USING THE BI-LOGISTIC MODEL TO ESTIMATE BODY TEMPERATURE IN FEEDLOT CATTLE

Processing and handling cattle require an expenditure of energy causing an elevation of body temperature, depending on the ambient conditions. More knowledge of body temperature, Tb, dynamics could lead to more specific recommendations of how far cattle can be moved without stress. The bi-Iogistic model has been used to describe the handling process. This model estimates several important biological parameters: rate of increase in Tb (rate of heat challenge), the maximum Tb (max Tb), time to reach maximum Tb (tmax) and recovery rate (rate of decrease in Tb). The objectives of this study are: to compare parameter estimates from the bi-Iogistic model with a segmented version of the model; to investigate the robustness of the model for different definitions of recovery; and, to check for hormetic behavior using switching functions

A lens-coupled scintillation counter in cryogenic environment

In this work we present an elegant solution for a scintillation counter to be integrated into a cryogenic system. Its distinguishing feature is the absence of a continuous light guide coupling the scintillation and the photodetector parts, operating at cryogenic and room temperatures respectively. The prototype detector consists of a plastic scintillator with glued-in wavelength-shifting fiber located inside a cryostat, a Geiger-mode Avalanche Photodiode (G-APD) outside the cryostat, and a lens system guiding the scintillation light re-emitted by the fiber to the G-APD through optical windows in the cryostat shields. With a 0.8mm diameter multiclad fiber and a 1mm active area G-APD the coupling efficiency of the "lens light guide" is about 50%. A reliable performance of the detector down to 3K is demonstrated.Comment: 14 pages, 11 figure

Accumulation of Microbial Biomass within Particulate Organic Matter of Aging Golf Greens

Microbial biomass (MB) is a key variable controlling soil organic matter dynamics in soil. Currently, there is little information on the amount and significance of MB in highly managed golf greens. Our objective was to determine the amount and distribution of MB within soil structural components of golf greens and its relationship to the location of organic substrates. During 1996, 47 greens were sampled from 12 golf courses within Nebraska (USA). Microbial biomass, determined as extractable lipid phosphate on field-moist soils, increased linearly with age of green (Y = 19.39 + 3.54x; r2 = 0.87, P = 0.001). In 1997 and 1999, selected greens were resampled and separated into mineral fraction (MF) and particulate organic matter (POM) fraction using a sodium metatungstate (NMT; r = 2.3 g cm-3). Then, POM was separated into light (L-POM) and heavy (H-POM) fractions using NMT (r = 2.0 g cm-3). Amount of MB of whole soil and POM was linearly related to green age (r2 = 0.76 and 0.68, respectively). Amount of MB in MF was not related to green age. The portion of total soil MB associated with POM increased significantly from 25.6% for an 8-yr-old green to 77.8% for a 28-yr-old green. Carbon in fulvic acid and humic acid increased with green age from 0.5 to 1.7 and 0.6 to 2.6 g kg-1 soil, respectively. As humus is a relatively stable form of soil organic matter, we hypothesized that humus accumulation within POM renders both POM and associated MB more resistant to degradation; thus, they accumulate

Studies of lifetimes in an ion storage ring using laser technique

The laser-probing method for lifetime measurements of metastable levels, performed by applying the Fast Ion Beam Laser (FIBLAS) method to ions stored in a storage ring, has been developed by the Stockholm group. Recently, we have applied this method to lifetime measurements of close lying metastable levels. In this paper we discuss experimental studies of ions with complex structure and present the first experimentally obtained lifetimes of selected metastable levels in complex systems as Fe+, Eu+ and La+

Spectroscopy of 26^{26}F

The structure of the weakly-bound $^{26}_{\;\;9}$F$_{17}$ odd-odd nucleus, produced from $^{27,28}$Na nuclei, has been investigated at GANIL by means of the in-beam $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy technique. A single $\gamma$-line is observed at 657(7) keV in $^{26}_{9}$F which has been ascribed to the decay of the excited J=$2^+$ state to the J=1$^+$ ground state. The possible presence of intruder negative parity states in $^{26}$F is also discussed.Comment: 3 pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication in Physical Review

