bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Double-shell interphase design enabling suppressed side reactions for stable Si battery anode
Authors: Chen Xiaoxue , Chen Zihe , Ni Yang , Wang Li , Sun Yongming
Published: September 2022

Silicon (Si)-based anode is promising for the next-generation high-energy lithium-ion batteries due to the high capacity. However, it suffers parasitic side reactions between electrode and electrolyte in the initial cycle, which consumes abundant active lithium and makes it one of the limiting factors for the implementation of Si-based anodes. It is of vital importance to suppress the side reactions at the electrode interphase and improve the electrochemical/chemical stability. Here, we designed an ultrathin double-shell interphase structure (∼15 nm), consisting of an inner VO2 nanoshell and an outer C nanoshell. The inner VO2 nanolayer avoided the direct contact between active Si and electrolyte, and, thus, hindered the side reactions between them. The carbon nanolayer stabilized the VO2 layer mechanically and improved the electronic conductivity of the anode materials. Thus, a thin solid electrolyte interphase was formed on the as-designed Si@VO2@C surface, and high initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) was realized. Notably, the Si@VO2@C electrode exhibited a high reversible capacity of 2300 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C and high ICE of 90.2%, which was about 18% higher than that of a pristine Si electrode. Also, the electrode displayed stable electrochemical cycling with high capacity retention of 84.8% for 100 cycles at 0.4 C. With 15 wt. % addition into the graphite, the hybrid electrode Si@VO2@C/graphite exhibited a high reversible charge capacity of 596 mAh g−1 and satisfactory cycling performance with high capacity retention of 83.8% at 100 mA g−1 under a high area capacity of 3.46 mAh cm−2, showing promise for the practical application.
A parallel discrete unified gas kinetic scheme on unstructured grid for inviscid high-speed compressible flow simulation
Authors: Xu Lei , Zhang Wu , Chen Yuhui , Chen Rongliang
Published: September 2022

The discrete unified gas kinetic scheme (DUGKS) is a recently devised approach to simulate multiscale flows based on the kinetic models, which also shows distinct features for continuum flows. Most of the existing DUGKS are sequential or based on structured grids, thus limiting their scope of application in engineering. In this paper, a parallel DUGKS for inviscid high-speed compressible flows on unstructured grids is proposed. In the framework of the DUGKS, the gradients of the distribution functions are calculated by a least-square method. To parallelize the method, a graph-based partitioning method is employed to guarantee the load balancing and minimize the communication among processors. The method is validated by several benchmark problems, i.e., a two-dimensional (2D) Riemann problem, 2D subsonic flows passing two benchmark airfoils, a 2D regular shock reflection problem, 2D supersonic flows (Mach numbers are 3 and 5) around a cylinder, an explosion in a three-dimensional (3D) box, a 3D subsonic flow around the Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches Aérospatiales M6 wing, a 3D hypersonic flow (Mach number is 10) around a hemisphere, and a supersonic flow over the Northrop YF-17 fighter model. The numerical results show good agreement with the published results, and the present method is robust for a wide range of Mach numbers, from subsonic to hypersonic. The parallel performance results show that the proposed method is highly parallel scalable, where an almost linear scalability with 93% parallel efficiency is achieved for a 3D problem with over 55 × 106 tetrahedrons on a supercomputer with up to 4800 processors.
Flow control of a circular cylinder by self-adaptive furry microfibers
Authors: Lin Longhan , Deng Zhi , Chen Wenli , Li Hui , Gao Donglai
Published: September 2022

In the present study, two columns of self-adaptive furry microfibers (nylon wires) are placed near the separation points of a cylinder to manipulate the wake vortex shedding and improve its aerodynamics performances. The effect of extension length on the control efficiency of the self-adaptive nylon wires is experimentally investigated at a subcritical Reynolds number of Re = 2.67×104. The unsteady aerodynamic forces of the cylindrical model with and without control are estimated by the pressure distributions around the model surface, and the flow structures are visualized by the high-speed particle image velocimetry measurement system and the smoke-wire technique. The results demonstrate that the nylon wires can significantly suppress the fluctuating lift forces acting on the cylindrical model and modify the wake-flow dynamics. The instantaneous results show that the nylon wires can stretch the unsteady shear layer with both sides of the cylindrical model, thus increasing the vortex formation length and pushing the vortex structure further downstream. Furthermore, the nylon wires with an appropriate length are found to suppress completely the wake vortex shedding pattern of the von Kármán vortex street.
Microstructural strengthening and mechanical performance of Ti-bearing Al5Cr12Fe35Mn28Ni20 high-entropy alloy
Authors: Elkatatny Sally , Abdelghany Ahmed W. , Hamada Atef , Chiba Akihiko , Gepreel Mohamed A. H.
Published: September 2022

