bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensitive angle-dependent magnetoelectric coupling in cluster-assembled flexible composites
Authors: Jiang Ning , Bai Yulong , An Hengbin , Zhang Huatian , Chen Yongquan , He Guixin , Zhao Shifeng
Published: April 2022

Flexible magnetoelectric (ME) device is one of the indispensable elements. However, the complicated fabrication process and low sensitivity hinder the practical applications. Here, flexible NiFe anisotropic magnetoelastic composites were prepared by cluster-supersonic expansion method assistant with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) substrates. The NiFe/PVDF composites possess sensitive angle-resolution ME coupling coefficient at room temperature, and the value can reach 0.66 μV deg−1. The strong anisotropic magnetoelasticity phenomenon is reminiscent of the short-range ordered cluster structure. The anisotropic magnetoelastic coefficient can be deduced by temperature- and magnetic field strength-dependent anisotropic magnetoresistance. The magnetic torque results also prove the strong anisotropic magnetoelastic trait. The coupling between piezoelectricity and anisotropic magnetostrictive effect endows great possibilities toward flexible electronic compass. These results shed light on future in non-invasive tracking of vital biological health via wearable electronic devices.
Problem-solving a lesson from relativity in physics education
Authors: Cramer Claes
Published: April 2022

The principle of relativity is of fundamental importance in practice when we are solving problems in physics since the axiom states that the result of any physical experiment is the same when performed with identical initial conditions relative to any inertial coordinate system. Hence, conceptual knowledge of coordinate systems is central in any physics problem-solving framework. This opens up the question whether upper secondary school students should be taught to set up coordinate systems and apply basic coordinate transformations systematically when solving problems or if it should be left for physics courses at a college or university level? Given that working with coordinate systems does not require any advanced algebra or analysis knowledge, a case can be made for introducing the concepts of coordinate systems and transformations together with a uniform problem-solving framework. The purpose here, given that coordinate systems are central in problem-solving, is to revisit the method of drawing free body diagrams in engineering mechanics but adapted for upper secondary school physics. This method relies on the existence of a coordinate system and can be described by an activity diagram—a connected sequence of actions and decisions. The activity diagram is a map for problem-solving. The central actions in the activity are to introduce a coordinate system, draw a free body diagram and decide if the system should be transformed besides actually working out any algebra and numerical calculations. Here the notion of ‘transformation’ should be read as a graphical transformation rather than an algebraic group operation that is not suitable, neither to teach, nor to use at upper secondary level. A basic example is provided to illustrate why the methodology simplifies the problem-solving process and the student’s understanding of the subject.
End-to-end sensor fusion and classification of atrial fibrillation using deep neural networks and smartphone mechanocardiography
Authors: Mehrang Saeed , Jafari Tadi Mojtaba , Knuutila Timo , Jaakkola Jussi , Jaakkola Samuli , Kiviniemi Tuomas , Vasankari Tuija , Airaksinen Juhani , Koivisto Tero , Pänkäälä Mikko
Published: April 2022

Objective. The purpose of this research is to develop a new deep learning framework for detecting atrial fibrillation (AFib), one of the most common heart arrhythmias, by analyzing the heart’s mechanical functioning as reflected in seismocardiography (SCG) and gyrocardiography (GCG) signals. Jointly, SCG and GCG constitute the concept of mechanocardiography (MCG), a method used to measure precordial vibrations with the built-in inertial sensors of smartphones. Approach. We present a modified deep residual neural network model for the classification of sinus rhythm, AFib, and Noise categories from tri-axial SCG and GCG data derived from smartphones. In the model presented, pre-processing including automated early sensor fusion and spatial feature extraction are carried out using attention-based convolutional and residual blocks. Additionally, we use bidirectional long short-term memory layers on top of fully-connected layers to extract both spatial and spatiotemporal features of the multidimensional SCG and GCG signals. The dataset consisted of 728 short measurements recorded from 300 patients. Further, the measurements were divided into disjoint training, validation, and test sets, respectively, of 481 measurements, 140 measurements, and 107 measurements. Prior to ingestion by the model, measurements were split into 10 s segments with 75 percent overlap, pre-processed, and augmented. Main results. On the unseen test set, the model delivered average micro- and macro-F1-score of 0.88 (0.87–0.89; 95% CI) and 0.83 (0.83–0.84; 95% CI) for the segment-wise classification as well as 0.95 (0.94–0.96; 95% CI) and 0.95 (0.94–0.96; 95% CI) for the measurement-wise classification, respectively. Significance. Our method not only can effectively fuse SCG and GCG signals but also can identify heart rhythms and abnormalities in the MCG signals with remarkable accuracy.
A transfer learning approach for damage diagnosis in composite laminated plate using Lamb waves
Authors: Rai Akshay , Mitra Mira
Published: April 2022

