Search

Purpose: To investigate associations between levels of blood parameters used to monitor liver-transplanted children with their salivary levels, and compare the salivary parameters of transplant recipients with those of healthy controls. Methods: Saliva and blood samples from 30 liver transplanted recipients, mean age 11.7 years and saliva from age and sex matched 27 healthy patients were analyzed using a standard complete blood count test. Results: Uric acid and alkaline phosphatase levels correlated significantly between saliva and blood samples in the transplanted subjects. Median salivary sodium level was significantly lower and the median salivary potassium level significantly higher in transplant recipients compared with healthy subjects. No differences were found between the groups in salivary glucose, urea, chloride, total protein, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, uric acid, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), triglycerides, cholesterol, iron, transferrin, glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT). Conclusion: Specific correlations of serum and salivary chemistry were found in liver transplant patients. Such information may lead to the development of noninvasive monitoring tools for this population.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of green light emitting diode (LED) light during incubation and dietary organic macro and trace minerals during rearing on tibia morphological, biophysical, and mechanical characteristics of broiler chickens at slaughter age. The experiment was setup as a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, with the following treatments: 1) light during incubation (green LED light or darkness), 2) macro mineral source during rearing (organic or inorganic Ca and P), and 3) trace mineral source during rearing (organic or inorganic Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Se). A total of 2,400 eggs (Ross 308) were either incubated under green LED light (16L:8D) or in complete darkness. After hatch, a total of 864 male broiler chickens were reared until slaughter age (day 42) and provided with 1 of 4 diets, differing in macro and/or trace mineral source. During rearing, the experiment had a complete randomized block design with 9 replicate pens per treatment and 12 chickens per pen. At slaughter age (day 42), 2 chickens per replicate were randomly selected and tibia bones were obtained. Tibia weight, length, thickness, osseous volume, pore volume, total volume, mineral content, mineral density, ultimate strength, and stiffness were determined. Green LED light during incubation did not affect any of the tibia characteristics. Dietary organic macro minerals positively affected most of the tibia morphological, biophysical, and mechanical characteristics compared to the inorganic macro minerals, whereas trace mineral sources did not affect tibia characteristics. It can be concluded that dietary organic macro minerals Ca and P stimulated tibia characteristics, whereas green LED light during incubation and dietary trace minerals during rearing did not affect tibia characteristics, locomotion, or leg disorders.

Eggshell temperature (EST) during incubation greatly affects embryo development, chick quality at hatch, and subsequently various broiler physiological systems. Until now, a constant EST of 37.8°C seems optimal. Data on effects of EST patterns on immune organ development and subsequent broiler immune response are, however, scarce. A higher EST of 38.9°C in week 2 and/or a lower EST of 36.7°C in week 3 of incubation potentially positively affect embryo immune organ development and broiler immune response post hatch. Broiler eggs (n = 468) were incubated at 4 different EST patterns (n = 117 eggs/treatment) from week 2 of incubation onward. Week 1 (embryonic age (E)0 < E7) EST was 37.8°C for all eggs. Week 2 (E7 < E14) EST was either 37.8°C (Control) or 38.9°C (Higher), and week 3 (E14 - /hatch) EST was either Control or 36.7°C (Lower). At hatch, histology of bursal follicles and jejunum villi and crypts were determined as well as heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (H:L)(n = 49). Posthatch, both sexes were grown in 8 pens/treatment for 6 wk (n = 320). Natural antibodies (NAb) were determined at day 14, 22, and slaughter (day 41 or 42) as an indicator of immunocompetence and response to a Newcastle disease (NCD) vaccination was determined by antibody levels at day 22 and slaughter (n = 128). Results showed no interaction EST week 2 × EST week 3, except for jejunum histology. Higher EST in week 2 resulted in lower cell density within bursal follicles (P= 0.02) and a tendency for lower H:L (P= 0.07) at hatch, and higher NCD titers at slaughter (P= 0.02) than Control EST. Lower EST in week 3 resulted at hatch in higher cell density within bursal follicles, higher H:L (both P< 0.05), and a tendency for a higher posthatch mortality rate than control EST (P= 0.10). In conclusion, higher EST in week 2 during incubation may benefit embryonic immune organ development and posthatch broiler immunocompetence, while lower EST in week 3 showed opposite indications.

During incubation, development of embryos is affected by eggshell temperature (EST). A constant EST of 37.8°C has been considered so far to result in most optimal embryo development. However, it can be hypothesized that a higher EST in week 2 in combination with a lower EST in week 3 stimulates embryo development and subsequent grow-out performance. In this study, 468 eggs of a 44-week-old Ross 308 breeder flock were incubated at different incubation temperature patterns in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. In week 2, EST was either 37.8°C or 38.9°C, and in week 3, EST was either 37.8°C or 36.7°C. At hatch, chick quality was determined. Thereafter, 320 broilers were grown in 32 pens (8 replicates/treatment) for 6 wk. Weekly BW and ADFI were determined, and at day 40, slaughter yield from 128 broilers (4 per pen) was determined. Results showed that EST in week 2 did not interact with EST in week 3 for any variable. An EST of 38.9°C in week 2 resulted in a 1 mm longer chick length (P< 0.001) and 0.4 mmol/L lower blood glucose level (P= 0.04) at hatch than an EST of 37.8°C. Grow-out performance was not affected by EST in week 2 of incubation. An EST of 36.7°C in week 3 resulted in a 1 mm shorter chick length (P= 0.02), 1.0 mmol/L higher blood glucose level (P< 0.001), and higher relative heart (P= 0.01) and stomach weights (P= 0.03) at hatch than an EST of 37.8°C. Additionally, an EST of 36.7°C in week 3 resulted in lower BW, ADG, and ADFI on slaughter age (all P< 0.03) than an EST of 37.8°C. In conclusion, no interaction between EST in week 2 and 3 of incubation was found for any variable. A higher EST in week 2 had minor effects at hatching and during rearing, whereas a lower EST in week 3 seemed to result in better organ development, but resulted in lower grow-out performance.

