Evaluation of data loggers for measuring lying behavior in dairy calves

Lying behavior might indicate how the animal interacts with its environment and is an important indicator of cow and calf comfort. Measuring behavior can be time consuming; therefore, behavioral recording with the help of loggers has become common. Recently, the Hobo Pendant G data logger (Onset Computer Corp., Bourne, MA) was validated for measuring lying behavior in cows but no work to date has validated this logger for measuring lying behavior in calves. The objective of this study was to test the accuracy of the Hobo Pendant G data logger for measuring total lying time and frequency of lying bouts in dairy calves. In 2 experiments (experiment 1: thirty-seven 2-h observation periods; experiment 2: nineteen 24-h observation periods), we tested the effect of 2 different recording intervals, the effect of attachment to different legs, and the effect of removing short, potentially erroneous readings. We found an excellent relationship when comparing the 30-s and 60-s recording intervals. For total lying time and bout frequency, the highest correlation was found when the logger was attached to the hind legs and recording was conducted with a 60-s sampling interval. In experiment 2, average total lying time was 1,077 ± 54 min/24 h (18.0 ± 0.9h/24h), with an average frequency of 19.4 ± 4.5 bouts per day. Predictability, sensitivity, and specificity for experiment 2 were >97% using the 60-s recording interval and removing single readings of lying or standing from the data set compared with direct observation as reference. The data logger accurately measured total lying time and bout frequency when the sampling interval was ≤ 60 s and short readings of lying and standing up to 1 min were converted into the preceding behavior. The best results were achieved by attaching the logger to the right hind leg

Endogenous and exogenous progesterone influence body temperature in dairy cows

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effect of endogenous progesterone (P4) on body temperature comparing lactating, pregnant with lactating, nonpregnant cows, and to study the effect of exogenous P4 administered via a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) insert on body temperature in lactating dairy cows. Body temperature was measured vaginally and rectally using temperature loggers and a digital thermometer, respectively. In experiment 1, 10 cyclic lactating cows (3 primiparous, 7 multiparous) and 10 lactating, pregnant cows (3 primiparous, 7 multiparous) were included. Vaginal temperatures and serum P4 concentrations were greater in pregnant cows (vaginal: 0.3±0.01°C; P4: 5.5±0.4 ng/mL) compared with nonpregnant cows. In experiment 2, estrous cycles of 14 postpartum healthy, cyclic, lactating cows (10 primiparous, 4 multiparous) were synchronized, and cows were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 treatments (CIDR-P4 or CIDR-blank). A temperature logger was inserted 1 d after ovulation using a P4-free CIDR (CIDR-blank) and a CIDR containing 1.38g of P4 (CIDR-P4) in the control (n=7) and the P4-treated group (n=7), respectively. On d 3 after P4 treatment, vaginal temperature was 0.3±0.03°C greater compared with that on d 1 and d 5. In experiment 3, 9 cyclic multiparous lactating cows were enrolled 1±1 d after confirmed ovulation and a temperature logger inserted. Two days later, a CIDR-P4 was inserted on top of the CIDR-blank. On d 5±1 and d 7±1, respectively, the CIDR-P4 and CIDR-blank with the temperature logger were removed. During the CIDR-P4 treatment (48h), vaginal temperature was 0.2±0.05°C and 0.1±0.05°C greater than during the pre- and post-treatment periods (48h), respectively. Serum P4 concentration peaked during CIDR-P4 treatment (2.2±0.8 ng/mL) and was greater than during the pre-treatment period (0.2±0.2 ng/mL) for 48h. An increase in vaginal temperature could be due to endogenous and exogenous P4. However, a correlation between serum P4 concentrations and body temperature did not exist. Further investigations are warranted to better understand the pathways of the thermogenic effect of P4 on body temperature

ІНФРАСТРУКТУРНЕ ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ КОНВЕРГЕНЦІЇ ЕКОНОМІКИ СІЛЬСЬКИХ ТЕРИТОРІЙ В УКРАЇНСЬКО–ПОЛЬСЬКОМУ ТРАНСКОРДОННОМУ РЕГІОНІ

