Genetic and nutritional effects on reproduction in lactating dairy cows

Good reproductive performance is a prerequisite for profitable pasture-based seasonal calving systems of milk production. The objective of this dissertation was to elucidate the physiological mechanisms contributing to superior reproductive performance observed in high genetic merit lactating dairy cows compared to cows of an average genetic merit managed in a standardised environment. The studies specifically focused on characterising uterine health, ovarian activity, circulating concentrations of reproductive hormones, transcriptomes of the endometrium and corpus luteum, and circulating concentrations of pregnancy proteins during early gestation. A series of experiments were conducted using lactating dairy cows with a high genetic merit for fertility and milk production traits (Elite) and cow's representative of the national average genetic merit for milk production and fertility traits (NA). Study one examined the postpartum resolution of uterine infection, circulating concentrations of estradiol and luteal phase progesterone in Elite, NA, and Jersey cows. Results from the study support the idea that Elite cows have (1) faster resolution of uterine infection in the postpartum period and (2) greater circulating progesterone during the luteal phase compared with NA and Jersey cows. Study two investigated differences in the transcriptome of the endometrium and corpus luteum on day 7 and 14 of the estrous cycle, particularly in genes associated with CL and endometrial function. Combination of transcriptome analysis of the endometrium (day 14) and corpus luteum (day 7 and 14) identified upregulation of genes involved in luteal cell apoptosis, uterine receptivity and immune response in Elite compared with NA cows, which may contribute to the previously reported difference in reproductive phenotypes and fertility performance. Study three investigated the influence of cow genetic background and feed treatment on plasma pregnancy associated glycoprotein (PAG) and pregnancy specific protein B (PSPB) during early gestation. The results indicated (1) greater plasma PAG concentrations in cows on the high concentrate feeding treatment, (2) modest effects of sire and dam fertility and milk sub-indices were observed on the fold changes in PAG and PSPB in early gestation and (3) no effect of genetic group was observed on circulating PAG and PSPB concentrations. The results indicate that in early gestation the variation observed between cows in PAG and PSPB concentrations cannot be explained by cow genetic background but are influenced by maternal nutrition. Study four investigated the association between milk PAG S-N in early gestation with variables related to the dam, sire and gestating fetus. Dam genetic merit for milk production did not have a large effect on the PAG S-N. Cows with the greatest fertility sub-index had greater milk PAG-S-N compared with cows with intermediate and poorest fertility suggesting possibly a more favourable environmental for the establishment, maintenance of pregnancy and fetal development through faster placental development. Collectively, the results highlight the importance of the uterine environment, luteal phase progesterone, pregnancy proteins and differentially expressed genes in the corpus luteum and endometrium for the observed phenotypic fertility differences between genotypes. The study has identified key physiological mechanisms controlled by genetic merit for fertility traits. These results highlight the ability of the Economic Breeding Index to deliver cows with superior genetic gain and phenotypic fertility performance without antagonising milk production. The Next Generation Herd will play a key future role in the investigation of the effect and influence of a more holistic approach to genetic selection on phenotypic performance.Includes bibliographical references (pages 209-278)

Web Based Tactical Role Playing Game in JavaScript

The goal of this senior project was to develop a web­based game that emphasized narrative through gameplay within the context of a tactical RPG gameplay style. As the project developed, emphasis shifted from narrative to refining gameplay and making decisions within gameplay meaningful and satisfying. The project elaborates on the standard tactical RPG combat system, incorporating mechanics and ideas from various other games. This was done in order to make the play feel challenging and rewarding as well as to avoid some of the pitfalls that bog down existing games in this genre. Since work was concentrated on building the core gameplay, the final product was a functional game with a focus on a strong strategic core instead of progression and narrative content

