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The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the interaction between corn grain processing and protein source on feed intake, growth performance, rumen fermentation, and blood metabolites of dairy calves. Seventy-two 3-day-old Holstein calves with an initial weight of 39.1 ± 3.24 kg were randomly assigned (n = 12 calves (6 male and 6 female) per treatment) to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with the factors of physical form of the corn grain [coarsely ground (CG) and steam-flaked (SF)] and protein type [canola meal (CAN), canola meal + soybean meal (CASY), and soybean meal (SOY)] were assigned. The study showed a significant correlation between corn grain processing method and protein source on calf performance, including starter feed intake, total dry matter intake (DMI), body weight, average daily gain (ADG), and feed efficiency (FE). The CG-CAN and SF-SOY treatments resulted in the highest feed intake and DMI in the post-weaning and total period, respectively. Interestingly, corn processing did not affect feed intake, ADG, and FE, but the highest ADG was observed at SF-SOY and CG-CAN. In addition, the interaction between corn processing method and protein source improved FE in calves fed CG-CAN and SF-SOY during the preweaning period and throughout the period. Although skeletal growth parameters were unchanged, calves fed SOY and CASY had greater body length and withers height than calves fed CAN during the preweaning period. Rumen fermentation parameters were also not affected by the treatments, except that calves fed CAN had a higher molar proportion of acetate than calves fed SOY and CASY. Corn grain processing and protein source did not affect glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), or β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations, except for the highest blood glucose level observed in the CAN treatment and the highest BUN level observed in the preweaned calves fed SOY. However, a two-way interaction was observed for BHB concentration, suggesting that ground corn grain resulted in higher BHB concentration during the preweaning and postweaning periods than steam-flaked corn. In summary, it is recommended to incorporate canola meal with ground corn or soybean meal with steam-flaked corn in calf starters to enhance calf growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing importance of secondary bonded complexes in modern coordination chemistry has given rise to an abundant literature in both experimental and theoretical coordination chemistry. We recently proposed an unified chemical model of secondary interaction enabling to understand the structures in terms of simple chemical rules and concepts. For some complexes the stoichiometry of the electrophilic moiety makes isomerism possible. The problems of isomerism and of the interconversion of isomers are addressed in the present. It is shown, that the reaction mechanisms discussed for pentacoordinated phosphorus derivatives are not suitable for complexes bound by a secondary interaction. The possibility of Berry's pseudo rotations is rejected for this class of systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in using high quantities of milk or milk replacer (MR) in heat-stressed calves to alleviate the negative effects of high environmental temperatures on their performance. However, observations have indicated a decline in growth performance in the weaning and post-weaning period, which might be optimized with increasing total solids (TS) in milk and weaning age. This study aims to optimize the effects of higher quantities of milk on late weaned calves' performance by increasing TS concentration or delivery route in summer conditions. Method: Forty-eight newborn Holstein calves were used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with the factors of pre-weaning total plane of milk (PM) intake (low vs. high) and milk TS content (12% vs. 17%). The treatments were (1) low PM (LPM) intake with 12% TS (TS intake = 45.9 kg), (2) LPM intake with 17% TS (TS intake = 65.1 kg), (3) high PM (HPM) intake with 12% TS (TS intake = 63.7 kg); and (4) HPM intake with 17% TS (TS intake = 90.3 kg). Calves were weaned at d 83, and the study was terminated at d 103 of age. Performance data (every 10 day), skeletal growth (d 80 and 100), ruminal fermentation parameters (d 48 and 91), and behavioral measurements (d 69, 70, 93 and 94) were analyzed as repeated measurements with PROC MIXED of SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Results: Calves receiving HPM consumed less PMR from d 44 to 83 of age, but they had higher ADG from d 24 to 53 of age compared to those fed LPM (PM × age, P < 0.001). In addition, calves receiving milk with 17% TS had lower PMR intake from d 14 to 83 of age, but greater ADG from d 34 to 53 compared to those receiving milk with 12% TS (TS × age, P < 0.001). Calves that received HPM had greater skeletal growth parameters compared to LPM-fed calves, with a similar effect evident for calves fed milk with 17% TS compared with those fed milk with 12% TS. Calves receiving milk with 17% TS had greater fecal scores and diarrhea occurrence than those fed milk with 12% TS in HPM, but not LPM. Conclusions: Increasing PM and milk TS concentration improved growth in summer-exposed calves as demonstrated by increased pre-weaning ADG, pre- and post-weaning BW, and structural growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beryllium bonding is actually a subclass of secondary bonding. Similar to the case of halogen bonding, the σ- and π-holes on the Be atom of the monomers give in zeroth approximation the direction of electrophilic attack favorable to the formation of beryllium bonds. The nature of beryllium bonding is purely electrostatic so that the symmetry-adapted perturbation theory energy decomposition perfectly explains the relevance of the polarization and dispersion contribution on the formation of the beryllium bond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between physical form of starter (PFS) and forage source (FS) with free access to forage on feed intake, growth performance, rumen fermentation, blood metabolites and behavioral traits of dairy calves. A total of 48 7-day-old Holstein calves were randomly assigned to one of four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, with FS [alfalfa hay (AH) and wheat straw (WS)] as free-choice supply and PFS diets (cracked vs. steam-flaked) as main effects. Feeding treatments included (1) starter diet with steam flaked corn (SFC) and free access to AH (SFC-AH), (2) starter diet with SFC and free access to WS (SFC-WS), (3) starter diet with cracked corn (CRC) and free access to AH (CRC-AH) and (4) starter diet with CRC and free access to WS (CRC-WS). The calves were weaned on day 58 and remained in the experiment until day 70. All calves had free access to water and starter feed. The results showed that there was no interaction between PFS and FS in terms of starter intake, forage intake, dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), body weight (BW) or feed efficiency (FE). Calves fed CRC consumed more dry matter, TMR and forage than calves fed SFC diets. Regardless of the PFS diet, weaning weight, total weight and total ADG were higher in calves fed WS, while forage intake was higher in calves fed AH. Calves fed CRC-AH had the lowest rumen pH at day 68 compared to the other groups (except SFC-WS at day 70). An interaction between PFS diets and FS affected rumen proportion of propionate on day 35, since calves, which were fed CRC-AH had the highest molar percentage of propionate than calves fed other diets (except for SF-WS). At day 65, calves fed SFC starter feed had higher plasma glucose concentrations than calves fed CRC. It was found that PFS feed and FS had an interaction effect on BUN at day 65, with calves fed CRC-AH having the highest BUN. Compared to the other groups, calves fed CRC-WS had the highest BHB at day 33 and throughout the period (days 35 and 65). An interaction between PFS diets and FS affected lying time and forage eating time, with CRC-AH calves exhibiting the longest lying time and lowest forage eating time. The time spent on NNOB tended to be longer in SFC-fed calves than in CRC-fed calves, regardless of the forage source. Compared to calves fed SFC, calves fed CRC with high levels of fine particles consumed more dry matter, TMR, and forage while spending less time on NNOB. Furthermore, feeding calves chopped WS instead of AH increased weaning weight, total weight, and total ADG, although forage intake was higher in calves fed AH. In summary, a combination of cracked corn starter with free access to wheat straw appears to provide the best growth outcomes for dairy calves. • Forage intake was greater in calves fed cracked vs. steam-flaked corn-based diet. • Calves preferred alfalfa hay over wheat straw when forage was provided freely. • Calves fed cracked corn-based diet with wheat straw had the highest growth outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The interaction between corn processing and dietary protein level on milk production and composition, rumen and plasma metabolites in lactating dairy cows was studied. • Cows fed high protein had greater milk production and lower milk fat percentage than those for cows fed low protein diets. • Blood glucose and cholesterol were greater for cows fed steam flake than cows fed finely ground corn. • Results indicate that cows fed low protein diets or steam flaked corn had greater nitrogen efficiency. Abstract The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the interactive effects of corn processing and dietary protein level on milk production and composition, as well as rumen and plasma metabolites in lactation dairy cows. Eight multiparous mid lactating Holstein cows, averaging 105 ± 9 d in milk and producing 47.2 ± 3 kg milk/d were randomly assigned in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Experimental diets contained either finely ground corn (FGC) or steam flaked corn (SFC) each with either low protein (LP, 14.8%) or high protein (HP, 16.2%) content. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with significance declared at P ≤ 0.05. Cows fed HP diets had greater milk production and lower milk fat percentage than those for cows fed LP diets. Cows on LP diets however had greater medium-chain fatty acid (FA) and saturated FA but lower monounsaturated FA, polyunsaturated FA and unsaturated FA compared with cows on HP diets. Reduction of milk fat for cows on HP was associated with lower amount of short and medium chain FA and higher unsaturated FA content in milk fat. Blood glucose (74.7 vs 69.3 mg/dL) and cholesterol (275.2 vs 262.9 mg/dL) were greater for cows fed SFC than cows fed FGC. Corn processing had no detectable effect on milk production; however, cows on FGC had greater milk fat percentage and production and lower milk: feed ratio than cows fed SFC. Cows fed SFC had greater amount of short chain FA and polyunsaturated FA and lower C16:0 (30.5 vs 29.3) and C18:0 (9.1 vs 8.2) in milk fat than cows fed FGC. Treatments had no effect on ruminal VFA concentration and pH. Milk and blood urea, and rumen nitrogen (N) were lower for cows when fed SFC or LP diets. Cows fed SFC or LP had greater N efficiency than cows fed FGC or HP diets. These findings showed that cows supplemented with SFC or fed LP diets had a more efficient use of dietary N. Results indicate that employing a 14.8% CP diet is insufficient for maximum milk production even with corn flaking. Cows fed LP diets had similar milk: feed ratio and greater N efficiency. Compared with FGC diets, SFC diets improved feed and N efficiency while reducing N loss and increasing the glucose concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum chemical calculations on the Li–C2H4 complex have been performed with coupled-cluster and density functional methods. For both methods the electronic ground state of the complex is calculated to be 2B2, with a C2v symmetry equilibrium structure, and the calculated binding energy is quite small (around 2 kcal/mol), and therefore very much basis set dependent. The vibrational spectrum has been calculated at the harmonic approximation, including 13C/12C, 7Li/6Li, and H/D isotopic substitutions. The agreement between experimental and calculated infrared frequencies is correct, except for the low frequency symmetric Li–C stretching mode. These calculations also allow to propose an assignment for the observed C–H/C–D stretching modes. The observed blue-shift of the symmetric CH2 bending mode as well as the red-shift of the antisymmetric CH2 bending, CD2 bending, and C–C stretching modes with respect to the free ethylene have been confirmed by the density functional calculations. The Na...C2H4 complex has been found to be unstable in its 2B2 electronic state. The study of the 2A1 electronic state for both Na...C2H4 and K...C2H4 complexes show that they are at most very weak van der Waals complexes. This result confirms the conclusions of matrix isolation experiments. © 1995 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vibrational spectra of H2, D2, and HD trapped in solid argon were examined as a function of concentration and sample annealing. Before annealing, increasing the hydrogen concentration only leads to an asymmetrical broadening and a small blue shift of the Q( J) lines assigned to monomeric species. These observations are believed due to formation of low stoichiometry aggregates. After annealing above 35 K, new features—10 cm-1 blue shifted with respect to monomer and small aggregate lines—appear with properties comparable to those reported for solid dihydrogen at 2 K. Force field calculations on aggregates involving two to six molecules (including ortho/para and isotopic mixtures) allow a semiquantitative interpretation of the experimental data, and suggest an aggregation degree larger than six. Finally it is concluded that a possible interpretation of all the data is the formation of microcrystals upon annealing, tied to the low solubility and the high mobility of dihydrogen in solid argon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vibration–rotation and pure rotational Raman spectra of H2, HD, and D2 trapped in Ar, Kr, and Xe matrices have been recorded at 9 K. The frequencies which have been measured within an accuracy of 0.3 cm-1 are compared to the results of recent calculations. Except for the S0(0) line of HD the agreement between observed and calculated matrix shifts is satisfactory. The anomalous blue shift observed for the S0(0) line of HD is well interpreted within the rotation translation coupling (RTC) framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we show the stability of the Gelfand-Phillips property of order p under tak-ing injective tensor product, compact operators, and Bochner integrable functions. The concept of L-limited sets of order p; is introduced and some characterizations of limited p-convergent operators are given. Also we define the notion of L-limited property of order p and characterize this property in terms of weak compact operators. Furthermore, we give a new dual characterization of the class of weak- p-convergent operators through L-limited sets of order p: Moreover, some characterizations of the Gelfand-Phillips property of order p in terms of limited p-convergent operators are obtained. In addition by applying our results on the limited p-convergent operators, we obtain some characteriza-tions of the Dunford-Pettis property of order p. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habrobracon hebetor Say is an ectoparasitoid that has been used as a control agent of various lepidopteran pests. Temperature-dependent life table and thermal characteristics of H. hebetor are important in understanding the dynamics of host–parasitoid relationships and for optimizing biocontrol programmes. The influence of five constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C) on the biology of H. hebetor when parasitizing Anagasta kuehniella Zeller was studied. The survival rate of immature stages increased from 16.67% to 83.81% as temperature increased from 15 to 30 °C and then decreased at 35 °C. Total development time ranged from 45.70 days at 15 °C to 7.10 days at 35 °C. The lower temperature threshold for immature stages varied slightly around a value of 11–12 °C. The net reproductive rate (R0) values were significantly different among temperatures and the highest value was found at 30 °C (85.10). The high survival rate and net reproductive rate combined with a relatively short generation time at 30 °C resulted in the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) being highest (0.312 d−1) at this temperature. Considering the acquired results, the temperature range between 25 and 30 °C was optimal for H. hebetor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoscale magnetic alloy wires are being actively investigated, providing fundamental insights into tuning properties in magnetic data storage and processing technologies. However, previous studies give trivial information about the crossover angle of magnetization reversal process in alloy nanowires (NWs). Here, magnetic alloy NW arrays with different compositions, composed of Fe, Co and Ni have been electrochemically deposited into hard-anodic aluminum oxide templates with a pore diameter of approximately 150 nm. Under optimized conditions of alumina barrier layer and deposition bath concentrations, the resulting alloy NWs with aspect ratio and saturation magnetization ( M s ) up to 550 and 1900 emu cm −3 , respectively, are systematically investigated in terms of composition, crystalline structure and magnetic properties. Using angular dependence of coercivity extracted from hysteresis loops, the reversal processes are evaluated, indicating non-monotonic behavior. The crossover angle ( θ c ) is found to depend on NW length and M s . At a constant M s , increasing NW length decreases θ c , thereby decreasing the involvement of vortex mode during the magnetization reversal process. On the other hand, decreasing M s decreases θ c in large aspect ratio (>300) alloy NWs. Phenomenologically, it is newly found that increasing Ni content in the composition decreases θ c . The angular first-order reversal curve (AFORC) measurements including the irreversibility of magnetization are also investigated to gain a more detailed insight into θ c . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The irreversible evolution of magnetic coercivity in arrays of 75 nm diameter Fe 80 Ni 20 nanowires (NWs) has been explored by means of first-order reversal curve (FORC) analysis as a function of the angle between the magnetic field and the NW axis (0°≤ θ ≤90°). The Fe 80 Ni 20 NWs with lengths up to 60 μm were fabricated using a pulsed electrodeposition method into hard-anodic aluminum oxide templates with an interpore distance of 275 nm. Investigating the interwire and intrawire magnetostatic interactions, the angular FORC (AFORC) diagrams indicated enhanced intrawire interactions with increasing length and θ (<90°), induced by a magnetization reversal through vortex domain wall (VDW) propagation. Intriguingly, in addition to the VDW mode, a single vortex state with broad irreversible switching of nucleation and annihilation fields was detected at θ =83° for 60 μm long NWs. At θ =90°, the NWs reversed magnetization through transverse domain wall, involving a reversible component by a fraction of 95%. Furthermore, the transition angle between the reversal modes was found to decrease with increasing aspect ratio from 200 to 800. The irreversible angular-dependent coercivity ( H c Irrev ( θ )) of Fe 80 Ni 20 NWs was extracted from the AFORC measurements and compared with the major angular dependence of coercivity ( H c Major ( θ )) obtained from the conventional hysteresis loop measurements. While H c Major ( θ ) showed a non-monotonic behavior, H c Irrev ( θ ) constantly increased with increasing θ (<90°). On the other hand, using analytical models, a 93% agreement was obtained between the theoretical angular-dependent nucleation field and experimental H c Irrev ( θ ) for irreversible switching of VDW when 0°≤ θ ≤86°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thorough topological investigation is used to study the possible isomers of (SO3)(H2XY) complexes, for X=C, Si and Y=O, S. From the topological properties of the isolated monomers, up to five types of isomers can be considered, depending on the nature of the X and Y atoms. After geometry optimisations, three isomers belonging to four different types of geometry were obtained. The natures of the X and Y atoms not only affect the relative stability of the isomers, but also the interaction sites available on the H2XY molecule. For all the systems considered in this study, a covalent structure was obtained from a non-covalent isomeric form involving a double π-hole interaction. Such a covalent structure corresponds to the global minimum for the (SO3)(H2CS), (SO3)(H2SiO) and (SO3)(H2SiS) complexes, and a local minimum for the (SO3)(H2CO) complex. The usefulness of physically-relevant topological tools for a thorough characterisation of the monomers prior to a search for the isomeric forms of a complex is once again demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Roasted soybeans are commonly used in diets for dairy cows, but the processing conditions of roasted soybean and their effects on rumen undegradable protein (RUP) have not been fully understood. In this study, the effect of the processing of roasted soybean on RUP was examined through a factorial arrangement of treatments. The effects of roasting temperature (115 °C, 130 °C and 145 °C), time of roasting (5, 10 and 15 min) and particle size of soybean (whole, coarse and fine) on the protein fractions of roasted soybean were analysed with the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) and protein dispersibility index (PDI) methods. The whole, coarsely ground and finely ground soybean had mean particle sizes of 5.30 mm, 1.15 mm and 1.05 mm. The proportion of soluble protein was reduced with increasing temperature and time of roasting. The true protein with intermediate rates of degradation decreased with escalating temperatures, but increased when the time was raised and the particle size reduced. Also, the true protein level with slow rates of degradation was raised with increasing temperature and heating time, but reduced when decreasing the particle size. The undegradable true protein level, on the other hand, was increased by decreasing the particle size. The results of CNCPS and PDI revealed that the recommended method would be to use soybeans with a particle size of 1.15 mm, and to roast them at 115 °C for 10 minutes. Furthermore, the results showed that different methods of processing used in soybean roasting could strongly affect RUP content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of partial replacement of barley grain with beet pulp ( BP) on dry matter intake ( DMI), ruminal fermentation, plasma concentration of metabolites and milk yield of transition dairy cows. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein cows [735 ± 26 kg of body weights and 3.5 ± 0.05 of body condition score (BCS)] were used in a randomized complete block design. Cows were assigned randomly on day 28 relative to expected parturition date to one of three treatments containing (i) 0% BP, (ii) 25% BP or (iii) 50% BP substituted for barley grain on a DM basis. During the pre-partum period, DMI and energy intake were greater ( P < 0.01) in cows fed the BP diet compared with cows fed the barley grain diet. During the post-partum period, substituting BP for barley grain caused a response in DMI and energy intake, with the highest amount for the 25% BP diet and lowest for the 50% BP diet ( P < 0.01). Milk yield was lowest ( P < 0.01) for 50% BP diet than the other treatments. During the post-partum period, cows fed the 50% BP diets had greater rumen pH, molar proportion of butyrate and acetate: propionate ratio ( P < 0.01) in the rumen compared with cows fed the 0% BP diets. In addition, cows fed the BP diets had greater ( P < 0.01) plasma β-hydroxybutyrate and lower plasma glucose ( P < 0.05) and blood urinary nitrogen (BUN) ( P < 0.01) concentrations than cows fed the barley grain diets. Results showed that substituting BP for barley grain was effective in increasing DMI, but it did not have a significant effect on net energy balance during the post-partum period. However, replacing BP for barley grain at 50% had adverse effects on DMI, milk yield and metabolic status, as indicated by key blood metabolite concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulphur-containing amino acids ( SAA) are essential and usually the first limiting amino acids for growth, milk and wool production. The keratin fibre that grows from epidermal tissue is rich in SAA. The rate of fibre growth and its S content are influenced by the availability of SAA. Betaine is a dietary source for a labile methyl group and actively participates in methionine metabolism by donating methyl groups for the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. Ruminants are capable of synthesizing SAA from inorganic S sources, and most bacteria in the rumen can use inorganic S to meet their requirements for growth. The objective of this study was to examine whether betaine and an inorganic sulphur supplement could provide methyl groups and sulphur amino acids in a way that growth performance and wool production of ewes and lambs are improved. Treatments performed included betaine supplementation, sulphate supplementation and betaine plus sulphate supplementation with five replications for each treatment. The dry matter intake of the ewes was affected by betaine plus sulphate supplementation (p < 0.05). In the ewes, betaine plus sulphate supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the wool growth rate, wool yield, staple length and wool sulphur concentration, while decreasing wool wax and wool yellowness (p < 0.05). In the lambs, wool growth rate, wool yield, fibre diameter, staple length, staple strength, wool sulphur concentration, wool wax and fibre percentage did not differ (p > 0.05) between treatments. In the ewes, plasma methionine concentration increased (p < 0.05) with betaine plus sulphate treatment. No corresponding difference (p > 0.05) was observed in plasma methionine concentration in the lambs. It can be concluded that betaine plus sulphate supplementation has the potential to change wool characteristics in the ewes, while these compounds were without any effect on growth and wool production of the lambs. Combining the two supplements was advantageous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Escherichia coli is the most common cause of urinary tract infections in children and the leading cause of intra-abdominal infections (peritonitis and abscess) followed intestinal injuries. Urinary tract infection, including cystitis and pyelonephritis, is a common childhood infection. E. coli causes more than 90 percent of the community acquired and 50% of hospital acquired urinary tract infections; therefore, the determination of E. coli antibiotic susceptibility is a paramount importance to clinical and epidemiological purposes. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 50 E. coli strains isolated from urine samples of children less than 7 years of age with urinary tract infections. They were compared for drug susceptibility testing by disc diffusion method with 50 strains of Escherichia coli isolated from stool samples of healthy children with the same age and sex pattern. Results: The actual amount of drug sensitivity of uropathogenic and intestinal Escherichia coli strains to amikacin was 94 and 100%, nitrofurantoin 90 and 88%, gentamicin 66 and 94%, cefixime 56 and 60%, nalidixic acid 38 and 44% and to cotrimoxazole 28 and 32%, respectively. Conclusion: the rate of resistance to gentamicin, Cefixime and nalidixic acid in urinary tract infection isolates were more than intestinal strains. The highest rate of drug resistance in urinary Escherichia coli isolates was associated with cotrimoxazole and the lowest one with amikacin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was to theorize about the process of coping with sexual disorders leading to marital conflicts. The process of coping with sexual disorders leading to marital conflicts was examined with 12 couples based on grounded theory. The focus of the study was on the period from commencing of symptoms up to start of treatment. Data were collected through semi-organized interviews and were analyzed through constant comparisons. It was recognized that problem solving skills was the main variable in the process of coping with sexual disorders leading to marital conflicts. The main variable consisted of two levels including 'single-couple' and 'interactional' and five main categories named as recognizing sexual disorder symptoms, personal assessment, self-attempt, threat feeling, consulting with others which ultimately led to searching help, consultation, and treatment. The preliminary individual decision to decrease the symptoms resulted in self-treatment which consequently defered the treatment period. Age, gender, education level, socio-economical status and pre-knowledge of disorders affected people's decision making time. Individuals with sexual disorders defer the start of treatment and this can bring a family to separation. Couples should take pre-marriage counseling sessions in order to make decision for treatment at the right time when faced by sexual disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Porous vinylbenzyl chloride/divinylbenzene polyHIPE foam was prepared. [•] Trimethylamine (TMA) and triethylamine (TEA) were used to functionalize the foam. [•] The presence of the organoclay improved the ion exchange capacity of the membrane. [•] TEA agent increased the nitrate adsorption of the membrane more than TMA one. [•] The equilibrium isotherm values were well fitted to the Freundlich isotherm model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of partial replacement of neutral detergent soluble fibre (NDSF) for starch in diets varying in particle size (PS) of alfalfa hay on chewing activities, ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility and performance of early lactation dairy cows. Eight multiparous Holstein cows (66±5d in milk; 42.9±3.1kg milk/d) were used in a replicated 4×4 Latin square design with four 22d periods with the last 8d used for data collection. The experiment was a 2×2 factorial arrangement with 2 levels of NDSF (low=84g/kg or high=118g/kg diet dry matter) each combined with 2 PS (short=20mm or long=40mm) of alfalfa hay. Feeding short PS in combination with low level of NDSF increased intake of DM and OM (P<0.05). Total chewing time was not affected, however, total eating time and eating times spent per kg of DM and NDF consumed decreased when forage particle size was reduced (P<0.05). High NDSF diets increased total eating time and eating times spent per kg DM and NDF ingested and increased apparent digestibility of NDF (P<0.05). However, feeding high NDSF diet increased the OM digestibility only in long PS diet (P<0.05). Treatments did not affect ruminal pH; however, feeding short PS tended to increase total volatile fatty acid concentration, decreased molar proportion of acetate and increased that of propionate. Inclusion of NDSF decreased molar proportion of propionate and increased that of butyrate and decreased ruminal ammonia concentration (P<0.05). Milk yield and composition and milk energy output were similar among treatments. Results show that partial replacement of NDSF for starch increases nutrient digestibility, most notably for NDF, and maintains milk yield and composition of early lactation cows fed diets varying in forage PS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The reaction of atomic titanium with nitrous oxide hasbeen reinvestigatedusing matrix isolation in solid neon coupled to infrared spectroscopyand by quantum chemical methods. Our technique of sublimation of Tiatoms from a filament heated at about 1500 °C allowed the formationof three species: one Ti–N2O pair of van der Waals(vdW) type characterized by small red shift with respect to N2O monomer, and two isomers of OTi–N2pairwhere N2is in interaction with the OTi moiety either withend-on or side-on structure. Interconversion between these structureshas been performed with several wavelengths. In the visible and near-ultravioletthe conversion vdW → OTi-N2(end-on) is observedwith characteristic times strongly varying according to the wavelength.In the near-infrared the conversion OTi–N2(end-on)→ OTi–N2(side-on) occurs, the vdW speciesremaining unchanged. These selectivities allow 8, 6, and 4 vibrationaltransitions to be assigned for vdW, 3[OTi(η1-NN)] (end-on), and 1[OTi(η2-NN)] (side-on),respectively. Electronic and geometrical structures are also investigatedwith double-hybrid functionals. It has been shown that the side-ongeometry corresponds to the ground state of 1[OTi(η2-NN)] in the singlet electronic state. The theoretical vibrationalanalysis supports well the experimental attributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safflower seed has the highest concentration of linoleic acid among 80 oilseeds but little information exists on the effective use of SS for lactation cows. It was hypothesised that a diet supplemented with an Iranian SS variety (IL-111) in combination with fish oil (FO) would result in higher concentrations of trans-18:1 (including vaccenic acid) and conjugated linoleic acids in milk fat than feeding an unsupplemented control diet. Our objective was to determine the effects of feeding diets containing: (i) Control: (C); (ii) 25 g of roasted SS IL-111 (RSS); (iii) 20 g FO and (iv) 25 g RSS + 10 g FO (RSS + FO) per kilogram of dietary DM on feed intake, ruminal fermentation, milk production and fatty acid profile. Eight multiparous Holstein cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design study. The experiment had four periods of 21 days. Milk Fat percentage was lower (p < 0.01) with FO supplementation and averaged 19.0 and 21.5 g/kg milk with FO and RSS + FO compared with 30.3 and 32.5 g/kg with C and RSS. Feed intake also was lower (p < 0.01) with FO vs. C (23.1 vs. 24.5 kg/day) but feeding RSS resulted in greater feed intake compared with other treatments (26 kg/day). Despite lower feed intake with FO, milk production did not change from controls but feeding RSS + FO resulted in greater milk yield than controls (42.6 vs. 39.3 kg/day). Ruminal pH was greater (p < 0.01) in cows fed FO than other treatments. Supplemental FO alone or in combination with RSS resulted in dramatic increases (p < 0.01) in c9,t11-18:2 in milk fat (12.7 and 13.2 g/day vs. 5.8 and 7.02 with C and RSS). It was surprising to note that 25 g/kg RSS can improve feed intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Twenty lactating Naeini coarse wool ewes (45±3.2kg BW, approximately 35 months of age), were studied in a completely randomized design during a three-month experimental period in order to investigate the effect of betaine and sulfate supplementation on milk and wool characteristics. Treatments included, betaine supplementation, sulfate supplementation and betaine plus sulfate supplementation, along with control group. Ewes were randomly distributed in individual pens with five replications for each treatment. Isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were twice offered to the ewes on a daily basis according to the NRC recommendation. The level of betaine used on the TMR was 5gkg−1 betaine, and basal diet contained 0.17% DM organic sulfur. Dry matter intake (DMI) was altered by betaine and sulfate supplementation (P <0.05). No significant effect of betaine and sulfate supplement was detected on body weight (P >0.05). Milk yield and milk fat percentage were increased by betaine and sulfate supplementation (P <0.05), whereas percentages of milk protein, lactose, ash and SNF were not significant by supplements (P >0.05). Betaine and sulfate supplementation significantly increased the daily growth rate of the wool, and the wool yield was compared with that of the control group (P <0.01). Mean fiber diameter was not affected by betaine and sulfate supplementation (P >0.05). Staple length was affected by the type of supplements (P <0.001). For the staple strength, a higher value was observed in the betaine plus sulfate treatment (P <0.05). Betaine plus sulfate supplementation significantly increased the concentration of wool sulfur (P <0.01). In contrast, wool wax and wool yellowness significantly decreased by the betaine and sulfate supplementation (P <0.05). Although there was an increase in the plasma cysteine concentration, it was not a significant one (P >0.05). In addition, no effects of betaine and sulfate supplementation were observed on plasma copper concentration. In conclusion, these data indicated that betaine plus sulfate supplementation had positive effects on milk and wool production of Naeini ewes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Spectroscopic properties of 1:n complexes (n = 1, 2, and 3) formed between an oxirane molecule and water clusters have been evaluated using experimental techniques (FTIR spectroscopy using a new supersonic jet experiment coupled to the infrared AILES beamline of synchrotron SOLEIL and also cryogenic neon matrix device) and theoretical approaches (SAPT, ab initio, DFT, and topological analyses). From a systematic comparison between the theoretical results (obtained with both wave function based methods and several newly hydrogen bonded adapted functionals) with the available experimental results on the studied compounds, it was concluded that only the wave function based methods (particularly coupled clusters ones) are able to well describe these compounds, while the newly hydrogen bonded adapted functionals (long-range and/or dispersion-corrected ones and also double hybrids) cannot adequately describe all the spectroscopic properties in a systematic way. The MP2 method, although more expensive than DFT, still offers a reliable method to study both isolated molecules and hydrogen bonded complexes provided the contribution of the dispersion energy in total energy is properly taken into account. The nature of interaction between oxirane and water molecules has been analyzed using the symmetry adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) method. It was evidenced that the water--oxirane interaction corresponds to the hydrogen-bonded systems with a large contribution of the dispersion energy. The nature of the oxirane--water bonding has been studied using two topological methods: atoms in molecules and electron-localization function (ELF). Geometrical structures of the titled complexes were rationalized from the spatial arrangement of ELF attractors. Secondary interaction was also accounted for the bond critical points found at Hoxirane⋯Owater bond paths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of partial