bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Boron clusters (ferrabisdicarbollides) shaping the future as radiosensitizers for multimodal (chemo/radio/PBFR) therapy of glioblastoma
Authors: Nuez-Martínez Miquel , Queralt-Martín María , Muñoz-Juan Amanda , Aguilella Vicente M. , Laromaine Anna , Teixidor Francesc , Viñas Clara , Pinto Catarina G. , Pinheiro Teresa , Guerreiro Joana F. , Mendes Filipa , Roma-Rodrigues Catarina , Baptista Pedro V. , Fernandes Alexandra R. , Valic Srecko , Marques Fernanda
Published: October 2022

The cellular damage response induced by γ-rays, X-rays and proton beams suggest these type of radiations are promising therapeutic modalities against resistant glioblastoma tumours when combined to stable metallacarboranes as radiosensitizers and PBFR.
Advances in microRNA from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome: focusing on wound healing
Authors: Ma Jiahui , Yong Ling , Lei Pengyu , Li Hua , Fang Yimeng , Wang Lei , Chen Haojie , Zhou Qi , Wu Wei , Jin Libo , Sun Da , Zhang Xingxing
Published: October 2022

ADMSC-Exo-miRNAs as therapeutic strategies for wound healing.
Brute force determination of the optimum pore sizes for CO2 uptake in turbostratic carbons
Authors: Blankenship L. Scott , Albeladi Nawaf , Alkhaldi Thria , Madkhali Asma , Mokaya Robert
Published: October 2022

The relationship between porosity within a given pore size range, and uptake of CO2 as a function of pressure.
Distributed remote antenna unit with selection‐based of (RoF‐IoT) paradigm: Performance improvement
Authors: Ahmad Shakir Salman , Al‐Raweshidy Hamed , Alkhayyat Ahmed
Published: October 2022

Mixing the wireless medium with fiber optics can form a new communication system called a radio‐over‐fiber (RoF) network; it is a promising solution that can provide high bandwidth and a reliable connection between numerous sensors in wireless sensor networks (WSN) and the central office (base station) within a particular area. This paper first design and discusses new paradigms of fire detection in the IoT environment using RoF technology. Second, this paper covers the distribution of remote antenna unit (DRAU) architecture within RoF‐IoT. Finally, best remote antennas unit selection (BRAUS) of distributed RAUs architecture protocols utilizing new selection metrics is proposed. Two important metrics have been analysed and mathematically modelled, outage probability and bandwidth efficiency, respectively. Both metrics have been analysed as a function of the distance, number of RAUs, fiber optic attenuation, and path loss factor. Based on the simulation and numerical analysis, the outage probability of proposed protocols is reduced by 65% compared to recent work; in addition, the bandwidth efficiency of the proposed protocol is increased by 34% compared to recent work.
Distributed massive UAV jamming optimization algorithm with artificial bee colony
Authors: Chen Peilin , Li Haobo , Ma Lejing
Published: October 2022

With the massive application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in disaster relief, fire protection, security and other fields, jamming countermeasures to UAVs in airports and competition venues have become the core link of security in high‐level matches and important places. The existing jamming sources are mainly single point jamming. Due to the shielding of buildings, it is impossible to fully cover the venue, and the existing suppressed jamming will affect the communication broadcasting. Here, a distributed optimal jamming method for massive UAVs is proposed. Through the identification and positioning of massive UAVs, using the location information of distributed jamming sources, the UAV jamming architecture based on satellite navigation is constructed. Combined with tabu search artificial bee colony theory, the distributed optimal jamming of UAVs is realized, which solves the problems of few jamming targets, slow speed and low success rate of the existing optimal jamming methods. The proposed method is compared with the existing methods in three aspects: communication frequency, jamming trajectory deviation and optimization speed. The simulation results show that the proposed method effectively improves the jamming success rate and jamming speed and can meet the application requirements of massive UAV jamming in the region.
Pose‐driven human activity anomaly detection in a CCTV‐like environment
Authors: Yang Yuxing , Angelini Federico , Naqvi Syed Mohsen
Published: October 2022

Human activity anomaly detection plays a crucial role in the next generation of surveillance and assisted living systems. Most anomaly detection algorithms are generative models and learn features from raw images. This work shows that popular state‐of‐the‐art autoencoder‐based anomaly detection systems are not capable of effectively detecting human‐posture and object‐positions related anomalies. Therefore, a human pose‐driven and object‐detector‐based deep learning architecture is proposed, which simultaneously leverages human poses and raw RGB data to perform human activity anomaly detection. It is demonstrated that pose‐driven learning overcomes the raw RGB based counterpart limitations in different human activities classification. Extensive validation is provided by using popular datasets. Then, it is demonstrated that with the aid of object detection, the human activities classification can be effectively used in human activity anomaly detection. Moreover, novel challenging datasets, that is, BMbD, M‐BMbD and JBMOPbD, are proposed for single and multi‐target human posture anomaly detection and joint human posture and object position anomaly detection evaluations.
Spatio‐temporal adaptive graph convolutional networks for traffic flow forecasting
Authors: Ma Qiwei , Sun Wei , Gao Junbo , Ma Pengwei , Shi Mengjie
Published: October 2022

