bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Persister cells: formation, resuscitation and combative therapies
Authors: Wainwright Jack , Hobbs Glyn , Nakouti Ismini
Published: November 2021

Persister cells, or superfits, have been strongly implicated in the recalcitrance and recurrence of chronic bacterial infection through the dormant (metabolically reduced) phenotype they display and the tolerance to antimicrobial agents this dormancy grants them. The complex biochemical events that lead to the formation of persister cells are not completely understood, though much research has linked the degradation of type II toxin/antitoxin systems and reduced cellular ATP levels to the rise in stress response molecules (where (p)ppGpp is of particular interest), which induce this dormant state. The equally complex mechanism of resuscitation is initiated by the cells’ ability to sense nutrient availability via chemotaxis systems. Levels of secondary messenger proteins (i.e., cAMP) within the cell are reduced to allow the resuscitation of ribosomes, by ribosomal resuscitation factor HflX, to reinstate protein synthesis and, therefore, growth to re-populate. Techniques of superfit eradication utilise one, or more, of three approaches (i) direct killing, (ii) re-sensitising persister cells to conventional antimicrobials, or (iii) prevention of persister formation though few laboratory findings have been translated to clinical practice. This work will outline current findings in the field with a critical approach, where possible.
Bedarf und Vorhersagbarkeit von Magnetresonanztomographieuntersuchungen bei Patienten mit implantiertem Neurostimulator
Authors: Reining Marco , Winkler Dirk , Böttcher Joachim , Meixensberger Jürgen , Kretzschmar Michael
Published: November 2021

Hintergrund

Bei steigender Zahl von Magnetresonanztomographie(MRT)-Untersuchungen in der deutschen Gesamtbevölkerung gibt es keine Daten zum Untersuchungsbedarf von Patienten mit implantiertem Neurostimulator in Deutschland. Publizierte Daten aus den USA legen einen hohen Bedarf nahe. Die eingeschränkte MRT-Zulassung der Implantate ist in der täglichen Praxis ein häufiges Problem.

Ziel

Im Fokus steht der MRT-Bedarf dieser Schmerzpatienten und die Vorhersagbarkeit zum Zeitpunkt der Implantation.

Material und Methoden

Es erfolgte eine retrospektive Auswertung der Datenbank unseres Klinikinformationssystems. Gesucht wurden alle im Zeitraum November 2011 bis März 2019 in unserem Klinikum angeforderten MRT-Untersuchungen für Patienten mit implantiertem Neurostimulator. Zudem erfolgte ein Abgleich mit den im gleichen Zeitraum durchgeführten Implantationen derartiger Stimulationssysteme.

Ergebnisse

Es konnten 171 durchgeführte MRT-Untersuchungen und 22 Anforderungen ohne nachfolgende Untersuchung ausgewertet werden. Bei 83 von 294 Patienten, die in unserem Zentrum mit implantierten Neurostimulatoren versorgt wurden, erfolgte mindestens eine MRT-Untersuchung in unserem Klinikum. Wir beobachten eine stetig steigende Nachfrage. In 111 von 171 durchgeführten Untersuchungen (65 %) bestand kein Zusammenhang zwischen der zur Implantation führenden Indikation und der Indikation für die MRT. Eine Vorhersagbarkeit konnte nur bei 43 von 193 MRT-Anforderungen (22 %) unterstellt werden.

Diskussion

Patienten mit implantiertem Neurostimulator haben auch in Deutschland einen hohen Bedarf an MRT-Diagnostik, welcher zum Zeitpunkt der Implantation nicht vorhersagbar ist. Daher sollten ausschließlich MRT-taugliche Systeme implantiert werden. Die Industrie ist aufgefordert, die Implantate und deren Zulassungen an den Bedarf anzupassen.
Thermodynamic Properties of Methyl Diethanolamine
Authors: Neumann Tobias , Baumhögger Elmar , Span Roland , Vrabec Jadran , Thol Monika
Published: November 2021

The homogeneous density of the liquid phase is experimentally investigated for methyl diethanolamine. Data are obtained along five isotherms in a temperature range between 300 K and 360 K for pressures up to 95 MPa. Two different apparatuses are used to measure the speed of sound for the temperatures between 322 K and 450 K with a maximum pressure of 95 MPa. These measurements and literature data are used to develop a fundamental equation of state for methyl diethanolamine. The model is formulated in terms of the Helmholtz energy and allows for the calculation of all thermodynamic properties in gaseous, liquid, supercritical, and saturation states. The experimental data are represented within their uncertainties. The physical and extrapolation behavior is validated qualitatively to ensure reasonable calculations outside of the range of validity. Based on the experimental datasets, the equation of state is valid for temperatures from 250 K to 750 K and pressures up to 100 MPa.
Clustered sparsity and Poisson-gap sampling
Authors: Kasprzak Paweł , Urbańczyk Mateusz , Kazimierczuk Krzysztof
Published: November 2021

