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Production Systems (production + system)
Kinds of Production Systems Selected AbstractsToward a More Embedded Production System?GROWTH AND CHANGE, Issue 3 2009Automotive Supply Networks, Localized Capabilities in Poland ABSTRACT The article addresses the embeddedness of automotive production in Poland in terms of supply networks. A comprehensive analysis of more than 550 suppliers, supported by company interviews, shows that foreign-owned producers become embedded in Poland in the automotive supplier networks they have largely created themselves. Numerous local suppliers gain access to export markets and become integrated in a Europe-wide production system. This trend has been accompanied by significant upgrading of foreign affiliates and domestic firms in terms of product quality, cost efficiency, adaptability, and fast response, but far less in nonproduction competences such as R&D. It is argued that the competences of automotive suppliers in Poland are built upon the localized capabilities, which are a product of the dynamic interplay between the activity of foreign firms and the changing local environment comprising various stakeholders. The localized capabilities constitute elements of a company's sunk costs and are embedding automotive producers in Poland. At the same time, the dependence on decisions and innovations from abroad and the limited development of local design and brands may constrain the future role of suppliers from the semiperipheral economy of Poland. [source] Guanxi Management in Lean Production System,An Empirical Study of Taiwan-Japanese FirmsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS AND SOCIOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Article first published online: 24 JUN 2010, Meiling Wong While the emphasis in the West is on "what you know" refers to technological expertise, including the price and quality of tendered product or service, the emphasis in Confucian societies is on "who you know," which refers to personal connections with the appropriate authorities or individuals. These connections are known in Chinese as guanxi, on which as the basis Chinese exchange a lifetime of favors, resources, and business leverage. This study seeks to study guanxi mechanism, the unique Chinese social-cultural element and its impact on the managerial effectiveness of Taiwanese firms with lean implementation in practice, and an empirical study is constructed to verify our proposal. Results suggest that guanxi and its networks function as the lubrication that eases interpersonal conflicts and as the buffer in solving problems, which in turn upgrades the cooperative efficiency both inter- and intragroups. This article provides an inner view of cultural value, which offers insights that should prove helpful to academics in management and related disciplines as well as to practitioners engaged in Chinese production management. [source] Biodiversity Impacts of Some Agricultural Commodity Production SystemsCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2004Paul F. Donald First page of article [source] A Dynamic Inspection Model for Wearing Production SystemsINTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS IN OPERATIONAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2002Marcello Braglia The aim of this paper is to correlate the deterioration process of a production system with the items control process and, as a consequence, with the equipment inspection policy. The objective is to consider how the wear of the manufacturing system influences the values of the control process parameters and how these parameters have to be changed in accordance with the need to maintain optimal (working) conditions. Adopting a Weibull failure-time distribution, it is shown how these parameters must be changed (at different times t) in order to maintain optimal working conditions. To test the inspection model, a weighted cost function dependent on the time loss for the production of defective units and for the production shut-down (in order to make an inspection to control the state of the system) is developed. [source] Material Flow Networks as a Means of Optimizing Production SystemsCHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 4 2010H. Lambrecht Abstract Material flow networks are a specific technique for material flow analysis. Software tools based on this method have been used by many companies to analyze and improve complex production systems. While their intuitive modeling approach strongly enhances the identification of optimization potentials, automatic model optimization is not yet possible. The KOMSA project has closed this important methodological and instrumental gap. This article presents the developed prototype of a material flow-based optimization tool. We provide numerical results on the convergence of the implemented optimization algorithms. The added value of integrating optimization with material flow analysis is illustrated by applying the software tool to a real optimization problem from the waste industry. [source] Androgen modulates the kinetics of the delayed rectifying K+ current in the electric organ of a weakly electric fishDEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 12 2007M. Lynne McAnelly Abstract Weakly electric fish such as Sternopygus macrurus utilize a unique signal production system, the electric organ (EO), to navigate within their environment and to communicate with conspecifics. The electric organ discharge (EOD) generated by the Sternopygus electric organ is quasi-sinusoidal and sexually dimorphic; sexually mature males produce long duration EOD pulses at low frequencies, whereas mature females produce short duration EOD pulses at high frequencies. EOD frequency is set by a medullary pacemaker nucleus, while EOD pulse duration is determined by the kinetics of Na+ and K+ currents in the electric organ. The inactivation of the Na+ current and the activation of the delayed rectifying K+ current of the electric organ covary with EOD frequency such that the kinetics of both currents are faster in fish with high (female) EOD frequency than those with low (male) EOD frequencies. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) implants masculinize the EOD centrally by decreasing frequency at the pacemaker nucleus (PMN). DHT also acts at the electric organ, broadening the EO pulse, which is at least partly due to a slowing of the inactivation kinetics of the Na+ current. Here, we show that chronic DHT treatment also slows the activation and deactivation kinetics of the electric organ's delayed rectifying K+ current. Thus, androgens coregulate the time-varying kinetics of two distinct ion currents in the EO to shape a sexually dimorphic communication signal. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007 [source] Exporting the German Model: The Establishment of a New Automobile Industry Cluster in ShanghaiECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY, Issue 1 2005Heiner Depner Abstract: Recent work has provided evidence that the establishment of new industry clusters cannot be jump-started through policy initiatives alone. This evidence does not imply, however, that the genesis of a new cluster cannot be planned at all. Especially in the context of a developing economy, it seems useful to reinvestigate the relation among economic development, the strategies of multinational firms, and state intervention in this respect. Drawing from the case of the automobile industry and its supplier system in Shanghai in which German firms play an important role, we provide empirical evidence of the evolution of a new cluster that is supported by the state in various forms and characterized by a focal, hierarchically structured production system. We use a multidimensional approach to clusters, which leads to a more nuanced understanding of the evolution and growth of a cluster than that provided by earlier accounts. This approach allows us to distinguish the development of the Shanghai automobile industry cluster along its vertical, horizontal, external, institutional, and power dimensions. We provide evidence that another dimension,"culture",plays an important role, especially in its relation to issues of power and institutions. The role of this dimension is demonstrated in the case of German firms, which tap into the Chinese innovation system. This system is characterized by particular business relations, institutions, norms, and various social practices that are new to German firms. We demonstrate how this difference creates problems in establishing local production and supplier relations and how these problems can be overcome. [source] Perspectives of multi-modal contribution of honeybee resources to our lifeENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH, Issue 2008Hidehiro HOSHIBA Abstract The European honeybee, Apis mellifera, has been introduced to all continents and their products like honey, propolis, royal jelly and beeswax are well known. However, its contribution is not restricted to such direct products but extends into a much wider area. For example, the economic value of seed production by pollination exceeds the above-mentioned bee products. The application of F1 hybrid is increased to as much as 70% of commercial crops and flowers in Japan and honeybees are important pollinators in the F1 seed production. Incorporation into the large-scale biodiesel fuel production system by culturing rape and sunflower seeds etc. is relied on because it is good to construct possible zero-emission systems that reduce carbon dioxide and increase the rich by-products like honey and royal jelly. Bees' higher brain function and sophisticated social system of the colony opens new perspectives as a model system. Their individual ability to recognize even abstract concepts is comparable to that of higher primates. Rats or mice have no such ability. High performance learning ability of bees associated with proboscis extension reflex can be used to detect drugs at the airport. Function of the colony, on the other hand, is an excellent model for social physiology or a self-organization system. After the whole genome of A. mellifera was read in 2006 by the world consortium, consisting of more than 90 institutions from all over the world, many molecular biologists are coming into bee world. Nobody has yet succeeded in the challenge to make transgenic honeybee, so far, because of the difficulty in controlling the reproductive system headed by the queen. However, if someone succeeded in a breakthrough we will have stingless honeybees and a disease-resistant strain in the future. [source] An intelligent logistics support system for enhancing the airfreight forwarding businessEXPERT SYSTEMS, Issue 5 2004H.C.W. Lau Abstract: Recent research related to the aircraft container loading and scheduling problem for airfreight forwarding business has seen significant advances in terms of load plan optimization, taking into account the cost and volume of packed boxes. In today's competitive industrial environment, it is essential that freight forwarders are able to collaborate with carriers (airline