In the present study, non-equiatomic AlCrFeMn x−TiNi high-entropy alloys bearing cost-effective elements were developed in light of enhancing mechanical strength. The Al5Cr12Fe35Mn28Ni20 HEA was used as a reference. However, the HEA containing Ti (Ti-HEA) was designed with a composition of Al5Cr12Fe35Mn23Ni20Ti5. The microstructural characteristics were studied by X-ray diffraction, electron probe micro-analysis, and electron backscattering diffraction. Subsequently, the mechanical properties were determined using micro-hardness, tensile and compression tests. Whereas the Ti-free HEA displayed a single FCC structure, a multi-phase structure was observed in the Ti-HEA. The mechanical tests showed that the Ti element significantly enhanced the strength. The strengthening effect was more intense during compression loading as the Ti-HEA exhibited superior combination of compressive strength and ductility (2.35GPa at 50% strain without fracture).
ER membrane contact sites support endosomal small GTPase conversion for exosome secretion
Authors: Verweij Frederik J. , Bebelman Maarten P. , George Anna E. , Couty Mickael , Bécot Anaïs , Palmulli Roberta , Heiligenstein Xavier , Sirés-Campos Julia , Raposo Graça , Pegtel Dirk Michiel , van Niel Guillaume
Published: September 2022

Exosomes are endosome-derived extracellular vesicles involved in intercellular communication. They are generated as intraluminal vesicles within endosomal compartments that fuse with the plasma membrane (PM). The molecular events that generate secretory endosomes and lead to the release of exosomes are not well understood. We identified a subclass of non-proteolytic endosomes at prelysosomal stage as the compartment of origin of CD63 positive exosomes. These compartments undergo a Rab7a/Arl8b/Rab27a GTPase cascade to fuse with the PM. Dynamic endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-late endosome (LE) membrane contact sites (MCS) through ORP1L have the distinct capacity to modulate this process by affecting LE motility, maturation state, and small GTPase association. Thus, exosome secretion is a multi-step process regulated by GTPase switching and MCS, highlighting the ER as a new player in exosome-mediated intercellular communication.
Recent advances in stable arsenic–phosphorus: preparation, properties, and application
Authors: Liu Fangqi , Xue Junfei , Yu Qiang , Shu Bowang , Lu Yan , Dai Yongping , Pang Xiuyang , Deng Haiqin , Wang Xianping , Zhu Sicong , Wu Jian , He Tingchao
Published: September 2022

Two-dimensional (2D) arsenic–phosphorus (AsP), as a derivative of black phosphorus (BP), has achieved great progress in regards to preparation methods, property modulation, and front application, which can be attributed to the following two points. The first is that a method has been developed of alloying BP with the congener element arsenic to produce high-quality AsP; the second is that stable AsP possesses unique electronic and optical properties. To conclude the continuous and extensive research, this review focuses on synthesis details, modulation strategies, and application advances of stable AsP. Firstly, several pathways to prepare AsP with different phases are listed. Secondly, multiple solutions to optimize the electronic properties of AsP are discussed, such as strain regulation and composition tuning, and especially composition tuning of AsP including element modification, atomic substitution, and dopant participation, which can bring about adjustments of the lattice structure, bandgaps, and electronic properties. Based on the regulated AsP, applications in infrared photodetectors, high-performance transistors, and efficient-energy storage devices and so on have been widely developed. Although there are challenges ahead, this review may bring new insights into and inspirations for further development of 2D AsP-based materials and devices.
Cr2Ge2Te6 nanoribbons with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and half metallicity: a DFT study
Authors: Ríos-Vargas Valeria , Ponce-Pérez Rodrigo , Moreno-Armenta María G , Guerrero-Sánchez Jonathan
Published: September 2022

Cr2Ge2Te6 is an intrinsic ferromagnetic material with a van der Waals layered structure and it shows promise in spintronics applications. In this work, we investigated the edge effects in Cr2Ge2Te6 nanoribbons and the change in magnetic properties considering spin-orbit effects. Edge formation energies evidenced stability in nanoribbons with TeCr edges. Stability remains in these nanoribbons in presence of Te vacancies at the edge. New bonds appear in the nanoribbons due to edge effects and induce half-metal (HM) behavior. The metallic part is dominated by Te-p, Ge-p, and Cr-d orbitals. Both stable nanoribbons present perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Our results point Cr2Ge2Te6 nanoribbons as key for the construction of spintronic devices since HM materials with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy produce 100% spin-polarized out-of-plane current.
Organic bulk heterojunction enabled with nanocapsules of hydrate vanadium pentaoxide layer for high responsivity self-powered photodetector
Authors: Dahiya Hemraj , Agrawal Anupam , Sharma Ganesh D. , Singh Abhishek Kumar
Published: September 2022

This article demonstrates the fabrication of organic-based devices using a low-cost solution-processable technique. A blended heterojunction of chlorine substituted 2D-conjugated polymer PBDB-T-2Cl, and PC71BM supported nanocapsules hydrate vanadium penta oxides (HVO) as hole transport layer (HTL) based photodetector fabricated on an ITO coated glass substrate under ambient condition. The device forms an excellent organic junction diode with a good rectification ratio of ~200. The device has also shown excellent photodetection properties under photoconductive mode (at reverse bias) and zero bias for green light wavelength. A very high responsivity of ~6500 mA/W and high external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 1400% have been reported in the article. The proposed organic photodetector exhibits an excellent response and recovery time of ~30 and ~40 ms, respectively.
Development of bio fabricated gold nanoparticles for disinfectant applications in impregnated medical gloves to improve the personal protection during the nursing care
Authors: Yan Yuanyuan , Li Xiaoping , Chen Ye , Cui Rongxia
Published: September 2022

