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Dog ownership has been associated with several complex traits, and there is evidence of genetic influence. We performed a genome-wide association study of dog ownership through a meta-analysis of 31,566 Swedish twins in 5 discovery cohorts and an additional 65,986 European-ancestry individuals in 3 replication cohorts from Sweden, Norway, and the United Kingdom. Association tests with >7.4 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms were meta-analyzed using a fixed effect model after controlling for population structure and relatedness. We identified 2 suggestive loci using discovery cohorts, which did not reach genome-wide significance after meta-analysis with replication cohorts. Single-nucleotide polymorphism-based heritability of dog ownership using linkage disequilibrium score regression was estimated at 0.123 (CI 0.038–0.207) using the discovery cohorts and 0.018 (CI −0.002 to 0.039) when adding in replication cohorts. Negative genetic correlation with complex traits including type 2 diabetes, depression, neuroticism, and asthma was only found using discovery summary data. Furthermore, we did not identify any genes/gene-sets reaching even a suggestive level of significance. This genome-wide association study does not, by itself, provide clear evidence on common genetic variants that influence dog ownership among European-ancestry individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, tilted global solar irradiance data are presented and analysed, measured for a period of 1 year on the campus of Bahrain Polytechnic, Kingdom of Bahrain, from both a fixed photovoltaic panel and a moving one via a two-axis solar tracker. The fixed panel faces south with an angle of 26° with respect to the horizontal, coinciding with the local geographical latitude. The second panel is moved by two motors, controlled by a global positioning system and suitable software so that the Sun's rays are perpendicular to the panel surface. A pyranometer is installed on each panel, recording the tilted global solar irradiance, stored by using a data logger. The analysis of the data obtained shows a 33% solar energy gain on an annual basis for the moving panel (2780 versus 2088 kWh/m2 on the fixed panel). More importantly, in June, when the energy demand in Bahrain is elevated due to the increased residential cooling loads, the solar energy received by the moving panel is 54.7% higher compared with that of the fixed panel. On a percentage basis, the increase in solar energy from the moving panel is profound in the early morning and late evening hours. Moreover, the reduction in the solar energy received by the fixed panel from May to June does not appear in the moving panel because of the adjustable orientation of the latter. Throughout the year, the mean daily solar power varies between 0.37 and 0.56 kW/m2 for the fixed panel, and 0.45 and 0.70 kW/m2 for the moving panel. In winter, solar energy fluctuations are elevated due to erratic weather conditions that present a peak standard deviation of 28% of the corresponding mean. The data presented are useful for potential solar investments in Gulf countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two concurrent phenomena emerged in rural America in the 1970s: job losses due to deindustrialization and prison proliferation relating to mass incarceration. While supporters of the prison industrial complex promised an economic lifeline for rural America, opponents questioned the economic benefits of prison openings. Using county fixed-effects models and data covering 1960–2000, this study reveals a null association between prison openings and total rural employment. While prison proliferation marginally increased government employment, it simultaneously had a negative impact on private employment. Specifically, prison openings were associated with decreased employment in manufacturing, finance and recreational services; and had no impact on jobs in construction, wholesale, and local retail sales. Thus, the promises of employment growth relating to prisons were, overall, not kept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is a response to a commentary by Xiao et al. that questioned the conclusions of a study by Tao et al. on the role of microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) in global soil organic carbon (SOC) storage. Tao et al. used a model to evaluate the relative importance of microbial CUE and other processes in determining SOC storage. They found that microbial CUE was more important than non-microbial carbon transfer and decomposition coefficients in determining SOC storage at a global scale. However, the authors acknowledge that more empirical evidence and mechanistic modeling studies are needed to establish causal relationships between CUE and SOC. They also emphasize the importance of incorporating process-based models with big data to gain a better understanding of global SOC storage. The study was funded by the Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship and the European Research Council. [Extracted from the article]

Motivation Summary statistics from genome-wide association studies enable many valuable downstream analyses that are more efficient than individual-level data analysis while also reducing privacy concerns. As growing sample sizes enable better-powered analysis of gene–environment interactions, there is a need for gene–environment interaction-specific methods that manipulate and use summary statistics. Results We introduce two tools to facilitate such analysis, with a focus on statistical models containing multiple gene–exposure and/or gene–covariate interaction terms. REGEM (RE-analysis of GEM summary statistics) uses summary statistics from a single, multi-exposure genome-wide interaction study to derive analogous sets of summary statistics with arbitrary sets of exposures and interaction covariate adjustments. METAGEM (META-analysis of GEM summary statistics) extends current fixed-effects meta-analysis models to incorporate multiple exposures from multiple studies. We demonstrate the value and efficiency of these tools by exploring alternative methods of accounting for ancestry-related population stratification in genome-wide interaction study in the UK Biobank as well as by conducting a multi-exposure genome-wide interaction study meta-analysis in cohorts from the diabetes-focused ProDiGY consortium. These programs help to maximize the value of summary statistics from diverse and complex gene–environment interaction studies. Availability and implementation REGEM and METAGEM are open-source projects freely available at https://github.com/large-scale-gxe-methods/REGEM and https://github.com/large-scale-gxe-methods/METAGEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Major randomized controlled trials of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) failed to include a substantial number of patients presenting with low baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS:0–5). Patients experiencing hyperacute strokes (last known well ≤ 6 h) can potentially benefit most from MT. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to report presentation severity and radiographic and clinical outcomes for hyperacute stroke patients presenting with low-ASPECTS. Methods: Our comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases up to August 31, 2022 included articles reporting patients presenting hyperacutely who underwent MT for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion AIS with an ASPECTS ≤ 5 on baseline imaging. Pooled averages were calculated for age and presenting National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Fixed- and random-effects meta-analyses for weighted estimation of overall rates were performed. Forest plots were generated for proportions and estimated overall outcome rates. Results: 18 studies (1958 patients) were included (mean age = 64.1 years; presenting NIHSS = 18.4). Final modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2b-3 grade was achieved in 76.4%, with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in 12.1%. Good (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0–2) and ambulatory (mRS 0–3) 3-month outcomes were achieved by 27.4 and 46.7%, respectively; 90-day mortality was 26.4%. Conclusion: MT in low-ASPECTS hyperacute stroke patients may result in ambulatory clinical outcomes with acceptable hemorrhage risk. Recanalization rates achieved were similar to those in patients presenting with ASPECTS ≥ 6; this did not fully translate to better clinical outcomes. Advances in knowledge: MT should be considered for hyperacute strokes with low presenting ASPECTS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a Bayesian model selection approach for generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs). We consider covariance structures for the random effects that are widely used in areas such as longitudinal studies, genome‐wide association studies, and spatial statistics. Since the random effects cannot be integrated out of GLMMs analytically, we approximate the integrated likelihood function using a pseudo‐likelihood approach. Our Bayesian approach assumes a flat prior for the fixed effects and includes both approximate reference prior and half‐Cauchy prior choices for the variances of random effects. Since the flat prior on the fixed effects is improper, we develop a fractional Bayes factor approach to obtain posterior probabilities of the several competing models. Simulation studies with Poisson GLMMs with spatial random effects and overdispersion random effects show that our approach performs favorably when compared to widely used competing Bayesian methods including deviance information criterion and Watanabe–Akaike information criterion. We illustrate the usefulness and flexibility of our approach with three case studies including a Poisson longitudinal model, a Poisson spatial model, and a logistic mixed model. Our proposed approach is implemented in the R package GLMMselect that is available on CRAN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives This study investigated the longitudinal association between marital satisfaction and active social engagement among older adults, while also considering potential gender differences in these associations. Methods Seven waves of data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging from 2006 to 2019 were utilized (N = 2,568, aged 65 or older). Fixed-effects Poisson regression models were employed to account for unobserved individual-level confounders. To capture active social engagement comprehensively, multiple activity types including social interaction, physical activity, travel activity, and volunteer activity were considered. An interaction model was used to examine potential gender differences. Results The results of this study suggested that an individual's