This study was designed to determine effects of eggshell temperature (EST) pattern in week 2 and week 3 of incubation on tibia development of broiler chickens at slaughter age. A total of 468 Ross 308 eggs were incubated at an EST of 37.8°C from incubation day (E) 0 to E7. Thereafter, a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with 2 EST (37.8°C and 38.9°C) from E8 to E14 and 2 EST (36.7°C and 37.8°C) from E15 till hatch was applied. After hatching, chickens were reared until slaughter age with the 4 EST treatments and 8 replicates per treatment. At day 41 and 42, one male chicken per replicate per day was selected, and hock burn and food pad dermatitis were scored. Rotated tibia, tibia dyschondroplasia, epiphyseal plate abnormalities, bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis, and epiphysiolysis were assessed. Tibia weight, length, thickness, head thickness, and robusticity index were determined. X-ray analyses (osseous volume, pore volume, total volume, volume fraction, mineral content, and mineral density) and a 3-point bending test (ultimate strength, yield strength, stiffness, energy to fracture, and elastic modulus) were performed. A high EST (38.9°C) in week 2 of incubation, followed by a normal EST (37.8°C) in week 3 resulted in higher mineral content (P= 0.001), mineral density (P= 0.002), ultimate strength (P= 0.04), yield strength (P= 0.03), and stiffness (P= 0.05) compared with the other 3 EST groups (week 2 × week 3 interaction). A high EST (38.9°C) in week 2 of incubation, regardless of the EST in week 3, resulted in a higher tibia weight (P< 0.001), thickness (P= 0.05), osseous volume (P< 0.001), and total volume (P< 0.001) than a normal EST (37.8°C). It can be concluded that 1.1°C higher EST than normal in week 2 of incubation appears to stimulate tibia morphological, biophysical, and mechanical characteristics of broiler chickens at slaughter age. Additionally, a 1.1°C lower EST in week 3 of incubation appears to have negative effects on tibia characteristics, particularly in interaction with the EST in week 2 of incubation.

BackgroundHeart transplants have become a successful treatment for some cardiovascular diseases. To prevent rejection of the transplanted heart, patients have to take immunosuppressive medication.

Nutrition is a crucial factor for growth and bone development in broiler chickens. Adjustments in dietary ingredients might affect bone development and consequently locomotion related problems. This study was designed to evaluate effects of dietary organic minerals (ORM), fish oil (FISH), and hydrolyzed collagen (COL) on growth performance and tibia characteristics of broiler chickens. A total of three hundred eighty four 1-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chickens were used in a complete randomized block design with 4 diet groups and 8 replicates per diet group. In the ORM diet, the inorganic macro and trace minerals were replaced by their organic varieties. In the FISH diet, palm oil and soybean oil were partly replaced by FISH. In the COL diet, soybean meal was partly replaced by COL. Results showed that the ORM and COL diet groups reached a higher body weight (BW) at 42 D of age than the FISH diet group, whereas the control group was in between. The feed conversion ratio between day 1 and 42 was lower in the ORM and COL diet groups than in both other diet groups. On day 28, 35, and 42, gait score (GS), Varus Valgus deformity, tibia length (TL), thickness, femoral and metatarsal head thickness (THT), mineral content (TMC), mineral density (TMD), breaking strength (TBS), stiffness (TSF), and energy to fracture (TEF) were measured (n = 3/replicate). The ORM diet group had higher TL at day 42, higher THT at day 28, higher TMC at day 42, higher TMD at day 28, 35, and 42, higher TBS at day 42, higher TSF at day 35 and 42, and higher TEF at day 42 compared to the FISH diet group, with the COL and control diet groups in between. It can be concluded that replacing dietary inorganic macro and trace minerals by their organic varieties seems to stimulate tibia dimensions, strength, and mineral content of broiler chickens. On the contrary, FISH appears to negatively affect tibia characteristics.

