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The benefits of feeding calves more milk are increasingly being recognized by dairy farmers. However, most producers have still not implemented higher feeding plans. The aim of the present study was to gain a deeper understanding of farmer and farm staff attitudes, and the perceptions and factors considered in their decision-making regarding daily milk allowances. We collected data through focus group interviews with dairy farmers, farm managers, and calf-care workers who were selected using purposive and snowball sampling. In total, 40 persons (24 women and 16 men) joined a focus group interview (6 in all, each with 5–8 participants). Interviews were recorded, and recordings were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Participants had contrasting opinions about the minimum, maximum, and recommended daily milk allowances to their calves. Their suggested lowest daily milk allowance to sustain animal welfare ranged from 4 to 8–10 L and the maximum allowance from 6 to 15 L. We found that farmers' and farm staff's choices and recommendations of milk-feeding protocols were influenced by a large number of factors that could be grouped into 4 themes: (1) Life beyond work , (2) Farm facilities and equipment , (3) Care of the calves , and (4) Profitability and production. Participants' considerations were similar and aimed to maximize daily milk allowance based on farm conditions. However, the allowances they described as optimal for their calves often differed from what they considered practically feasible. We found that the care of the calves and the well-being of the owners and the staff was central in the participants' decision-making, but that this care perspective was challenged by the social and economic sustainability of the farm. Most participants fed their calves twice daily and did not think that increasing that number would be practically feasible. Our results indicate that the participants' viewpoints regarding calves were important for their decision-making about milk allowances. We suggest that a more holistic perspective should be used when advising farmers about milk allowances, putting particular emphasis on the caring and social sustainability aspects of the individual farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cattle veterinarians have long been encouraged to take on a role as proactive health consultants. However, the process so far has been slow in Sweden and elsewhere, and only a rather small proportion of cattle work conducted by veterinarians involves veterinary herd health management (VHHM). The aims of this exploratory study were to explore Swedish cattle veterinarians' interpretation of VHHM services and to understand the factors that might affect the extent to which cattle veterinarians perform VHHM. Six focus group discussions with cattle veterinarians complemented with 5 individual telephone interviews with clinic managers were conducted in 2020. In total, 33 cattle veterinarians participated, all employed by the largest employer of Swedish cattle veterinarians: Distriktsveterinärerna (Swedish Board of Agriculture). Participants were chosen from 6 geographical regions with the aim to present variations in gender, age, country of education, proportion of dairy cattle work at the clinic, experience in the veterinary profession, and experience in work with dairy herds and in VHHM. The focus group discussions and interviews were recorded and these recordings were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Participants interpreted VHHM as work associated with the process of advising and included both ad hoc advising and more strategic forms of services. Prebooked visits per se were not seen as VHHM. We identified 4 different themes among the factors affecting the extent of VHHM services: (1) farmer trust and demand ; (2) veterinary competence ; (3) time available for VHHM ; and (4) the individual veterinarian's commitment and motivation. To gain farmers' trust and to create a demand for VHHM services, the results of VHHM work and the veterinarian's competence were deemed central by the participants. The veterinarians' skills in communication and relation building were considered especially important. Some farmers were perceived as having little interest in, or lacking deeper knowledge about, VHHM services. The promotion of VHHM services was mentioned as an important factor to increase farmer demand. Participants described VHHM as work demanding high skills and continuous capacity development. Veterinarians' personal commitment and motivation were also described as important for the extent to which VHHM services were performed. This was in turn affected by the psychosocial work environment (e.g., workload, interest and recognition from farmers and managers, and acceptance, priority, and support by colleagues and managers). Clinic managers had a central role in the extent to which VHHM services are offered by an