companies) to achieve the best possible selection of logistics workflow. However, study of contemporary research publications indicates that there is a dearth of articles related to the design and implementation of an intelligent logistics system to support decision-making on carrier selection, aircraft container loading plans as well as carrier benchmarking. This paper presents an intelligent logistics support system (ILSS) which is able to provide expert advice related to the airfreight forwarding business, enhancing the logistics operations in relevant activities within the value chain of tasks. ILSS comprises a heuristics-based intelligent expert system which supports carrier searching and cargo trading planning as well as load plan generation. The proposed approach is meant to enhance various operations in the airfreight forwarding business, adopting computational intelligence technologies such as rule-based reasoning to provide domain advice and heuristics to support the generation of load plans. After potential outcomes are generated by the heuristics-based intelligent expert system, a neural network engine is applied to support prediction of unexpected events. To validate the viability of this approach, a production system using the ILSS has been developed and subsequently applied in an emulated airfreight forwarding environment. The application results indicate that the operation time from searching for potential carriers to the execution of the order is greatly reduced. In this paper, details related to the structure, design and implementation of the ILSS are also covered with the inclusion of the actual program codes for building the prototype. [source] A connectionist production system which can perform both modus ponens and modus tollens simultaneouslyEXPERT SYSTEMS, Issue 1 2000Minoru AsogawaArticle first published online: 16 DEC 200 Modus ponens is used in forward inference and backward inference, where the truth of the conclusion is inferred from the truth of the premise. In modus tollens, the falseness of the premise is inferred from the falseness of the conclusion. Although modus ponens is used in general connectionist production systems, modus tollens is rarely used, except in Quinlan's proposed INFERNO system and in the system proposed by Thornber. A connectionist production system called ConnPS that can perform both modus ponens and modus tollens simultaneously is described. Compared to the INFERNO system, one of the advantages of ConnPS is its supervised learning ability. The rules and examples given as external knowledge are often erroneous and incomplete. In ConnPS, these rules can be refined by using the supervised learning. Both positive and negative examples are presented to ConnPS, onto which the external rules and observations are mapped. Moreover, ConnPS's implementations of implications, conjunctions, disjunctions and negation are intuitively consistent with Boolean logic. [source] A xylose-inducible expression system for Lactococcus lactisFEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 2 2004Anderson Miyoshi Abstract A new controlled production system to target heterologous proteins to cytoplasm or extracellular medium is described for Lactococcus lactis NCDO2118. It is based on the use of a xylose-inducible lactococcal promoter, PxylT. The capacities of this system to produce cytoplasmic and secreted proteins were tested using the Staphylococcus aureus nuclease gene (nuc) fused or not to the lactococcal Usp45 signal peptide. Xylose-inducible nuc expression is tightly controlled and resulted in high-level and long-term protein production, and correct targeting either to the cytoplasm or to the extracellular medium. Furthermore, this expression system is versatile and can be switched on or off easily by adding either xylose or glucose, respectively. These results confirm the potential of this expression system as an alternative and useful tool for the production of proteins of interest in L. lactis. [source] Atmospheric impact of bioenergy based on perennial crop (reed canary grass, Phalaris arundinaceae, L.) cultivation on a drained boreal organic soilGCB BIOENERGY, Issue 3 2010NARASINHA J. SHURPALI Abstract Marginal organic soils, abundant in the boreal region, are being increasingly used for bioenergy crop cultivation. Using long-term field experimental data on greenhouse gas (GHG) balance from a perennial bioenergy crop [reed canary grass (RCG), Phalaris arundinaceae L.] cultivated on a drained organic soil as an example, we show here for the first time that, with a proper cultivation and land-use practice, environmentally sound bioenergy production is possible on these problematic soil types. We performed a life cycle assessment (LCA) for RCG on this organic soil. We found that, on an average, this system produces 40% less CO2 -equivalents per MWh of energy in comparison with a conventional energy source such as coal. Climatic conditions regulating the RCG carbon exchange processes have a high impact on the benefits from this bioenergy production system. Under appropriate hydrological conditions, this system can even be carbon-negative. An LCA sensitivity analysis revealed that net ecosystem CO2 exchange and crop yield are the major LCA components, while non-CO2 GHG emissions and costs associated with crop production are the minor ones. Net bioenergy GHG emissions resulting from restricted net CO2 uptake and low crop yields, due to climatic and moisture stress during dry years, were comparable with coal emissions. However, net bioenergy emissions during wet years with high