Feeding Practices in South Dakota Cattle Feedlots

During March 1989, a mail survey of South Dakota cattle feedlot managers was undertaken. The purposes of the survey were to characterize the nature of the cattle feeding industry in South Dakota and to determine the relationships between (i) each of size-of-feedlot and geographic location within the state and (ii) management practices followed by cattle feeders. Direct relationships exist between size-of-feedlot and the following: (1) rate of feedlot utilization in each quarter of the year (P\u3c.10); (2) percentage grain relative to roughage in both growing and finishing diets (P\u3c.10); (3) percentage of feedlots feeding high moisture grain, cracked grain, and ground hay (P\u3c.01); (4) percentage of feedlots using rumen stimulants and growth implants (P\u3c.01); and (5) percentages of managers testing feeds for nutrient composition, using feed scales to control feeding rates, maintaining feed records for separate pens of cattle, and hiring consultants to formulate rations (P\u3c.01). On the other hand, inverse relationships exist between size-of-feedlot and the following: (6) days on feed for heifer calves, yearling steers, and yearling heifers (P\u3c.10); (7) slaughter weight of steers (Pc.10); (8) percentage of home-raised hay and dry grain (P\u3c.10); (9) percentage of feedlots feeding ground grain and unprocessed hay (P\u3c.01); and (10) percentage of feedlots not using feed additives (P\u3c.10). Average days on feed for steer and heifer calves are lower (P\u3c.05) in the West than in other areas of the state. More milo is fed in the West; more barley is fed in the North Central region; and less home-raised corn silage and haylage are fed in the West than in other regions (P\u3c.05)

Hydrogen molecule in a magnetic field: The lowest states of the Pi manifold and the global ground state of the parallel configuration

The electronic structure of the hydrogen molecule in a magnetic field is investigated for parallel internuclear and magnetic field axes. The lowest states of the $\Pi$ manifold are studied for spin singlet and triplet$(M_s = -1)$ as well as gerade and ungerade parity for a broad range of field strengths $0 \leq B \leq 100 a.u.$ For both states with gerade parity we observe a monotonous decrease in the dissociation energy with increasing field strength up to $B = 0.1 a.u.$ and metastable states with respect to the dissociation into two H atoms occur for a certain range of field strengths. For both states with ungerade parity we observe a strong increase in the dissociation energy with increasing field strength above some critical field strength $B_c$. As a major result we determine the transition field strengths for the crossings among the lowest $^1\Sigma_g$, $^3\Sigma_u$ and $^3\Pi_u$ states. The global ground state for $B \lesssim 0.18 a.u.$ is the strongly bound $^1\Sigma_g$ state. The crossings of the $^1\Sigma_g$ with the $^3\Sigma_u$ and $^3\Pi_u$ state occur at $B \approx 0.18$ and $B \approx0.39 a.u.$, respectively. The transition between the $^3\Sigma_u$ and $^3\Pi_u$ state occurs at $B \approx 12.3 a.u.$ Therefore, the global ground state of the hydrogen molecule for the parallel configuration is the unbound $^3\Sigma_u$ state for $0.18 \lesssim B \lesssim 12.3 a.u.$ The ground state for $B \gtrsim 12.3 a.u.$ is the strongly bound $^3\Pi_u$ state. This result is of great relevance to the chemistry in the atmospheres of magnetic white dwarfs and neutron stars.Comment: submitted to Physical Review

Measurements and Simulation Studies of Piezoceramics for Acoustic Particle Detection

Calibration sources are an indispensable tool for all detectors. In acoustic particle detection the goal of a calibration source is to mimic neutrino signatures as expected from hadronic cascades. A simple and promising method for the emulation of neutrino signals are piezo ceramics. We will present results of measruements and simulations on these piezo ceramics.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Exchange and correlation energies of ground states of atoms and molecules in strong magnetic fields

Using a Hartree-Fock mesh method and a configuration interaction approach based on a generalized Gaussian basis set we investigate the behaviour of the exchange and correlation energies of small atoms and molecules, namely th e helium and lithium atom as well as the hydrogen molecule, in the presence of a magnetic field covering the regime B=0-100a.u. In general the importance of the exchange energy to the binding properties of at oms or molecules increases strongly with increasing field strength. This is due to the spin-flip transitions and in particular due to the contributions of the tightly bound hydrogenic state s which are involved in the corresponding ground states of different symmetries. In contrast to the exchange energy the correlation energy becomes less relevant with increasing field strength. This holds for the individual configurations constituting the ground state and for the crossovers of the global ground state.Comment: 4 Figures acc.f.publ.in Phys.Rev.