Non-uniform sampling (NUS) is a popular way of reducing the amount of time taken by multidimensional NMR experiments. Among the various non-uniform sampling schemes that exist, the Poisson-gap (PG) schedules are particularly popular, especially when combined with compressed-sensing (CS) reconstruction of missing data points. However, the use of PG is based mainly on practical experience and has not, as yet, been explained in terms of CS theory. Moreover, an apparent contradiction exists between the reported effectiveness of PG and CS theory, which states that a “flat” pseudo-random generator is the best way to generate sampling schedules in order to reconstruct sparse spectra. In this paper we explain how, and in what situations, PG reveals its superior features in NMR spectroscopy. We support our theoretical considerations with simulations and analyses of experimental data from the Biological Magnetic Resonance Bank (BMRB). Our analyses reveal a previously unnoticed feature of many NMR spectra that explains the success of ”blue-noise” schedules, such as PG. We call this feature “clustered sparsity”. This refers to the fact that the peaks in NMR spectra are not just sparse but often form clusters in the indirect dimension, and PG is particularly suited to deal with such situations. Additionally, we discuss why denser sampling in the initial and final parts of the clustered signal may be useful.
Ultrasound-guided lung biopsy with coaxial technique: pleural contact length affects the occurrence of pneumothorax after first puncture
Authors: Imamine Rinpei , Kubo Takeshi , Akuta Keizo , Kobayashi Hisato , Yamamoto Yoshiharu , Saito Ayako , Sakai Naoki , Shirase Tomoyuki
Published: November 2021

Purpose

To assess prebiopsy characteristics influencing the occurrence of pneumothorax after first puncture of ultrasound (US)-guided lung biopsy with coaxial technique.

Materials and methods

From January 2007 to September 2018, 180 peripheral lung lesions in 174 patients who underwent B-mode US-guided lung biopsy with coaxial technique at single institution were included in this study. Technical success was defined as the ability to make a diagnosis using the acquired sample with/without an adverse event of pneumothorax. Statistical analyses of prebiopsy characteristics were performed to identify the most important cutpoint and to evaluate the effect on diagnostic accuracy.

Results

Of the 180 lesions (mean size, 37 mm ± 26.2; mean pleural contact length, 38.2 mm ± 34.4), technical success rate was 97.2% (175/180 lesions) and diagnostic accuracy rate was 91.6% (165/180 lesions). Pneumothorax occurred immediately after first puncture for seven of 180 lesions. Classification and regression tree analysis and Fisher’s exact test showed the proportion of the pneumothorax immediately after first puncture was higher in lesions with pleural contact length less than 9.78 mm (p = 0.002). No significant difference was shown between the pneumothorax and non-pneumothorax after first puncture in technical success and final diagnosis success rate.

Conclusion

Pleural contact length affects the occurrence of pneumothorax after first puncture of US-guided lung biopsy with coaxial technique.
Drei kulturelle und organisatorische Welten
Authors: Hirschhorn Larry , Giernalczyk Thomas , Holle Martin , Lohmer Mathias , Zimmermann Markus
Published: November 2021

Covid-19 beschleunigt virtuelle Formen der weltweiten Zusammenarbeit. Das hat weitreichende Konsequenzen für Struktur und Prozesse von Organisationen einerseits und ihre Kultur andererseits. Wir unterscheiden drei Welten, die die meisten Unternehmen in unterschiedlichen Proportionen miteinander verbinden: (1) die bürokratische Welt mit ihrer Orientierung an Hierarchie, Kontrolle und Vorhersagbarkeit, (2) die Projektwelt mit den Werten Team, Kooperation und Entwicklung, (3) die mit Freiheit, Autonomie und Unsicherheit verbundene Transaktions- oder Gig-Welt. Der richtige Zuschnitt der drei Welten im Unternehmen (wieviel braucht es von welcher Welt?) ebenso wie die Passung der Unternehmenskultur zu den Welten (fördert oder behindert die vorherrschende Kultur die Organisation?) sind wichtig u. a. für Recruiting und Bindung von Talenten – und damit für den Erfolg des Unternehmens.
Knowledge and Asymmetric Loss
Authors: Dinges Alexander
Published: November 2021

This paper offers a novel account of practical factor effects on knowledge attributions that is consistent with the denial of contextualism, relativism and pragmatic encroachemt. The account goes as follows. Knowledge depends on factors like safety, reliability or probability. In many cases, it is uncertain just how safe, how reliably formed or how probable the target proposition is. This means that we have to estimate these quantities in order to form knowledge judgements. Such estimates of uncertain quantities are independently known to be affected by pragmatic factors. When overestimation is costlier than underestimation, for instance, we tend to underestimate the relevant quantity to avoid greater losses. On the suggested account, high stakes and other pragmatic factors induce such “asymmetric loss functions” on quantities like safety, reliability and probability. This skews our estimates of these quantities and thereby our judgements about knowledge. The resulting theory is an error-theory, but one that rationlizes the error in question.
Maturing Out of Victimization: Extending the Theory of Psychosocial Maturation to Victimization
Authors: Beckley Amber L. , Rocque Michael , Tuvblad Catherine , Piquero Alex R.
Published: November 2021

