bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crossbreeding cattle for dairy production in the tropics: effects of genetic
and environmental factors on the performance of improved genotypes on the Cameroon
highlands
Authors: Tawah C. L. , Mbah D. A. , Messine O. , Enoh M. B. , Tanya V. N.
Published: August 2016

Three hundred and thirty (330) records from 363 lactations and 104 cows born
between 1979 and 1991 from crossbreeding Holstein-Friesian (H) bulls with H,
Ngaoundere Gudali (G) and Holstein × Gudali F1 (H1G1) cows, Montbeliard (M) bulls
with G and Montbeliard × Gudali Fl (M1G1) cows and M1G1 bulls with M1G1 cows and
raised in the Dairy Herd Unit of the Wakwa Animal and Veterinary Research Station
in the sub-humid highlands of Cameroon were analysed to investigate the effects of
genotype and environment on lactation and reproductive traits. Fixed effects of
genotype season and year of calving parity and age of cow at calving were studied.
Lactation milk yield (LMY), lactation length (LL), annualized milk production
(AMP), calving interval (C1), dry period (DP) and age at first calving (AFC) were
amongst the traits analysed. F1 crosses (H1G1, M1G1),
backcrosses (¾ Holstein — ¼ Gudali; ¾ Montbeliard — ¼ Gudali) (H3G1, M3G1) and
F2 crosses (MGF2) were compared. Results showed that H1G1
cows were proportionately 0·49 and 0·23 better than their corresponding backcross
in LMY and AMP, respectively, while M1G1 cows were proportionately 0·12 and 0·24
inferior to M3G1 in these traits. M1G1 were proportionately superior to MGF2 in
LMY (0·05), AMP (-0·04) and AFC (-0·14). M3G1 were superior (0·18 to 0·19) to MGF2
in LMY and AMP. H1G1 were consistently superior to M1G1 for most traits,
suggesting that H1G1 may be better than M1G1 for dairy production.
A comparison of five methods that estimate meal criteria for cattle
Authors: Tolkamp B. J. , Kyriazakis I.
Published: August 2016

In data collected for feeding behaviour analysis, feeding events are generally separated by many very short to very long intervals during which no feeding occurs. When feeding is clustered in bouts, a meal criterion (that is the longest non-feeding interval accepted as part of a meal) must be estimated before events can be grouped into meals. Until recently, three methods that estimate quantitative meal criteria were available. These methods consist of fitting a ‘broken-stick’ (two straight intersecting lines, both with a negative slope) to the frequency distribution (method 1), the loge-transformed cumulative frequency distribution (the log-survivorship curve; method 2) or the loge-transformed frequency distribution (method 3) of intervals between events. Recently, new methods have been proposed that fit either two (method 4) or three (method 5) Gaussians to the frequency distribution of loge-transformed interval length (log-normal models). We compare the estimates obtained with these five methods when applied to a data set of 79575 intervals between visits to food dispensers. These were recorded with 16 lactating cows during an average period of 156·6 (s.d. 51·5) days per cow. Meal criteria were estimated as 1·9, 6·0, 7·5, 32·4 and 49·1 min by methods 1 to 5, respectively. Estimated daily number of meals ranged from 5·7 to 12·1 per cow and estimated average meal size from 4·0 to 8·4 kg. The observed probabilities of cows initiating feeding in relation to time since feeding last showed best agreement with the predictions of the log-normal models. We conclude that the first three methods do not, while log-normal models do, have an adequate biological basis for a clear interpretation of the estimated meal criteria. Log-normal models are, therefore, the most promising for estimating meal criteria in cattle and probably in other species as well.
Genetic parameters for daily live-weight gain, live fleshiness and bone thinness in station-tested Piemontese young bulls
Authors: Albera A. , Mantovani R. , Bittante G. , Groen A. F. , Carnier P.
Published: August 2016

Estimates of genetic parameters for beef production traits were obtained for Piemontese cattle. Data were from 988 young bulls station-tested from 1989 till 1998. Bulls entered the station at 6 to 8 weeks of age and, after an adaptation period of 3 months, were tested for growth, live fleshiness and bone thinness. Length of test was 196 days. Growth traits considered were gain at farm, gain during the adaptation period, gain on test and total gain at the station. Six different fleshiness traits and bone thinness were scored on live animals at the end of the test using a linear system. Live evaluations of fleshiness were adjusted for the weight at scoring in order to provide an assessment of conformation independent of body size. Genetic parameters were estimated using animal models. Heritability of live-weight gain ranged from 0·20 in the adaptation period to 0·60 for total gain at the station. Genetic correlations between gains at station in different periods were high (from 0·63 to 0·97). Residual correlation between gain during the adaptation period and gain during test was negative, probably due to the occurrence of compensatory growth of the animals.