Lamb wave-based damage diagnosis systems are widely regarded as a likely candidate for real-time structural health monitoring (SHM), although analysing the Lamb wave response is still a challenging task due to its complex physics. Recently, deep learning (DL) models such as convolutional neural network (CNN) have shown robust classification performance in various structures using Lamb wave-based diagnostic strategies. However, these DL models are often designed to address isolated tasks, which means that the model needs to be re-trained from scratch to accommodate any small change to the setup. Thus, such data-dependency of the DL model designed for the SHM system can restrict its full usage. This paper presents a study on a version of the transfer learning framework (TLF) based on 1D-CNN autoencoder (AE) and a classifier as a possible way to address this problem. In the transfer learning approach, the knowledge learned by a network represented as source model, while performing one or more tasks is utilized to improve the damage diagnosing ability of another network represented as target model operating under other conditions. In TLF, a ResNet AE model will selectively outsource its pre-trained layers to a separate 1D-CNN model, which is a supervised learning model aimed to perform tasks, such as classification. In order to train both the source model and the target model, two separate databases are constructed using the Open Guided Waves diagnostic data repository containing scanned Lamb wave signals generated from a 2 mm thin carbon fibre-reinforced polymer plate structure, in which a range of frequencies and artificial defects are used. A TLF variant which includes transferred layers of pre-trained ResNet AE and 1D CNN classifier, have been developed, trained and tested with an unseen database containing 144 samples. Based on the test performance, the adopted version of TLF achieved an impressive 82.64% accuracy and emerged as the most robust, balanced and computationally more economical classification model.
Effect of two-stage shattered pellet injection on tokamak disruptions
Authors: Vallhagen O. , Pusztai I. , Hoppe M. , Newton S.L. , Fülöp T.
Published: April 2022

An effective disruption mitigation system in a tokamak reactor should limit the exposure of the wall to localized heat losses and to the impact of high current runaway electron beams, and avoid excessive forces on the structure. We evaluate with respect to these aspects a two-stage deuterium–neon shattered pellet injection in an ITER-like plasma, using simulations with the DREAM framework (Hoppe et al 2021 Comput. Phys. Commun.
268 108098). To minimize the obtained runaway currents an optimal range of injected deuterium quantities is found. This range is sensitive to the opacity of the plasma to Lyman radiation, which affects the ionization degree of deuterium, and thus avalanche runaway generation. The two-stage injection scheme, where dilution cooling is produced by deuterium before a radiative thermal quench caused by neon, reduces both the hot-tail seed and the localized transported heat load on the wall. However, during nuclear operation, additional runaway seed sources from the activated wall and tritium make it difficult to reach tolerably low runaway currents.
The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on greenhouse gases: a multi-city analysis of in situ atmospheric observations
Authors: Monteiro V , Miles N L , Richardson S J , Turnbull J , Karion A , Kim J , Mitchell L , Lin J C , Sargent M , Wofsy S , Vogel F , Davis K J
Published: April 2022

We tested the capabilities of urban greenhouse gas (GHG) measurement networks to detect abrupt changes in emissions, such as those caused by the roughly 6-week COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020 using hourly in situ GHG mole fraction measurements from six North American cities. We compared observed changes in CO2, CO, and CH4 for different mole fraction metrics (diurnal amplitude, vertical gradients, enhancements, within-hour variances, and multi-gas enhancement ratios) during 2020 relative to previous years for three periods: pre-lockdown, lockdown, and ongoing recovery. The networks showed decreases in CO2 and CO metrics during the lockdown period in all cities for all metrics, while changes in the CH4 metrics were variable across cities and not statistically significant. Traffic decreases in 2020 were correlated with the changes in GHG metrics, whereas changes in meteorology and biology were not, implying that decreases in the CO2 and CO metrics were related to reduced emissions from traffic and demonstrating the sensitivity of these tower networks to rapid changes in urban emissions. The enhancements showed signatures of the lockdowns more consistently than the three micrometeorological methods, possibly because the urban measurements are collected at relatively high altitudes to be sensitive to whole-city emissions. This suggests that urban observatories might benefit from a mixture of measurement altitudes to improve observational network sensitivity to both city-scale and more local fluxes.
Magnetic resonance imaging-based diagnosis of aortitis preceding development of a thoracic aneurysm in a patient with giant cell arteritis: a case report
Authors: Lutter Georg , Puehler Thomas , Röcken Christoph , Both Marcus
Published: April 2022

Background

Inflammatory manifestation in the aortic arch can be a complication of giant cell arteritis (GCA), potentially requiring surgical therapy in the case of aneurysmatic dilatation.

Case summary

We report the case of a 73-year-old female patient with GCA in whom a typical appearance of arteritis was visualized on magnetic resonance imaging of the superficial temporal arteries. Additionally, ectasia (4.7 cm) of the ascending aorta with a mural rim of increased contrast media uptake was detected at the time of the initial diagnosis, which is an indicator of aortitis. While the diameter had only minimally increased in a computed tomography angiography (CTA) examination after 8 months, a subsequent CTA revealed an increased diameter of 5.8 cm and maximum at the level of the ascending aorta another 22 months later, indicating urgent surgery to replace the ascending aorta.

Discussion

Magnetic resonance imaging can detect silent, generalized manifestations of GCA such as severe aortitis, which may possibly lead to aneurysmatic dilatation, urging closer follow-up imaging. Detection of the ongoing process and subsequent follow-up imaging protects patients by avoiding rupture.
Septic pulmonary emboli in pulmonary valve endocarditis with concurrent ventricular septal defect and coronary artery disease: a case report
Authors: Lim Wei Juan , Kaisbain Neerusha , Kim Heng Shee
Published: April 2022

Background

Infective endocarditis (IE) is one of the common causes of life-threatening infections. Compared to left-sided endocarditis, right-sided infective endocarditis is rarer, with pulmonary valve endocarditis much rarer than the tricuspid valve. Its diagnosis poses a challenge, owing to its rarity, low index of clinical suspicion, and lack of availability of appropriate diagnostic measures. Risk factors include indwelling central venous catheter, sepsis, intravenous drug use, pacemaker with lead infection, or ventricular septal defect (VSD).

