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Three options for anesthetizing the skin around the horn bud of dairy goat kids were explored. Forty-five

Until recently, animal behavior has been studied through close and extensive observation of individual animals and has relied on subjective assessments. Wearable technologies that allow the automation of dairy cow behavior recording currently dominate the precision dairy technology market. Wearable accelerometers provide new opportunities in animal ethology using quantitative measures of dairy cow behavior. Recent research developments indicate that quantitative measures of behavior may provide new objective on-farm measures to assist producers in predicting, diagnosing, and managing disease or injury on farms and allowing producers to monitor cow comfort and estrus behavior. These recent research developments and a large increase in the availability of wearable accelerometers have led to growing interest of both researchers and producers in this technology. This review aimed to summarize the studies that have validated lying behavior derived from accelerometers and to describe the factors that should be considered when using leg-attached accelerometers and neck-worn collars to describe lying behavior (e.g., lying time and lying bouts) in dairy cows for research purposes. Specifically, we describe accelerometer technology, including the instrument properties and methods for recording motion; the raw data output from accelerometers; and methods developed for the transformation of raw data into meaningful and interpretable information. We highlight differences in validation study outcomes for researchers to consider when developing their own experimental methodology for the use of accelerometers to record lying behaviors in dairy cows. Finally, we discuss several factors that may influence the data recorded by accelerometers and highlight gaps in the literature. We conclude that researchers using accelerometers to record lying behaviors in dairy cattle should (1) select an accelerometer device that, based on device attachment and sampling rate, is appropriate to record the behavior of interest; (2) account for cow-, farm-, and management-related factors that could affect the lying behaviors recorded; (3) determine the appropriate editing criteria for the accurate interpretation of their data; (4) support their chosen method of recording, editing, and interpreting the data by referencing an appropriately designed and accurate validation study published in the literature; and (5) report, in detail, their methodology to ensure others can decipher how the data were captured and understand potential limitations of their methodology. We recommend that standardized protocols be developed for collecting, analyzing, and reporting lying behavior data recorded using wearable accelerometers for dairy cattle.

Hypocalcemia is a common metabolic disorder of transition dairy cows that is considered a gateway disease, increasing the risk of other health disorders and reducing cow performance. Clinical milk fever is associated with long periods of recumbency, and it is plausible that cows experiencing non-paretic hypocalcemia may spend more time lying; hence, lying behavior and activity measures may be useful in identifying at-risk cows. The objective of this study was to describe associations among blood calcium (Ca) status at calving and lying behavior and activity measures during the transition period in grazing dairy cows. Blood was sampled on the day of calving (d 0), and d 1, 2, 3, and 4 postcalving, and analyzed for total plasma Ca concentration. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein-Friesian and Holstein-Friesian × Jersey grazing dairy cows were classified, retrospectively, as clinically hypocalcemic (CLIN; blood Ca ≤ 1.4 mmol/L at 1 or more consecutive samplings within 48 h postcalving, but without parturient paresis). These cows were pair-matched (using milk production potential from their estimated breeding value for milk protein, mean body weight at wk -5 and -6 precalving, and, where possible, parity) with 24 cows classified as subclinically hypocalcemic (SUB; blood Ca > 1.4 and < 2.0 mmol/L at 2 consecutive samplings within 48 h postcalving), and 24 cows classified as normocalcemic (NORM; blood Ca ≥ 2.0 mmol/L at 3 consecutive samplings within 72 h postcalving). Lying behavior and activity were monitored using triaxial accelerometers from -21 to +35 d relative to calving. Data were summarized to calculate daily lying time (h/d), daily number of lying bouts (LB; no./d), mean LB duration (min/bout), and the number of steps taken (steps/d). On d 0, the CLIN group were less active and spent approximately 2.6 h longer lying than the SUB and NORM groups, particularly between 0200 and 1400 h. On d 0, the NORM group had fewer LB (16.3/d) than the SUB and CLIN groups (18.2 and 19.2/d, respectively). These differences in behavior were no longer detected 2 d postcalving, and no further differences were observed. The day before calving, the CLIN group spent 1.4 h longer lying down than did the SUB and NORM groups. Further, the relative change in steps from a precalving baseline period (d -14 to -7) until d 0 was positively, linearly associated with blood Ca concentration within 24 h postcalving. Future work should consider daily and temporal changes in behavior in individual cows to determine the potential for these measures to allow early detection of hypocalcemia.