Indicators of Suicidal Outcomes Among 6 to 12-Year-Old Treatment Seeking Youth

Suicide among elementary school-age youth is vastly understudied, partially because of a misconception about children’s capacity to understand the gravity of death, and partially because of the relatively low base rates of this behavior. Nevertheless, this topic remains a major health concern. This study seeks to investigate both a mediation model and a moderation model to elucidate the nature of risk factors for suicide by examining the effect emotion dysregulation (in the domains of anger, sadness, and worry) has on the relation between ADHD symptoms (i.e. hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention) and suicidal outcomes (e.g. suicide behavior and risk for suicide). Participants include 232 children ranging from ages 6 to 12 and their primary caregiver who sought services and consented to research at a small Midwest outpatient training clinic. Anger dysregulation was positively associated with risk for suicide. Further, when accounting for sex, age, depressive symptoms, and emotion dysregulation in all three domains, high levels of hyperactivity/impulsivity were associated with high levels of suicide behavior. In contrast, high levels of inattention were associated with low levels of suicide behavior. Finally, two interaction effects were evident for suicide risk. An interaction effect between hyperactivity and sadness dysregulation was found for suicide risk, and an interaction effect between hyperactivity and worry dysregulation was found for suicide risk. At low levels of sadness and worry dysregulation, hyperactivity was positively associated with risk for suicide. However, at high levels of sadness and worry dysregulation, hyperactivity was not related to risk for suicide. Findings support moderation over mediation. Emotion dysregulation and hyperactivity are discussed as potentially important intervention targets for youth suicide prevention

Nitric oxide production from nitrite by a series of zeolites produced via the ADOR route

We would like to thank the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), University of St Andrews, and CRITICAT Centre for Doctoral Training for financial support [Ph.D. studentship to SR; Grant code: EP/L016419/1]. We also thank the EPSRC for funding part of this work through grant EP/K025112/1. R.E.M. would like to acknowledge OP VVV "Excellent Research Teams", project No. CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/15_003/0000417 – CUCAM.The nitric oxide (NO) production for a series of aluminosilicate zeolites, prepared using the ADOR method, was investigated. Al-UTL and Al-IPC-2,-4 and −6 were prepared and characterised to determine their elemental composition. Positive trends were found to exist between zeolite pore size and the rate and total amount of NO produced. A trend between the number of acid sites and the initial rate of NO produced by the zeolite was also discovered.PostprintPeer reviewe

Challenges and Feasibility of Applying Reasoning and Decision Making for a Lifeguard Undertaking a Rescue

ABSTRACT: In areas where lifeguard services operate, less than 6% of all rescued persons need medical attention and require CPR. In contrast, among areas where no lifeguard services are provided almost 30% require CPR. This difference indicates in importance of the lifeguard. Lifeguard work requires effective problem identification, diagnostic strategies and management decisions to be made in high-risk environments, where time is of the essence. The purpose of this investigation was to assess all variables involved in lifeguard work related to a water rescue, and how the information obtained could inform lifeguard training and therefore performance. Methods: By using the drowning timeline, the authors explored all variables involved in a single rescue event by inviting 12 lifeguards to complete a survey of their professional role using a three-round Delphi survey technique. The total potential number of decisions for each phase and sub-phases, the number of variables, the probability of a single event repeating, the duration of each sub-phase and amount of variables demanded per minute were measured. Each sub-phase was presented as predominantly rational (if less than 1 variable per/min) or intuitive (if more than 1/min). Results: The variables identified in sub-phases were: “preparation to work” (8 variables and 0.0001 variables/min) and “prevent” (22 variables; 0.03 variables/min); these sub-phases were predominately considered to lead to rational decisions. The variables identified during “rescue” (27 variables and 2.7 variables/min) and “first-aid” (7 variables and 1.7 variables) were predominantly considered intuitive processes. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the complexity of a decision-making process during the quick, physically and mentally stressful moments of rescuing someone. The authors propose better decision-making processes can be achieved by reducing the time interval between identification of a problem and making a decision. Understanding this complex mechanism may allow more efficient training resulting, in faster and more reliable decision-makers, with the overall benefit of more lives save

