bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a low-cost approach to 2-D digital image correlation vs. a commercial stereo-DIC system in Brazilian testing of soil specimens
Authors: Arza-García M. , Núñez-Temes C. , Lorenzana J. A. , Ortiz-Sanz J. , Castro A. , Portela-Barral M. , Gil-Docampo M. , Bastos G.
Published: November 2021

Due to their cost, high-end commercial 3D-DIC (digital image correlation) systems are still inaccessible for many laboratories or small factories interested in lab testing materials. These professional systems can provide reliable and rapid full-field measurements that are essential in some laboratory tests with high-strain rate events or high dynamic loading. However, in many stress-controlled experiments, such as the Brazilian tensile strength (BTS) test of compacted soils, samples are usually large and fail within a timeframe of several minutes. In those cases, alternative low-cost methods could be successfully used instead of commercial systems. This paper proposes a methodology to apply 2D-DIC techniques using consumer-grade cameras and the open-source image processing software DICe (Sandia National Lab) for monitoring the standardized BTS test. Unlike most previous studies that theoretically estimate systematic errors or use local measures from strain gauges for accuracy assessment, we propose a contrast methodology with independent full-field measures. The displacement fields obtained with the low-cost system are benchmarked with the professional stereo-DIC system Aramis-3D (GOM GmbH) in four BTS experiments using compacted soil specimens. Both approaches proved to be valid tools for obtaining full-field measurements and showing the sequence of crack initiation, propagation and termination in the BTS, constituting reliable alternatives to traditional strain gauges. Mean deviations obtained between the low-cost 2D-DIC approach and Aramis-3D in measuring in-plane components were 0.08 mm in the perpendicular direction of loading (ΔX) and 0.06 mm in the loading direction (ΔY). The proposed low-cost approach implies considerable savings compared to commercial systems.
COVID-ONE-hi: The One-Stop Database for COVID-19-Specific Humoral Immunity and Clinical Parameters
Authors: Xu Zhaowei , Li Yang , Lei Qing , Huang Likun , Lai Dan-yun , Guo Shu-juan , Jiang He-wei , Hou Hongyan , Zheng Yun-xiao , Wang Xue-ning , Wu Jiaoxiang , Ma Ming-liang , Zhang Bo , Chen Hong , Yu Caizheng , Xue Jun-biao , Zhang Hai-nan , Qi Huan , Yu Siqi , Lin Mingxi , Zhang Yandi , Lin Xiaosong , Yao Zongjie , Sheng Huiming , Sun Ziyong , Wang Feng , Fan Xionglin , Tao Sheng-ce
Published: November 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by SARS-CoV-2, varies with regard to symptoms and mortality rates among populations. Humoral immunity plays critical roles in SARS-CoV-2 infection and recovery from COVID-19. However, differences in immune responses and clinical features among COVID-19 patients remain largely unknown. Here, we report a database for COVID-19-specific IgG/IgM immune responses and clinical parameters (named COVID-ONE-hi). COVID-ONE-hi is based on the data that contain the IgG/IgM responses to 24 full-length/truncated proteins corresponding to 20 of 28 known SARS-CoV-2 proteins and 199 spike protein peptides against 2360 serum samples collected from 783 COVID-19 patients. In addition, 96 clinical parameters for the 2360 serum samples and basic information for the 783 patients are integrated into the database. Furthermore, COVID-ONE-hi provides a dashboard for defining samples and a one-click analysis pipeline for a single group or paired groups. A set of samples of interest is easily defined by adjusting the scale bars of a variety of parameters. After the “START” button is clicked, one can readily obtain a comprehensive analysis report for further interpretation. COVID-ONE-hi is freely available at www.COVID-ONE.cn.
Publishing Scholarly Editions
Authors: Ohge Christopher
Published: November 2021

Publishing Scholarly Editions offers new intellectual tools for publishing digital editions that bring readers closer to the experimental practices of literature, editing, and reading. After the Introduction (Section 1), Sections 2 and 3 frame intentionality and data analysis as intersubjective, interrelated, and illustrative of experience-as-experimentation. These ideas are demonstrated in two editorial exhibitions of nineteenth-century works: Herman Melville's Billy Budd, Sailor, and the anti-slavery anthology The Bow in the Cloud, edited by Mary Anne Rawson. Section 4 uses pragmatism to rethink editorial principles and data modelling, arguing for a broader conception of the edition rooted in data collections and multimedia experience. The Conclusion (Section 5) draws attention to the challenges of publishing digital editions, and why digital editions have failed to be supported by the publishing industry. If publications are conceived as pragmatic inventions based on reliable, open-access data collections, then editing can embrace the critical, aesthetic, and experimental affordances of editions of experience.
Flow past a rotationally oscillating cylinder with an attached flexible filament
Authors: Sunil Puja , Kumar Sanjay , Poddar Kamal
Published: November 2021