Anionic polyelectrolytes with various charge densities and a well-defined chain architecture have great industrial and fundamental importance. In this article, we describe the synthesis and characterization of new sterically crowded conformationally constrained anionic polyelectrolytes with tunable charge densities based on highly functionalized stilbene-maleic anhydride/maleimide comonomers. Polyelectrolyte precursors with tert-butyl carboxylate protecting groups are first prepared by radical polymerization and readily characterized by 1H NMR, SEC, TGA, and DSC without the complications normally arising with charged macromolecules. The precursors are converted into their corresponding deblocked forms by simply reacting with trifluoroacetic acid to deprotect the tert-butyl group and then neutralized in basic aqueous solutions to yield anionic polyelectrolytes.

Journal of physics / D 56(2), 025301 (2022). doi:10.1088/1361-6463/ac99e8, Published by IOP Publ., Bristol

Urban institutions are typically located in diverse and vibrant cities. This diversity has changed over the decades, thus requiring campuses to address the complexity that is seen as these new American cities evolve. In this article the city of Buffalo is discussed as a city that manifests a continuous change in population diversity with a significant increase in the immigrant and refugee populations. The ways that Buffalo State College has evolved its outreach to support immigrants, refugees, and new Americans is discussed, approaches that include ways to support entry and success within the city school systems, support for families and adults learning the English language and preparing for citizenship exams, convening and support to navigate their new location, and assistance in business efforts. Extensions of the mission of urban institutions to support these new members of city communities allows campuses to participate fully in addressing the needs of this important segment of our cities. Immigrant and refugee families add to the vibrancy and economic success of our communities and facilitating their adjustment, integration, and success within our cities not only provides needed support for new American families, but adds to the current and future economic and social success of the community where they now call home. This is an important aspect of the urban anchor mission.

Milking cows once daily is a management tool that has been implemented to improve physical and financial results of seasonal pasture-based dairy farms. The Molly cow model integrates physiology and metabolism of dairy cattle; however, milk production during short-term changes in milking frequency (e.g., 1× milking) is not well represented. The model includes a representation of variable rates of cell quiescence and death. However, the rate constants governing cell death and the return of quiescent to active cells are not affected by milking frequency. An empirical assessment of the problem was conducted, and it was hypothesized that changing the current representation of the rate of cell death in response to short-term 1× milking would more accurately represent active and quiescent cells and improve predictions of milk production. An extra senescent cell flux was added to account for cell loss during periods of 1× milking. Additional changes included a gradual decline in the rate of 1× stimulated senescence during 1× milking, and a structural change in cell cycling between active and quiescent cells during and after short-term 1× milking. Data used for parameter estimation were obtained from 5 studies where 1× milking or different feeding strategies were tested. Parameter estimates of cell loss indicated that 1× milking would affect a small proportion of quiescent cells to cause extra cell death. This added cell senescence was influenced by the length of 1× milking such that cell senescence peaked on d 1 of 1× milking and decayed from that point. The new structure in the model includes a variable rate of cell death in response to 1× milking and a gradual rate of return of quiescent cells back to the active pool in response to switching to 2× milking after short-term 1× milking. Root mean square errors, mean bias, and slope bias declined by at least 50% for predictions of energy-corrected milk yield and fat percent. The model showed quantitative agreement with production data from short-term 1× milking. The accuracy of predictions was improved and the error was reduced by implementing modifications in the model in response to changes in milking frequency.

