Time as an Independent Variable: A Tool to Drive Cost Out of and Efficiency Into Major Acquisition Programs

Tenth Annual Acquisition Research Symposium Acquisition ManagementExcerpt from the Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Acquisition Research Symposium Acquisition ManagementNaval Postgraduate School Acquisition Research ProgramPrepared for the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CANaval Postgraduate School Acquisition Research ProgramApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

HOW MUCH VALUE IS THERE IN A PRODUCER BRANDED BRED HEIFER PROGRAM?

Agricultural producers are pursuing many methods by which to add value. Typically, some type of change in commodity form is used to add value. However, there exist methods by which added value occurs through intensive management practices, particularly in seedstock production. We investigated the brand premium to a producer-owned quality-based bred heifer program. Results indicated that producers garner in access of a $100/head premium, while potentially reducing future search/advertising costs through building brand loyalty.Livestock Production/Industries,

Estimating the Value Added Product Life Cycle

This research analyzes factors affecting product and profit life-cycles for new value added products. The methodology used shows how sales and profits evolve and how exogenous factors affecting sales and profits. Results indicate that producers can increase the level of sales and profits over time through initial marketing efforts.Marketing,

Sexual Dimorphism within Canine Dimensions of Didelphis virginiana

Sexual dimorphism in canine size was analyzed from a sample of the Baldwin County, Georgia population of Didelphis virginiana (Virginia opossum). Where possible 6 measurements were obtained from 59 (47 males, 12 females) individuals collected as roadkill. Although range overlap exists for all measurements, males were found to be significantly larger for upper and lower canine length, width and height. The observed sexual dimorphism agrees with previously published analyses of cranial and post-cranial sexual dimorphism in this species and is likely related to intrasexual aggression between males during mating season

The Value of Carcass Characteristic EPDs in Bred Heifer Price

This study used hedonic modeling to assess the marginal implicit value of bred heifer characteristics and of carcass characteristic expected progeny differences of bred heifer calves. Using data for 692 pens of Show-Me Replacement Heifers Inc. heifers marketed over the 2001 through 2004 period, we find heavier heifers are priced higher than lighter heifers, artificially inseminated heifer pens were premium priced, Angus animals received a premium, pens that are expected to calve at optimal period of the year and within a 30-day window received premiums, calf performance EPD birth weight was positive, only marbling carcass characteristic EPD was positive and significant, buyers prefer larger lots to smaller lots, buyers pay the highest price for lots sold during the mid-point of the sale, and buyers pay a higher price for a pen bred to the same sire. It may be that certain post-weaning carcass characteristics are not of value to buyers because they either sell at weaning or due to the co-mingling of cattle certain expected production capabilities are of little value.Demand and Price Analysis, Livestock Production/Industries,

DETERMINANTS OF SALE PRICE AND FARM VALUE IN THE MISSOURI SHOW-ME SELECT REPLACEMENT HEIFER PROGRAM

Farm Management, Livestock Production/Industries,

Pelvic measurements and calving difficulty (2005)

Although researchers agree that birth weight is the most important measurable trait affecting calving difficulty, there is evidence that the size and shape of the pelvis also affect a heifer's ability to calve.New 2/97/5M, PDF indicia updated 4/05

Quantitative BOLD imaging at 3T: Temporal changes in hepatocellular carcinoma and fibrosis following oxygen challenge.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of oxygen challenge and report on temporal changes in blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) contrast in normal liver, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and background fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven volunteers (nine male and two female, mean age 33.5, range 27-41 years) and 10 patients (nine male and one female, mean age 68.9, range 56-87 years) with hepatocellular carcinoma on a background of diffuse liver disease were recruited. Imaging was performed on a 3T system using a multiphase, multiecho, fast gradient echo sequence. Oxygen was administered via a Hudson mask after 2 minutes of free-breathing. Paired t-tests were performed to determine if the mean pre- and post-O2 differences were statistically significant. RESULTS: In patients with liver fibrosis (n = 8) the change in T2* following O2 administration was elevated (0.88 ± 0.582 msec, range 0.03-1.69 msec) and the difference was significant (P = 0.004). The magnitude of the BOLD response in patients with HCC (n = 10) was larger, however the response was more variable (1.07 ± 1.458 msec, range -0.93-3.26 msec), and the difference was borderline significant (P = 0.046). The BOLD response in the volunteer cohort was not significant (P = 0.121, 0.59 ± 1.162 msec, range -0.81-2.44 msec). CONCLUSION: This work demonstrates that the BOLD response following oxygen challenge within cirrhotic liver is consistent with a breakdown in vascular autoregulatory mechanisms. Similarly, the elevated BOLD response within HCC is consistent with the abnormal capillary vasculature within tumors and the arterialization of the blood supply. Our results suggest that oxygen challenge may prove a viable BOLD contrast mechanism in the liver. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:739-744.This study was supported by the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, Cambridge’s Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre and a NIHR comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre award to Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with the University of Cambridge.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Wiley via https://doi.org/10.1002/jmri.2518