Live fleshiness traits and bone thinness were of moderate to high heritability (from 0·34 to 0·55) and highly correlated indicating that heavy muscled bulls also have thin bones. Accuracy of breeding values and therefore response to selection were improved by multiple trait analysis of the live fleshiness traits and bone thinness. Overall weight gain at the station had a moderate negative genetic correlation with all live fleshiness traits and bone thinness (from –0·11 to –0·39).
Genetic control of resistance to gastro-intestinal parasites in crossbred cashmere-producing goats: responses to selection, genetic parameters and relationships with production traits
Authors: Vagenas D. , Jackson F. , Russel A. J. F. , Merchant M. , Wright I. A. , Bishop S. C.
Published: August 2016

This paper investigates the genetic control of the resistance of goats to nematode parasites, and relationships between resistance and production traits. The data set comprised faecal egg counts (FECs) measured on 830 naturally challenged (predominant species Teladorsagia circumcincta), crossbred cashmere-producing goats over 5 years (1993-1997) and production traits (fibre traits and live weight) on 3100 goats from the same population in Scotland, over 11 years (1987-1997). Egg counts comprised repeated measurements (4 to 11) taken at 12 to 18 months of age and production traits, i.e. live weight and fibre traits, were measured at approximately 5 months of age. The goats for which FECs were available were subdivided into a line selected for decreased FECs, using the geometric mean FEC across the measurement period and goats not selected on the basis of FECs, acting as controls. The selected line had significantly lower FECs, compared with the control, in 4 out of 5 years (back transformed average proportional difference of 0·23). The heritability of a single FEC measurement (after cubic root transformation) was 0·17 and the heritability of the mean FEC was 0·32. The heritabilities of the fibre traits were moderate to high with the majority in excess of 0·5. The heritability of live weight was 0·22. Genetic correlations between FECs and production traits were slightly positive but not significantly different from zero. Phenotypic and environmental correlations were very close to zero with the environmental correlations always being negative. It is concluded that selection for reduced FEC is possible for goats. Benefits of such selection will be seen when animals are kept for more than 1 year of productive life.
Rumen metabolism and nitrogen flow to the small intestine in steers offeredLolium perennecontaining different levels of water-soluble carbohydrate
Authors: Lee M. R. F. , Harris L. J. , Moorby J. M. , Humphreys M. O. , Theodorou M. K. , MacRae J. C. , Scollan N. D.
Published: August 2016

Eight Hereford ✕ Friesian steers were used to investigate the effect of feeding Lolium perenne (L) forage containing elevated levels of water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) on rumen metabolism and nitrogen (N) absorption from the small intestine. The steers were offered ad libitum access to one of two varieties with matched heading dates (Ba11353, high WSC, HS; AberElan, intermediate WSC, control) cut at different times of the day to accentuate WSC differentials, zero-grazed for 21 days. This was followed by a 14-day period where the animals were on grass silage to provide a covariate intake. Although the total N concentration was similar for the two grasses, all other measured values were significantly different. The dry matter (DM) concentration of HS was greater than that of the control (202 v. 167 g DM per kg; P 0·01). WSC and in-vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were 243 and 161 g/kg DM, and 0·61 and 0·56 for HS and control, respectively. In contrast, acid- and neutral-detergent fibre were 251 and 296 g/kg DM and 480 and 563 g/kg DM for HS compared with control, respectively. DM intake was increased (9·3 v. 6·7 kg/day; P 0·001) for HS animals and this contributed significantly towards higher flows of non-ammonia N to the duodenum as well as increased absorption of amino acids from the small intestine. This DM intake response was partly due to the elevation in DM concentration of HS. However fresh weight intake was increased proportionately by ca. 0·15 (P 0·05) in animals on HS compared with control. Rumen ammonia levels were lower (14·0 and 26·4 mg N per l; P 0·001) and concentrations of rumen propionate higher (P 0·01) and acetate lower (P 0·01; increasing the glucogenic: lipogenic volatile fatty acid ratio) in animals on HS compared with control. However, the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis (15·9 and 17·8 g microbial nitrogen per kg organic matter apparently digested) and flow of N to the duodenum per unit N intake (0·84 and 0·93) for HS and control, respectively, were similar across both diets.
Differences in food resource allocation in a long-term selection experiment for litter size in mice 2. Developmental trends in body weight against food intake
Authors: Rauw W. M. , Luiting P. , Verstegen M. W. A. , Vangen O. , Knap P. W.
Published: August 2016

In the accompanying paper, specific genetic factors for body weight and food intake were identified in non-reproductive male and female mice of a line selected for high litter size at birth (average of 22 born per litter) and a non-selected control line (average of 10 born per litter). The existence of these factors are indicated by variation in efficiency parameters such as growth efficiency and maintenance requirements. Residual food intake (RFI) and Parks’ estimates of growth efficiency (AB) and maintenance requirements (MEm) were used to quantify these factors. In the growing period, females had a higher RFI (are less efficient) than males. At maturity, selected mice had higher RFI than control mice and selected females had higher RFI than selected males. AB was higher in selected-line mice than in control-line mice, and higher in males than in females. MEm was higher in selected-line mice than in control-line mice, and higher in females than in males. The results indicate the existence of specific genetic factors for both growth efficiency and maintenance requirements. Selected females may increase RFI in the adult state to anticipate the metabolically stressful periods of pregnancy and lactation, to support a genetically highly increased litter size.
Effects of light and food on plasma leptin concentrations in ewes
Authors: Tokuda T. , Matsui T. , Yano H.
Published: August 2016