A series of isoprene and sodium styrene sulfonate copolymers (poly(I-co-NaSS)) was synthesized with systematically varied concentrations of ions using radical emulsion polymerization. Their chemical structures and morphologies were characterized and structure-mechanical relationships were determined. The SAXS scattering profiles and the thermal properties remained unchanged as ion content increased. In contrast, the toughness and stiffness of the copolymers increased and the adhesion strength was significantly improved as the ion content increased from 1.2 mol % to 4.6 mol % NaSS.

Transition dairy cows experience a decline in immune function that increases the risk of peripartum disease. One strategy to improve peripartum immune function involves the use of a commercially available cytokine: bovine granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, with the addition of polyethylene glycol to increase duration of effectiveness. Treatment with Imrestor (15 mg pegbovigrastim; Elanco) one week before expected calving date (d −7) and again on the day of calving (d 0) was previously reported to increase the neutrophil number and improve neutrophil function; as a result, the incidence of clinical mastitis was reduced. We conducted 2 experiments over consecutive years to investigate the effect of a lower dose rate (half or quarter dose rate) of Imrestor in grazing dairy cattle and reduced administration frequency: one dose instead of the recommended 2. White blood cell counts were measured to determine changes in relative cell populations in response to treatment. Neutrophil function was assessed by measuring myeloperoxidase activity. Imrestor treatment increased the numbers of neutrophils, band cells, lymphocytes, and monocytes until 14 d postcalving in a dose-dependent manner; it also increased neutrophil myeloperoxidase activity. One dose of Imrestor increased white blood cell counts and myeloperoxidase activity, but the timing, degree, and duration of the response were different relative to the recommended 2 doses and were also dependent upon when Imrestor treatment was given. One dose at d −7 relative to expected calving date did not have a lasting effect postcalving, whereas one dose only on d 0 caused a delayed effect relative to cows that received 2 doses. There was no effect of Imrestor on milk yield or on blood indicators of transition cow health. A lower dose rate of Imrestor or a single dose of Imrestor on the day of calving may be sufficient to improve neutrophil function during the early postpartum in grazing dairy cows. Large-scale field studies are required to determine whether the smaller response from lower dose rates or the timing of the immunological response to drug delivery affect animal health in early lactation.

Background: No evidence currently exists characterising global outcomes following major cancer surgery, including esophageal cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to characterise impact of high income countries (HIC) versus low and middle income countries (LMIC) on the outcomes following esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Method: This international multi-center prospective study across 137 hospitals in 41 countries included patients who underwent an esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, with 90-day follow-up. The main explanatory variable was country income, defined according to the World Bank Data classification. The primary outcome was 90-day postoperative mortality, and secondary outcomes were composite leaks (anastomotic leak or conduit necrosis) and major complications (Clavien-Dindo Grade III-V). Multivariable generalized estimating equation models were used to produce adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI95%). Results: Between April 2018 to December 2018, 2247 patients were included. Patients from HIC were more significantly older, with higher ASA grade, and more advanced tumors. Patients from LMIC had almost three-fold increase in 90-day mortality, compared to HIC (9.4% vs 3.7%, p < 0.001). On adjusted analysis, LMIC were independently associated with higher 90-day mortality (OR: 2.31, CI95%: 1.17-4.55, p = 0.015). However, LMIC were not independently associated with higher rates of anastomotic leaks (OR: 1.06, CI95%: 0.57-1.99, p = 0.9) or major complications (OR: 0.85, CI95%: 0.54-1.32, p = 0.5), compared to HIC. Conclusion: Resections in LMIC were independently associated with higher 90-day postoperative mortality, likely reflecting a failure to rescue of these patients following esophagectomy, despite similar composite anastomotic leaks and major complication rates to HIC. These findings warrant further research, to identify potential issues and solutions to improve global outcomes following esophagectomy for cancer. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd, BASO similar to The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved.