net uptake and crop yield were only a third of the coal emissions. As long-term experimental data on GHG balance of bioenergy production are scarce, scientific data stemming from field experiments are needed in shaping renewable energy source policies. [source] Dry matter production, nutritive value and efficiency of nutrient utilization of a complementary forage rotation compared to a grass pasture systemGRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 3 2008S. C. Garcia Abstract In pasture-based dairy farming, new sustainable systems that involve the annual dry matter (DM) production of grazed and conserved forage beyond the potential of grazed pasture alone are being sought. The objective of this experiment conducted in Australia was to compare a complementary forage rotation (CFR) for conservation and grazing, comprising an annual sequence of three crops, namely maize (Zea mays L), forage rape (Brassica napus L) and a legume (Persian clover, Trifolium repesinatum L or maple pea, Pisum sativum L), with a pasture [kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) over-sown with short-rotation ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L)] as a pasture control treatment. The experiment was a complete randomized block design with four replicates (,0·7 ha each). Annual dry-matter (DM) yield over the 3 years averaged >42 t ha,1 year,1 for the CFR treatment and >17 t ha,1 year,1 for the pasture treatment. The high DM yield of the CFR treatment resulted from >27 t ha,1 year,1 from maize harvested for silage and >15 t DM ha,1 year,1 utilized by grazing the forage rape and legumes. Total input of nitrogen (N) and water were similar for both treatments, resulting in higher N- and water-use efficiency for the CFR treatment, which was more than twice that for the pasture treatment. Overall, the nutritive value of the pasture treatment was slightly higher than the mean for that of the CFR treatment. The implications of these results are that a highly productive system based on the CFR treatment in conjunction with the use of pasture is achievable. Such a dairy production system in Australia could increase the total supply of feed resources grown on-farm and the efficiency of use of key resources such as N and water. [source] Toward a More Embedded Production System?GROWTH AND CHANGE, Issue 3 2009Automotive Supply Networks, Localized Capabilities in Poland ABSTRACT The article addresses the embeddedness of automotive production in Poland in terms of supply networks. A comprehensive analysis of more than 550 suppliers, supported by company interviews, shows that foreign-owned producers become embedded in Poland in the automotive supplier networks they have largely created themselves. Numerous local suppliers gain access to export markets and become integrated in a Europe-wide production system. This trend has been accompanied by significant upgrading of foreign affiliates and domestic firms in terms of product quality, cost efficiency, adaptability, and fast response, but far less in nonproduction competences such as R&D. It is argued that the competences of automotive suppliers in Poland are built upon the localized capabilities, which are a product of the dynamic interplay between the activity of foreign firms and the changing local environment comprising various stakeholders. The localized capabilities constitute elements of a company's sunk costs and are embedding automotive producers in Poland. At the same time, the dependence on decisions and innovations from abroad and the limited development of local design and brands may constrain the future role of suppliers from the semiperipheral economy of Poland. [source] The Governance of Global Production Networks and Regional Development: A Case Study of Taiwanese PC Production NetworksGROWTH AND CHANGE, Issue 1 2009DANIEL YOU-REN YANG ABSTRACT This article applies a global production networks (GPN) perspective to the trans-border investments of Taiwanese personal computer (PC) companies in the Northern Taiwan, Greater Suzhou and Greater Dongguan regions. The findings of extensive field research are used to illustrate two conceptual arguments. First, we show the on-the-ground complexity of inter-firm governance arrangements within the PC industry, thereby casting doubt upon attempts to reduce notions of governance to simplistic, industry-wide categorisations. Second, by comparing Greater Suzhou and Greater Dongguan, we demonstrate that even within a single production system, there is geographical variation in the nature of the strategic coupling between the GPN and local institutional formations. We argue that conceptualising such geographical and organisational complexity is critical to understanding the regional development potential of GPNs. [source] Working More Productively: Tools for Administrative DataHEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 5 2003Leslie L. Roos Objective. This paper describes a web-based resource (http://www.umanitoba.ca/centres/mchp/concept/) that contains a series of tools for working with administrative data. This work in knowledge management represents an effort to document, find, and transfer concepts and techniques, both within the local research group and to a more broadly defined user community. Concepts and associated computer programs are made as "modular" as possible to facilitate easy transfer from one project to another. Study Setting/Data Sources. Tools to work with a registry, longitudinal administrative data, and special files (survey and clinical) from the Province of Manitoba, Canada in the 1990,2003 