Identification of possible cow grazing behaviour indicators for restricted grass availability in a pasture-based spring calving dairy system

peer-reviewedPrecision livestock farming uses biosensors to measure different parameters of individual animals to support farmers in the decision making process. Although sensor development is advanced, there is still little implementation of sensor-based solutions on commercial farms. Especially on pasture-based dairy systems, the grazing management of cows is largely not supported by technology. A key factor in pasture-based milk production is the correct grass allocation to maximize the grass utilization per cow, while optimizing cow performance. Currently, grass allocation is mostly based on subjective eye measurements or calculations per herd. The aim of this study was to identify possible indicators of insufficient or sufficient grass allocation in the cow grazing behaviour measures. A total number of 30 cows were allocated a restricted pasture allowance of 60% of their intake capacity. Their behavioural characteristics were compared to those of 10 cows (control group) with pasture allowance of 100% of their intake capacity. Grazing behaviour and activity of cows were measured using the RumiWatchSystem for a complete experimental period of 10 weeks. The results demonstrated that the parameter of bite frequency was significantly different between the restricted and the control groups. There were also consistent differences observed between the groups for rumination time per day, rumination chews per bolus and frequency of cows standing or lying

Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies of Carbenium Ion Additions Towards Alkenes

The ionisation (Ar2CHCl + BC13 v=± Ar2CH+BCi;) and dissociation (Ar2CH+BCi; ^=*Ar2CH+ + BCl^) equilibria of diarylmethyl chlorides i n boron trichloride/ dichloromethane solution have been studied by conductimetry, photometry and *H NMR spectroscopy. Small differences i n the UV-vis spectra of diarylcarbenium tetrachloroborates, which have been observed i n solutions of low and high tetrachloroborate concentration, can be attributed to the formation of 1 :1 ion-pairs i n the more concentrated solutions. Low temperature calorimetry was used to determine the heats of addition of diarylcarbenium tetrachloroborates to 2~methyl-1 -pentene (Ar2CH+BCi; + H2C=CRRT ArjCH-CHj-CRR'Cl + BC13), and it is estimated that the standard free enthalpy of t h i s reaction is greater than 0 for systems with pKR+ > -2.6. Kinetic studies have shown that paired and unpaired diarylcarbenium tetrachloroborates exhibit identical reactivity towards alkenes. A rationalisation for the different situation in carbocationic and carbanionic polymerisation i s presented. The rate constants for the initiation of isobutene, styrene and isoprene polymerisation by diarylcarbenium ions have been determined, and it is shown, how propagation rate constants can be estimated from linear free energy relationships

No backstage: the relentless emotional management of acute nursing through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic disordered the routine delivery of health care. We explored nurses' experiences of working in COVID and non-COVID facing roles, focusing on staff in the acute sector of one Scottish health board. The study covered the period between April and July 2021, and was conducted through twenty in-depth interviews. Interactions between patients, family members and nurses changed due to inflection control measures. Staff experienced a range of conflicting emotions, e.g. fear of infection and transmission but a strong sense professional duty to contribute to the pandemic effort. Nurses were dissatisfied with the care they provided and experienced moral dilemmas, distress and injury from the emotional labour caused not only by working under the infection control measures, but also by the virulence and uncertainty of this new disease. We draw on earlier works - Goffman's (1967) presentation of self, Hochschild's (1983) work on emotional labour, and Bolton and Boyd's (2003) work furthering emotional labour - to illustrate that the usual rules and routines of interaction between patients, family and staff were abandoned. Nurses were able to mask their distress and injury, but were often unable to effectively deliver the correct emotional response due to infection control measures, such as protective clothing (PPE) and social distancing. The 'backstage' spaces, important for dealing with the emotion of front stage performances, were missing for those in COVID-facing roles. The isolating work, and the removal of spaces for the donning and doffing of PPE, resulted in limited or no opportunity for humour and the enacting of collective care. Their private space offered little reprieve with the constant media attention on infection levels, death and nursing 'heroes'