Article considers the main problem of economic development of rural areas bordering Ukraine in conditions of intensification cross–border cooperation with Poland. We proved that the convergence of the economy of rural areas in the Ukrainian–Polish cross–border region is an important factor in deepening integration between the two countries and an indicator of the success of European integration of Ukraine. It provides an intensification of the movement of goods and financial resources between neighboring border areas of both countries. In addition, due to convergence there is rapprochement of standards of conduct of agrarian business that creates favorable conditions for implementation of joint cross–border investment projects within the rural Ukrainian–Polish border territories. The special attention is accented on the necessity of improvement of the infrastructural providing of rural Ukrainian–Polish cross–border region. We substantiated that modernization of infrastructure has a significant positive impact on the effectiveness of the use of potential of rural territories of Ukraine in conditions of cross–border cooperation with Poland. The attention is focused on the relevance of the innovation development of border, transport and logistics, information and marketing infrastructure, especially due to the economic challenges generated by the current stage of European integration. We have proved that especially great importance in terms of spread convergence in Ukrainian–Polish cross–border region today acquires the development of institutional infrastructure that provides rooting of new forms of economic integration between the subjects of the agrarian market. We have proposed measures focused on the priority infrastructure development in rural areas in the Ukrainian–Polish cross–border region. In particular, in order to stimulate convergence processes between rural areas bordering Ukraine and Poland it is suggested to implement a number of measures related to modernization of transport communications, including the development of transport and logistics centers, improve the level of information support in rural areas in the border regions of Ukraine, especially on the basis of improving access to the Internet and mobile communications, and stimulate processes of agricultural cooperation and adjustment modern forms of cross–border economic interactions between economic entities of agrarian economics, localized on both sides of the border.  Рассматриваются основные проблемы экономического развития приграничных сельских территорий Украины в условиях активизации трансграничного сотрудничества с Польшей. Доказано, что конвергенция экономики сельских территорий в украинско–польском трансграничном регионе является важным фактором углубления интеграции между обоими государствами и индикатором успешности евро интеграционного движения Украины. Особое внимание акцентировано на необходимости совершенствования инфраструктурного обеспечения сельских территорий в украинско–польском трансграничном регионе. Обосновано, что модернизация инфраструктуры оказывает существенное позитивное влияние на эффективность использования потенциала сельских территорий Украины в условиях трансграничного сотрудничества с Польшей. Предложены мероприятия, ориентированные на первоочередное развитие пограничной, транспортно–логистической, информационно–коммуникационной и маркетинговой инфраструктуры сельских территорий в украинско–польском трансграничном регионе. Именно эти виды инфраструктуры выделены как основные в контексте углубления конвергентных процессов в развитии приграничных сельских территорий Украины и Польши на современном этапе европейской интеграции. Розглядаються основні проблеми економічного розвитку прикордонних сільських територій України в умовах активізації транскордонного співробітництва з Польщею. Доводиться, що конвергенція економіки сільських територій в українсько–польському транскордонному регіоні виступає важливим чинником поглиблення інтеграції між обома державами та індикатором успішності євроінтеграційного поступу України. Вона забезпечує інтенсифікацію руху товарів і фінансових ресурсів між сусідніми прикордонними територіями обох держав. Крім того, завдяки конвергенції відбувається зближення стандартів ведення аграрного бізнесу, що створює сприятливі передумови для реалізації спільних транскордонних інвестиційних проектів у межах сільських територій українсько–польського прикордоння. Особливу увагу акцентовано на необхідності удосконалення інфраструктурного забезпечення сільських територій в українсько–польському транскордонному регіоні. Обґрунтовано, що модернізація інфраструктури чинить суттєвий позитивний вплив на ефективність використання потенціалу сільських територій України в умовах транскордонного співробітництва із Польщею. Акцентовано увагу на актуальності інноваційного розвитку прикордонної, транспортно–логістичної, інформаційної та маркетингової інфраструктури, передусім з огляду на економічні виклики, породжені сучасним етапом європейської інтеграції. Доведено, що особливо важливого значення з погляду поширення конвергенції в українсько–польському транскордонному регіоні сьогодні набуває розвиток інституційної інфраструктури, яка забезпечує укорінення нових форм економічної інтеграції між суб’єктами аграрного ринку. Запропоновано заходи, орієнтовані на першочерговий розвиток інфраструктури сільських територій в українсько–польському транскордонному регіоні. Зокрема, з метою стимулювання конвергентних процесів між прикордонними сільськими територіями України та Польщі пропонується здійснити низку заходів, пов’язаних з модернізацією транспортних комунікацій, включаючи розбудову транспортно–логістичних центрів, покращити рівень інформаційного забезпечення сільських територій у прикордонних регіонах України, передусім на основі покращення доступу до Інтернету та мобільного зв’язку, а також стимулювати процеси сільськогосподарської кооперації та налагодження сучасних форм транскордонних економічних взаємодій між господарюючими суб’єктами аграрної економіки, локалізованими по різні боки кордону

