Effects of warm climatic periods on dairy cow behaviour and production in Scotland

Global warming is resulting in an overall increase in temperatures and in the frequency of extreme weather events. In dairy cattle, thresholds within the temperature-humidity index (THI) have been used to indicate points at which cattle will likely experience thermal stress (e.g., a THI threshold of 75 predicts thermal stress). However, high-yielding dairy cows that reside in temperate maritime climates may experience some degree of thermal discomfort below this threshold particularly when they are housed. Housing often results in high levels of humidity. The use of technology such as activity monitors and automated intake measures allow us to monitor responses. The aim of this study was to use technological solutions to assess behavioural changes in response to moderate increases in THI levels. Data from dairy cattle on an experimental unit were used. Data on daily lying times, lying bout frequency, step count, feed and water intake and milk yield were extracted for 8 pairs of warmer (THI<65) and 8 matching cooler (THI=43 to 60) periods. Warm and cool periods were no more than 5 weeks apart to ensure that the data from the same animals were being compared. The first three days from each period were analysed. Results showed that total daily lying time was shorter during warmer periods than cooler periods (P<0.05; means and SEMs (h): warm: 11.3±0.06h; cool: 11.8±0.06h). However, there was no effect of THI level on the no. of steps taken by cows (P>0.05 (counts) warm: 868±8 steps; cool: 878±9 steps). Water intake was higher during warm periods (P<0.05: (l) = warm: 81.2±0.7l; cool: 72.1±0.6), but there was no difference in feed intake (warm: 57.6±0.5kg; cool: 57.1±0.3kg). Milk yield was lower during warm periods than cool periods (P<0.05; (l): warm: 31.8±0.3; cool: 32.7±0.2). This suggests that behaviour and milk yield are mildly adversely affected even in conditions that are not traditionally regarded as exceeding cows’ ability to cope with thermal challenge

Effects of warm climatic periods on dairy cow behaviour and production in Scotland

Global warming is resulting in an overall increase in temperatures and in the frequency of extreme weather events. In dairy cattle, thresholds within the temperature-humidity index (THI) have been used to indicate points at which cattle will likely experience thermal stress (e.g., a THI threshold of 75 predicts thermal stress). However, high-yielding dairy cows that reside in temperate maritime climates may experience some degree of thermal discomfort below this threshold particularly when they are housed. Housing often results in high levels of humidity. The use of technology such as activity monitors and automated intake measures allow us to monitor responses. The aim of this study was to use technological solutions to assess behavioural changes in response to moderate increases in THI levels. Data from dairy cattle on an experimental unit were used. Data on daily lying times, lying bout frequency, step count, feed and water intake and milk yield were extracted for 8 pairs of warmer (THI<65) and 8 matching cooler (THI=43 to 60) periods. Warm and cool periods were no more than 5 weeks apart to ensure that the data from the same animals were being compared. The first three days from each period were analysed. Results showed that total daily lying time was shorter during warmer periods than cooler periods (P<0.05; means and SEMs (h): warm: 11.3±0.06h; cool: 11.8±0.06h). However, there was no effect of THI level on the no. of steps taken by cows (P>0.05 (counts) warm: 868±8 steps; cool: 878±9 steps). Water intake was higher during warm periods (P<0.05: (l) = warm: 81.2±0.7l; cool: 72.1±0.6), but there was no difference in feed intake (warm: 57.6±0.5kg; cool: 57.1±0.3kg). Milk yield was lower during warm periods than cool periods (P<0.05; (l): warm: 31.8±0.3; cool: 32.7±0.2). This suggests that behaviour and milk yield are mildly adversely affected even in conditions that are not traditionally regarded as exceeding cows’ ability to cope with thermal challenge

Culture-independent genome sequencing of clinical samples reveals an unexpected heterogeneity of infections by chlamydia pecorum

Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved. Chlamydia pecorum is an important global pathogen of livestock, and it is also a significant threat to the long-term survival of Australia's koala populations. This study employed a culture-independent DNA capture approach to sequence C. pecorum genomes directly from clinical swab samples collected from koalas with chlamydial disease as well as from sheep with arthritis and conjunctivitis. Investigations into single-nucleotide polymorphisms within each of the swab samples revealed that a portion of the reads in each sample belonged to separate C. pecorum strains, suggesting that all of the clinical samples analyzed contained mixed populations of genetically distinct C. pecorum isolates. This observation was independent of the anatomical site sampled and the host species. Using the genomes of strains identified in each of these samples, whole-genome phylogenetic analysis revealed that a clade containing a bovine and a koala isolate is distinct from other clades comprised of livestock or koala C. pecorum strains. Providing additional evidence to support exposure of koalas to Australian livestock strains, two minor strains assembled from the koala swab samples clustered with livestock strains rather than koala strains. Culture-independent probebased genome capture and sequencing of clinical samples provides the strongest evidence yet to suggest that naturally occurring chlamydial infections are comprised of multiple genetically distinct strains

Arrestin-like proteins mediate ubiquitination and endocytosis of the yeast metal transporter Smf1

Many plasma membrane proteins in yeast are ubiquitinated and endocytosed, but how they are recognized for modification has remained unknown. Here, we show that the manganese transporter Smf1 is endocytosed when cells are exposed to cadmium ions, that this endocytosis depends on Rsp5-dependent ubiquitination of specific lysines and that it also requires phosphorylation at nearby sites. This phosphorylation is, however, constitutive rather than stress-induced. Efficient ubiquitination requires Ecm21 or Csr2, two members of a family of arrestin-like yeast proteins that contain several PY motifs and bind to Rsp5. Ecm21 also binds to phosphorylated Smf1, providing a link between Rsp5 and its substrate. PY motif-containing arrestin-like proteins are found in many species, including humans, and might have a general role as ubiquitin ligase adaptors

Catastrophizing mediates the relationship between the personal belief in a just world and pain outcomes among chronic pain support group attendees

Health-related research suggests the belief in a just world can act as a personal resource that protects against the adverse effects of pain and illness. However, currently, little is known about how this belief, particularly in relation to one’s own life, might influence pain. Consistent with the suggestions of previous research, the present study undertook a secondary data analysis to investigate pain catastrophizing as a mediator of the relationship between the personal just world belief and chronic pain outcomes in a sample of chronic pain support group attendees. Partially supporting the hypotheses, catastrophizing was negatively correlated with the personal just world belief and mediated the relationship between this belief and pain and disability, but not distress. Suggestions for future research and intervention development are made

Exoplanet Research with the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)

When the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) was conceived and its first science cases defined, exoplanets had not been detected. Later studies, however, showed that optical and near-infrared photometric and spectrophotometric follow-up observations during planetary transits and eclipses are feasible with SOFIA's instrumentation, in particular with the HIPO-FLITECAM and FPI+ optical and near infrared (NIR) instruments. Additionally, the airborne-based platform SOFIA has a number of unique advantages when compared to other ground- and space-based observatories in this field of research. Here we will outline these theoretical advantages, present some sample science cases and the results of two observations from SOFIA's first five observation cycles -- an observation of the Hot Jupiter HD 189733b with HIPO and an observation of the Super-Earth GJ 1214b with FLIPO and FPI+. Based on these early products available to this science case, we evaluate SOFIA's potential and future perspectives in the field of optical and infrared exoplanet spectrophotometry in the stratosphere.Comment: Invited review chapter, accepted for publication in "Handbook of Exoplanets" edited by H.J. Deeg and J.A. Belmonte, Springer Reference Work

Intracranial internal carotid aneurysm causing diplopia

Internal carotid intracranial aneurysms are a relatively rare form of intracranial aneurysm that presents with diplopia, retro-orbital pain and unilateral headaches. The symptoms are progressive and the diagnosis should be considered in a patient presenting with these complaints. Underlying hypertension and advanced age are specific risk factors

A Systematic Review of Music Therapy Practice and Outcomes with Acute Adult Psychiatric In-Patients

PMCID: PMC3732280This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited