Training-induced inversion of spontaneous exchange bias field on La1.5Ca0.5CoMnO6

In this work we report the synthesis and structural, electronic and magnetic properties of La1.5Ca0.5CoMnO6 double-perovskite. This is a re-entrant spin cluster material which exhibits a non-negligible negative exchange bias effect when it is cooled in zero magnetic field from an unmagnetized state down to low temperature. X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and magnetometry results indicate mixed valence state at Co site, leading to competing magnetic phases and uncompensated spins at the magnetic interfaces. We compare the results for this Ca-doped material with those reported for the resemblant compound La1.5Sr0.5CoMnO6, and discuss the much smaller spontaneous exchange bias effect observed for the former in terms of its structural and magnetic particularities. For La1.5Ca0.5CoMnO6, when successive magnetization loops are carried, the spontaneous exchange bias field inverts its sign from negative to positive from the first to the second measurement. We discuss this behavior based on the disorder at the magnetic interfaces, related to the presence of a glassy phase. This compound also exhibits a large conventional exchange bias, for which there is no sign inversion of the exchange bias field for consecutive cycles

Effect of a high forage: Concentrate ratio on milk yield, blood parameters and oxidative status in lactating cows

A feeding strategy that requires a forage: concentrate ratio equal to 70: 30, with at least five different herbs in the forage and the use of silages prohibited, has recently been introduced in Italy. Despite the benefits in terms of human health (lower ω6: ω3 ratio, higher conjugated linoleic acid level) of the obtained milk, little information regarding the possible effects on cows' health is available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of such a feeding strategy in dairy cows (90 days in milk at the beginning of the trial) on milk yield and composition, and blood metabolic profile, including the evaluation of oxidative stress. The proposed feeding strategy, compared with a semi-intensive strategy, resulted in an improvement of animal oxidative status (lower levels of reactive oxygen metabolites, higher levels of antioxidant potential and anti-reactive oxygen metabolites) and a significant increase of milk urea only in the first part of the trial. No differences in milk yield and composition were detected throughout the trial

Total orthotopic small bowel transplantation in swine under FK 506

Previous experimental studies in rodents and in dogs have established the efficacy of FK 506 in controlling the immunologic events following small bowel or multivisceral transplantation.1–5 To complete the assessment of FK 506 in experimental small bowel transplantation, we present here our experience with the frequently used swine model

Impact of delivery mode on the colostrum microbiota composition.

BACKGROUND: Breast milk is a rich nutrient with a temporally dynamic nature. In particular, numerous alterations in the nutritional, immunological and microbiological content occur during the transition from colostrum to mature milk. The objective of our study was to evaluate the potential impact of delivery mode on the microbiota of colostrum, at both the quantitative and qualitative levels (bacterial abundance and microbiota network). METHODS: Twenty-nine Italian mothers (15 vaginal deliveries vs 14 Cesarean sections) were enrolled in the study. The microbiota of colostrum samples was analyzed by next generation sequencing (Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine). The colostrum microbiota network associated with Cesarean section and vaginal delivery was evaluated by means of the Auto Contractive Map (AutoCM), a mathematical methodology based on Artificial Neural Network (ANN) architecture. RESULTS: Numerous differences between Cesarean section and vaginal delivery colostrum were observed. Vaginal delivery colostrum had a significant lower abundance of Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Prevotella spp. when compared to Cesarean section colostrum samples. Furthermore, the mode of delivery had a strong influence on the microbiota network, as Cesarean section colostrum showed a higher number of bacterial hubs if compared to vaginal delivery, sharing only 5 hubs. Interestingly, the colostrum of mothers who had a Cesarean section was richer in environmental bacteria than mothers who underwent vaginal delivery. Finally, both Cesarean section and vaginal delivery colostrum contained a greater number of anaerobic bacteria genera. CONCLUSIONS: The mode of delivery had a large impact on the microbiota composition of colostrum. Further studies are needed to better define the meaning of the differences we observed between Cesarean section and vaginal delivery colostrum microbiota