Accurate forecasting of traffic flow is crucial for intelligent traffic control and guidance. It is very challenging to forecast the traffic flow due to the high non‐linearity, complexity and dynamicity of the data. Most existing forecasting methods focus on designing complicated graph neural network architectures to capture the spatio‐temporal features of traffic data with the help of predefined graphs. However, traffic data exhibit a strong spatial dependency, which means that there are often complex correlations between nodes in a road network topology graph. Moreover, the spatial correlations of the road network change over time. To capture the properties of the road network topology graph, a novel spatio‐temporal adaptive graph convolutional networks model (STAGCN) based on deep learning is proposed. Utilize adaptive graph generation block to capture the static and dynamic structures of the traffic road network respectively, and they are integrated to construct an adaptive road network topology graph. Then the spatio‐temporal features of the traffic data are captured using spatio‐temporal convolution blocks. Experiments were conducted on publicly available traffic datasets for freeway traffic in California, USA, and the results showed that the prediction accuracy of the STAGCN model outperformed multiple baseline methods.
The configuration effect of flapping foils for energy harvesting
Authors: Zheng Min , Bai Yalei
Published: October 2022

The configuration of multiple flapping foils is studied via numerical simulations. We comprehensively consider the effects of the streamwise distance, vertical spacing, and phase difference on the energy harvesting performance of flapping foils. We divide flapping foil configurations into three categories: tandem, unaligned, and parallel. The foil tandem configuration is optimal for multiple foils if using the existing efficiency formula. However, tandem configurations expand the diffusion range of the wake turbulence. Wake diffusion has a critical effect on multiple foil configurations, and the utilization of the vertical spacing has been neglected. Here, the effective angle of attack and the effective velocity are proposed based on multiple flapping foils, which can well predict various rules of the lift coefficient and guide studies on the optimal configuration of multiple foils. The optimal phase difference for the simple parallel configuration system is 135°, and the energy harvesting efficiency of parallel foils decreases with increasing vertical spacing. The stepwise configuration maximizes the utilization of the vertical spacing, making it optimal for practical engineering applications. The stepwise configuration not only recycles the wake of the upstream foils but also utilizes it to enhance energy harvesting from flapping turbines. In the multiple foil configurations, the energy harvesting efficiency of the downstream foil over the upstream foil is achieved for the first time using a stepwise configuration.
Influence of the interaction of capillary waves on the dynamics of two drops falling side-by-side on a liquid pool
Authors: Kirar Pavan Kumar , Pokale Sumedha D. , Sahu Kirti Chandra , Ray Bahni , Biswas Gautam
Published: October 2022

We experimentally examine the coalescence dynamics of two ethanol drops of equal and unequal size, impacting a deep ethanol pool at low impact velocity using a high-speed shadowgraph. By altering the separation distance between the drops and their size ratios, different coalescence outcomes, such as total coalescence, interacting partial coalescence, and non-interacting partial coalescence, have been observed. Two distinct dynamics have been identified, namely, (i) when the primary drops coalesce first before the resulting conglomerate coalesces into the liquid pool and (ii) when the drops coalesce in the liquid pool separately, resulting in capillary waves interaction and affecting the coalescence outcomes. We also observe another fascinating phenomenon for certain parameters as the satellite drops coalesce as they ascend from the liquid pool. It is found that the coalescence time delay between the drops influences the size of the secondary drops by changing the dynamics from the interacting to non-interacting partial coalescence behavior at the coalescence time delay of 1.31. Our results also indicate that when the normalized separation distance between the dispensing needles is greater than 3.2, the capillary waves produced from both the drops do not interact, and the drops exhibit a usual partial coalescence like two single individual drops.
Microfluidically fabricated fibers containing pancreatic islets and mesenchymal stromal cells improve longevity and sustained normoglycemia in diabetic rats
Authors: Navaei-Nigjeh Mona , Mirzababaei Soheyl , Ghiass Mohammad Adel , Roshanbinfar Kaveh , Gholami Mahdi , Abdollahi Mohammad
Published: October 2022

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune disease characterized by the loss of pancreatic islet β cells. Insulin injections and pancreas transplants are currently available therapies. The former requires daily insulin injections, while the latter is constrained by donor organ availability. Islet transplantation is a promising alternative treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus that may overcome the limitations of previous techniques. Two challenges, however, must be addressed: limited cell retention as a result of the immune response and limited function of the transplanted cells that survive. To address these problems, we developed a microfluidic technology for a one-step generation of islet-laden fibers to protect them from the immune response. This approach enables continuous generation of microfibers with a diameter suitable for islet encapsulation (275 µm). We, then, transplanted islet-laden fibers into diabetic Wistar rats. While islet-laden fibers alone were unable to restore normoglycemia in diabetic rats, adding mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) restored normoglycemia for an extended time. It increased the animals’ lifespan by up to 75 d. Additionally, it improved the glucose-stimulated response of islets to the point where there was no significant difference between the treatment group and the healthy animals. Additionally, the presence of MSCs suppressed the immune response, as seen by decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α. Taken together, these fibers including islet and MSCs provide a versatile platform for concurrently improving cell preservation and functioning following in vivo transplantation.
Facile molten salt synthesis of carbon-anchored TiN nanoparticles for durable high-rate lithium-ion battery anodes
Authors: Liu Ruijia , Li Na , Zhao Enyue , Zhao Jinkui , Yang Lingxu , Wang Wenjun , Liu Huijun , Zeng Chaoliu
Published: October 2022