Adolescents are at a relatively high risk of victimization. Within criminology, victimization has been largely attributed to risky behaviors and low self-control. Yet, these factors explain only a modest amount of victimization, suggesting that other theoretical predictors may offer additional insight. One factor that may predict victimization, as well as decreasing victimization risk after adolescence, is psychosocial maturation. Using data from the longitudinal Pathways to Desistance study, this study tested the association between psychosocial maturation and victimization. The analytic sample for this study (1087 individuals; 5681 yearly observations) included participants under 18 years at study recruitment. On average, each participant contributed 6 years of data. The victimization measure captured different types of threats and assaults (including rape and gunshot). Results showed 978 (17.2%) observations during which participants reported victimization. On average, psychosocial maturation increased with age while victimization risk decreased. Crude and adjusted models of the between-individual effect showed that a one standard deviation increase in psychosocial maturation was associated with 39% and 20% lower odds of victimization, respectively. Crude and adjusted models of the within-individual effect showed that a one standard deviation increase in psychosocial maturation was associated with 22% and 17% lower odds of victimization, respectively. Psychosocial maturation appears to be a relevant predictor of victimization and aids in our understanding of victimization risk throughout adolescence and early adulthood.
Vom Freizeiterleben zur Selbstoptimierung? – Zeitperspektiven Jugendlicher im Sport: reloaded
Authors: Neuber Nils , Dahl Stefanie , Salomon Sebastian
Published: November 2021

Das Konzept der Zeitperspektiven strukturiert das Jugendalter auf der Grundlage gegenwartsbezogener Entfaltung (Moratorium) und zukunftsbezogener Entwicklung (Transition). Der Beitrag bezieht dieses Modell auf die drei sportbezogenen Settings Schulsport, Vereinssport und Selbstorganisierter Sport und fragt nach den jeweiligen Entfaltungs- und Entwicklungspotenzialen aus der Sicht von Jugendlichen. Dabei werden Stichproben aus den Jahren 2002 und 2019 miteinander verglichen (N1 = 214; N2 = 502). Im Zeitvergleich zeigt sich, dass die Einschätzung gegenwartsbezogener Entfaltungsbedürfnisse und zukunftsbezogener Entwicklungsaufgaben in der Perspektive junger Menschen tendenziell unverändert bleibt, dass jedoch die Bedeutung sozialer Kontakte insbesondere im Selbstorganisierten Sport abnimmt. Damit deutet sich eine Tendenz vom spielerischen Sporterleben in der Freizeit zur körper- und fitnessbezogenen Selbstoptimierung an.
Permanent Value
Authors: FRUGÉ CHRISTOPHER
Published: November 2021

Temporal nihilism is the view that our lives will not matter after we die. According to the standard interpretation, this is because our lives will not make a permanent difference. Many who consider the view thus reject it by denying that our lives need to have an eternal impact. However, in this essay, I develop a different formulation of temporal nihilism revolving around the persistence of personal value itself. According to this more powerful conception of nihilism, we do not have personal value after death, so our past life no longer has well-being after we die. The standard objections to the standard interpretation do not apply to this more nihilistic nihilism. I offer a new response according to which personal value persists after death because the person continues to exist.
The Abbotts and Their Book: A Dynasty of Decorative Plasterers and Their Work in Devon, c. 1580–1727
Authors: Saunt Jenny
Published: November 2021

The ‘Abbott Book’ is a seventeenth-century pocketbook of over three hundred pages of drawings and notes on decorative plaster and paint made by members of the Abbott family of Devonshire. It has a long and contested history. From the 1920s through to the 1950s, it was given sixteenth-century origins and described as a compilation made by several generations of the Abbott family. During this period, the book’s drawings were used to attribute much sixteenth- and seventeenth-century decorative plaster in the south-west of England to the Abbott dynasty of plasterers. Then, through the 1980s and 1990s, the Abbott story was revisited and dramatically revised. The book was declared a post-1660 work and previous notions of several generations of Abbotts creating it were dispelled. The whole work was reattributed to one man, John Abbott, who was born in 1642 and died in 1727. As a result, plasterwork across the south-west was reattributed to an anonymous ‘Devon School’ of plasterers and, with its new and dramatically shortened lifespan, the book’s usefulness as a source for the broader practices of plasterwork in the period was diminished. Using new evidence relating to watermarks, the genealogy of the Abbotts, the plasterwork they produced and the print sources they used for drawings in the book, this article rewrites the Abbott Book story. It restores the notion that the pocketbook was used by several different members of the Abbott family — at least three and possibly four — over the 150 years between c. 1580 and 1727. By providing a logic and a timeline for its complex compilation pattern, it allows the drawings in the book to shed new light on the design and production processes of seventeenth-century plasterwork not just in Devon, but also in England as a whole.
Excretion patterns of Schistosoma mansoni antigens CCA and CAA by adult male and female worms, using a mouse model and ex vivo parasite cultures
Authors: Casacuberta-Partal Miriam , van Lieshout Lisette , van Diepen Angela , Sijtsma Jeroen C. , Ozir-Fazalalikhan Arifa , Koopman Jan Pieter R. , de Dood Claudia J. , Corstjens Paul L.A.M. , van Dam Govert J. , Hokke Cornelis H. , Roestenberg Meta
Published: November 2021

Assays which enable the detection of schistosome gut-associated circulating anodic (CAA) and cathodic (CCA) antigen in serum or urine are increasingly used as a diagnostic tool for schistosome infection. However, little is known about the production and clearance of these circulating antigens in relation to the sex and reproductive maturity of the parasite. Here we describe CAA and CCA excretion patterns by exploring a mouse model after exposure to 36 male-only, female-only and mixed (male/female) Schistosoma mansoni cercariae. We found that serum and urine CAA levels, analysed at 3 weeks intervals, peaked at 6 weeks post-infection. Worms recovered after perfusion at 14 weeks were cultured ex vivo. Male parasites excreted more circulating antigens than females, in the mouse model as well as ex vivo. In mixed infections (supporting egg production), serum CAA levels correlated to the number of recovered worms, whereas faecal egg counts or Schistosoma DNA in stool did not. No viable eggs and no inflammation were seen in the livers from mice infected with female worms only. Ex vivo, CAA levels were higher than CCA levels. Our study confirms that CAA levels reflect worm burden and allows detection of low-level single-sex infections.
The influence of rate of lean and fat tissue development on pork eating quality
Authors: Blanchard P J , Chadwick J P , Warkup C C , Ellis M , Deans G A
Published: November 2021

