Risk management on application of minimum-cost feed ration for nitrogen and phosphorus reduction on dairy farm

The traditional mathematical programming model with the objective function of feed ration cost minimization is used to accommodate risk management responses to price variability associated with feeding a particular feed ration over time. The model incorporated biophysical simulation data using Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) software in addressing nutrient requirements and excretions. In addition, it used historic feedstuff prices in a mean-variance (E-V) framework analysis. The optimized seasonal feeding indicated to have a lower mean ration cost and lowest nutrient loading followed by optimized uniform feeding program. The feed cost optimization proved to be a better strategy in minimizing ration cost and reducing excretions both manure and nutrients. The results in this study can be used as guidelines for making nutrient. The information in this study can be used by a producer facing feed price risk to select optimal ration while reducing environmental pollution.Risk and Uncertainty,

An Integrated Precision Production and Environmental Management Analysis of a Kentucky Dairy Farm

This study compares and contrasts the profitability of different dairy management practices through precision livestock farming. Feed analysis and crop yields were simulated. The proposed alternative feeding program demonstrated less manure and nutrient excretions. When mathematical programming model was employed, uniform rate application manifested the highest selected economic values.Management practices, environmental, Environmental Economics and Policy,

Interdisciplinary college curriculum and its labor market implications

This article sheds light on how to capture knowledge integration dynamics in college course content, improves and enriches the definition and measurement of interdisciplinarity, and expands the scope of research on the benefits of interdisciplinarity to postcollege outcomes. We distinguish between what higher education institutions claim regarding interdisciplinarity and what they appear to actually do. We focus on the core academic element of student experience—the courses they take, develop a text-based semantic measure of interdisciplinarity in college curriculum, and test its relationship to average earnings of graduates from different types of schools of higher education. We observe that greater exposure to interdisciplinarity—especially for science majors—is associated with increased earnings after college graduation. Keywords: Interdisciplinarity; higher education; income effects; measuring interdisciplinarity; curriculu

Can video support improve attainment? Evaluating the impact of teaching videos on student performance

In 2017, the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University began an initiative that led to the creation of over 2000 videos and screencasts to support students across all their Departments. The videos cover solutions for tutorial problems, provide coursework briefing information, or support laboratory work and exam preparations. This paper reports the findings of the quantitative study to investigate the effectiveness of the initiative on unit performance. Whilst adjusting for key student characteristics, regression analysis was applied to measure the links between final unit marks of 1248 undergraduate students and their level of engagement with videos. A positive correlation was found, and a further qualitative study is now underway to elaborate on these results and to explain such impact

Exploring the use of teaching videos to improve educational outcomes: A cross-Faculty study.

Since 2017, academics in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University have created over 2000 videos and screencasts to support the retention and progression of 6000 UG students in the Faculty. These short videos provide coursework briefings, past exam paper solutions and short explainers of core concepts. As in earlier studies (Saunders and Hutt, 2014; Carmichael et al, 2017) student feedback on the videos has been consistently positive since the initiative began. In this session, we will discuss the impact of teaching videos on students’ academic performance, evidence for which has up to now been largely anecdotal

ADAR1 Deletion Causes Degeneration of the Exocrine Pancreas via Mavs-Dependent Interferon Signaling

Adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1) is an RNA-binding protein that deaminates adenosine (A) to inosine (I). A-to-I editing alters post-transcriptional RNA processing, making ADAR1 a crucial regulator of gene expression. Consequently, Adar1 has been implicated in organogenesis. To determine the role of Adar1 in pancreatic development and homeostasis, we conditionally deleted Adar1 from the murine pancreas (Ptf1aCre/+; Adar1Fl/Fl). The resulting mice had stunted growth, likely due to malabsorption associated with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Analyses of pancreata revealed ductal cell expansion, heightened interferon-stimulated gene expression and an increased influx of immune cells. Concurrent deletion of Adar1 and Mavs, a signaling protein implicated in the innate immune pathway, rescued the degenerative phenotype and resulted in normal pancreatic development. Taken together, our work suggests that the primary function of Adar1 in the pancreas is to prevent aberrant activation of the Mavs-mediated innate immune pathway, thereby maintaining pancreatic homeostasis

Understanding the role of biofilms in acute recurrent tonsillitis through 3D bioprinting of a novel gelatin-PEGDA hydrogel

Acute recurrent tonsillitis is a chronic, biofilm-related infection that is a significant burden to patients and healthcare systems. It is often treated with repeated courses of antibiotics, which contributes to antimicrobial resistance. Studying biofilms is key to understanding this disease. In vitro modelling using 3D bioprinted hydrogels is a promising approach to achieve this. A novel gelatin-PEGDA pseudomonas fluorescens-laden bioink was developed and bioprinted in a 3D hydrogel construct fabricated using computer-aided design to mimic the tonsillar biofilm environment. The bioprinted constructs were cultured at 37 °C in lysogeny broth for 12 days. Bacterial growth was assessed by spectrophotometry. Cellular viability analysis was conducted using optical fluorescence microscopy (FDA/PI staining). A biocompatible 3D-printed bacteria-laden hydrogel construct was successfully fabricated. Bacterial growth was observed using optical fluorescence microscopy. A live/dead cellular-staining protocol demonstrated bacterial viability. Results obtained after the 12-day culture period showed higher bacterial growth in the 1% gelatin concentration construct compared to the 0% control. This study demonstrates the first use of a bacteria-laden gelatin-PEGDA hydrogel for biofabrication of a 3D-printed construct designed to model acute recurrent tonsillitis. Initiating a study with clinically relevant ex vivo tonsil bacteria will be an important next step in improving treatment of this impactful but understudied disease

Understanding the role of biofilms in acute recurrent tonsillitis through 3D bioprinting of a novel gelatin-PEGDA hydrogel

Acute recurrent tonsillitis is a chronic, biofilm-related infection that is a significant burden to patients and healthcare systems. It is often treated with repeated courses of antibiotics, which contributes to antimicrobial resistance. Studying biofilms is key to understanding this disease. In vitro modelling using 3D bioprinted hydrogels is a promising approach to achieve this. A novel gelatin-PEGDA pseudomonas fluorescens-laden bioink was developed and bioprinted in a 3D hydrogel construct fabricated using computer-aided design to mimic the tonsillar biofilm environment. The bioprinted constructs were cultured at 37 °C in lysogeny broth for 12 days. Bacterial growth was assessed by spectrophotometry. Cellular viability analysis was conducted using optical fluorescence microscopy (FDA/PI staining). A biocompatible 3D-printed bacteria-laden hydrogel construct was successfully fabricated. Bacterial growth was observed using optical fluorescence microscopy. A live/dead cellular-staining protocol demonstrated bacterial viability. Results obtained after the 12-day culture period showed higher bacterial growth in the 1% gelatin concentration construct compared to the 0% control. This study demonstrates the first use of a bacteria-laden gelatin-PEGDA hydrogel for biofabrication of a 3D-printed construct designed to model acute recurrent tonsillitis. Initiating a study with clinically relevant ex vivo tonsil bacteria will be an important next step in improving treatment of this impactful but understudied disease