Plasma leptin concentration shows pulsatility and diurnal rhythm in humans. However, there are few reports concerning the 24-h profile of circulating leptin levels in ruminants. Five crossbred ewes were housed in metabolism cages under a 1-h light-dark cycle. The ewes were offered alfalfa hay daily to meet their energy requirement. Blood samples were collected at 15-min intervals for 24 h. Plasma leptin concentrations were determined using a radioimmunoassay and the profile of plasma leptin levels was analysed by the PULSAR algorithmic program for detecting pulse. Plasma leptin concentration changed in a pulsatile fashion. The mean leptin concentration was 2·93 ng/ml. The mean pulse frequency was 4·8 pulses per day and the mean pulse amplitude was 0·67 ng/ml with an average pulse length of 1:13 h. Plasma leptin level was not affected by feeding or lighting cycle. These results indicate that plasma leptin level in sheep shows pulsatility but diurnal rhythm is not exhibited.
Effect of nocturnal grazing and supplementation on diet selection, eating time, forage intake and weight changes of cattle
Authors: Ayantunde A. A. , Fernández-Rivera S. , Hiernaux P. H. Y. , Keulen H. van , Udo H. M. J. , Chanono M.
Published: August 2016

Sixty-four Azawak male calves were used to study the effect of nocturnal grazing (NG) and supplementation (S) in the dry season on forage and water intake, faecal output, eating time and weight changes of cattle in the Sahel. Treatments were factorial combinations of four levels of NG (0, 2, 4 and 6 h/day) and two levels of S (0 and 608 g dry matter (DM) per animal per day). All animals were allowed to graze 10 h during the day and were weighed every 2 weeks during the 70-day experimental period. Eight oesophageally fistulated steers were used in a cross-over design to sample the diet (forage) selected during the day and at night by supplemented and non-supplemented animals. Extrusa crude protein and in vitro organic matter digestibility were not influenced by supplementation (P > 0·05). Time spent eating during the day or at night were not affected by supplementation but total eating time increased by 39·4 (s.e. 2·1) min/h of NG. Forage intake increased with increase in NG, while total food intake (forage + supplement) increased with supplementation (82·4 v. 92·1 (s.e. 2·4) g DM per kg M0·75 per day). The supplemented animals also drank more water than the non-supplemented (26·2 v. 24·8 l per animal per day). Average live-weight change (LWC) increased by 24·4 (s.e. 8·7) and 9·3 (s.e. 6·2) g/h of NG in non-supplemented and supplemented animals, respectively. Supplementation improved LWC (–107 v. 99 g/day, s.e. 14, P < 0·05). Night grazing improves dry season performance and its effect decreases when cattle are supplemented.
Influence of housing system during gestation on the behaviour and welfare of gilts in farrowing crates
Authors: Boyle L. A. , Leonard F. C. , Lynch P. B. , Brophy P.
Published: August 2016

There is some evidence to show that loose housing during gestation has a negative influence on the welfare of sows subsequently in farrowing crates. However, little is known about the effects of the gestation housing on the initial responses of gilts to the farrowing crate or of the effects on gilt welfare throughout lactation. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate three gestation housing systems (1) stalls (ST); (2) loose-bedded (LB) and (3) loose-unbedded (LU) pens for their effect on behaviour, heart rate and skin lesion scores of gilts in farrowing crates. During the 1st h in the farrowing crate, LB gilts were more active, while ST gilts were more vocal. Although heart rates during the 1st h did not differ significantly between treatments, LB and LU gilts had significantly higher mean heart rates during the first 5 min in the crate, compared with 35 min later. Posture changes during the first 24 h did not differ between treatments. However, there was a significant reduction in the number of posture changes made by ST gilts but not LB or LU gilts by day 8. Increases in the skin lesion score of gilts in all three treatments were observed after 24 h in the crate, further increases were observed post farrowing in both loose treatments. Although no significant differences in the skin lesion score were observed during lactation, LB gilts were weaned with lower lesion scores than LU or ST gilts. Gilts from both loose treatments experienced greater distress at first introduction to the farrowing crate. However, the change in environment also had an adverse affect on the welfare of ST gilts. Skin damage and continuing discomfort of the loose-housed gilts post farrowing suggests that they experienced more stress at parturition. Bedding during gestation had a beneficial effect on skin health in the farrowing crate that persisted until weaning.
Tissue-specific differences in insulin binding affinity and insulin receptor concentrations in skeletal muscles, adipose tissue depots and liver of cattle and sheep
Authors: McGrattan P. D. , Wylie A. R. G. , Nelson J.
Published: August 2016