Methylstilbene-alt-maleic acid copolymers spontaneously convert biological membranes into bilayer discs with similar to 20 nm diameters. This readily functionalizable class of copolymers has the compositional homogeneity, hydrophobicity, dynamics, and charge that may help to achieve optimal structural resolution, membrane dissolution, stability, and broad utility. NSERCNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada [RGPIN-2018-04994]; Campus Alberta Innovation Program [RCP-12-002C]; Alberta Prion Research Institute/Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions [201600018]; National Science FoundationNational Science Foundation (NSF) [DMR-1609379]; CFICanada Foundation for Innovation; Genome CanadaGenome Canada; TMIC This work was supported by NSERC RGPIN-2018-04994, Campus Alberta Innovation Program (RCP-12-002C), Alberta Prion Research Institute/Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions (201600018) (M.O.) and National Science Foundation DMR-1609379 (S.R.T.) grants. NANUC was supported by TMIC, CFI and Genome Canada. We thank Russell Bishop for discussions and the PagP expression construct.

The substitution of a linear biphenyl monomer with its meta isomer in liquid crystalline polyesters affords (co)polyesters with tunable liquid crystalline (LC) and thermomechanical properties. Melt transesterification afforded two (co)polyester series based on the semi-aromatic homopolymers poly(diethylene glycol 4,4′ bibenzoate) and poly(butylene 4,4′ bibenzoate) at high molecular weights. In each series, the linear dimethyl-4,4′ bibenzoate (4,4’BB) was systematically exchanged with its kinked isomer, dimethyl-3,4′ bibenzoate (3,4’BB). The incorporation of the meta isomer resulted in tunable crystalline and LC properties. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and polarized optical microscopy (POM) elucidated that the kinked structure of 3,4’BB disrupted crystallization at low incorporations, significantly lowering the melting transition temperature (>50 °C) in each series. The LC properties were less impacted due to the biphenyl structure resulting in LC glasses with wide mesogenic windows. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) further demonstrated the tunable nature of the thermomechanical properties resulting from the (co)polymerization of these isomers.

Melt polymerization enabled the synthesis of semi-aromatic (co)polyesters containing 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM), 4,4′-bibenzoate (4,4′BB), and 3,4′-bibenzoate (3,4′BB). Proton nuclear magneti...

Melt acidolysis polymerization of hydroquinone with a kinked monomer, biphenyl 3,4′-bibenzoate, afforded a novel liquid crystalline polymer (LCP), poly(p-phenylene 3,4′-bibenzoate) (poly(HQ-3,4′BB)). Selection of hydroquinone diacetate (HQa) or hydroquinone dipivilate (HQp) facilitated either a tan or white final polymer, respectively. 1H NMR spectroscopy confirmed consistent polymer backbone structure for polymers synthesized with either derivative of hydroquinone. Poly(HQ-3,4′BB) exhibited the onset of weight loss at about 480 °C, similar to commercially available Vectra® LCP. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 190 °C and an isotropic temperature (Ti) near 330 °C. The observation of a melting temperature (Tm) depended upon the thermal history of the polymer. Wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and polarized optical microscopy (POM) confirmed the formation of a nematic glass morphology after quench-cooling from the isotropic state. Subsequent annealing at 280 °C or mechanical deformation induced crystallization of the polymer. Rheological studies demonstrated similar shear thinning behavior for poly(HQ-3,4′BB) and Vectra® RD501 in the power law region at 340 °C. Zero-shear viscosity measurements indicated that HQa afforded higher melt viscosities after identical polymerization conditions relative to HQp, suggesting higher molecular weights.