Transition metal nitrides (TMNs), including titanium nitride (TiN), exhibit remarkable application prospects as anodes for durable high-rate lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Regrettably, the absence of simple synthesis methods restricts their further development. Herein, a facile and low-cost molten salt synthesis strategy was proposed to prepare carbon-anchored TiN nanoparticles as an advanced anode material for LIBs with high rate capabilities. This nanosized TiN obtained is ∼5 nm in size and well-distributed onto carbon plates, which could release a reversible capacity of ∼381.5 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 after 250 cycles and ∼141.5 mAh g−1 at 1.0 A g−1 after 1000 cycles. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the conversion reaction between TiN and Li-ions happened during the electrochemical reaction process, resulting in the formation of Li3N and Ti. This unique microstructure attributed from TiN nanoparticles anchored by carbon could support the structural volume during cycling. This work highlights the method superiority of TiN prepared via a molten salt synthesis strategy as an anode for LIBs with impressive rate performances.
OmicsEV: a tool for comprehensive quality evaluation of omics data tables
Authors: Wen Bo , Jaehnig Eric J , Zhang Bing
Published: October 2022

RNA-Seq and mass spectrometry-based studies generate omics data tables with measurements for tens of thousands of genes across all samples in a study. The success of a study relies on the quality of these data tables, which is determined by both experimental data generation and computational methods used to process raw experimental data into quantitative data tables. We present OmicsEV, an R package for the quality evaluation of omics data tables. For each data table, OmicsEV uses a series of methods to evaluate data depth, data normalization, batch effect, biological signal, platform reproducibility and multi-omics concordance, producing comprehensive visual and quantitative evaluation results that help assess the data quality of individual data tables and facilitate the identification of the optimal data processing method and parameters for the omics study under investigation.

Availability and implementation

The source code and the user manual of OmicsEV are available at https://github.com/bzhanglab/OmicsEV, and the source code is released under the GPL-3 license.
A phylogenetic analysis of two preludes from  J. S. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier II
Authors: Windram Heather F , Charlston Terence , Tomita Yo , Howe Christopher J
Published: October 2022

J. S. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier II is well known for the complexity of its source situation, and its vast array of variant readings. The current article uses techniques of phylogenetic analysis, developed in the biological sciences, to deepen our understanding of the complex relationships between the primary sources. The computer algorithm NeighborNet is used to analyse data comprising the textual variants for the Prelude in A, bwv888 and the Prelude in C, bwv870. The resultant grouping of sources reflects the differences in revision practice between the two preludes. While Bach saw little need to revise the Prelude in A, the Prelude in C underwent a process of continued revision that can be discerned in the results of the phylogenetic analysis. The analyses also highlight the uncertain relationship of the manuscript DD70 with the other sources of the Prelude in C and the implications for 18th-century performance practice.
Echoes behaving badly? Rhetorical and acoustic experimentalism in the echo fantasias of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck and his contemporaries
Authors: Ferraguto Mark
Published: October 2022

The 17th-century ‘echo fantasia’ for keyboard has long posed problems of classification and attribution. This article focuses on a particularly problematic example of the genre, the Echo Fantasia in d attributed to Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (d4). Once expurgated from the Sweelinck canon, d4 differs substantially from its compatriots, most notably in its erratic echo scheme in which some echoes are marked louder than their antecedents, and others take the shape of improvisatory variants. Viewing d4 from a wider perspective, this article positions the echo fantasia at the intersection of early 17th-century rhetorical and acoustic experimentalism. On the one hand, literary portrayals of the figure of Echo relied on rhetorical devices—such as anadiplosis—that also characterize d4. On the other hand, d4’s misbehaving echoes evoke the playful experimentalism of early scientists investigating echoes, including Francis Bacon, Isaac Beeckman and Marin Mersenne. Akin to a miniature musical laboratory, the echo fantasia was a genre in which the strangest echo effects could be replicated at the organ.
A review of yeast: High cell-density culture, molecular mechanisms of stress response and tolerance during fermentation
Authors: Shen Dongxu , He Xiaoli , Weng Peifang , Liu Yanan , Wu Zufang
Published: October 2022