Experimental studies are conducted on a rotationally oscillating cylinder with an attached flexible filament at a Reynolds number of 150. Parametric studies are carried out to investigate the effect of cylinder forcing parameters and filament stiffness on the resultant wake structure. The diagnostics are flow visualization using the laser-induced fluorescence technique, frequency measurement using a hot film, and characterization of the velocity and vorticity field using planar particle image velocimetry. The streamwise force and power are estimated through control volume analysis, using a modified formulation, which considers the streamwise and transverse velocity fluctuations in the wake. These terms become important in a flow field where asymmetric wakes are observed. An attached filament significantly modifies the flow past a rotationally oscillating cylinder from a Bénard–Kármán vortex street to a reverse Bénard–Kármán vortex street, albeit over a certain range of Strouhal number,

$St_{A} \sim 0.25\text {--}0.5$

, encountered in nature in flapping flight/fish locomotion and in the flow past pitching airfoils. The transition from a Kármán vortex street to a reverse Kármán vortex street precedes the drag-to-thrust transition. The mechanism of unsteady thrust generation is discussed. Maximum thrust is generated at the instants when vortices are shed in the wake from the filament tip. At

$St_{A} > 0.4$

, a deflected wake associated with the shedding of an asymmetric vortex street is observed. Filament flexibility delays the formation of an asymmetric wake. Wake symmetry is governed by the time instant at which a vortex pair is shed in the wake from the filament tip.
Investor Attention and Stock Returns
Authors: Chen Jian , Tang Guohao , Yao Jiaquan , Zhou Guofu
Published: November 2021

We propose an investor attention index based on proxies in the literature and find that it predicts the stock market risk premium significantly, both in sample and out of sample, whereas every proxy individually has little predictive power. The index is extracted using partial least squares, but the results are similar by the scaled principal component analysis. Moreover, the index can deliver sizable economic gains for mean-variance investors in asset allocation. The predictive power of the investor attention index stems primarily from the reversal of temporary price pressure and from the stronger forecasting ability for high-variance stocks.
Lane dynamics in pair-ion plasmas: effect of obstacle and geometric aspect ratio
Authors: Baruah Swati , Prajapati Vishal K. , Ganesh R.
Published: November 2021

Lane formation dynamics of driven two-dimensional pair-ion plasmas is investigated in under-damped cases where the effect of particle inertia cannot be neglected. Extensive Langevin dynamics simulations using an OpenMP parallel program are carried out to analyse the effect of obstacle and geometric aspect ratio on lane formation dynamics previously reported in Sarma et al. (Phys. Plasmas, vol. 27, 2020, 012106) and Baruah et al. (J. Plasma Phys., vol. 87, 2021, 905870202). Lanes are found to form when like particles move along or opposite to the applied field direction. Lane order parameter, cumulative order parameter and distribution of the order parameter have been implemented to detect phase transition. The effect of geometric aspect ratio on the stability of lanes is systematically determined in both the presence and absence of an obstacle. Here, a specular reflective boundary condition is implemented to mimic an obstacle. We demonstrate that an obstacle promotes the merging of lanes, and the system gradually transitions to a partially mixed phase with higher value of aspect ratio. The occurrence of lane mixing phenomena at the separation boundary of two oppositely flowing lanes at higher value of aspect ratio is observed. In the presence of an oscillatory electric field, the lane merging tendency is reduced to a large extent as compared to the system where a constant electric field is applied. Furthermore, in the presence of both space- and time-varying electric fields, an appearance of a void is observed on either side of the obstacle. The study finds that the presence of an external magnetic field promotes acceleration of the phase transition process towards the lane mixing phase; it also reveals the existence of electric field drift in the system. Our findings may prove to be useful in understanding the nature of lane dynamics in naturally occurring pair-ion plasma systems as well as their relevance to technological applications that exploit or mitigate self-organization.
Validity and reliability of Turkish version of the Food–Mood Questionnaire for university students
Authors: Aslan Çin Nazlı Nur , Şeref Betül , Özçelik Ayşe Özfer , Atav Serdar , Begdache Lina
Published: November 2021

Objective:

This study aims to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Food–Mood Questionnaire (FMQ) for university students.

Design:

The original questionnaire developed by Begdacheet al.(2019) was modified and translated into Turkish. The content validation ratio (CVR) and the content validity index (CVI) were used for content validity assessment. The construct validity was assessed by exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on data collected on university students who completed the survey online. Pearson’s correlation coefficients and Cronbach’sαwere used to assess reliability and validity (P< 0·05).

Setting:

This study was conducted at five different universities in Turkey.

Participants:

A total of 251 (67 males and 184 females) undergraduate students participated in the study. Of these, seventy-five students completed a pre- and post-test assessment.

Results:

In the current study, 251 university students with a mean age of 21·9 ± 4·1 years participated. The mean CVR and CVI were 0·96 and 0·98, respectively. Factor loadings ranged from 0·341 to 0·863, and item total score correlations ranged from 0·142 to 0·749. Cronbach’sαcoefficient was 0·633 for the whole scale. Five factors were extracted that had a good fit in CFA (χ2/DF = 1·37, root mean error of approximation: 0·039, goodness-of-fit index: 0·911 and comparative fit index: 0·933).