individual veterinarian due to their responsibility for staff scheduling, which highly affects the conditions for capacity development, intercollegiate networking, and cooperation. Lack of time was a major barrier for VHHM. On-call duty time and subsequent compensatory leave affected the total time available, and participants described time conflicts between VHHM and emergency services; moreover, it was perceived as challenging to find sufficient time for capacity development in several different species for veterinarians working in mixed practice. The slow development toward more proactive approaches for cattle veterinarians can be explained by the numerous different factors that together constrain the veterinarian to the traditional role of diagnosing and treating sick animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Veterinarians often give advice in a persuasive form, a style that has been shown to evoke resistance to change in clients experiencing psychological ambivalence (i.e. those who see both advantages and disadvantages to changing). With this style of communication, veterinarians run the risk of counteracting their purpose to encourage clients to follow recommendations. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a client-centered communication methodology that aims to facilitate clients' internal motivation to change. In MI, Change Talk represents clients' own statements expressing consideration of, motivation for or commitment to behavior change and has been shown to be strongly correlated with behavior change. Sustain Talk is corresponding statements related to maintaining the status quo. The aim of this exploratory study was to evaluate the potential of MI to facilitate behavior change in veterinary herd health management (VHHM) by investigating the effect of dairy cattle veterinarians' MI skills on client Change and Sustain Talk. We recorded VHHM consultancies on 170 Swedish cattle farms performed by 36 veterinarians, randomly distributed into 2 groups: MI veterinarians (n = 18) had received 6-month training in MI and control veterinarians (n = 18) had not received any training. Veterinarians' MI skills were assessed using the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity coding system 4.2.1 and categorized as poor_untrained, poor_trained, near moderate and moderate. Client communication was coded using the Client Language Easy Rating coding system. The effect of MI skills on Change Talk, Sustain Talk and Proportion of Change Talk(Change Talk divided by the sum of Sustain Talk plus Change Talk) was investigated using cross-classified regression models with random intercepts for veterinarian and client (farm). The models also included additional explanatory variables (e.g. type of veterinarian and client's satisfaction with the consultation). The veterinarian's MI skills were associated with the client's Change Talk, but results regarding Sustain Talk or Proportion of Change Talk were inconclusive. Clients of veterinarians reaching the highest (i.e. moderate) MI skills expressed 1.5 times more Change Talk than clients of untrained veterinarians. Clients of general large animal practitioners expressed less Sustain Talk than clients of animal health veterinarians and had higher Proportion of Change Talk. Results indicate that learning to practice MI may be one means to improve adherence to veterinary recommendations and to improve efficiency in VHHM services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Veterinary communication has evolved in the context of traditional veterinary tasks, such as diagnosing and treating sick animals, and this may encourage a directive communication style, in which the veterinarian acts as an expert, directing the client in what to do and how to do it. This type of communication style has been shown to evoke resistance to change in clients who are experiencing psychological ambivalence, a well-known aspect of farmers' herd health decisions. Veterinary herd health management (VHHM) constitutes an increasing proportion of the work of cattle veterinarians and often focuses on behavior change. The present study aimed to characterize communication styles of Swedish dairy cattle veterinarians involved in VHHM in relation to their skills in facilitating behavior change. A secondary aim was to investigate whether these skills differed among veterinarians depending on their experience in the veterinary profession or in VHHM. Audio-recorded role-play conversations (n = 123; reflecting VHHM telephone consultations) with 42 veterinarians involved in VHHM in Swedish dairy herds and audio-recorded on-farm consultations (n = 86) with 18 of those veterinarians were coded using a system developed to evaluate motivational interviewing (MI) skills. Motivational interviewing is a communication methodology aimed at facilitating clients' internal motivation to change. The MI Treatment Integrity (MITI) code identifies frequency counts of 10 verbal behaviors, and