Вплив гетерозису на воскову продуктивність карпатських бджіл

Effective selection and breeding work is the key to increasing productivity. Its purpose is to improve the existing ones, create new types, lines, as well as rational use of the gene pool of bees in regional systems of breeding and hybridization. In practical work, regarding the selection of honey bees, such a biological feature as heterosis is used. Breeding of inbred hybrids makes it possible, along with increasing productivity, to preserve the purity of the bee breed. Under such conditions, no negative effect of the splitting of traits was found in the descendants of the next generations. Therefore, the aim of the work was to study the influence of the heterosis mechanism in the breeding of Carpathian bees and obtain the maximum amount of wax products. The experimental part of the work was carried out over several years. The final stage of research fell on 2022. Queens were obtained in the conditions of the Carpathian zone of Transcarpathia at the apiaries of the Carpathian bee selection and reproduction department of the National Scientific Center “Institute of Beekeeping named after P.I. Prokopovich”. Histological studies and the evaluation of studies are implemented in the conditions of the Stepan Gzhytskyi National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies Lviv. The article provides data on the study of complex evaluation of combinations in the breeding of honey bees using the example of the “Vuchkiv” and “Kolochav” types. On the basis of experimental studies, an analysis of the influence of the phenomenon of heterosis on the wax productivity of their initial forms was carried out. The morphological and development features of the wax gland and sternal living body were studied and the dependence in the wax productivity of intertype hybrids of Carpathian bees was revealed. The theoretical breeding achievement is that intrabreeding of different types allows to ensure purity in the reproduction of the Carpathian breed of bees. In order to realize this goal, a technique was created that made it possible to effectively use the scientific research of famous scientists. As a result of keeping Carpathian bees in different natural climatic conditions, the phenomenon of heterosis was studied. At the same time, we investigated and analyzed the results of crossing different types of Carpathian bees. For this, the “Vuchkiv” and “Kolochav” types were taken as the starting forms. The article provides data that the mating of queens of the Vuchkov type with Kolochava drones makes it possible to obtain bees that differ in better indicators of the length of adipocytes by 16.99 % (Р < 0.01) and wax glands by 35.21 % (Р < 0.01). Research results show the advantages of intrabreeding of Carpathian bees. According to the obtained results, intertype hybrids of Carpathian bees have better indicators of wax productivity in relation to their parents. The use of such bees in the apiary makes it possible to obtain an additional 18.0–29.0 % of wax.Запорукою отримання збільшення показників продуктивності є ефективна селекційно-племінна робота. Її мета полягає в удосконаленні існуючих, створення нових типів, ліній, а також в раціональному використанні генофонду бджіл в регіональних системах розведення і гібридизації. У практичній роботі, щодо селекції медоносних бджіл, використовують таку біологічну особливість, як гетерозис. Розведення внутрішньопородних гібридів дає можливість, поряд із підвищенням продуктивності, зберегти в чистоті породу бджіл. За таких умов не виявлено негативного впливу розщеплення ознак у нащадків наступних поколінь. Тому метою роботи було дослідження впливу механізму гетерозису при розведенні карпатських бджіл і отримання максимальної кількості воскової продукції. Експериментальна частина роботи виконана протягом кількох років. Завершальний етап досліджень припав на 2022 рік. Одержання маток здійснювалось в умовах Карпатської зони Закарпаття на пасіках відділу селекції і репродукції карпатських бджіл Національного наукового центру “Інститут бджільництва імені П. І. Прокоповича”. Гістологічні дослідження та апрбацію досліджень впроваджено в умовах Львівського національного університету ветеринарної медицини та біотехнологій імені С. З. Ґжицького. У статті наводяться дані щодо вивчення комплексної оцінка поєднань при розведенні медоносних бджіл на прикладі “Вучківського” і “Колочавського” типів. На основі експериментальних досліджень проведено аналіз щодо впливу явища гетерозису на воскову продуктивність їх вихідних форм. Вивчені морфологічні особливості розвитку воскової залози та стернального живого тіла та виявлена залежність у восковій продуктивності міжтипових гібридів карпатських бджіл. Теоретичне селекційне досягнення полягає в тому, що внутріпородне розведення різних типів дозволяє забезпечити чистоту у відтворенні карпатської породи бджіл. Для реалізації цієї мети була створена методика, яка дозволила ефективно використати наукові дослідження відомих науковців. Внаслідок утримання карпатських бджіл в різних природно кліматичних умовах проводилось вивчення явища гетерозису. При цьому, ми досліджували та аналізували результати внаслідок схрещування різних типів карпатських бджіл. Для цього вихідними формами було взято “Вучківський” і “Колочавський” типи. У статті наводяться дані про те, що спаровування маток вучківського типу з колочавськими трутнями дає можливість отримати бджіл, які відрізняються кращими показниками довжини адипоцитів на 16,99 % (Р < 0,01) і восковидільних залоз на 35,21 % (Р < 0,01). Результати досліджень показують переваги внутріпородного схрещування карпатських бджіл. Згідно отриманих результатів, міжтипові гібриди карпатських бджіл мають кращі показники воскової продуктивність по відношенню до своїх батьків. Використання таких бджіл на пасіці дає можливість додатково отримати на 18,0 – 29,0 % воску