marital satisfaction is associated with an increase in their active social engagement. A one-standard deviation increase in marital satisfaction was associated with a 1.9%, 2.9%, 5.8%, and 18.1% higher incidence rate of engagement in social interaction, physical activity, travel activity, and volunteer activity, respectively, after accounting for individual-specific factors. The associations for social interaction and travel activity were largely driven by older men. In contrast, the associations for physical activity and volunteer activity were similar for older men and older women. Discussion Marital satisfaction plays a crucial role in fostering active social engagement among older adults. Interventions designed to address social and financial obstacles within marital relationships among older adults could effectively improve their health and well-being by promoting various types of activities. The impact of these interventions may differ based on gender and the specific types of activities involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research on the link between managers' gender and workplace gender equity primarily focuses on career outcomes. The present study explores overly demanding work climates, which we see as a realization of the ideal worker norm, bad for all workers, but a particular barrier to women's careers. We examine whether female managers are 'agents of change' toward better work climates, while also exploring the impact of gendered supervisory styles on employees' experience of overly demanding work. Together we provide a novel elaboration of the doing gender framework and the question of whether women managers are agents of change. Two-level models with organization-fixed effects for a European manager-employee linked sample reveal overall support for female managers as change agents, particularly when they manage with a feminine supervisory style. A masculine supervisory style increases employee perceptions of being overworked irrespective of manager's gender. When female managers only enact a masculine supervisory style, they produce particularly less favourable employee experiences. Male managers who combine both feminine and masculine styles also produce worse work climates for their subordinates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The impact of home-based exercise on physical performance and quality of life (QoL) in patients on maintenance dialysis has not yet been fully established. Methods We searched four large electronic databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the impact of home-based exercise interventions vs. usual care or intradialytic exercise interventions, on physical performance and QoL in patients on dialysis. The meta-analysis was performed using fixed effects modeling. Results We included 12 unique RCTs involving 791 patients of various ages on maintenance dialysis. Home-based exercise interventions were associated with an improvement of walking speed at the 6 Minutes Walking Test [6MWT; nine RCTs; pooled weighted mean differences (WMD): 33.7 m, 95% confidence interval (CI) 22.8–44.5; P  < 0.001; I 2 = 0%) and in aerobic capacity as assessed by the peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak; 3 RCTs; pooled WMD: 2.04 ml/kg/min, 95% CI 0.25–3.83; P  = 0.03; I 2 = 0%). They were also associated with improved QoL, as assessed by the Short Form (36) Health (SF-36) score. Stratifying the RCTs by control groups, no significant difference was found between home-based exercise and intradialytic exercise interventions. Funnel plots did not reveal any significant publication bias. Conclusions Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed that home-based exercise interventions for 3–6 months were associated with significant improvements in physical performance in patients on maintenance dialysis. However, further RCTs with a longer follow-up should be conducted to assess the safety, adherence, feasibility, and effects on QoL of home-based exercise programs in dialysis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Marital satisfaction has been established as an essential factor for promoting health and well-being in older adults. However, it is unclear whether marital satisfaction is also associated with cognitive health in this population. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal association between marital satisfaction and cognitive function, while also exploring variations in this relationship by gender and across the cognitive function distribution. Research Design and Methods This study used 6 waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA) and employed gender-stratified unconditional quantile regression (UQR) models with fixed effects (FE) to estimate the association between marital satisfaction and cognitive function across different quantiles of the cognitive function distribution. FE models controlled for unobserved individual-level confounders such as genetics, cognitive and noncognitive skills, and early childhood social and cultural background. Results The results of this study revealed that marital satisfaction was positively associated with cognitive function (b  = 0.305), and this association was stronger in older men than in older women (b  = 0.392 for older men vs b  = 0.181 for older women). The UQR-FE models suggested that stronger association between marital satisfaction and cognitive function was observed among older men with lower cognitive function (b  = 0.817 for 10th percentile vs b  = 0.118 for 90th percentile). Among older women, no clear patterns of heterogeneity were found across the cognitive function distribution. Discussion and Implications The findings of this study highlight a significant degree of heterogeneity in the relationship between marital satisfaction and cognitive function among older men, with stronger associations observed in the lower percentiles of the cognitive function distribution. Interventions aimed at improving marital quality could be an effective strategy for promoting cognitive health in older adults, with an approach tailored to the individual's characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The confounding between fixed effects and (spatial) random effects in a regression setup is termed spatial confounding. This topic continues to gain attention and has been studied extensively in recent years, given that failure to account for this may lead to a suboptimal inference. To mitigate this, a variety of projection-based approaches under the class of restricted spatial models are available in the context of generalized linear mixed models. However, these projection approaches cannot be directly extended to the spatial survival context via frailty models due to dimension incompatibility between the fixed and spatial random effects. In this work, we introduce a two-step approach to handle this, which involves (i) projecting the design matrix to the dimension of the spatial effect (via dimension reduction) and (ii) assuring that the random effect is orthogonal to this new design matrix (confounding alleviation). Under a fully Bayesian paradigm, we conduct fast estimation and inference using integrated nested Laplace approximation. Both simulation studies and application to a motivating data evaluating respiratory cancer survival in the US state of California reveal the advantages of our proposal in terms of model performance and confounding alleviation, compared to alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood stiffness (modulus of elasticity, MOE) is an important property for conifer wood, with the variability in MOE largely being a function of both the specific gravity (SG) (wood density) and the angle of the microfibrils within the S2 layer of longitudinal tracheids. Rapid analysis techniques can be used together to quantify MOE; while SG can be determined with relative ease, this is not the case for microfibril angle, requiring expensive X-ray diffraction equipment. An alternative to microfibril angle is to measure longitudinal acoustic velocity. The objective of this study was to measure and then model the within tree variation in dynamic MOE (MOEdyn) by developing the methodology to measure ultrasonic velocity (USV) in radial samples from pith to bark using ultrasonic frequencies (>20 kHz). A total of 419 pith-to-bark radial strips, collected from multiple height levels in 92 loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) trees, were processed to obtain matching SG (2mm longitudinal) and USV (8.2-mm longitudinal) samples. Ring-by-ring SG was measured using X-ray densitometry and time-of-flight USV was measured at a 10-mm radial resolution from pith to bark. A subset of samples was sent to SilviScan to determine microfibril angle using X-ray diffraction. The relationship between microfibril angle and USV was strong (R 2 = 0.91, RMSE = 2.6°). Nonlinear mixed-effects models were then developed to predict radial variation in SG, USV and MOEdyn. Fixed effects for the models, which included cambial age and height of disk within tree, had pseudo R 2 values of 0.67 for SG (RMSE = 0.051), 0.71 for USV (RMSE = 316 m/s) and 0.69 for MOEdyn (RMSE = 1.9 GPa). When combined with SG measurements from X-ray densitometry, USV measurements from pith to bark are a powerful tool for assessing variability in wood stiffness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information and communication technology (ICT) is often heralded to boost student learning. In this paper, we investigate the supposed benefits of ICT on student educational performance by considering the varied forms of ICT resources – access, skills, efficacy and different usage practices. We also examine the relationship between parental background, ICT and educational performance, employing notions from social reproduction and mobility theory, thereby investigating its role in processes of intergenerational transmission of educational inequality. Using PISA 2018 data, we examine 123,006 students' performance in Math and Reading. Results from fixed effects models indicate that ICT resources have a generic benefit to student learning, and mostly function as means to social reproduction. Our results indicate that having more ICT access and ICT skills seem to be most beneficial for students from advantageous family backgrounds, whereas using ICT for gaming seems most detrimental for high-SES students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the effects of minimum wages in Indonesia around the time of birth on child height-for-age Z scores (HAZ) up to five years of age. Using variations in annual fluctuations in real minimum wages in different Indonesian provinces, it finds that children exposed to increases in minimum wages in their birth years have higher HAZ in the first five years of their lives. The estimated impacts are based on difference-in-differences models with biological-mother fixed effects