Figurative cave paintings from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi date to at least 35,000 years ago (ka) and hand-stencil art from the same region has a minimum date of 40 ka1. Here we show that similar rock art was created during essentially the same time period on the adjacent island of Borneo. Uranium-series analysis of calcium carbonate deposits that overlie a large reddish-orange figurative painting of an animal at Lubang Jeriji Saléh—a limestone cave in East Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo—yielded a minimum date of 40 ka, which to our knowledge is currently the oldest date for figurative artwork from anywhere in the world. In addition, two reddish-orange-coloured hand stencils from the same site each yielded a minimum uranium-series date of 37.2 ka, and a third hand stencil of the same hue has a maximum date of 51.8 ka. We also obtained uranium-series determinations for cave art motifs from Lubang Jeriji Saléh and three other East Kalimantan karst caves, which enable us to constrain the chronology of a distinct younger phase of Pleistocene rock art production in this region. Dark-purple hand stencils, some of which are decorated with intricate motifs, date to about 21–20 ka and a rare Pleistocene depiction of a human figure—also coloured dark purple—has a minimum date of 13.6 ka. Our findings show that cave painting appeared in eastern Borneo between 52 and 40 ka and that a new style of parietal art arose during the Last Glacial Maximum. It is now evident that a major Palaeolithic cave art province existed in the eastern extremity of continental Eurasia and in adjacent Wallacea from at least 40 ka until the Last Glacial Maximum, which has implications for understanding how early rock art traditions emerged, developed and spread in Pleistocene Southeast Asia and further afield.

In 6 experiments, it was investigated whether the pattern of warming from storage temperature to incubation temperature affects early embryonic mortality in broiler eggs. The warming profile (WP) from 21°C to the final incubation temperature of 37.8°C was divided into 2 equal parts (above and below 29.4°C) and the duration of warming in both parts was varied (3 to 17 h). In all experiments, eggs were stored for 13 to 16 d at a storage temperature of 18±2°C. In experiment 1, embryo morphology was evaluated at several time points during a linear warming curve of 24 h from 21°C to an eggshell temperature (EST) of 37.8°C. Results from experiment 1 showed that during the 24 h of warming, embryos did not advance in morphological stage (P= 0.74).

The biochemical composition of articaine differs from other amide anaesthetics. The lipophilic part of articaine consists of a thiophene ring, whereas other amide anaesthetics contain a benzene ring. When used correctly, local anaesthetics are remarkably safe. However, all local anaesthetics are potentially neurotoxic. In rare cases a prolonged abnormal perception/sensation may be present after the expected duration of action (paraesthesia). In several countries retrospective studies have been conducted that examined the incidence of persistent paraesthesia after the use of local anaesthetics. In most studies the number of paraesthesia cases after the use of articaine was higher than the market share of this anaesthetic. In animal studies and in cell culture experiments, however, articaine did not have a higher toxicity compared to other amide anaesthetics. Further studies of the cause of paraesthesia after administration of local anaesthetics seem to be warranted.

This study aimed to investigate the genetics of rearing success (RS) in laying hens. Four rearing traits: clutch size (CS), first week mortality (FWM), rearing abnormalities (RA), and natural death (ND), were included as factors determining RS. Pedigree, genotypic, and phenotypic records of 4 purebred genetic lines of White Leghorn layers were available for 23,000 rearing batches obtained between 2010 and 2020. FWM and ND showed little or no variation amongst the 4 genetic lines over the years 2010–2020, whereas an increase was observed for CS and a decrease for RA. To determine whether these traits were heritable, genetic parameters for each trait were estimated, using a Linear Mixed Model. Heritabilities within lines were low (0.05–0.19 for CS, 0.01–0.04 for FWM, 0.02–0.06 for RA, 0.02–0.04 for ND, and 0.01–0.07 for RS). Additionally, genome wide association study was done to scan the genomes of the breeders to reveal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with these traits. Manhattan plots indicated the existence of 12 different SNPs having a significant effect on RS. Thus, the identified SNPs will increase the understanding of the genetics of RS in laying hens.

Coeliac disease is a chronic autoimmune-mediated enteropathy, caused by exposure to dietary gluten in genetically predisposed individuals that affects approximately 0.5-1% of the western population. Despite increased awareness of the disease, the majority of patients still remain undiagnosed. Disease frequently manifests in early childhood, but a significant proportion of patients are nowadays diagnosed above the age of 50. Timely diagnosis is important in order to start a gluten-free diet and prevent complications. Symptoms of coeliac disease vary widely and are certainly not restricted to the intestine. They may include, among others, dental and oral manifestations. Most of them are nonspecific but symmetric enamel defects are very specific to coeliac disease. It is important to recognise this relationship since it may help to identify unrecognised patients.

Ulcerative colitis is a rather common inflammatory bowel disease, especially in the industrialised world. A limited number of studies have reported the prevalence of oral signs and symptoms in these patients, and widely varying prevalence rates have been reported ranging from 2 to 34%. Pyostomatitis vegetans is the most pathognomonic oral sign but also other abnormalities as oral ulcerations, caries and periodontitis are more often seen in patients with ulcerative colitis. In this review we describe the oral manifestations of ulcerative colitis and their potential dental implications.

ImportanceThere are many different published rehabilitation protocols with various guidelines for type and duration of immobilisation, exercises and return to preoperative activities.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to evaluate the evidence regarding rehabilitation following anteroinferior capsulolabral repair in patients with anterior shoulder instability.Evidence reviewThe American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists' (ASSET) consensus guideline was assessed with the Appraisal of Guidelines and Research & Evaluation (AGREE) II tool. A literature search was then conducted including Medline (Pubmed), Embase, PEDro and the Cochrane Database for related randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared different rehabilitation protocols. Duplications were removed. Studies were first excluded based on title and abstract and then based on full text. Included articles were assessed for methodological quality with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines manual appendix C and for level of evidence with the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence. A qualitative synthesis of data from included studies was performed.FindingsOur average score of the ASSET guideline was 49%. The initial search resulted in 902 articles. After screening the title and abstract, only 2 studies met the inclusion criteria. A background search in the 4 orthopaedic journals with the highest impact factor (IF) resulted in 6 background articles, which emphasise the differences between current rehabilitation protocols.ConclusionsAlthough based on limited evidence, the ASSET guideline (2010) is applicable at this time. Based on controlled studies, there is insufficient evidence to suggest 1 rehabilitation protocol over another to treat patients after an arthroscopic Bankart procedure for shoulder instability. Further research is required.Level of evidenceLevel IV.