Yeast is widely used in the fermentation industry, and the major challenges in fermentation production system are high capital cost and low reaction rate. High cell-density culture is an effective method to increase the volumetric productivity of the fermentation process, thus making the fermentation process faster and more robust. During fermentation, yeast is subjected to various environmental stresses, including osmotic, ethanol, oxidation, and heat stress. To cope with these stresses, yeast cells need appropriate adaptive responses to acquire stress tolerances to prevent stress-induced cell damage. Since a single stressor can trigger multiple effects, both specific and nonspecific effects, general and specific stress responses are required to achieve comprehensive protection of cells. Since all these stresses disrupt protein structure, the upregulation of heat shock proteins and trehalose genes is induced when yeast cells are exposed to stress. A better understanding of the research status of yeast HCDC and its underlying response mechanism to various stresses during fermentation is essential for designing effective culture control strategies and improving the fermentation efficiency and stress resistance of yeast.
Creation of an Inflammatory Bowel Disease Referral Pathway for Identifying Patients Who Would Benefit From Inflammatory Bowel Disease Specialist Consultation
Authors: Scott Frank I , Ehrlich Orna , Wood Dallas , Viator Catherine , Rains Carrie , DiMartino Lisa , McArdle Jill , Adams Gabrielle , Barkoff Lara , Caudle Jennifer , Cheng Jianfeng , Kinnucan Jami , Persley Kimberly , Sariego Jennifer , Shah Samir , Heller Caren , Rubin David T
Published: October 2022

Background

Recommendations regarding signs and symptoms that should prompt referral of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to an IBD specialist for a consultation could serve to improve the quality of care for these patients. Our aim was to develop a consult care pathway consisting of clinical features related to IBD that should prompt appropriate consultation.

Methods

A scoping literature review was performed to identify clinical features that should prompt consultation with an IBD specialist. A panel of 11 experts was convened over 4 meetings to develop a consult care pathway using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method. Items identified via scoping review were ranked and were divided into major and minor criteria. Additionally, a literature and panel review was conducted assessing potential barriers and facilitators to implementing the consult care pathway.

Results

Of 43 features assessed, 13 were included in the care pathway as major criteria and 15 were included as minor criteria. Experts agreed that stratification into major criteria and minor criteria was appropriate and that 1 major or 2 or more minor criteria should be required to consider consultation. The greatest barrier to implementation was considered to be organizational resource allocation, while endorsements by national gastroenterology and general medicine societies were considered to be the strongest facilitator.

Conclusions

This novel referral care pathway identifies key criteria that could be used to triage patients with IBD who would benefit from IBD specialist consultation. Future research will be required to validate these findings and assess the impact of implementing this pathway in routine IBD-related care.
Laboratory signatures differentiate the tolerance to hypothermic circulatory arrest in acute type A aortic dissection surgery
Authors: Liu Hong , Qian Si-Chong , Han Lu , Dong Zhi-Qiang , Shao Yong-Feng , Li Hai-Yang , Zhang Wei , Zhang Hong-Jia
Published: October 2022

OBJECTIVES

Our goal was to investigate whether laboratory signatures on admission could be used to identify risk stratification and different tolerance to hypothermic circulatory arrest in acute type A aortic dissection surgery.

METHODS

Patients from 10 Chinese hospitals participating in the Additive Anti-inflammatory Action for Aortopathy & Arteriopathy (5A) study were randomly divided into derivation and validation cohorts at a ratio of 7:3 to develop and validate a simple risk score model using preoperative variables associated with in-hospital mortality using multivariable logistic regression. The performance of the model was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Subgroup analyses were performed to investigate whether the laboratory signature-based risk stratification could differentiate the tolerance to hypothermic circulatory arrest.

RESULTS

There were 1443 patients and 954 patients in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed the associations of older age, larger body mass index, lower platelet–neutrophile ratio, higher lymphocyte–monocyte ratio, higher D-dimer, lower fibrinogen and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate with in-hospital death, incorporated to develop a simple risk model (5A laboratory risk score), with an area under the receiver operating characteristic of 0.736 (95% confidence interval 0.700–0.771) and 0.715 (95% CI 0.681–0.750) in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. Patients at low risk were more tolerant to hypothermic circulatory arrest than those at middle to high risk in terms of in-hospital mortality [odds ratio 1.814 (0.222–14.846); odds ratio 1.824 (1.137–2.926) (P = 0.996)].

CONCLUSIONS

The 5A laboratory-based risk score model reflecting inflammatory, immune, coagulation and metabolic pathways provided adequate discrimination performances in in-hospital mortality prediction, which contributed to differentiating the tolerance to hypothermic circulatory arrest in acute type A aortic dissection surgery.

Clinical Trials. gov number NCT04918108
Waning of first- and second-dose ChAdOx1 and BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccinations: a pooled target trial study of 12.9 million individuals in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Authors: Kerr Steven , Bedston Stuart , Bradley Declan T , Joy Mark , Lowthian Emily , Mulholland Rachel M , Akbari Ashley , Hobbs F D Richard , Katikireddi Srinivasa Vittal , de Lusignan Simon , Rudan Igor , Torabi Fatemeh , Tsang Ruby S M , Lyons Ronan A , Robertson Chris , Sheikh Aziz
Published: October 2022

Background

Several SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been shown to provide protection against COVID-19 hospitalization and death. However, some evidence suggests that notable waning in effectiveness against these outcomes occurs within months of vaccination. We undertook a pooled analysis across the four nations of the UK to investigate waning in vaccine effectiveness (VE) and relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE) against severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Methods

We carried out a target trial design for first/second doses of ChAdOx1(Oxford–AstraZeneca) and BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech) with a composite outcome of COVID-19 hospitalization or death over the period 8 December 2020 to 30 June 2021. Exposure groups were matched by age, local authority area and propensity for vaccination. We pooled event counts across the four UK nations.