replacement of neutral detergent soluble fibre (NDSF) for starch in diets varying in particle size (PS) of alfalfa hay on chewing activities, ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility and performance in mid-lactation dairy cows. Eight multiparous Holstein cows (146±6.0d in milk; 36.7±2.57kg milk/d) were used in a replicated 4×4 Latin square design with four 21d periods with the last 7d for data collection. The experiment was a 2×2 factorial arrangement with 2 levels of NDSF (low=85g/kg or high=130g/kg diet dry matter) each combined with 2 PS (short=20mm or long=40mm) of alfalfa hay. Results show that forage PS alone, or in combination with NDSF inclusion, had no effect on dry matter (DM) intake. Although total chewing, eating and ruminating times were not affected by treatments, eating time per kg of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) ingested was higher in long versus short alfalfa hay-based diets (P<0.05). Feeding long forage PS increased sorting of the diet against particles >19mm, and in favor of those <8mm (P<0.05). Feeding diets high in NDSF lowered DM intake (P<0.05), but increased apparent digestibility of all nutrients including NDF (P<0.05) independent of forage PS. Ruminal pH and concentrations of total volatile fatty acids were unaffected by dietary treatments, however the proportion of butyrate was higher in ruminal fluid of cows fed high NDSF diets (P<0.05). Changes in milk composition included lower milk crude protein content in high NDSF diets and higher lactose content for short hay-based diets (P<0.05). That milk yield and milk energy output were similar in low versus high NDSF diets suggests that high NDSF-fed cows had higher energy efficiency due to lower DM intake. Results suggest that, independent of forage PS, NDSF sources can be successfully included to partly replace starchy grains in diets exceeding minimum fibre recommendations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The nature of the bonding between lithium atoms, in low-spin and maximum-spin $$\hbox{Li}_{n} (n {=} 2\hbox{--}6)$$ clusters, was investigated using the topological electron localization function (ELF) approach. The maximum-spin clusters are especially intriguing since their bonding is sustained without having even a single electron pair! Hence this type of bonding had been called “no-pair ferromagnetic-bonding” [Danovich, Wu, Shaik J Am Chem Soc 121:3165 (1999); Glokhovtsev, Schleyer Isr J Chem 33: 455 (1993); de Visser, Danovich, Wu, Shaik J Phys Chem A 106:4961 (2002)]. The following conclusions were reached in the study: (a) In the ground state of Li n , covalent bonding between Li atoms is accounted by the presence of the disynaptic valence basins, which exhibit a significant degree of inter-basin delocalization. (b) Except for the 3Li2 case, the valence basins of all maximum-spin clusters are populated by unpaired electrons. The valence basins are located off Li–Li axis (or Li–Li–Li plane), so that their spatial distribution minimizes the mutual Pauli repulsion and screens the electrostatic repulsion between the Li cores. The inter-basin delocalization is rather high, thereby indicating that the unpaired electrons are virtually delocalized over all the valence basins. (c) The ELF analysis shows that Li atoms in the low-spin clusters are bonded by “two-center two-electron” and “three-center two-electron” bonds. (d) In the maximum-spin species, bonding is sustained by “two-center one-electron” and “three-center one-electron” bonds. The latter picture is complementary to the valence bond picture [Danovich, Wu, Shaik J Am Chem Soc 121 3165 (1999); de Visser, Danovich, Wu, Shaik J Phys Chem A 106: 4961 (2002)], in which the bicentric ferromagnetic-bonding is delocalized over all the short Li–Li contacts, by the mixing of the ionic structures and other nonredundant structures into the repulsive high-spin covalent structure in which all the electrons populate the 2 s atomic orbitals, i.e., the $$2s_a^{1} 2s_b^{1}\, 2s_i^{1}\cdots2s_n^{1}$$ configuration. In such a manner bonding can be sustained from “purely ferromagnetic interactions” without electron pairing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten Holstein cows in midlactation were used in a 5 x 5 replicated Latin square design with 21-d periods to determine the effects of feeding ground or steam-flaked broom sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and ground barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) on lactation performance and nutrient digestibility. Diets were fed as total mixed ration and consisted of 46% forage and 54% concentrate (DM basis). Treatment diets included ground barley, ground barley plus ground broom sorghum, ground broom sorghum, ground barley plus steam-flaked broom sorghum, and steam-flaked broom sorghum. Yield of fat-corrected milk was 2.3 kg greater for cows fed diets containing steam-flaked broom sorghum than for cows fed its ground form (24.4 vs 22.1 kg) and was 2.8 kg greater for cows fed diets containing a blend of steam-flaked broom sorghum plus ground barley than for cows fed ground sorghum (24.9 vs 22.1 kg). Yields and percentages of milk fat, protein, SNF, total solids, and apparent digestibility of crude protein were greater for cows fed steam-flaked broom sorghum and ground barley vs. ground broom sorghum. Including steam-flaked rather than ground broom sorghum in diets significantly increased fecal pH (7.10 vs 6.87) and improved efficiency of feed conversion (1.26 vs 1.15). Feeding steam-flaked broom sorghum alone or with ground barley compared with ground sorghum or the blend of ground barley and ground broom sorghum decreased plasma urea nitrogen increased glucose in plasma. Results of this study showed that feeding steam-flaked broom sorghum compared with ground broom sorghum could supply a more efficient source of energy for lactating cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is not clearly known whether parity can affect the outcomes of starch reduction in the diet of lactating dairy cows. Introduction: A 2 × 2 factorial study was conducted to evaluate the effects of reducing starch in the diets with similar protein and energy contents on lactation performance, ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility, behaviour and blood metabolites in primiparous (PP) and multiparous (MP) dairy cows. Methods: Twenty PP cows (DIM = 37 ± 10; 40 ± 5 kg/day of milk; mean ± SD) and 20 MP cows (DIM = 37 ± 9; 48 ± 5 kg/day of milk) were used in present study. Treatments were a factorial arrangement of two levels of starch (high vs. low) and two parity categories (PP vs. MP): (1) high‐starch diet (29.2% ± 0.70) and PP cows (HS‐PP); (2) low‐starch diet (22.3% ± 0.52) and PP cows (LS‐PP); (3) high‐starch diet and MP cows (HS‐MP) and (4) low‐starch diet and MP cows (LS‐MP). All diets were formulated to be similar in crude protein (16.1 % of dry matter) and NEL (1.60 Mcal/kg of dry matter) contents. The amount of metabolise protein was 2688 g/day in high‐starch diet and 2728 g/day in low‐starch diet. The experiment was conducted over two consecutive periods and included 4 weeks for adaptation and 3 weeks for data collection. Results: Dry matter intake and the yield of milk true protein and lactose increased but milk fat: protein ratio and nutrient digestibility decreased for cows fed the HS diets compared with the LS diets. The ruminal proportion of propionate was greater but acetate, the acetate to propionate ratio and sorting against long particles (19 and 8 mm) were lower for cows fed the HS diets than the LS diets. Multiparous cows had a greater nutrient intake and milk yield, longer rumination meal length, greater BW, but lower plasma total antioxidant capacity, non‐esterified fatty acids, faeces pH compared with PP cows. An interaction between parity and the dietary level of starch was detected on feed efficiency measured as FCM yield/DMI in the way that only within PP cows low‐starch diet was more efficient than HS diets. We found another interaction effect of parity × starch on back fat thickens (BFT) change in the way that only within PP cows BFT change was greater for HS compared with LS diet. Conclusion: Overall, regardless of the benefit derived from feeding a reduced‐starch diet by partially replacing grains with sugar beet pulp in the diets on nutrient digestibility, a reduced‐starch diet may be used more efficiently in PP than in MP cows but at expense of body reserves (i.e. BFT) loses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brucellosis is a widespread zoonotic disease with significant economic and major public health problem. Failure of response and relapse of brucellosis have reported with current therapeutic regimens. Considering the high prevalence of brucellosis and recurrence rate of this disease in Iran, widespread and inappropriate use of antibiotics could redound antibiotic resistance among Brucella isolates in the community. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Brucella isolates by E-test method in Hamadan, west of Iran. Methods & Materials: In this study, patients with clinical diagnosis of brucellosis who referred to Infectious Diseases Ward, Sina hospital in Hamadan were studied between April 2013 and July 2014. Blood Specimens were collected for diagnosis of brucellosis by BACTEC blood culture system. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of clinical isolates to gentamicin, streptomycin, rifampin, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole were performed by the E-test method. Then the CLSI zone size and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration interpretive criteria were examined. Results: One hundred forty-nine patients with brucellosis were enrolled in this study. Culture of clinical samples were positive in 38.3%, of which, 91.2% were associated with positive serological test. No significant associations were found between serological tests and culture method. All clinical isolates were sensitive to doxycycline, streptomycin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin, but intermediate sensitivity to rifampin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole were found in 35.08% and 3.5% of isolates, respectively. Conclusion: Because of the high frequency of intermediate sensitivity to rifampin among brucella isolates, this drug should be prescribed with caution. We recommend restricting the use of rifampin for treatment of brucellosis except as an alternative drug for special situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of an enzymatically hydrolyzed cottonseed protein (HCSP) as a peptide source on performance, blood metabolites, gastrointestinal development, and intestinal microbes. Forty-eight newborn Holstein calves were randomly assigned to 1 of the 4 dietary treatments including 0, 2, 4, and 6% of HCSP (dry matter basis). All calves received the same amount of pasteurized whole milk, weaned on d 56 of the experiment, and the study was concluded on d 70. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) as a randomized complete block design with linear and quadratic contrasts. Results showed that increased amount of HCSP linearly decreased the starter intake during the postweaning (d 57 to 70) and overall period (d 1 to 70). In addition, when dietary HCSP increased during the overall period, average daily gain tended to linearly decrease. All skeletal growth variables also linearly decreased as dietary HCSP increased at the end of the study, except for body length, which did not differ among the treatments. Serum cortisol concentration was higher in calves supplemented with 6% of HCSP at weaning and at the end of the study. This indicates that these calves may have experienced a stressful condition compared with calves in other treatments. Total antioxidant capacity was quadratically affected by HCSP supplementation; calves fed 2 and 4% of HCSP diets had the highest total antioxidant capacity, whereas calves fed 0 and 6% HCSP diets had lower total antioxidant capacity at weaning and at end of the study. Calves supplemented with 6% HCSP had lower empty reticulo-rumen and omasum weights and rumen wall thickness compared with calves in other treatments at the end of the study. In conclusion, supplementation of HCSP at the rate of 2% of starter diet enhanced antioxidant status without any detrimental effects on the performance and metabolic status of calves, whereas greater inclusion rates impaired starter intake and growth of calves, and exposed them to a stressful status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effects of feeding diets that were formulated to contain similar proportions of undigested neutral detergent fiber (uNDF) from forage, with wheat straw (WS) substituted for corn silage (CS), alfalfa hay (AH), or both. The diets were fed to lactating dairy cows and intake, digestibility, blood metabolites, and milk production were examined. Thirty-two multiparous Holstein cows (body weight = 642 ± 50 kg; days in milk = 78 ± 11 d; milk production = 56 ± 6 kg/d; mean ± standard deviation) were used in a randomized block design with 6-wk periods after a 10-d covariate period. Each period consisted of 14 d of adaptation followed by 28 d of data collection. The control diet contained CS and AH as forage sources (CSAH) with 17% of dietary dry matter as uNDF after 30 h of incubation (uNDF 30). Wheat straw was substituted for AH (WSCS), CS (WSAH), or both (WSCSAH) on an uNDF 30 basis, and beet pulp was used to obtain similar concentrations of NDF digestibility after 30 h of incubation (NDFD 30 = 44.5% of NDF) across all diets. The 4 diets also contained similar concentrations of net energy for lactation and metabolizable protein. Dry matter intake was greatest for WSCS (27.8 kg/d), followed by CSAH (25.7 kg/d), WSCSAH (25.2 kg/d), and WSAH (24.2 kg/d). However, yields of milk, 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM), and energy-corrected milk did not differ, resulting in higher FCM efficiency (kg of FCM yield/kg of dry matter intake) for WSAH (1.83) and WSCSAH (1.79), followed by CSAH (1.69) and WSCS (1.64). Milk protein percentage was greater for CSAH (2.84%) and WSCS (2.83%) than for WSAH (2.78%), and WSCSAH (2.81%) was intermediate. The opposite trend was observed for milk urea nitrogen, which was lower for CSAH (15.8 mg/dL), WSCS (15.8 mg/dL), and WSCSAH (17.0 mg/dL) than for WSAH (20 mg/dL). Total-tract NDF digestibility and ruminal pH were greater for diets containing WS than the diet without WS (CSAH), but digestibility of other nutrients was not affected by dietary treatments. Cows fed WSAH had less body reserves (body weight change = −13.5 kg/period) than the cows fed the other diets, whereas energy balance was greatest for those fed WSCS. The results showed that feeding high-producing dairy cows diets containing different forage sources but formulated to supply similar concentrations of uNDF 30 while maintaining NDFD 30, net energy for lactation, and metabolizable protein constant did not influence milk production. However, a combination of WS and CS (WSCS diet) compared with a diet with CS and AH improved feed intake, ruminal pH, total-tract NDF digestibility, and energy balance of dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three gas-phase diatomic trications Se23+, Te23+, and LaF3+ have been produced by Ar+ ion beam sputtering of Se, Te, and LaF3 surfaces, respectively. These exotic molecular ions were detected at noninteger m/z values in a magnetic sector mass spectrometer for ion flight times of >=13 μs that correspond to lower limits of their respective lifetimes. Se23+ and Te23+ were unambiguously identified by their characteristic isotopic abundances. Ab initio calculations of the electronic structures of Se23+, Te23+, and LaF3+ show that these molecular trications are metastable with respect to dissociation into fragment ions of Se2++Se+, Te2++Te+, and La2++F+, respectively. Their barrier heights are about 0.49, 0.29, and 0.53 eV, and the equilibrium internuclear distances (bond lengths) are about 0.23, 0.27, and 0.26 nm, respectively. The gas-phase diatomic dications Se22+ and Te22+ were also observed and unambiguously identified. They were found to be long-lived metastable molecules as well, whereas LaF2+ is thermochemically stable. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the feeding effects of wheat straw (WS) and beet pulp (BP) substituted for corn silage (CS) and alfalfa hay (AH) based on forage 30-h undigested neutral detergent fiber (uNDF 30) on lactation performance in high-producing dairy cows. Twelve multiparous (body weight = 611 ± 31 kg, days in milk = 97 ± 13; 51 ± 3 kg/d of milk; mean ± standard error) Holstein cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 28-d periods. Three treatments were established by substituting WS for CS and AH such that the concentration of forage uNDF 30 in all diets was the same. The treatments were (1) 0% forage uNDF 30 from WS (WS0; control), (2) 50% forage uNDF 30 from WS (WS50), and (3) 100% forage uNDF 30 from WS (WS100). Beet pulp was added in the straw diets to achieve similar dietary neutral detergent fiber digestibility after 30-h incubation (NDFD 30). The 3 diets were similar in forage uNDF 30 (14% of dry matter), total uNDF 30 (∼18.5% of dry matter), and NDFD 30 (approximately 42% of neutral detergent fiber). The substitution of WS and BP for AH and CS decreased the proportion of forage (40, 31, and 22.3% of dry matter) and forage neutral detergent fiber (21.2, 19.7, and 18.3% of dry matter) for WS0, WS50, and WS100, respectively, in the diet. However, the substitution linearly increased mean rumen pH (5.90, 6.09, and 6.28 for WS0, WS50, and WS100, respectively), digestibility of nutrients, and selection for long particles of diets without affecting dry matter intake. The substitution also linearly increased cholesterol and blood urea nitrogen concentration in the blood. Milk fat percentage, fat production, fat:protein ratio, and milk urea nitrogen increased linearly when treatments changed from WS0 to WS100, whereas the production of energy-corrected milk (ECM) was not affected by the treatments. Milk yield and milk protein yield were affected in a curvilinear manner and were lower in WS100 than other treatments. The efficiency of ECM production linearly increased in the diet with higher inclusion of WS and BP substitution in the diet (1.66, 1.70, and 1.72 for WS0, WS50, and WS100, respectively), but body weight, body weight change, and backfat thickness of cows were not different among treatments. In conclusion, the substitution of WS and BP for CS and AH with fixed uNDF 30 improved feed efficiency and rumen pH, decreased milk and protein yield, and did not affect ECM yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies demonstrated a high antioxidant capacity for pomegranate components due to their rich bioactive compounds, such as conjugated fatty acids and phenolics. The objective of the present study was, therefore, to assess whether pomegranate seed or pomegranate seed pulp (peel + seed) supplementation could be effective to improve antioxidant status, and hence metabolic profile and performance in periparturient dairy cows. After a 1-wk pretreatment period, Holstein cows (primiparous n = 12, multiparous n = 18) were assigned to 3 dietary treatments from 25 d before expected calving through 25 d postcalving. The dietary treatments included (1) control (CON); (2) diet supplemented with pomegranate seeds (PS; 400 g/cow per day); and (3) diet supplemented with pomegranate seed pulp (PSP; 400 g of seeds/cow per day + 1200 g of peels/cow per