Case summary

We describe a case of pulmonary valve endocarditis that led to septic pulmonary emboli in a patient scheduled for elective bypass surgery for triple vessel disease. There was an incidental finding of VSD on echocardiography, which is also a risk factor for pulmonary valve endocarditis owing to the jet of VSD to the pulmonary valve. The patient was given 4 weeks of antibiotics and subsequently underwent coronary artery bypass graft, pulmonary valve replacement, and VSD closure.

Discussion

Our case demonstrated the importance of high clinical suspicion and vigilance of diagnosing pulmonary valve endocarditis when dealing with pyrexia of unknown origin in a patient with a congenital VSD as VSD-associated pulmonary valve endocarditis remained a rare disease. Besides, an active search for clinical and radiological signs of pulmonary embolization is necessary in patients with right-sided endocarditis especially those with large and mobile vegetation. A conservative approach or valve repair is recommended for most patients with right sided IE affecting the tricuspid or pulmonary valve.
Horizontal Transmission of Cytomegalovirus in a Rhesus Model Despite High-Level, Vaccine-Elicited Neutralizing Antibody and T-Cell Responses
Authors: Li Julia , Wellnitz Sabine , Chi Xiaoyuan S , Yue Yujuan , Schmidt Kimberli A , Nguyen Nancy , Chen Wei , Yurgelonis Irina , Rojas Eduardo , Liu Yuhang , Loschko Jakob , Pollozi Eneida , Matsuka Yury V , Needle Elie , Vidunas Eugene , Donald Robert G K , Moran Justin , Jansen Kathrin U , Dormitzer Philip R , Barry Peter A , Yang Xinzhen
Published: April 2022

The development of a vaccine to prevent congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) disease is a public health priority. We tested rhesus CMV (RhCMV) prototypes of HCMV vaccine candidates in a seronegative macaque oral challenge model. Immunogens included a recombinant pentameric complex (PC; gH/gL/pUL128/pUL130/pUL131A), a postfusion gB ectodomain, and a DNA plasmid that encodes pp65-2. Immunization with QS21-adjuvanted PC alone or with the other immunogens elicited neutralizing titers comparable to those elicited by RhCMV infection. Similarly, immunization with all 3 immunogens elicited pp65-specific cytotoxic T-cell responses comparable to those elicited by RhCMV infection. RhCMV readily infected immunized animals and was detected in saliva, blood, and urine after challenge in quantities similar to those in placebo-immunized animals. If HCMV evades vaccine-elicited immunity in humans as RhCMV evaded immunity in macaques, a HCMV vaccine must elicit immunity superior to, or different from, that elicited by the prototype RhCMV vaccine to block horizontal transmission.
Genomic analysis of CTX-M-115 and OXA-23/-72 co-producing Acinetobacter baumannii, and their potential to spread resistance genes by natural transformation
Authors: Vuillemenot Jean-Baptiste , Bour Maxime , Beyrouthy Racha , Bonnet Richard , Laaberki Maria-Halima , Charpentier Xavier , Ruimy Raymond , Plésiat Patrick , Potron Anaïs
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To characterize Acinetobacter baumannii strains co-producing the ESBL CTX-M-115 and carbapenem-hydrolysing class D β-lactamases (CHDLs), and to assess the potential diffusion of their resistance genes by horizontal transfer.

Methods

Nineteen CTX-M-115/CHDL-positive A. baumannii were collected between 2015 and 2019 from patients hospitalized in France. Their whole-genome sequences were determined on Illumina and Oxford Nanopore platforms and were compared through core-genome MLST (cgMLST) and SNP analyses. Transferability of resistance genes was investigated by natural transformation assays.

Results

Eighteen strains were found to harbour CHDL OXA-72, and another one CHDL OXA-23, in addition to CTX-M-115, narrow-spectrum β-lactamases and aminoglycoside resistance determinants including ArmA. cgMLST typing, as well as Oxford Scheme ST and K locus typing, confirmed that 17 out of the 18 CTX-M-115/OXA-72 isolates belonged to new subclades within clonal complex 78 (CC78). The chromosomal region carrying the blaCTX-M-115 gene appeared to vary greatly both in gene content and in length (from 20 to 79 kb) among the strains, likely because of IS26-mediated DNA rearrangements. The blaOXA-72 gene was localized on closely related plasmids showing structural variations that occurred between pdif sites. Transfer of all the β-lactamase genes, as well as aminoglycoside resistance determinants to a drug-susceptible A. baumannii recipient, was easily obtained in vitro by natural transformation.