Widely varying prevalence rates of oral lesions in patients with Crohn's disease have been reported, ranging from 0.5% to 37%. These manifestations may coincide with or precede intestinal symptoms. Oral manifestations can be classified as specific lesions, when macroscopic examination shows similar changes to those observed endoscopically in the intestine, and non-specific lesions including aphthous ulcerations. The most frequently observed oral lesions are oedema, ulcers and hyperplastic lesions on the buccal mucosa. In most patients these lesions are asymptomatic, however, some patients may experience discomfort. In this review we describe the most relevant oro-dental manifestations observed in patients with Crohn's disease and discuss the potential implications for oro-dental management.

The impact of growth curve (GC) and dietary energy-to-protein ratio of broiler breeder hens on chick quality and broiler performance was investigated. Pullets (n = 1,536) were randomly allotted to 24 pens and assigned to 1 of 8 treatments from hatch onwards, according to a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement with 2 GC (standard growth curve = SGCor elevated growth curve = EGC, +15%) and 4 diets, differing in energy-to-protein ratio (96%, 100%, 104%, and 108% AMEndiet). At 28 and 36 wk of age, 60 hatching eggs per maternal pen were selected for incubation and 768-day-old broilers were assigned to 32 pens according to maternal treatment.

Early life experiences are known to be of great importance for later life. For instance, exposure to stress during early life can increase fearfulness at later age. In broilers, delayed feeding after hatch may cause metabolic stress. Besides, delayed feeding after hatch may affect neonatal broiler development and thermogenesis and consequently preferred ambient temperature. Moreover, these effects of feeding strategy may be dependent on late incubation temperature. To study this, eggs (n = 1,338) from a 54-wk-old Ross broiler breeder flock were incubated at 37.8°C (control) or 36.7°C (lower) eggshell temperature (EST) during late incubation (≥ embryonic d 17). At hatch, two feeding strategies were applied (direct access (early feeding) or 51 to 54 h delayed access (delayed feeding)). Broilers (n = 960) were equally divided over 32 pens and grown for 3 wk. Stress was assessed by determination of corticosterone in blood at 0 h, 48 h, 96 h and d 21 after hatch. Fearfulness was assessed by tonic immobility at d 13. Temperature preference was assessed at d 2 and d 12. Broiler development was determined at 0 h, 48 h, and 96 h after hatch. There was no EST × feeding strategy interaction for any parameter (P≥ 0.07). Early feeding resulted in a 2.5× lower plasma corticosterone concentration at 48 h (P< 0.01) and a 2.2°C and 2.0°C lower preference temperature for d 2 and d 12 respectively (P = 0.01) compared to delayed feeding. Tonic immobility was not affected. In conclusion, early feeding reduces exposure to stress in the short term and stimulates thermoregulatory ability of broilers in the longer term.

Colibacillosis is a poultry disease that negatively affects welfare and causes economic losses. Treatment with antibiotics raises concerns on antimicrobial resistance. Consequently, alternative approaches to enhance poultry resilience are needed. Access to feed and water directly after hatch (early feeding) may enhance resilience at later ages. Additionally, a high eggshell temperature (EST) during mid incubation may improve chick quality at hatch, supporting potential positive effects of early feeding. Effects of EST [37.8°C (control) or 38.9°C (higher)] during mid-incubation (embryo days 7–14) and feeding strategy (early feeding or 48 h delayed feeding) were tested in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. At hatch, ̴ 1,800 broilers were divided over 36 pens and grown for 6 wk. At d 8 post hatch, avian pathogenic E. coli(APEC) was inoculated intratracheally as model to investigate broiler resilience against respiratory diseases. Incidence and severity of colibacillosis, local infection, and systemic infection were assessed at 6 moments between 3 h and 7 d postinoculation. Broilers were weighed daily during 13 d postinoculation and weekly thereafter. At higher EST, early feeding resulted in higher incidence of systemic infection compared to delayed feeding whereas at control EST, systemic infection was not different between feeding strategies. Regardless of EST, early compared to delayed feeding resulted in lower incidence of local infection, fewer BW deviations, and higher growth until d 35. In conclusion, early feeding could be considered as a strategy to enhance broiler resilience, but only when EST is not too high.

We discuss the results of the interaction of counter-propagating pulses for two coupled complex cubic-quintic Ginzburg–Landau equations as they arise near the onset of a weakly inverted Hopf bifurcation. As a result of the interaction of the pulses we find in 1D for periodic boundary conditions (corresponding to an annular geometry) many different possible outcomes. These are summarized in two phase diagrams using the approach velocity, v, and the real part of the cubic cross-coupling, cr, of the counter-propagating waves as variables while keeping all other parameters fixed. The novel phase diagram in the limit v ↦0, cr↦0 turns out to be particularly rich and includes bound pairs of 2 π holes as well as zigzag bound pairs of pulses.