period. Data Collection. Literature review and analyses of web site utilization were used to generate the findings. Principal Findings. The Internet-based Concept Dictionary and SAS macros developed in Manitoba are being used in a growing number of research centers. Nearly 32,000 hits from more than 10,200 hosts in a recent month demonstrate broad interest in the Concept Dictionary. Conclusions. The tools, taken together, make up a knowledge repository and research production system that aid local work and have great potential internationally. Modular software provides considerable efficiency. The merging of documentation and researcher-to-researcher dissemination keeps costs manageable. [source] Accident risks in disturbance recovery in an automated batch-production systemHUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS IN MANUFACTURING & SERVICE INDUSTRIES, Issue 4 2002G. Toulouse Accident risks in automated production systems occur mainly during system disturbance. However, few studies have dealt with this issue. We were able to investigate it by studying accident risks during the recovery of incidents occurring in the running of an automated bread production system in an industrial bakery. This problem was examined through worker interviews. The main results indicate that the accident risks associated with system disturbance are due to accessibility problems and the need to operate quickly to avoid production shutdowns or material damage. Different solutions have been implemented to reduce the disturbances and accident risks. The development of these solutions seems related to the managers' and operators' concepts of what constitutes a disturbance. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] A framework for continuous design of production systems and its application in collective redesign of production line equipmentHUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS IN MANUFACTURING & SERVICE INDUSTRIES, Issue 1 2002Françoise Darses The continuous design of production systems is a major challenge facing companies, and one that requires organization and systematization. This article describes one of the continuous design endeavors implemented in a factory manufacturing steel tubes. We have studied the collective redesign of production line equipment. For 2 years, we followed the operations of a multioccupational group composed of the various actors involved in manufacturing (including the operators). Their task was to redesign the tools used in their production line. Our analysis is focused on the cognitive side of the activity and especially on the collective redesign processes. From the transcripts of the meetings, we have examined how the codesigners come to an agreement about the redesigned equipment. We show that the criteria spontaneously used for the evaluation of the solution are far wider (quantitatively and qualitatively) than the list of functional criteria prescribed to the codesigners for the decision-making process. This analysis leads us to propose three conditions that have to be met to guarantee success: (a) a true systemic view of the production system must be developed by all the continuous design actors, (b) there must be support for the collective decision-making process, and (c) new forms of knowledge must be institutionalized. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] Lipid composition of retailed organic, free-range and conventional chicken breastsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2007Kishowar Jahan Summary Lipid fractions of 20 retailed chicken breasts were correlated with production system: organic, corn-fed, free-range and conventional. Neutral lipid (NL), phospholipid (PL) and free fatty acids (FFA) were examined separately. Influence of production systems was found more pronounced in PL composition than NLs. Corn-fed and free-range NLs had higher contents of nutritionally beneficial eicosapentanoic acid (C20:5 n-3) and docosahexanoic acid (C22:6 n-3) than organic and conventional. Lower polyunsaturated fatty acids in organic and free-range PLs could be beneficial for tissue stability. Principal component product space for PLs showed clear clustering related to product category. In contrast, this was not observed with FFA except in the partial least square regression product space suggesting influences on NLs and PLs and FFA. PLs had lower contents of arachidonic acid than in earlier studies. Advantages were observed in lipid fractionation using advanced sorbent extraction matrices. [source] A Dynamic Inspection Model for Wearing Production SystemsINTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS IN OPERATIONAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2002Marcello Braglia The aim of this paper is to correlate the deterioration process of a production system with the items control process and, as a consequence, with the equipment inspection policy. The objective is to consider how the wear of the manufacturing system influences the values of the control process parameters and how these parameters have to be changed in accordance with the need to maintain optimal (working) conditions. Adopting a Weibull failure-time distribution, it is shown how these parameters must be changed (at different times t) in order to maintain optimal working conditions. To test the inspection model, a weighted cost function dependent on the time loss for the production of defective units and for the production shut-down (in order to make an inspection to control the state of the system) is developed. [source] Inactivation or removal of