assesses 4 global variables on a Likert scale, based on 20 min of conversation. It also suggests 6 summary measurements of MI competency based on these 14 original variables. Of the 42 veterinarians, 39 also responded to a web questionnaire about their age, continuing education, and experience in the profession, in dairy herds and in VHHM. We analyzed associations between the 6 summary MITI variables from the role-play conversations and characteristics of the 39 veterinarians using logistic and linear multivariable regression models. Veterinarians in the role-play and on-farm conversations relied predominantly on giving information, questions, and persuasion in their consultation approaches. They generally did not explore the client's expectations or wishes regarding the agenda for the consultation, or acknowledge the client's right to make decisions about actions. Veterinarians gave advice without exploring the client's need for the advice or how the information was perceived. We found a significant reduction in so-called relational scores (Empathy plus Partnership) and an increase in MI-nonadherent behaviors (Persuasion plus Confront) as years of veterinary experience increased. Results showed that there is room for improvement in the communication style of veterinarians involved in VHHM. Wider literature suggests that training veterinarians in a client-centered communication methodology such as MI may increase the demand for and success of VHHM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of nonadherence to advice is recognized in several professional relationships, including the veterinarian-client relationship. A better understanding of farmer perspectives may help to improve efficiency in veterinary herd health management. This study aimed to qualitatively and quantitatively describe farmers' reasons for adherence and nonadherence with veterinary recommendations regarding preventive herd health measures. We carried out structured telephone interviews about implementation of preventive measures with owners or staff of 163 dairy farms and 6 beef farms. The farms had received an advisory visit by their veterinarian (n = 36), who had documented the preventive measures they had recommended. The interviewer noted verbatim responses to reasons for implementing preventive measures fully, partially, or not at all, and we analyzed these responses thematically. We also conducted a quantitative analysis, in which we calculated descriptive statistics of the proportions of different categories of reasons stated by the farmers. Altogether, 726 preventive measures (range per farm 1 to 17; median 3; interquartile range 2 to 6) were documented. We identified 3 organizing themes related to adherence or nonadherence with veterinary advice: trust, feasibility, and priorities. Overall, the most commonly stated reasons related to trust (in the veterinarian, in the advisory process, or in individual preventive measures). The most common reasons not to follow the recommended advice were related to feasibility. Based on the results, we recommend that, to improve adherence to their advice, veterinarians pay increased attention to farmers' needs, priorities, goals, and motives, as well as to farmers' perceptions of the effectiveness of individual preventive measures. We also recommend that veterinarians need to increase their focus on recommending preventive measures that are practically feasible to implement on farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this retrospective single-cohort study was to investigate if a rapid change in feeding, management, or housing or an increasing incidence of claw diseases or udder health problems is associated with decreased reproductive performance. Data on individual cows and herds were retrieved from the Swedish official milk recording system and questionnaire data on feeding system was obtained from the regional dairy associations. In total, 63,561 cows in 759 herds were included in the study. The associations between the probability of pregnancy at first insemination and number of inseminations per animal submitted for artificial insemination and potential predictor variables were investigated using a logistic regression model and a Poisson regression model, respectively. The results indicated that cows with severe claw lesions or an increasing somatic cell count after calving had a lower probability of pregnancy at first insemination and had a higher number of inseminations per animal submitted for artificial insemination than healthy cows. Variables representing a change in housing, production system, or milking system within the period from 6 mo before calving until establishment of a new pregnancy were significantly associated with decreased reproductive performance. No differences in fertility were observed between cows milked in an automatic milking system compared with cows milked conventionally. The results indicate that a change of system, rather than the actual