The main factors contributing to pork eating satisfaction are considered to be tenderness, juiciness and flavour. Tenderness has been identified as being the most important of these factors in terms of variability and perceived deterioration over recent years. Previous research has shown that the eating quality of meat may be influenced by the balance between the rates of lean tissue growth and fat deposition respectively, and this in turn may be influenced by dietary manipulation and/or genotype and sex of animal. It has been suggested that lean tissue growth rate (LTGR) - influenced by daily liveweight gain - fundamentally affects meat tenderness in pigs (Warkup and Kempster, 1991). In beef cattle studies, faster growing animals have been shown to produce more tender meat (Whipple et al, 1990). Previous work has demonstrated that meat from ad libitum fed pigs tends to be more tender and juicy than restrictively fed pigs (MLC, 1988; Ellis et al, 1990). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the relative importance of lean and fat tissue growth on pork eating quality.
Effect of stage of maturity of grass and period of ensilage on milk production with grass silage-based diets
Authors: Cushnahan A. , Mayne C.S. , Goodall E.A.
Published: November 2021

It is generally assumed that lactating dairy cows offered grass silage consume less dry matter than cows offered fresh pasture. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of specific components of the ensilage process on food intake and animal performance.

Thirty-six lactating dairy cows were offered the following diets in a changeover design experiment:

Gl = primary growth perennial ryegrass zero grazed between 11/5/94 and 31/5/94 (high digestibility).

Sl,3 = silage made from Gl and allowed to ferment for 3 weeks prior to feeding.

Sl,9 = silage made from Gl and allowed to ferment for 9 weeks prior to feeding.

G2 = primary growth perennial ryegrass zero grazed between 1/6/94 and 21/6/94 (low digestibility).

S2,3 = silage made from G2 and allowed to ferment for 3 weeks prior to feeding.

S2,9 = silage made from G2 and allowed to ferment for 9 weeks prior to feeding.

Each treatment forage was offered for a period of 3 weeks, with food intake and animal production data from week 3 used in the statistical analysis. Forage was obtained from the primary growth of a perennial ryegrass sward, which had received 135 kg N, 19 kg P2O5 and 38 K2O/ha. All grass was pre-mown with a rotary mower, then lifted using a round baler. Bales were offered directly to the cows or wrapped in black plastic, stored and allowed to ferment. No additive was applied at ensiling.
The effect of providing a high fibre diet on foraging behaviour of outdoor sows and consequent pasture damage
Authors: Braund J P , Edwards S A , Riddoch I , Buckner L , Roden J
Published: November 2021

Food restricted sows under extensive conditions forage for considerable periods of time and this can give rise to serious pasture damage. This pasture damage can be diminished by the reduction of rooting behaviours. In the past this has been achieved by nose ringing but, due to welfare implications, the emphasis has now been shifted onto alternative methods such as nutritional modification. This rooting behaviour is, in part, caused by hunger (feed motivation) and it has been demonstrated that this feed motivation can be manipulated by short-term changes in food level and type (Brouns et al 1994; Edwards et al, 1993; Ewbank, 1974).

The objective of this experiment was to study the effects of feeding a fibrous diet (containing 600 g/kg unmolassed sugarbeet pulp) either at a restricted or ad libitum level, on foraging behaviour and the consequences of this for pasture damage.
Predicted lamb carcase component changes from using different selection indexes and endpoints
Authors: Pollott G.E.
Published: November 2021

Recent estimates of the genetic parameters of the traits used in the MLC Lean Index (Simm and Dingwall, 1989) have suggested that the rate of genetic progress in carcase quality could be improved by using alternative indexes (Pollott, 1994). This study was carried out to investigate the changes in a range of carcase components using these alternative selection indexes. Interest is particularly focused on changes in fat depots and bone weight under selection, as well as that of the primary trait of interest, lean weight.
Carcass characteristics of blackface lambs, sired by genetically lean and fat rams
Authors: Conington J , Bishop S C , Waterhouse A , Simm G
Published: November 2021

An experimental programme was initiated in 1990 to investigate the consequences of selection for reduced fatness in hill sheep. Lambs from some hill breeds tend to fall at the poorer end of the carcass quality scale, and achieve low carcass weights due to their small mature size. The aim of this paper is to compare carcass characteristics of lambs sired by two lines of Scottish Blackface rams selected for divergent subcutaneous backfat, and to estimate heritabilities at three ‘end ’ points: 1) at a constant subcutaneous backfat level, 2) at a constant age and 3) at a constant cold carcass weight.
Genetic parameters and responses to selection for pre-weaning growth in suffolk and texel sheep
Authors: Purvis I.W. , Hanrahan J.P.
Published: November 2021