Breeder age and broiler strain can influence the availability of nutrients and oxygen, particularly through differences in yolk size and shell conductance. We hypothesized that these egg characteristics might affect embryonic responses to changes in eggshell temperature (EST). This study aimed to investigate the effect of breeder age, broiler strain, and EST on development and physiological status of embryos. A study was designed as a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement using 4 batches of 1,116 hatching eggs of 2 flock ages at 29 to 30 wk (young) and 54 to 55 wk (old) of Ross 308 and Cobb 500. EST of 37.8 (normal) or 38.9°C (high) was applied from incubation d 7 (E7) until hatching. The results showed that breeder age rather than broiler strain had an influence on yolk size (P= 0.043). The shell conductance was higher in Ross 308 than in Cobb 500 (P< 0.001). A high EST resulted in a higher yolk free body mass (YFBM) compared to the normal EST at E14 and E16, but at 3 h after hatch YFBM was lower when eggs were incubated at high EST compared to normal EST (all P< 0.001). Cobb 500 eggs yielded embryos with a lower YFBM at E14, E18, and 3 h after hatch (all P< 0.05) than Ross 308 eggs. Breeder age had no effect on YFBM, but the RSY weight was higher in embryos from the old flock compared to the young flock embryos at E14 and E16 (both P< 0.05). A 3-way interaction among breeder age, strain, and EST was found, especially for incubation duration, navel quality, and relative heart and stomach weights at 3 h after hatch (all P< 0.05). Based on the results obtained, we conclude that oxygen availability rather than nutrient availability determines embryonic development, and the egg characteristics affected embryonic responses to changes of EST, especially for variables related to chick quality.

Chemical studies of superheavy elements require fast and efficient techniques, due to short half-lives and low production rates of the investigated nuclides. Here, we advocate for using a tubular flow reactor for assessing the thermal stability of the Sg carbonyl complex – Sg(CO)6. The experimental setup was tested with Mo and W carbonyl complexes, as their properties are established and supported by theoretical predictions. The suggested approach proved to be effective in discriminating between the thermal stabilities of Mo(CO)6and W(CO)6. Therefore, an experimental verification of the predicted Sg–CO bond dissociation energy seems to be feasible by applying this technique. By investigating the effect of 104,105Mo beta-decay on the formation of 104,105Tc carbonyl complex, we estimated the lower reaction time limit for the metal carbonyl synthesis in the gas phase to be more than 100 ms. We examined further the influence of the wall material of the recoil chamber, the carrier gas composition, the gas flow rate, and the pressure on the production yield of 104Mo(CO)6, so that the future stability tests with Sg(CO)6can be optimized accordingly.

Valgus-varus deformity (VVD) is one of the leg disorders affecting health and welfare of broiler chickens. In research, several protocols are used to determine the prevalence and/or severity of VVD. This study aimed to investigate effects of five different protocols on the angulation of the tibiotarsal-tarsometatarsal joint. Angulation was determined (1) in living chickens with fixation at the femorotibiotarsal joint; (2) in dead chickens without fixation; (3) in dead chickens with fixation; (4) in dissected legs, including muscles, but without skin; (5) in dissected legs, without muscles, but with intact joints. Fixation of the leg at the femorotibiotarsal joint largely reduced the angulation of the tibiotarsal-tarsometatarsal joint. When fixation was used, no differences in angulation were found when broilers were live, dead or legs were dissected, but when no fixation was used, angulation was considerably higher, due to a large lateral deviation of the leg. It can be concluded that in intact chickens, fixation of the femorotibiotarsal joint is essential to determine VVD angulation in an appropriate way.

Environmental factors, such as ambient temperature (T), feather cover (FC), and housing system (HS), probably affect energy requirements of laying hens. Using a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, interaction effects of T (11, 16, and 21°C), FC (100 and 50%), and HS (cage and floor housing) on energy partitioning and performance of laying hens were investigated. Six batches of 70 H&N Brown Nick laying hens, divided over 2 respiration chambers, were exposed to the T levels in three 2-wk periods. Heat production (HP) was determined by indirect calorimetry. The ME intake was calculated by subtracting energy in manure/litter from that in feed and wood shavings. The NE was calculated by subtracting HP from ME. The ME intake increased by 1% for each degree reduction in T. In hens with intact plumage, HP was not affected by T, whereas at decreasing T, HP increased in hens with 50% FC (P< 0.01). At 21°C, HP was not affected by HS, whereas in the floor system, HP at 16 and 11°C was 5.8 and 3.0% higher, respectively, than in cages (P< 0.05). The NE for production was 25.7% higher in cages compared to the floor system (P< 0.05). In cages, 24.7% of NE for production was spent on body fat deposition, whereas in the floor system, 9.0% of NE for production was released from body fat reserves. The ME intake was predicted by the equation (R2= 0.74) ME intake (kJ/d) = 612 BW0.75– (8.54 × T) + (28.36 × ADG) + (10.43 × egg mass) – (0.972 × FC). Hen performances were not affected by treatments, indicating the adaptive capacity of young laying hens to a broad range of environmental conditions.