Differences in insulin binding affinity and in concentrations of insulin receptor, were found in a variety of tissues taken, at slaughter, from mature steers (701 (s.d. 23) kg) and growing lambs (47 (s.d. 2·1) kg). In both species, liver had lower insulin binding affinity than skeletal musclesm. pectineus m. longissimus dorsiandm. rectus capitis(allP< 0·001) and subcutaneous, omental and perirenal adipose depots (allP< 0·001). Site-specific differences in affinity for insulin existed between adipose depots (subcutaneous < omental,P< 0·05; subcutaneous < perirenal,P< 0·001) and between tissue-types (subcutaneous fat <m. pectineusskeletal muscle,P< 0·05;m. rectus capitis< perirenal fat,P< 0·05) in steers. In lambs also, receptor affinity for insulin differed between tissue-type (m. longissimus dorsi< perirenal fat,P< 0·05;m. rectus capitis< subcutaneous fat,P< 0·05 andm. rectus capitis< perirenal fat,P< 0·001) but lambs did not show the adipose depot-specific differences in insulin affinity observed in steers. Insulin receptor concentration differed between adipose depots (subcutaneous < omental,P< 0·05; subcutaneous < perirenal,P< 0·01) and between tissue-type (m. pectineus< perirenal fatP< 0·05) in steers and perirenal and subcutaneous adipose depots of lambs had higher receptor concentrations thanm. longissimus dorsiandm. pectineusP< 0·001). This is the first study to demonstrate, in any species, differences in insulin receptor binding affinity and receptor concentration in a wide range of tissues (liver, skeletal muscles and adipose depots) from the same individual. Such differences in meat-producing animals could, through effects on tissue sensitivity and/or responsiveness to insulin, influence nutrient partitioning to tissues and affect overall rates of lipid storage and net protein synthesis.
Changes in the resistance of the ewe to infection with Teladorsagia circumcincta during late pregnancy and lactation
Authors: McAnulty R.W. , Familton A.S. , Sedcole R.D. , Sykes A.R.
Published: August 2016

During each of four periods commencing either 4 weeks before, at, and at 6 and at 12 weeks after parturition four groups of reproductive sheep and one group of non-reproductive sheep (no. = 6 in all cases) were brought indoors with their lambs from pasture. One group of reproductive sheep (PA) was slaughtered to determine worm burdens carried at pasture. At the same time non-reproductive sheep (B) and a group of reproductive sheep (PB) were treated with anthelmintic (day –7) and on day 0 given 20 000 larvae of T. circumcincta and slaughtered on day 21 for the measurement of worm burdens. The remaining two groups of reproductive sheep were maintained indoors: one group (PC) was given 4000 larvae of T. circumcincta per day for 30 days and the final group (PD) uninfected. Both groups were treated with anthelmintic after 50 days and on day 57 given 20 000 larvae of T. circumcincta and slaughtered on day 78 for worm counts. Production data were obtained for sheep in groups PC and PD.

Chronic infection of ewes (PC) was associated with a 0·15 reduction in growth rates of their lambs and an increase in wool tenderness (0·3, P < 0·01). Worm burdens and eggs per g in reproductive sheep outdoors were highest during mid to late lactation which was confirmed by the pattern of change in resistance to challenge infection on removal from pasture. This contrasted with the situation indoors where resistance was least around parturition but was restored within 3 weeks of parturition and was especially evident in the group exposed to larvae during lactation (group PC).

It is argued that the prolonged period of susceptibility of the sheep at pasture could have a nutritional basis, reflecting their much greater body-weight loss during early lactation than in the sheep indoors. The implications of the findings for the management of sheep flocks with reduced chemical inputs are discussed.
The effect of continuous or rotational stocking on the intake and live-weight gain of cattle co-grazing with sheep on temperate pastures
Authors: Kitessa S. M. , Nicol A. M.
Published: August 2016

Two experiments were conducted to determine if type of stocking system influenced the intake and live-weight gain (LWG) of cattle co-grazed with sheep on sown ryegrass/white clover pasture.

In experiment 1 (134 days), yearling heifers (no. = 9) plus ewe hoggets (no. = 27) were co-grazed (1: 1 M0·75) using continuous (C-CS) or rotational (R-CS) stocking. In experiment 2 (126 days), a cattle alone (no. = 9) treatment was included under each stocking system (C-C and R-C). Initial live weight of heifers was 266 (s.e. 4·5) and 232 (s.e. 4·4) kg and that of hoggets was 54 (s.e. 0·9) and 47 (s.e. 0·7) kg in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. In both experiments, the area offered daily to R-CS group was manipulated to promote a weekly live-weight change in sheep similar to that on the C-CS treatment. C-C cattle in experiment 2 were grazed at similar sward surface height (SSH) to C-CS, and R-C cattle at similar pre- and post-grazing SSH to R-CS. SSH was measured daily on all treatments and regulated on the continuously stocked treatments by addition and removal of non-experimental animals. Organic matter intake (OMI) was determined from the ratio of n-alkanes in faeces and herbage. Animals were weighed weekly.

Mean SSH on continuously stocked pastures was 5·10 (s.e. 0·03) and 4·26 (s.e. 0·02) cm for C-CS in experiments 1 and 2, respectively, and 4·27 (s.e. 0·02) cm for C-C in experiment 2. The mean pre- and post-grazing SSH for R-CS was 15·9 (s.e. 0·12) and 5·60 (s.e. 0·07) cm, respectively in experiment 1, and 15·2 (s.e. 0·08) and 4·82 (s.e. 0·03) cm, respectively in experiment 2. On R-C swards pre- and post-grazing SSH was 14·9 (s.e. 0·08) and 4·87 (s.e. 0·03) cm, respectively.

