195 research outputs found
Near Infra-Red Measurement of Nonstructural Carbohydrates in Alfalfa Hay
Recently documented benefits from afternoon versus morning cut forage have encouraged laboratory reporting of total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) values as part of forage quality testing. Our objective was to determine if infra-red spectroscopy (NIRS), which is being used in many forage testing labs, could be reliably used to quantify forage sugars in hay samples. We used two alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) sample populations that were analyzed by wet chemistry for sugars and scanned by NIRS. The first set consisted of field-dried hay samples that were oven dried at 70oC and the second consisted of fresh, freeze-dried samples. TNC values were determined more precisely with NIRS than by wet chemistry
Herbivore Preference for Afternoon- and Morning-Cut Forages and Adoption of Cutting Management Strategies
Photosynthesizing forage plants accumulate total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) during daylight, but then TNC concentrations are reduced during the night. Afternoon-cut forage (PM) has greater TNC value and thus economic value, than morning-cut (AM). Livestock prefer PM-cut hay and this can be readily demonstrated by offering animals a choice of hays cut in PM and AM. Alfalfa growers in the western United States are readily adopting PM-cutting technology to increase profits
Collecting biological material from palliative care patients in the last weeks of life: a feasibility study
Objective To assess the feasibility of prospectively collecting biological samples (urine) from palliative care patients in the last weeks of life.
Setting A 30-bedded specialist hospice in the North West of England.
Participants Participants were adults with a diagnosis of advanced disease and able to provide written informed consent.
Method Potential participants were identified by a senior clinician over a 12-week period in 2014. They were then approached by a researcher and invited to participate according to a developed recruitment protocol.
Outcomes Feasibility targets included a recruitment rate of 50%, with successful collection of samples from 80% who consented.
Results A total of 58 patients were approached and 33 consented (57% recruitment rate). Twenty-five patients (43%) were unable to participate or declined; 10 (17%) became unwell, too fatigued, lost capacity, died or were discharged home; and 15 (26%) refused, usually these patients had distressing pain, low mood or profound fatigue. From the 33 recruited, 20 participants provided 128 separate urine samples, 12 participants did not meet the inclusion criteria at the time of consent and 1 participant was unable to provide a sample. The criterion for a urinary catheter was removed for the latter 6 weeks. The collection rate during the first 6 weeks was 29% and 93% for the latter 6 weeks. Seven people died while the study was ongoing, and another 4 participants died in the following 4 weeks.
Conclusions It is possible to recruit and collect multiple biological samples over time from palliative care patients in the last weeks and days of life even if they have lost capacity. Research into the biological changes at the end of life could develop a greater understanding of the biology of the dying process. This may lead to improved prognostication and care of patients towards the end of life
Caring for those who die at home: the use and validation of ‘Care Of the Dying Evaluation’ (CODE) with bereaved relatives
The Scarecrow
Currently, the development of technology is already quite rapidly with many new discoveries were found, but of the many technologies invented yet applied or utilized for agriculture. Technology expulsion of rice pests automatically environmentally friendly (solar powered) with high efficiency is needed to save money, energy and time. In the study conducted to optimize the testing tool carefully gradually from the collection of materials and materials, design tools and programs, making tools, testing tools, data analysis and conclusions. To support this process and get the appropriate calculation is done using the first simulation software simulator with high accuracy. With the establishment of rice pest repellent technology automatically solar powered, could create an automated tool to repel pests of rice, rice pest population control, energy saving, power, cost, time, effective, practical, environmentally friendly and has a high efficiency in its use, so that farming communities can develop their business evolve towards better and produce maximum production of agricultural products
Variation in ruminant preference for alfalfa hays cut at sunup and sundown
Diurnal variation in the concentration of total nonstructural carbohydrates
(TNC) occurs in plants as a result of photosynthesis. Ruminants
have been shown to prefer tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea
Schreber) hays cut in the afternoon but the effect of morning vs.