Collective and broken pair states of 65,67Ga

Excited states of 65Ga and 67Ga nuclei were populated through the 12C(58Ni,αp) and 12C(58Ni,3p) reactions, respectively, and investigated by in-beam γ-ray spectroscopic methods. The NORDBALL array equipped with a charged particle ball and 11 neutron detectors was used to detect the evaporated particles and γ rays. The level schemes of 65,67Ga were constructed on the basis of γγ-coincidence relations up to 8.6 and 10 MeV excitation energy, and Iπ=27/2 and 33/2+ spin and parity, respectively. The structure of 65,67Ga nuclei was described in the interacting boson-fermion plus broken pair model, including quasiproton, quasiproton-two-quasineutron, and three-quasiproton fermion configurations in the boson-fermion basis states. Most of the states were assigned to quasiparticle + phonon and three quasiparticle configurations on the basis of their electromagnetic decay properties

Anthroposophic medical therapy in chronic disease: a four-year prospective cohort study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The short consultation length in primary care is a source of concern, and the wish for more consultation time is a common reason for patients to seek complementary medicine. Physicians practicing anthroposophic medicine have prolonged consultations with their patients, taking an extended history, addressing constitutional, psychosocial, and biographic aspect of patients' illness, and selecting optimal therapy. In Germany, health benefit programs have included the reimbursement of this additional physician time. The purpose of this study was to describe clinical outcomes in patients with chronic diseases treated by anthroposophic physicians after an initial prolonged consultation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In conjunction with a health benefit program in Germany, 233 outpatients aged 1–74 years, treated by 72 anthroposophic physicians after a consultation of at least 30 min participated in a prospective cohort study. Main outcomes were disease severity (Disease and Symptom Scores, physicians' and patients' assessment on numerical rating scales 0–10) and quality of life (adults: SF-36, children aged 8–16: KINDL, children 1–7: KITA). Disease Score was documented after 0, 6 and 12 months, other outcomes after 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and (Symptom Score and SF-36) 48 months.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Most common indications were mental disorders (17.6% of patients; primarily depression and fatigue), respiratory diseases (15.5%), and musculoskeletal diseases (11.6%). Median disease duration at baseline was 3.0 years (interquartile range 0.5–9.8 years). The consultation leading to study enrolment lasted 30–60 min in 51.5% (120/233) of patients and > 60 min in 48.5%. During the following year, patients had a median of 3.0 (interquartile range 1.0–7.0) prolonged consultations with their anthroposophic physicians, 86.1% (167/194) of patients used anthroposophic medication.</p> <p>All outcomes except KITA Daily Life subscale and KINDL showed significant improvement between baseline and all subsequent follow-ups. Improvements from baseline to 12 months were: Disease Score from mean (standard deviation) 5.95 (1.74) to 2.31 (2.29) (p < 0.001), Symptom Score from 5.74 (1.81) to 3.04 (2.16) (p < 0.001), SF-36 Physical Component Summary from 44.01 (10.92) to 47.99 (10.43) (p < 0.001), SF-36 Mental Component Summary from 42.34 (11.98) to 46.84 (10.47) (p < 0.001), and KITA Psychosoma subscale from 62.23 (19.76) to 76.44 (13.62) (p = 0.001). All these improvements were maintained until the last follow-up. Improvements were similar in patients not using diagnosis-related adjunctive therapies within the first six study months.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Patients treated by anthroposophic physicians after an initial prolonged consultation had long-term reduction of chronic disease symptoms and improvement of quality of life. Although the pre-post design of the present study does not allow for conclusions about comparative effectiveness, study findings suggest that physician-provided anthroposophic therapy may play a beneficial role in the long-term care of patients with chronic diseases.</p