The present study involves the use of Gnidia glauca (G.glauca) leaf extract in the fabrication of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), dip-coated onto the surface of gloves and their antimicrobial properties were studied for use in nursing care. The prepared Au NPs were studied by various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Au NPs were Purple in color with a characteristic plasmon resonance peak on the surface at a wavelength of 532 nm. The images of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the Au NPs with size ranging from 22–35 nm. The crystalline size and nature of Au NPs was demonstrated by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. Further, antimicrobial results showed that the AuNPs-coated gloves demonstrated good antibacterial effect, notably against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Hence, the highly effective AuNPs-coated gloves may be ideal candidates for preventing or minimising indirect microbial transmission and cross-contamination in nursing care.
Recapitulating folliculogenesis and oogenesis outside the body: encapsulated in vitro follicle growth
Authors: Converse Aubrey , Zaniker Emily J , Amargant Farners , Duncan Francesca E
Published: September 2022

Folliculogenesis is a tightly coordinated process essential for generating a fertilization-competent gamete while also producing gonadal hormones that sustain endocrine function. In vitro follicle growth systems have been critical to our understanding of key events in folliculogenesis, such as gonadotropin-independent and dependent growth, steroid hormone production, and oocyte growth and maturation (cytoplasmic and meiotic). Although there are several successful follicle culture strategies, the following protocol details an encapsulated in vitro follicle growth (eIVFG) system for use with mouse ovarian follicles. Encapsulated IVFG is performed with alginate hydrogels, which are biologically inert, maintains cell-to-cell interactions between granulosa cells and the oocyte, and preserves follicle architecture as found in the ovary. The system supports follicle growth, development, and differentiation from the early primary follicle to the antral follicle stage. Moreover, post-folliculogenesis events including meiotic maturation, ovulation, and luteinization are also supported. Importantly, the culture of secondary follicles has successfully resulted in viable pups after blastocyst transfer. This alginate-based eIVFG system is versatile and has broad applications as a tool for interrogating the fundamental biology of the ovarian follicle in a controlled manner, a screening platform for toxicity and bioactivity, and a potential fertility preservation method for endangered species as well as humans.
Minimally important differences in oral health-related quality of life after fixed orthodontic treatment: a prospective cohort study
Authors: LAU Clement C M , Savoldi Fabio , Yang Yanqi , Hägg Urban , McGrath Colman P , Gu Min
Published: September 2022

Background

The minimally important difference (MID, the smallest difference that patients perceive as beneficial) has been proposed to assess whether study results are clinically meaningful, reducing the shortcoming of P-values-based approaches in the assessment of clinical outcomes. The post-treatment changes and the MID in Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) among adults undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment were investigated.

Methods

Ninety-two patients (29.1 ± 6.3 years old, 18 males and 74 females) were prospectively included. Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and United Kingdom Oral Health-related Quality of Life (OHQoL-UK) were used to assess OHRQoL at baseline and post-treatment (50.8 ± 15.7 months). Global Transition Rating (GTR) was used to assess oral health/well-being, Peer Assessment Review (PAR), and Index of Complexity, Outcome and Need (ICON) were used to assess occlusion. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to assess changes in OHRQoL and occlusion, Kruskal–Wallis one-way ANOVA and Mann–Whitney U-test were used to assess associations between OHRQoL and oral health/well-being or occlusion. MID for OHIP-14 and OHQoL-UK was estimated via anchor-based (PAR, ICON, GTR) and distribution-based approach (effect size, standardized response mean, standard error of measurement).

Results

The median OHIP-14 and OHQoL-UK post-treatment scores were significantly changed, indicating improved OHRQoL. Based on the agreement between different methods, the MID of OHIP-14 and OHQoL-UK were at least 15 and 6 scale points, corresponding to a large effect size (1.5–1.7).

Conclusions

Orthodontic treatment had a positive long-term impact on OHRQoL. MID for the OHIP-14 and OHQoL-UK provide guidance to interpreting the impact of orthodontic treatment on the OHRQoL of patients.
Musculoskeletal Pain, a Possible Indicator of Central Sensitization, Is Positively Associated With Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Progression in Community-Dwelling Older Men
Authors: Senders Angela , Bauer Scott R , Chen Yiyi , Oken Barry , Fink Howard A , Lane Nancy E , Sajadi Kamran P , Marshall Lynn M
Published: September 2022

Background

Musculoskeletal pain, a possible marker of central sensitization, is associated with higher prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among older men. We investigated whether musculoskeletal pain is associated with LUTS progression.

Methods

Participants were 5 569 men age ≥65 years enrolled in the prospective, multicenter Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study. Self-reported musculoskeletal pain within 12 months before baseline was categorized as any pain and multilocation pain. Pain interference within 4 weeks of baseline was assessed with the SF-12 questionnaire. LUTS were assessed repeatedly with the American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUA-SI). Men with severe LUTS at baseline were excluded. LUTS progression was defined as the first occurrence of a ≥4-point AUA-SI increase during a 2-year follow-up interval. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using multivariable pooled logistic regression.

Results

LUTS progression was 37% higher among men with any musculoskeletal pain compared with men without pain (IRR 1.37, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.54). Positive associations were also observed between LUTS progression and pain at 1 (IRR 1.31, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.48) and ≥2 locations (IRR 1.42, 95% CI: 1.24, 1.60). Compared with men without pain interference, men with quite a bit/extreme pain interference were most likely to experience LUTS progression (minimal interference IRR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.26; moderate interference IRR 1.28, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.45; quite a bit/extreme interference IRR 1.47, 95% CI: 1.22, 1.71).

