Evaluation of the endocrine response of cattle during the relocation process

To evaluate the endocrine responses associated with the relocation process, 22 Holstein heifers (326.4 ± 46.8 kg BW) were randomly assigned to control (CON) or relocation (RELOC) treatment groups. On d 0, heifers were weighed and fitted within dwelling rectal temperature (RT) monitoring devices and jugular catheters. On d 1, baseline blood samples were collected from all heifers for 2 h prior to the transportation event, then weighed. Controls were returned to tie stalls and RELOC were loaded into a modified stock trailer (12 individual stanchions) for a 4 h transportation event. Simultaneous blood samples were obtained at 30-min intervals from both groups throughout the 4 h transport event (TE-I). After transport, RELOC were unloaded at an unfamiliar location, weighed, and placed in tie stalls for a 2 h post-transportation period. All heifers were then placed into two separate holding paddocks with access to water and hay for 4 h. After 4 h, hay and water was withdrawn for 20 h. On d 2 RELOC heifers were exposed to a second transport event (TE-II); the timeline and procedures of TE-II were identical to those of TE-I (except for the starting point for RELOC heifers). All serum samples were analyzed for concentrations of cortisol, growth hormone (GH), and insulin-like growth factor-I(IGF-I). A 6% reduction in BW for the RELOC as compared to 2.5% reduction in BW for CON (PPPPP\u3e0.05) in area under the curve (AUC) for cortisol were observed during TE-I. However, AUC for total cortisol during TE-II was greater (PPP\u3e0.05) in IGF-I concentrations or in AUC between the treatment groups during TE-I and-II or from d 1 to d 2. Results provide evidence that the actual processes surrounding the transportation of cattle, can elicit a stress response, as defined by increased concentrations of cortisol, RT, and BW losses

Airborne radioactive effluent study at the Savannah River Plant

Under the Clean Air Act, Sections 112 and 122 as amended in 1977, the Office of Radiation Programs (OPR) of the United States Environmental Protection Agency is currently developing standards for radionuclides emitted to the air by several source categories. In order to confirm source-term measurements and pathway calculations for radiation exposures to humans offsite, the ORP performs field studies at selected facilities that emit radionuclides. This report describes the field study conducted at the Savannah River Plant (SRP), a laboratory operated by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company for the US Department of Energy. This purpose of the study at ARP was to verify reported airborne releases and resulting radiation doses from the facility. Measurements of radionuclide releases for brief periods were compared with measurements performed by SRP staff on split samples and with annual average releases reported by SRP for the same facilities. The dispersion model used by SRP staff to calculate radiation doses offsite was tested by brief environmental radioactivity measurements performed simultaneously with the release measurements, and by examining radioactivity levels in environmental samples. This report describes in detail all measurements made and data collected during the field study and presents the results obtained. 34 references, 18 figures, 49 tables

The use of embodied imagination and empathy to bridge actor–character dissonance

When a script stipulates actions, gestural routines and mental models for a character that clash with the personal values of the actor, it creates dissonance between what the actor (as person) believes, represents or feels, and that which the character (as fictional construct) is interpreted to represent. This dissonance may negatively impact on the believability of the actor inhabiting the ‘as if’ world of the character. The article proposes a theoretical approach to navigating this potentially performance-restricting dissonance through a cross-disciplinary approach that draws on embodiment, embodied imagination and empathy. Personal restrictions, values, socialization, culture and impulse avoidances are subjectively sculpted and embodied in and through lived experiences. In articulating the proposed approach, the article places emphasis on practically guiding and enabling the actor to manage these embodied experiences, personal values and subjective restrictions in relation to material that is perceived to be challenging and uncomfortable. This article does not aim at theorizing or expanding on character development techniques, but rather to facilitate finding ways to navigate actor–character dissonance while remaining sensitive to actors and their respective processes in engaging with, and depicting, a character in a competent and believable manner. Instead of forcing actors to work through restrictions or adversely dislodging talented actors from a production due to seemingly unmanageable dissonances, this article argues for possible solutions to manage contradictory values and stances respectfully through a multi-layered process. The article will address concepts such as personal views, mental models, socialization, will, empathy, imagination, gesture and motor intentionality.http://www.tandfonline.comtoc/rthj202019-07-19hj2018Dram