Measuring Progress on the Control of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) at a Regional Level: The Minnesota N212 Regional Control Project (Rcp) as a Working Example.

Due to the highly transmissible nature of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), implementation of regional programs to control the disease may be critical. Because PRRS is not reported in the US, numerous voluntary regional control projects (RCPs) have been established. However, the effect of RCPs on PRRS control has not been assessed yet. This study aims to quantify the extent to which RCPs contribute to PRRS control by proposing a methodological framework to evaluate the progress of RCPs. Information collected between July 2012 and June 2015 from the Minnesota Voluntary Regional PRRS Elimination Project (RCP-N212) was used. Demography of premises (e.g. composition of farms with sows = SS and without sows = NSS) was assessed by a repeated analysis of variance. By using general linear mixed-effects models, active participation of farms enrolled in the RCP-N212, defined as the decision to share (or not to share) PRRS status, was evaluated and used as a predictor, along with other variables, to assess the PRRS trend over time. Additionally, spatial and temporal patterns of farmers' participation and the disease dynamics were investigated. The number of farms enrolled in RCP-N212 and its geographical coverage increased, but the proportion of SS and NSS did not vary significantly over time. A significant increasing (p<0.001) trend in farmers' decision to share PRRS status was observed, but with NSS producers less willing to report and a large variability between counties. The incidence of PRRS significantly (p<0.001) decreased, showing a negative correlation between degree of participation and occurrence of PRRS (p<0.001) and a positive correlation with farm density at the county level (p = 0.02). Despite a noted decrease in PRRS, significant spatio-temporal patterns of incidence of the disease over 3-weeks and 3-kms during the entire study period were identified. This study established a systematic approach to quantify the effect of RCPs on PRRS control. Despite an increase in number of farms enrolled in the RCP-N212, active participation is not ensured. By evaluating the effect of participation on the occurrence of PRRS, the value of sharing information among producers may be demonstrated, in turn justifying the existence of RCPs

Research with TOUGH 600 EC. Improving control of kochia, wild mustard and v. canola in chickpea, lentil and field pea.

Non-Peer ReviewedIn chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) and lentils (Lens culinaris), including Clearfield® varieties, in-crop broadleaf weed control relies on group 2 (ALS inhibiting) and group 5 (Photosystem II inhibiting) herbicides. Kochia (Bassia scoparia), wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis) and volunteer canola (Brassica napus) are challenging weeds due to their wide pattern of emergence during the growing season propelled by their large seed banks. With only two herbicide groups to leverage in-crop, broadleaf weed control in chickpea and lentils can be difficult. Research has shown that Tough 600 EC (pyridate) and select tank mixtures with metribuzin can enhance in-crop weed control in chickpea, lentil and field pea

Interpretation of Water Analysis for Livestock Suitability

Good quality water is essential for the production of livestock and poultry. In South Dakota, many water supplies have naturally occurring al that may limit their use. Livestock producers that test their water supply can make informed decisions about the stability of their water for different classes of livestock. The purpose of this guide is to assist livestock producers in the interpretation of their water analysis

Effects of compaction pressure, speed and punch head profile on the ultrasonically-extracted physical properties of pharmaceutical compacts

Despite a well-established manufacturing-process understanding, tablet quality issues are frequently encountered during various stages of drug-product development. Compact breaking force (tensile strength), capping and friability are among the commonly observed characteristics that determine the integrity, quality and manufacturability of tablets. In current study, a design space of the compaction pressure, compaction speed and head flat types is introduced for solid dosage compacts prepared from pure silicified microcrystalline cellulose, a popular tableting excipient. In the reported experiments, five types of head flat types at six compaction pressure levels and two compaction speeds were employed and their effects on compact mechanical properties evaluated. The mechanical properties of the tablets were obtained non-destructively. It is demonstrated these properties correlate well with compact porosity and tensile strength, thus their availability is of practical value. The reported mechanical properties are observed to be linearly sensitive to the tableting speed and compaction pressure, and their dependency on the head-flat profile, while clearly visible in the presented waveforms, was found to be nonlinear in the range of the parameter space. In this study, we detail a non-destructive, easy-to-use approach for characterizing the porosity and tensile strength of pharmaceutical tablets