the budded particles of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus of a silkworm, Bombyx mori L. (Lep., Bombycidae)JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 3 2001Arakawa Effective methods to inactivate or remove budded particles of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus of Bombyx mori (BmNPV) from a cell-cultured media or from host haemolymph that is infected by this virus have been developed. Two types of suspensions containing BmNPV budded virus particles, TC-100 media that cultured BmN4 cells infected by this virus and haemolymph of B. mori larvae infected by this virus, were treated by 6% (w/v) polyethylene glycol (PEG), 0.01% (w/v) chitosan, 0.05% (v/v) linoleic acid (an emulsion), and/or diethylether. Treatment by linoleic acid followed by PEG-precipitation and treatment by diethylether followed by PEG-precipitation were so effective that these treatments suppressed the viral titre of BmNPV-infected larval haemolymph from an original titre (> 109 TCID50 units/ml) to below a detectable limit. These methods are suggested as being potentially useful in an insect factory system; that is, a protein production system utilizing a baculovirus vector and its insect host or cultured cells on a large scale. [source] Variability of tilapias (Oreochromis spp.) introduced in Mexico: morphometric, meristic and genetic charactersJOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 1 2004I. D. L. A. Barriga-Sosa Summary In Mexico, the tilapia Oreochromis provides one of the most important sources of animal protein and income in a wide variety of communities throughout the country, however, their culture and production face severe problems because of lack of management information. Evaluated in the present study is the degree of morphological, meristic and allozyme variation of two tilapia strains, two species and one hybrid from two important reservoirs in Mexico, two tilapia fry production farms (TFPF) and an experimental production system (EPS), to diagnose the actual status and degree of variation among them. Twenty-two presumptive loci were utilized to determine the genetic variation, structuring and distances among samples. Multivariate analyses of 11 meristic and 33 morphometric characters were also evaluated, including the distance from the end of the mouth opening to the most anterior dorsal fin (0.9894), distance from the anal fin base to the anterior part of the caudal fin (0.9845) and the base length of the dorsal fin (0.9839) which contributed to the separation of groups. The canonical discriminant functions for the morphometric and meristic variables show that the correct classification of the organisms in percentages and in the sites of origin was on average 72%. The tilapia from the reservoirs and the experimental production system had higher genetic variations than tilapia from the fry production farms (average He 0.310, 0.062, 0.151 for Metztitlan, Infiernillo and EPS, respectively, vs 0.024 and 0.000 for Los Amates and Zacatepec, respectively). The genetic data indicate that fishes of the TFPF should be monitored closely, as they are the main source of dispersion to the reservoirs. Present results show that these data could be a fast and reliable aid to the fisheries and management of tilapia in Mexico. [source] Quantification and prevalence of Salmonella in beef cattle presenting at slaughterJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2004N. Fegan Abstract Aims:, A survey to determine the prevalence and numbers of Salmonella in beef cattle presented for slaughter at abattoirs across Australia was conducted between September 2002 and January 2003. Methods and Results:, Automated immunomagnetic separation (AIMS) was used for detection and isolation of Salmonella enriched from cattle faeces. Salmonella were enumerated from positive samples using a combination of the Most Probable Number (MPN) technique and AIMS. A total of 310 faecal samples were tested, 155 were from lot-fed cattle and 155 from grass-fed cattle. Salmonella spp. were isolated from 21 (6·8%) of the cattle and the prevalence amongst grass-fed cattle (4·5%) was not significantly different to that found in lot-fed cattle (9%). Counts of Salmonella in positive faeces varied from <3 MPN g,1 of faeces to 2·8 × 103 MPN g,1 and 71% of positive samples had counts <10 MPN g,1 faeces. There was no significant difference in the mean log10 number of Salmonella in faeces of cattle from each production system. Conclusion:, Low numbers of beef cattle were found to shed Salmonella at the time of slaughter and the prevalence and the associated faecal concentrations did not vary significantly with the pre-slaughter production system (grass or lot feeding). The faecal concentration of Salmonella in the majority of faeces was low (<10 MPN g,1) with few high concentrations up to 3 × 103 MPN g,1, suggesting there may be a low risk of carcase contamination. Significance and Impact of the Study:, Beef cattle do not appear to be a major source of entry of Salmonella into the human food chain and the quantitative information contained in this study can be used in quantitative assessments of the associated risk of human salmonellosis. [source] Relation between Developmental Stage, Sensory Properties, and Volatile Content of Organically and Conventionally Grown Pac Choi (Brassica rapa,var.JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 4 2010Mei Qing Choi) ABSTRACT:, This study was conducted to identify and quantify the sensory characteristics and chemical profile of organically and conventionally grown pac choi (Brassica rapa,var. Mei Qing Choi), also called bok choy, at 3 stages of growth (2.5, 4.5, and 6.5 wk). Sensory and instrumental data were correlated using partial least squares regression. Pac choi was grown in late spring. Descriptive sensory analysis was conducted by a highly trained panel and compounds were identified and quantified using a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer. The findings of the study indicate that the differences in sensory characteristics and chemical profiles among stages of growth are more substantial than the differences between organic and conventional production. Green-unripe, musty/earthy, lettuce, and sweet flavors are representative in pac choi at early stages of growth. When older, pac choi has higher intensities of green-grassy/leafy, bitter, cabbage, and sulfur flavors that are associated with the increase of (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, octyl acetate, 1-nonanol, 2-decanone, 1-penten-3-ol, linalool, camphor, menthol, isobornyl acetate, geranylacetone, and cedrol compounds. Conventional pac choi was higher than organic pac choi in green overall, bitter, and soapy flavors only at 2.5 wk of age. This may be associated with the presence of (Z)-3-hexenal, 2-hexyn-1-ol, and (E)-2-hexenal compounds. Practical Application: The increased popularity of organic production has amplified the need for research that will help in understanding how this production system affects the final quality of food products. This study suggests that the stage of development has a much larger impact on sensory quality than organic or conventional growing of pac choi. Findings from this study promote consumer choice by showing that comparable sensory quality can be obtained using either production system, making the ultimate choice not only based on sensory quality but consumer choice related to environmental beliefs or economics. [source] A review of resistance breeding options targeting western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte)AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Marija Ivezi Abstract 1,This review presents the latest research regarding maize resistance breeding against western corn rootworm (WCR) in the U.S.A. and Europe. 2,Investigations in Europe on the development of maize cultivars possessing resistant mechanisms against WCR are just beginning. In 2003, the European Commission implemented measures aimed at slowing down the spread of the WCR in Europe. Nevertheless, this pest has already been found in 20 countries of the European region. To establish a sustainable production system, the evaluation of native (nontransgenic) resistance in maize cultivars is essential. 3,This review emphasizes the future challenges involved in the research of native resistance breeding in maize against the insect. [source] Carbon-based stock feed additives: a research methodology that explores ecologically delivered C biosequestration, alongside live weights, feed use efficiency, soil nutrient retention, and perennial fodder plantationsJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 2 2010Mark P McHenry Abstract There is considerable interest in reliable and practical methods to sequester carbon (C) into agricultural soils to both reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations and improve conventional productivity. This article outlines a research methodology to refine the efficacy and economics of using long-lived C species (biochars) as stock feed additives, produced from farm waste biomass, for ecologically delivered soil biosequestration, while generating renewable bioenergy. This article also draws attention to potential parallel outputs including annual feed use efficiency, fodder species expansion, soil nutrient retention, aquatic habitat protection, and forestry revegetation, using nitrogen-fixing perennial fodder plant species. A methodology to generate parallel results including standing fodder tree C sequestration, optimised production of Acacia spp. biochar, animal growth on high-tannin fodder with biochar feed additives, soil nutrient and stable C fractions, and economics of Acacia spp. bioenergy production. This form of research is contextually dependent on the regional agricultural production system, legislation, and surrounding ecosystem. Therefore, this article suggests the use of a scenario approach to include regionally specific levels of biochar integration with respect to the local prices for C, fossil fuels, meat and livestock, fertilisers, fodder, feed additives, water, renewable energy, revegetation and capital. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Effects of organic and conventional production systems on quality and nutritional parameters of processing tomatoesJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 2 2009Joy Rickman Pieper Abstract BACKGROUND: The impact of organic and conventional production systems on quality and nutritional parameters of fruits and vegetables is still under discussion. The objective of this study is to determine whether the production system has a significant effect on the quality and nutritional content of one variety of processing tomatoes grown on a commercial scale by comparing three different growers for two production years. RESULTS: Conventional tomatoes appeared to be more mature at time of harvest as determined by visual inspection of color. Total and soluble solids were significantly higher and consistency was greater in organic tomatoes. Differences in nutrient content were not statistically significant between production systems. Glutamate, glutamine, and tyrosine levels were significantly higher in conventional tomatoes, as were total nitrogen and ammonium concentrations. CONCLUSION: Results from this study show that nutritional and quality parameters vary greatly by grower, production system, and year for the same tomato cultivar. Significantly higher average soluble solids content and consistency in organic tomatoes are especially important to the processing tomato industry. The apparent slower development of organic tomatoes may be responsible for many of the significant findings in this study and may explain some of the conflicting reports in previous literature. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Breeding upland rice for drought resistanceJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 6 2008Jérôme Bernier Abstract Upland rice, produced by smallholder farmers, is the lowest-yielding rice production system. Drought stress is the most severe abiotic constraint in upland rice. Improving productivity of rice in the upland ecosystem is essential to meet rice food security needs of impoverished upland communities. Breeding drought-resistant upland rice is therefore an increasingly important goal. Numerous secondary characters have been suggested to help plant breeders in their selections. Most of these traits are not used in selection, as they are not practical for selection purposes, exhibit low heritability, or are not highly correlated with grain yield. The use of managed drought stress, where drought stress can be imposed at specific periods, has been shown to increase the heritability of yield under stress to values similar to those obtained for yield in well-watered conditions. It has now been demonstrated that drought-tolerant upland rice can be bred by directly selecting for yield in stress environments. The use of molecular markers to perform selection may eventually provide plant breeders with more efficient selection methods. To date, many quantitative trait loci (QTL) for drought resistance have been identified in rice, but few are suitable for use in marker-assisted selection. However, large-effect drought resistance QTL have now been identified and may enable effective use of marker-assisted selection for drought resistance. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Method for checking label accuracy in barn and free range eggsJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 9 2005Neville G Gregory Abstract The aim was to develop a method for testing whether eggs sold as either ,barn' or free range' were laid under cage conditions. The surface patterns on 11 520 eggs from cage, barn and free range production systems were examined under ultraviolet light for distinctive fluorescent marks associated with each production system. In addition, the effects of egg washing, egg size, condensation and cage dusting on the prevalence of the fluorescent patterns associated with the cage production system were examined. The prevalence of fluorescent white double parallel lines with 2.2,2.5 cm spacing was a distinguishing feature for eggs laid on wire floors in cages. If five or more eggs in a sample of 90 eggs have double fluorescent lines it can be concluded with greater than 999 in 1000 probability that the batch contains some cage-laid eggs. Dust from the egg collection area below the feed trough was the main source of the fluorescent material. Washing the eggs removed or obscured the double lines. Egg size and condensation had limited effects on the prevalence of double lines. Infrequent dusting of the wire floor did not reduce the value of the test. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Welfare, performance and meat quality of fattening pigs in alternative housing and management systems: a reviewJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 5 2005Sam Millet Abstract Conventional husbandry systems for pork production are scrutinized by members of the general public as well as the scientific community. As a response, alternative forms of pig production, such as outdoor housing, organic farming and environmental enrichment are gaining interest. The question arises whether these production systems are indeed able to improve the welfare and health status of the animals, and whether these production systems alter production characteristics and meat or carcass traits. Measures of poor welfare have been described, but evaluating overall welfare is difficult. Certain parameters of alternative housing will improve welfare in some ways but, simultaneously, other welfare problems are inflated, and the weighting of each of these problems is very subjective. Alternative housing systems allow pigs to display species-specific behaviour and decrease the occurrence of abnormal behaviours by acting on several parameters: indoor versus outdoor housing, floor space/density, floor type, and provision of bedding or other types of environmental enrichment. Evaluating alternative housing systems should be done by looking at all the welfare-improving factors and the cost of alleviating welfare-decreasing problems in a given production system. Data in the literature on growth, meat and carcass traits in alternative production systems, are inconsistent, indicating that other factors can play an important role. However, as equal, or in some cases even better, performance can be attained in certain production systems that meet concerns of animal welfare scientists and members of the general public, alternative production forms may be considered preferable. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||