Conclusions

This work highlights the propensity of CC78 isolates to collect multiple antibiotic resistance genes, to rearrange and to pass them to other A. baumannii strains via natural transformation. This process, along with mobile genetic elements, likely contributes to the considerable genomic plasticity of clinical strains, and to the diversity of molecular mechanisms sustaining their multidrug resistance.
In vitro activity of nitroxoline against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from the urinary tract
Authors: Fuchs Frieder , Becerra-Aparicio Federico , Xanthopoulou Kyriaki , Seifert Harald , Higgins Paul G
Published: April 2022

Background

The old antimicrobial nitroxoline is currently repurposed for oral treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Objectives

To investigate the in vitro activity of nitroxoline against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAb).

Methods

From an international collection of previously well-characterized clinical A. baumannii isolates, 34 isolates from urinary tract sources with different carbapenem-resistance mechanisms were selected. Nitroxoline activity was analysed with broth microdilution (BMD), disc diffusion (DD) and within an in vitro biofilm model. MICs of meropenem and imipenem were assessed with BMD. Susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was investigated using DD. Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and A. baumannii NCTC 13304 were used for quality control.

Results

All isolates were carbapenem resistant (MIC90 >32 mg/L for meropenem and imipenem) and most isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin (33/34) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (31/34). Nitroxoline yielded MIC50/90 values of 2/2 mg/L (MIC range 1–2 mg/L) and inhibition zone diameters ranging from 20 to 26 mm. In contrast, for definite eradication of biofilm-associated CRAb in vitro, higher nitroxoline concentrations (≥16 to ≥128 mg/L) were necessary for all isolates.

Conclusions

Nitroxoline showed excellent in vitro activity against a collection of CRAb despite high resistance rates to other antimicrobials for parental and oral therapy of A. baumannii UTI. Currently, nitroxoline is recommended for the treatment of uncomplicated UTI in Germany with a EUCAST breakpoint limited to uncomplicated UTI and E. coli (S ≤16 mg/L). Nitroxoline could be a promising drug for oral treatment of lower UTI caused by CRAb. More data are warranted to correlate these findings with in vivo success rates.
15 Experiences with Swine Depopulation
Authors: Johnson Clayton
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic created a crisis situation for US swine producers. Unexpected and prolonged closure of numerous harvest facilities created a backlog of market ready pigs. The “just in time” nature of our industry proved fragile under these circumstances and numerous farms needed to rapidly depopulate swine of various ages. While these experiences were painful, they did create a series of “lessons learned” that can be applied to future depopulation scenarios. Some of the major considerations for depopulation methods include the facility location, procedures to perform the depopulation and disposal of the depopulated carcasses. With many pig farms being home to thousands of animals, the need to perform depopulation in a high-speed and highly effective manner is an absolute requirement. Guiding principles for depopulation have been developed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and these guidelines serve as a starting point for understanding what options are available to producers facing depopulation as well as which option may be most practical for a specific situation. Common depopulation strategies employed on farm include gas inhalation with carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide, electrocution, penetrating or non-penetrating captive bolt and ventilation shutdown plus (VSD+). Each strategy requires unique levels of equipment, skill, technical expertise, labor, time and cost. Common carcass disposal strategies include composting, landfill, rendering and burial. It is impossible to define a specific depopulation and disposal strategy that is optimal for every site however a thorough understanding of the characteristics of each option allows producers to determine the optimal process for their specific situation. Considerations for optimal strategies must incorporate consideration for practicality, speed of depopulation and disposal, animal well-being, human safety and human well-being.
19 Technology to Efficiently and Effectively Evaluate Body Condition
Authors: Knauer Mark
Published: April 2022

Multiple tools are currently available to effectively evaluate gilt and sow body condition. Both A-mode and B-mode ultrasound technology can provide accurate measures of backfat while B-mode ultrasound can deliver precise measures of loin eye area or loin depth. More recently, Knauer invented and developed the sow body condition caliper. The sow caliper technology has been implemented in 39 countries across the world. Quantifying the angularity from the spinous process to the transverse process of a sow’s back, the sow body condition caliper has moderate correlations with weight, backfat and muscling. Recommendations for the “ideal” sow caliper score in relation to reproductive performance come from multiple, large scale studies conducted on commercial farms across an array of modern genetic lines. Results suggest a sow caliper angle of 127.5 to 132.5° maximizes subsequent reproduction. Going forward, tools should be developed to automate the estimation of sow body condition. While the sow caliper provides a low-cost phenotype, automating A-mode and B-mode ultrasound also warrant investigation. Perhaps scientists should collaborate with industry experts to speed the development of automated sow body condition tools.
18 Tools Used and Needed in the Gilt Pool
Authors: Knox Robert V
Published: April 2022

Efficient management of gilts requires optimizing boar stimulation to induce a synchronized pubertal estrus for breeding at the optimal stage of body maturity. However, variation in stimulation methods and environment can reduce synchrony, delay puberty, and lead to breeding less than ideal gilts. These issues add open day costs, disrupt animal flow, and can reduce lifetime productivity and longevity. Emphasis on employee training and support with regular assessment and opportunities for feedback can help, especially with daily labor rotation and employee turnover. Certain principles of gilt management, such as methods to maximize boar stimulation, must be applied, while adjusting for available labor and gilt housing. Evaluation for effectiveness often only includes the proportion of gilts mated and those culled due to anestrus. However, a holistic system may need to include gilt selection criteria, pubertal response, and subsequent herd performance. Further, symptoms of estrus vary by gilt, technician interpretation, stimuli applied, and environment. These symptoms can range from clear positive to clear negative or even uncertain and may change within the timeframe of assessment. Effective methods are needed to help producers in gilt selection, evaluation of stimulation, reproductive status diagnosis, and impact of nutrition and environment. Practical approaches that aid in selection based on dam and birth measures, as well as age, growth, and weight are needed. Evaluation of the quality of the stimuli applied from the boar and technician should advance from subjective toward precision. Methods to accurately diagnose the reproductive status of the gilt may include semi or automated sensing systems or manual approaches for measuring hormones, body temperature, vaginal resistance, ovarian and uterine structures, animal behavior, motion, and posture. To be useful, selected methods must be evaluated for their practicality, flexibility in farm systems, costs, accuracy, labor, and actionable perspective.
28 Nutritional Interventions for Intestinal Health of Nursery Pigs: Protein and Amino Acids
Authors: Pluske John
Published: April 2022