First trimester screening for trisomy 21 in gestational week 8-10 by ADAM12-S as a maternal serum marker

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A disintegrin and metalloprotease 12 (ADAM12-S) has previously been reported to be significantly reduced in maternal serum from women with fetal aneuploidy early in the first trimester and to significantly improve the quality of risk assessment for fetal trisomy 21 in prenatal screening. The aim of this study was to determine whether ADAM12-S is a useful serum marker for fetal trisomy 21 using the mixture model.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>In this case control study ADAM12-S was measured by KRYPTOR ADAM12-S immunoassay in maternal serum from gestational weeks 8 to 11 in 46 samples of fetal trisomy 21 and in 645 controls. Comparison of sensitivity and specificity of first trimester screening for fetal trisomy 21 with or without ADAM12-S included in the risk assessment using the mixture model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The concentration of ADAM12-S increased from week 8 to 11 and was negatively correlated with maternal weight. Log MoM ADAM12-S was positively correlated with log MoM PAPP-A (r = 0.39, P < 0.001), and with log MoM free beta hCG (r = 0.21, P < 0.001). The median ADAM12-S MoM in cases of fetal trisomy 21 in gestational week 8 was 0.66 increasing to approx. 0.9 MoM in week 9 and 10. The use of ADAM12-S along with biochemical markers from the combined test (PAPP-A, free beta hCG) with or without nuchal translucency measurement did not affect the detection rate or false positive rate of fetal aneuploidy as compared to routine screening using PAPP-A and free β-hCG with or without nuchal translucency.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The data show moderately decreased levels of ADAM12-S in cases of fetal aneuploidy in gestational weeks 8-11. However, including ADAM12-S in the routine risk does not improve the performance of first trimester screening for fetal trisomy 21.</p

The effect of a short-term PETTLEP imagery intervention on a cognitive task

Based on neuroscience research, the PETTLEP model was developed by Holmes and Collins (2001). The model provides imagery guidelines which identify seven key factors (physical, environment, task, timing, learning, emotion, perspective) that should be included when developing interventions to maximise functional equivalence. This study explored the effect of a short-term PETTLEP imagery intervention, compared to `traditional' imagery, on a computer game: Need for Speed Underground 2 (EA games). Eighty participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: PETTLEP imagery group, `traditional' imagery group, physical practice group and control group. After three practice attempts, pre-tests consisted of five attempts at the game. The game involved completing timed laps by manoeuvring a vehicle around a track using the computer's arrow keys. The PETTLEP group completed individualised response training, and then performed imagery sitting in front of the computer screen and repeatedly imaging themselves completing the task. The `traditional' imagery group was sat in a separate room, given individualised stimulus training and instructed to relax and close their eyes during imagery. The physical practice group performed the actual task. Each intervention lasted for forty-five minutes, immediately followed by the post-test, which again consisted of five attempts at the game. A group x test ANOVA showed that the PETTLEP imagery group and physical practice group both improved significantly from pre-test to post-test (p0.05). The results strongly support the use of PETTLEP in enhancing performance on a cognitive task. Contrary to previous studies, PETTLEP was as effective as physical practice. This finding could have important implications for athletes returning from injury, suffering from over-training and for use in pre-performance routines. Therefore, sports psychologists should maximise the functional equivalence of their imagery interventions to have the greatest positive effect on performance on such cognitive tasks, at least in the short term. Future research needs to focus on applying short-term PETTLEP interventions to different tasks, varying in cognitive complexity. Assessing the effectiveness of PETTLEP imagery used in various combinations with physical practice would also be a useful addition to the literature

Gender and Videogames: The political valency of Lara Croft

The Face: Is Lara a feminist icon or a sexist fantasy? Toby Gard: Neither and a bit of both. Lara was designed to be a tough, self-reliant, intelligent woman. She confounds all the sexist cliches apart from the fact that she’s got an unbelievable figure. Strong, independent women are the perfect fantasy girls—the untouchable is always the most desirable (Interview with Lara’s creator Toby Gard in The Face magazine, June 1997)