Transition of Experienced and New Graduate Nurses to a Pediatric Hospital

This study reports on the 3-, 6-, 12-, and 18-month outcomes of 118 newly hired registered nurses (RNs) who completed a 12-month transition-to-practice program at a pediatric hospital. Experienced RNs (n = 42) and new graduate RNs (n = 76) showed improved organization, prioritization, communication, and leadership skills over time. The experienced RNs reported better communication and leadership skills than the new graduate nurses. Results inform transition program development for both new and experienced nurses. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2012) predicts that, without a multifaceted approach, a national nursing shortage will occur by 2020. Many nurses leave their first position and sometimes the profession within the first year of employment (Baxter, 2010; Welding, 2011). Retaining nurses is a vital component of any approach to averting a nursing shortage. In an attempt to retain nurses, healthcare institutions often provide a transition-to-practice (TTP) or nurse residency program for new graduate nurses (NGN) entering the profession. The Institute of Medicine (2011) in its Future of Nursing report also recommends a transition program for nurses moving to a new specialty or to advanced practice roles. Completing a NGN transition program is associated with a decrease in nurse attrition by as much as 80% (Halfer, Graf, & Sullivan, 2008; Rush, Adamack, Gordon, Lilly, & Janke, 2013; Spector et al., 2015). This reported decrease has led to organizational interest in transition programs to improve retention. The goals of residency programs for the NGN have ranged from increasing new nurse confidence and competence, to increasing satisfaction and retention (Fink, Krugman, Casey, & Goode, 2008; Goode, Lynn, McElroy, Bednash, & Murray, 2013; Institute of Medicine, 2011; Spector et al., 2015). Although literature supports the effectiveness of transition programs for the NGN (Fink et al., 2008; Goode et al., 2013; Spector et al., 2015), there is little evidence on the experienced nurse’s transition to a new specialty practice. Furthermore, most transition programs do not report outcomes beyond the first 12 months of employment. Thus, the purpose of this study is to evaluate nurse stressors and supports during and after a 12-month transition-to-employment program for both new and experienced nurses transitioning to a pediatric practice

Eradication of hepatitis C infection: the importance of targeting people who inject drugs

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects ~170 million people worldwide and causes significant morbidity and mortality.1 In high-income countries, people who inject drugs (PWID) are at greatest risk of HCV infection.2 Until recently HCV eradication seemed unlikely, but recent advances in HCV treatment and improved understanding of the effectiveness of harm-reduction intervention effectiveness give reason for optimism. Current HCV treatments can cure ~75% of patients and new drugs will further improve effectiveness (over 90% cure) and improve tolerability.3 If HCV treatment can be delivered effectively to those at highest risk of onward transmission, significant reductions in future HCV cases are possible. The feasibility of disease eradication must be assessed on both scientific criteria (e.g., epidemiological susceptibility, effective and practical intervention available, and demonstrated feasibility of elimination) and political criteria (e.g., burden of disease, cost of intervention).4 With effective, curative treatment now available, HCV meets these criteria

Polygenic risk associated with post-traumatic stress disorder onset and severity.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric illness with a highly polygenic architecture without large effect-size common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Thus, to capture a substantial portion of the genetic contribution, effects from many variants need to be aggregated. We investigated various aspects of one such approach that has been successfully applied to many traits, polygenic risk score (PRS) for PTSD. Theoretical analyses indicate the potential prediction ability of PRS. We used the latest summary statistics from the largest published genome-wide association study (GWAS) conducted by Psychiatric Genomics Consortium for PTSD (PGC-PTSD). We found that the PRS constructed for a cohort comprising veterans of recent wars (n = 244) explains a considerable proportion of PTSD onset (Nagelkerke R2 = 4.68%, P = 0.003) and severity (R2 = 4.35%, P = 0.0008) variances. However, the performance on an African ancestry sub-cohort was minimal. A PRS constructed with schizophrenia GWAS also explained a significant fraction of PTSD diagnosis variance (Nagelkerke R2 = 2.96%, P = 0.0175), confirming previously reported genetic correlation between the two psychiatric ailments. Overall, these findings demonstrate the important role polygenic analyses of PTSD will play in risk prediction models as well as in elucidating the biology of the disorder