A major priority for the swine industry is the need to successfully transition and then manage the young pig in the period after weaning. Antimicrobial compounds have traditionally been used to assist with this transition. However, bans and restrictions on some antimicrobial compounds and antimicrobial resistance have required different strategies to ensure that the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) can function as effectively and efficiently as possible after weaning. It is well recognized that the protein content and composition of diets offered to pigs following weaning affects GIT structure and function, with the feeding of crude protein diets generally related to looser stools, an increased incidence of post-weaning diarrhea, and more antibiotic treatments. Feeding lower protein diets generally show opposing effects. There are numerous proteinaceous dietary raw materials available for use in post-weaning diets to assist with overcoming post-weaning GIT dysfunction. In this context, feeding highly digestible protein supplements reduces the availability of protein for microbial fermentation in the distal regions of the GIT, which in turn can modulate the microbiota. Blood plasma, e.g., spray-dried porcine plasma, positively influences GIT structure and function, as do spray-dried intestinal hydrolysates. Soy protein hydrolysates from fermentation or enzyme treatment that reduce the contents of anti-nutritional factors also confer production and GIT benefits in the nursery. Some peptides are known to have biological functions beyond their nutritional value and possess antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities. The use of such compounds in diets in the nursery warrants further investigation. Practically, the incorporation and use of protein supplements is just one facet in dealing with post-weaning challenges, and needs to be considered holistically with other targeted nutritional and health measures.
29 Nutritional Interventions for Intestinal Health of Nursery Pigs: Carbohydrates
Authors: Zijlstra R T , Vasanthan T , Wu J , Gaenzle M G
Published: April 2022

In swine production, using feed antibiotics as antimicrobial growth promotants has been reduced; thus, feed alternatives to manage gut health are required to prevent post-weaning diarrhea. Dietary fiber, resistant starch, oligosaccharides, and exopolysaccharides are carbohydrates that together with glycoproteins are nutritional tools that may be part of managing gut health in pigs. Antibiotics are hypothesized to influence gut health via modulation of intestinal microbial profiles; fermentation and intestinal inflammation are considered important mechanisms. Dietary fiber is an alternative, but its sources differ in at least 2 key properties: fermentability and viscosity. Rapid fermentation of fiber and oligosaccharides is associated with changes in microbial profiles and increased metabolite production. Recently, microbial composition was hypothesized to be less important and combined output of metabolites should be the focus. Increased viscosity has been associated with increased gut content of virulence factors that are linked with diarrhea. Fiber properties may also manipulate retention time and physico-chemical properties of the undigested residue. Starch is mostly digested and absorbed as glucose. However, resistant starch is not digested and acts as fermentable fiber but has unique properties, because it specifically increases intestinal abundance of bifidobacteria that are associated with improved gut health. Feed ingredients and some feed additives influence kinetics of fermentation and have prebiotic activity. Their kinetics of fermentation should be quantified so that it can be considered in feed formulation. Finally, exopolysaccharides from Limosilactobacillus reuteri and unique oligosaccharides and glycoprotein may serve as receptor analogues for pathogenic bacteria, e.g., enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). These receptor analogues block lectin domains of bacterial adhesins and thus prevent adherence of pathogens to the gut wall, thereby avoiding initiation of post-weaning diarrhea. In conclusion, dietary fiber and other carbohydrates may be important solutions to maintain gut health when antibiotics are removed as growth promotants from swine feeds.
31 Relationship of Mitochondrial Phenotype to Muscle Function and Performance
Authors: White-Springer Sarah H
Published: April 2022

Skeletal muscle mitochondria are vital for producing sufficient energy to fuel muscle contractions during exercise. Embedded within the inner mitochondrial membrane are 4 separate protein complexes that are responsible for transferring electrons from specific substrates to the final electron acceptor, oxygen. The proton gradient that is formed from the movement of electrons then drives complex V, synthesizing ATP to fuel cellular work. Recent technological advancements enable exploration beyond simple measures of mitochondria, such as density and overall function, to identify how the organelles produce energy. Specifically, high-resolution respirometry allows investigation into the capacity of each of these mitochondrial protein complexes to determine if they are differentially utilized during specific types of exercise. Further, unique profiles of utilization of these complexes may be hallmarks of success within a certain performance discipline (e.g., racing, dressage, western work, or jumping). In recent years, our laboratory has substantially contributed to progress in this area of research. Under 3 specific scenarios we: 1) defined in horses as young as 6-months-old differential utilization of complexes among breeds destined for certain racing distances; 2) demonstrated differential impacts on specific mitochondrial complexes between submaximal and high-intensity exercise training; and 3) identified a signature of mitochondrial energy production in Thoroughbred racehorses as weanlings that correlates with their race performance later in life. Complex-specific skeletal muscle mitochondrial research in horses is its infancy but has substantial promise to be used as a tool to optimize performance and prevent fatigue-induced injury in performance horses. Further, greater understanding of the inter-relationships of mitochondrial energy production, exercise training, management, and feeding protocols will be crucial to ensure horses realize their peak performance potential and to maintain animal welfare during intense training and competition schedules.
47 Plant Phenomics and Artificial Intelligence to Glean Information from Plant Sensing Technologies
Authors: Sarkar Soumik
Published: April 2022