and year-of-birth fixed effects and are robust to inclusion of multiple time-varying factors. The impacts are prominent particularly among male children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction In December 2019, the minimum legal sales age (MLSA) for tobacco products in the United States was raised from 18 to 21 years as a measure of preventing smoking initiation. Smoking during pregnancy, which causes maternal, fetal, and infant morbidity and mortality, is a major public health concern. We first study the effects of purchase restrictions on smoking during different stages of pregnancy covering the entire United States and using the records of all live births during 2014–2018 by birthing people aged 18–21 years. Aims and Methods Our identification strategy utilizes the variation in the MLSA of tobacco products over time and across counties in the United States during 2014–2018 using a two-way fixed effects model, modified to accommodate a partially observable treatment indicator. Results The results show that 37.4% of potential smokers in our study population would have been prevented from smoking before pregnancy, 50.5% during the first trimester, 53.4% during the second trimester, and 14.8% during the third trimester if the law prevented selling tobacco products to them in the locality they live. A purchase restriction is estimated to cause the smoking intensity of those who smoke, the intensive margin, to drop by 5.4% before pregnancy, 10.4% during the first trimester, 14.8% during the second trimester, and 5.2% during the third trimester. Conclusions Our results show that purchase restrictions are highly effective in preventing smoking among birthing people in the 18–21 years age group. The effect on smoking prevalence during the first and second trimesters is more pronounced. Implications Many countries around the world have recently tightened age-based purchase restriction policies as a tobacco control measure. We first study the effects of purchase restrictions on smoking during different stages of pregnancy using the birth records of all pregnancies in the United States by birthing people aged 18–21 years during 2014–2018. The study utilizes the variation in the MLSA of tobacco products over time and across counties during that period. Our results show that purchase restrictions are highly effective in preventing smoking among birthing people in the 18–21 years age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collections of sayings of the desert fathers and mothers are extant in manuscripts in many languages and are organized differently. They are 'fixed-content miscellanies' (FCM): they include material that belongs to the same genre, but is variable both when it comes to appearance and order. Distance measurement methods are particularly suitable for large text traditions including variable content in the so-called mixed-content miscellanies, such as recipes, anthological compilations of shorter text passages, or catalogues, but can also be suitable for text genres like collections of sayings, that are equally variable in appearance and order of sayings, even though the genre is fixed; hence 'fixed-content miscellanies'. In the article, collections of sayings in seven languages were compared using four distance measures methods. Each segment of the sayings was given a unique id to be comparable. The first method used, the Jaccard distance measure, disregards the linear order of items and instead considers each collection compared only as a 'bag of stories'. In two other methods used (Birnbaum and Levenshtein methods), the order in which the narratives of each saying appear is compared. All three methods yielded interesting results, but the collections that were apparently closely related were clustered together so tightly that it was not possible to make more nuanced analyses. In order to remove false negatives, particulars concerning lacunes in the material were taken into account in the proposed modified Levenshtein method, the fixed-content miscellanies (FCM)-Levenshtein method. By applying the FCM-Levenshtein method, previously unknown relations between collections witnessed in different languages could be detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate rule semantics for deductive databases in the context of four-valued logic. In our approach, a database is a pair |$\varDelta =(E,R)$|⁠ , where |$E$| is a set of pairs, each pair associating a ground fact with a truth value (thus, allowing to store true, false or inconsistent facts) and |$R$| is a set of rules generalizing standard Datalog rules in the following sense: (i) the head of a rule can be a positive or a negative atom and (ii) the body can involve any among the connectors of four-valued logic. We define the database semantics as the least fixed point of a monotonic operator and we compare this semantics with that of k-existential programs defined by Fitting and paraconsistent extended logic programs defined by Arieli. Our main contribution is to show that, if we consider rules as implications (i.e. if we view the database as a set of formulas) then the semantics of the database is the unique minimal model of the set of database formulas. Here, minimality is understood with respect to the knowledge ordering of four-valued logic satisfying a monotonicity property whereby the truth value of the head of an instantiated rule is greater than that of the body. Moreover, we characterize databases having finite semantics and then, we address the issue of database updating. We argue that our approach allows for a new kind of updates, in which the update result depends not only on the fact involved in the update but also on its current truth value in the database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines pathways among farmers' extension participation, the uptake of recommended farm management practices and economic and environmental sustainability. We explore the 'win-win', efficiency-based focus of the Irish hybrid extension programme using an unbalanced panel dataset of dairy farms from 2010 to 2019. We apply two-way fixed effects regression models and sensitivity analyses to ensure the robustness of our results to effect heterogeneity and omitted variable bias. Our findings reveal that extension participation has a limited association with the adoption of recommended practices. These practices might be associated with economic benefits, while their environmental effects are not evident. Additionally, extension participation is not found to have a direct association with sustainability outcomes. These findings have important implications for extension programmes that focus on economic and environmental outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown that women suffer less from unemployment than men in terms of subjective well-being. However, there is little research that aims to test possible explanations for this gender-specific reaction. We distinguish two different ways in which unemployment reduces well-being, namely the financial and non-financial effects of becoming unemployed. Gender differences in both types could explain the different effects on the well-being of women and men. Using the German Socio-Economic Panel, we analyse why women are less affected by unemployment than men. Applying fixed-effects panel regressions, we find substantially smaller negative effects for women, but this can only to a small extent be explained by different financial effects. To test the relevance of non-financial effects, we investigate how gender differences vary between subgroups, for which the non-financial effects should differ. Our analyses show that gender differences are more pronounced both among people who were socialized in West Germany compared to East Germany and among parents compared to singles. Moreover, differences in labour market attachment prior to the transition to unemployment explain a large share of the gender gap. These findings support the assumption that non-financial effects are responsible for the weaker consequences of unemployment among women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to analyze the contribution of social ties to moving to high-opportunity locations and assess whether their effect is more pronounced for low-income individuals as a compensation for economic resources. This is done by utilizing Swedish administrative data and by focusing on a wide range of relationships (observed directly or inferred from the data): close and distant family ties, former co-workers and university peers. For estimating the effect of social ties, we use linear probability models, where observed migration is regressed on individual-specific and target-specific characteristics. To account for the nonrandom sorting of movers between locations, we apply sending municipality–target municipality–occupation fixed effects. Our results suggest that there is a positive relationship between migration and the presence of links at given targets for all the examined contact types. The effects are even stronger if the targets are hard-to-reach municipalities (located in Stockholm County or a municipality with higher housing prices). We also demonstrate that, when moving to such opportunity-rich areas, ties to former co-workers and university peers are even more essential assets for those with limited resources. Furthermore, we show that direct help with housing through contacts is an existing factor that contributes to the effect of social networks on residential mobility. The results reinforce the idea that social ties may be of great help in reducing barriers to mobility and can be used to compensate for limited economic resources. We demonstrate the validity of our fixed-effect estimation strategy using a placebo contact approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation DataSHIELD is an open-source software infrastructure enabling the analysis of data distributed across multiple databases (federated data) without leaking individuals' information (non-disclosive). It has applications in many scientific domains, ranging from biosciences to social sciences and including high-throughput genomic studies. R is the language used to interact with (and build) DataSHIELD. This creates difficulties for researchers who do not have experience writing R code or lack the time to learn how to use the DataSHIELD functions. To help new researchers use the DataSHIELD infrastructure and to improve the user-friendliness for experienced researchers, we present ShinyDataSHIELD. Implementation ShinyDataSHIELD is a web application with an R backend that serves as a graphical user interface (GUI) to the DataSHIELD infrastructure. General features The version of the application presented here includes modules to perform: (i) exploratory analysis through descriptive summary statistics and graphical representations (scatter plots, histograms, heatmaps and