Results

For Doses 1 and 2 of ChAdOx1 and Dose 1 of BNT162b2, VE/rVE reached zero by approximately Days 60–80 and then went negative. By Day 70, VE/rVE was –25% (95% CI: –80 to 14) and 10% (95% CI: –32 to 39) for Doses 1 and 2 of ChAdOx1, respectively, and 42% (95% CI: 9 to 64) and 53% (95% CI: 26 to 70) for Doses 1 and 2 of BNT162b2, respectively. rVE for Dose 2 of BNT162b2 remained above zero throughout and reached 46% (95% CI: 13 to 67) after 98 days of follow-up.

Conclusions

We found strong evidence of waning in VE/rVE for Doses 1 and 2 of ChAdOx1, as well as Dose 1 of BNT162b2. This evidence may be used to inform policies on timings of additional doses of vaccine.
75 Novel Approaches to Characterize Beef Color Changes
Authors: Ramanathan Ranjith , Piao Daqing , Krishnan Sadagopan , Mafi Gretchen G
Published: October 2022

Visual perceptions play an important role in beef purchasing decisions. Any color deviation making beef unacceptable leads to monetary loss and wastage of animal protein. Myoglobin is the primary sarcoplasmic protein responsible for beef color. Myoglobin in beef can exist in three different forms, namely deoxymyoglobin, oxymyoglobin, and metmyoglobin. Depending on oxygen penetration, a thin bright-red layer revealing freshness extends from the surface to the interior. The discoloration is dependent on oxygen partial pressure, and it starts from the interior and extends to the surface. Meat may have a bright red color on the surface, but the metmyoglobin layer starts migrating from the interior, where oxygen partial pressure is between 1-3% interference. During early post-harvest (up to 14days), beef can limit discoloration by the mechanism of inherent metmyoglobin reducing capacity (metmyoglobin formed will be reduced back to deoxymyoglobin and allow oxygen to bind to form bright-red color). The currently used spectrophotometric methods quantify the surface color due to shallow penetration of the myoglobin-probed light associated with the surface-applicator configuration. This presentation will discuss two novel approaches to quantity meat color. First, a novel in-house near-infrared-based needle-probe spectrophotometer was designed to assess interior meat color changes. This approach will help differentiate surface and interior meat color changes. In the second approach, electrochemical sensing will help understand the metmyoglobin reducing capacity of meat. These novel techniques demonstrate the potential to characterize color changes for minimizing losses due to discoloration.
266 Bentley Lecture: Feeding and Management of Gilts to Maximize Lactation Performance
Authors: Farmer Chantal
Published: October 2022

This presentation will provide an overview of nutritional and management strategies that can be used in gilts to maximize their future milking potential. Increasing sow milk yield is most critical because of the current use of hyperprolific sow lines. One important factor affecting milk yield that is often overlooked is mammary development. In swine, there are three periods of rapid mammary development, namely, from 3months of age until puberty, from 90days of gestation until farrowing, and during lactation. It is only during these periods that one can attempt to stimulate mammary development. From 90days of age until puberty, a 20% feed restriction drastically reduces mammary tissue mass whereas decreasing dietary crude protein from 18.7% to 14.4% has no effect on mammary development, and feeding the phytoestrogen genistein increases mammary cell number. During late gestation, feeding very high energy levels (10.5 Mcal ME/d) may have detrimental effects on mammary development and subsequent milk production. On the other hand, increasing SID Lys intake from 18.6g/d to 26.0g/d (via the inclusion of additional soybean meal) led to a 44% greater mass of mammary parenchyma. Increasing concentrations of the growth factor IGF-1 via porcine somatotropin injections from days 90 to 110 of gestation increased mammary parenchymal weight by 22%. Feed intake throughout gestation is important to consider because it affects body condition, and gilts that are too thin (<16mm backfat thicknes) in late gestation have reduced mammary development. Management of primiparous lactating sows is also important. During the first 2days of lactation, special care should be taken to ensure that all teats are being suckled because teats that were not previously suckled will produce less milk in second parity.
85 What Does the Vaginal Lipidome Tell Us?
Authors: Stewart Kara R , Casey Theresa , Ferreria Christina
Published: October 2022

