W256 Composting Small Ruminants in Tennessee

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Defending the 'public interest': an assessment of competing actor representations of 'solutions' to growing natural resource deficiencies.

This paper applies a SRT framework to the study of two case studies, namely the recent campaign of opposition to the legalization of hydraulic fracking in the State of New York and the more ongoing debate on land leasing in Africa. In relation to both campaigns, the analysis accounts for the arguments of a major financial institution and industry representatives who stress the safe and value-adding dimensions of these practices, as well as the views of opponents who refute the validity of industry's position and point to the unacceptable risks posed to the community, health and the environment. In spite of a number of obvious differences between these two case studies, not least differences arising from contrasting socio-economic and geo-political settings, there were also some notable similarities. First, was a tendency amongst protesters in both cases to formulate their role as contemporaries in a historically extended struggle for democratic justice. All perceived of themselves as guardians of their community's right to resist a corporate 'invasion' of their territories, like their forefathers and mothers before them. A theme of colonialism was explored in both settings through various identity and thematic anchoring devices that deliberately evoked shared understandings and historical memories of exploitation and human suffering. The evocation of powerful symbols of identity through visual narratives of protest further reinforced the cultural comprehensibility of opponents' message of protest in both contexts

Selection criteria used when purchasing bulls at the Senior Performance Tested Bull Sale

The purpose of this study was to determine the selection criteria buyers use for purchasing performance tested bulls at the Senior Performance Tested Bull Sale conducted at the UT Central Bull Test Center. Various criteria were examined including: trait selection, perception of the effectiveness of the performance program, perception of the individuals purchasing bulls in relation to the buyer\u27s demographic locations and buyer characteristics. To facilitate the purpose of this study, the following specific objectives were developed: To develop a profile of the personal and farm characteristics of producers who purchased performance tested bulls through the Senior Performance Tested Bull Sale. To determine the most common selection criteria used by buyers when purchasing bulls and the relationship of those criteria to selected buyer demographic characteristics. To determine buyers\u27 perceptions of the level of satisfaction with the performance tested bull program and the relationship of those perceptions to selected buyer demographic characteristics. This was a descriptive/correlational study which was Ex Post Facto in nature. Data collected using a researcher developed questionnaire. The questionnaire was field tested to determine content validity and reliability and appropriate adjustments were made prior to mailing to respondents. Findings The majority of respondents felt that the test records provided to them on the day of the sale were useful. A large percentage of the respondents indicated their bulls were productive breeders and only a few experienced any calving problems with their bulls. Even fewer experienced any health problems with their purchased bull. Most respondents were satisfied with the bull they purchased and the performance tested bull program. They responded positively to the question of whether they would buy from the sale again. It can be concluded that the overall satisfaction with the performance program is positive. The dependent variables were four computed scale scores (descriptive information, general information, sale factors and performance information) based upon each respondents perceptions of the importance of various kinds of selection criteria. Scores for each set of factors were arranged in a Lickert-type scale ranging from one, being very important and four, being very unimportant. The respondent had the opportunity to determine the degree of importance of each selection criterion. Respondents rated the perceived importance of the various selection criteria provided to each potential buyer on sale day. The descriptive category received the highest rating while disposition was selected as the most important selection criterion within this category. Performance information followed as the next highest rated category. It should be noted that milk EPD\u27\u27 was selected as the single most important selection criterion in this category. General information followed as the next highest rated category. The highest rated criterion in the entire study is found in this category. Breed is the criterion that received the highest rating. Sale factors was the lowest rated of the categories with reputation of sale receiving the highest ranking criterion in this category. There is no reason to conclude that there is a relationship between respondents\u27 level of education, farming status, method of marketing calves, buyer\u27s age, size of operation, number of years in beef business, or buyers management of purchased bull and their perceived importance of any of the four kinds of selection criteria provided to them about the bull. Implications The Senior Performance Tested Bull Sale has made an impact on the availability of genetically superior bulls in Tennessee. The selection criteria utilized by the responding individuals is the major strategy for selecting a superior bull. The data compiled in this study reveal that respondents\u27 criteria for selecting bulls appears to be more of a descriptive nature rather than that of performance. It is apparent that the respondents, while interested in performance, indicated they do not fully understand the idea of performance information or that the phenotypic data is of more importance than the genetic data

Roles of Autocrine TGF-β Receptor and Smad Signaling in Adipocyte Differentiation

TGF-β inhibits adipocyte differentiation, yet is expressed by adipocytes. The function of TGF-β in adipogenesis, and its mechanism of action, is unknown. To address the role of TGF-β signaling in adipocyte differentiation, we characterized the expression of the TGF-β receptors, and the Smads which transmit or inhibit TGF-β signals, during adipogenesis in 3T3-F442A cells. We found that the cell-surface availability of TGF-β receptors strongly decreased as adipogenesis proceeds. Whereas mRNA levels for Smads 2, 3, and 4 were unchanged during differentiation, mRNA levels for Smads 6 and 7, which are known to inhibit TGF-β responses, decreased severely. Dominant negative interference with TGF-β receptor signaling, by stably expressing a truncated type II TGF-β receptor, enhanced differentiation and decreased growth. Stable overexpression of Smad2 or Smad3 inhibited differentiation and dominant negative inhibition of Smad3 function, but not Smad2 function, enhanced adipogenesis. Increased Smad6 and Smad7 levels blocked differentiation and enhanced TGF-β–induced responses. The inhibitory effect of Smad7 on adipocyte differentiation and its cooperation with TGF-β was associated with the C-domain of Smad7. Our results indicate that endogenous TGF-β signaling regulates the rate of adipogenesis, and that Smad2 and Smad3 have distinct functions in this endogenous control of differentiation. Smad6 and Smad7 act as negative regulators of adipogenesis and, even though known to inhibit TGF-β responses, enhance the effects of TGF-β on these cells

