Sale Price of Holstein Feeder Steer Lots Relative to Other Breed Descriptions Sold Through Superior Livestock Video Sales from 2010 Through 2018

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the relative value of Holstein feeder steer lots compared to steer lots of other breed descriptions sold through video auctions while adjusting for all other factors that significantly influenced sale price. Study Description: Data were analyzed from 14,075 lots of feeder steers sold via 211 livestock video auctions from 2010 through 2018. All lot characteristics that could be accurately quantified or categorized were used to develop a multiple regression model with backwards selection. A lot was categorized into one of four breed descriptions: 1) English, English crossed; 2) English-Continental crossed; 3) Brahman influenced; and 4) Holstein. The Bottom Line: The relative price discount for Holstein feeder steer lots compared with other breed descriptions appears to have increased from 2010–2018, and thus is likely indicating lessening interest in the feedlot sector to feed Holstein steers to harvest

Region of Origin in the United States Affects Price Premiums Associated with Value-Added Health Protocols of Beef Calf Lots Sold Through Summer Video Auctions from 2010 Through 2018

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the effects of value-added calf health protocols within various regions of the United States on the sale price of beef calf lots sold via summer video auction. Study Description: Information describing lot factors was obtained through a livestock video auction service (Superior Livestock Auction, Fort Worth, TX). Descriptive characteristics were available over nine years (2010-2018) representing 43,242 lots of beef calves. Data were evaluated to investigate participation in various health programs across regions. A multiple regression model was developed for each region to determine the value associated with health protocols throughout regions of the United States. The Bottom Line: While variation in the sale price of beef calves across regions suggests evident differences in the recognized value by buyers, results indicate the value associated with the vaccination and management of calves with potentially larger transportation distances from origin to delivery

Factors Affecting the Sale Price of Bred Heifers and Bred Cows Sold Through Superior Livestock Video Auctions

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate potential factors influencing the sale price of bred heifers and bred cows sold through video auctions while adjusting for all other factors that significantly influenced prices. Study Description: Descriptive characteristics of lots offered for sale were obtained through a livestock video auction service (Superior Livestock Auction, Fort Worth, TX). Data were available on 1,870 lots of bred heifers sold through video auctions from 2010 through 2018 and 1,237 lots of bred cows sold through video auctions from 2011 through 2018. Two separate multiple regression models were developed to determine the factors influencing the sale price for each. The Bottom Line: Understanding the various factors influencing the sale price of bred heifers and bred cows will allow producers to make more informed investment decisions

Rapid microtubule self-assembly kinetics

SUMMARY Microtubule assembly is vital for many fundamental cellular processes. Current models for microtubule assembly kinetics assume that the subunit dissociation rate from a microtubule tip is independent of free subunit concentration. Total-Internal-Reflection-Fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy experiments and data from a laser tweezers assay that measures in vitro microtubule assembly with nanometer resolution, provides evidence that the subunit dissociation rate from a microtubule tip increases as the free subunit concentration increases. These data are consistent with a two-dimensional model for microtubule assembly, and are explained by a shift in microtubule tip structure from a relatively blunt shape at low free concentrations to relatively tapered at high free concentrations. We find that because both the association and the dissociation rates increase at higher free subunit concentrations, the kinetics of microtubule assembly are an order-ofmagnitude higher than currently estimated in the literature

Trends in the Percentage of Doses of Modified Live, Killed, and Combination Respiratory Viral Vaccines Administered to Beef Calves Offered for Sale in Summer Video Auctions From 2000 Through 2018

Objective: The objective of the study was to identify trends in the percentage of doses of modified live, killed, and combination respiratory viral vaccines administered to lots of beef calves. Study Description: Nineteen years of data (2000–2018) from a livestock video auction service (Superior Livestock Auction, Fort Worth, TX) were analyzed to quantify trends in percentage of doses of respiratory viral vaccine administered to beef calves. Named respiratory viral vaccines were classified into three groups based on the antigens they contained: all modified live antigens, all killed antigens, and combination of modified live and killed antigens. The Cochran-Armitage Trend Test determined presence of a trend in usage of each type. Results: There was an increase (P \u3c 0.05) in the number of modified live viral vaccine doses given to beef calf lots from 2000 (41.7%, 121,976 doses) through 2018 (90.3%, 673,862 doses). The trend in the number of doses of both killed and combination viral vaccines administered to beef calves declined (P \u3c 0.05) from 2000 through 2018. In 2000, 31.2% (91,176 doses) and 27.1% (79,225 doses) of the total respiratory viral vaccines given to beef calf lots were killed or combination vaccines, respectively. By 2018, only 4.2% (31,325 doses) of respiratory viral vaccines were killed, and only 5.5% (41,136 doses) were combination. The Bottom Line: This dramatic shift indicates an industry trend towards increasing modified live viral vaccine utilization compared with declining usage of killed and combination respiratory viral vaccines. This trend may be a result of modified live viral vaccine approval for use in suckling calves nursing pregnant cows

Relationships Among Maternal Traits and Sale Prices of Red Angus Bulls Sold at Auction From 2017 Through 2019