Conclusions

Among men initially without severe LUTS, musculoskeletal pain is associated with an increased risk of LUTS progression. Studies using validated measures of central sensitization and LUTS progression among men are warranted.
1 Associations between Resilience to Early-Life Stress and Behavior in Finishing Gilts
Authors: Luttman Andrea M , Lee Bora , Siegford Janice M , Raney Nancy E , Steibel Juan P , Ernst Catherine W
Published: September 2022

Weaning is an acute early-life stressor and therefore, an excellent model for examining lasting impacts of stress resilience. Our objective was to identify gilts exhibiting resilience or vulnerability to weaning stress and characterize long-term impact on behavior. At weaning, blood samples were collected from all gilt piglets of 17 crossbred litters (n=112) at -1d, 0d, and +4d pre- and post-weaning. Serum cortisol concentrations were quantified using a commercial porcine-specific ELISA kit. For each litter, serum cortisol was used to identify the gilt most capable to return to baseline concentrations by +4d as stress resilient (SR, n=17) and the gilt least capable as stress vulnerable (SV, n=17). SR and SV gilts were followed and mixed into new social cohorts at approximately 8 wk-of-age. Skin wounds counts were recorded at -1d, +1d, and +4d surrounding the mix event. At approximately 12 wk-of-age, SR and SV gilts underwent a novel object test (NOT) to assess reactivity to a novel situation. Measures collected during the NOT included latency to cross 1m line from object, latency to cross 0.5m line from object, latency to touch object, total vocalizations, and percent of vocalizations that were high pitched. A paired t-test was conducted to analyze differences between SR and SV gilts. SR gilts had significantly more skin wounds at 1d post-mixing than SV gilts (P=0.007). No significant differences in vocalizations or latency to cross 1m line from object were found between the two groups. However, SR gilts had significantly shorter latency to cross the 0.5m line (P=0.010) and marginally shorter latency to touch the novel object (P=0.088). We found behavioral differences associated with resilience to weaning stress. Gilts resilient to weaning stress engaged in more agonistic behavior at mixing and were bolder when faced with a novel situation.
2 Vibration Profiles of Commercial Straight-Deck Trailers Transporting Market-Weight Pigs During Summer
Authors: Alambarrio Daniela A , Davis Benjamin , Morris Benjamin , Gonzalez John M , Turner Kari K
Published: September 2022

The objective was to collect and quantify three-axis acceleration data from locations within commercial transport trailers shipping market weight pigs during summer. Two trucks and straight-deck trailers, owned and operated by a single producer, were observed during two loads per day for five consecutive days. Three-axis accelerometers were placed under top and bottom deck floors in the center of the fore, center, and aft compartments. Z-axis and combined x- and y-axis data were processed to generate root-mean-square (RMS) values and vibration dose values (VDV) during loading, trailer movement, and unloading. At all periods of the trip and both sets of axis data, there were no Deck × Area interactions (P > 0.11) for RMS and VDV values. During loading and movement, the bottom deck had greater z-axis RMS and VDV values than the top deck (P < 0.01), but there was no difference (P = 0.07) during unloading. There were no Area effects for z-axis RMS and VDV values during all time periods (P > 0.06). During all periods, the top deck had greater x,y-axis RMS values than the bottom deck (P < 0.02). During loading and movement, the bottom deck had greater x,y-axis VDV values than the top deck (P < 0.03), but there was no difference (P = 0.52) during unloading. There were no Area effects for x,y-axis RMS and VDV values during all time periods (P > 0.07). Individual trip RMS and VDV values were compared with exposure action values (EAV; injury possible) and exposure limit values (ELV; injury likely). At all parts of the trip, trailer RMS and VDV violated between 51% and 99% EAV and ELV thresholds. These data indicate top and bottom decks vibrate differently and pigs experience vibrations that may contribute to fatigued pig syndrome or the non-ambulatory condition.
3 Towards Automated Behavior Analysis for Individually Housed Piglets–Sampling Considerations
Authors: Williams Tawni N , Green-Miller Angela R , Dilger Ryan N , Li Jiangong
Published: September 2022

Behavior sampling is commonly applied to represent a complete picture of animal behavior. Traditional sampling methods often fail to capture complete sequences of events, diurnal behavior, or behavior patterns. As digital technologies allow more frequent collection of behavior, there is a need to understand if the potential increase in sampling frequency yields an increase in the knowledge we gain from additional observations. In this study, 24-h behavior was labelled for three individually housed research piglets, creating a ground truth dataset. An ethogram with five categories (resting, consumption, maintenance, exploratory, and social interactions) including 23 behavior labels was applied for behavior observation for every frame in the video data set. Using Python to automatically sample behavior data from the complete dataset, the results of instantaneous and continuous sampling strategies at various sampling intervals and times of day were compared with the ground truth continuous data set using a two-sample t-test for: (a) total percentage of observations, (b) average bout length, and (c) normalized number of occurrences. Results were considered significant for alpha< 0.05, which indicated a sampling method was different from ground truth. Continuously sampled data were collected at the start of each hour for 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20-min periods. Instantaneously sampled data were collected at the intervals: 1, 5, 10, 20, and 40-s; 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 60-min. Every sampling strategy resulted in misrepresentation of behavior. For example, results for the 1-s instantaneous sampling method (every 15th frame versus every frame) revealed that seven of the 23 behaviors observed were misrepresented in at least one metric: (a) total percentage of observations [P=0.027 (drinking behavior); P=0.027 (sham chewing), P=0.011 (head tossing)]; (b) average bout length [P=0.033 (feeding behavior), P=0.032 (nosing), P=0.040 (exploring pen), P=0.039 (head tossing)]; and (c) normalized number of occurrences [P=0.005 (exploring pen), P=0.018 (head tossing)].
10 Conservation Planning for Greenhouse Gases in Animal Agriculture
Authors: Zwicke Greg , Costa Allison
Published: September 2022

