Anatomical and biomechanical traits of broiler chickens across ontogeny. Part II. Body segment inertial properties and muscle architecture of the pelvic limb

In broiler chickens, genetic success for desired production traits is often shadowed by welfare concerns related to musculoskeletal health. Whilst these concerns are clear, a viable solution is still elusive. Part of the solution lies in knowing how anatomical changes in afflicted body systems that occur across ontogeny influence standing and moving. Here, to demonstrate these changes we quantify the segment inertial properties of the whole body, trunk (legs removed) and the right pelvic limb segments of five broilers at three different age groups across development. We also consider how muscle architecture (mass, fascicle length and other properties related to mechanics) changes for selected muscles of the pelvic limb. All broilers used had no observed lameness, but we document the limb pathologies identified post mortem, since these two factors do not always correlate, as shown here. The most common leg disorders, including bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis and rotational and angular deformities of the lower limb, were observed in chickens at all developmental stages. Whole limb morphology is not uniform relative to body size, with broilers obtaining large thighs and feet between four and six weeks of age. This implies that the energetic cost of swinging the limbs is markedly increased across this growth period, perhaps contributing to reduced activity levels. Hindlimb bone length does not change during this period, which may be advantageous for increased stability despite the increased energetic costs. Increased pectoral muscle growth appears to move the centre of mass cranio-dorsally in the last two weeks of growth. This has direct consequences for locomotion (potentially greater limb muscle stresses during standing and moving). Our study is the first to measure these changes in the musculoskeletal system across growth in chickens, and reveals how artificially selected changes of the morphology of the pectoral apparatus may cause deficits in locomotion

Supporting induction: relationships count

This article examines the structural changes to the induction of teachers in Scotland using the perceptions of a group of final year student teachers. This group would be the first probationer teachers to experience revised arrangements for new teacher induction in 37 years. Their preferences and concerns are highlighted, as the new procedures roll out in schools nationwide, in an attempt to stress the importance of relationships to the success of the induction scheme. The argument put forward in this article is based on the notion that personal intelligence is central to effective relationships and therefore crucially important in the context of this mentoring relationship. The views of our sample provide evidence to suggest that the quality of interactions between the mentor and the probationer teacher are paramount in providing a good induction experience. These views are substantiated by experiences in England and in induction literature elsewhere. A synthesis of this evidence is used to make recommendations for those involved in supporting induction in schools, local authorities or teacher education institutions

Effectiveness and reach of a directed-population approach to improving dental health and reducing inequalities: a cross sectional study

Background Childsmile School adopts a directed-population approach to target fluoride varnish applications to 20% of the primary one (P1) population in priority schools selected on the basis of the proportion of enrolled children considered to be at increased-risk of developing dental caries. The study sought to compare the effectiveness of four different methods for identifying individuals most in need when a directed-population approach is taken. <p></p> Methods The 2008 Basic National Dental Inspection Programme (BNDIP) cross-sectional P1 Scottish epidemiological survey dataset was used to model four methods and test three definitions of increased-risk. Effectiveness was determined by the positive predictive value (PPV) and explored in relation to 1-sensitivity and 1-specificity. <p></p> Results Complete data was available on 43470 children (87% of the survey). At the Scotland level, at least half (50%) of the children targeted were at increased-risk irrespective of the method used to target or the definition of increased-risk. There was no one method across all definitions of <i>increased-risk</i> that maximised PPV. Instead, PPV was highest when the targeting method complimented the definition of <i>increased-risk</i>. There was a higher percentage of children at <i>increased-risk</i> who were not targeted (1-sensitivity) when caries experience (rather than deprivation) was used to define <i>increased-risk</i>, irrespective of the method used for targeting. Over all three definitions of <i>increased-risk</i>, there was no one method that minimised (1-sensitivity) although this was lowest when the method and definition of <i>increased-risk</i> were complimentary. The false positive rate (1-specificity) for all methods and all definitions of <i>increased-risk</i> was consistently low (<20%), again being lowest when the method and definition of <i>increased-risk</i> were complimentary. <p></p> Conclusion Developing a method to reach all (or even the vast majority) of individuals at <i>increased-risk</i> defined by either caries experience or deprivation is difficult using a directed-population approach at a group level. There is a need for a wider debate between politicians and public health experts to decide how best to reach those most at need of intervention to improve health and reduce inequalities. <p></p&gt