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of maternal traits in the form of selection indices and expected progeny differences on the sale price of Red Angus Bulls sold at auction from 2017 through 2019 across the United States. Study Description: Information describing factors about Red Angus bulls marketed through auctions were obtained from the Red Angus Association of America (Commerce City, CO) in an electronic format. Data were collected for 21,362 Red Angus bulls offered for sale in auctions from 2017 through 2019. Multiple regression models were developed using backward selection procedures to examine the effect of maternally-related genetic factors in the form of selection indices and expected progeny differences on bull sale price. Results: Various maternal factors in the form of selection indices and expected progeny differences were significant factors influencing Red Angus bull sale price. Sale price was found to be positively associated with HerdBuilder Index. Results indicated significant relationships between sale price and various expected progeny differences including calving ease direct expected progeny difference, maintenance energy expected progeny difference, heifer pregnancy expected progeny difference, calving ease maternal expected progeny difference, and stayability expected progeny difference. However, relatively low R2 values across both models indicate that only a small amount of the price variation was accounted for, suggesting that buyers are utilizing additional information when making purchasing decisions that we are not able to fully characterize. The Bottom Line: In addition to genetic factors, buyers may be considering other characteristics not captured within this data such as physical attributes, marketing tactics, and breeder reputation. Continued research and understanding of the various maternal factors affecting beef bull sale price may prove valuable to this sector of the beef industry

Erratum to: Model Convolution: A Computational Approach to Digital Image Interpretation

Digital fluorescence microscopy is commonly used to track individual proteins and their dynamics in living cells. However, extracting molecule-specific information from fluorescence images is often limited by the noise and blur intrinsic to the cell and the imaging system. Here we discuss a method called “model-convolution,” which uses experimentally measured noise and blur to simulate the process of imaging fluorescent proteins whose spatial distribution cannot be resolved. We then compare model-convolution to the more standard approach of experimental deconvolution. In some circumstances, standard experimental deconvolution approaches fail to yield the correct underlying fluorophore distribution. In these situations, model-convolution removes the uncertainty associated with deconvolution and therefore allows direct statistical comparison of experimental and theoretical data. Thus, if there are structural constraints on molecular organization, the model-convolution method better utilizes information gathered via fluorescence microscopy, and naturally integrates experiment and theory

Effect of Trucking Distance on Sale Price of Beef Calf and Feeder Cattle Lots Sold Through Video Auctions from 2010 Through 2018

Objective: The objective was to determine effect of trucking distance on sale price of beef calf and feeder cattle lots sold through Superior Livestock Video Auctions from 2010 through 2018. Study Description: Data analyzed were collected from 211 livestock video auctions that included 42,043 beef calf and 19,680 feeder cattle lots delivered to 6 states (Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas). Multiple regression models were used to evaluate the effect of factors, with trucking distance of main interest, on sale price of lots. Based on reported states of origin and delivery, lots were categorized into one of the following trucking distance categories: 1) within-state, 2) short-haul, 3) medium-haul, and 4) long-haul. Results: Beef calf lots hauled within-state sold for more ($169.24/cwt; P \u3c 0.0001) than other trucking distance categories. Long-haul calf lots sold for the lowest (P \u3c 0.0001) price ($166.70/cwt). Within-state and short-haul feeder cattle lots sold for the greatest (P \u3c0.0001) price ($149.96 and$149.81/cwt, respectively). Long-haul feeder cattle lots sold for the lowest (P \u3c 0.0001) price, $148.43/cwt. The Bottom Line: These results indicate there is a price advantage for lots expected to be hauled shorter distances, likely because of cost and risk associated with transportatio

Trends in “Natural” Value-Added Calf Programs at Superior Livestock Video Auction

Objective: This study utilized data from Superior Livestock Video Auction to investigate trends in the use of “natural” value-added calf programs. Study Description: Nine years of data (2010-2018) were evaluated for enrollment trends in all natural programs and non-hormone treated cattle. Multiple regression was used to determine the relative value of calves enrolled in the non-hormone treated cattle program. The Bottom Line: Price advantages for non-hormone treated calves may not be sufficient to justify not using growth-promoting implants on calves

Model Convolution: A Computational Approach to Digital Image Interpretation

Digital fluorescence microscopy is commonly used to track individual proteins and their dynamics in living cells. However, extracting molecule-specific information from fluorescence images is often limited by the noise and blur intrinsic to the cell and the imaging system. Here we discuss a method called “model-convolution,” which uses experimentally measured noise and blur to simulate the process of imaging fluorescent proteins whose spatial distribution cannot be resolved. We then compare model-convolution to the more standard approach of experimental deconvolution. In some circumstances, standard experimental deconvolution approaches fail to yield the correct underlying fluorophore distribution. In these situations, model-convolution removes the uncertainty associated with deconvolution and therefore allows direct statistical comparison of experimental and theoretical data. Thus, if there are structural constraints on molecular organization, the model-convolution method better utilizes information gathered via fluorescence microscopy, and naturally integrates experiment and theory