On some invariant ideals, and on extension of differentiations to seminormalization

AbstractLet A be a noetherian integral domain, D=(1,D1,…,Di…) be a differentation of A, and B be a ring such that A⊂B⊂Ā. In the paper we mainly prove (whenever Ā is finite over A): (a) if α is the conductor of A in B, then A√α is D-invariant. (b) D extends to the seminormalization +A of A in Ā

Transverse momentum spectra of charged particles in proton-proton collisions at s=900\sqrt{s} = 900 GeV with ALICE at the LHC

The inclusive charged particle transverse momentum distribution is measured in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 900$ GeV at the LHC using the ALICE detector. The measurement is performed in the central pseudorapidity region $(|\eta|<0.8)$ over the transverse momentum range $0.15<p_{\rm T}<10$ GeV/$c$. The correlation between transverse momentum and particle multiplicity is also studied. Results are presented for inelastic (INEL) and non-single-diffractive (NSD) events. The average transverse momentum for $|\eta|<0.8$ is $\left<p_{\rm T}\right>_{\rm INEL}=0.483\pm0.001$ (stat.) $\pm0.007$ (syst.) GeV/$c$ and \left_{\rm NSD}=0.489\pm0.001 (stat.) $\pm0.007$ (syst.) GeV/$c$, respectively. The data exhibit a slightly larger $\left<p_{\rm T}\right>$ than measurements in wider pseudorapidity intervals. The results are compared to simulations with the Monte Carlo event generators PYTHIA and PHOJET.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figures, 2 tables, published version, figures at http://aliceinfo.cern.ch/ArtSubmission/node/390

Standardization of health data. ICAR guidelines including health key

peer reviewedSystematic improvement of animal health requires knowledge about the status quo and reliable measures to characterize it. In dairy herds, health monitoring has gained importance to ensure sustainable and cost-efficient milk production in accordance with public expectations. In this context, standardized recording of health data is essential for comparability and interpretability of health-related analyses, implying the need for generally accepted and clear guidelines. To assist implementation of health monitoring and convey harmonization, the ICAR Functional Traits Working Group has compiled the ICAR guidelines for Recording, Evaluation and Genetic Improvement of Health Traits, which were approved in June 2012. Disease diagnoses and observations of impaired health can be classified as direct health data, providing the basis for targeted approaches to improve the animal health status. Data sources need to be taken into account because of their impact on information content and specificity. The key for health data recording is characterized by a hierarchical structure that makes it possible to record on different levels of detail and includes comprehensive recording options with coverage of all organ systems and types of diseases. Important features are compatibility with other recording systems and broad usability as a reference regardless of specific intentions and contexts of health data collection. Input can range from very specific diagnoses of veterinarians to very general diagnoses or observations by producers, and the unique coding of clearly defined health incidents minimizes the risk of misinterpretations and facilitates analyses of different types of health data. The overall quality and success of health monitoring is substantially influenced byappropriate use of standards and available recording tools, implying the need for tailored support particularly in the implementation phase. In integrated concepts, specific qualifications of professions can be used synergistically to further standardize recording of health data and thereby benefit efficiency of animal health improvement on farm and at the population level

Genetic evaluation of claw health – challenges and recommendations

peer reviewedRoutine recording of claw health status at claw trimming of dairy cattle have been established in several countries, providing a valuable database for genetic evaluation. In this review, issues related to genetic evaluation of claw health are examined; data sources, trait definitions, and data validation procedures are discussed; and a review of genetic parameters, possible indicator traits, and status of genetic and genomic evaluations for claw disorders are presented. Different sources of data and traits can be used to describe claw health, including veterinary diagnoses, data from lameness and locomotion scoring, activity-related information from sensors, and foot and leg conformation traits. The most reliable and comprehensive information is probably data from claw trimming. Heritability of the most commonly analyzed claw disorders based on data from routine claw trimming were in general low, with linear (threshold) model estimates ranging from 0.01 to 0.14 (0.06-0.39). Estimated genetic correlations among claw disorders varied from -0.40 to 0.98. The strongest genetic correlations were found among sole hemorrhage (SH), sole ulcer (SU), and white line disease (WL), and between digital/interdigital dermatitis (DD/ID) and heel horn erosion (HHE). Genetic correlations between DD/ID and HHE on the one hand and SH, SU, or WL on the other hand were low in most cases. Although some studies were based on relatively few records and the estimated genetic parameters had large standard errors, results were generally consistent across studies. Routine genetic evaluations of direct claw health have been implemented in The Netherlands (2010), Denmark, Finland and Sweden (joint Nordic evaluation; 2011), and Norway (2014), and other countries plan to implement this in the near future

Survey on the recording and use of functional traits in dairy management and breeding