Increasing reproductive efficiency in the breeding herd is a fundamental goal of modern swine production systems that depends on a multitude of factors, some of which begin at or before birth. Of particular interest, previous research has identified a link between colostrum consumption in the first 24h of the piglet’s life with survival, growth, and fertility through adulthood. Thus, the ingestion of colostrum appears to set the developmental trajectory of health and fertility in swine. However, the mechanism that link colostrum to long-term growth, health and fertility are not fully understood. Exploratory analysis of vaginal lipidome collected from three-week-old neonates that were followed prospectively to determine fertility found infertile sows had lower levels of arachidonic acid (AHA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and a greater abundance of two very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA: cerotic and ximenic). We surmise that AHA and DHA are markers of colostrum intake as additional studies found that AHA was increased in vaginal lipidome of gilts that consumed colostrum versus being fed milk replacer. We also surmise that high levels of VLCFA in the infertile animals was indicative of a buildup of these fatty acids in the tissue, similar to individuals with peroxisomal disorders with resulting alterations in lipid homeostasis linked to infertility. Taken together, our hypothesis is that differing levels of colostrum intake stimulate differing rates of peroxisomal biogenesis in neonates which in turn affects the development of the reproductive system and long-term fertility.
8 Impact of Increasing Level of Milk Production on Cow and Calf Performance in the Nebraska Sandhills
Authors: Boerman Selby , Musgrave Jacki , Hanford Kathy , Brennan Jameson R , Stephenson Mitch , Mulliniks Travis
Published: October 2022

Selection for increased milk production across the United States has resulted in variable cow and calf productivity responses. The calf growth response variability may be due to the relationship between calf milk and forage intake, which nursing and grazing behavior may help explain. The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of increasing level of milk production on cow body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), reproductive performance, calf growth, nursing, and grazing behaviors in the Nebraska Sandhills. In a 2-yr study, data were collected on 118 mature crossbred cow-calf pairs from March- and May-calving herds. On approximately 30, 60, 90, 120, and 210 d postpartum, individual cow 24-h milk yield was estimated through weigh-suckle-weigh techniques. Cow BW and BCS were collected 14 d prior to calving, weekly from d 30 through breeding, and at weaning. Calf BW was recorded at each milking. Calf nursing and grazing behaviors were determined during 3-wk periods at EARLY (65.4 ± 10.0 d) and LATE (162 ± 22.3 d) lactation using high frequency (1 hz) global positioning system (GPS) data collected with neck collars. Milk area under the curve values were calculated to determine total milk production during lactation for each cow and all response variables were analyzed using linear regression analysis. Cow BW, BW change, and reproductive performance were not (P > 0.12) associated with total milk production, except for a tendency (P = 0.09) for lower BW at breeding with increased milk production. At weaning, cow BCS was negatively associated (P = 0.02) with increasing milk production but was not associated at any other physiological stage. Calf percent of time spent grazing was not affected (P = 0.33) by increasing dam milk production. However, percent of time nursing exhibited a tendency (P = 0.10) to decrease with increasing dam milk production. Pre-weaning calf BW was positively associated (P < 0.01) with increased milk production at each weigh date. A positive association of calf average daily gain (ADG) with increasing dam milk production was observed (P < 0.04) from birth to age 120 d with only a tendency (P = 0.09) for a positive association observed from age 120 d to weaning. However, steer ADG in the finishing phase was not associated (P = 0.63) with level of dam milk production. In this study and environmental conditions, increasing milk production had a positive increase in calf growth during the pre-weaning phase without any negative impact reproduction.
11 Evaluating Relationships Between Plasma and Liver Retinol Concentrations in the Beef Cow and Calf
Authors: Speer Hannah , Freetly Harvey , Drewnoski Mary E
Published: October 2022

In the young calf, vitamin A is particularly important for immune system maturation, and calves rely on colostrum at birth to supply vitamin A. Cow vitamin A status may influence colostral vitamin A concentrations, which can impact vitamin A status of their calves. Very little is understood about this relationship between beef cow and calf vitamin A status. Furthermore, limited data is available on how plasma and liver retinol concentrations in cattle are related to one another. The objective of this study was to examine relationships between liver and plasma retinol concentrations in the cow, calf, and within cow-calf pairs. Multiparous MARC II beef cows (n = 120; 6.4 ± 1.2 SD years of age; 592 ± 58 SD kg BW) in mid-gestation were provided supplemental vitamin A as retinyl acetate in a supplemental pellet at a rate of 21,125 ± 8,560 SD IU/d (current NASEM recommendation = 33,000 IU/d). Cows were individually fed using Calan gates a diet consisting of alfalfa hay, corn silage, and supplemental pellet for 144 d (111 d pre-calving and 32 d post-calving). Basal diet vitamin A concentration was 490 IU/kg of DM. Mean initial liver concentration of cows was 830 µg retinol/g of DM. To assess vitamin A status, liver biopsies and plasma samples were collected on cows and calves at the end of the supplemental period when calves averaged 32 ± 7 days of age (DOA). Pearson correlations were used to test for linear relationships between cow liver and plasma retinol concentrations, calf liver and plasma retinol concentrations, and liver and plasma retinol concentrations between the cow and her calf. No linear relationship (P = 0.10; r=0.16) was observed between liver and plasma retinol in cows. In the present study, mean cow liver retinol concentration (482 ± 182 SD µg/g of DM) fell within the current adequacy reference range of 300–700 µg/g of DM. Cow plasma retinol (272 ± 40 SD ng/mL) was slightly below the reference range of 300–800 ng/mL. A positive correlation (P < 0.01; r=0.37) was detected between calf liver (51 ± 27 SD µg/g of DM) and plasma (190 ± 47 ng/mL) retinol concentrations. Both were below what would be considered adequate (100–350 µg/g of DM in liver; 225–325 ng/mL in plasma) for calves at 32 DOA. There was a positive correlation (P < 0.01; r=0.31) between cow and calf liver retinol, suggesting that as cow retinol liver concentrations increased, calf liver retinol concentrations increased. It appears that despite cows having adequate liver retinol concentrations when 21,125 IU vitamin A/d was fed, it did not result in calf liver retinol stores that would be considered adequate given current reference ranges. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.
13 Supplemental Trace Minerals as Amino Acid Complexed or Inorganic Sources for Beef Cattle During the Receiving Period
Authors: Cheek Robin A , Kegley Beth B , Powell Jeremy G , Russel Jason R , Reynolds Jana L , Shoulders Benjamin P , Midkiff Kirsten A , Galloway Doug L
Published: October 2022