Microgels are gel particles with diameters in the range of 50 nm to 5 μm. Compared to macrogels, they have faster responsive rate to external stimuli such as pH and temperature. Traditional synthetic methods for microgels, such as emulsion polymerization and precipitation polymerization, usually require liquid or aqueous-soluble monomers; therefore, hydrophobic solid monomers are rarely used. In this work, we report for the first time the synthesis of microgels using hydrophobic solid monomers through a miniemulsion polymerization technique, which opens the possibility of a whole new range of monomers to be candidates for microgels. The obtained tert-butyl carboxylate-containing organic microgels were then converted to aqueous hydrogels by acidic deprotection. The resulting hydrogel particles showed good swelling properties as well as high and reversible lead and copper ion adsorption ability.

Amine-containing polymers are considered to be promising CO2 capture materials. Considerable research effort has been invested in designing and preparing new materials with high surface area and amine content. In this work, a series of nanoporous highly crosslinked polymers (HCPs) with covalently bonded amines were prepared by post-modification of highly crosslinked divinylbenzene-maleic anhydride (DVB-MAH) copolymer with various diamines. The successful incorporation of the diamines was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and elemental analysis. The resulting amine-containing HCPs possessed both micropores and mesopores, and they exhibited BET surface area of 183–500 m2/g. The CO2 capture capacity of these polymers varied in relation to their surface areas and amine contents. The chemistry described in this report provides a facile synthetic route to obtain new amine-containing polymer particles as potential solid sorbents for acidic gases such as carbon dioxide.

OBJECTIVES: To define the safety profile of trainee trabeculectomy surgery in the United Kingdom. Surgical exposure for trainees in England is limited due to service requirements, the European working time directive constraints and increasing sub-specialisation of glaucoma surgery. Limited knowledge exists on the outcomes of supervised glaucoma surgery. The aim is to determine the safety of supervised trabeculectomy surgery performed by trainee ophthalmologists. METHODS: Retrospective case note review of all patients that had trabeculectomy surgery with MMC by consultant and trainee surgeons across multiple UK centres. All eyes have 2-year follow up. Success was determined using WGA guidelines. Two-tailed p values were obtained using Fisher’s exact test to ascertain statistical significance between groups. Main outcome measures: intraocular pressure, visual acuity, success and failure rates. RESULTS: 324 eyes were reviewed. 211 (66.4%) cases were performed by glaucoma consultants, 107(33.6%) by trainee ophthalmologists. The majority of eyes in each group were undergoing surgery for POAG. Post-operative IOP control showed no significant difference between consultant and trainee groups at year 1 and year 2. Success rates showed no significant difference between consultant and trainee cases. Failure rates at year 1 showed a significant difference between the two groups. No significant difference was seen at year 2. The trainee group had significantly more complications, when compared with the consultant group. Snellen visual acuity loss was not statistically significant between the two groups at the 2 year time point. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of supervised trainee trabeculectomy compare favourably with consultant cases after 2 year follow up. Trainee cases had higher complication rates than consultant cases. Bleb leaks are a common complication of trainee cases, where closer supervision may be required. There is potential for surgical simulation to help increase the success of such cases. These findings may encourage trainee participation in glaucoma surgery.

Novel copolyester thermoplastics based on 4,4′-bibenzoate and 3,4′-bibenzoate moieties with ethylene glycol were synthesized via melt polycondensations. Crystallization behavior was modified by the additional incorporation of terephthalate or isophthalate units into the backbones. Copolyester compositions were verified by 1H NMR spectroscopy and molecular weights were assessed using inherent viscosity (ηinh). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed single-step weight losses in the range of 360–400 °C. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to determine melting points and glass transition temperatures over a wide range of copolyester compositions. Observation of thermal data was used to identify amorphous windows in composition ranges containing 3,4′BB and 4,4′BB moieties. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) provided information about thermal transitions and sub-T g relaxations. Mechanical data were obtained using tensile testing to expand structure-property- morphology relationships. Permeability analysis helped to understand how monomer symmetry affects oxygen diffusivity and solubility in selected amorphous film and biaxially oriented copolyester samples.