The United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) works in a voluntary and collaborative manner with agricultural producers to solve natural resource issues on private lands. One of the key steps in formulating a solution to those natural resource issues is a conservation planning process that identifies the issues, highlights one or more conservation practice standards that can be used to address those issues, and allows the agricultural producer to select those conservation practices that make sense for their operation. In this conservation planning process, USDA-NRCS looks at natural resource issues related to soil, water, air, plants, animals, and energy (SWAPA+E). With the increasing focus on Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry, the air quality natural resource concern associated with greenhouse gases is of particular importance. This presentation will focus on the USDA-NRCS conservation planning process for determining whether greenhouse gases from confined animal production is a resource concern and the conservation practice standard options that can be used to address an identified resource concern for greenhouse gases from confined animal production.
11 Balancing Beneficence and Autonomy in Animal Agriculture with a Warming World
Authors: Feltz Adam , Feltz Silke
Published: September 2022

There are competing values and understandings of how animal agriculture relates to a host of common and social goods including contributions to global warming. These competing understandings and values can sometimes generate ethical problems where some values are violated at the expense of other values. Consequently, in many contexts, these problems call for resolution (e.g., attempts to mitigate the effects of animal agriculture on global warming). There are many possible interventions to help resolve these ethical problems including prohibitions, incentives, persuasion, and education. Each of these interventions tend to have their own ethical costs and benefits. We discuss a framework for how these different interventions influence psychological elements in psychological decision-making processes. Given this framework, we pay special attention to some of the ethics that are involved in how those interventions influence these psychological factors. We provide some dimensions on which one could make comparisons of different interventions with how they fair with aspects of beneficence and autonomy.
36 Exploring the Statistical Nature of Independent Chromosome Segments
Authors: Hollifield Mary Kate , Bermann Matias , Lourenco Daniela , Misztal Ignacy
Published: September 2022

Independent chromosome segments for a population with Ne effective population size and L genome length can be approximately defined as 4NeL non-overlapping haplotypes of L/2 length derived from any Ne animals. The number of independent chromosome segments (Me) can be approximated as 4NeL. The genetic selection with a genomic relationship matrix (GRM) using such haplotypes approaches that with a GRM using the SNP markers. The objective of this study was to investigate the statistical nature of independent chromosome segments. Data were simulated using QMSim and contained a population of ten non-overlapping generations, each including 2,000 animals with Ne equal to 20, and a polygenic trait with a heritability of 0.6. The last three generations were genotyped, and each genome contained ten 1 M long chromosomes, for a total genome length of 10 M and 50,000 SNP. Chromosome segments of each animal were organized in non-overlapping haplotypes by the SNP code using in-house software written in Fortran. The effects of the hypothetical independent chromosome segments were estimated using a model that included an overall mean plus the segment effects. To analyze the behavior around Me, the number of segments chosen to estimate segment effects varied around 4NeL. Accuracies were calculated for animals in the last generation by cor (TBV, Zsŝ), where Zs ŝ is a vector of breeding values based on segments and TBV is a vector of the true breeding values outputted by QMSim. Accuracies of segment effects were compared with the true accuracy, i.e., cor (TBV,GEBV). The maximum accuracy of segment effects was 0.84, and the true accuracy was 0.96. The results suggest that 4NeL segments contain most of the additive information in the population. However, the accuracy of GBLUP is greater than that of the chromosome segment effects, suggesting that arranging chromosome segments based solely on the statistical nature is not enough to account for all the genetic variation.
42 Awardee Talk: Utilizing Genomics to Understand Skeletal and Mammary Development in Pigs
Authors: Rohrer Gary A , Wijesena Hiruni R , Keel Brittney N , Snelling Warren M , Lents Clay A
Published: September 2022