In experiment 1, cattle continuously co-grazed with sheep grew significantly more slowly than those rotationally co-grazed with sheep (804 (s.e. 41·6) v. 1039 (s.e. 47·7) g/day, P < 0·01). Sheep LWG did not differ between stocking treatments (150 v. 138 g, P > 0·05 for C-CS and R-CS respectively). These findings were confirmed in the second experiment in which C-CS cattle only grew at 0·69 of the daily LWG achieved by R-CS cattle (706 v. 1028, (s.e. 72) g/day; P < 0·05) at similar sheep LWG (155 v. 147, (s.e. 6·5) g/day respectively). LWG of C-C and R-C cattle was similar (916 v. 1022, (s.e. 72) g/day; P > 0·05). LWG per ha in both experiments was higher on R-CS than on C-CS treatments, and on cattle alone than on CS treatments. Treatment effects on OMI and final fasted live weight were similar in pattern to LWG.

It is suggested that the observed disadvantage to cattle when co-grazed with sheep under continuous stocking and the lack of effect when rotationally co-grazed reflected a difference in the two stocking systems in providing opportunities for complementary/competitive use of pasture resources.
Technical review of the energy and protein requirements of growing pigs: food intake
Authors: Whittemore C. T. , Green D. M. , Knap P. W.
Published: August 2016

Food intake in pigs is highly variable across different production circumstances. This report concludes from a critical review of published observations that it was unrealistic to expect from the scientific literature purporting to express nutrient requirement any reasonable prediction of the particular food intake of groups of pigs. None the less, such knowledge is essential for the practical purposes of their day-to-day nutrition. The literature does however yield general principles from which may be derived: (a) the likely forms (but not the parameter values) of intake functions relating food intake to pig live weight; and (b) the likely factors involved in the modulation of food intake at any given live weight. Using these principles two methods for determining on-farm food intake from the use of simple and available records were proposed. The first requires knowledge only of start and final weight, the time elapsed, and total food intake: it involves two steps, the determination of a suitable growth curve followed by the fitting of a suitable food intake curve. The second method is appropriate in the absence of information on total food intake, and requires a minimum number of spot measurements through the growth period. Different functions were tested for the curve of best fit. As a further benefit it appeared that models could be constructed from the information presented that would speculate for diagnostic purposes upon the likely modulators of food intake. Such models could explore the constraints of gut capacity, the energetic requirements of maintenance and potential growth, the influence of excessive or inadequate environmental temperature, the quality of housing and stocking density.
Effects of dietary protein source on growth, immune function, blood chemistry and disease resistance of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salarL.) parr
Authors: Bransden M. P. , Carter C. G. , Nowak B. F.
Published: August 2016

Many studies with fin fish have demonstrated the potential to use alternative dietary protein sources to fish meal based on growth responses, although these trials mostly neglect to determine if such protein sources affect immune function. This study investigated the effect of fish meal replacement with dehulled lupin meal (LPN) or hydrolysed poultry feather meal (FTH). Atlantic salmon (Salmo salarL.) parr were supplied isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets with 40% of the dietary protein provided by LPN or FTH, or 400 g/kg of the dietary protein provided equally by LPN and FTH (MIX). A diet mainly containing fish-meal protein acted as a control (CON). Growth, immune function, blood chemistry and disease resistance were assessed after 56 days. Significant differences (P< 0·05) in weight gain were detected between Atlantic salmon given the CON and FTH diets, whilst those salmon given LPN and MIX did not differ from any other. Productive protein values were significantly lower (P< 0·01) for salmon on FTH compared with those on CON and MIX. Immune function (as assessed by lysozyme, antiprotease, neutrophil oxygen radical production and plasma total immunoglobulin) and blood chemistry (as assessed by plasma total protein and glucose) were not significantly (P> 0·05) affected by any diet. Mortality rates of Atlantic salmon challenged with Vibrio anguillarum were not influenced by diet. These data suggest Atlantic salmon could be supplied diets with the fish meal component reduced to supply approximately 600 g/kg of the total protein, with the remaining 400 g/kg supplied by dehulled lupin meal or a combined dehulled lupin and hydrolysed poultry feather meal without any adverse effects on growth, immune function or blood chemistry.
Genetic variation for resistance to clinical and subclinical diseases exists in growing pigs
Authors: Henryon M. , Berg P. , Jensen J. , Andersen S.
Published: August 2016

The objective of this study was to test that genetic variation for resistance to clinical and subclinical diseases exists in growing pigs. A total of 13 551 male growing pigs were assessed for resistance to five categories of clinical and subclinical disease: (i) any clinical or subclinical disease, (ii) lameness, (iii) respiratory diseases, (iv) diarrhoea, and (v) other diseases (i.e. any clinical or subclinical disease with the exception of (ii), (iii), and (iv)). Additive genetic variation for resistance to each disease category was estimated by fitting a Weibull, sire-dam frailty model to time until the pigs were first diagnosed with a disease from that category. Genetic correlations among the resistances to each disease category were approximated as product-moment correlations among predicted breeding values of the sires. Additive genetic variation was detected for resistance to (i) any clinical or subclinical disease (additive genetic variance for log-frailty (± s.e.) = 0·18 ± 0·05, heritability on the logarithmic-time scale = 0·10), (ii) lameness (0·29 ± 0·11, 0·16), (iii) respiratory diseases (0·24 ± 0·16, 0·12), (iv) diarrhoea (0·30 ± 0·27, 0·16), and (v) the other diseases (0·34 ± 0·15, 0·19) and there were generally positive and low-to-moderate correlations among the predicted breeding values (-0·03 to + 0·65). These results demonstrate that additive genetic variation for resistance to clinical and subclinical diseases does exist in growing pigs, and suggests that selective breeding for resistance could be successful.
Effect of oil supplementation of a diet containing a high concentration of starch on levels of trans fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acids in bovine milk
Authors: Offer N.W. , Marsden M. , Phipps R.H.
Published: August 2016