type of milking or housing system negatively affects reproductive performance. Special attention should therefore be paid to the fertility of cows when the herd management is changing. It is also important to prevent claw lesions and increasing cell counts after calving to avoid a decrease in reproductive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relationships between heifer rearing conditions and the risk of veterinary-reported clinical mastitis (VRCM) during productive life were studied by generalized linear mixed modeling at the lactation level. Data consisted of 5,693 lactations in 2,126 Swedish Reds, Swedish Holsteins, or dairy cows of other or mixed breeds, representing all female animals born in 110 herds in southwest Sweden in 1998. During a lactation, a cow was defined as affected by VRCM if one or more cases were reported by a veterinarian, starting from 7 d precalving. The applied model of VRCM included effects of breed, parity, diarrhea between 3 and 7 mo of age, increase in body weight from weaning to first breeding, increase in daily concentrate ration before first calving, herd-level median age at first calving, cow housing, and random effects of cow and herd. The VRCM incidence was 14% in a given lactation, or 0.11 cases/cow annually; 31% of the cows had VRCM at least once during their productive life. Ninety percent of the variation in mastitis risk was due to factors at the lactation level such as parity, milk yield, cow diseases, and other disturbances, instead of cow or herd factors. Severe diarrhea between 3 and 7 mo of age was associated with 2.8-fold higher odds of VRCM compared with mild diarrhea during the same period, whereas the VRCM odds of calves with mild diarrhea were half that without diarrhea. The odds of VRCM had a predicted maximum at an estimated prepubertal growth rate of 859 g/d and increased with 10% for every 1-kg increase in concentrate ration during the last 2 mo before first calving. Costs of VRCM were estimated based on assumptions regarding veterinary service, extra labor, culling and herd replacement, discarded milk, and production loss depending on parity and lactation stage when VRCM was diagnosed. The total mean costs of VRCM were estimated to be $735 per lactation with a diagnosis of CM, $103 per lactation across all cows, or $95 per cow annually during lifetime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The switching behavior of a previously fabricated and tested SiC transistor is studied in Class-C amplifier in TCAD simulation. The transistor is simulated for pulse input signals in Class-C power amplifier. The simulated gain (dB), power density (W/mm) and power added efficiency (PAE%) at 500MHz, 1, 2 and 3GHz was studied using computational TCAD load pull simulation technique. A Maximum PAE of 77.8% at 500MHz with 45.4dB power gain and power density of 2.43W/mm is achieved. This technique allows the prediction of switching response of the device for switching amplifier Classes (Class-C–F) before undertaking an expensive and time consuming device fabrication. The beauty of this technique is that, we need no matching and other lumped element networks for studying the large signal behavior of RF and microwave transistors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Information regarding health, management, and housing from birth to first calving was collected for 1,029 Swedish Reds, 991 Swedish Holsteins, and 40 heifers of crossbreed or other breeds on bimonthly farm visits made by 3 project veterinarians to 107 dairy herds in southwest Sweden. Additional data were obtained from the official milk- and health-recording program. Milk production at first test day after calving [energy-corrected milk (ECM)1] and during the first 305 d of lactation (ECM305), respectively, were analyzed by 2-level (animal; herd) linear regression, after initial screening by univariable analyses of 67 potentially important predictors. The ECM1 ranged from 7.9 to 48.0 (median = 27.1) kg, and ECM305 ranged from 3,764 to 12,136 (median = 8,006) kg. In the final models, factors associated with ECM1 or ECM305 or both were age at first calving, body condition score at first service, breed, calfhood diarrhea, calving season, composite somatic cell count at first test day, daily weight gain from weaning to first service, housing system after calving, and increase in concentrate fed around calving. Higher age at calving was associated with higher production. Production also increased with higher daily weight gains from weaning to first service. Swedish Holsteins produced more than Swedish Reds, cows calving in May to September produced more than those calving during other months, and cows housed in short stalls after calving produced more than those in cubicles. Body condition scores ≥3.2 at first service were associated with lower ECM305 than scores ≤2.9. Animals that contracted mild diarrhea during their first 3 mo of life had lower ECM305 than animals without