One of the grand challenges of our generation is to get ready to feed 9 billion people by 2050 with sustainable use of environmental resources. However, our current agricultural system is not prepared for it. We are facing unprecedented challenges in adopting sustainable management practices, increasing production, and coping with pest and climate stressors that threaten yield; while running a profitable farm operation. In this talk, I will discuss our vision of a new cyber-plant-agricultural system that leads to an ultra-precision technology to monitor and manage plants or small plots at an individual level. To realize this grand vision, machine learning (ML) will play a large role. However, several key aspects of ML such as robustness, interpretability and data requirement need to be studied in the context of agriculture for successful deployment. In addition, high-throughput and effective plant phenotyping systems need to assimilate heterogeneous, multi-modal data for decision-making and should be suitable for distributed implementation for enhanced scalability. I will discuss a few success stories from our recent work to discuss these aspects of ML in plant agriculture that is relevant and potentially beneficial for the animal agriculture community.
52 Weaning Elicits a Distinct Increase in Plasma Cysteine Concentration in Pigs
Authors: Gachman Alexandra M , Bartosh Julia , Rudar Marko
Published: April 2022

Weaning is a stressful event in pigs that is associated with low and variable feed intake, poor nutrient utilization, and high feed costs. The sulfur amino acids (SAA) methionine and cysteine have key roles in pig production, but how SAA metabolism, and thus SAA requirements, is affected by weaning is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to determine weaning-induced changes in SAA metabolism. Pigs (initial BW = 7,233 ± 683 g) were either weaned at 21 d age and euthanized at 23 d age (n = 4) or remained with the sow and euthanized at 23 d age (n = 4). Weaned pigs were fasted but had free access to water. At euthanasia, blood and liver tissue were collected. Plasma amino acids and amino thiols were analyzed by HPLC following pre-column derivatization with 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate and 4-fluoro-7-aminosulfonylbenzofurazan, respectively. The protein abundance of cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine γ-lyase (CTH), enzymes needed for methionine transsulfuration to cysteine, in liver were determined by Western blot. Total plasma non-essential amino acid (NEAA) concentrations declined in weaned compared with unweaned pigs (2,664 versus 4,290 ± 211 µmol/L, P < 0.01). Among NEAA, however, only plasma cysteine concentration increased in weaned compared with unweaned pigs (total cysteine, 253 versus 173 ± 16 µmol/L, P < 0.05; cystine, 43 versus 23 ± 5 µmol/L, P < 0.05). Plasma methionine tended to be less in weaned pigs (53 versus 65 ± 4 µmol/L, P = 0.075), whereas plasma taurine was less in weaned pigs (64 versus 128 ± 10 µmol/L, P < 0.01). The abundance of CBS and CTH protein in liver was not different between groups. Elevated plasma cysteine concentrations after weaning in pigs is likely due to decreased cysteine oxidation to taurine rather than greater methionine transsulfuration to cysteine.
50 The Influence of L-Glutamine Supplementation on Measures of Intestinal Permeability, Immune Function, and Physiological Stress in Holstein Heifer Calves
Authors: Ceja Guadalupe , Boerman Jaquelyn P , Neves Rafael C , Schoonmaker Jon P , Jorgensen Matthew , Johnson Jay S S
Published: April 2022

L-glutamine (GLN) supplementation improves intestinal integrity and immune function in dairy calves during controlled stress challenges. However, it is unknown whether supplementing milk replacer (MR) with GLN offers similar benefits to intestinal integrity and immune function or reduces markers of physiological stress in pre-weaned dairy calves managed under production-relevant conditions. Thirty Holstein heifer calves [1.5 ± 0.5 d old; 37.1 ± 0.9 kg body weight (BW)] were blocked by serum total protein, BW, and age, and provided MR (38L·calf-1·d-1, 24% CP, 17% fat, 12.5% solids) supplemented with GLN (10g/kg dry MR; n = 15 calves) or not-supplemented (NS/control; n = 15 calves). Calves were individually housed with ad libitum starter grain and water access until weaning (56.4 ± 0.5 d old). At 2 and 5 weeks of age, urinary catheters were placed, and calves were orally dosed with 1 L Cr-EDTA. Urine samples were collected over a 24-hr period for Cr output analysis as an in vivo biomarker of intestinal permeability. Blood was collected on study d 1, 2, 5, 7, 14, 21, 42, and 56 to measure haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, and neutrophil:lymphocyte. Two study periods were identified representing greater (P1; weeks 1-3) and reduced (P2; weeks 4-8) enteric disease susceptibility. Data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS 9.4 with calf as the experimental unit. Overall, total Cr output was reduced (P < 0.01; 29.4%) in GLN versus NS calves. Total CR output was decreased at 2 weeks (P = 0.04; 42.6%) in GLN versus NS calves, but no differences were detected at 5 weeks. Neutrophil:lymphocyte was decreased (P < 0.01; 28.3%) during P2 in GLN versus NS calves. In summary, GLN supplementation improved markers of intestinal integrity and physiological stress in pre-weaned Holstein heifer calves managed under production-relevant conditions.
51 Supplemental Lysine in Finishing Cattle Diets
Authors: Cronk Hanna K , Carlson Zachary , Watson Andrea K , Norman Mitch , McPhillips Levi J , Erickson Galen E , Ducharme Gary
Published: April 2022