Sixteen Holstein Friesian cows were offered ad libitum a forage mixture of three parts (dry-matter (DM) basis) maize silage (starch and neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) 324 and 395 g/kg DM) and one part grass silage (NDF 518 g/kg DM) in a 4 ✕ 4 Latin-square change-over design experiment using four periods each of 4 weeks. Cows were housed in a cubicle house, bedded on sand and given food through Calan gates. The four supplement treatments were control (no oil supplement, C); 1·5 kg/day processed crushed linseed (PL); 1·5 kg/day crushed linseed (L) and 0·6 kg/day marine algae (A) providing 0, 440, 423 and 109 g/day of oil respectively. Cows also received a pelleted concentrate in three equal meals (12·0, 10·5, 10·5 and 11·2 kg/day for C, PL, L and A respectively) containing (g/kg DM) 260, 203, 288 and 74 of crude protein, NDF, starch and water-soluble carbohydrate respectively. Oil supplementation depressed (P < 0·05) forage intake (11·2, 10·3, 10·1 and 10·1 kg DM per day) but milk yield was unaffected (P > 0·05) by treatment (mean 35·9 kg/day). Milk fat concentrations were low and further depressed (P < 0·05) by algal supplementation (33·5, 32·3, 32·3 and 25·6 g/kg). Algal supplementation caused a three-fold increase in the concentrations of (n-3) long chain (>C20) polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk fat (to 0·51 g/100 g fat) representing a transfer efficiency from diet to milk of ca. 5%. Oil supplementation increased levels of all trans monoenes in milk but the effect was much greater for treatment A (P < 0·05) and for trans-10 C18: 1 (1·52, 1·94, 1·72 and 6·12 g/100 g milk fat for C, PL, L and A respectively). Trans-10 C18: 1 was the predominant trans monoene in milk fat for all treatments (47·7, 45·2, 45·6 and 67·4% of total). Treatment A also caused the greatest increases (P < 0·05) in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA to 0·54, 0·69, 0·65 and 0·97 g/100 g milk fat). Although mainly cis-9, trans-11, a small proportion (4·8 to 5·5%) of the CLA was identified as the trans-10, cis-12 isomer for all treatments. This pattern of isomers of trans monoenes and CLA, which may have implications for the health properties of the milk, may be related to effects on rumen function caused by the high starch intakes (5·75, 5·09, 5·11 and 5·27 kg/day).
Veggie Rx: an outcome evaluation of a healthy food incentive programme
Authors: Cavanagh Michelle , Jurkowski Janine , Bozlak Christine , Hastings Julia , Klein Amy
Published: August 2016

Objective

One challenge to healthy nutrition, especially among low-income individuals, is access to and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. To address this problem, Veggie Rx, a healthy food incentive programme, was established within a community clinic to increase access to fresh produce for low-income patients diagnosed with obesity, hypertension and/or type 2 diabetes. The current research aimed to evaluate Veggie Rx programme effectiveness.

Design

A retrospective pre/post design using medical records and programme data was used to evaluate the programme. The study was approved by the University of Albany Institutional Review Board and the Patient Interest Committee of a community clinic.

Setting

The study was conducted in a low-income, urban neighbourhood in upstate New York.

Subjects

Medical record data and Veggie Rx programme data were analysed for fifty-four eligible participants. An equal-sized control group of patients who were not programme participants were matched on age, ethnicity and co-morbidity status.

Results

A statistically significant difference in mean BMI change (P=0·02) between the intervention and the control group was calculated. The intervention group had a mean decrease in BMI of 0·74 kg/m2.

Conclusions

Greater improvement in BMI was found among Veggie Rx programme participants. This information will guide programme changes and inform the field on the effectiveness of healthy food incentive programmes for improving health outcomes for low-income populations.
Evaluating the delivery, impact, costs and benefits of an active lives programme for older people living in the community
Authors: Gandy Rob , Bell Amelia , McClelland Bob , Roe Brenda
Published: August 2016

Aim

Age UK Lancashire received Big Lottery funding to deliver an active lives programme from January 2012 to December 2014 to the population of West Lancashire aged over 50 years. The overall aims of the associated evaluation were to measure older people’s experiences of participating in the programme, identify the impacts on their health and well-being and their suggestions for services development, and establish the costs and benefits of the programme.

Background

The World Health Organisation recommends older people should be able to achieve physical, social and mental well-being throughout their lives, and that international, national and local policies should be developed to support older adults, promote their independence and well-being, and encourage physical exercise. Consequently, the West Lancashire programme was to establish preventative community support for older people to assist in improving their well-being and physical and mental health, particularly those isolated due to age-related illness or disability. It was to provide interventions not available from local social care providers.