evening cutting had not been tested in legumes. To test for diurnal
variation in preference for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), we harvested
six times in the midbud stage. Harvests were paired so that each time
a cutting of alfalfa was made at sundown (PM) another was made
the next morning at sunup (AM). We harvested in this manner three
times resulting in six hays. The hays were field dried, baled, and
chopped prior to their use 3 to 6 mo after harvest. Three experiments
were conducted [Exp. 1, sheep (Ovis aries); Exp. 2, goats (Capra
hircus hircus); and Exp. 3, cattle (Bos taunts)] utilizing six animals
in each case. During an adaptation phase, hays were offered alone
as meals. In the experimental phase, every possible pair of hays (15
pairs) was presented for a meal. Data were analyzed by multidimensional
scaling as well as by traditional analyses. Multidimensional
scaling indicated that the animals were basing selection on at least
two criteria. Variables associated with preference through multiple
regression varied across experiments but significant coefficients were
found between preference and nitrate, protein, carbohydrate fractions,
lignin, and cellulose. Coefficients varied depending on which other
variables were in the model; however, carbohydrates were associated
with positive coefficients. Shifting hay mowing from early in the day
to late in the day was effective in increasing forage preference as
expressed by short-term dry matter intake
Variation in ruminants' preference for tall fescue hays cut either at sundown or at sunup
Plants vary diurnally in concentrations
of nonstructural carbohydrates. If ruminants
prefer forages with higher total nonstructural carbohydrates
(TNC), then the preference for hays harvested
within the same 24-h period may vary. An
established field of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea
Schreb.) was harvested six times in the vegetative
stage. Harvests were paired such that each cutting at
sundown (P M) was followed by a cutting the next
morning at sunup (AM). We harvested in this manner
three times, resulting in six hays. The hays were field-dried,
baled, and passed through a hydraulic bale
processor prior to feeding. Experiments were conducted
with sheep, goats, and cattle, using six animals
in each case. During an adaptation phase, hays were
offered alone as meals. In the experimental phase,
every possible pair of hays (15 pairs) was presented
for a meal. Data were analyzed by multidimensional
scaling and by traditional analyses. Multidimensional
scaling indicated that selection was based on a single
criterion. Preference for PM hays was greater than for
AM hays (P < .01) in all experiments. Increased
preference was associated with increased TNC (P <
.01) and in vitro true DM disappearance (P < .01)
and decreased fiber concentration (P < .01; NDF,
ADF, cellulose, and ADL). Mowing hay late in the day
was effective in increasing forage preference
Simple knots with unique spanning surfaces
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/22287/1/0000727.pd
Disease trajectories, place and mode of death in people with head and neck cancer: findings from the ‘Head and Neck 5000’ population-based prospective clinical cohort study
Background: Few large studies describe initial disease trajectories and subsequent mortality in people with head and neck cancer. This is a necessary first step to identify the need for palliative care and associated services.
Aim: To analyse data from the Head and Neck 5000 study to present mortality, place and mode of death within 12 months of diagnosis.
Design: Prospective cohort study.
Participants: In total, 5402 people with a new diagnosis of head and neck cancer were recruited from 76 cancer centres in the United Kingdom between April 2011 and December 2014.
Results: Initially, 161/5402 (3%) and 5241/5402 (97%) of participants were treated with ‘non-curative’ and ‘curative’ intent respectively. Within 12 months, 109/161 (68%) in the ‘non-curative’ group died compared with 482/5241 (9%) in the ‘curative’ group. Catastrophic bleed was the terminal event for 10.4% and 9.8% of people in ‘non-curative’ and ‘curative’ groups respectively; terminal airway obstruction was recorded for 7.5% and 6.3% of people in the same corresponding groups. Similar proportions of people in both groups died in a hospice (22.9% ‘non-curative’; 23.5% ‘curative’) and 45.7% of the ‘curative’ group died in hospital.
Conclusions: In addition to those with incurable head and neck cancer, there is a small but significant ‘curative’ subgroup of people who may have palliative needs shortly following diagnosis. Given the high mortality, risk of acute catastrophic event and frequent hospital death, clarifying the level and timing of palliative care services engagement would help provide assurance as to whether palliative care needs are being met
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