Smartamine ML (Adisseo), a bioavailable (80%) source of lysine and methionine was used to evaluate effects of increasing lysine supply on performance of beef cattle. Crossbred steers (n=120, initial BW 261 kg) were individually fed a diet of 15% modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS), 68% blend of high moisture and dried rolled corn, 12% corn silage, and 5% supplement with Smartamine ML top-dressed daily. Steers were assigned to 8 inclusions of lysine, 0 to 7 g/d in 1 g increments, with 15 steers per treatment. Data were analyzed with MIXED procedure of SAS as a generalized randomized design with animal as experimental unit and treatment as fixed effect. Orthogonal contrasts evaluated linear, quadratic, and cubic responses. Contrast statements compared the control with 1, 2, and 3 g/d treatments. Feeding increasing amounts of bioavailable lysine linearly decreased DMI (P = 0.04), final live BW (P = 0.04), and ADG (P = 0.02) with no effect on G:F (P ≥ 0.27). Numerical differences in DMI and ADG (P ≥ 0.26) led to a trend (P = 0.06) for improved live G:F for the 1 g/d treatment compared with control (0.188 and 0.176, respectively). During the Optaflexx feeding period (d 163-195), DMI linearly decreased (P = 0.01) as lysine increased in the diet with no differences in ADG (P ≥ 0.13) or G:F (P ≥ 0.12), with a trend (P = 0.08) for improved live G:F for 3 g/d compared with control (0.163 and 0.131, respectively). Hot carcass weight tended (P = 0.07) to linearly decrease as Smartamine ML increased in the diet, with no effect on other carcass measures including longissimus muscle area, 12th rib fat, and marbling score (P ≥ 0.18). In finishing beef cattle diets with 15% MDGS, more than 3 g/d of supplemental lysine did not improve performance.
54 Eastern Red Cedar Targeted Grazing with Goats: Tree Height Significance
Authors: Hartsfield Alanna , Smart Alexander , Xu Lan , Froehlich Kelly
Published: April 2022

Eastern red cedar (ERC; Juniperus Virginiana L.) encroachment into grassland ecosystems, facilitated by fire suppression and overgrazing, threatens the long-term health of the Northern Great Plains. Goats consume juniper through defoliation and debarking, and debarking causes branch death. ERC do not resprout, meaning trunk girdling can effectively kill the tree, making targeted grazing with goats a potential control tool, though little is known about targeted grazing with goats on ERC. The objective of this project is to investigate how goats defoliate and debark ERC of different heights. Moderately stocked (95 AUD∙ha-1) Spanish cross-bred goats grazed 24-hour periods in each of 4 replicate ERC-invaded 0.056 ha paddocks (average 117 trees∙paddock-1). ERC of 5 height classes, up to 250 cm at 50 cm increments, were permanently tagged in each paddock. Defoliation was measured by volume (⅓πr2h) reduction (%) from pre- to post-treatment, branch browse was measured as branches browsed (%) below the browse line, and debarking was measured by trunk debarked (%) below the browse line. Tree height was a significant predictor of defoliation (r2 = 0.63, n = 159, P < 0.001) and debarking (r2 = 0.53, n = 159, P < 0.001). ERC < 100 cm tall were significantly more defoliated (P < 0.05, x̄ = 74%) and ERC 50-100 cm had significantly more branches browsed up to the browse line (P < 0.05, x̄ = 85%), while ERC > 100 cm were significantly more likely to be debarked (P < 0.05, x̄ = 45%). Average browse line for trees 100-250 cm was 186 cm. Our results suggest that goats disproportionally defoliate and debark short (1-100 cm) and tall (100-250 cm) ERC trees, respectively. Moderately stocked targeted grazing with goats could be an effective ERC site pre-treatment for prescribed fire or other control methods.
60 Evaluation of Fat Sources and Inclusion Rate with the Supplementation of Vitamin A or Beta-Carotene in Nursery Pigs
Authors: Elefson Sarah , Greiner Laura L
Published: April 2022