boxplots); (ii) statistical modelling (generalized linear fixed and mixed-effects models, survival analysis through Cox regression); (iii) genome-wide association studies (GWAS); and (iv) omic analysis (transcriptomics, epigenomics and multi-omic integration). Availability ShinyDataSHIELD is publicly hosted online [ https://datashield-demo.obiba.org/ ], the source code and user guide are deposited on Zenodo DOI 10.5281/zenodo.6500323, freely available to non-commercial users under 'Commons Clause' License Condition v1.0. Docker images are also available [ https://hub.docker.com/r/brgelab/shiny-data-shield ]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine effects of dam parity on perinatal nutrient availability in beef cattle, data and samples were collected from 18 primiparous and 35 multiparous spring-calving Sim-Angus dams and their calves. Time to stand was recorded and neonatal vigor assessed. Jugular blood was collected from a subset of calves at 0 (post-standing and pre-suckling) 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h of age, and blood chemistry panels were completed. Expelled placentas were dissected, dried, and weighed. Prepartum maternal circulating glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), triglycerides, and urea N were analyzed. All statistical models included the fixed effect of dam parity, and calf sex (when P ≤ 0.25) was included for calf and placental variables. Effects of sampling hour, and parity × hour were included for calf metabolites over time using repeated measures. Multiparous dams had greater body weight prepartum (P < 0.001) but similar (P = 0.25) body condition score. Maternal circulating urea N and triglycerides were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in multiparous dams pre-calving. Calves born to primiparous dams weighed 10% less (P ≤ 0.04) at birth with smaller (P ≤ 0.01) heart and abdominal girths. Cotyledonary, intercotyledonary, and total placental masses were less (P ≤ 0.05) for primiparous dams. Dam parity did not affect (P ≥ 0.58) calf time to stand, vigor score at 10 min, or rectal temperature. Serum glucose was greater (P = 0.03) at 0 h but less (P ≤ 0.04) at all other hours in calves from primiparous dams. Calves from primiparous dams had greater (P ≤ 0.02) serum NEFA at 6, 12, and 24 h although plasma triglycerides were greater (P < 0.001) at 6 h. Calves from primiparous dams had greater (P ≤ 0.04) serum urea N at 12 h and creatinine at 12 and 24 h. Plasma insulin was greater (P ≤ 0.04) in calves from multiparous dams at 12, 48, and 72 h, but parity did not affect (P ≥ 0.18) serum total protein or plasma cortisol. Serum aspartate aminotransferase was greater (P ≤ 0.04) at 6 and 24 h, creatine kinase was greater at 24 h, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was less (P ≤ 0.04) at 6, 12, and 24 h, for calves from primiparous dams. Calves born to primiparous dams had greater (P ≤ 0.02) total bilirubin and direct bilirubin at 12 and 24 h. Data indicate that calves born to first-parity heifers had decreased perinatal nutrient availability, resulting in reduced fetal and placental growth, as well as greater energy reserve mobilization and metabolic indicators of stress as neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) have been widely used in contemporary ecology studies. However, determination of the relative importance of collinear predictors (i.e. fixed effects) to response variables is one of the challenges in GLMMs. Here, we developed a novel R package, glmm.hp, to decompose marginal R 2 explained by fixed effects in GLMMs. The algorithm of glmm.hp is based on the recently proposed approach 'average shared variance' i.e. used for multivariate analysis. We explained the principle and demonstrated the use of this package by simulated dataset. The output of glmm.hp shows individual marginal R 2s that can be used to evaluate the relative importance of predictors, which sums up to the overall marginal R 2. Overall, we believe the glmm.hp package will be helpful in the interpretation of GLMM outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Dementia and depression are increasingly common worldwide, and their effective control could ease the burden on economies, public health systems, and support networks. Vortioxetine is a new antidepressant with multipharmacologic actions that elevate the concentration of serotonin and modulate multiple neurotransmitter receptors in the brain. We conducted a meta-analysis to explore whether the cognitive function of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) treated with vortioxetine would improve. Methods We systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases to assess the treatment effects of vortioxetine on the cognitive function of patients with MDD. The outcome measures included the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ), and Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores. Pooled results were calculated using a fixed-effects or random-effects model according to the heterogeneity of the included trials. Results Six RCTs with a total of 1782 patients were included in the meta-analysis, which demonstrated that vortioxetine improved DSST, PDQ, and MADRS scores in patients with MDD. The results were consistent at the 10- and 20-mg doses. In the 20-mg group, the decrease in MADRS scores was more significant than that in the placebo group. Conclusions Both the 10- and 20-mg doses of vortioxetine can significantly increase DSST scores and decrease PDQ and MADRS scores in patients with MDD and cognitive dysfunction, but further studies with longer follow-up periods to assess mental function are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation The joint analysis of multiple phenotypes is important in many biological studies, such as plant and animal breeding. The heritability estimation for a linear combination of phenotypes is designed to account for correlation information. Existing methods for estimating heritability mainly focus on single phenotypes under random-effect models. These methods also require some stringent conditions, which calls for a more flexible and interpretable method for estimating heritability. Fixed-effect models emerge as a useful alternative. Results In this article, we propose a novel heritability estimator based on multivariate ridge regression for linear combinations of phenotypes, yielding accurate estimates in both sparse and dense cases. Under mild conditions in the high-dimensional setting, the proposed estimator appears to be consistent and asymptotically normally distributed. Simulation studies show that the proposed estimator is promising under different scenarios. Compared with independently combined heritability estimates in the case of multiple phenotypes, the proposed method significantly improves the performance by considering correlations among those phenotypes. We further demonstrate its application in heritability estimation and correlation analysis for the Oryza sativa rice dataset. Availability and implementation An R package implementing the proposed method is available at https://github.com/xg-SUFE1/MultiRidgeVar , where covariance estimates are also given together with heritability estimates. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic panel data regression models with fixed effects to account for unobserved heterogeneity are standard econometric tools. It is not until recently, however, that the problems involved when fitting such regressions to leverage data have been investigated. The main problem is that models of leverage are extremely noisy, much more so than what can be accommodated using fixed effects. The present article can be seen as a reaction to this. The purpose is to consider a more general interactive effects model in which there are multiple time effects, each with their own firm-specific sensitivities. Our empirical results suggest that proper accounting for the interactive effects and the bias that they cause leads to a marked increase in the estimated speed of adjustment to target leverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives were to assess the effects of dietary Sweet Bran (Cargill Corn Milling, Blair, NE) on performance and feeding behavior of feedlot steers and determine if terminal implant pen sorting affects performance, feeding behavior, and liver abscess (LA) rate. Two hundred sixteen Angus-cross steers (253 ± 18 kg) were stratified by body weight (BW) to 36 pens. From d 0 to 60, diets contained 40% Sweet Bran (SWBR) or 25% modified distiller's grains and 15% dry rolled corn (MOD; n = 18 pens/treatment). On d 60, steers began transition within treatments to finishing diets containing 25% Sweet Bran or 25% modified distiller's grains (MDGS). On d 111, half of the pens for each dietary treatment were re-stratified by BW to pens (SORT) while the other half were returned to original pens (NOSORT; n = 9 pens/treatment). Steer BW and pen dry matter intake (DMI) were recorded monthly. Rate of feed disappearance was determined on d 5/6, 53/54, 104/105, and 117/118. Pen was the experimental unit for all analyses. The model included the fixed effect of diet for all pre-sort analyses; post-sort analyses included the fixed effects of diet, sort, and the interaction and the random effects of pen and the interaction of diet and pen. On d 60, SWBR had greater BW than MOD (P = 0.05), and SWBR had a greater average daily gain (ADG) from d 0 to 60 (P = 0.05). Though there were no differences after d 28, SWBR had greater DMI d 0 to 28 (P = 0.05). From d 60 to 88, SWBR tended to have lesser ADG than MOD (P = 0.09). Post-sort (d 111 to 196), SWBR tended to have lesser ADG than MOD (P = 0.06), and SORT had a greater rate of feed disappearance than NOSORT (d 117/118; P = 0.01); there were no differences on other dates (Diet: P ≥ 0.38). For final BW, there was a tendency for MOD to be greater than SWBR, and SORT tended to be greater than NOSORT (Diet: P = 0.06; Sort: P = 0.10). Pre- and post-sort ruminal pH had no treatment by day differences (P ≥ 0.77). LA incidence averaged 25%, though rate was not affected by diet, sorting, or the interaction (P ≥ 0.16). Overall, there were no dietary differences in feed disappearance rates, though SORT steers had greater rate of feed disappearance than NOSORT steers on d 117/118. Nominal differences in feeding behavior were noted and including Sweet Bran in the diet was beneficial in the growing period as cattle adjusted to the feedlot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cyclosporin A (CSA), approved in some countries in the European Union for treating severe AD, is associated with nephrotoxicity and hypertension that limit its long-term use. Biologic agents, such as dupilumab and tralokinumab, approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of uncontrolled moderate-to-severe AD, are associated with consistent symptomatic improvement over long-term use, either with or without concomitant topical corticosteroids (TCS). Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of dupilumab/TCS vs tralokinumab/TCS using placebo/TCS as a common comparator in adult patients with AD with inadequate response to CSA or for whom CSA treatment was medically inadvisable. Methods LIBERTY AD CAFÉ (NCT02755649) and a subgroup of LIBERTY AD CHRONOS (NCT02260986; inadequate response/medically inadvisable to CSA) were pooled. This pooled data (CAFÉ + CAFÉ-CHRONOS-LIKE [CCL]) comparing dupilumab/TCS vs placebo/TCS and ECZTRA 7 (NCT03761537) clinical trial comparing tralokinumab/TCS vs placebo/TCS were included in the network meta-analysis (NMA). Difference in mean change from baseline (CFB) for Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score, Peak Pruritus Numeric Rating Scale (PP-NRS), and odds of achieving EASI 50, EASI 75, EASI 90, ≥ 4-point improvement in PP-NRS and Investigator's Global Assessment of clear/almost clear skin score (IGA 0/1) were the efficacy endpoints included in the analysis. Mean difference in CFB in the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was also included as a quality-of-life endpoint. Dichotomous endpoints were expressed as odds ratio (OR). The number needed to treat (NNT) for achieving dichotomous endpoints were computed to compare treatment benefits. Continuous outcomes were expressed as difference in mean CFB. All the endpoints were assessed at Week 16. An indirect treatment comparison was performed using the WinBugs software to perform Bayesian NMA with fixed effects model method using 95% credible interval (CrI). Results A total of 576 patients (ECZTRA: placebo: 137; tralokinumab: 140; CCL: placebo: 169; dupilumab: 130) were included in the NMA. Improvement in EASI, PP-NRS and DLQI measured by mean difference in CFB was significantly higher for dupilumab/TCS, compared to tralokinumab/TCS at week 16 (mean difference in CFB for EASI [─ 9.46 {95% credible interval, CrI: ─ 13.37, ─ 5.54}]; PP-NRS: ─ 0.87; [─ 1.67, ─ 0.07], and DLQI: ─ 3.38; [─ 5.20, ─ 1.56]. Compared to placebo/TCS, the odds for achieving EASI 50 (OR: 4.68; [2.15, 10.43]), EASI 75 (OR: 2.92; [1.46, 5.87]), EASI 90 (OR: 4.81; [2.18, 10.93]), ≥ 4-point improvement in PP-NRS (OR: 3.45; [1.62, 7.48]), and IGA 0/1 (OR: 2.60; [1.19, 5.79]) were also significantly higher with dupilumab/TCS vs tralokinumab/TCS. The NNT was lower with dupilumab/TCS vs tralokinumab/TCS for achieving EASI 50 (3 vs 8), EASI 75 (3 vs 7), EASI 90 (3 vs 12), ≥ 4-point improvement in PP-NRS (3 vs 12) and IGA 0/1 (3 vs 9). Conclusions This NMA suggests that treatment with dupilumab/TCS was associated with significant improvements in EASI, PP-NRS, DLQI, and IGA in comparison with tralokinumab/TCS. Dupilumab/TCS was also associated with lower NNT than tralokinumab/TCS, making it a valuable therapy in patients with severe AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive research investigates how immigration shapes natives' anti-immigrant sentiment. However, several areas require further scrutiny. This paper explores how processes of immigration affect anti-immigrant sentiment in a new immigration destination country—Japan—drawing on longitudinal data to examine these processes over time and explicitly testing the mechanisms of perceived threat and intergroup contact posited to underpin this relationship. Through this analysis, the paper aims to: examine how generalizable the immigrant share/immigration attitudes theoretical framework is to non-Western societies; refine our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning this relationship; and more robustly test its causal assumptions. To pursue these aims, the study draws on two sets of nationally representative Japanese data, designed to generate complementary insights, including: four waves of longitudinal panel data (2008–2014) and a unique cross-sectional dataset containing measures of perceived threat and contact. Applying multilevel and fixed-effects panel data approaches, the findings demonstrate that as immigration increases in Japanese prefectures and municipalities, residents become increasingly averse toward immigration (although there is some evidence of non-linearity at the municipality level, with sentiment improving again in high immigrant share environments). This overall relationship appears largely driven by two competing processes. In higher immigrant share environments, perceived threat is higher, increasing anti-immigrant sentiment. However, concurrently, intergroup contact also increases in these environments, reducing anti-immigrant sentiment. Therefore, despite the overall negative relationship (driven primarily by perceived threat), rising contact exerts a countervailing positive effect as immigration increases. Taken together, this research demonstrates that theories of attitudinal-change with higher immigration, developed within Western-contexts, also appear salient for newer destination, non-Western societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic groups have been widely adopted in tree breeding to account for provenance effects within pedigree-derived relationship matrices. However, provenances or genetic groups have not yet been incorporated into single-step genomic BLUP (“HBLUP”) analyses of tree populations. To quantify the impact of accounting for population structure in Eucalyptus globulus, we used HBLUP to compare breeding value predictions from models excluding base population effects and models including either fixed genetic groups or the marker-derived proxies, also known as metafounders. Full-sib families from 2 separate breeding populations were evaluated across 13 sites in the “Green Triangle” region of Australia. Gamma matrices (C) describing similarities among metafounders reflected the geographic distribution of populations and the origins of 2 land races were identified. Diagonal elements of C provided population diversity or allelic covariation estimates between 0.24 and 0.56. Genetic group solutions were strongly correlated with metafounder solutions across models and metafounder effects influenced the genetic solutions of base population parents. The accuracy, stability, dispersion, and bias of model solutions were compared using the linear regression method. Addition of genomic information increased accuracy from 0.41 to 0.47 and stability from 0.68 to 0.71, while increasing bias slightly. Dispersion was within 0.10 of the ideal value (1.0) for all models. Although inclusion of metafounders did not strongly affect accuracy or stability and had mixed effects on bias, we nevertheless recommend the incorporation of metafounders in prediction models to represent the hierarchical genetic population structure of recently domesticated populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We identify and quantify the impact of subways on equalising academic achievement in an urban school choice setting. Specifically, we study the short- and medium-term effects of a massive subway network expansion in Chile on the academic achievement gap between low- and high-performing students. Estimates are derived using fixed-effects models. Closer proximity to the subway network is associated with the equalisation of academic achievements. In the medium-term (3 years after the opening of the subway stations), the gap between low- and high-achievers decreased by 5% of a standard deviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The average is weighted in the sense that small trials have a smaller impact on effect size than larger trials, especially when large trials report many events. Fourth, the meta-analysis should generally search, select, and abstract data from homogenous studies (e.g. randomized trials rather than observational studies for intervention meta-analyses, diagnostic test accuracy studies for diagnostic meta-analyses, and so forth). Google Scholar Crossref Search ADS PubMed WorldCat 10 Brophy JM. Bayesian interpretation of the EXCEL trial and other randomized clinical trials of left main coronary artery revascularization. I It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it i I Benjamin Franklin i Science is by definition iterative and collaborative, with the need for constant reappraisal and external validation, and cardiovascular research is no exception.[1] There has been a veritable democratization of research efforts, and it is a commonplace for the cardiovascular community to witness the conduct and publication of numerous clinical studies with similar scope and goals within a short time frame. [Extracted from the article]

A large pen feedlot study was conducted to evaluate the response of yearling steers fed novel sources of rumen-protected folate (RPFA) and cobalt (cobalt pectinate; Co-PECT) on plasma levels of vitamin B12 and folate, growth performance, and carcass characteristics. A total of 2,100 steers (initial BW = 381 ± 45.2 kg.) were enrolled in the study at the time of randomization with 2,091 steers started on treatment diets following the transition to the finishing diet. A generalized randomized block design with sampling error (GRBD) with two treatments and 15 pen replications per treatment (5 blocks × 6 pens/block; 30 pens total with 70 steers/pen) were evaluated with pen serving as the experimental unit. A control (CON) treatment consisted of the standard finishing diet while the test diet consisted of the standard finishing diet providing 3.0 mg ∙ kg−1 DM of RPFA and 1.0 mg ∙ kg−1 DM total supplemental cobalt with approximately half coming from Co-PECT (TEST). Blood samples were collected from 60 randomly selected steers at study initiation and prior to shipping for plasma B12 and folate measurement. Data were analyzed with the model including fixed effects of treatment, block, and treatment within block interaction. Live growth performance was not affected by treatment; however, carcass-adjusted performance and hot carcass weight were numerically improved by TEST in 3 of the 5 blocks (treatment × within block interaction, P  ≤ 0.03) of cattle. Plasma levels for both folic acid and vitamin B12 were extremely low at study initiation and increased over the course of the feeding period. Feeding TEST increased (P  < 0.01) plasma B12 levels compared to CON by the completion of the trial; however, mean levels would still be considered marginal. Plasma folate was lower (P  < 0.05) in TEST steers at the beginning of the study, with no difference between treatments by the time cattle were shipped. Results suggested that cattle coming into the feedlot may be of low or marginal status in both plasma folate and vitamin B12. While the status of folate and B12 improved in both CON and TEST with days on feed, providing RPFA and Co-PECT further helped improve vitamin B12 status; although, overall levels remained low, which may have affected the overall response to RPFA. Additional research is required to better understand the role of B vitamin supplementation for growing-finishing feedlots and develop methods for assessing the status and improving potential responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harvey Goldstein's career as a statistician was both long and distinguished. The Cuban Growth Study of 1972 was a textbook example of how such studies should be designed - Harvey was the senior author of the study report, and one can hear his voice in much of the writing (Jordan et al., 1975). Fully 50 years after his 1968 manifesto, he expanded on this model, showing how to analyse longitudinal growth data including within-individual variability as a function of age (Goldstein et al., 2018). Through Jim, Michael became interested in growth statistics and in turned influenced Harvey. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction Network meta-analysis (NMA) provides useful information for medical decision makers via comprehensive indirect comparisons across therapies. As the targeted systemic therapy options for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) continue to grow, it is critical to update NMAs as well. Objectives: To assess the comparative efficacy of targeted systemic therapies with concomitant topical corticosteroids (TCS) in moderate-to-severe AD by including the latest Phase 3 combination therapy data for abrocitinib, lebrikizumab, and dupilumab in the NMA presented in Thyssen et al, 2021. Methods: Data from the Phase 3 combination therapy trial for lebrikizumab in moderate-to-severe AD (ADhere [NCT04250337]) as well as an additional abrocitinib-dupilumab head-to-head Phase 3 trial (JADE DARE [NCT04345367]) were included in the analyses along with other eligible trials for abrocitinib, baricitinib, dupilumab, tralokinumab, and upadacitinib identified through a systematic literature review in Thyssen et al., 2021. Outcomes included ≥90% and ≥75% improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI 90, EASI 75) from baseline, ≥4-point improvement in Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale from baseline (ΔNRS ≥4), and Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) score of 0 or 1 (clear or almost clear) with a ≥2-point reduction from baseline (IGA 0/1), at the week 16 timepoint of each study. Bayesian NMA was performed with fixed and random effects models, with and without baseline risk-adjustment; fit statistics were assessed. Inconsistency was assessed via unrelated mean relative effects models. Odds ratio (OR), number needed to treat (NNT), placebo-unadjusted absolute response rate (ARR), and Surface Under the Cumulative RAnking curve (SUCRA) scores were estimated. Statistical significance was assessed by OR 95% credible intervals excluding 1. Results: The updated NMA analyzed 8 unique placebo-controlled trials and 1 active-controlled trial involving 4391 patients in 23 arms across 6 targeted therapies. Fit statistics supported fixed effects models across outcomes. All therapies were statistically more efficacious than placebo across all outcomes except baricitinib 2 mg for EASI-90. For EASI-90, upadacitinib 30 mg had the most favorable response estimates (ARR=63.2%, OR=11.3, NNT=2.0, SUCRA=98.3%), followed by abrocitinib 200 mg (ARR=55.8%, OR=8.3, NNT=2.4, SUCRA=90.0%), dupilumab 300 mg (ARR=44.8%, OR=5.3, NNT=3.2, SUCRA=68.3%), abrocitinib 100 mg (ARR=44.0%, OR=5.2, NNT=3.3, SUCRA=65.8%), upadacitinib 15 mg (ARR=42.9%, OR=4.9, NNT=3.4, SUCRA=64.3%), and the newly added lebrikizumab 250 mg (ARR=28.9%, OR=2.7, NNT=6.6, SUCRA=39.9%). The rank order for EASI-75 was similar (upadacitinib 30 mg [ARR=78.3%, OR=9.5, NNT=2.0, SUCRA=98.5%], abrocitinib 200 mg [ARR=73.0%, OR=7.1, NNT=2.3, SUCRA=89.1%], upadacitinib 15 mg [ARR=66.1%, OR=5.1, NNT=2.7, SUCRA=71.0%], dupilumab 300 mg [ARR=65.3%, OR=5.0, NNT=2.7, SUCRA=69.2%], abrocitinib 100 mg [ARR=60.3%, OR=4.0, NNT=3.2, SUCRA=54.0%], and lebrikizumab 250 mg [ARR=54.5%, OR=3.1, NNT=3.8, SUCRA=41.2%]). For ΔNRS ≥4, upadacitinib 30 mg had the most favorable response (ARR=68.9%, OR=10.0, NNT=2.1, SUCRA=99.9%), followed by upadacitinib 15 mg (ARR=56.6%, OR=5.9, NNT=2.7, SUCRA=84.0%), abrocitinib 200 mg (ARR=51.6%, OR=4.8, NNT=3.1, SUCRA=75.6%), dupilumab 300 mg (ARR=49.3%, OR=4.4, NNT=3.3, SUCRA=67.0%), baricitinib 4 mg (ARR=44.4%, OR=3.6, NNT=4.0, SUCRA=57.7%), and abrocitinib 100 mg (ARR=35.9%, OR=2.5, NNT=5.9, SUCRA=36.1%); lebrikizumab 250 mg ranked eighth (ARR=33.4%, OR=2.3, NNT=7.0, SUCRA=31.3%). For IGA 0/1, upadacitinib 30 mg (ARR=66.5%, OR=11.7, NNT=2.0, SUCRA=99.6%) had the most favorable estimates, followed by abrocitinib 200 mg (ARR=53.5%, OR=6.8, NNT=2.6, SUCRA=86.6%), upadacitinib 15 mg (ARR=48.0%, OR=5.4, NNT=3.0, SUCRA=76.2%), dupilumab 300 mg (ARR=42.1%, OR=4.3, NNT=3.7, SUCRA=64.7%), abrocitinib 100 mg (ARR=39.1%, OR=3.8, NNT=4.1, SUCRA=56.1%), and baricitinib 4 mg (ARR=30.6%, OR=2.6, NNT=6.4, SUCRA=39.9%); lebrikizumab 250 mg ranked seventh (ARR=29.2%, OR=2.4, NNT=7.0, SUCRA=35.8%). Baricitinib 2 mg and tralokinumab 300 mg were generally ranked lower across outcomes. Conclusions: Among targeted therapies for moderate-to-severe AD used with concomitant TCS for 16 weeks, upadacitinib 30 mg remained the most efficacious therapy in this NMA, generally followed by abrocitinib 200 mg, upadacitinib 15 mg or dupilumab 300 mg, abrocitinib 100 mg, and baricitinib 4 mg or lebrikizumab 250 mg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased fermentable carbohydrates (e.g. β-glucan, amylose) may increase endogenous losses including for P, and thereby reduce apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of P. The present study assessed effects of barley cultivars varying in fermentable starch and fiber on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and ATTD of P, myo -inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakis (dihydrogen phosphate; InsP 6 ) and Ca, and standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P and the presence of lower inositol phosphates (InsP) compared to wheat. In a 6 (period) × 5 (diet) Youden square, seven ileal-cannulated barrows (initial BW, 27.7 kg) were fed diets containing 80% of one of five cereal grains differing in amylose, β-glucan, and fiber content: 1) high-fermentable, high-β-glucan, hull-less barley (HFB); 2) high-fermentable, high-amylose, hull-less barley (HFA); 3) moderate-fermentable, hull-less barley (MFB); 4) low-fermentable, hulled barley (LFB); and 5) low-fermentable, Canadian Western Red Spring wheat (LFW). On dry matter (DM) basis, cereal grains contained between 0.32% to 0.53% total P and 0.24% to 0.50% InsP6-P. The InsP6-2-P was calculated as the sum of all detected InsP-P (InsP6-P to InsP2-P) in the sample. The P release of degraded InsP-P was calculated by using the following equation: sum InsP6-2-Pdiet (g/kg DM) × (AID or ATTD sum InsP6-2-P (%)/ 100). Data were analyzed using a mixed model with diet as fixed effect, and pig and period as random effects. On DM basis, diets contained 41.4% to 50.6% starch, 0.88% to 8.54% β-glucan, 0.81% to 0.89% total P, and 0.19% to 0.35% InsP6-P. The MFB, LFB, and LFW had greater (P < 0.05) diet AID of P than HFB and HFA, and MFB had greater (P < 0.05) diet ATTD and STTD of P than HFB. The ATTD of InsP6-P was greater (P < 0.05) for HFB than LFB and the ATTD of the sum InsP6-2-P was greater (P < 0.05) for HFB and HFA than LFB. Total tract P release was greater (P < 0.001) for HFB, HFA, and LFW than MFB and LFB. The LFW had greater (P < 0.05) ATTD of Ca than LFB. Diet β-glucan content was not correlated with STTD of P (R2 = 0.03) or ATTD of InsP6 (R2 = 0.05). In conclusion, cereal grains high in fermentable fiber, e.g. amylose and β-glucans included in specific hull-less barley cultivars, had lower diet AID, ATTD, and STTD of P, but greater ATTD of InsP6-P and sum InsP6-2-P. Carbohydrate fermentation, thus, results in greater total tract P release from InsP-P hydrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Connection between structural (long-term) unemployment and long-term social assistance with number of ELCF poverty relief clients, share of working-age ELCF poverty relief clients, and ELCF financial assistance, pooled regression 2007-2013. ELCF's poverty relief clients (% of total population) 7.9 6.7 2.0 25.7 Working-age ELCF poverty relief clients (% of total population) 4.2 3.6 0.6 18.0 Annual amount of financial assistance in Euros 38,120 17,695 55 56,121 Long-term social assistance recipients (% of total population) 1.8 1.1 0.2 5.2 Rate of structural unemployment, % 3.9 3.7 0.5 9.1 Population 45,858 21,962 10,010 612,664 ht There is no single measure of poverty. In Finland, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, which was responsible for preparing the NAP's, invited the ELCF to contribute to the process as a legitimate partner, indicating a move toward a deeper partnership between church and state in the social policy field.[34] The ELCF's poverty relief activities were also welcomed by the great majority of ELCF members. Our results confirm the earlier finding on the ELCF's accelerated poverty relief action both to alleviate poverty resulting from both economic recessions and to demonstrate a welfare mix provision of poverty relief in Finland. [Extracted from the article]

In the previous research, super-fortification with copper decreased vitamin E content and darkened canned pet food, which prevented the analysis of black blemishes reported in commercial products. The pet food industry has linked these blemishes, which may be concerning to pet owners, to copper supplementation. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different copper sources included at minimum recommended levels on nutrient content, color, and blemishes in canned pet food. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial, with 2 levels of copper supplementation [6 and 12 mg/kg dry matter (DM)], 3 copper sources (CG = copper glutamate, CA = copper amino acid complex, and CS = copper sulfate), and a control with no added copper (NC). Diets were analyzed for macronutrients (moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and ash) and micronutrients (calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, and vitamin E). Color was quantified with a CIELAB color space colorimeter wherein L * values closer to 100 represented lighter products and more positive a * and b * values indicated redder and yellower products, respectively. Blemishes were enumerated and their surface area quantified with ImageJ software. Data were analyzed as a general linear mixed model with the fixed effect of treatment and the random effect of production day. P -values less than 0.05 were considered significant. The 12 mg/kg DM treatments (average 14.19 mg/kg DM) contained the highest (P  < 0.05) level of copper, followed by 6 mg/kg DM treatments (average 7.59 mg/kg DM) and then NC (0.00 mg/kg DM). Addition of copper decreased (P  < 0.05) vitamin E content, except for NC and CS12 which were similar (P  > 0.05; average 111.89 mg/kg DM). Lightness (average L* 63.66) was not affected (P  > 0.05) by the treatments. Adding copper decreased (P  < 0.05) redness, with higher (P  < 0.05) a* values for CG6 (9.55) vs. CA6 and CS6 (average 8.50). Yellowness also decreased with the addition of copper, except for CG6 which was similar (P  > 0.05) to NC (average 18.70). However, CG6 and CG12 (average 4.05 blemishes/slice of food) contained more (P  < 0.05) blemishes than CA6, CS6, and CS12 (average 0.97 blemishes/slice of food). Minimal levels of supplemental copper from CG may enhance overall color preservation but could increase blemish occurrence. No disadvantage was observed for CA vs. CS, indicating that CA could be exchanged for CS in formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detecting small and linked quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and QTL-by-environment interactions (QEIs) for complex traits is a difficult issue in immortalized F2 and F2:3 design, especially in the era of global climate change and environmental plasticity research. Here we proposed a compressed variance component mixed model. In this model, a parametric vector of QTL genotype and environment combination effects replaced QTL effects, environmental effects and their interaction effects, whereas the combination effect polygenic background replaced the QTL and QEI polygenic backgrounds. Thus, the number of variance components in the mixed model was greatly reduced. The model was incorporated into our genome-wide composite interval mapping (GCIM) to propose GCIM-QEI-random and GCIM-QEI-fixed, respectively, under random and fixed models of genetic effects. First, potentially associated QTLs and QEIs were selected from genome-wide scanning. Then, significant QTLs and QEIs were identified using empirical Bayes and likelihood ratio test. Finally, known and candidate genes around these significant loci were mined. The new methods were validated by a series of simulation studies and real data analyses. Compared with ICIM, GCIM-QEI-random had 29.77 ± 18.20% and 24.33 ± 10.15% higher average power, respectively, in 0.5–3.0% QTL and QEI detection, 43.44 ± 9.53% and 51.47 ± 15.70% higher average power, respectively, in linked QTL and QEI detection, and identified 30 more known genes for four rice yield traits, because GCIM-QEI-random identified more small genes/loci, being 2.69 ± 2.37% for additional genes. GCIM-QEI-random was slightly better than GCIM-QEI-fixed. In addition, the new methods may be extended into backcross and genome-wide association studies. This study provides effective methods for detecting small-effect and linked QTLs and QEIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This meta‐analysis aims to assess the point prevalence of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from bovine mastitis cases at the global level. Methods and Results: Several electronic databases were searched for relevant publications (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge and Cochrane Library). Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the Cochrane Q test and I2 test statistics based on the random‐effect model. The potential sources of between‐study heterogeneity were evaluated using subgroup analysis and meta‐regression. Sensitivity and publication bias analyses were performed. Sixty‐six studies with a total of 77,644 mastitis cases were eligible and included in the analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of MRSA was 4·30% (95% CI: 3·24–5·50) with a significant heterogeneity (I2 = 97·48%, p < 0·001). In the subgroup analysis by region, the highest prevalence was found in Asia (6·47%, 95% CI: 4·33–8·97), and the lowest prevalence was reported in Europe (1·18%, 95% CI: 0·18–2·83). The pooled prevalence was significantly higher in clinical mastitis and cases published during 2016–2020. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that there is a lower prevalence of MRSA in bovine mastitis. However, its prevalence increased in the past 4 years. Therefore, continuous surveillance is urgently required for monitoring the dissemination of these clinically important bacteria. Significance of the Study: To our knowledge, this is the first meta‐analysis to estimate the global prevalence of MRSA isolated from bovine mastitis cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of providing drinking water of differing qualities on growth performance and health of nursery pigs. Weanling pigs (n  = 450; 150 pigs/group; 10 pigs/pen) were assigned randomly to one of three experimental groups consisting of three water sources of varying qualities: 1) Water source A containing 1,410 ppm hardness (CaCO3 equivalent), 1,120 ppm sulfates, and 1,500 ppm total dissolved solids (TDS); 2) Water source B containing 909 ppm hardness (CaCO3 equivalent), 617 ppm sulfates, and 1,050 ppm TDS; and 3) Water source C containing 235 ppm hardness (CaCO3 equivalent), 2 ppm sulfates, and 348 ppm TDS. Pigs were provided ad libitum access to their respective water sources for the duration of the study which began at weaning (21 d of age) and ended 40 d later (61 d of age). Individual pig weights were recorded weekly along with feed intake on a pen basis. Occurrences of morbidity and mortality were recorded daily. Subjective fecal scores were assigned on a pen basis and blood samples were used to evaluate blood chemistry, cytokine concentrations, and phagocytic activity. A differential sugar absorption test was used to assess intestinal permeability. Fecal grab samples were used to establish diet digestibility, and drinking behavior was video-recorded to assess pigs' acceptance of water sources provided. The statistical model considered fixed effects of water source, room, and their interaction with the random effect of pen. A repeated measures analysis was conducted to determine the effects of water quality over time. There were no differences (P  > 0.440) among water sources in average daily gain (A, 0.46 kg/d; B, 0.46 kg/d; C, 0.47 kg/d) or average daily feed intake (A, 0.68 kg/d; B, 0.69 kg/d; C, 0.71 kg/d). Overall mortality of pigs was 0.44% and did not differ across the three water sources. There were no differences in apparent total tract digestibility of the diet, intestinal permeability, immune parameters, or blood chemistry attributable to quality of water consumed by pigs. Pigs did not show an aversion to the water sources provided, because total time pigs spent at the drinker did not differ (P  > 0.750) among water sources on days 1 through 3 of the experiment. These data indicate that the water sources of differing quality studied did not affect growth performance or health of nursery pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper, building on qualitative research for refugees' return migration, endeavours to provide an empirical evaluation of return migration. More specifically, this study focuses on the effect of political and economic stimuli on refugees' choice to return. We conducted a quantitative analysis using a negative binomial model with fixed effects on a longitudinal dataset for more than 150 countries for the period 1991–2018. Our results reveal that the strongest predictors of return migration are political factors. Notably, a reduction in human rights violations, the elimination of genocides/politicides, the termination of wars and peace agreements are the most influential variables. Economic incentives are relatively weak, indicating that economic motives are not the principal factor for refugee returnees' decision-making. The most robust economic covariate, educational access, is a conglomerate of economic and social factors; consequently, it is more influential within its group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives In Africa, antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP) is increasing due to a high antipsychotic dose prescribing, repeated psychiatric hospitalization, uncontrolled psychotic symptoms, and greater side effect burden. Therefore, the aim of this review and meta-analysis is to assess the prevalence and correlates of APP among patients with schizophrenia in Africa. Methods A systematic search was performed from August 1 to 31, 2020, on PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases to select articles based on the inclusion criteria. Meta-Analysis of Observational studies in Epidemiology guidelines were employed. Cross-sectional observational studies that reported APP and/or its correlates in schizophrenia patients in English language published in peer-reviewed journals without time limits were included in the review. The quality of included articles was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment tool. Prevalence and correlates of APP were the outcome measures of this review and meta-analysis. Open Meta Analyst and RevMan version 5.3 software were used for meta-analysis. A random effect model was used to synthesize data based on the heterogeneity test. Results Six studies that involved 2154 schizophrenia patients met the inclusion criteria in this review and meta-analysis. The quality of included studies ranges from 6.5 to 10 based on the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment tool. The pooled prevalence of APP among patients with schizophrenia was 40.6% with 95% confidence interval: 27.6% to 53.7%. Depot first-generation antipsychotics and oral first-generation antipsychotics were the most commonly prescribed APP combinations. Socio-demographic, clinical, and antipsychotic treatment characteristics were significantly associated with APP. There was a wide variation in the correlates of APP assessed by studies and the way that association/correlations was determined and reported. Conclusions APP is common and highly prevalent. Advanced age, male gender, longer duration of schizophrenia, hospital admission, and longer antipsychotic treatment were correlates of APP in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With reduced community mobility, household infections may become increasingly important in SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics.Methods: We investigate the intra-household transmission of COVID-19 through the secondary-attack rate (SAR) and household reproduction number (Rh). We estimate these using (i) data from 29 prior studies (February-August 2020), (ii) epidemiologically linked confirmed cases from Singapore (January-April 2020) and (iii) widespread-testing data from Vo' (February-March 2020). For (i), we use a Bayesian random-effects model that corrects for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test sensitivity and asymptomatic cases. We investigate the robustness of Rh with respect to community transmission rates and mobility patterns.Results: The corrected pooled estimates from prior studies for SAR and Rh are 24% (20-28%) and 0.34 (0.30-0.38), respectively. Without corrections, the pooled estimates are: SAR = 18% (14-21%) and Rh = 0.28 (0.25-0.32). The corrected estimates line up with direct estimates from contact-tracing data from Singapore [Rh = 0.32 (0.22-0.42)] and population testing data from Vo' [SAR = 31% (28-34%) and Rh = 0.37 (0.34-0.40)]. The analysis of Singapore data further suggests that the value of Rh (0.22-0.42) is robust to community-spread dynamics; our estimate of Rh stays constant whereas the fraction of infections attributable to household transmission (Rh/Reff) is lowest during outbreaks (5-7%) and highest during lockdowns and periods of low community spread (25-30%).Conclusions: The three data-source types yield broadly consistent estimates for SAR and Rh. Our study suggests that household infections are responsible for a large fraction of infections and so household transmission may be an effective target for intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With genome-wide association data for many exposures and outcomes now available from large biobanks, one-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) is increasingly used to investigate causal relationships. Many robust MR methods are available to address pleiotropy, but these assume independence between the gene-exposure and gene-outcome association estimates. Unlike in two-sample MR, in one-sample MR the two estimates are obtained from the same individuals, and the assumption of independence does not hold in the presence of confounding.Methods: With simulations mimicking a typical study in UK Biobank, we assessed the performance, in terms of bias and precision of the MR estimate, of the fixed-effect and (multiplicative) random-effects meta-analysis method, weighted median estimator, weighted mode estimator and MR-Egger regression, used in both one-sample and two-sample data. We considered scenarios differing by the: presence/absence of a true causal effect; amount of confounding; and presence and type of pleiotropy (none, balanced or directional).Results: Even in the presence of substantial correlation due to confounding, all two-sample methods used in one-sample MR performed similarly to when used in two-sample MR, except for MR-Egger which resulted in bias reflecting direction and magnitude of the confounding. Such bias was much reduced in the presence of very high variability in instrument strength across variants (IGX2 of 97%).Conclusions: Two-sample MR methods can be safely used for one-sample MR performed within large biobanks, expect for MR-Egger. MR-Egger is not recommended for one-sample MR unless the correlation between the gene-exposure and gene-outcome estimates due to confounding can be kept low, or the variability in instrument strength is very high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of CaO on ruminal in situ degradability (RISD) of forage components and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) of warm-season forages. Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum ; BH) or Tifton 85 bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.; BM) hay were stored in 20-L buckets in two consecutive years (n = 4/treatment) as follows: 1) untreated dry BH or BM (DH); 2) hydrated BH or BM stored for 7 d (W7); 3) hydrated BH or BM stored for 14 d (W14); 4) hydrated BH or BM + 5% [dry matter (DM) basis] CaO stored for 7 d (CO5-7); 5) hydrated BH or BM + 5% (DM basis) CaO stored for 14 d (CO5-14); and 6) hydrated BH or BM + 10% (DM basis) CaO stored for 14 d (CO10). With exception of the dry treatment (DH), tap water was added to forages under the remaining treatments to reach a DM concentration of 50%. Ruminal in situ degradability of DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of BH and BM was determined for 24, 48, and 72 h in two ruminally cannulated steers consuming BH. Data were analyzed as a randomized block design using bucket as the experimental unit. The model included the fixed effect of treatment and the random effect of year. Concentration of NDF was reduced (P < 0.001) when BH and BM were treated with 10% and 5% CaO and compared with DH. However, only CO10 promoted a reduction (P = 0.007) in ADF concentration of BH, whereas CO10 and CO5, regardless of storage length, reduced (P ≤ 0.006) ADF concentration of BM, when compared with DH. At all ruminal incubation time points, a treatment effect (P < 0.001) was observed on RISD of DM, OM, CP, NDF, and ADF of BH and BM, where all treatments containing CaO promoted greater degradability when compared with DH, W7, and W14, which did not differ (P > 0.05). Ruminal degradability of forage components was greatest (P < 0.05) for CO10, followed by CO5-7 and CO5-14, which did not differ (P > 0.05). In vitro organic matter digestibility was increased (P < 0.001) in both BH and BM when CaO was applied and compared to DH. Treatment of BH and BM with CaO seems to be an effective method of promoting increased digestibility of forage components, including fiber fractions, when applied at 5% of the forage DM with potential additional benefits to BH when applied at 10%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of Pensacola bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) hay treated with calcium oxide (CaO) and molasses on performance of growing beef cattle supplemented or not with cottonseed meal. In Exp. 1, growing Bos indicus influenced heifers (n = 59; 250 ± 29 kg body weight [BW]) and steers (n = 37; 256 ± 45 kg BW) were used. In Exp. 2, heifers (n = 56; 249 ± 26 kg BW) and steers (n = 8; 249 ± 20 kg BW) from Exp. 1 were used. Both experiments were randomized complete block designs and consisted of 56-d periods in which cattle were weighed every 14 d. On day 0, cattle were weighed after a 16-h water and feed withdrawal, stratified by sex, breed, and BW, and blocked by initial BW. Cattle were allotted to 24 and 16 dormant bahiagrass pastures (1.34 ha each) in Exp. 1 and Exp. 2, respectively. Pastures were located in two different areas within 0.52 km of each other and were stratified by location and randomly assigned (n = 8 pastures/treatment) to treatment. In Exp. 1 treatments were: 1) untreated dry hay (DH); 2) hay treated with 10% molasses (dry matter [DM] basis) + water (to 65% DM; MOL); or 3) hay treated with 5% CaO (DM basis) + 10% molasses (DM basis) + water (to 65% DM; CAO). In Exp. 2 only treatments MOL and CAO were applied, and cottonseed meal was provided at 0.3% of cattle BW/d (as fed basis). In both experiments, data were analyzed using pasture as the experimental unit. The model included the fixed effects of treatment, sex, and their interaction (Exp. 1). Location and block were included as random effects. In both experiments, initial and final BW were not affected by treatment (P ≥ 0.362 and P ≥ 0.283, respectively) or sex (P ≥ 0.512 and P ≥ 0.495, respectively) and no treatment × sex interaction was observed in Exp. 1 (P > 0.05). Additionally, no effects of treatment (P ≥ 0.515), sex (P ≥ 0.285), or treatment × sex interaction (Exp. 1; P = 0.582) were observed on average daily gain (average of −0.03 kg in Exp. 1 and 0.537 kg in Exp. 2). Bahiagrass hay treated with molasses alone or in combination with CaO failed to improve performance of growing beef cattle. However, when protein supplementation via cottonseed meal was provided, cattle did not experience weight loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Causal inference analyses often use existing observational data, which in many cases has some clustering of individuals. In this paper, we discuss propensity score weighting methods in a multilevel setting where within clusters individuals share unmeasured confounders that are related to treatment assignment and the potential outcomes. We focus in particular on settings where models with fixed cluster effects are either not feasible or not useful due to the presence of a large number of small clusters. We found, both through numerical experiments and theoretical derivations, that a strategy of grouping clusters with similar treatment prevalence and estimating propensity scores within such cluster groups is effective in reducing bias from unmeasured cluster‐level covariates under mild conditions on the outcome model. We apply our proposed method in evaluating the effectiveness of centre‐based pre‐school programme participation on children's achievement at kindergarten, using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Kindergarten data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin D supports several physiological functions, from mineral homeostasis to immune activity. The aim of this study was to provide 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] to late gestation and early lactation dairy cows and evaluate the impact on lactational performance. Holstein cows (n = 100) that finished their first or greater lactation were enrolled in a randomized block design with a 2x2 factorial arrangement of treatments (n = 25 cows per treatment group). Prepartum treatments were 0 or 3 mg of 25(OH)D3 per cow daily from 28 d before expected calving until calving. Postpartum treatments were 0 or 1.5 mg of 25(OH)D3 per cow daily from calving until 63 d after calving. Treatments were top-dressed at feed delivery using a cornmeal carrier. The 25(OH)D3 source was Hy· D100. Prepartum [30 IU/kg body weight (BW)] and lactation (40 IU/kg BW) rations also provided a basal amount of cholecalciferol fed to NASEM 2021 recommendations. Dry cows were fed individually, and group housed in a bedded pack. Lactating cows were fed individually, group housed in a freestall, milked 3x/d, and milk sampled 6x/wk. Data were analyzed by ANOVA with repeated measures using the MIXED procedure of SAS (v. 9.4). The model contained fixed effects [prepartum treatment (PRE), postpartum treatment (POST; removed for prepartum data) week, and their interactions] and a random effect (block). Prepartum dry matter intake (DMI) averaged 16.3 kg/d and 2.04% of BW, was not affected by prepartum treatment (P = 0.89) and was decreased closer to calving (P = 0.01). As expected, week after calving affected (P = 0.05) lactational performance. Postpartum DMI was greater for cows fed 3-1.5 mg than those fed 0 to 1.5 mg (Table 1). Colostrum yield and quality were not affected by prepartum treatment (P = 0.91) and averaged 5.7 kg with an IgG content of 75.6 g/L. Actual milk yield was not affected by prepartum or postpartum treatments. Interestingly, there was a carryover effect of prepartum treatment on yield of 4% fat-corrected milk (FCM) and energy-corrected milk (ECM). Cows fed 3 mg during late gestation produced more than those fed 0 mg. Postpartum treatment did not affect componentcorrected milk yield. Providing additional vitamin D in the form of 25(OH)D3 to late gestation cows improved lactational performance by increasing intake and the yield of component-corrected milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]