Effects of 2 pellet diameters for piglets pre- and postweaning on feed intake, BW, and feed-related behavior were studied in 3 experiments. In Exp. 1, 19 litters were provided with pellets of 2 and 12 mm in diameter in a choice-feeding setup from d 4 of lactation onward. From d 4 to 18, piglets preferred the 12-mm diameter pellet over the 2-mm diameter pellet (519 vs. 168 g/pen; P< 0.001). In Exp. 2, 39 litters were provided with creep feed of either 2- or 10-mm diameter pellets. Feed intake from d 3 to 17 was higher in litters provided the 10-mm diameter pellet than the 2-mm diameter pellet (1,752 vs. 1,101 g/pen; P< 0.001). Piglet BW at weaning did not differ between treatments. Treatment × day of lactation interactions were found for time spent eating, interest in eating, and time spent suckling. Time spent eating and interest in eating increased with time. This increase was lower in the litters provided with the 10-mm diameter pellet. Time spent suckling remained the same in litters provided with 2-mm diameter pellets but decreased in time in litters provided the 10-mm diameter pellets. Experiment 3 was set up as a 2 × 2 factorial design with pellet diameter both pre- and postweaning as factors. During lactation, 18 litters were provided creep feed of either 2 or 12 mm in pellet diameter. At weaning, each litter was split into 2 comparable half litters and each half litter was provided with feed of 2 or 12 mm in diameter. Feed intake was higher in the 12-mm diameter pellet litters than in the 2-mm ones from d 4 to 11 of lactation (P< 0.01). Pellet diameter provided after weaning did not affect BW gain or feed intake. Piglets provided the 12-mm diameter pellet before weaning, however, had a higher BW gain (2,060 vs. 2,606 g/pig; P= 0.003) and feed intake (2,772 vs. 3,173 g/pig; P= 0.04) and a lower feed conversion ratio (P= 0.03) between d 0 and 10 after weaning than piglets provided the 2-mm diameter pellet before weaning. Postweaning pellet diameter had no effect on BW gain or feed intake. Behavior was not affected by pellet diameter pre- and postweaning. We conclude that young piglets (<18 d of age) prefer pellets with a large diameter compared to very small pellets, as currently used in practice. Feed intake and BW gain after weaning were higher in piglets provided with a large pellet diameter during lactation, possibly due to the higher creep feed intake in early lactation.

Body composition plays an important role in reproduction in broiler breeders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamics in body composition and energetic efficiency in broiler breeders, using different dietary strategies. 1,536 Day-old pullets were randomly allotted to 24 pens in a 2 × 4 factorial design with 2 growth curves (standard or elevated (+15%)) and 4 diets, with a step-wise increment in energy (96, 100, 104 and 108% AMEn) fed on a pair-gain basis. Body composition was determined at 10 time points from 0 to 60 wk of age. Body protein mass was linearly related to body weight (BW) in growing breeders, which can be expressed as −6.4+0.184*BW(R2 = 0.99; P < 0.001). Body fat mass was exponentially related to BW in growing breeders, which can be expressed as −42.2+50.8*1.0006BW(R2 = 0.98; P < 0.001). A higher energy-to-protein ratio resulted in higher body fat mass at the same BW (P < 0.001). Sexual maturation was related to body protein mass at 21 wk of age, where each 100 g of body protein mass extra advanced sexual maturation by 5.4 days (R2 = 0.83). Estimates of energetic efficiency for growth (kg) and egg production (ke) appeared not constant, but varied with age in a quadratic manner between 0.27 – 0.54 for kgand between 0.28 – 0.56 for ke. The quadratic relationship could be expressed as kg=0.408−0.0319*Age+0.00181*Age2(R2 = 0.72; P < 0.001) and ke=−0.211+0.034*Age−0.00042*Age2(R2 = 0.46; P < 0.001). Body protein mass in broiler breeders is tightly regulated and mainly depended on BW and seems to be the main determinant for sexual maturation. Body fat mass is exponentially related to BW, where an increase in dietary energy-to-protein ratio results in a higher body fat mass. Treatments had minimal effects on estimated energetic efficiencies in breeders.

Egg characteristics have an impact on embryonic development and post-hatch performance of broilers. The impact of growth curve (GC) and dietary energy-to-protein ratio of broiler breeder hens on egg characteristics was investigated. At hatch, 1,536 pullets were randomly allotted to 24 pens in a 2 × 4 factorial dose-response design with 2 GC (standard growth curve = SGC or elevated growth curve = EGC (+ 15%)) and 4 diets, differing in energy-to-protein ratio (defined as 96%, 100%, 104% and 108% AMEndiet). Feed allocation per treatment was adapted weekly to achieve the targeted GC and to achieve pair-gain of breeders within each GC. Breeders on an EGC produced larger eggs (∆ = 2.3 g; P< 0.001) compared to breeders on a SGC. An exponential regression curve, with age (wk) of the breeders, was fitted to describe the impact of GC and dietary energy-to-protein ratio on egg composition. Yolk weight was 0.8 g higher for eggs from EGC breeders than from SGC breeders (a−108.1*0.907Age, where awas 22.1 and 22.9 for SGC and EGC, respectively; R2 = 0.97; P<0.001). An interaction between GC and dietary energy-to-protein ratio on albumen weight was observed (P = 0.04). Dietary energy-to-protein ratio did not affect albumen weight in SGC breeders (42.7−56.2*0.934Age; R2 = 0.89), but for EGC breeders, a higher dietary energy-to-protein ratio resulted in a 0.9 g lower albumen weight from 96% AMEnto 108% AMEn(a−62.9*0.926Age, where awas 43.4, 43.2, 42.8, and 42.5 for 96% AMEn, 100% AMEn, 104% AMEn, and 108% AMEn, respectively; R2 = 0.86). Albumen DM content decreased linearly with an increased dietary energy-to-protein ratio, but this was more profound in EGC breeders (β = −0.03 %/% AMEn) than in SGC breeders (β = −0.01 %/% AMEn; P = 0.03). Overall, it can be concluded that an EGC for breeders led to larger eggs with a more yolk and albumen, whereas dietary energy-to-protein ratio had minor effects on egg composition.

