The effect of an 18-hour delay in solid feed provisioning on the feed intake and performance of piglets in the first weeks after weaning

It is generally accepted that early post-weaning feed intake affects post-weaning health and performance. Especially piglets that have not consumed creep feed before weaning have to learn to recognize solid feed. Weaning is a stressful event with an important impact on the animals. The associated stress level may affect their learning capabilities. Consequently, the question arises whether the first day after weaning is the best day to discover their new type of feed. An experiment was therefore designed to study the effect of delayed provisioning of solid feed on feed intake and performance of piglets. In total, 144 piglets (8.1 +/- 1.1 kg, mean +/- SD), weaned at 4 weeks of age, were tested. They were assigned to 24 pens, blocked per sex (i.e. castrated male or female) and weight group. Prior to weaning, piglets received a commercial creep feed. Per body weight class and per sex, each pen was randomly assigned to one of the 2 treatments: control (C) and delay in feed provisioning (DF). For the control treatment, the pelleted feed (6 mm) was already present in the feeders when the piglets arrived in their pens (13:00-14:00 h). In the DF pens, the feed was provided the next morning (08:00). Feed and water were provided ad libitum. In the first week after weaning, it was not possible to observe differences. However, the DF pigs showed a higher feed intake during the first three weeks of the experiment (455 +/- 25 vs 430 +/- 37 g/day, P = 0.003), which was apparent throughout the entire experiment (4-9 weeks: 594 +/- 30 vs 569 +/- 48 g/day, P = 0.046). This resulted in higher body weights 3 weeks after weaning (7 weeks of age) in the DF vs C pigs (16.1 +/- 1.5 vs 15.6 +/- 1.6 kg, P = 0.005). However, at the end of the experiment at 9 weeks, differences were no longer significant (23.9 +/- 2.1 vs 23.4 +/- 2.0 kg, P = 0.285). Feed efficiency did not differ between the groups (P = 0.456 for the entire experiment). Further research into the underlying mechanisms of the observed differences are mandatory for developing improved management practices of weaned piglets

A single step method for characterizing blue phase LCs at various temperatures

Characterization of Blue Phase liquid crystals (BPLC) at different temperatures is an interesting but time consuming research activity. We present a quick and efficient one step method to record the Polarization optical micrograph (POM) depicting texture of BPLC at various temperatures simultaneously and also support our case with COMSOL simulations

Importance of alignment layers in blue phase liquid crystal devices

In this paper we present how alignment layers affect Blue Phase Liquid Crystals and how we can use this effect to our advantage. We argue that contrary to the prevailing perception alignment layers can be of vital importance to blue phase liquid crystal based devices

Predicting small-scale, short-lived downbursts : case study with the NWP limited-area ALARO model for the Pukkelpop thunderstorm

The authors consider a thunderstorm event in 2011 during a music festival in Belgium that produced a short-lived downburst of a diameter of less than 100 m. This is far too small to be resolved by the kilometric resolutions of today's operational numerical weather prediction models. Operational forecast models will not run at hectometric resolutions in the foreseeable future. The storm caused five casualties and raised strong societal questions regarding the predictability of such a traumatic weather event.In this paper it is investigated whether the downdrafts of a parameterization scheme of deep convection can be used as proxies for the unresolved downbursts. To this end the operational model ALARO [a version of the Action de Recherche Petite Echelle Grande Echelle-Aire Limitee Adaptation Dynamique Developpement International (ARPEGE-ALADIN) operational limited area model with a revised and modular structure of the physical parameterizations] of the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium is used. While the model in its operational configuration at the time of the event did not give a clear hint of a downburst event, it has been found that (i) the use of unsaturated downdrafts and (ii) some adaptations of the features of this downdraft parameterization scheme, specifically the sensitivity to the entrainment and friction, can make the downdrafts sensitive enough to the surrounding resolved-scale conditions to make them useful as indicators of the possibility of such downbursts

Changes in back fat thickness during late gestation predict colostrum yield in sows

Directing protein and energy sources towards lactation is crucial to optimise milk production in sows but how this influences colostrum yield (CY) remains unknown. The aim of this study was to identify associations between CY and the sow’s use of nutrient resources. We included 37 sows in the study that were all housed, fed and managed similarly. Parity, back fat change (ΔBF), CY and performance parameters were measured. We obtained sow serum samples 3 to 4 days before farrowing and at D1 of lactation following overnight fasting. These were analysed for non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), urea, creatinine, (iso) butyrylcarnitine (C4) and immunoglobulins G (IgG) and A (IgA). The colostrum samples collected 3, 6 and 24 h after the birth of the first piglet were analysed for their nutrient and immunoglobulins content. The technical parameters associated with CY were parity group (a; parities 1 to 3 =value 0 v. parities 4 to 7 =value 1) and ΔBF D85-D109 of gestation (mm) (b): CY (g) =4290–842a–113b. ( R2=0.41, P<0.001). The gestation length ( P<0.001) and the ΔBF between D109 and D1 of lactation (P=0.050) were identified as possible underlying factors of the parity group. The metabolic parameters associated with CY were C4 at 3 to 4 days before farrowing (a), and 10logC4 (b) and 10logNEFA (c) at D1 of lactation: CY ( g) =3582–1604a+1007b− 922c ( R2=0.39, P=0.001). The colostrum composition was independent of CY. The negative association between CY and ΔBF D85-D109 of gestation could not be further explained based on our data. Sows that were catabolic 1 week prior to farrowing seemed unable to produce colostrum to their full potential. This was especially the case for sows with parities 4 to 7, although they had a similar feed intake, litter birth weight and colostrum composition compared with parities 1 to 3 sows. In conclusion, this study showed that parity and the use of body fat and protein reserves during late gestation were associated with CY, indicating that proper management of the sow’s body condition during late gestation could optimise the intrinsic capacity of the sow’s CY

Failure of a dietary model to affect markers of inflammation in domestic cats

Background: Oxidative stress and inflammation can be altered by dietary factors in various species. However, little data are available in true carnivorous species such as domestic cats. As numerous anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative additives become available and might be of use in cats with chronic low-grade inflammatory diseases, the current study aimed to develop a model of diet-induced inflammation by use of two opposite diets. It was hypothesized that a high fat diet enhanced in n-6 PUFA and with lower concentrations of antioxidants would evoke inflammation and oxidative stress in domestic cats. Results: Sixteen healthy adult cats were allocated to two groups. One group received a moderate fat diet, containing pork lard and salmon oil (AA:(EPA + DHA) ratio 0.19) (MFn-3), while the other group was fed a high fat diet, containing pork lard and chicken fat (AA:(EPA + DHA) ratio 2.06) (HFn-6) for 12 weeks. Prior to and 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks after starting the testing period, blood samples were collected. Erythrocytic fatty acid profile showed clear alterations in accordance to the dietary fatty acid profile. Serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances was higher when fed MFn-3 compared to the HFn-6, suggesting augmented oxidative stress. This was associated with a reduced serum vitamin E status, as serum a-tocopherol concentrations were lower with MFn-3, even with higher dietary levels of vitamin E. Serum cytokine and serum amyloid A concentrations were not influenced by diet. Conclusion: These results point towards a resistance of cats to develop dietary fat-induced inflammation, but also suggest a high susceptibility to oxidative stress when fed a fish oil-supplemented diet even with moderate fat level and additional vitamin E