Conclusions:

The Turkish FMQ is a valid and a reliable tool for university students. FMQ can be used by clinicians or researchers to examine the mental distress and dietary patterns of university students. Further testing of the FMQ is required for validation in the general population.
Planning for an Efficient Implementation of Hypothetical Bousi∼Prolog
Authors: JULIÁN-IRANZO PASCUAL , SÁENZ-PÉREZ FERNANDO
Published: November 2021

This paper explores the integration of hypothetical reasoning into an efficient implementation of the fuzzy logic language Bousi∼Prolog. To this end, we first analyse what would be expected from a logic inference system, equipped with what is called embedded implication, to model solving goals with respect to assumptions. We start with a propositional system and incrementally build more complex systems and implementations to satisfy the requirements imposed by a system like Bousi∼Prolog. Finally, we propose an inference system, operational semantics and the translation function to generate efficient Prolog programmes from Bousi∼Prolog programmes.
Genetic and phenotypic relationships between performance test and reproduction traits in pigs selected for components of efficient lean growth rate
Authors: Kerr J. C. , Cameron N. D.
Published: November 2021

Genetic and phenotypic relationships between performance test and reproduction traits were estimated in a population of Large White pigs, after five generations of divergent selection for components of efficient lean growth rate. The parameters are required to evaluate alternative selection strategies in pig breeding programmes.
Estimation of food intake in sheep by blood assay for lithium content following ingestion of lithium labelled food
Authors: Vipond J.E. , Horgan G. , Anderson D.
Published: November 2021

Current rationing systems for sheep and cattle aim to balance a deficit in a basal roughage diet by giving group-fed animals a fixed amount of supplementary food. Assumptions are made that both the intake of basal diet and supplementary feed are average values. Coefficients of variation in individual intake of supplementary feeds of 16-36% have however been observed (Foot and Russel, 1973; Foot et al, 1973) and this variation may be larger (67-107%) where supplements are available as feed blocks (Kendall et al, 1983; Ducker et al, 1981).

Recent work on the selection of feed ingredients by sheep (Kyriazakis and Oldham, 1993) and the effect of physiological factors such as parasitism on diet selection (Kyriazakis et al, 1994) suggest that there may be biological mechanisms behind this variation. Estimation of intake of supplements has been difficult in the past, particularly at pasture using chronic oxide and N-alkane indigestible marker systems owing to the need for complete faecal collection procedures and handling procedures that disrupt grazing. A promising new method using lithium as a marker has been developed in Australia (Nolan et al, 1994). This work was undertaken to evaluate the lithium technique for use under UK conditions to elucidate causes of variation in supplement intake of sheep.
Prediction of methane production by sheep from a range of grass silage based diets
Authors: Moss Angela R , Givens D I
Published: November 2021

Methane production by ruminant animals is an important anthropogenic source of methane to the atmosphere and is considered an important source to more accurately estimate and to control. Large variations in methane production by ruminants have been reported. However very few of these data were obtained using contemporary diets used in the UK, ie grass silage based diets and were also limited to sheep fed at maintenance (M). This has limited the understanding of the dietary factors which may be used to predict methane production. Attempts to predict methane production from either diet chemical composition or digestibility have not been successful (Moss and Givens, 1990; Johnson et al., 1991). Accordingly, different concentrates were used to supplement grass silage at different rates (forage.concentrate, (F:C) ratios) at differing planes of nutrition to study the effects of diet composition on methane production.
Variations in the urinary excretion of purine derivatives and creatinine in holstein/friesan dairy cattle
Authors: Shingfield K.J. , Offer N.W. , Sword A.M.
Published: November 2021

The urinary excretion of purine derivatives has been proposed as a non-invasive method of estimating the outflow of rumen microbial protein. Wider application of this technique is hindered by the requirement for a total urine collection, but Chen et al. (1992) suggested the use of urinary Creatinine(C) concentration to account for changes in urine volume. The relative concentrations of Purine Derivatives (PD) and C in spot urine samples could be used as a suitable index of PD output. The following experiment assesses the validity of this approach in lactating Holstein/Friesan cattle.
The effects of sodium and sulphur fertilizers on dairy cow production
Authors: Phillips C.J.C. , Chiy P.C. , Avezinius J.A.
Published: November 2021

Fertilisers are usually evaluated by their effects on herbage DM yield and occasionally herbage composition. Rarely are the effects on animal production considered, even though there is evidence for example that increasing the sodium (Na) contents of herbage can increase the milk yield of dairy cows (Chiy and Phillips, 1991), and that dietary sulphur (S) contents in excess of l-2g/kg DM will lead to reduced intake and productivity in ruminants (Raisbeck, 1982). In the UK the use of sulphur fertilizer is widely advocated, since herbage growth is often restricted by deficiency now that industrial emissions have been reduced. Sulphur fertilizer increases herbage S content, but Na fertilizers can affect herbage S content and S utilization by ruminants (Chiy et al., 1994). The effects of Na and S fertilizers were therefore studied with particular emphasis on herbage composition and dairy cow production.
The effect of sward surface height on grazing behaviour by lactating holstein-friesian cows
Authors: Gibb M. J. , Rook A. J. , Huckle C. A. , Nuthall R.
Published: November 2021

Sward surface height (SSH) has been shown to have an effect on the performance of dairy cows. However, to understand precisely how cows adapt to such differing sward conditions, it is necessary to study the interactions between bite mass, biting rate, and thus intake rate, and time spent grazing. An experiment was therefore designed to examine grazing behaviour and intake by lactating cows at three sward heights.
Taking the stress out of transport - indices of physiological stress in transit
Authors: Mitchell M.A. , Kettlewell P.J.
Published: November 2021

Currently, in excess of 650 million broiler chickens are produced per annum in the UK.The rearing of these animals on large numbers of geographically dispered sites necessitates their transportation to centralised processing plants for slaughter. Birds are transported in containers in which behaviour, including any thermoregulatory component, will be restricted. The design of the container and the vehicle and the external climatic conditions will have profound effects upon the immediate environment of the birds. In transit they may be exposed to a variety of potential stressors including the thermal demands of this transport microenvironment, motion, acceleration, vibration, impacts, fasting, withdrawal of water, social disruption and noise. The adverse effects of these factors and their combinations may range from discomfort and mild aversion to death. Mortalities in transit are generally 0.4% or less but this may represent approximately 2 million birds per annum in the UK. It is estimated that up to 40% of the mortalities observed at the processing plant are a consequence of “stress”. It is thus essential from the standpoints of both animal welfare and productivity to optimise commercial poultry transport conditions and to provide the sound scientific basis for legislation relating to vehicles and transport practices. Although examination of the existing literature reveals that thermal stress is acknowledged as a major hazard during animal transportation it has been poorly characterised under practical conditions and the interactions between the animals and the complex thermal microenvironments clearly require more rigorous analyses.
The effect of increasing inclusion levels of β-glucanase on the feeding of hulled and hulless barley fractions to chickens
Authors: Petersen S.T. , Wiseman J. , Bedford M.
Published: November 2021

Non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) in cereals which have been linked to antinutritional activity through elevated viscosity of intestinal contents, vary in concentration in different regions of the grain, but are particularly rich in the endosperm cell wall (Forrest & Wainwright 1977; Mulder, Hotten et al 1991). The current trial investigated the degree to which increasing inclusion levels of an exogenous β-glucanase with different barley fractions, from either a hulled or known high viscosity producing hulless variety, would influence the viscosity of broiler digesta and if, as in rye (Bedford & Classen 1991), reductions in carbohydrate molecular weight were obtained.
Comparison between growing fattening bulls finished at grass or indoors : i. animal performances and carcass composition
Authors: Hornick J.L. , Gauthier S. , Dufrasne I. , Van Eenaeme C. , Istasse L.
Published: November 2021

In Belgium, about one third of beef meat production is based on fattening of bulls from double muscle type (IEA. 1993). Young bulls are generally fattened from about 300 to 600 kg in stanchion barns, they may however spend one season on pasture before a finishing period indoor (Dufrasne et al., 1995). This technic allows a meat production which corresponds to the market demand, with low costs of production associated with grazing. Scarce data are available on carcass characteristics of Belgian bulls slaughtered after a grazing period. In the present experiment, we compared animal performances and carcass composition of bulls which completed a full fattening period either on pasture or indoors.
The effect of increased inputs to twin-bearing ewes within an extensive hill sheep system
Authors: Pattinson S. E. , Waterhouse A.
Published: November 2021

There is a general belief that reduced stock numbers on hill areas will be beneficial to the environment. A decrease in stock numbers may lead to farmers opting for lower input systems of hill sheep production in order to reduce costs, to meet the requirements of specific schemes or simply to maintain profitability. A large scale systems experiment has been set up at SAC Kirkton and Auchtertyre Farms to examine the effects of extensification on the ecology, animal production and welfare and the socio-economics of the local community. Within this extensive system, a 4-year trial was undertaken to examine the effects of a limited increase in inputs to twin-bearing ewes which are particularly at risk within such a system.
Different breeds of pigs have the same rules for using scarce food for protein growth
Authors: Emmans G.C. , Kyriazakis L
Published: November 2021

There are at least two views about what is the necessary decription of a pig for the purpose of modelling it's performance on controlled feeding. On the first view the potential rate of protein retention is the only descriptor that needs to vary between kinds of pigs, with all pigs assumed to use the same rules to partition scarce resources. On the second view kinds of pigs may differ not only in their potential to grow protein but also in the rules that they use to partition a scarce resource. The purpose of the experiment reported here was to severely test the first view by using two very different kinds of pigs.
Diet selection of weaned piglets independently for protein and or lysine
Authors: Dalby J.A. , Forbes J.M. , Varley M.A. , Jagger S.
Published: November 2021

Our previous two experiments have investigated the ability of weaned piglets to differentiate successfully between foods on the basis of the protein (CP) content and also on the basis of the lysine content, when offered a choice of two feeds differing in levels of either protein or lysine but with levels of other nutrients kept constant (Dalby et al. 1994a; Dalby et al. 1994b). This experiment was designed to test whether weaned piglets are able to successfully select a diet if both the levels of CP and lysine differ in the foods on offer. This was investigated by offering a choice of three foods containing low and high levels of both CP and lysine, such that it was unlikely that a combination of any two foods would satisfy the piglet in relation to both its CP and lysine requirement.
The effect of dietary asynchrony on rumen nitrogen recycling in sheep
Authors: Holder P. , Buttery P.J. , Garnsworthy P.C.
Published: November 2021

Recent work (Sinclair et al. 1993) has suggested that synchronising the rate of rumen breakdown and availability of dietary energy and nitrogenous components can increase capture of rumen degradable nitrogen and improve efficiency of microbial protein synthesis. For rumen bacteria to function efficiently they require a supply of both energy and nitrogen sources together i.e a synchronous diet. Nitrogen recycling between the blood and the rumen is a major contributor to the nitrogen economy of the animal and supplies substantial quantities of nitrogen to the rumen bacteria (Kennedy & Milligan 1980). The amount of nitrogen recycled to the rumen is diet dependant. This dependency may not solely be due to the levels of dietary nutrients but also to their rate of breakdown and availability to the rumen bacteria. The predominant mechanism controlling nitrogen recycling between the blood and the rumen appears to be rumen ammonia concentration It has been suggested that the recycling of nitrogen between the blood urea pool and the rumen ammonia pool may be able to compensate for periods of dietary nitrogen deficiency in the rumen due to the asynchrony of availability of the nitrogen and energy components to the rumen bacteria.
The effect of anchor weight and incubation sequence on in situ dry matter disappearance of hay, soyabean meal and fishmeal, in sheep and cows
Authors: Huntington J. A. , Givens D. I.
Published: November 2021

Predictive models for estimating the nutrient requirements of ruminant livestock have become increasingly complex in their approach, and implicitly they have a need for accurate characterisation of feed degradability kinetics (AFRC, 1992; Russell et al.,1992; Sniffen et al., 1992; Fox et al., 1992). The rumen in situ technique has been adopted as the standard method (AFRC, 1992) for the characterisation of nitrogen degradability in feeds for ruminants. Recent ring tests (Madsen and Hvelplund, 1994) and reviews (Huntington and Givens, in press) have highlighted the need for improved standardisation of the procedure. The aim of this experiment was to investigate ruminant species differences and to determine the effect of anchor weight and incubation sequence on dry matter (DM) disappearance of hay, soyabean meal and fishmeal in situ.
Effect of sward height and sheep breed on sward composition during summer grazing period
Authors: Mantecón A.R. , Jaramillo E. , Frutos P. , LavÃn P.
Published: November 2021

The sward height could determine the intake of the herbivores and, at the same time, to affect to sward composition (Morris et al., 1994). If the foraging strategies is different among species could be also different among breeds of sheep (Milne, 1991).

The objective of this work is to know the effect of sward height and sheep breed (churra and merina) on sward composition under irrigated and continous grazing system.

The experiment was carried out according a factorial design 2x2x5, defined by:

2 sward height (SH): low (LSH:<3.5 cm) and high (HSH:>6.5 cm)

2 Spanish breed of sheep: Churra and Merina

5 sampling periods: 1 (29.07), 2 (20.07), 3 (24.08), 4 (21.09) and 5 (19.10)

The SH was recorded three times a week and they were adjusted using variable stocking rates with spares similar ewes. Available dry matter (kg/ha) was 318 and 943 for the low (3.7 cm) and high (6.5 cm) sward height, respectively.
Effect of supplementation level and sheep breed on hay intake and diet digestibility
Authors: Gonzalez-ChÃ¡barri E. , LavÃn P. , Mantecón A.R.
Published: November 2021

Some recent studies (Frutos et al, 1992; Giraldez et al, 1993) comparing Spanish sheep breeds have indicate possible differences between breeds in the digestive diet utilization. The aim of this study was to compare voluntary food intake and diet digestibility in three sheep breeds when offered three levels of concentrate supplementation.

A latin square trial (3x3x3) involving three sheep breeds and three levels of concentrate in three periods, with three replicates was designed. The breeds compared were Merina (39.83Â±10.05 kg live weight (LW)), Churra (44.33Â±9.86 kg LW) and Assaf (55.83Â±7.65 kg LW) and three non-productive ewes of each breed were used. All animals were divided into three groups of three animals (one ewe per breed) and housed in individual pens with free access to water and mineral blocks.
Influence of weaning on carcass, fatty acid composition and meat quality in intensive lamb production systems
Authors: Sanudo C. , Sierra I. , Olleta J.L. , Martin L. , Campo M. , Santaolaria P. , Wood J.D. , Nute G.R.
Published: November 2021

In Mediterranean countries weaning is an important decision both in meat and milk production systems. In previous work, using the Lacaune milk breed, unweaned lambs produced meat of better eating quality. In this study our aim was to determine the effect of weaning on carcass, meat and fat quality in a breed with a smaller milk production and in animals with free access to concentrate practically from birth.
The effect of management history and time of mating on ovulation and lambing rates in mule ewes
Authors: Mitchell Linda M , King Margaret E , Aitken R.P. , Wallace Jacqueline M
Published: November 2021

There is increasing interest in the development of later lambing systems for crossbred ewes which more closely match ewe nutritional requirements with herbage growth (Stone, 1988; Mitchell, 1990). It has long been recognised however that at extremes of the natural breeding season fecundity is reduced, a possible consequence of seasonal variations in ovulation rate, fertilisation and/or embryo survival (Hammond, 1944). Daylength is the factor which entrains the endogenous rhythm of reproduction in sheep (Donovan, O’Callaghan, Karsh, Boland and Roche, 1992) and daylength changes per se may be responsible for variations in reproductive response throughout the breeding season. Associated environmental and management factors may also be of importance. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of management history and month of mating on ovulation and lambing rates in Mule ewes.
Timing of parturition in intensively managed ewes
Authors: Mitchell Linda M
Published: November 2021

Many shepherds hold the view that the majority of lambings occur at night, particularly in the period just before dawn. Systematic studies of the timing of parturition in extensively managed ewes demonstrate a circadian pattern but reports differ with regard to the timing of peak incidence. Wallace (1949) found that peak incidence occurred between 00.00 and 04.00 hours confirming the traditional view. However George (1969) found that peak incidence for Dorset Horn ewes occurred during daylight hours.

Under intensive management ewes are typically housed in artificially illuminated pens for the entire lambing period and are under continual observation. The objective of the present study was to investigate diurnal variations in the timing of parturition in ewes under such conditions.
Decreased methane production and altered fermentation in response to the addition of fumaric acid to the rumen simulation technique (rusitec)
Authors: López S. , ValdÃ©s C. , Newbold C.J. , Wallace R.J.
Published: November 2021

Methanogenesis is the main means of disposal of hydrogen in the rumen. Its formation represents a substantial loss of energy to the animal, and it is also the main source of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture (Moss, 1993). Inhibition of methane production by ruminants would therefore have significant econimic and environmental benefits.

One possible way to decrease methane formation in the rumen is to promote alternative metabolic pathways to dispose of the reducing power, competing with methanogenesis for the hydrogen uptake. Methane production by mixed rumen bacteria was decreased for short periods in vitro when fumarate was added to the medium (Demeyer & Henderickx, 1967). Fumarate is a metabolic precursor of propionate, and it is reduced to succinate by fumarate reductase. In the present experiment longer-term effects of fumarate supplementation on methane production were investigated by the rumen simulation technique (Rusitec).
To test the repeatability of a gas production method for assessing the in vitro fermentation of forages using micro-organisms derived from a rumen simulation technique (rusitec) or from sheep rumen liquor
Authors: Barbi J H T , Owen E , Theodorou M K
Published: November 2021

When forage in vitro digestibilities are determined on different occasions, they can be different and this is generally related to differences in rumen liquor from which the microbial inoculum was obtained. Experiment 1 of the present study, using rumen liquor only, investigated whether fermentation kinetics of forages as determined by in vitro gas production assays (Theodorou et al, 1994) made on different occasions are repeatable. It was argued that kinetics of fermentation were likely to be more sensitive to quality of rumen micro-organisms than digestibility assessment.

In previous experiments (Barbi et al, 1993, 1994a 1994b) to minimize the reliance on fistulated animals in feed evaluation, RUSITEC fluid was used to replace strained rumen liquor as the inoculum for the gas production method (PTT) of Theodorou et al (1994). Experiment 2 investigated whether the day-to-day repeatability of gas production assays using RUSITEC fluid was comparable to that using sheep rumen liquor.
Indigestible dry matter as internal marker to estimate digestibility in grazing sheep
Authors: Villalbal M. D. , Castro T. , Mantecón A.R. , Manso T. , Riesgo M. , salazar I.
Published: November 2021

The use of Indigestible Dry Matter (IDM) has been proposed to be used as internal marker to estimate digestibility (Milne, 1977, Kotb and Luckey, 1972), but information of reliability of this marker is limited.

The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of sward height and sampling period on Dry-Matter Digestibility of pasture (DMD), using IDM as internal marker.
Relationship between urinary purine derivative excretion and milk protein yield by dairy cows
Authors: Dewhurst R.J. , Evans R.T. , Theobald V.J. , Neville M.A. , Miles S. , McAllan A.B.
Published: November 2021

The ability to predict microbial protein yield in any feeding situation is important in maximising the utilisation of feed nitrogen since it will guide decisions as to whether to take steps to improve rumen function or provide supplementary undegradable protein (UDP). The UK Metabolisable Protein (MP) system (Agricultural and Food Research Council, 1992) predicts the yield of microbial protein from the rumen according to the supply of Fermentable Metabolisable Energy (FME). This has led to an improved understanding of responses seen on farms, though there remains uncertainty about microbial protein yield. The excretion of purine derivatives (PD), allantoin and uric acid, in urine has been used as a non-invasive index of microbial protein flow to the duodenum (Chen et al, 1990) and might form the basis of an on-farm diagnostic test. In earlier work, with spot sampling of urine (Dewhurst et al, 1994), we have shown a relationship between milk protein yield and urinary PD excretion; the current work extended these studies by utilising 6-day total collections of urine.
Accuracy of conversion of sire evaluations to united kingdom (uk) predicted transmitting ability (pta) equivalents (holstein friesian)
Authors: Winters M.S. , Swanson G.J.T. , Mrode R.A.
Published: November 2021

The International Dairy Cattle breeding industry characterises itself by ever increasing competition between countries. Frozen semen and embryos are easily transportable, providing breeders with access to bulls from almost anywhere in the world. Problems arise from the fact that each country produces genetic evaluations with different units, different expressions of genetic merit and different genetic bases. Without some means of standardisation it is very difficult to make the correct selection decisions.