In order to evaluate genetic gain in populations under selection it is necessary to be able to partition the observed response into genetic and environmental components. This requires estimates of the appropriate genetic and environmental (co)variances unless appropriate genetic controls are available. Growth rate is an important component of the breeding objective for sheep breeds used as terminal sires and, whereas older estimates of the contribution of genetic variation to differences in preweaning growth indicated heritabilities of the order of 0.1, more recent studies have indicated considerably higher values. The present report concerns analyses of preweaning growth data on purebred Suffolk and Texel sheep to estimate genetic parameters for preweaning growth traits and genetic trend in growth rate from birth to weaning.
Analysis of meat and reproductive traits in a commercial sire broiler line
Authors: Catterall J.H. , Pollott G.E.
Published: November 2021

Selection in a commercial sire line is primarily based on improvement of broiler traits and those reproductive traits affected by the breeding male i.e. fertility, hatchability and chick quality. However some consideration in the selection programme must be given to die egg production and quality traits as the pure line must be maintained and parent sires produced. Dam lines are also selected for broiler and reproductive traits with more selection pressure being brought to bear on the egg related traits than in the sire lines. Consequently, the cross-bred progeny of these lines, which are sold as commercial breeding stock, exhibit a high performance in both egg production and meat deposition. As the primary basis of selection is to effect development of the pure-bred lines the assessment of the relationships between broiler and reproductive traits will facilitate in the advancement of the selection programme.
The effects of restricting concentrate intake on january born lambs at grass
Authors: Coll T. , Quinn P. J. , Crosby T.F.
Published: November 2021

In an early lamb production system feed costs and age at slaughter are big factors in determining profit. Farmers are being forced to become more efficient producers as costs of production continue to rise and farm product prices fail to keep pace with inflation. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the performance of lambs fed concentrates ad-libitum to those fed to a maximum restricted level of 0Â·5 kg/hd/day.
Effect of fish meal supplementation on body energy mobilization and milk production of ewes in negative energy balance
Authors: Castrillo C. , Dapoza C. , Rubio C. , Guada J.A.
Published: November 2021

Protein supplementation has a positive effect on milk production, particularly in ewes on negative energy balance (Gonzalez et al., 1985). The response has been associated either to an increase in the movilization of body reserves (Whitelaw et al., 1986, Hadjipanayotou et al., 1988) or to an enhanced efficiency of energy utilization for milk synthesis. On the other hand, the response has been shown to be higher with fish meal than with other protein sources (Oldham, 1984). This work aimed to study the mecanisms involved in the response to fish meal supplementation, in lactating ewes on negative energy balance.
Cut-and-carry feeding of indigenous grass in indonesian sheep production: effect of amount of grass offered and wilting on intake and yield of compost
Authors: Tanner J C , Owen E , Winugroho H M , Gill M
Published: November 2021

West Java sheep are permanently housed and offered manually-harvested grass at 50-60 g dry matter [DM] per kg live weight [M] daily [d]. Flocks (ca. 5 head) are housed on slats, with excreta and feed refusals composted underneath.

In a previous experiment (Tanner et al 1993) with 18-month old Javanese Thin-Tailed rams, intake of cut-and-carried, indigenous grass increased as the amount offered was increased (25, 50 or 75 g DM offered/kg M.d; intakes were 22.1, 31.7 and 34.9 g DM/kg M.d respectively). Output of compost also increased with increasing amount of grass offered. In another experiment (Tanner et al 1994) supplementing grass offered at 30 g DM/kg M.d with rice bran fed at 30 g/kg M0.75.d achieved the same intake of digestible organic matter as unsupplemented grass offered at 60 g DM/kg M.d and reduced feeding costs by 15%. However, output of compost was reduced by 41% by rice bran supplementation, resulting in an unacceptable reduction in compost monetary-value.
Growth and meat quality assessment of entire and castrated suffolk-cross male lambs finished on a traditional grass system
Authors: Anderson J.M.L. , Webster G.M.
Published: November 2021

The aim of this trial was to quantify the variation in growth and lamb meat quality between entire male and castrated male lambs reared under traditional grass systems, and to identify the possible problems in rearing mixed sex groups together. Much work has been carried out on the effects of castration on meat quality and growth (Butler-Hogg et al. 1984; O' Riordan and Hanrahan, 1992), and on pelt removal (Andersen et al.; 1991a, 1991b); this experiment set out to ascertain whether entire male lambs would finish quicker than wether lambs off average condition grass swards in a semi-commercial situation and therefore to determine the necessity of castrating lambs that will be finished by September.
Effect of type of supplement on goat milk production under grazing conditions
Authors: Frutos P. , López J. , Lavín P. , Díez P. , Mantecón A.R.
Published: November 2021

The value of the goat for milk and meat production has been recognized especially for arid zones, where these ruminants can use natural resources. When goats under grazing conditions are supplemented, changes in milk yield, according to type of supplement, are expected.

This experience was carried out with the aim to study the effect of type of supplement on milk production under grazing conditions.

A total of 48 adult Alpine goats were allocated into four groups (12 goats/group) according with the type of supplement offered:

Group A: 600 g /head/day of a concentrate mixture with high protein content (Soybean + barley grain + maize grain + mineral-vitamin supplement).

Group B: 600 g barley grain /head/day.

Group C: 600 g hay /head/day.