diarrhea, whereas animals receiving a high increase in concentrate pre- and postcalving had higher ECM305 than those subjected to a more moderate increase. Cows with a composite somatic cell count >1 million cells/milliliter at first test day produced less milk on the same day than cows with lower counts. It was concluded that rearing factors and calfhood health status can influence first lactation milk production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The serum concentration of haptoglobin (S-Hp) was measured in 833 group-housed dairy calves from nine herds in south-west Sweden once at 24-56 days of age to evaluate the potential of S-Hp as an indicator of clinical respiratory-tract disease (CRD). Presence of disease (treated and non-treated) was assessed clinically by farmers and by a project veterinarian visiting the farms every third week. The median S-Hp of healthy calves was 0.06 g/L (80% central range: 0.04-0.23), of calves with diarrhoea within the 10 days before sampling 0.07 g/L (80% central range: 0.04-0.63), and of calves with CRD within the 14 days before sampling 0.09 g/L (80% central range: 0.04-0.69). Eight different cut-off values were used to define a positive S-Hp analysis result: >0.05, >0.06, >0.07, >0.08, >0.09, >0.10, >0.15 and >0.20 g/L. A rectal temperature >39.5 °C was denoted as fever. A positive result of five different diagnostic tests for CRD was defined as: (1) a positive S-Hp with fever absent, (2) a positive S-Hp with fever present, (3) either a positive S-Hp or fever, (4) both a positive S-Hp and fever, and (5) fever (regardless of S-Hp). The sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of each test were calculated from regression coefficients of generalized linear mixed models of the binary test results, applying a logit link. Apart from CRD status (within the 14 days before sampling; no or yes), the models included sex (bull or heifer), and for the test based on S-Hp alone, also rectal temperature (fever, no or yes). Confidence intervals (CI) of Se and Sp were estimated by simulation. Based on Se, Sp, and areas under Receiver Operating Characteristics curves, test 3 was considered the best. At optimal performance, giving equal importance to type I and II errors, i.e. at a S-Hp cut-off of 0.15 g/L in heifer calves, Se was 0.64 (95% CI 0.50-0.77) and Sp 0.71 (95% CI 0.60-0.80), and at a S-Hp cut-off of 0.08 g/L in bulls, Se was 0.52 (95% CI 0.40-0.64) and Sp 0.80 (95% CI 0.74-0.85). The other tests were judged as unsatisfactory indicators of CRD. In heifers, the proportion of CRD-positive calves in the herd was strongly associated with the proportion of test positives (S-Hp or fever; S-HP and fever), suggesting potential as a herd-level indicator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mortality of 8,964 heifer calves born in 122 dairy herds in southwest Sweden in 1998 to 2000 was monitored from January. 1998 until December 2000. Farmers were requested to send carcasses for necropsy from animals that died from 1 d of age to first calving. Age and seasonal patterns of mortality were investigated using Kaplan-Meier curves. The median herd-level mortality risk was 2.1%. In total, 3.1% of the animals died before 90 d of age, 0.9% between d 91 and 210, and 2.2% between d 211 and first calving or d 810 (27 mo of age). The median age at death was 50 d and the risk of dying was highest during the first week of life. Of the 421 dead animals, 236 (56%)were subjected to either postmortem examination or were diagnosed as having died from trauma based on information from the farmers. In total, pneumonia was the most common cause of death (27%). However, in calves less than 31 d old, enteritis was the most common cause of death; in young stock 211 to 450 d old, trauma dominated; and in young stock more than 450 d old, trauma and calving-related diseases accounted for a majority of the mortality. The largest proportion of deaths was observed from January to March, and in June. Kaplan-Meier curves suggested that housing in small-group pens was associated with the lowest mortality (other housing systems were single pens and large-group pens with automatic milk feeders), but the association was not significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine parainfluenza virus 3 (PIV-3), bovine corona virus (BCoV) and bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infections were studied in 118 dairy herds in south western Sweden. By using serology on paired samples from three ∼7 vs. ∼15-month-old calves per herd, the propagation of infections was investigated over about a 1-year period. The results implied that at least 74% of calves had experienced one or more of the monitored infections at the age of ∼7 months (Sample 1, Spring); 30%, 48%, 34% and 8% were seropositive to BRSV, PIV-3, BCoV and BVDV, respectively. Seroconversions to BRSV, PIV-3, BCoV and BVDV occurred in 26%, 38%, 50% and 3% of seronegative animals and 63% had antibodies against two or more