Embryonic development in mammals is strictly controlled. Yet, anomalies regularly occur within certain species. The pig is one of few species where variation in vertebra numbers frequently occurs. Domesticated lines typically have a greater number of thoracic and/or lumbar vertebra than the number of vertebrae in most mammals. Number of functional teats is also variable in swine and deviation from bilateral symmetry is common. Positive genetic correlations between these two traits have been reported and a gene variant in vertnin affects both traits. To further investigate the genetic correlation between teat counts and vertebra numbers, a genomewide association study was conducted using 5,939 genotyped animals from the USMARC population representative of commercial swine. All animals were genotyped with one of four different Illumina-based BeadChips. Genotypes were imputed for 71,634 markers using pedigrees with findhap. gEBV were estimated and marker effects backsolved using WOMBAT. The vertnin region had the greatest number and most significant associations for all traits analyzed. However, there were no other significant associations that overlapped between vertebra and teat number. Correlation among all estimated marker effects between vertebra and teat number was ~0.21. However, if estimated SNP effects for markers surrounding vertnin were removed, the correlation dropped to 0.14, while the correlation among marker effects in the vertnin region was ~0.90. Genomic heritabilities for teat and thoracic number were 0.36 and 0.78. Analyses where the GRM only included markers surrounding vertnin estimated heritabilites for teat and thoracic number of 0.05 and 0.48, indicating vertnin described a majority of genetic variation for rib number but much less for teat number. Genetic and phenotypic correlations among weight traits and vertebra number were near zero. A positive phenotypic association between teat number and birth weight existed despite a low negative genetic correlation. USDA is an equal opportunity employer.
21 Genetics and Genomic Approaches for Sustainable Dairy Cattle Improvement in Smallholder Dairy Systems
Authors: Mrode Raphael , Ekine-Dzivenu Chinyere , Ojango Julie , Okeyo Mwai
Published: September 2022

This study examines genetic and genomic approaches for sustainability in the dairy systems of developing countries of sub-Saharan Africa, where farms are predominately managed by smallholders, with 80% of land holdings being smaller than ten hectares. Sustainability in these systems involves addressing the global challenges of climate change while ensuring food security. Feed intake is a major trait with huge impact on both the efficiency of small holder systems and on methane emission. Improvement in feed efficiency will both mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce the cost of milk production. Body weight provides an indirect means of improving feed efficiency for body maintenance. Using daily milk yield and body weight records for 2716 cows, genomic predictions were undertaken, and a selection index for improving milk yield while restricting changes in body weight was implemented in Tanzania. However, defining broader breeding goals continue to be a challenge due to the lack of data but collection of milk components and somatic cell counts is being piloted in Tanzania and Ethiopia. Breeding for heat tolerance has been based on the rate of decline in milk yield due to changes in the temperature and humidity index (THI). An analysis of 14,367 daily milk records of 3511 dairy cows and weather records in Tanzania indicated that heat stress significantly affected daily milk production and reduced milk yield by 4.16% to 14.42% across THI groups. Reaction norms for sire EBVs along the trajectory of THI indicates that genetic variations exist which can be used to select animals that perform optimally in different environments. Also, other indicators of resilience including log-transformed variance and skewness of deviation, based on fluctuations in animals’ milk yield have been examined. Cows with less than 50% of exotic dairy genes showed significant levels higher degree of resilience.
27 Evaluating the Functional Differences at Genome, Transcriptome and Methylome Level between ARS-UCD1.2 and UMD 3.1 Bovine Reference Genomes
Authors: Cánovas Angela , Fonseca Pablo A S , McKay Stephanie D , Medrano Juan F F
Published: September 2022

Crossbred beef steers, n = 5,140; 352 ± 5.45 kg initial body weight (BW) were used to evaluate chromium propionate supplementation to yearling steers in a commercial feedyard. Cattle were blocked by arrival date and initial BW and assigned randomly to pen within block; pens were randomly assigned to treatment within block. Treatments, replicated in 15 pens per treatment with 130 to 250 steers per pen, included: 1) control (CTL), 0 mg supplemental Cr/kg dietary dry matter (DM); 2) chromium (CR) 0.50 mg supplemental Cr/kg dietary DM (4.9 mg/d; chromium propionate; KemTRACE Chromium 0.4%, Kemin Industries, Des Moines, IA). Final BW, average daily gain (ADG) and gain efficiency (G:F) did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.26). Dry matter intake was greater for CR than CTL, 8.61 kg. vs. 8.49 kg, respectively (P = 0.03). Hot carcass weight (HCW), dressing percentage, ribeye area, and 12th-rib-fat were not different for CTL or CR (P ≥ 0.12). The percentage of carcasses camera grading choice or better was greater (P = 0.04) for CR (51.2%) than CTL (48%), and the percentage of select carcasses was less (P = 0.01) for CR (41.5%) than CTL (45.5%). Yield grade distribution did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.26). There was no difference (P ≥ 0.36) in overall morbidity (7.75%), or total mortality (1.43%) between treatments. Steers fed CR had higher quality carcasses, and similar G:F and HCW to CTL.
56 Diet Supplementation with Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Boulardii Improves Growth, Health, and Fecal Microbiota of Pre-Weaned Dairy Calves
Authors: Villot Clothilde , Dunière Lysiane , Gauthier Marine , Chevaux Eric , Kowalczuck Edyta
Published: September 2022