Group D: no supplement.
Initial responses to selection for fibre value and fibre diameter in cashmere goats
Authors: Bishop S.C. , Russel A.J.F.
Published: November 2021

The production of cashmere from goats is one of the most promising options for hill sheep farmers wishing to diversify. Not only is cashmere, the down from the secondary hair follicles, a valuable commodity but goats’ grazing preferences can benefit pasture management and ecology. Because no economically viable breeds of cashmere bearing goats are indigenous to the UK, goats were imported from Iceland, Siberia, Tasmania and New Zealand and an extensive crossbreeding programme involving these genotypes and native feral goats was undertaken to produce genotypes suitable to Scottish conditions (Bishop and Russel, 1994). At the completion of this crossbreeding programme the best means of continued improvement of the existing cashmere goat population was considered to be selection for genetic merit, based on an index combining traits of economic importance. This paper summarises responses to the first two years of this selection.
Effects of protected methionine supplementation of the diet and genotype on growth, digestive characteristics and fibre yield in cashmere and angora goats
Authors: Souri M. , Galbraith H. , Scaife J.R. , Williams P.E.V.
Published: November 2021

Methionine is a sulphur-containing essential amino acid which is frequently deficient in animal diets. A number of reports have indicated positive responses to the addition of methionine to the diet of ruminants in the form of protein or the individual amino acid. Protection against degradation by rumen microorganisms is necessary in addition to availability for absorption in the small intestine.

The two major genotypes of fine fibre-producing goats are the Angora breed which produce predominantly mohair and those which produce cashmere from secondary hair follicles. Fibre production by primary follicles in Angora goats is limited whereas ‘guard hair’ production in cashmere producers is generally susbtantial.

The object of the present study was to compare the response of the two genotypes to the incorporation of a ruminally protected intestinally available methionine supplement in the diet.
Measurement of the rate and extent of cell wall degradability in forages; a comparison of three methods
Authors: Deaville E. R. , Givens D. I.
Published: November 2021

Forage cell wall content (CWC), accounting for 400 to 600 g kg-1 dry matter (DM) (Van Soest, 1982) and its rumen degradability (CWD) are major factors influencing the animal's energy supply from forages. Therefore, in order to maximise the nutritional potential of forages for ruminants, the ability to accurately and rapidly measure CWD is crucial. This is becoming increasingly important as feed evaluation methods move towards assessing nutrient supply. While the measurement of CWD is largely based on the polyester bag technique an experiment was undertaken to study the potential of measuring CWD in vitro for different forage types.

Three methods of measuring CWD were compared using four samples each of grass (G), grass silage (GS), maize silage (MS) and straw (S) in a factorial design. The methods were; 1) fresh (undried) forage, chopped to 1 cm lengths using an homogeniser, was incubated in the rumens of sheep in polyester bags (pore size 43um) for different lengths of time (0, 3, 8, 16, 24, 45 and 72h).
Use of near infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy to investigate the effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on changes in leucaena leucocephala and calliandra sp. Incubated in vitro
Authors: Lister S.J. , Sanderson R. , Dhanoa M.S. , Gill E.M.
Published: November 2021

Browse legumes are an important source of fodder for ruminants throughout the tropics. However, the presence of certain anti-nutritive factors may reduce intake and hinder the utilisation of these fodders by livestock and more information relating to their nutritional characteristics is required before they can be utilised effectively. NIR has generally been used as a quantitative tool to predict chemical composition but the use of detailed NIR spectra in qualitative analysis may provide some insight into differences between forages or forages which have been chemically treated. The objective of this work was to use NIR difference spectra to examine two tropical forages legumes, Leucaena and Calliandra, which contain different amounts of condensed tannins and to investigate whether in vitro digestion of the legumes may be enhanced by incubating in the presence of PEG, to counteract some of the anti-nutritive properties associated wim polyphenolics.
Comparison of oven drying versus freeze drying on the analysis of non-starch polysaccharides in graminaceous and leguminous forages
Authors: Longland A.C. , Pilgrim R.D. , Jones I.H.
Published: November 2021

The carbohydrate portion of dietary fibre is increasingly being measured as non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). Unlike the more traditional, indirect gravimetric methods of measuring dietary fibre such as the crude fibre, acid detergent fibre, or neutral detergent fibre (NDF) techniques, the NSP method is a direct measurement of the monomeric constituents of the carbohydrate portion of the fibre fraction. Neutral NSP monomers are measured by gas chromatography of alditol acetate derivatives of acid hydrolysates of destarched samples, whereas the acidic sugars in the hydrolysates are determined by colorimetry (EnglystandCummings, 1984) or decarboxylation (Theander and Aman, 1979). As it has been shown that mode of drying can affect the values obtained for fibre determined gravimetrically by the NDF technique (Deinum and Maassen, 1994), it is important to know if NSP values are similarly affected. Therefore the effects of oven drying versus freeze drying on the NSP values obtained for various temperate forages was assessed.
An economic assessment of the impact of new reproductive technologies on commercial dairy and beef herds
Authors: Yates C. M. , Rehman T. , Chamberlain A. T.
Published: November 2021

The adoption of new reproductive technologies is likely to have far reaching consequences on commercial dairy and beef herds. Within a dairy herd, milk production is influenced by the animal's genotype and its environment and their interaction. Whilst environmental factors may be manipulated in many ways, the animal's genotype is determined solely by it's parents genetic make up; therefore, animal reproduction plays a vital role in determining the genetic progress that can be made within an enterprise. Reproduction is also important within a beef enterprise as the production of a large breed calf can increase the output and thus achieve a higher production efficiency. Any reproductive technology that offers a faster rate of genetic improvement and/or an increase in production would be considered desirable if any increased costs of using that technology are compensated by the economic benefits. In order to appraise such technologies it is necessary to estimate their implications at an enterprise level in terms of production levels, efficiency and economic benefits.
Effects of gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist treatment on oestrous cycle length and superovulatory response in maiden heifers
Authors: Birnie L M , Broadbent P J , Hutchinson J S M , Watt R G , Dolman D F
Published: November 2021