An important component in sustainability of dairy production is the functionality of the cows. With the substantial progress in the production traits achieved in dairy breeding, health and fertility have become important determinants of profitable milk production. Breeding goals and programs are reflecting this worldwide shift towards functionality. Standardization initiatives in this field are needed, but challenging with regard to trait definitions, recording practices and data analyses. Efficient work of the ICAR working group for recording, evaluation and genetic improvement of functional traits requires intense international and interdisciplinary communication and collaboration. An overview over past, current and future activities of different countries to improve functionality of the dairy cow is supposed to indicate the major tasks of the WG.Besides indicator traits like somatic cell score for mastitis, direct measures of health and disease will provide valuable information for genetic evaluations. Further traits may be identified and used as tools to improve the functionality of the dairy cow. Guidelines for such new traits have to account for the different and novel sources of information and the parties involved in data recording. Furthermore, technical developments need to be regularly reviewed for options to facilitate collection of for example health data in a broad and reliable manner. A network of experts is required to support the Functional Traits Working Group in compiling and updating the guidelines and identifying the needs for exchange of information and experiences and this way meet the demands of future dairy management and breeding. Approaches to collect and analyze information on functional traits in dairy cattle will be presented and discussed in the context of international needs and expectations, providing an outline for the future activities of the Functional Traits Working Group

Selection against metabolic diseases

Abstract: Metabolic diseases, such as ketosis and milk fever, are among the most common diseases affecting dairy cattle. Genetic improvement of ability to resist metabolic diseases can be achieved by direct selection with genetic evaluation based on clinically observed traits, or by indirect selection based on indicators or predictors of metabolic diseases. The most prevalent metabolic diseases in dairy cattle, for which genetic parameters have been published, are ketosis, displaced abomasum, milk fever, and tetany. In this review we present genetic parameters for these metabolic diseases, give a status of genetic and genomic evaluations, and discuss possible indicator traits.acceptedVersio

Harmonization of recording and use of direct health data as basis of sustainable improvement of dairy health and longevity

Animal health and welfare issues have emerged as important factors for efficiency, competitiveness and public acceptance of livestock keeping and breeding worldwide. In dairy cattle, health monitoring has been in the focus of multiple research projects since the 1970s. Information on diseases from veterinary records and on-farm documentation systems are the main sources of direct health data, for which routine genetic evaluations were first implemented in the Nordic countries and more recently in a few other countries. The goal of the ICAR Functional Traits Working Group is to deliver information and tools that facilitate the use of health data across sectors and countries, thereby supporting the implementation of sustainable health monitoring and improvement systems. The ICAR guidelines for Recording, Evaluation and Genetic Improvement of Health Traits cover different approaches for the collection and use of health data in dairy management and breeding, and recommend best practices. Standardization is essential for building up the required information base on dairy health by collaborative and integrative approaches, and the hierarchically structured, comprehensive key for health data recording can serve as a reference which facilitates the connection of data sources. International and terdisciplinary exchange of experiences and collaborations can contribute to the development of efficient breeding strategies with increased weight on health and welfare traits. The ICAR 2013 Health Data Conference showed the potential of broad adoption of the available health data standards for the benefit of all stakeholders in the dairy sector. Clear and restrictive regulations regarding access and use of health information help increase the rate of data integration which is needed for maximum performance regarding support of short- and long-term improvements of the dairy herd. Based on internationally harmonized recording of direct health data, joining of sectoral, regional and national initiatives is expected to propel the targeted improvement of health, welfare, and longevity in dairy breeding

Breeding objectives and practices of sport horse studbooks : Results of a worldwide inventory

Breeding objectives and practices of sport horse studbooks : Results of a worldwide inventory. 66. Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP

Intra- and interobserver agreement in the interpretation of navicular bones on radiographs and computed tomography scans

Reasons for performing study: Criteria for the radiographic evaluation of navicular bones in horses have been published to standardise classification of radiographic signs. However, intra- and interobserver agreement have not been established. Objective: To determine intra- and interobserver agreement in the evaluation of radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) navicular changes. It was hypothesised that: 1) intraobserver agreement would be better than interobserver agreement; 2) agreement would be better for CT than for radiography; and 3) pathological changes would be recognised with greater certainty with CT. Methods: Radiographs and CT scans of 60 cadaver navicular bones were evaluated by 3 observers using published criteria. A subset of 30 studies was evaluated twice by one observer. Agreement was tested using the kappa statistic. Certainty about pathological changes was evaluated by giving the observers the option to choose 'not sure'. Results: Agreement varied from poor to almost perfect for radiographic evaluation and from poor to substantial for CT evaluation. For radiographic evaluation mean interobserver agreement was fair, as it was for CT evaluation. For radiographic evaluation mean intraobserver agreement was moderate as it was for CT evaluation. Pathological changes were evaluated with greater certainty on CT scans compared to radiographs; however, this was not associated with improved agreement. Conclusions: Variations in classification of navicular lesions in radiographic and CT studies were considerable between and within observers and challenge the use of such studies for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Potential relevance: The results of this study allowed the identification of evaluation criteria with sufficient precision to be useful for navicular bone evaluation