Methods

A mixed methods approach was adopted, with the qualitative evaluation utilising focus groups to establish people’s experiences, identify impacts on their health and well-being, and suggestions for services development. This paper describes the quantitative evaluation, which involved three surveys and a costs analysis. The surveys were scheduled to give timely feedback to management about programme delivery and content, and overall benefits of participation.

Findings

The active lives programme and groups offered a wide range of flexible and local activities that provided benefits for older people in terms of health and well-being, social well-being and quality of life, and reducing social isolation. There was interconnectivity between these benefits. The programme was delivered in an affordable and flexible manner. Such programmes should be made more widely available.
Memoir of the early History of Auxiliary Tables for the Computation of Life Contingencies
Authors: Hendriks Fredebick
Published: August 2016

As nearly all those readers whom the subject-matter of the following pages is likely to interest, are already fully acquainted with the nature and acknowledged utility of the Commutation Method, or arrangement of the preparatory Tables for Annuity and Assurance calculations into certain forms called the D,N,S,M, and R columns; it will, therefore, be unnecessary to enlarge on those points; and the facts to be presently adduced will have reference simply to the early history of that system of computation, or, more strictly, to the date when, and the person by whom, it was first really promulgated. In bringing such facts forward, it is requisite to disclaim the remotest intention of urging that full merit is not likewise due to those English writers who have either foreshadowed or extended the method in this country, and who, although not its first discoverers, were undoubtedly its improvers.
On indirect Methods of acquiring Knowledge - The Method of History. - The First Table of Mortality
Authors: Farren Edwin James
Published: August 2016

The term scholar, as current in the English language, has two extreme acceptations, tyro and proficient; or what the later Greeks fancifully termed the alpha and omega of acquirement. If we attempt to trace the steps by which even the adult student of any especial branch of professional or literary knowledge has fairly passed the boundary defined by the one meaning in passing on to that position denoted by the other, it will commonly be found, that in place of that lucid order, that straight line from point to point, which theory and resolve generally premise, the real order of acquirement has been desultory—the real line of progression, circuitous and uncertain.
The Practice and Experience of the Clerical, Medical and General Life Assurance Society, chiefly with reference to Invalid Lives
Authors: Pinckard George
Published: August 2016

In the year 1823 a plan was projected, by the late Dr. George Pinckard, for establishing an Assurance Office which should undertake, as its leading feature, to grant policies on lives deviating so much from the common standard of health as to render them wholly inadmissible at any Office then existing. In pursuance of this plan, the Clerical, Medical, and General Life Assurance Office was established early in 1824.
On the proper Allowance to be made for the Surrender of Policies of Assurance
Authors: Jellicoe Charles
Published: August 2016

In any Company or Society for the assurance of lives—let it be constituted in whatever manner it may—it is evident that certain rates of mortality and interest are always prevailing; and that such rates are more or less constant throughout any given period. as the causes on which they depend are more or less stationary.
On the Settlement of Losses by Fire under Average Policies
Authors: Atkins Richard
Published: August 2016

Since the last article on the settlement of fire-claims under average policies appeared (April, 1857), a very important change has been adopted. The third clause of the Liverpool floating policies, known under the title of the “independent liability clause,” has been introduced, by the common consent of nearly all the Insurance Companies, and made part of the conditions of all London mercantile floating policies. The alteration is, beyond all doubt, a very considerable one in its practical effect. It will change entirely the mutual relation of the Companies in very many cases of joint insurances, and, if very great care be not taken at the outset, introduce no small share of doubt and difficulty in the relation of the Offices with the assured. It may, therefore, be worth while to offer a few remarks at the present moment on the change actually effected by the recent alteration of the average clause, and then make some practical suggestions as to the regulation of claims under the altered form of policy.
A Method of Multiplication which may be practised Mentally
Authors: Oakes Wm. Henry
Published: August 2016

1. Write down the multiplicand in the usual manner.

2. Write on a separate slip the multiplier with its figures reversed (as in contracted multiplication), being careful to space the figures so that they can be exactly placed over those of the multiplicand.
On a Table for the Formation of Logarithms and Anti-Logarithms to Twelve Places (Part III)
Authors: Gray Peter
Published: August 2016

The twelve-figure table which accompanied Part I. was extracted from a table extending to twenty-four places, which is still in manuscript. Hence the details I am about to give of the methods of construction and verification made use of, will necessarily have reference to the more extensive table.
An exposé of the fallacy: ‘That it is just to tax temporary annuities at the same rate as perpetual annuities’
Authors: Hardy Peter
Published: August 2016

The merits and demerits of the present mode of assessing the Property and Income Tax have been so frequently made the subject of popular discussion, and are in themselves questions of such national importance, that I feel no apology to be necessary for again bringing the subject under the notice of the Institute of Actuaries.

