Influence of Farrowing Crate Design on Sow Productivity: A Demonstration Project

This demonstration project studied the differences in farrowing crate designs and the survival of piglets. Three basic crate designs were studied: crates with hydraulic side rails, crates with solid rod finger side rails, and freestall crates. Crates with hydraulic sides in this study had more pigs born alive, had fewer pigs born dead, weaned more pigs, and had higher weaned litter weights than any other crate studied. The freestall crates had the least number of pigs born alive, weaned fewest pigs, and had the lightest litter weaned weights. Freestall crates fell in the middle of hydraulic and solid rod crates for pigs born dead. The solid rod crates fell in the middle of hydraulic and freestall crates for pigs born alive and weaned litter weight. Solid rod crates weaned slightly more pigs than freestalls. Solid rod crates had the most number of pigs born dead. Flooring layout was not replicated for all crate designs. Although flooring may have had an influence on the results it was not measurable in this study

Swine Feed Efficiency: Influence of Particle Size

The primary energy sources in swine diets are cereal grains. Feed accounts for 70% of the cost of production in a swine operation; thus any improvement in feed efficiency will have a huge impact on cost of production

Swine Feed Efficiency: Particle Size Testing Methodology

Grain accounts for the majority of cost in finishing swine. Particle size of grain has a significant impact on feed efficiency. Nutritionists and consultants recommend frequent particle size analysis to fine tune feeding programs

Mail-Order Ministries under the Section 170 Charitable Contribution Deduction: The First Amendment Restrictions, the Minister\u27s Burden of Proof, and the Effect of TRA \u2786

This article will concern the section 170 deduction method of establishing a mail-order ministry. Part II examines the constitutional restraints that present problems to the IRS and the courts when they attempt to challenge this tax avoidance scheme. Part III sets forth the problems that the IRS and the courts face with mailorder ministry schemes. Part IV discusses the section 170 deduction method. Finally, Part V provides a summary and conclusion of the article

Mail-Order Ministries under the Section 170 Charitable Contribution Deduction: The First Amendment Restrictions, the Minister\u27s Burden of Proof, and the Effect of TRA \u2786

This article will concern the section 170 deduction method of establishing a mail-order ministry. Part II examines the constitutional restraints that present problems to the IRS and the courts when they attempt to challenge this tax avoidance scheme. Part III sets forth the problems that the IRS and the courts face with mailorder ministry schemes. Part IV discusses the section 170 deduction method. Finally, Part V provides a summary and conclusion of the article

Kirkwood Community College Terminal Sire Demonstration Project

Nine different terminal sire lines were a Yorkshire/landrace sow herd at the Kirkwood Community College over a 30-month time span to determine production and economic merits of different sire lines. 1 The lowest backfat of the progeny came from the Danbred sire line. Premier T-Max sire line gave the progeny the largest loin muscle area and the highest per cent lean. The Waldo Duroc sire line produces the lowest selling age, lowest days to 250 lb., highest terminal sire index and highest overall economic value. The data indicate all the mated sire lines can provide positive contributions to commercial swine production. The use of a particular sire line within a herd will depend on the compliments of the sow herd, the desired progeny results, and the anticipated marketing outlet

Improving the Diagnosis of Acute Heart Failure Using a Validated Prediction Model

ObjectivesWe sought to derive and validate a prediction model by using N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and clinical variables to improve the diagnosis of acute heart failure (AHF).BackgroundThe optimal way of using natriuretic peptides to enhance the diagnosis of AHF remains uncertain.MethodsPhysician estimates of probability of AHF in 500 patients treated in the emergency department from the multicenter IMPROVE CHF (Improved Management of Patients With Congestive Heart Failure) trial recruited between December 2004 and December 2005 were classified into low (0% to 20%), intermediate (21% to 79%), or high (80% to 100%) probability for AHF and then compared with the blinded adjudicated AHF diagnosis. Likelihood ratios were calculated and multiple logistic regression incorporated covariates into an AHF prediction model that was validated internally by the use of bootstrapping and externally by applying the model to another 573 patients from the separate PRIDE (N-Terminal Pro-BNP Investigation of Dyspnea in the Emergency Department) study of the use of NT-proBNP in patients with dyspnea.ResultsLikelihood ratios for AHF with NT-proBNP were 0.11 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06 to 0.19) for cut-point values <300 pg/ml; increasing to 3.43 (95% CI: 2.34 to 5.03) for values 2,700 to 8,099 pg/ml, and 12.80 (95% CI: 5.21 to 31.45) for values ≥8,100 pg/ml. Variables used to predict AHF were age, pre-test probability, and log NT-proBNP. When applied to the external data by use of its adjudicated final diagnosis as the gold standard, the model appropriately reclassified 44% of patients by intermediate clinical probability to either low or high probability of AHF with negligible (<2%) inappropriate redirection.ConclusionsA diagnostic prediction model for AHF that incorporates both clinical assessment and NT-proBNP has been derived and validated and has excellent diagnostic accuracy, especially in cases with indeterminate likelihood for AHF