infections at ∼15 months (Sample 2). In total, 90-97%, of animals that were seropositive in Sample 1 remained positive in Sample 2. A significant association was found between BVDV and BCoV (P = 0.01). Moreover, a significantly higher proportion of herds in which no calves had a recorded history of respiratory disease (n = 15) were classified as negative to all four infections monitored when compared to herds in which disease was observed (P = 0.0002). This study showed a high infection burden in young animals and effective spread of BRSV, PIV-3 and BCoV in one area of Sweden. BVDV infections were restricted to a few herds, reflecting the effect of a voluntary control program against BVDV in Sweden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on health, management, and housing from birth to first calving were collected for 2,126 heifers on semimonthly visits made by project veterinarians to 107 dairy herds from southwest Sweden. Additional data were obtained from the official milk- and health-recording program. Factors associated with incidence of veterinarian-treated clinical mastitis (VTCM) in the period 7 d before (d -7) to 30 d after first calving and of elevated cow composite somatic cell count (SCC, ≥200,000 cells/mL) at first test milking after first calving, respectively, were investigated using a 2-level (animal and herd) logistic regression analysis after initial screening by univariate analyses. The incidence risk of VTCM during the complete first lactation (305 d) was 10.8%. Ten percent of the diseased animals had more than 1 case of VTCM and 51% of total cases occurred from -7 to 30 d postcalving. The incidence rate of VTCM during the complete first 305-d lactation was 1.13 cases per 100 cow-mo. In total, 18.1% of the animals had elevated SCC at first test milking (mean 21 d) after calving. Veterinarian-treated clinical mastitis at -7 to 30 d postcalving was associated with higher overall incidence of mastitis in the herd and with reproductive disorders (i.e., retained placenta, endometritis, pyometra, dystocia, or twin birth). The risk of elevated SCC increased with increasing percentage of cows in the herd that, some time during the year, had had an increased udder disease score (chronically increased SCC). Other factors associated with increased risk of elevated SCC were increasing amounts of concentrates fed to 11- to 16-mo-old heifers, moving to confined housing the day of calving instead of earlier, and use of restraint measures at milking. In addition, growth rate from birth to weaning, and several feed-related variables (e.g., amount of concentrates and type of roughage given) were associated with VTCM at -7 to 30 d post calving or elevated SCC at first test milking in the univariate analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which evaluated fertility reduction in cattle using plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), βhydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). The cattle were subjected to diagnostic sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) tests at various NEFA, BHBA and IGF-1 levels and the results were compared to anestrus (ANEST), delayed first artificial insemination (DFAI) or delayed conception. The progesterone levels were also measured.

Abstract: Si-LDMOS transistor is studied by TCAD simulation for improved RF performance. In LDMOS structure, a low-doped reduced surface field (RESURF) region is used to obtain high breakdown voltage, but it reduces the transistor RF performance due to high on-resistance. The interface charges between oxide and the RESURF region are studied and found to have a strong impact on the transistor performance both in DC and RF. The presence of excess interface state charges at the RESURF region results not only higher DC drain current but also improved RF performance in terms of power, gain and efficiency. The most important achievement is the enhancement of operating frequency and RF output power is obtained well above 1W/mm up to 4GHz. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The primary aim was to identify cytokines involved in blood borne, neuroimmune joint-to-CNS signalling in knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients. Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1) and Interleukin-8 (IL-8) were elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients indicating neuroinflammation. Significant positive correlations were found for MCP1 across CSF, serum and synovial fluid (SF), in female, but not male patients. The results revealed sex differences in neuroimmune signalling and implicated MCP1 in blood borne joint-to-CNS signalling in female patients. Symptom severity correlated with IL-6 and IL-8 levels in SF, but was inversely associated with IL-6 and IL-8 levels in CSF, indicating that neuroinflammation in OA may be an adaptive, possibly neuroprotective mechanism promoting symptom reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this field