A valuable paper on the inequitable operation of this tax was, some time ago, read before the Institute by Mr. Jellicoe; and, more recently, an elaborate and important contribution on the same subject was brought by Mr. Farr under the notice of the Statistical Society of London, which paper has given rise to a lengthened and very interesting discussion. An exceedingly temperate and able pamphlet has also been recently published by Mr. John G. Hubbard, the Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, in which that gentleman has discussed, with very considerable ability, the views of Mr. Warburton, and has, in my opinion, very effectually exposed their absurdity.
Observations on the Paper by Mr. Jellicoe, published in No. XXII. of this Journal
Authors: Wilbraham Henry
Published: August 2016

Take first the case in which. A has not a life interest, but one for n years, remainder to B. Let P be a sum of consols, 100–δ the present price of consols; consequently, P consols sells for

cash, which may be called M; A's and B's shares of it being M1 and M2.

B has a right to a sum of P consols n years hence: it matters not to him how this sum arises, provided it be ready for him in n years’ time. Suppose such a sum now appropriated to accumulate for n years as will produce P, B will be in the same position as if A enjoyed the sum intermediately; and if such sum be now handed over to B he will neither gain nor lose. Supposing M2 to be this sum, M2 invested to accumulate for n years = P consols.
Plan for Simplifying and Improving the Measures, Weights and Money of this Country, without materially altering the present Standards
Authors: Pasley C. W.
Published: August 2016

The Duke of Wellington, as Master-General of the Ordnance, having given orders in 1825 that practical architecture should form part of the course of instruction of the junior officers attending the Royal Engineer Establishment at Chatham, under my direction, which had hitherto been confined to their duties in the field, and a Professor in every respect competent having been selected for that duty, I was induced to enter into the details of measuring and estimating buildings and other works myself—which I had never done before, because, like other officers of my corps, who studied the other branches of practical architecture and engineering with pleasure, I had, when employed in garrison duties, left those details to the clerks of works, and to the overseers and foremen of the department.
On the Advantages to Statistical Science of an Uniform Decimal System of Measures, Weights and Coins, throughout the World
Authors: Brown Samuel
Published: August 2016

Since the establishment of the Statistical Society of London, so great an impetus has been given in this country to the study of statistics, that probably in no branch of knowledge have more important results been produced in the same time. This arises in a great measure from the very nature of statistics, and from the universality of their application. Every science, the facts of which can be expressed in a tabular form, comes within their range; and the great object of those who desire to elevate the character of statistics in the mind of the philosopher or the man of science is, to show how, by a correct and methodical classification of facts of every kind, the boundaries of knowledge are enlarged, new laws developed, and new theories suggested.
On the Mortality arising from Military Operations (Concluded from p. 217)
Authors: Hodge William Barwick
Published: August 2016

The facts relating to the siege of Sebastopol would seem to show that the enormously increased powers with which instruments of destruction have been endowed by the improvements of modern science tend much more to the advantage of the besiegers than of the besieged, as might indeed have been expected. We have no means of ascertaining the losses of the Russians during the siege, but from their own statements these must have been immense. The official returns of their casualties in the two assaults of the 18th June and the 8th September have been published, and are given below. The additional losses, from the 17th August to the 8th September, are estimated from Prince Gortschakoff's report of the capture; the proportion of the missing, already mentioned, being added to the killed and wounded.
A Budget of Paradoxes
Authors: De Morgan A.
Published: August 2016

If I had before me a fly and an elephant, having never seen more than one such magnitude of either kind; and if the fly were to endeavour to persuade me that he was larger than the elephant, I might by possibility be placed in a difficulty. The apparently little creature might use such arguments about the effect of distance, and might appeal to such laws of sight and hearing as I, if unlearned in those things, might be unable wholly to reject. But if there were a thousand flies, all buzzing, to appearance, about the great creature; and, to a fly, declaring, each one for himself, that he was bigger than the quadruped; and all giving different and frequently contradictory reasons; and each one despising and opposing the reasons of the others—I should feel quite at my ease.
On Interpolation, Summation and the Adjustment of Numerical Tables
Authors: Woolhouse W. S. B.
Published: August 2016

The three heads, into which it has been found expedient to divide the general subject of the present paper, all relate to the consideration of a series of numerical quantities which are supposed to represent, either accurately or approximately, some known or implied law which necessarily has an influence in regulating their progression. Assuming that we only know the values of certain terms of the series of quantities, distributed at stated equidistant intervals, it has been shown that all the intermediate or absent terms are most accurately and expeditiously determined by the process of interpolation, already discussed and practically developed.
On the Value of Annuities payable Half-yearly, Quarterly, &c. (Part II)
Authors: Sprague T. B.
Published: August 2016

In the last Number of this Journal I examined and compared the solutions of this question given by Milne, Baily, and Griffith Davies in their standard works. The first of these writers cannot be considered to have treated the question in a satisfactory manner. The two latter have investigated the problem more rigorously. They both proceed upon the supposition commonly adopted, viz. that the deaths occurring in each year of age are distributed uniformly over the year. They differ, however, in their views as to the interest to be allowed for fractions of a year, Davies throughout adopting Milne's view, by which the present value of £1 due in six months' time is , while Baily takes the value as . The latter, as I have already stated, appears to me the preferable view. Davies, however, has also given an investigation of the value of an annuity payable m times a year, on the supposition that interest is convertible into principal m times in the year; and his solution, as I have shown in the last Number of the Journal, is substantially the same as Baily's.