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of fat inclusion level and fat source with supplementation of either vitamin A (ROVIMIX A 1000; DSM; NJ) or beta-carotene (ROVIMIX β-Carotene 10%; DSM; NJ) on growth performance and vitamin A, D, and E status of nursery pigs (n = 216; 5.81 ± 0.92 kg). The study was a 3 X 2 factorial with main effects being no fat, 3% saturated fat (choice white grease), or 3% unsaturated fat (soybean oil) and supplemented with either 4 mg/kg vitamin A or 40 mg/kg beta-carotene. Pigs were randomly assigned to mixed sex pens and dietary treatments. Blood samples from 1 pig per pen were taken at the beginning and end of the study to evaluate vitamin status. All data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS 9.4 with pen as the experimental unit. Repeated measures were utilized for growth performance as well as vitamin status. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) for average daily feed intake, average daily gain, gain to feed ratio, and body weight throughout the study. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the vitamin status at either the start or end of the study, although there is a significant time difference (P < 0.05) for each of the vitamins. There was a three-factor interaction (P < 0.05) for diet X sex X time for vitamin D. Vitamin A and D values were greater at the end of the study than at the beginning, but vitamin E values were less at the end of the study than at the beginning. In general, fat inclusion level, a type, or type of vitamin A source supplementation did not affect the growth performance nor the status of vitamin A, D, or E in the nursery pig.
61 Persistence and Distribution of African Swine Fever Virus in Feed and Feed Mill Environment Over Time After Manufacture of Experimentally Inoculated Feed and Subsequent Manufactured Batches of Feed
Authors: Elijah Catherine G , Trujillo Jessie , Jones Cassandra K , Kwon Taeyong , Stark Charles R , Cool Konner , Paulk Chad B , Gaudreault Natasha , Woodworth Jason C , Morozov Igor , Gallardo Carmina , Gebhardt Jordan T , Richt Jurgen
Published: April 2022

To reduce the risk of feed-based pathogens causing disease, some feed manufacturers quarantine high-risk ingredients before their inclusion in feed. Data exists that confirms this practice is effective, but there is no information about swine pathogen survival in mill environments. This objective of the study was to determine survival of African swine fever virus (ASFV) in swine feed and mill surfaces. A pilot-scale feed mill manufactured a batch of ASFV-free feed (Batch 1), followed by a batch inoculated with ASFV (5.6×104 TCID50/gram; Batch 2). Then 4 subsequent ASFV-free batches were manufactured (Batch 3-6). After each batch,10 feed samples were aseptically collected in a double ‘X’ pattern. During feed manufacturing, 24 steel coupons were placed on the floor of the manufacturing area and feed dust settled on them during the milling process and overnight. Feed samples and steel coupons were stored at room temperature. Three of each were randomly selected and analyzed for ASFV DNA on d 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, 60, 90, and 180. The interaction of batch and day impacted (P = 0.023) the number of genomic copies detected per gram of feed. There were no differences of genomic copies/g in early batches; but the quantity of detectable ASFV decreased with increasing storage time after collection. In Batches 4-6, the greatest quantity of ASFV was detected on d 1, but the lowest quantity was detected on d 7, 60, and 28 or 180 for Batches 5, 6, and 7, respectively. There was no evidence (P = 0.433) of ASFV degradation on environmental coupons over the 180-d storage period. This study found that quarantine time can help reduce, but not eliminate ASFV in feed over time. However, ASFV survives on feed manufacturing surfaces for at least 180 d. Additional research is necessary to evaluate the viability of detected virus to cause illness.
59 Divergent Planes of Nutrition Altered Concentrations of Hormones and Metabolites but not Semen Characteristics in Mature Rams
Authors: Bochantin Kerri A , Baumgaertner Friederike , Hurlbert Jennifer L , Menezes Ana Clara Baiao B , Kirsch James D , Dorsam Sheri L , Schauer Christopher S , Dahlen Carl R
Published: April 2022

Objectives were to evaluate impacts of divergent planes of nutrition on body weight (BW), hormone and metabolite concentrations, and semen characteristics in rams. Mature Rambouillet rams (n = 24, BW = 83.1 ± 2.64 kg) were individually housed and randomly assigned to positive (POS; n = 8), maintenance (MAINT; n = 8), or negative (NEG; n = 8) planes of nutrition for 84 d. Rams were fed a common diet with feed allocations adjusted weekly based on BW to achieve targeted weight gain or loss (approximately 12% initial BW). On d 0, 28, 56, and 84, body condition scores (BCS) and scrotal circumference (SC) were recorded, and blood and semen were collected. Blood was analyzed for triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), testosterone, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), glucose, and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA). Semen was collected via electroejaculation and analyzed by Computer Assisted Semen Analysis. Data were analyzed with the GLM or MIXED procedure of SAS, with ram as experimental unit and significance determined at P < 0.05. By design, BW was influenced by a treatment × day interaction (P < 0.0001), and daily weight change was greater (P < 0.0001) for POS (0.11 ± 0.011 kg) than MAINT (0.01 ± 0.011 kg), which was greater (P < 0.0001) than NEG (-0.12 ± 0.011 kg). Consequently, BCS, and SC were greater for POS than NEG as evidenced by a treatment × day interaction (P < 0.0001). Concentrations of T3, IGF-1, and NEFA were increased in POS compared with NEG and MAINT by day 84 (P ≤ 0.03), whereas T4, testosterone, and glucose remained unaffected (P ≤ 0.39). No differences were observed among treatments for semen volume/concentration, motility, or morphology (P ≤ 0.49). Collectively, BW, hormone, and metabolites differed among treatments, indicating a potential for epigenetic alterations which could influence offspring outcomes.