Opposing prognostic relevance of junction plakoglobin in distinct prostate cancer patient subsets

Both oncogenic and tumor suppressor functions have been described for junction plakoglobin (JUP), also known as γ-catenin. To clarify the role of JUP in prostate cancer, JUP protein expression was immunohistochemically detected in a tissue microarray containing 11 267 individual prostatectomy specimens. Considering all patients, high JUP expression was associated with adverse tumor stage (P = 0.0002), high Gleason grade (P < 0.0001), and lymph node metastases (P = 0.011). These associations were driven mainly by the subset without TMPRSS2:ERG fusion, in which high JUP expression was an independent predictor of poor prognosis (multivariate analyses, P = 0.0054) and early biochemical recurrence (P = 0.0003). High JUP expression was further linked to strong androgen receptor expression (P < 0.0001), high cell proliferation, and PTEN and FOXP1 deletion (P < 0.0001). In the ERG-negative subset, high JUP expression was additionally linked to MAP3K7 (P = 0.0007) and CHD1 deletion (P = 0.0021). Contrasting the overall prognostic effect of JUP, low JUP expression indicated poor prognosis in the fraction of CHD1-deleted patients (P = 0.039). In this subset, the association of high JUP and high cell proliferation was specifically absent. In conclusion, the controversial biological roles of JUP are reflected by antagonistic prognostic effects in distinct prostate cancer patient subsets

Formation and modern state of ecosystem in Tolmachevskoye reservoir (Kamchatka) and the acclimatized there population of kokanee ( <i>Oncorhynchus nerka kennerlyi</i>)

Evolution of local ecosystem in Tolmachevskoye reservoir and changes in its artificial population of kokanee salmon are traced on the data of authors’ observations in 2009-2013 and previous archival and cited data. Decreasing of inorganic phosphorous, nitrogen, and bioavailable iron is detected in the water against a background of water warming. As the result, phytoplankton production and abundance decrease, its species composition becomes simpler, chlorophyll а concentration becomes lower. Zooplankton abundance is stable (1-2 g/m3), as before the reservoir appearance, but species structure of plankton crustaceans is changed, and the copepods Cyclops scutifer , small cladocerans Holopedium gibberum, Bosmina longirostris , and Daphnia ( Daphnia ) cristata group prevail recently. The salmon food spectrum is wide and includes a lot of unedible fractions as wood chips and plant detritus; coefficient of consumption is high - these factors indicate a deficiency of forage resources for fish. The fish condition indicates a chronic malnutrition. The state of female gonads is satisfactory, without any visible pathology, as in 2003-2007, but the oocytes resorption goes concurrently with maturation of gonads that is a sign of hard competition for the food within the kokanee population. The current stable state of the population differs from preceded stages of its development by lower stock add smaller size of fish, the age of spawning is now 4-7 years. Among other freshwater fish, the kokanee salmon is distinguished by high content of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Artificial populations in Kamchatka could be considered as a resource for both amateur or sport fishing and commercial aquaculture

User Evaluation of Advanced Interaction Features for a Computer-Assisted Translation Workbench

This paper reports on the results of a user satisfaction survey carried out among 16 translators using a new computer-assisted translation workbench. Participants were asked to provide feedback after performing different post-editing tasks on different configurations of the workbench, using different features and tools. Resulting from the feedback provided, we report on the utility of each of the features, identifying new ways of implementing them according to the users’ suggestions

Association of Accelerometry-Measured Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Events in Mobility-Limited Older Adults: The LIFE (Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders) Study.