study was to evaluate the effect of supplemental feeding with glycerol or propylene glycol to dairy cows in early lactation on metabolic status, body condition and milk yield. In total, 673 newly calved cows from 12 commercial Swedish dairy herds were randomized to daily supplementation with 450 g of glycerol (GLY), 300 g of propylene glycol (PG), or nothing (control, CON). Supplements were fed twice daily from 0 to 21 d in milk (DIM) as a top dress on concentrates. For each cow, data on parity, breed, calving date, monthly test-day milk yield, and cases of diseases were collected. Blood samples were taken at approximately 2, 5, and 8 wk postpartum (pp) and analyzed for glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), and insulin. Samples taken within 3 wk pp were also analyzed for insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Measurements of body condition score (BCS) and heart girth (HG) were obtained at approximately 2 and 5 wk pp and at time of first insemination. The effects of supplemental feeding with GLY or PG on the plasma concentrations of glucose, NEFA, BHBA, insulin, and IGF-1, and BCS, HG, and occurrence of disease were analyzed. No differences in BCS or HG or in plasma concentrations of glucose, BHBA, NEFA, or IGF-1 were found between the control group and any of the treatment groups. Cows in the GLY group had lower plasma insulin concentrations during DIM 0 to 63 compared with group CON, but no difference in insulin was found between the PG group and the CON group. Cows supplemented with GLY had a higher milk yield (kg of milk and kg of energy-corrected milk) during the first 90 DIM. Cows in the PG group tended to yield more milk during the same period. No differences in the occurrence of diseases were seen between the groups. In conclusion, supplementation with GLY in early lactation did increase milk yield without a subsequent decrease of metabolic status, and supplementation with PG tended to do the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aims: To investigate the correlation between O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation and benefit from temozolomide in patients with recurrent high-grade glioma. Patients and methods: A real-time, quantitative, methylation-specific PCR assay was performed on archival tissue blocks from patients treated with temozolomide at the first recurrence. Results: A subgroup of 38 patients who were chemotherapy-naive at recurrence was analysed (22 glioblastoma, 12 anaplastic astrocytoma [AA] and 4 anaplastic oligoastrocytoma [AOA]); none had 1p/19q loss. Among 10 (26%) patients with a hypermethylated MGMT promoter, none experienced disease progression within the first two treatment cycles compared with 12 of 28 (43%) patients with an unmethylated promoter (p =0.016). By Cox multivariate analysis, tumour grade and MGMT promoter methylation correlated with time to progression (p <0.05); MGMT promoter methylation correlated with superior overall survival in AA/AOA but not in glioblastoma. Conclusions: MGMT promoter methylation predicted a survival benefit in patients with 1p/19q intact AA/AOA treated with temozolomide at recurrence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The use of metal organic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE) for growth of one-dimensional nanostructures in the material systems GaAs, GaP, InAs and InP is investigated. Some kinetic effects are discussed, especially the general finding that in MOVPE thinner whiskers grow faster than thicker whiskers. Effects of growth temperature on growth rate and shape of the whiskers, the effects of different growth directions on the perfection of the materials and the possibilities to grow heterostructures in axial and lateral directions are reported. Ways to overcome the randomness in whisker growth by controlled seeding of the Au particles and by using lithography for site control are demonstrated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The design of power transistors for microwave applications requires a good understanding of their large signal behaviour in a real circuit context. The computational load-pull simulation technique is a powerful new way to evaluate the full time-domain voltages and currents of microwave power transistors during realistic operation. With this method it is possible to relate details in the time domain voltages and currents to corresponding variations in carrier densities, electrical field, etc. in the device. We have utilised the standard device simulator Medici, directly driven by sine voltage sources on both input and output. The resulting data from the simulations was then analysed using Matlab. Several 4H-SiC MESFET structures were evaluated by this technique and we found the p-type buffer layer doping and thickness to be crucial to obtain an optimum RF power. A 4H-SiC MESFET structure was found to have an output power of 6.2 W/mm at 1 GHz. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]