Towards a better understanding of the respective effects of milk yield and body condition dynamics on reproduction in Holstein dairy cows

The overall reproductive performance has decreased over the last decades, involving changes in cyclicity, oestrous behaviour and fertility. High milk yield (MY), low body condition score (BCS) and large body condition (BC) loss have been identified as risk factors. However, these effects are often confounded, as high MY and body lipid reserve mobilization are correlated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the respective effects of MY and BC on post-partum ovarian cyclicity, oestrus and fertility of Holstein cows. This study provides novel information, as MY and BC change were uncoupled in the overall dataset that included 98 lactations and milk progesterone profiles. Cows were assigned to two feeding-level groups: high feed, which achieved high MY and moderate BC loss throughout lactation (8410 kg, −1.17 unit from calving to nadir BCS), and low feed, which limited MY and triggered a large BC loss (5719 kg, −1.54 unit). MY and BC had different effects at different stages of the reproductive process. Cyclicity as well as non-fertilization and early embryo mortality were mainly driven by body lipid reserves, whereas oestrous behaviour and late embryo mortality were related to MY. The results point to possible uncoupling between cyclicity, oestrus and early and late embryo survival allowing compensation along the reproductive process and leading to similar final reproductive performance. In compact calving systems, which require high pregnancy rates within a short period, higher MY strategies appear unsuitable even where BCS is maintained, owing to depressed oestrous behaviour and probably increased late embryo mortality, which delays rebreeding. Similarly, strategies that compromise cyclicity and fertility by excessively low BCS are unsuitabl

An efficient adaptative predictive load balancing method for distributed systems

When allocating processors to processes in a distributed system, load balancing is a main concern of designers. By its implementation, system performance can be enhanced by equally distributing the dynamically changing workload and consequently user expectation are improved through an additional reduction on mean response time. In this way, through process migration, a rational and equitable use of the system computational power is achieved, preventing degradation of system performance due to unbalanced work of processors. This article presents an Adaptative Predictive Load Balancing Strategy (APLBS), a variation of Predictive Load Balancing Strategy (PLBS) reported elsewhere [1]. As PLBS, APLBS is a sender initiated, prediction-based strategy for load balancing. The predictive approach is based on estimates given by a weighted exponential average [12] of the load condition of each node in the system. The new approach tries to minimise traffic en the network selecting the most suitable subset of candidates to request migration and the novel aspect is that the size of this subset is adaptative with respect to the system workload. APLBS was contrasted against Random (R), PLBS and Flexible Load Sharing (FLS) [7] strategies on diverse scenarios where the load can be characterised as static or dynamic. A comparative analysis of mean response time, acceptance hit ratio and number of migration failures under each strategy is reported.Sistemas Distribuidos - Redes ConcurrenciaRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Formation of methyl iodide on a natural manganese oxide

This paper demonstrates that manganese oxides can initiate the formation of methyl iodide, a volatile compound that participates to the input of iodine into the atmosphere. The formation of methyl iodide was investigated using a natural manganese oxide in batch experiments for different conditions and concentrations of iodide, natural organic matter(NOM) and manganese oxide. Methyl iodide was formed at concentrations ≤1 μg L-1 for initial iodide concentrations ranging from 0.8 to 38.0 mg L-1. The production of methyl iodide increased with increasing initial concentrations of iodide ion and Mn sand and when pH decreased from 7 to 5. The hydrophilic NOM isolate exhibited the lowest yield of methyl iodide whereas hydrophobic NOM isolates such as Suwannee River HPOA fraction produced the highest concentration of methyl iodide. The formation of methyl iodide could take place through the oxidation of NOM on manganese dioxide in the presence of iodide. However, the implication of elemental iodine cannot be excluded at acidic pH. Manganese oxides can then participate with ferric oxides to the formation of methyl iodide in soils and sediments. The formation of methyl iodide is unlikely in technical systems such as drinking water treatment i.e. for ppt levels of iodide and low contact times with manganese oxides

Una comparación de algoritmos evolutivos para la optimización de funciones multimodales

La Computación Evolutiva (CE) ha sido reconocida recientemente como un campo de investigación que estudia un nuevo tipo de algoritmos: los algoritmos evolutivos (AEs). Opuestamente a los enfoques tradicionales que mejoran una única solución, estos algoritmos procesan poblaciones de soluciones y poseen como características comunes la reproducción, la variación aleatoria, la competición y la selección de individuos. Los algoritmos genéticos (AGs) y las estrategias evolutivas (EEs) constituyen hoy los algoritmos evolutivos de mayor uso en el campo de la optimización. En este trabajo se comparan diferentes técnicas evolutivas para tratar la optimización de dos funciones altamente multimodales. Por un lado se utilizan dos tipos de Algoritmos Genéticos, uno con representación binaria y otro con representación en punto flotante; por otro lado se aplica el concepto de las Estrategias Evolutivas.I Workshop de Agentes y Sistemas Inteligentes (WASI)Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

An efficient adaptative predictive load balancing method for distributed systems

When allocating processors to processes in a distributed system, load balancing is a main concern of designers. By its implementation, system performance can be enhanced by equally distributing the dynamically changing workload and consequently user expectation are improved through an additional reduction on mean response time. In this way, through process migration, a rational and equitable use of the system computational power is achieved, preventing degradation of system performance due to unbalanced work of processors. This article presents an Adaptative Predictive Load Balancing Strategy (APLBS), a variation of Predictive Load Balancing Strategy (PLBS) reported elsewhere [1]. As PLBS, APLBS is a sender initiated, prediction-based strategy for load balancing. The predictive approach is based on estimates given by a weighted exponential average [12] of the load condition of each node in the system. The new approach tries to minimise traffic en the network selecting the most suitable subset of candidates to request migration and the novel aspect is that the size of this subset is adaptative with respect to the system workload. APLBS was contrasted against Random (R), PLBS and Flexible Load Sharing (FLS) [7] strategies on diverse scenarios where the load can be characterised as static or dynamic. A comparative analysis of mean response time, acceptance hit ratio and number of migration failures under each strategy is reported.Sistemas Distribuidos - Redes ConcurrenciaRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Heterogeneity assessment of functional T cell avidity.

The potency of cellular immune responses strongly depends on T cell avidity to antigen. Yet, functional avidity measurements are rarely performed in patients, mainly due to the technical challenges of characterizing heterogeneous T cells. The mean functional T cell avidity can be determined by the IFN-γ Elispot assay, with titrated amounts of peptide. Using this assay, we developed a method revealing the heterogeneity of functional avidity, represented by the steepness/hillslope of the peptide titration curve, documented by proof of principle experiments and mathematical modeling. Our data show that not only natural polyclonal CD8 T cell populations from cancer patients, but also monoclonal T cells differ strongly in their heterogeneity of functional avidity. Interestingly, clones and polyclonal cells displayed comparable ranges of heterogeneity. We conclude that besides the mean functional avidity, it is feasible and useful to determine its heterogeneity (hillslope) for characterizing T cell responses in basic research and patient investigation

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. METHODS: We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. RESULTS: A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN5181700

Women from the Middle East and North Africa in Europe: Understanding their marriage and family dynamics

The aim of this article is to assist the understanding of social workers in Europe of marriage and family dynamics among women from Middle East and North African countries who have moved to Europe. The focus of this article is on husband selection processes and family dynamics after marriage in Egypt, which is used as a case study reflecting culture and norms surrounding marriage in this region. This article reports on the findings of doctoral studies which examined marriage patterns and family dynamics in North Africa and in particular in Egypt where more in-depth data were available. The authors reflect issues surrounding values and process of marriage not only in terms of the implications for practice with social work clients or service users, but also in relation to the potential of women from this region who may join the social care workforce