes bulb growth followed a typical sigmoidal curve. Root growth does not support optimal bulb size under the different temperature regimes. Leaf growth in plants under the moderate temperature regime was more vigorous and foliage had a healthier appearance than in the low and high temperature regime treatments. Inflorescence emergence was earlier under the low and moderate temperature regime. At the end of the growing season, bulbs grown in the high temperature treatment formed secondary inflorescences. The best temperature regimes for Lachenalia bulb production were the low and moderate temperature regime which represented the cool and moderate winter climate in South Africa.

Water and nutrient retention by Aquasoil® and Stockosorb® polymers

Water retention and hydration rate of Aquasoil and Stockosorb polymers, the effects of these polymers on the water, ammonium and nitrate retention of a pine bark growth medium and the response of the polymers to fertilizer solutions were investigated. Aquasoil retained 129 g of distilled water g−1 of polymer, whereas Stockosorb retained 216 g−1 of polymer. Both polymers reached their maximum capacity in about one hour. The polymers when combined with 1 or 2 g 500 g−1 of pine bark, improved the water retention capacity of the growth medium. However, longer time was required in the growth medium for the polymers to reach maximum capacity than in the distilled water. All polymer-amended pine bark media retained more ammonium, compared to non-amended media. The 2 g polymer treatment retained greater amounts of NO3 than the lower rates. Retention of water by the Aquasoil® and Stockosorb® polymers was reduced to 88% and 86% of capacity compared to distilled water, whereas fertilizer solution reduced water retention to 53% and 42% of capacity. Soaking in distilled or tap water improved water retention of the polymers over fertilizer solutions.

TRICKLE FLOW MULTIPLICITY The Influence of the Prewetting Procedure on Flow Hysteresis

Abstract The existence of multiple hydrodynamic studies (MHS) in trickle flow is a well-known phenomenon. It is also known that different prewetting procedures result in major differences in MHS when the hydrodynamic variables pressure drop, liquid holdup and gas–liquid mass transfer are considered. Given a certain prewetting procedure one still has the option to perform flow hysteresis cycles to achieve an even wider variety of MHS. Although numerous studies have been performed on trickle flow hysteresis, none have attempted to decouple the hysteresis behaviour from the prewetting procedure followed. Accordingly there are numerous hysteresis possibilities that have not been investigated. In this work a single liquid and gas cycle were performed for four distinct prewetting procedures described here as a dry bed, a Levec type prewetted bed, Kan prewetted bed (achieved by increasing either the liquid or the gas flow rate until the pulsing flow regime is reached) and a Super prewetted bed. Pressure drop, liquid holdup and gas–liquid mass transfer are the hydrodynamic parameters studied to quantify the various MHS. It is shown that the shape and extent of the hysteresis cycle are strongly dependant on the prewetting procedure. In terms of flow structure, similar hysteresis trends on the Kan Liquid and Super prewetting modes indicate that these modes are hydrodynamically similar. The additional measurement of the hysteresis behaviour of gas–liquid mass transfer proofs that neither holdup nor pressure drop can be used as an indicator of the distribution uniformity.

Morphology and ultrastructure of glandular and nonglandular trichomes on the leaves of Athrixia phylicoides (Asteraceae)

Athrixia phylicoides is one of many plants from the Asteraceae family used as a traditional herbal medicine. Pharmacological evaluation of leaf extracts confirmed that the plant has anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, narcotic and analgesic properties. The medicinal properties of plants are often linked to the production of essential oil. It is hypothesised that the medicinal value of A. phylicoides can be linked to the production of the aromatic essential oil released by leaves. With the aim at commercial scale propagation, an understanding of the mechanisms involved in the production of medicinally active products will be of great value. Electron- and light microscopic examination of leaves were used to identify and study structures that are apparently involved in the production and secretion of essential oils. Two types of trichomes were identified—nonglandular and glandular trichomes. The glandular trichomes are multicellular with a subcuticular storage space and are present only on the adaxial surface of leaves.