Melt polycondensation of bibenzoate dimethyl esters with ethylene glycol enabled the synthesis of polyesters containing linear (4,4′-bibenzoate (4,4′BB)) and kinked (3,4′-bibenzoate (3,4′BB)) repeating units. Novel 3,4′BB:4,4′BB (co)polyesters with ethylene glycol (EG) showed an onset of weight loss (Td,5%) above 350 °C. 1H NMR spectroscopy confirmed 4,4′BB:3,4′BB incorporation, and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) revealed high molecular weights. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed glass transition temperatures (Tg) approaching 121 °C, crystallization and melting transition temperatures (Tc and Tm), and sub-Tg β-relaxations. 4,4′BB incorporation below ∼45 mol % afforded an amorphous morphology, while 4,4′BB incorporation above 45 mol % induced crystallinity. Melt rheology elucidated the effect of structure on flow behavior, and time–temperature superposition (TTS) revealed distinct flow transitions. TTS analysis also provided insight into the structur...

Hypercrosslinked polymers (HCPs) represent a class of nanoporous materials with a wide range of practical and potential applications such as gas sorption and separation, heterogeneous catalysis, drug delivery, and chromatographic separation. First introduced by Davankov and Tsyurupa in the early 1970s, HCPs have developed rapidly over the past few decades. Mostly based on Friedel-Crafts chemistry, HCP materials can be prepared from the post-crosslinking of polystyrene-type precursors in their swollen state, or from the condensation of small building blocks. HCP materials manifest numerous important advantages, including moderate synthetic conditions, an enormous stockroom of inexpensive monomers, robust structures, and good thermal and chemical stabilities. This review article aims to provide an overview of recent publications on HCPs, and the emphasis is positioned on the synthetic approaches, theoretical studies, characterizations, structure-property relationships, and applications of these HCP ...

Alternating copolymers represent a special class of copolymers, in which the two comonomers copolymerize in a regular alternating sequence along the chain. Their interesting physical and chemical properties, as well as the underlying mechanism, have attracted significant attention in both academia and industry. The electron-donor benzylidene monomers -- styrene and stilbene, readily form alternating copolymers with the electron-acceptor monomers – maleic anhydride and N-substituted maleimides. The rich chemistry of the substitution groups on these monomers offers enormous combinations for the synthesis of alternating copolymers for different applications. In this paper, we aim to provide a general overview of recent publications on the specific field of these benzylidene-containing alternating copolymers, and the emphasis is placed on the synthetic progress, structure-property relationships, and the applications of these copolymers.

Objects such as vehicles are considered one of challenging obstruction on the road and very little attention has been made to address its significance on the wireless signal. As such, this paper validates the impact of vehicle obstruction on signal propagation using received signal strength indicator (RSSI) based on the wireless channel measurements of realistic environmental obstruction at 2.4 GHz frequency band. Low mobility IEEE 802.15.4 XBee S2C compliant device which is designed to collect received signal power was used and these devices were deployed at area congested with cars. The channel measurements were conducted on LOS car parking area with two scenarios; single-sided and double-sided vehicle obstruction which mimics the obstruction of metal objects. The effect of existing vehicle on the signal propagation is demonstrated based on RSSI and RMSE. The attenuation profile of vehicular obstruction on wireless signal is modeled and compared with large-scale propagation models. Results show that metal object significantly reduce transmission range and signal power. The findings may incite for future implementation of cooperative deployment program and internet of things (IoT) applications in vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication.