To investigate the effects of inorganic or amino acid-complexed sources of trace minerals (zinc, copper, manganese, and cobalt) on performance and morbidity of beef heifers during the receiving period, crossbred beef heifer calves (n = 287, initial body weight = 231 kg) arriving on 3 delivery dates were used in a 42-day receiving trial. Heifers were processed after arrival and stratified by day -1 body weights and allocated randomly to 8 pens (11 to 13 heifers/pen; total of 24 pens). Within truckload, pens were assigned randomly to dietary treatment (12 pens/treatment). Calves were housed on 0.42-ha grass paddocks, provided ad libitum access to bermudagrass hay and water, and fed grain supplements that served as the carriers of the dietary treatments. Treatments consisted of supplemental zinc (360 mg/d), copper (125 mg/d), manganese (200 mg/d), and cobalt (12 mg/d) from complexed (Availa 4, Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN) or inorganic sources (sulfates). Cattle were observed daily for clinical bovine respiratory disease (BRD). If presenting symptoms of BRD and if rectal temperature was ≥ 40°C, cattle were deemed morbid and treated with an antibiotic according to a standard preplanned protocol. Six heifers/pen were bled to determine serum haptoglobin concentrations on days 0, 14, and 28. Statistical analyses were performed using the MIXED and GLIMMIX procedures of SAS 9.4 with truckload as a random effect and pen within truckload specified as subject. There tended to be a treatment by day interaction for body weights (P = 0.07). Body weights did not differ on day 0 (P = 0.82) and day 14 (P = 0.36), but heifers supplemented with complexed trace mineral sources had greater body weights on day 28 (P = 0.04) and day 42 (P = 0.05; 264 vs. 260 kg, SE = 1.8). Overall average daily gains were greater for heifers supplemented with the complexed trace mineral sources (P = 0.05; 0.78 vs. 0.70 kg, SE = 0.03). Cattle supplemented with inorganic trace mineral sources had greater BRD morbidity incidence than cattle supplemented with complexed trace mineral sources (P = 0.03; 58 vs. 46%, SE = 3.6). Medication costs were lower for heifers supplemented with complexed trace mineral sources (P = 0.05; $11.01 vs. $14.90, SE = 1.33). Haptoglobin concentrations decreased throughout the trial (day, P < 0.001), and cattle supplemented with complexed trace mineral sources tended to have lower haptoglobin concentrations (P = 0.07). In conclusion, supplementing cattle for the first 42 days after arrival with amino acid complexed trace mineral sources improved heifer performance as compared to heifers supplemented with inorganic trace minerals.
15 Evaluating Repeatability and Scorer Differences When Assigning Feet and Legs Scores in Simmental Heifers
Authors: Zuvich Miranda L , Giess Lane K , Enns R Mark
Published: October 2022

The objective of this paper was to determine the relationship and repeatability of between-evaluator scores for claw set (CS), hoof angle (HA), and rear leg side view (RSV). Repeatability of feet and legs scoring has implications on scorer bias and subsequently on the estimation of genetic parameters, expected progeny differences (EPD), and accuracy. Data were collected on 112 13-15-month-old Simmental heifers by 4 evaluators, where scorer 1 (S1) was a trained and experienced evaluator and subsequently trained scorers 2 (S2), 3 (S3), and 4 (S4) for approximately 20 minutes before all 4 evaluators sequentially scored every female at the same time. Training was conducted using feet and leg rubrics provided by the American Simmental Association (ASA) on a 1-9 scale, with 5 being optimum for each trait. Scorers were provided an online evaluation instrument, requiring responses for each evaluator for each animal, and included identification, CS, HA, and RSV. Pearson correlations were computed pairwise, with each new scorer compared to the trained scorer. For partial linear regression, the three new evaluators were fit individually to S1. Pearson correlation values ranged from 0.088 to 0.397. The correlation between S1 and S3 was the strongest for all traits. The weakest correlation of 0.088 was in rear leg side view between S1 and S2. Partial linear regression adjusted R-squared values ranged from 0.00 to 0.15. The correlation between S1 and S3 was the strongest for all traits. The weakest correlation of 0.00 was in rear leg side view between S1 and S2. The correlations between S1 and S2 was significant for CS and HA (P = 0.002, P = 0.039), but not for RSV (P = 0.355). The correlation between S1 and S3 was significant for CS, HA, and RSV [P = 1.5x10^(-5), P = 0.006, P = 0.02]. The correlation between S1 and S4 was not significant for CS, HA, and RSV (P = 0.276, P = 0.085, P = 0.223). Overall, the scores had weak correlations, which illustrates the differences in variability across scorers. The weak correlation also illustrates the need for more robust and intensive training of evaluators. Overall, while the scores are not highly correlated between evaluators, scorer bias should not affect estimation of genetic parameters long as each contemporary group is scored by one evaluator.
21 Young Scholar Talk PHD: Effects of Pre-Transportation Feeding Program on Intake, Body Weight Loss, Rumen Fermentation, and Physiological Responses of Receiving Feedlot Cattle
Authors: Figueroa-Zamudio Joaquin J , Birkenstock Bianca , Sanchez-Sandoval Ulises A , Smythe Brandon G , Gouvêa Vinicius N , Löest Clint A , Soto-Navarro Sergio A
Published: October 2022