Dairy Ingredients in Chocolate

End of Project ReportThe main objective was to assess and control the contribution of various ingredient components to chocolate behaviour and to optimise ingredients for specific chocolate applications. A key aim, therefore, was to understand the role of composition and particle structure and to produce spray dried powders with a functionality in chocolate as close as possible to roller dried powders. By demonstrating how the powder properties affect chocolate, it should be possible to control the functional properties of the powders to meet any powder or chocolate specification. Novel powder compositions indicated by this work should also be useful to chocolate makers. The ability to make chocolate under test conditions and to assess the role of milk powders or other ingredients has been put in place for the first time in Ireland. Previous knowledge of milk seasonality and of powder technology has provided a basis for understanding variations in milk powder functionality in chocolate. Spray dried powders with mean free fat values of 50 to 94%, particle sizes of 30 to 65 mm and vacuole volumes of 0.0 to 3.9 ml/100g were produced from milks of varying composition but under the same processing conditions. Advances were made in analysing powder structure through microscopy, particle size and occluded air measurement. Valuable new information has been generated on the changes in free fat, solid fat content, particle size and occluded air in powders. Explanations were provided for the first time for the complex effects of these properties on chocolate viscosity and yield value. This information will also make a positive contribution to other projects in the milk powder area. Good contacts have been established with multinational manufacturers and with producers of milk powder for chocolate.Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marin

Parameter Estimation for a Model With Both Imperfect Test and Repair

We describe estimation of the parameters of a manufacturing test and repair model using data available from that test. The model allows imperfect testing and imperfect repair. The principal problem that we address is of parameter identification, given insufficient data, that we address by making conservative assumptions on the property being measured and the associated parameter values. Several cases of commonly occurring test types, in the manufacture of electronic products, are considered

Coagulation Calculations of Icy Planet Formation at 15--150 AU: A Correlation Between the Maximum Radius and the Slope of the Size Distribution for Transneptunian Objects

We investigate whether coagulation models of planet formation can explain the observed size distributions of transneptunian objects (TNOs). Analyzing published and new calculations, we demonstrate robust relations between the size of the largest object and the slope of the size distribution for sizes 0.1 km and larger. These relations yield clear, testable predictions for TNOs and other icy objects throughout the solar system. Applying our results to existing observations, we show that a broad range of initial disk masses, planetesimal sizes, and fragmentation parameters can explain the data. Adding dynamical constraints on the initial semimajor axis of `hot' KBOs along with probable TNO formation times of 10-700 Myr restricts the viable models to those with a massive disk composed of relatively small (1-10 km) planetesimals.Comment: Text: 44 pages, Tables: 5, Figures: 17; Accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journa

Impact of Boron doping to the tunneling magnetoresistance of Heusler alloy Co2FeAl

Heusler alloys based magnetic tunnel junctions can potentially provide high magnetoresistance, small damping and fast switching. Here junctions with Co2FeAl as a ferromagnetic electrode are fabricated by room temperature sputtering on Si/SiO2 substrates. The doping of Boron in Co2FeAl is found to have a large positive impact on the structural, magnetic and transport properties of the junctions, with a reduced interfacial roughness and substantial improved tunneling magnetoresistance. A two-level magnetoresistance is also observed in samples annealed at low temperature, which is believed to be related to the memristive effect of the tunnel barrier with impurities.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

Successful Outcomes with Oral Fluoroquinolones Combined with Rifampicin in the Treatment of Mycobacterium ulcerans: An Observational Cohort Study

Buruli ulcer is a necrotizing infection of skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans and is the third most common mycobacterial disease worldwide (after tuberculosis and leprosy). In recent years its treatment has radically changed, evolving from a predominantly surgically to a predominantly medically treated disease. The World Health Organization now recommends combined streptomycin and rifampicin antibiotic treatment as first-line therapy for Mycobacterium ulcerans infections. However, alternatives are needed where recommended antibiotics are not tolerated or accepted by patients, contraindicated, or not accessible nor affordable. This study describes the use of antibiotics, including oral fluoroquinolones, in the treatment of Mycobacterium ulcerans in south-eastern Australia. It demonstrates that antibiotics combined with surgery are highly effective in the treatment of Mycobacterium ulcerans. In addition, oral fluoroquinolone-containing antibiotic combinations are shown to be as effective and well tolerated as other recommended antibiotic combinations. Fluoroquinolone antibiotics therefore offer the potential to provide an alternative oral antibiotic to be combined with rifampicin for Mycobacterium ulcerans treatment, allowing more accessible and acceptable, less toxic, and less expensive treatment regimens to be available, especially in resource-limited settings where the disease burden is greatest