A blind HI survey of the M81 group

Results are presented of the first blind HI survey of the M81 group of galaxies. The data were taken as part of the HI Jodrell All Sky Survey (HIJASS). The survey reveals several new aspects to the complex morphology of the HI distribution in the group. All four of the known dwarf irregular (dIrr) galaxies close to M81 can be unambiguously seen in the HIJASS data. Each forms part of the complex tidal structure in the area. We suggest that at least three of these galaxies may have formed recently from the tidal debris in which they are embedded. The structure connecting M81 to NGC2976 is revealed as a single tidal bridge of mass approx. 2.1 x 10^8 Msol and projected spatial extent approx. 80 kpc. Two `spurs' of HI projecting from the M81 complex to lower declinations are traced over a considerably larger spatial and velocity extent than by previous surveys. The dwarf elliptical (dE) galaxies BK5N and Kar 64 lie at the spatial extremity of one of these features and appear to be associated with it. We suggest that these may be the remnants of dIrrs which has been stripped of gas and transmuted into dEs by close gravitational encounters with NGC3077. The nucleated dE galaxy Kar 61 is unambiguously detected in HI for the first time and has an HI mass of approx.10^8 Msol, further confirming it as a dE/dIrr transitional object. HIJASS has revealed one new possible group member, HIJASS J1021+6842. This object contains approx. 2 x 10^7 Msol of HI and lies approx.105arcmin from IC2574. It has no optical counterpart on the Digital Sky Survey.Comment: To be published in Astrophysical Journal Letters 9 pages, including 3 figure

Estimativas de parâmetros genéticos para características reprodutivas e de crescimento em bovinos Canchim por método Bayesiano.

Obtiveram-se, neste estudo, parâmetros genéticos para as caracteristicas de permanência de remeas no rebanho aos 76 meses de idade (PR76), idade ao primeiro parto (IPP), perímetro escrotal aos 420 dias de idade (PE420) e peso aos 420 dias de idade de machos e fêmeas (P420) de animais da raça Canchim. No modelo animal, foram incluídos o grupo de contemporâneos e os efeitos aleatórios aditivos diretos e residuais. Os dados foram analisados por meio de inferência Bayesiana, em análise uni¬característica. As médias de PR76, IPP, PE420 e P420 foram iguais a 1,57±0,73 bezerros, 39,47±7,20 meses, 24,63±3,84 cm e 260,37±46,5l kg, respectivamente. As herdabilidades foram iguais a 0,0299±0,008, 0,0236±0,009, 0,2357±0,060 e 0,2235±0,048 para PR76, IPP, PE420 e P420, respectivamente. As estimativas de herdabilidade para PE420 e P420 indicam que a seleção direta para estas características pode resultar em progresso genético do rebanho da raça Canchim. As estimativas para as características reprodutivas PR76 e IPP indicam que a seleção destas pouco contribuirá para o melhoramento genético da raça

Estimativas de parâmetros genéticos para características reprodutivas e de crescimento em bovinos da raça Canchim.

Estudou-se neste trabalho dados referentes às características de idade ao segundo parto (ISP), perímetro escrotal aos 420 dias de idade (PE420) e peso aos 420 dias de idade de machos e fêmeas (P420) de animais da raça Canchim, para as quais foram obtidas estimativas de herdabilidade e correlações genéticas. No modelo animal, foram incluídos os efeitos fixos de grupo de contemporâneos e os efeitos aleatórios aditivos diretos e residuais. Utilizou-se o método da máxima verossimilhança restrita em análise bi-característica. As médias de ISP, PE420 e P420 foram iguais a 57,07±8,69 meses, 24,63±3,84 cm e 260,37±46,5l kg, respectivamente. As estimativas de herdabilidade foram 0,07±0,01, 0,2l±0,05 e 0,24±0,03, respectivamente para ISP, PE420 e P420. As correlações genéticas foram iguais a -0,47 (ISPXPE420) e 0,10 (ISPxP420). A seleção direta para perímetro escrotal aos 420 dias de idade poderá resultar em progresso genético favoráveis na assiduidade reprodutiva de fêmeas da raça Canchim, considerando que o PE420 apresentou correlação genética aditiva com idade ao segundo parto