BACKGROUND:Data are sparse regarding the value of physical activity (PA) surveillance among older adults-particularly among those with mobility limitations. The objective of this study was to examine longitudinal associations between objectively measured daily PA and the incidence of cardiovascular events among older adults in the LIFE (Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders) study. METHODS AND RESULTS:Cardiovascular events were adjudicated based on medical records review, and cardiovascular risk factors were controlled for in the analysis. Home-based activity data were collected by hip-worn accelerometers at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24&nbsp;months postrandomization to either a physical activity or health education intervention. LIFE study participants (n=1590; age 78.9±5.2 [SD] years; 67.2% women) at baseline had an 11% lower incidence of experiencing a subsequent cardiovascular event per 500&nbsp;steps taken per day based on activity data (hazard ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-0.96; P=0.001). At baseline, every 30&nbsp;minutes spent performing activities ≥500&nbsp;counts per minute (hazard ratio, 0.75; confidence interval, 0.65-0.89 [P=0.001]) were also associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular events. Throughout follow-up (6, 12, and 24&nbsp;months), both the number of steps per day (per 500&nbsp;steps; hazard ratio, 0.90, confidence interval, 0.85-0.96 [P=0.001]) and duration of activity ≥500&nbsp;counts per minute (per 30&nbsp;minutes; hazard ratio, 0.76; confidence interval, 0.63-0.90 [P=0.002]) were significantly associated with lower cardiovascular event rates. CONCLUSIONS:Objective measurements of physical activity via accelerometry were associated with cardiovascular events among older adults with limited mobility (summary score &gt;10 on the Short Physical Performance Battery) both using baseline and longitudinal data. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01072500

Student engagement and perceptions of blended-learning of a clinical module in a veterinary degree program.

Blended learning has received much interest in higher education as a way to increase learning efficiency and effectiveness. By combining face-to-face teaching with technology-enhanced learning through online resources, students can manage their own learning. Blended methods are of particular interest in professional degree programs such as veterinary medicine in which students need the flexibility to undertake intra- and extramural activities to develop the range of competencies required to achieve professional qualification. Yet how veterinary students engage with blended learning activities and whether they perceive the approach as beneficial is unclear. We evaluated blended learning through review of student feedback on a 4-week clinical module in a veterinary degree program. The module combined face-to-face sessions with online resources. Feedback was collected by means of a structured online questionnaire at the end of the module and log data collected as part of a routine teaching audit. The features of blended learning that support and detract from students’ learning experience were explored using quantitative and qualitative methods. Students perceived a benefit from aspects of face-to-face teaching and technology-enhanced learning resources. Face-to-face teaching was appreciated for practical activities, whereas online resources were considered effective for facilitating module organization and allowing flexible access to learning materials. The blended approach was particularly appreciated for clinical skills in which students valued a combination of visual resources and practical activities. Although we identified several limitations with online resources that need to be addressed when constructing blended courses, blended learning shows potential to enhance student-led learning in clinical courses

Phase evolution of C-(N)-A-S-H/N-A-S-H gel blends investigated via alkali-activation of synthetic calcium aluminosilicate precursors

Stoichiometrically-controlled alkali-activated pastes containing calcium-(sodium) aluminosilicate hydrate (C-(N)-A-S-H) and sodium aluminosilicate hydrate (N-A-S-H) gels are produced by alkali-activation of high-purity synthetic calcium aluminosilicate powders. These powders are chemically comparable to the glass in granulated blast furnace slag, but without interference from minor constituents. The physiochemical characteristics of these gels depend on precursor chemical composition. Increased Ca content of the precursor promotes formation of low-Al, high-Ca C-(N)-A-S-H with lower mean chain length as determined by quantification of solid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, and less formation of calcium carboaluminate ‘Alumino-ferrite mono’ (AFm) phases. Increased Al content promotes Al inclusion and reduced crosslinking within C-(N)-A-S-H, increased formation of calcium carboaluminate AFm phases, and formation of an additional N-A-S-H gel. Small changes in precursor composition can induce significant changes in phase evolution, nanostructure and physical properties, providing a novel route to understand microstructural development in alkali-activated binders and address key related durability issues