Current variability in superovulatory response prevents the economical production of large numbers of high quality embryos and limits the use of embryo transfer. Pulsatile administration of GnRH (gonadotrophin releasing hormone) elicits pulsatile secretion of LH (luteinising hormone) while chronic treatment with a potent GnRH agonist reduces LH secretion. Using the latter, gonadotrophin-dependent preovulatory antral follicle development may be suppressed, resulting in a uniform cohort of small antral follicles in the absence of a dominant follicle which could then be superstimulated by exogenous gonadotrophin.
Replacing concentrates with self help feed blocks in the winter rations of autumn calving suckler cows
Authors: Powell T L , Marsh S P
Published: November 2021

Winter feeding systems for autumn calving cows cannot manipulate body condition to the same extent in hill herds as in the lowlands. Maintaining the dry, pregnant hill cow economically in the grazing season means making use of rough grazings (SNRG) which will allow little body condition improvement. In effect, condition score needs to alter little throughout the year. Consequently, in the early part of the winter, at least, some concentrate supplementation is required for the moderate quality silage on offer from what are often limited supplies.
A comparison of daily and alternate day feeding of a complete diet to dairy cows
Authors: Phillips C.J.C. , Rind M.I.
Published: November 2021

Cows are usually fed forage or a mixed complete diet with an automatic delivery feed wagon daily. The feeding is a laborious and time consuming task, however such a load can be reduced by alternate day feeding of cows (Wallace and Parker, 1966; Owen, 1987; Leaver, 1990). Refusals may be collected when more then ten percent of fresh supply. The objective of this study was to compare daily with alternate day feeding of complete diet to dairy cows.
Effect of restricted suckling patterns on milk yield, milk composition and calf performance
Authors: Sandoval C. , Leaver J.D.
Published: November 2021

The combination of milking combined with restricted suckling is a common production system (dual purpose) in many countries. In a previous study (Boden and Leaver, 1994, Animal production 58, 463-464 Abstr.), Holstein Friesian cows milked once daily, and restricted suckled produced 0.56 of the saleable milk of conventional twice daily milked cows. Restricted suckling substantially reduced milk fat and increased milk protein contents. In this study, a range of milking and suckling patterns were examined.
Comparison between growing fattening bulls finished at grass or indoors : ii. meat characteristics and fat composition
Authors: Hornick J.L. , Gauthier S. , Clinquart A. , Van Eenaeme C. , Istasse L.
Published: November 2021

Belgian Blue bulls fattened at grass are not slaughtered directely out of pasture. They are always finished in a stanchion barn with concentrate diets, in order to provide a meat which corresponds to the market demand. So, no data are available on the influence of grass on meat and fat characteristics of bulls from the Belgian Blue breed. The objective of this experiment was to compare meat quality and fat composition of bulls which carried out a complete fattening period either on pasture or indoors.
Effects of sources of carbohydrate and protein given at low levels with grass silage ad libitum on the performance of lactating dairy cows
Authors: Aston K. , Dewhurst R.J. , Fisher W.J. , Davies D.W.R. , McAllan A.B.
Published: November 2021

An effective strategy for milk production is to supplement silage with small amounts of high-protein concentrate based on mixed carbohydrate sources and fish and soyabean meals (Aston et al 1992). Recent work at Trawsgoed by Sargeant and McAllan (1993) using growing steers given high-digestibility grass silage supplemented with rapeseed meal (a source of highly rumen degradable protein) produced similar live-weight gains to those obtained with fish meal. Jacobs and McAllan (1992) concluded that microbial protein yield is greater when the more degradable protein source is given, indicating a better balance in the supply of nitrogen and energy nutrients within the rumen. Lactating cows given grass silage diets have a high requirement for Metabolisable Protein (MP). The source of rumen fermentable carbohydrate may be important when MP supply is derived from degradable dietary protein and hence microbial growth. This study therefore examined the effects of varying the sources of carbohydrate and protein in low levels of concentrate given with high-digestibility grass silage. The main effects observed in the milk production experiment are presented here.
The digestibility of energy, nitrogen and non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) by growing pigs from semi-purified diets containing eight different sources of NSP at four levels of inclusion
Authors: Longland A.C. , Low A.G. , Bray S.P , Quelch D.
Published: November 2021

There have been a number of trials with growing pigs where the digestibility of NSP for a few feeds of varying NSP content have been measured (Graham et al 1986, Longland and Low, 1988). However, there have been few systematic studies where the digestibility of many different types of NSP have been compared at different inclusion levels so that the animals response to each type of NSP can be evaluated, and the effects of NSP source and level on energy and nitrogen (N) digestibility can be assessed. Therefore in the current study the digestibility of NSP, energy and N of semi-purified diets each containing one of eight botanically diverse sources of NSP at a range of inclusion levels was measured.
Influence of full-fat rapeseed and supplementary vitamin e on growth, carcase characteristics and meat storage quality of pigs
Authors: Onibi G E , Scaife J R , Fowler V R
Published: November 2021