Synthetic zeolites are used to control the availability of dietary minerals (e.g., Ca, Mg, and P) in dairy cows. Due to calcium demand increasing with lactation onset, most cows become hypocalcemic immediately postpartum, which likely contributes to poorer immune function because calcium is important for immune cell signaling. To overcome postpartum hypocalcemia, we fed transition cows synthetic zeolite A (sodium aluminosilicate) precalving and hypothesized that it would alter calcium and thus neutrophil function during the transition period. Multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows in late gestation were randomly allocated to an untreated control group (n = 10) or a treatment group in which each cow received 500 g of zeolite A daily (n = 10) for 14 d prior to the expected calving date (actual duration = 17 ± 3 d prepartum). The cows grazed pasture, and each was supplemented with 2 kg/d of maize silage (dry matter basis), with or without zeolite, until calving. Blood samples for neutrophil isolation and analysis of plasma indicators of mineral status, energy status, liver function, and inflammation were collected pretreatment (covariate; d -19); on d -14 and -7 precalving; on the day of calving (d 0); and on d 1, 4, 7, and 28 postcalving. Neutrophils were isolated and gene expression was analyzed using microfluidic gene expression arrays. Neutrophil respiratory burst was assessed using stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and flow cytometry. Plasma calcium and phosphorus revealed a treatment by time interaction; cows offered zeolite had greater plasma calcium concentrations at d 0, 1, and 4 postcalving and plasma phosphorus concentrations were lower in zeolite-treated cows during the precalving period until d 1 postcalving compared with control animals. Zeolite treatment downregulated neutrophil gene expression of CXCR4 and S100A8 and tended to lower gene expression for other immune mediators (CXCR1, IFNG, S100A12, and S100A9) compared with the control. Zeolite treatment did not affect neutrophil respiratory burst or expression of the other genes investigated. Plasma concentrations of cytokine IL-6 were reduced with zeolite treatment, which was most evident immediately postcalving (d 0, 1, and 7). Overall, feeding zeolite precalving had few effects on neutrophil gene expression and function; however, the lower gene expression of neutrophil inflammatory mediators may be due to altered availability of dietary minerals prepartum and indicates that zeolite A may control inflammation during the transition period.

Our understanding of the long‐term evolution of the Earth system is based on the assumption that terrestrial weathering rates should respond to, and hence help regulate, atmospheric CO2 and climate. Increased terrestrial weathering requires increased carbonate accumulation in marine sediments, which in turn is expected to result in a long‐term deepening of the carbonate compensation depth (CCD). Here, we critically assess this long‐term relationship between climate and carbon cycling. We generate a record of marine deep‐sea carbonate abundance from selected late Paleocene through early Eocene time slices to reconstruct the position of the CCD. Although our data set allows for a modest CCD deepening, we find no statistically significant change in the CCD despite >3 °C global warming, highlighting the need for additional deep‐sea constraints on carbonate accumulation. Using an Earth system model, we show that the impact of warming and increased weathering on the CCD can be obscured by the opposing influences of ocean circulation patterns and sedimentary respiration of organic matter. From our data synthesis and modeling, we suggest that observations of warming, declining δ13C and a relatively stable CCD can be broadly reproduced by mid‐Paleogene increases in volcanic CO2 outgassing and weathering. However, remaining data‐model discrepancies hint at missing processes in our model, most likely involving the preservation and burial of organic carbon. Our finding of a decoupling between the CCD and global marine carbonate burial rates means that considerable care is needed in attempting to use the CCD to directly gauge global carbonate burial rates and hence weathering rates., Key Points Compilation of deep‐sea carbonate preservation shows modest CCD deepening across the long‐term Late Paleocene to Early Eocene warming trendEarth system modeling broadly reproduces mid‐Paleogene warming, δ13C and CCD trends via increases in volcanic CO2 outgassing and weatheringEarth system modeling suggests the long‐term position of the CCD is decoupled from global marine carbonate burial and weathering inputs