Bone morphogenetic protein and retinoic acid signaling cooperate to induce osteoblast differentiation of preadipocytes

Mesenchymal cells can differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes, myoblasts, or chondroblasts. Whether mesenchymal cells that have initiated differentiation along one lineage can transdifferentiate into another is largely unknown. Using 3T3-F442A preadipocytes, we explored whether extracellular signals could redirect their differentiation from adipocyte into osteoblast. 3T3-F442A cells expressed receptors and Smads required for bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. BMP-2 increased proliferation and induced the early osteoblast differentiation marker alkaline phosphatase, yet only mildly affected adipogenic differentiation. Retinoic acid inhibited adipose conversion and cooperated with BMP-2 to enhance proliferation, inhibit adipogenesis, and promote early osteoblastic differentiation. Expression of BMP-RII together with BMP-RIA or BMP-RIB suppressed adipogenesis of 3T3-F442A cells and promoted full osteoblastic differentiation in response to retinoic acid. Osteoblastic differentiation was characterized by induction of cbfa1, osteocalcin, and collagen I expression, and extracellular matrix calcification. These results indicate that 3T3-F442A preadipocytes can be converted into fully differentiated osteoblasts in response to extracellular signaling cues. Furthermore, BMP and retinoic acid signaling cooperate to stimulate cell proliferation, repress adipogenesis, and promote osteoblast differentiation. Finally, BMP-RIA and BMP-RIB induced osteoblast differentiation and repressed adipocytic differentiation to a similar extent

Sociology in the 21st Century: Reminiscence and Redefinition

No abstract available

Changing perspectives on natural resource heritage, human rights and intergenerational justice

This paper observes how the social, political and legal life of rights continues to evolve in response to growing natural resource scarcity and deteriorating climate conditions worldwide. In particular, it assesses the type of interpretive repertoires actors bring to bear on issues of justice between generations and human rights eligibility, documenting arguments put forward in defense, as well as against assigning a rights status to those not yet born. It notes how scientific research documenting the ‘forcing effects’ of escalating atmospheric pollution on long-term planetary wellbeing triggers a new conversation on the limits of traditional approaches to environmental justice and highlights the need to consider once again how a more long-term perspectivism on duties, rights and responsibilities can be institutionally applied

Perceval valve intermediate outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis at 5-year follow-up

ObjectivesNew technologies for the treatment of Aortic Stenosis are evolving to minimize risk and treat an increasingly comorbid population. The Sutureless Perceval Valve is one such alternative. Whilst short-term data is promising, limited mid-term outcomes exist, until now. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate mid-term outcomes in the Perceval Valve in isolation.MethodsA systematic literature review of 5 databases was performed. Articles included evaluated echocardiographic and mortality outcomes beyond 5 years in patients who had undergone Perceval Valve AVR. Two reviewers extracted and reviewed the articles. Weighted estimates were performed for all post-operative and mid-term data. Aggregated Kaplan Meier curves were reconstructed from digitised images to evaluate long-term survival.ResultsSeven observational studies were identified, with a total number of 3196 patients analysed. 30-day mortality was 2.5%. Aggregated survival at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years was 93.4%, 89.4%, 84.9%, 82% and 79.5% respectively. Permanent pacemaker implantation (7.9%), severe paravalvular leak (1.6%), structural valve deterioration (1.5%), stroke (4.4%), endocarditis (1.6%) and valve explant (2.3%) were acceptable at up to mid-term follow up. Haemodynamics were also acceptable at up mid-term with mean-valve gradient (range 9-13.6 mmHg), peak-valve gradient (17.8-22.3 mmHg) and effective orifice area (1.5-1.8 cm(2)) across all valve sizes. Cardiopulmonary bypass (78 min) and Aortic cross clamp times (52 min) were also favourable.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this represents the first meta-analysis to date evaluating mid-term outcomes in the Perceval Valve in isolation and demonstrates good 5-year mortality, haemodynamic and morbidity outcomes.Key questionWhat are the mid-term outcomes at up to 5 years follow up in Perceval Valve Aortic Valve Replacement?Key findingsPerceval Valve AVR achieves 80% freedom from mortality at 5 years with low valve gradients and minimal morbidity.Key outcomesPerceval Valve Aortic Valve Replacement has acceptable mid-term mortality, durability and haemodynamic outcomes

Experiences with surgical treatment of ventricle septal defect as a post infarction complication

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Complications of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with mechanical defects are associated with poor prognosis. Surgical intervention is indicated for a majority of these patients. The goal of surgical intervention is to improve the systolic cardiac function and to achieve a hemodynamic stability. In this present study we reviewed the outcome of patients with post infarction ventricular septal defect (PVSD) who underwent cardiac surgery.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We analysed retrospectively the hospital records of 41 patients, whose ages range from 48 to 81, and underwent a surgical treatment between 1990 and 2005 because of PVSD.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In 22 patients concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CAGB) was performed. In 15 patients a residual shunt was found, this required re-op in seven of them. The time interval from infarct to rupture was 8.7 days and from rupture to surgery was 23.1 days. Hospital mortality in PVSD group was 32%. The mortality of urgent repair within 3 days of intractable cardiogenic shock was 100%. The mortality of patients with an anterior VSD and a posterior VSD was 29.6% vs 42.8%, respectively. All patients who underwent the surgical repair later than day 36 survived.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Surgical intervention is indicated for a majority of patients with mechanical complications. Cardiogenic shock remains the most important factor that affects the early results. The surgical repair of PVSD should be performed 4–5 weeks after AMI. To improve surgical outcome and hemodynamics the choice of surgical technique and surgical timing as well as preoperative management should be tailored for each patient individually.</p