day). Compared with CON, supplementation with either PS or PSP had no effects on dry matter intake, rumen fermentation, and plasma concentrations of cholesterol, total protein, globulin, and aspartate amino transferase, but enhanced plasma total antioxidant activity, and lowered triacylglycerol, free fatty acids (FFA), and β-hydroxybutyrate at both pre- and postpartum periods. Plasma concentration of glucose, albumin, malondialdehyde (MDA) and blood superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were not affected by dietary treatments at prepartum, whereas SOD activity increased and glucose, albumin, MDA, and FFA-to-albumin ratio decreased by feeding both by-products at postpartum period. In contrast to PS, supplementing PSP resulted in a greater decrease in plasma glucose and triacylglycerol concentration and higher increase in SOD activity. Energy- and fat-corrected milk yields were higher in cows fed PSP diet compared with those fed CON or PS diets, but content of milk fat, protein, and lactose were similar across the dietary treatments. These findings indicated that dietary pomegranate by-products supplementation, in particular PSP, could improve antioxidant status, which was associated with a decline in lipid oxidation (FFA and β-hydroxybutyrate) and peroxidation (MDA) and an enhancement in glucose utilization as well as fat-corrected milk yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It seems that polymorphism in the regulatory areas of cytokine genes affect the cytokine production capacity and may play a role in the development of infectious diseases. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6), which are cytokines of Th2 causes the macrophage become inactive and patient conditions get worse. Methods & Materials: In this case-control study, 60 patients with brucellosis and 60 healthy participants were recruited. IL-10 genotyping at positions -1082 (G/A), -819 (C/T) and -592 (C/A) and IL-6 genotyping at position -174 (G/C) were analysed by amplification refractory mutation system- polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism- polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) methods. The levels of IL-10 and IL-6 were determined by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in sera of study population. Results: The AA and CC genotypes of the IL-10 gene at positions -1082 G/A and -819 C/T were significantly more frequent in patients in comparison to controls, respectively. The AG genotype of the IL- 10 gene at positions -1082 G/A was significantly more frequent in controls groups than the patients. Serum levels of IL-10 and IL-6 were significantly more frequent in the patients than in the control groups. Conclusion: Our study showed that the AA and CC genotypes at positions -1082 and -819 are very important, respectively. These results suggest that IL-10 (-1082 G/A) GG genotype may be considered as a risk factor for brucellosis, while the AG genotype might be a protective factor against the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The quinolone groups are an important class of broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. Plasmid mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants have emerged as a significant concern in recent years. This study reports on screening of resistant-isolates to fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agents for PMQR determinants and detection of qnr and aac(6')-Ib-cr genes. Methods & Materials: A total of 100 fluoroquinolone-resistant Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from 3 hospitals in Hamadan, west provinces of Iran, from October 2012 to June 2013. The isolates were identified by biochemical tests and confirmed by PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility to 14 antimicrobial agents including levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin was determined by disk diffusion methods and ciprofloxacin MIC was obtained by broth microdilution method as Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recommendations. The isolates were screened for the presence of qnrA, qnrB, qnrS and aac(6')-Ib-cr genes using PCR assays. Results: Among the screened isolates, 64 strains (64%) of Escherichia coli, 23 strains (23%) of Klebsiella pneumoniae, 13 strains (13%) of Proteus mirabilis were collected as quinolone-resistant isolates. Out of 100 isolates, two (2%) were positive for qnrS, seventeen (17%) isolates were positive for qnrB and we did not find qnrA gene in any of the isolates. There were also 32 positive isolates for aac(6')- Ib-cr determinant. Conclusion: We described the prevalence of qnr and aac(6')- Ib-cr genes in fluoroquinolone-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Hamadan city. The carriage rate of multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in healthy people in Hamadan City is extremely high. Moreover, genes encoding transferable quinolone resistance, in particular aac(6')-Ib-cr, are highly prevalent in these strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of processing method (grinding vs. steam flaking) and increasing densities of steam-flaked barley grain on dry matter intake ( DMI), rumen pH and fermentation characteristics, digestibility of dry matter in the total digestive tract ( DDTT), and milk production of dairy cows. Eight multiparous mid-lactation Holstein cows averaging 103 ± 24 DIM, 44.5 ± 4.7 kg milk/day and weighing 611 ± 43 kg at the start of the experiment were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 21-day periods. Cows were fed diets consisting of ( DM basis) 23.8% corn silage, 13.5% chopped alfalfa hay and 62.7% concentrate. The dietary treatments were either ground barley ( GB) using a hammer mill or steam-flaked barley ( SFB) - varying density at 390, 340 or 290 g/l. Processing method ( GB vs. SFB) did not affect DMI (23.6 kg/day on average), DDTT (71.0% on average), milk yield (43.4 kg/day on average), milk components, rumen pH and molar proportions of acetate, propionate, butyrate and sorting activity. Ruminal isovalerate concentration tended (p = 0.06) to be higher for cows fed GB than those fed SFB-based diets. Decreasing the density of SFB from 390, 340 to 290 g/l tended to linearly increase DMI (p = 0.09), decrease total solids percentage of milk (p = 0.10) and linearly decreased milk urea nitrogen (12.8, 12.4 and 12.1 mg/dl; p = 0.04); also, the sorting index ( SI) of the particles retained on the 19.0-mm sieve without affecting the SI of the particles retained on 8.0-mm, 1.18-mm or passed through 1.18-mm sieve (p = 0.05). These results indicated the limited effects of processing method (grinding vs. steam flaking) and densities of SFB (390, 290 or 290 g/l) on cows' performance and feed utilization for dairy cows fed low-forage diets. Therefore, both processing methods could be recommended under current feeding conditions of dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly porous styrene/2-ethylhexylacrylate/divinylbenzene polymerized high internal phase emulsion (ST/2EHA/DVB polyHIPE) solid foams reinforced using various amounts of silica nanoparticles (SNPs) were prepared via emulsion templating. The neat and reinforced solid foams were successfully functionalized using sulfuric acid (98%) to introduce the sulfonic groups in the resultant ion-exchange polyHIPE membranes. The effect of SNPs level on the morphology and mechanical properties of the neat and reinforced foams was investigated. The ion-exchange capacity (IEC) of the resulting membranes was measured by titration procedure. The results showed that increasing SNPs level up to 3 wt% enhanced IEC from 3.6 to 3.9 meq g −1 and improved the water uptake (WU) due to increasing SO 3 H groups inside the polyHIPE type membranes. The efficiency of 3 wt% SNPs reinforced membrane for adsorption of nickel ions was evaluated. The effect of crucial parameters, such as initial nickel concentration, pH of the solution, and membrane contact time, on the removal efficiency was investigated using surface response methodology (SRM) experiment design. Additionally, the adsorption behavior of the membrane was evaluated using different kinetic and isotherm models. The results showed that the adsorption kinetic behavior was in a good agreement with the pseudo-first-order and Elovich model in the low and high nickel concentrations, respectively. Furthermore, the adsorption of nickel ions was fit well on Freundlich adsorption isotherm. The reusability of the reinforced polyHIPE membrane was evaluated for five sorption-desorption cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the effect of soybeans roasted at different temperatures on milk yield and milk fatty acid composition, 8 (4 multiparous and 4 primiparous) mid-lactation Holstein cows (42.9 ± 3 kg/d of milk) were assigned to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. The control diet (CON) contained lignosulfonate-treated soybean meal (as a source of rumen-undegradable protein) and calcium salts of fatty acids (Ca-FA, as a source of energy). Diets 2, 3, and 4 contained ground soybeans roasted at 115, 130, or 145°C, respectively (as the source of protein and energy). Dry matter intake (DMI) tended to be greater for CON compared with the roasted soybean diets (24.6 vs. 23.3 kg/d). Apparent total-tract digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein were not different among the treatments. Actual and 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield were greater for CON than for the roasted soybean diets. Milk fat was higher for soybeans roasted at 130°C than for those roasted at either 115 or 145°C. No differences were observed between the CON and the roasted soybean diets, or among roasting temperatures, on feed efficiency and nitrogen concentrations in rumen, milk, and plasma. Milk from cows fed roasted