The beef tenderness model

In Phase1 of this study, three breed types (Simmentaler-, Brahman- and Nguni bulls; n = 60 each) were grain-fed and slaughtered at 12 months of age (A-age, fat-class 2). Feed was withdrawn for either three hours or 24 hours pre-slaughter. Within each feed withdrawal group, three electrical stimulation (ES) treatments were applied, viz. ES for 15 seconds, 120 seconds or no stimulation. In Phase 2, the effects of animal age and feeding regime were investigated using of A-age (feedlot and pasture), AB-age (feedlot and pasture) and B-age (pasture) animals. All carcasses were electrically stimulated for 15 seconds. Longer feed withdrawal increased dark-firm-dry (DFD) meat occurrence (pHu >6) in the Nguni and Simmentalercross. Brahman-cross longissimus (LL) tended to be more tender with paler colour and higher drip loss when 120 ES was applied. Longer feed withdrawal recorded higher Warner Bratzler shear force (WBSF) than three hour feed withdrawal. However, ES neutralized the effect of stress on tenderness. On average the AB-age feedlot animals produced the most tender LL followed by the B-age pasture and A-age feedlot which was similar to the AB-age pasture. A-age pasture animals produced the least tender LL steaks. The calpain proteolytic system played a pivotal role in determining the ultimate meat tenderness and although connective tissue becomes less soluble in older animals it did not play the determinant role in tenderness in this study. The intramuscular fat (< 3%) played an important role in the tenderness outcome of Nguni LL which marbled well at AB-age.

Characteristics of companies with a higher risk of financial statement fraud : a survey of the literature

Fraud and corruption in companies is a serious problem in this day and age. One only needs to think of Enron, Parmalat and Macmed. Companies are constantly identifying new and ingenious ways to defraud their customers, investors, the government and others.For this reason it is important for stakeholders with an interest in a company to devise ways of detecting and identifying fraud to protect their interests. Managers are primarily responsible for the prevention and detection of financial statement fraud. However, they may be the primary perpetrators of fraud. The responsibility to detect and identify financial statement fraud should also not rest solely with the auditors, as they cannot be expected to provide absolute assurance that all material misstatements are detected and identified.This research set out to find whether there are any characteristics in a company by means of which possible financial statement fraud can be detected and identified. Numerous authors gave their insight on the topic in the...Fraud and corruption in companies is a serious problem in this day and age. One only needs to think of Enron, Parmalat and Macmed. Companies are constantly identifying new and ingenious ways to defraud their customers, investors, the government and others. For this reason it is important for stakeholders with an interest in a company to devise ways of detecting and identifying fraud to protect their interests. Managers are primarily responsible for the prevention and detection of financial statement fraud. However, they may be the primary perpetrators of fraud. The responsibility to detect and identify financial statement fraud should also not rest solely with the auditors, as they cannot be expected to provide absolute assurance that all material misstatements are detected and identified. This research set out to find whether there are any characteristics in a company by means of which possible financial statement fraud can be detected and identified. Numerous authors gave their insight on the topic in the past, but few came to a clear-cut conclusion of fraud indicators. The article commences with an explanation of financial statement fraud. It further analyses various authors’ statements on the characteristics displayed by companies with a higher propensity for financial statement fraud. The study confirmed that there are characteristics which can identify the risk of financial statement fraud in companies. Parties with an interest in a company, notwithstanding managers and auditors, can observe and measure these characteristics to detect and identify such fraud.

Etiolation aids rooting of Protea cynaroides cuttings

The role that starch content and blanching play in the rooting of Protea cynaroides cuttings was studied. P. cynaroides stems were blanched on the motherplant in the field, which resulted in a higher starch concentration in the cuttings. The relationship between starch content and rooting was also established, whereby the ability of the blanched cuttings to maintain a consistent starch level throughout the rooting period, resulted in the acceleration of the rooting process. The blanched cuttings had a higher dry root mass than the control at day 90 when the cuttings were ready to be transplanted. The untreated cuttings were only suitable for transplanting after 120 days. Blanching the cuttings also resulted in a higher rooting percentage (100%) than the control (60%).