High morbidity and mortality rates of calves dramatically impact the sustainability of the dairy industry. Probiotics are investigated for their potential to alleviate health challenges. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii CNCM I-1079 (SB) supplementation in pre-weaning calves. Thirty Holstein calves were enrolled at d6 of age and were offered daily 8 L of milk replacer with ad-libitum access to water and pelleted starter. Calves were balanced in term of parity of the dam and birth weight and randomly assigned to two experimental groups, designated as supplemented and Control. Supplemented calves received 2x109 cfu/d of SB added in the milk replacer. Every abnormal health condition, such as gut and respiratory disorders, as well as therapeutic treatments were recorded daily for each animal. A linear mixed model was performed to assess the impact of the supplementation on the different variables measured. Two fecal samples were collected at d10 and d60 of the trial to analyze bacteria diversity and taxonomic composition by amplicon sequencing. The overall health was improved in SB calves with fewer diarrhea cases detected compared with Controls (0.7 vs 2.2/calf, respectively, P = 0.001) and fewer SB calves experiencing respiratory disease (6.3 vs 50% respectively, P = 0.090). Along with those observations, a lower number of SB calves received a therapeutic treatment (18.8 vs 62.5% respectively, P = 0.029). Consequently, SB calves weighed 3 kg more compared with the Controls at the end of the experiment (P = 0.087). SB calves significantly presented a greater relative abundance of Akkermansia, a genus involved in immune system maturation, and a greater proportion of Lactobacillales and Negativicutes (lactate users) indicating likely better adaptation of their fecal microbiota to the milk diet than in Controls.
53 The Role of Veterinary Services on Nutrition Schemes, Management, and Health Practices for Sheep and Goats in Rural Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Northwest Province of South Africa
Authors: Mokolopi Baitsholetsi G , Oguttu James W
Published: September 2022

Poverty is a feature of rural households, and as a result, rural folks usually adopt low-input agriculture to alleviate poverty. Many households in Ngaka Modiri Molema District keep animals, particularly sheep and goats, for a variety of reasons, including as source of income, milk, and meat. However, they lack the management skills that are necessary for their livestock to increase their productivity. Inadequate animal management, including poor feeding and housing standards and poor application of proper animal health procedures are compounded by a lack of agricultural experience and low-input farming methods. In addition, poor animal nutrition, sickness and a high prevalence of parasites, and low animal production output further contribute to low overall productivity. Therefore, support offered by the veterinary services, and the impact these interventions have on sheep and goat farming among rural farmers need to be investigated. The present study will seek to describe the feeding schemes and management practices adopted by sheep and goat owners, as well as the role played by veterinary and extension services in the development of such practices. Health care provided to sheep goat farmers by the veterinary services will also be determined. A survey will be conducted in Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, a rural area in North West Province of South Africa. The study population will consist of all farmers rearing sheep and goats, both female and male. Animal and farm information level data and general farm management practices will be collected via a questionnaire survey. Using the Statistical Kit for STATA (version 16), data will be examined by computing frequency, percentages, and proportions based on the characteristics of the sample population. This survey will help to provide opportunities for resource-poor farmers in rural areas to develop their flocks.
45 Vaccine Protocol Influences Immune Phenotype of Weaned Beef Calves
Authors: Reddout Cassidy C , Salak-Johnson Janeen L , Beck Paul A , White Frank
Published: September 2022

Vaccination is one mechanism used as a preventative measure to decrease morbidity and mortality due to bovine respiratory disease (BRD), but vaccination efficacy is inconsistent. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the effect of inactivated (INA) vs. modified live (MLV) viral vaccines on the immune phenotype of weaned beef calves. Mixed-sexed pens with equal numbers of heifers and steers were randomly assigned to receive either INA (Vira Shield 6) or MLV (Titanium 5) treatments at d 0 (initial) and a booster (28 d). A subpopulation of heifers (n = 28) and steers (n = 18) were identified from these treatment pens and balanced for treatment. Samples were obtained prior to vaccination and 14 and 28 d post-initial vaccination and again at 14 and 28 d post-booster. All animals were weighed on collection days. Data were analyzed using either GLM or MIXED procedures of SAS with repeated measures. A treatment × day interaction occurred on cortisol at 14 d post-initial vaccination; the MLV calves had greater (P = 0.05) cortisol than INA calves. At 28 d post-initial and 14 d post-booster, MLV calves had greater (P < 0.05) total IgG and isotypes IgG1 and IgG2. MLV had greater (P < 0.05) cytokine concentrations associated with either humoral or cell-mediated immune responses. Conversely, serum neutralizing antibodies for antigens associated with the vaccine were significantly greater in INA calves than in MLV (P < 0.05). Calves receiving MLV were heavier (P < 0.05) at the end of the study. These data imply that vaccination protocol resulted in differential immune phenotypes. More specifically, calves receiving the MLV vaccine phenotype indicated stimulation of both the humoral and cell-mediated response. In contrast, the INA phenotype was indicative of a bias towards a humoral response. Further research should be done to determine the protective value of these phenotypes.
46 Sulfonation-Based Decontamination Alters Biotransformation and Excretion of Deoxynivalenol in Nursery Pigs
Authors: Chen Chi , Yao Dan , McGhee Molly L , Faris Richard , Giesting Don W
Published: September 2022