Piglet birth weight and litter uniformity were studied in sows of different parities and crossbred lines in relation to: 1) weaning-to-pregnancy interval (WPI) and 2) sow body condition changes (in BW and backfat thickness) during lactation and gestation in sows with a short WPI (≤7d). At the Institute for Pig Genetics (IPG) research farm, individual piglet birth weights and sow body condition (BW and backfat thickness at farrowing and weaning) were measured for 949 TOPIGS20 and 889 TOPIGS40 sows with >4 total born piglets, inseminated between 2003 and 2011. In all analyses, mean piglet birth weight and birth weight SD and CV were corrected for total number born. Total number born was greater in sows with a WPI of 8 to 21 d (+1.2 piglets; n = 72) and >21 d (+0.7 piglets; n = 182), compared with sows with a WPI ≤7 d (P < 0.01; n = 1,584). Mean piglet birth weight was not affected by WPI. Birth weight SD (-23 g) and CV (-1.7%) were lower in sows with a WPI >21 d, compared with sows with a WPI ≤7 d (P < 0.01). Effects of WPI were independent of sow parity. Effects of body condition changes in sows with a WPI ≤7 d were studied separately in TOPIGS20 sows inseminated between 2006 and 2011 (n = 808), and in TOPIGS40 sows inseminated between 2003 and 2008 (n = 747). Sow body condition loss during lactation was not related with subsequent total number born or mean piglet birth weight. Only in TOPIGS20 sows, more BW loss during lactation was related with greater subsequent birth weight SD (β = 0.83 g/kg, P < 0.01; β = 1.62 g/%, P < 0.01). Additionally, more backfat loss during lactation was related with greater subsequent birth weight SD (β = 5.11 g/mm, P < 0.01) and CV (β = 0.36%/mm, P < 0.01), independent of sow parity. Sow BW increase during gestation was negatively related with total number born [TOPIGS20: β = -0.06 and -0.05 piglet/kg BW increase for parity 2 (P < 0.01), and 3 and 4 (P < 0.01), respectively; TOPIGS40: β = -0.04 piglet/kg BW increase (P < 0.01), independent of sow parity]. Sow BW increase during gestation was positively related with birth weight SD [TOPIGS20: β = 0.63 g/kg BW increase (P = 0.01), independent of sow parity]. Sow body condition increase during gestation was not related with mean piglet birth weight. To conclude, this study shows that litter uniformity is compromised by severe sow body condition loss during lactation and improved in sows with a prolonged WPI. These effects are likely related with (insufficient) restoration of follicle development.

Plasma nitriding treatments are approved to reduce wear occurring in the field of hot forging applications. But there are demands for a further optimization of the processes in order to achieve adapted properties for differently loaded forging tools. This work presents the influence of main process parameters on the wear behavior of dies. The focused steel material of this work is DIN-X38CrMoV5-1 (1.2343), a standard hot forming tool steel. The influence of nitriding parameters like temperature, nitrogen flow and time on the nitriding depth, hardness and crack sensitivity has been investigated. Comparative application tests show the influence of different surface treatments on the wear behavior and lifetime of forging tools in an industrial environment.

High mechanical, chemical and thermal cyclic loads characterize the load regime of hot forging applications. Additionally these loads are acting simultaneously which leads to a failure of the form giving tool components after a short tool life. Accounting for about 70% of all causes, wear is the main reason for production downtimes. Other failure factors are thermal and mechanical cracks as well as plastic deformation as a result of the loss of hardness due to the high thermal charge. The caused production downtimes can be reduced by surface modifications of the tools. Different results of recent research works prove the high potential of newly developed PVD and PECVD coating systems regarding the reduction of die wear. CrVN coating systems developed by PVD coating equipment and boron containing multilayered PECVD coating systems were applied to forging dies. Basic investigations of the occurring wear mechanisms show the qualification of the coating systems which have to be adapted to the decisive process related loads and damages.