Procedures have been recommended and described by the International Bull Evaluation Service (INTERBULL) to convert foreign genetic evaluations to the genetic equivalents in the importing country (Philipsson et al. 1986). Previous research carried out in the UK has shown that converting foreign proofs to Improved Contemporary Comparisons (ICCs) worked well for Canada and New Zealand (Swanson et al, 1989). The change in the evaluation systems in the UK and elsewhere, to an Individual Animal Model, plus the availability of more data from more countries, were reasons to re-look at the accuracy with which the current conversion method predicts the actual PTA for milk, fat and protein within the UK.
The development of a markov chain model for the potential effects of embryo transfer on milk production in commercial dairy herds
Authors: Yates C. M. , Rehman T. , Chamberlain A. T.
Published: November 2021

There are now a range of new reproductive technologies which are actually or potentially available for use in commercial dairy cows. To obtain an economic assessment of adopting the use of such new technologies, the effects of the technology adoption on milk production resulting from genetic lift, generic gain and the conception rate have to be estimated. This paper demonstrates a Markov chain model which allows die estimation of these effects by considering the change in physiological state of individual cows and the genetic improvement through me use of embryo transfer to produce replacement heifers.
A linear programme appproach to optimise the new reproductive technologies in commercial dairy herds to maximise net returns
Authors: Yates C. M. , Rehman T. , Chamberlain A. T.
Published: November 2021

In Britain a range of new reproductive technologies for increasing annual milk yield through the genetic improvement of the herd or for improving the quality of beef calves produced are becoming available to the dairy industry or at a ‘near market’ state of development. Simulation models evaluating the potential physical and economic consequences of adopting a single technology into a dairy enterprise have been constructed (Yates, Rehman, and Chamberlain, 1995a and 1995b), however, these models rely upon predetermined strategies and do not take into account the potential of using several technologies simultaneously. This paper demonstrates a Markovian decision process which allows the choice of several technologies in determining optimal breeding strategy in economic terms by using a linear programme.
Comparison of calorimetry and comparative slaughter for estimating energy retention and kf by young steers
Authors: Sanderson R , Dhanoa M S , Thomas C , Beever D E
Published: November 2021

Where indirect calorimetry and slaughter techniques have been compared previously (eg: Geay, 1984; Beever et al, 1988) estimates of energy retention have tended to be greater from calorimetry than from slaughter studies. However, in most instances each technique was applied to a different group of animal and over only a limited range in energy retention. The aim of this work was to examine the difference between estimates of energy retention obtained using a direct technique (comparative slaughter) (ERs) and an indirect technique (open circuit respiration calorimetry) (ERc) applied to the same group of animals and over a relatively wide range of energy retentions.
Effects of tannic acid, ellagic acid, gallic acid and catechin on cellulose degradation by the rumen fungus neocallimastix frontalis strain rel
Authors: Muhammed Samira , Stewart Colin S. , Acamovic Thomas
Published: November 2021

The ingestion of tannins and other polyphenols by ruminants can adversely affect the growth and fibre-digesting activities of the rumen microorganisms (Muhammed et al. 1994). However, components of rumen liquor such as preformed monomers (amino acids, purines and pyrimidines) and other nutrients may protect the microorganisms, by providing nutritional conditions optimal for growth and energy metabolism. Rumen liquor also contains plant proteins, to which phenolic substances may bind preferentially. The influence of some polyphenols on the degradation of cellulose by the anaerobic fungus Neocallimastix frontalis strain RE1 has been studied in two nutrient media considered to embrace the range of nutritional conditions that may occur in the rumen at different times. The media used were medium M2 of Hobson (1969) which contains rumen fluid casein hydrolysate and yeast extract, and the medium of Hungate and Stack (1982) (medium HS) which is chemically defined and in particular lacks protein hydrolysate and rumen fluid. Whatman no. 1 filter paper cellulose (30 mg) was the growth substrate. Filter-sterilized solutions of tannic acid (dissolved in dist. H20) or ellagic acid, gallic acid or catechin (dissolved in dimethylsulphoxide, DMSO) were added to the media (10 ml) prior to inoculation with strain REl (approx. 104 zoospores) and incubation for 5 d at 38Â°C. Separate control incubations were performed with the 2 solvents (H20 and DMSO) used. The compounds tested were more inhibitory towards fungi grown in the defined medium (HS) than in the rumen fluid-containing medium M2 (Table 1). Thus tannic acid reduced cellulolysis to around 50 % of the relevant control values at a concentration of approx. 0.1 mM in HS, and 0.8 mM in M2. Corresponding values for ellagic acid were 0.15 mM and 0.5 mM, for gallic acid 0.25 mM and >3.6 mM and for catechin 0.15 mM and >2.4 mM respectively. It seems that these phenolic compounds are potent inhibitors of cellulolysis by Neocallimastix by mechanisms yet to be elucidated. It also appears that proteinaceous media reduce the inhibitory effects, suggesting that interactions occur between the proteins in the medium and the test compounds. It seems that in the rumen, dietary proteins and/or peptides may partly protect the fungi from the effects of polyphenolics as seen here in vitro.
Development of feedingstuffs evaluation systems in iran
Authors: Rouzbehan Y , Chashnidel Y , Nik-khah A
Published: November 2021