In pigs, dietary fatty acids influence the composition of meat lipids. When diets high in unsaturated fatty acids are fed, meat quality may be adversely affected due to the susceptibility of unsaturated fatty acids to oxidation. Rapeseed oil is rich in C18:ln9, C18:2n6 and C18:3n3 (57.1, 21.4 and 12.5 g/100g fatty acid respectively) and the inclusion of full-fat rapeseed (FFR) in pig diets may be valuable in manipulating pig meat fatty acid profile in order to increase human dietary intake of n3-polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, increasing the levels of FFR in pig diets has been shown to lead to an increase in carcass fat softness and it is likely that the meat lipids may be more prone to oxidative instability than that from pigs fed diets containing more saturated fatty acids. Since the protective role of vitamin E in lipid peroxidation is well established (Asghar et al, 1991; Monahan et al, 1993), a study was conducted to examine the influence of FFR with or without supplemental vitamin E on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat storage quality in pigs.
Suckler cow colostrum yield and immunoglobulin concentrations and their calves' serum immunoglobulin concentrations
Authors: McGee M. , Drennan M.J. , Caffrey P.J.
Published: November 2021

The objective of this experiment was to study colostrum yields and immunoglobulin (Ig) concentrations and subsequent calf serum Ig concentrations using mature suckler cows adequately fed pre-partum or severely feed restricted for the last 2 weeks of preganancy and 2 year old replacements heifers.

Cows from a Limousin x Friesian spring calving suckler herd were used. There were 3 treatments 1) cows adequately fed pre-partum (second cut grass silage) (n=12) 2) , cows severely feed restricted for 2 weeks pre-partum (straw diet) (n=6) and, 3) two year old heifers calving for the first time and adequately fed (n=6). All animals were offered a suitable mineral/vitamin supplement. Colostrum yield was obtained by hand milking half the udder following an intramuscular oxytocin injection. Colostrum was then sampled. The objective was to feed the calf an allowance of 50g of colostrum /kg bodyweight via stomach tube. Actual colostrum intakes (g/kg bodyweight ± S.E.) were 47 ± 1.4, 48 Â± 2.3 and 46 ± 1.9 for treatments 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Following an eight hour period when the calf was prevented from suckling (but left in the presence of the dam) a colostrum sample was obtained (2nd milking), the calf was blood sampled and then allowed to suckle as normal.
The behavioural, endocrine and immune responses of suckled calves to weaning and creep-feeding
Authors: Mackenzie A.M. , Rowan T.G. , Carter S.D. , Dixon J.B. , Tebble J.
Published: November 2021

The effects of husbandry conditions on the immune responses of suckled and bucket-reared calves has previously been reported by Mackenzie et al. (1993 a; 1993b; 1994) and there was a trend for weaning to result in decreased lymphocyte transformation test responses to mitogens along with increased humoral responses to the antigen keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH). Mean worker have made measurements of behavioural, endocrine and immune responses to attempt to determine the welfare status of domestic animals. However, there have been few studies where attempts have been made to measure all three parameters together. This pilot study was designed to investigate the relationship between husbandry conditions which may result in behavioural, endocrine and immune changes and to consider possible relationships in these parameters.
The handling of sheep at markets and the occurrence of bruising
Authors: Jarvis A M , Cockram M S
Published: November 2021

Most sheep sent for slaughter in the UK are sold through livestock markets. This study quantified potentially traumatic events (wool-pull, tail-pull, fall, hit structure, riding, head-butt, other) at two markets (549 groups of sheep, n=12119) and recorded the occurrence of carcase bruising on sheep from these markets. Carcase bruising of sheep sent to the slaughterhouse direct from farms was also recorded.

For every event the body site affected was classified as foreleg, thorax, abdomen, hindleg or back. Handling at the markets was categorised into 4 procedures: unloading (unloading from a vehicle, movement via walkways to a weighbridge, grading, division and marking of groups, placement in a holding pen), pre-sale and sale (movement from the pen through walkways to the auction ring, then to a new pen), post-sale (movement from the pen through walkways to a loading bay area) and loading (loading onto a vehicle via the vehicle tail-gate and a fixed unloading ramp). There was a total of 1324 and 744 events per 1000 sheep at markets A and B, respectively. The unloading of 40 groups of sheep (n=1501) and pre-slaughter handling of 60 groups (n=1085) was observed at the commercial slaughterhouse where the bruising observations were made. The overall occurrence of events at the slaughterhouse was 694 per 1000 sheep.
How information about individual pigs can help to reduce aggression and injuries after mixing
Authors: Erhard H.W. , Mendl M. , Ashley D.D.
Published: November 2021

Dominance hierarchies are commonly observed in groups of pigs (Beilharz & Cox 1967). These hierarchies appear to be established by individuals assessing each other's relative abilities, usually through fighting (Rushen & Pajor 1987). The resulting aggression is a well documented problem in pig husbandry. It could be reduced by mixing pigs who differ in certain respects, such that they rapidly form a hierarchy without vigorous fighting. Hessing et al. (1994) found that mixing pigs who showed high levels of resistance to being placed on their backs in a “back test” with pigs who were less resistant resulted in low levels of aggression. In this study we investigated whether mixing pigs which differ in their aggressiveness could reduce the negative effects of regrouping.