Supplier selection activities in the service sector: A case study in Nigeria

This paper presents the results of the supplier selection process conducted by a Nigerian service sector organization. One organization was used as a case study whereby data collection involved an action research approach; the data was then subject to statistical analysis via the SPSS Statistics software package. In total, 185 potential suppliers were assessed. Several statistically significant differences were also found between those suppliers that met the minimum requirements and those that did not as well as between organizations that offered products and organizations that offered services

Two-proton multiplets in 210Po

The 209Bi([alpha],t)210Po reaction at 45 MeV has been used to study 210Po. Many new levels have been observed and proton configurations are suggested for the lowest three multiplets.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/33581/1/0000084.pd

csal1 Is Controlled by a Combination of FGF and Wnt Signals in Developing Limb Buds

While some of the signaling molecules that govern establishment of the limb axis have been characterized, little is known about the downstream effector genes that interpret these signals. In Drosophila, the spalt gene is involved in cell fate determination and pattern formation in different tissues. We have cloned a chick homologue of Drosophila spalt, which we have termed csal1, and this study focuses on the regulation of csal1 expression in the limb bud. csal1 is expressed in limb buds from HH 17 to 26, in both the apical ectodermal ridge and the distal mesenchyme. Signals from the apical ridge are essential for csal1 expression, while the dorsal ectoderm is required for csal1 expression at a distance from the ridge. Our data indicate that both FGF and Wnt signals are required for the regulation of csal1 expression in the limb. Mutations in the human homologue of csal1, termed Hsal1/SALL1, result in a condition known as Townes–Brocks syndrome (TBS), which is characterized by preaxial polydactyly. The developmental expression of csal1 together with the digit phenotype in TBS patients suggests that csal1 may play a role in some aspects of distal patterning

Coulomb excitation by 45 MeV alpha particles

Cross sections for inelastic scattering of 45 MeV [alpha] particles from 140Ce and 208Pb have been measured for angles as small as 8O. Coulomb excitation has been found to be a significant contributor to the cross sections for excitation of 2+ and 3- levels.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/32756/1/0000125.pd

Caregiver Satisfaction with a Video Telehealth Home Safety Evaluation for Dementia

Family caregivers are vital to telehealth-delivered dementia care. The objective of this mixed methods descriptive study conducted in the VA Bedford Healthcare System was to examine caregiver satisfaction with a video telehealth dementia home safety occupational therapy evaluation. Ten caregivers of Veterans with dementia participated. Ratings of caregiver satisfaction, measured by nine Likert scale items including ability to see and hear, were examined in relation to person and visit-related contextual factors extracted from RA field notes, to develop an in-depth understanding of caregiver experience. Person factors included caregiver age and gender and Veteran cognitive status. Visit-related contextual factors included occurrence  of technical glitches. Caregiver visit satisfaction was overall positive, with exceptions related to technological glitches and the presence of the person with dementia during the visit. Veteran cognitive status appeared to influence caregiver satisfaction. Implications of the study are that proactively addressing technical glitches and incorporating dementia stage-specific approaches may optimize caregivers’ telehealth experience.

Two-proton pickup in the zirconium region using the (6Li, 8B) reaction

Spectra at [theta]lab = 8[deg] have been measured for the 92, 94, 96, 98, 100Mo(6Li, 8B)90, 92, 94, 96, 98Zr and 90, 92, 94Zr(6Li, 8B)88, 90, 92Sr two-proton pickup reactions at 90 MeV. The strongest transitions to levels in the Zr isotopes are the 0+ --> 0+ transitions to the g.s. and first excited 0+ states. The salient feature of the five Zr spectra is the large increase in 0+2 transition strength relative to that of the g.s. which is observed in the two heaviest isotopes, 96, 98Zr. In 90Zr, the 0+2 transition is weak whereas it is the dominant transition in 98Zr with twice the g.s. strength. These large variations in relative cross section, which are reproduced by DWBA calculations, are attributed to changing g.s. proton configurations in Zr. In the Sr spectra, which are distinctly different from the Zrspectra, the strongest transitions to excited states are to 2+ rather than 0+ states. The (6Li, 8B) reaction seems to be adequately described as a one-step cluster transfer of a T = 1, S = 0 proton pair. The suitability of this reaction for measurements of two-proton pickup is discussed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/24049/1/0000298.pd