This study evaluated the effects of preconditioning diet management and transportation on performance, rumen pH, and rectal temperature of feedlot receiving cattle. Twenty rumen cannulated angus heifers (758 ± 50.7 lb) were used in a complete randomized design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments with repeated measures related to time of transportation. One factor was the preconditioning diet management consisting on offering a preconditioning diet for the 30 days prior to transportation (diet), or offer the same diet for 27 days and the last 3 days prior to transportation received only hay (hay). The second factor was transportation and consisted of transporting or not transporting the heifers for 12 hours. All heifers received a commercial feedlot receiving diet at arrival and for 14 days. Measurements were obtained at 92 and 20 h before transportation, at 0 (right before loading for transportation), 6, 12, 78, 76, 172, 340 h after transportation. All the sampling points but 0, 6 and 12 h were 4 h after feeding or around peak of fermentation. Performance, rectal temperature and ruminal pH were analyzed using MIXED procedures. Rectal temperature, rumen pH, intake presented diet×time interactions. Rectal temperature was greater (P = 0.02) for hay at time 0 and no effects at other times (P > 0.10). Rumen pH was greater (P = 0.01) at 20 h prior and at 76 h after, and lower (P = 0.05) at 340 h after transportation for hay than diet and no effects at the rest of the time points. Intake was lower (P ≤ 0.05) at 20 h prior and 76 and 172 h after transportation for hay than for diet. In conclusion, changing the preconditioning diet to hay only prior transportation had detrimental effects on rumen fermentation characteristics and intake of the receiving diet. Such dietary changes might have switched the rumen bacterial population to more cellulolytic bacteria. Findings of this experiment suggest the needs of further research that assesses the effect of manipulating the diet right before transportation.
2 Effects of Multiple Bovine Appeasing Substance Administration During a 42-Day Preconditioning Program on Physiologic, Health, and Performance Responses of Feeder Cattle
Authors: Marques Rodrigo S , Kvamme Keenan , Cruz Vinicius , Colombo Eduardo , Cooke Reinaldo
Published: October 2022

This experiment evaluated the effects of multiple bovine appeasing substance administration during a 42-day preconditioning program followed by feedlot receiving period on productivity, health, and physiological variables of feeder cattle. Ninety recently weaned calves were obtained from Red Bluff Ranch (Norris, MT). All calves were weaned and weighed (prior to transport). Calves were loaded into a livestock trailer, transported for 70 km, and unloaded at the Bozeman Agricultural Research and Teaching Farm for a 42-day preconditioning program. Upon arrival, calf body weight was recorded, and both pre- and post-transport body weight were averaged and used as calf weaning initial body weight. Calves were sorted by body weight, sex, and age, and assigned to receive 1) multiple administration of bovine appeasing substance at weaning (d0), d 14, 28, and before transport and feedlot entry (d 42; BAS; RSEA Group, Quartier Salignan, France), or 2) placebo (diethylene glycol monoethyl ether; CON). Treatments (5 mL) were applied topically to the nuchal skin area of each animal every 14 d during the preconditioning period. Calves within treatment groups were ranked by initial BW, sex, and age, and allocated to 1 of 18 drylot pens. On day 42, calves were combined within treatment group, loaded into 2 different single double-deck commercial livestock trailers, and transported for 1000 km (approximately 16 h). Upon arrival (day 43), calves were unloaded at the same feedyard and with the same pen distribution used prior to transport and fed ad libitum a TMR diet. Blood samples were collected on day 0 (weaning), 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42 (prior transport), 43 (feedlot arrival), 46, 50, 57, 64 and 90. Average daily gain and final BW did not differ (P > 0.52) between BAS and CON calves in both the preconditioning and receiving phases. No treatment effects were also detected (P > 0.44) for daily TMR intake in any of the phases. Overall feed efficiency did not differ between BAS and CON calves (P > 0.54). No treatment effects were detected (P = 0.98) for plasma concentrations of cortisol. A treatment × day interaction was detected (P < 0.001) for plasma haptoglobin concentrations, which was greater (P < 0.01) in CON on day 3 and 7 vs. BAS calves. Therefore, multiple applications of BAS mitigated an acute-phase response associated with accumulative stress caused by weaning, transport, and vaccination.