Eurythmy therapy in chronic disease: a four-year prospective cohort study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many patients with chronic diseases use complementary therapies, often provided by their physicians. In Germany, several physician-provided complementary therapies have been reimbursed by health insurance companies as part of health benefit programs. In most of these therapies, the patient has a predominantly passive role. In eurythmy therapy, however, patients actively exercise specific movements with the hands, the feet or the whole body. The purpose of this study was to describe clinical outcomes in patients practising eurythmy therapy exercises for chronic diseases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In conjunction with a health benefit program, 419 outpatients from 94 medical practices in Germany, referred to 118 eurythmy therapists, participated in a prospective cohort study. Main outcomes were disease severity (Disease and Symptom Scores, physicians' and patients' assessment on numerical rating scales 0–10) and quality of life (adults: SF-36, children aged 8–16: KINDL, children 1–7: KITA). Disease Score was documented after 0, 6 and 12 months, other outcomes after 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and (SF-36 and Symptom Score) 48 months.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Most common indications were mental disorders (31.7% of patients; primarily depression, fatigue, and childhood emotional disorder) and musculoskeletal diseases (23.4%). Median disease duration at baseline was 3.0 years (interquartile range 1.0–8.5). Median number of eurythmy therapy sessions was 12 (interquartile range 10–19), median therapy duration was 119 days (84–188).</p> <p>All outcomes improved significantly between baseline and all subsequent follow-ups (exceptions: KITA Psychosoma in first three months and KINDL). Improvements from baseline to 12 months were: Disease Score from mean (standard deviation) 6.65 (1.81) to 3.19 (2.27) (p < 0.001), Symptom Score from 5.95 (1.75) to 3.49 (2.12) (p < 0.001), SF-36 Physical Component Summary from 43.13 (10.25) to 47.10 (9.78) (p < 0.001), SF-36 Mental Component Summary from 38.31 (11.67) to 45.01 (11.76) (p < 0.001), KITA Psychosoma from 69.53 (15.45) to 77.21 (13.60) (p = 0.001), and KITA Daily Life from 59.23 (21.78) to 68.14 (18.52) (p = 0.001). All these improvements were maintained until the last follow-up. Improvements were similar in patients not using diagnosis-related adjunctive therapies within the first six study months.</p> <p>Adverse reactions to eurythmy therapy occurred in 3.1% (13/419) of patients. No patient stopped eurythmy therapy due to adverse reactions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Patients practising eurythmy therapy exercises had long-term improvement of chronic disease symptoms and quality of life. Although the pre-post design of the present study does not allow for conclusions about comparative effectiveness, study findings suggest that eurythmy therapy can be useful for patients motivated for this therapy.</p

The CPLEAR detector at CERN

The CPLEAR collaboration has constructed a detector at CERN for an extensive programme of CP-, T- and CPT-symmetry studies using ${\rm K}^0$ and $\bar{\rm K}^0$ produced by the annihilation of $\bar{\rm p}$'s in a hydrogen gas target. The ${\rm K}^0$ and $\bar{\rm K}^0$ are identified by their companion products of the annihilation ${\rm K}^{\pm} \pi^{\mp}$ which are tracked with multiwire proportional chambers, drift chambers and streamer tubes. Particle identification is carried out with a liquid Cherenkov detector for fast separation of pions and kaons and with scintillators which allow the measurement of time of flight and energy loss. Photons are measured with a lead/gas sampling electromagnetic calorimeter. The required antiproton annihilation modes are selected by fast online processors using the tracking chamber and particle identification information. All the detectors are mounted in a 0.44 T uniform field of an axial solenoid of diameter 2 m and length 3.6 m to form a magnetic spectrometer capable of full on-line reconstruction and selection of events. The design, operating parameters and performance of the sub-detectors are described.