soybeans had more long-chain fatty acids and fewer medium-chain fatty acids than milk from cows fed Ca-FA. Compared with milk from cows fed the CON diet, total milk fat contents of conjugated linoleic acid, cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid, cis- C18:2, cis-C18:3, and C22:0 were higher for cows fed the roasted soybean diets. Polyunsaturated fatty acids and total unsaturated fatty acids were greater in milk from cows fed roasted soybean diets than in milk from cows fed CON. Concentrations of C16:0 and saturated fatty acids in milk fat were greater for CON than for the roasted soybean diets. Cows fed roasted soybean diets had lower atherogenic and thrombogenic indices than cows fed CON. Milk fatty acid composition did not differ among different roasting temperatures. In summary, results showed that cows fed CON had higher DMI and milk yield than cows fed roasted soybean diets. Among different roasting temperatures (115, 130, and 145°C), soybeans roasted at 115°C led to higher milk production and lower DMI. Cows fed roasted soybeans, regardless of the roasting temperature, had more unsaturated fatty acids in milk. Using roasted soybeans in dairy cow rations could, therefore, improve the health indices of milk for human nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The missing entry, namely, the "C-anagostic" or η¹-C interaction, closing the agostic-anagostic series of metal-CH(aryl) interactions is found in a bis(amidiniophosphine) P(CH)P pincer rhodium complex. The three entries, namely, agostic η²-(C,H), anagostic (related to hydrogen bonding, thus recoined here as "H-anagostic"), and C-anagostic interactions, are unambiguously characterized by electron localization function (ELF) topological analysis. Other theoretical tools such as noncovalent interaction (NCI) analysis and multicenter electron delocalization indices (MCIs) support the ELF characterization. A η²-(C,H) agostic interaction is evidenced by a disynaptic V(C,H) or trisynaptic V(M,C,H) ELF basin with a significant quantum topological atoms in molecules (QTAIM) atomic contribution of the metal M and a large covariance (in absolute value) with the metal core basin C(M). The C-anagostic η¹-C interaction is characterized by a disynaptic V(M,C) basin, a weak covariance (in absolute value) of V(C,H) and C(M) populations, and a negligible QTAIM atomic contribution of M to V(C,H). The relevance of these ELF signatures is evidenced in a selected series of related rhodium and osmium complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Bacterial infectioins in particular meningitis, pneumonia and septicemia are still some of the most causes of mortalities in children.The aim of present study was to identify the most common bacterial agents causing infectionis in children under 14 and detection of antibiotic resistance paterns. Material and Methods: During two years,1897samples were obtained from the patients suspected bacterial infectioins. They were investigated for bacterial cultures, age, sex and antibiogram patterns. The species were identified by biochemical and serological methods. Results: Of 1897 samples, 563 (29.6%) had positve bacterial culture. Of these 74.7% were gram negative and 25.3% gram positive . The most common species were Escherichia coli(34.1%), Staphylococcus aureus (17.1%), Psuedomonas aeroginosa (12.4%), Kelebsiella (11%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (5.7%). The most effective antibiotics against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria were ceftriaoxne, nitrofurantoin, nalidixic acid, amikacin and gentamycin. Conclusion: The gram negative bacteria in particular Escherichia coli, Psuedomonas aeroginosa and Kelebsiella are the predominant causes of bacterial infections in children under 14 in these regions. Most species showed a high relative resisitance to routine antibiotics such as ampicillin, trimethoprim and chloramphenicol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Urinary tract infections and bacteremia are the major problems in renal transplant patients, which are mostly due to immunesuppressive regimens, surgery, and exposure to the germs in hospital. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of bacterial agents in the blood and urine samples of kidney transplant candidates. Material and Methods: In this one-year-long study, thirty-three renal transplant candidates were assessed for urine and blood cultures. One urine and blood samples from each patient before transplantation and three samples after transplantation were collected. The Samples, using standard microbiological methods, were investigated and infectious organisms identified. Results: In 133 urine samples, Escherichia coli (20.5%), Enterobacter spp. (5.3%), Klebsiella spp. (3 %) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (1.5%) were isolated. In the blood samples, Enterobacter spp. (9.1%), Escherichia coli (6.8%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (3.8%) and Klebsiella spp. (0.8%) were isolated. Conclusion: The results indicate that urinary tract infection was high in patients with transplanted kidney, and E. coli is the most common cause of this infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated physiological effects of pistachio by-products silage (PBPS) substituted in Holstein male calves diets and its effects on the growth performance. Twenty-four Holstein male calves (4-5 months of age and 155.6 ± 13.5 kg BW) were randomly assigned to one of four experimental diets ( n = 6); contained 0%, 6%, 12% and 18% of PBPS (DM basis) respectively. During a 6-month experiment, dry matter intake (DMI) and weight gain were recorded and blood and urine samples were collected at different times. Results showed that mean DMI was not affected by different levels of PBPS in diets. But the calves fed 6% PBPS had the highest average daily gain (p < 0.05) and the lowest feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05). The calves fed 12% and 18% PBPS had lower albumin, white blood cell, haemoglobin and packed cell volume (p < 0.05) than those fed other diets. However, other serum metabolites, complete blood count (CBC), insulin and liver enzymes were not affected by the experimental diets. The long-term feeding of PBPS at different levels had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on pH, specific gravity, the number of white and red blood cells and epithelial cells count in urine. The animals did not show any symptom of illness or toxicity during the experimental period and all of the blood and urine parameters were in a normal range. It was concluded that substitution of PBPS up to 18% of the total diet that provide up to 18.2 g/kg DM total tannin had no adverse effects for Holstein male calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primiparous cows are more susceptible to oxidative stress than multiparous cows because of their lower total antioxidant capacity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of fatty acid (FA) source with and without pomegranate peel (PP) as an antioxidant-rich source in the diet on oxidative stress, blood metabolites, lactation performance, and nutrient digestibility in primiparous lactating cows. Twelve Holstein dairy cows in early lactation were randomly assigned to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Each period lasted 28 days with 21 days for feed adjustment and 7 days for data and sample collection. The diets were supplemented with 15 g/kg DM of palmitic acid-enriched fat (enriched in saturated FA) or fish oil (enriched in unsaturated FA) contained 0 or 87 g/kg DM of PP. Pomegranate peels increased total dietary antioxidant concentrations and fish oil reduced the ratio of n-6 to n-3 in the experimental diets. Significant interactions were observed for plasma non-esterified FA and malondialdehyde concentrations, milk fat yield, and apparent total-tract nutrient digestibility. Plasma non-esterified FA concentrations decreased in cows fed palmitic acid-enriched fat when PP was included in the diet. Diets with PP resulted in increased plasma concentrations of malondialdehyde in cows fed fish oil but not in those fed the palmitic acid-enriched fat. In addition, total plasma antioxidant capacity increased in cows fed PP containing diets, whereas blood inflammatory markers were not affected by the by inclusion of PP. Supplementing palmitic acid-enriched fat increased milk fat yield by 10% compared with fish oil, whereas a trend toward a decrease in this variable was observed when fish oil was fed without PP. Also, feed intake increased and milk protein concentration decreased in cows consuming diets containing PP, while milk yield was greater for cows fed fish oil. Cows fed palmitic acid-enriched fat had lower DM and NDF digestibility than in those fed fish oil. The molar fraction of propionate in the rumen decreased and the ratio of acetate to propionate increased in cows fed PP containing diets. Cows fed palmitic acid-enriched fat had a greater molar fraction of propionate but a lower ratio of acetate to propionate than cows fed fish oil. Overall, inclusion of PP in diets containing fish oil or palmitic acid-enriched fat contributed to improved feed intake and antioxidant capacity, while we observed no interaction on oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in dairy cows. • Using pomegranate peel improved oxidative capacity on both saturated and unsaturated fat in dairy cows. • Feed intake increased by the inclusion of pomegranate peel while milk yield increased by supplementing fish oil. • Pomegranate peel and palmitic acid-enriched fat fed together reduced total-tract nutrient digestion. • Ruminal proportions of branched-chain fatty acids and propionate decreased in cows fed pomegranate peel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]