Helium in superstrong magnetic fields

We investigate the helium atom embedded in a superstrong magnetic field gamma=100-10000 au. All effects due to the finite nuclear mass for vanishing pseudomomentum are taken into account. The influence and the magnitude of the different finite mass effects are analyzed and discussed. Within our full configuration interaction approach calculations are performed for the magnetic quantum numbers M=0,-1,-2,-3, singlet and triplet states, as well as positive and negative z parities. Up to six excited states for each symmetry are studied. With increasing field strength the number of bound states decreases rapidly and we remain with a comparatively small number of bound states for gamma=10^4 au within the symmetries investigated here.Comment: 16 pages, including 14 eps figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

British laypeople's attitudes towards gradual sedation, sedation to unconsciousness and euthanasia at the end of life

BACKGROUND: Many patients at the end of life require analgesia to relieve pain. Additionally, up to 1/5 of patients in the UK receive sedation for refractory symptoms at the end of life. The use of sedation in end-of-life care (EOLC) remains controversial. While gradual sedation to alleviate intractable suffering is generally accepted, there is more opposition towards deliberate and rapid sedation to unconsciousness (so-called "terminal anaesthesia", TA). However, the general public's views about sedation in EOLC are not known. We sought to investigate the general public's views to inform policy and practice in the UK. METHODS: We performed two anonymous online surveys of members of the UK public, sampled to be representative for key demographic characteristics (n = 509). Participants were given a scenario of a hypothetical terminally ill patient with one week of life left. We sought views on the acceptability of providing titrated analgesia, gradual sedation, terminal anaesthesia, and euthanasia. We asked participants about the intentions of doctors, what risks of sedation would be acceptable, and the equivalence of terminal anaesthesia and euthanasia. FINDINGS: Of the 509 total participants, 84% and 72% indicated that it is permissible to offer titrated analgesia and gradual sedation (respectively); 75% believed it is ethical to offer TA. Eighty-eight percent of participants indicated that they would like to have the option of TA available in their EOLC (compared with 79% for euthanasia); 64% indicated that they would potentially wish for TA at the end of life (52% for euthanasia). Two-thirds indicated that doctors should be allowed to make a dying patient completely unconscious. More than 50% of participants believed that TA and euthanasia were non-equivalent; a third believed they were. INTERPRETATION: These novel findings demonstrate substantial support from the UK general public for the use of sedation and TA in EOLC. More discussion is needed about the range of options that should be offered for dying patients

Improved asymmetry prediction for short interfering RNA s

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/102096/1/febs12599.pd

Alkali Metal Complexes of a Bis(diphenylphosphino)methane Functionalized Amidinate Ligand: Synthesis and Luminescence

A novel bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (DPPM) functionalized amidine ligand (DPPM−C(N-Dipp)$_{2}$H) (Dipp=2,6-diisopropylphenyl) was synthesized. Subsequent deprotonation with suitable alkali metal bases resulted in the corresponding complexes [M{DPPM−C(N-Dipp)$_{2}$}(Ln)] (M=Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs; L=thf, Et$_{2}$O). The alkali metal complexes form monomeric species in the solid state, exhibiting intramolecular metal-π-interactions. In addition, a caesium derivative [Cs{PPh$_{2}$CH$_{2}$-C(N-Dipp)$_{2}$}]$_{6}$ was obtained by cleavage of a diphenylphosphino moiety, forming an unusual six-membered ring structure in the solid state. All complexes were fully characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy as well as elemental analysis. Furthermore, the photoluminescent properties of the complexes were thoroughly investigated, revealing differences in emission with regards to the respective alkali metal. Interestingly, the hexanuclear [Cs{PPh$_{2}$CH$_{2}$-C(N-Dipp)$_{2}$}]$_{6}$ metallocycle exhibits a blue emission in the solid state, which is significantly red-shifted at low temperatures. The bifunctional design of the ligand, featuring orthogonal donor atoms (N vs. P) and a high steric demand, is highly promising for the construction of advanced metal and main group complexes

Which factors should be included in triage? An online survey of the attitudes of the UK general public to pandemic triage dilemmas.

OBJECTIVE: As cases of COVID-19 infections surge, concerns have renewed about intensive care units (ICUs) being overwhelmed and the need for specific triage protocols over winter. This study aimed to help inform triage guidance by exploring the views of lay people about factors to include in triage decisions. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Online survey between 29th of May and 22nd of June 2020 based on hypothetical triage dilemmas. Participants recruited from existing market research panels, representative of the UK general population. Scenarios were presented in which a single ventilator is available, and two patients require ICU admission and ventilation. Patients differed in one of: chance of survival, life expectancy, age, expected length of treatment, disability and degree of frailty. Respondents were given the option of choosing one patient to treat or tossing a coin to decide. RESULTS: Seven hundred and sixty-three participated. A majority of respondents prioritised patients who would have a higher chance of survival (72%-93%), longer life expectancy (78%-83%), required shorter duration of treatment (88%-94%), were younger (71%-79%) or had a lesser degree of frailty (60%-69%, all p<0.001). Where there was a small difference between two patients, a larger proportion elected to toss a coin to decide which patient to treat. A majority (58%-86%) were prepared to withdraw treatment from a patient in intensive care who had a lower chance of survival than another patient currently presenting with COVID-19. Respondents also indicated a willingness to give higher priority to healthcare workers and to patients with young children. CONCLUSION: Members of the UK general public potentially support a broadly utilitarian approach to ICU triage in the face of overwhelming need. Survey respondents endorsed the relevance of patient factors currently included in triage guidance, but also factors not currently included. They supported the permissibility of reallocating treatment in a pandemic