Dairy cows grazing pasture and milked using automated milking systems (AMS) have lower milking frequencies than indoor fed cows milked using AMS. Therefore, milk recording intervals used for herd testing indoor fed cows may not be suitable for cows on pasture based farms. We hypothesised that accurate standardised 24 h estimates could be determined for AMS herds with milk recording intervals of less than the Gold Standard (48 hs), but that the optimum milk recording interval would depend on the herd average for milking frequency. The Gold Standard protocol was applied on five commercial dairy farms with AMS, between December 2011 and February 2013. From 12 milk recording test periods, involving 2211 cow-test days and 8049 cow milkings, standardised 24 h estimates for milk volume and milk composition were calculated for the Gold Standard protocol and compared with those collected during nine alternative sampling scenarios, including six shorter sampling periods and three in which a fixed number of milk samples per cow were collected. Results infer a 48 h milk recording protocol is unnecessarily long for collecting accurate estimates during milk recording on pasture based AMS farms. Collection of two milk samples only per cow was optimal in terms of high concordance correlation coefficients for milk volume and components and a low proportion of missed cow-test days. Further research is required to determine the effects of diurnal variations in milk composition on standardised 24 h estimates for milk volume and components, before a protocol based on a fixed number of samples could be considered. Based on the results of this study New Zealand have adopted a split protocol for herd testing based on the average milking frequency for the herd (NZ Herd Test Standard 8100:2015).

Pediatric obesity prevalence remains at historically high levels. The objective of this study was to examine secular trends in the percentages of overweight/obese children who received notification from a health-care professional (HCP) about their unhealthy weight.We analyzed data of 25 570 (including 8639 overweight/obese) children aged 2-18 years collected from seven cross-sectional biennial surveys (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2014), in which adolescents (16 years and older) and caregivers, mostly biological mothers, of children (2-15 years) were asked 'Has a doctor or other health professional ever told you that you (or your child) were overweight?'Approximately 90% of overweight/obese children visited HCPs at least once in the past 12 months, but only 22.12% (s.e.=1.92) in 1999 to 34.43% (2.35) in 2014 of the overweight/obese children were notified by HCPs about unhealthy weight. The biennial increase in odds of receipt of notification of unhealthy weight was 1.08 (95% confidence interval=(1.04-1.12)). Greater likelihood for receipt of notification was associated with being obese (odds ratio=5.03 (4.29-5.89) vs overweight); black (1.24 (1.06-1.46)) or Hispanic race/ethnicity (1.72 (1.45-2.04) vs white); female sex (1.22 (1.07-1.11) vs boys); and child's insurance status (1.31 (1.08-1.59) vs uninsured). There were increasing odds of being notified with increasing age: 1.00 (reference), 2.24 (2.06-2.62), 3.22 (2.50-4.13) and 4.87 (3.76-6.32) for children 2-5, 6-11, 12-16 and 16+ year old, respectively. The frequency of medical contact was linearly associated with an increased likelihood of being notified.Notification of child's unhealthy weight by HCPs increased significantly between 1999 and 2014, but the opportunity of clinical intervention remained substantially under-utilized.

In vehicular communication, signal transmission in vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) mode typically takes place on highways, urban, suburban and rural environments. The presence of buildings in these environments poses a challenge to model path loss (PL) due to multiple propagation mechanisms such as diffractions and reflections. However, very little attention has been made to address building effects on the performance of V2I communication links in microcell environment. This paper investigates signal propagation characteristics caused by the impact of building under micro-cellular environment whereby the base station or road-side-unit (RSU) is usually located under the rooftop of building to allow communication between RSU and mobile station or on-board-unit (OBU) on the road. The goal of this paper is to validate and discuss available path loss models based on effect of building obstruction towards RSU-OBU links specifically in residential housing area. The channel measurements are conducted based on static line-of-sight (LOS) settings of a real-world environment at 2.4 GHz frequency band using IEEE 802.15.4 XBee S2C compliant device to measure its receive power. The results are demonstrated based on received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and root mean square error (RMSE). The attenuation profile is validated and compared with suitable path loss models to evaluate best fit and most compatible model based on our measurements data and environment. The analysis shows that several V2I path loss models and V2V channel models are applicable to be used as a reference to model in LOS microcell environment with building obstruction. The finding shows that PL Urban yields the best fit V2I path loss model in terms of RMSE when compared to our measurement campaign at 2.4 GHz.