In order to increase the animal production such as meat, milk and wool, it is vital to relate information on the nutritional characteristics of feed available with the requirements for nutrients according to the purpose and rate of productivity of the animals in question. In the industrialised countries, this information has been incorporated in tables of “Feeding Standards” which interpret chemical analyses of feed resources in terms of their capacity to supply the energy, protein, vitamins and minerals required for the particular productive purpose. However, in Iran,due to the lack of such tables, researchers have had no alternative but to use the mentioned “Feeding Standards” tables for their research work. This had led to little improvement in animal production in Iran since the tables mentioned have been made to meet the Industrialised countries conditions such as resources and environment. Additionally, in Iran where low-quality roughages are the main component of the ruminants diet, it is essential that feed evaluation systems are developed to take this into account. An example of this, although urea/ammonia treatment has been adopted in some areas, there is no up-to-dated methods to investigate by how much nutritive value is increased. Therefore, the nutritive value of some selected Iranian feedstuffs, barley grain (BG), alfalfa (AA), wheat straw (WS), ammoniated wheat straw (TWS) was assessed by chemical analysis, digestion and degradation studies.
Effect of ammonia treatment of straw on rumen environmental conditions affecting fibre degradation
Authors: Fondevila M. , MuÃ±oz G. , Barrios A. , Castrillo C.
Published: November 2021

The increase in rumen digestion of cereal straw by its treatment with anhydrous ammonia has been commonly explained by a chemical action on plant cell wall structure, increasing its solubility and potential degradability, and by an enhancement of microbial access to degradable cell wall. However, although some authors (Kolankaya et al., 1985; Balcells et al., 1993) have also reported an increase in rumen microbial synthesis and activity by treating straw with ammonia, Fondevila et al. (1993) did not observed a higher rumen degradation in sheep given ammonia-treated straw compared with untreated straw. This work was conducted to study straw cell wall degradation and the possible differences on rumen fermentation characteristics induced by ammoniation of dietary straw.
Effect of phytase supplementation of diets containing rice bran on growth performance and bone characteristics in broiler chickens
Authors: Aboosadi M.A. , Scaife J R , Murray I , Bedford M
Published: November 2021

Reduced growth rates and calcium retention have been reported in poultry fed diets containing more than 20% rice bran (Warren and Farrell, 1990,1991). Rice bran contains significant quantities of phytate (approx 57.7g/kg) which binds to bivalent elements and may contribute to the adverse effects on growth performance in birds fed diets containing rice bran. Enzymatic degradation of phytate in rice bran may reduce the antinutitional effect of phytate and improve the availability of phosphorus and other bivalent elements. A study was conducted to examine the effects of phytase supplementation of rice bran based diets on broiler growth performance and bone mineralisation.
Whole rapeseed in pig finishing diets - effects on carcase and meat quality
Authors: Matthews K R , Homer D B
Published: November 2021

Whole rapeseed can be used to provide energy economically in pig finishing diets. There has been concern that the unsaturated nature of the oil can give rise to adverse effects on fat firmness, visual appeal and eating quality of pork. Danish workers, for example, have recommended inclusion at no more than 4% of finishing rations (Madsen et al, 1992). MLC's Blueprint for Pork (MLC, 1992) limits whole rapeseed to between 4 and 5% of the diet due to its restriction on total oil content to 3.5%.

A trial was designed to establish whether any carcase or sensory quality differences result from inclusion of 5 or 10% whole rapeseed in pig diets.
Comparison of factors affecting the tenderness of pigmeat
Authors: Wood J.D. , Brown S.N. , Whittington F.M. , Perry A.M. , Johnson S.P.
Published: November 2021

Tenderness is probably the most important aspect of eating quality in pigmeat although recent industry trends towards leaner carcasses and faster processing times may have tended to reduce it. Two major biological characteristics affecting tenderness are the concentration of intramuscular lipid (marbling fat) and the activity of proteolytic enzymes. This study has compared different levels of three factors which are known to affect these characteristics i.e. breed, feeding level and meat conditioning time. The aim was to contrast production and processing effects on tenderness and provide more information on how it can be controlled.
A comparison of single and group farrowing/lactation paddocks for first parity sows in an outdoor system
Authors: Head A. , English P.R. , Roden J.A. , McPherson O. , Xalabarder A.
Published: November 2021

In outdoor systems the conventional practice is to have due-to-farrow sows in small groups with one farrowing/ lactation hut per sow. A problem sometimes encountered with first parity animals is that 2 gilts share the same hut both at farrowing and later in lactation with consequent adverse effects on the survival and growth of piglets. A controlled comparison was therefore conducted with gilts in either single or group paddocks from parturition to weaning.