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a primary mycotoxin in cereal feed ingredients that negatively affects feed intake and immune function of pigs. Formation of DON sulfonate (DONS) with sulfites in feed has become an effective approach to mitigate the DON toxicities in practice, but the metabolic fate of DON under sulfonation-based decontamination was not well defined. In this study, 48 nursery pigs (35 d of age, 10.8 ± 1.3 kg) were stratified by weight and sex and grouped following a 2 x2 factorial design on the DON content in corn-soybean meal diets (1.2 vs. 4.1 ppm) and the inclusion of NoTox Ultimate D, a sulfite-based mitigant (0 vs. 0.25%). Four experimental diets, including low-DON feed with no mitigant treatment (LD-NT); low-DON feed with sulfonation treatment (LD-ST): high-DON feed with no mitigant treatment (HD-NT); high-DON feed with sulfonation treatment (HD-ST), were fed for 21 d for urine collection on day 0, 10, and 21 and fecal collection on day 21. Urine and fecal samples were analyzed by both targeted metabolite analysis and untargeted metabolomic modeling. DON itself was absent in all fecal and urine samples, indicating a complete biotransformation. As expected, sulfonation led to the formation of DONS in feces in correlation with the DON content in feed and the decrease of two DON glucuronides in urine (HD-ST < HD-NT). Interestingly, sulfonation did not decrease the concentrations of two deepoxy-deoxynivalenol (DOM) glucuronides in urine. Instead, it significantly increased DOM in feces (HD-ST > HD-NT). The results indicate that the formation of DONS by sulfite treatment alters the biotransformation and excretion of DON by decreasing the availability of free DON for absorption and simultaneously increasing its availability for microbial metabolism to form DOM, an inactivated metabolite, for fecal and urine excretion.
63 Impact of Supplementing Rumen-Protected Methionine During the Periconceptional Period in Fetal and Postnatal Growth in Beef Cattle
Authors: Heredia Daniella C , Tarnonsky Federico , Ojeda Oscar A A , Rojas Camila Santos , Fernandez-Marenchino Ignacio , Luchini Daniel D , Hansen Peter J , DiLorenzo Nicolas , Gonella Angela M
Published: September 2022

Previous evidence has suggested that fertilization and preimplantation embryonic development are sensitive periods that can be influenced by changes in maternal nutrition. We hypothesized that feeding rumen-protected methionine (RP-Met) during the periconceptional period will program bovine gestation in a manner that enhances fetal and postnatal growth. A total of 114 cows were fed a roughage-based diet and randomized to receive corn gluten supplemented with 15 g of RP-Met (RP-Met; Smartamine, Adisseo) or not (Con) from d -7 to +7 relative to artificial insemination (AI) with sex-sorted semen. Estrus synchronization was conducted using the 7-day CoSynch + CIDR protocol. Pregnancy diagnosis, embryo, and fetal morphology were conducted using transrectal ultrasonography 30, and 60 days after AI. After calving, 40 calves (Cont = 19; RP-Met = 21) were considered for birth weight (BW) analysis. Female calves (n=34) were weighed at 2 months of age. Pregnancy per AI at day 30 (Con = 50%, RP-Met = 55%) and day 60 (Con = 50%; RP-Met = 53.4%) were not different between groups (P ≥ 0.05). At 30 days of pregnancy, embryonic vesicle diameter (Con=11.0 ± 0.7 mm; RP-Met =11.6 ± 0.7 mm; P < 0.05) and circumference (Con=0.88 ± 0.09 cm2; RP-Met =0.99 ± 0.09 cm2 P < 0.05) were larger in the RP-Met group but embryo length and abdominal cavity were not different between groups. No difference was observed in fetal morphology at d 60. A treatment by sex interaction was observed (P =0.04). Male calves (n=6) from cows fed RP-Met showed greater BW than those from Con group (Con=31.9 ± 2.3 kg; RP-Met =41.4 ± 2.3 kg) but no difference was observed in females (n=34). There was no difference in BW at 2 months of age between groups. In conclusion, using RP-Met increased embryonic vesicle diameter and circumference, and BW in males.
58 Effect of Autolyzed Yeast Feed Additives on the Function of Dairy Leukocytes and on the Milk Constituents of Holstein Cows
Authors: Deliberalli Andressa , Abreu Ana C , Milla Bianca , Naiverth Sarah , Bertagnon Heloisa , Bonato Melina A
Published: September 2022

Mastitis is one of the leading causes of losses in dairy farming due to the cost of treatment and disposal rates. Yeast-based products can improve milk production and quality by stimulating immunity and ruminal efficiency. The different yeast derivative products and components can result in different effects. However, there are doubts about their real impact on the mammary gland. The yeast cell wall rich in β-glucans, considered an immunomodulator, acts mainly on phagocytes cells. The yeast cytoplasm is composed of metabolites, mainly amino acids, nucleotides, and vitamins, which impact in increasing the number of ruminal microorganisms and improve the feed conversion, resulting in an increase in milk production. The objective of this study was to evaluate two different autolyzed Saccharomyces cerevisiae feed additives supplemented in dairy cows and their effects on mammary gland phagocyte function, milk somatic cells count (SCC), and production. For this, 25 multiparous Holstein cows, in the middle third of lactation (average production of 25 L/day, and SCC below 200,000 cells/mL) were distributed into 3 treatments: Control group [CG] (n=8); Autolyzed Yeast [AY] (15 g/animal/day, RumenYeast, ICC Brazil Company, n=10); Yeast Metabolites [YM] (5 g/animal/day, MaxiDigest, ICC Brazil Company, n=7). Milk production, CSS, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cytology of milk leukocytes were measured weakly for 56 days. AY increased phagocytes ROS from d40 and 42 compared to CG (P< 0.05); increased macrophages and decreased neutrophils percentage in milk, and decreased SCC at d48 and d56, compared to CG and YM (P< 0.05). YM increased ROS from d40 until D48 compared with CG (P< 0.05), with no change in the cellular profile of milk. There was an increase in milk production from d32 only in the YM versus CG and AY. In conclusion, AY demonstrated greater activation of the mammary gland cellular immune system, while YM promoted increased milk production and intermediate immune system stimulation.