We investigated effects of loose housing of the sow during lactation and enrichment of the pen pre- and postweaning on performance of newly weaned piglets. Before weaning, piglets (n = 320) were housed in an enriched (straw, wood shavings, peat, and branches) or barren pen with a confined or loose-housed sow (n = 32). Loose-housed sows and their piglets could eat together from a family feeder, whereas confined sows and piglets had separate feeding troughs. Piglets (n = 256) were mixed postweaning, and 4 piglets from each litter were relocated to a barren pen (n = 32 pens) and 4 other piglets were housed in an enriched pen (n = 32 pens). Growth from d 15 until weaning was greater for piglets from enriched pens (4.38 ± 0.29 vs. 4.71 ± 0.21 kg/pig, P< 0.05) and tended to be greater for piglets with a loose-housed sow compared with piglets with a confined sow (4.41 ± 0.26 vs. 4.67 ± 0.24 kg/pig, P= 0.10). Preweaning feed intake was not affected by preweaning conditions (P> 0.25). Piglets from enriched preweaning pens ate more in the first 2 d postweaning than piglets from barren pens (first 48 h, barren 0.45 ± 0.05 kg/pig, enriched 0.53 ± 0.04 kg/pig, P< 0.05). Piglets relocated to an enriched pen after weaning showed a greater growth in the 2 wk after weaning (barren 5.5 ± 0.2 kg/pig, enriched 6.2 ± 0.2 kg/pig, P< 0.0001), had a profoundly reduced diarrhea prevalence than piglets housed in barren pens after weaning (barren 2.4 ± 0.4 d, enriched 1.0 ± 0.3 d, P< 0.0001), and had a greater feed efficiency (barren 0.81 ± 0.03, enriched 0.85 ± 0.02, P< 0.05). Enrichment of the preweaning environment likely stimulates development of feeding behaviors and consequently increases feed intake immediately after weaning. Providing piglets with an enriched environment after weaning positively affected postweaning growth, feed efficiency, and incidence of diarrhea, which may be caused by decreased stress or increased gut health. Enrichment of the pre- and postweaning environment seems important in improving performance and health of newly weaned pigs.

Abstract.: We discuss the results of the interaction of counter-propagating pulses for two coupled complex cubic-quintic Ginzburg–Landau equations as they arise near the onset of a weakly inverted Hopf bifurcation. As a result of the interaction of the pulses we find in 1D for periodic boundary conditions (corresponding to an annular geometry) many different possible outcomes. These are summarized in two phase diagrams using the approach velocity, v, and the real part of the cubic cross-coupling, cr, of the counter-propagating waves as variables while keeping all other parameters fixed. The novel phase diagram in the limit v ↦0, cr ↦0 turns out to be particularly rich and includes bound pairs of 2 π holes as well as zigzag bound pairs of pulses.

We discuss the results of the interaction of counter-propagating pulses for two coupled complex cubic-quintic Ginzburg?Landau equations as they arise near the onset of a weakly inverted Hopf bifurcation. As a result of the interaction of the pulses we find in 1D for periodic boundary conditions (corresponding to an annular geometry) many different possible outcomes. These are summarized in two phase diagrams using the approach velocity, v, and the real part of the cubic cross-coupling, cr, of the counter-propagating waves as variables while keeping all other parameters fixed. The novel phase diagram in the limit v ?0, cr?0 turns out to be particularly rich and includes bound pairs of 2 ? holes as well as zigzag bound pairs of pulses.

This paper reports on the status of the PHELIX petawatt laser which is built at the Gesellschaft fuer Schwerionenforschung (GSI) in close collaboration with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), and the Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA) in France. First experiments carried out with the chirped pulse amplification (CPA) front-end will also be briefly reviewed.

The vibrational spectra of the α, β, and δ phases of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) have been investigated by complimentary theoretical and experimental approaches. Density functional theory and the scaled quantum mechanical force-field method have been used to calculate the vibrational spectra of the H8C4N8O8 molecule in Ci and C2v symmetry conformations in the gas phase. By comparing the calculated molecular vibrational frequencies of the H8C4N8O8 molecule with the experimental infrared and Raman spectra of HMX crystalline samples, we attempt to assign the intramolecular motions that correspond to the measured bands in the experimental spectra of HMX in α-, β-, and δ-phase crystal lattices. Our analysis of the vibrational spectra verifies that the particular conformation of the H8C4N8O8 molecule in each crystal lattice of HMX determines, to a great extent, the general pattern of the vibrational spectrum of the crystal lattice. We also compare our detailed motion assignments with the general assignments proposed in previous experimental work. Good agreement is found between the calculated geometry of the H8C4N8O8 molecule in the Ci symmetry conformation and the experimental geometry of molecules in the β-phase lattice of HMX and between the calculated geometry of the H8C4N8O8 molecule in the C2v symmetry conformation and the experimental geometry of molecules in the α- and δ-phase lattices of HMX.

The ground state of the novel liquid crystal phase formed by achiral banana-shaped nitro-molecules and known as B7 is not understood. While spirals and myelins spontaneously appear on cooling from the isotropic liquid, neither mature to form B7 monocrystals. We tried suppressing the flow associated with these growth transients by applying large electric fields to thin samples (1-4 w m thick). While a field untwists some spirals and coarsens the less mobile myelin textures, it stimulates even more flow and a B7 texture with variable but exceedingly small length scales.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 the former communist countries of central and eastern Europe underwent substantial social and economic changes that had a major impact on health. The situation of the former German Democratic Republic was unique in that its existing institutions were replaced rapidly and it was quickly integrated economically with the West. This study describes recent trends in morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases in East and West Germany before and after unification using routine data from 1980 onwards. Substantial differences in morbidity and mortality resulting from infectious diseases were observed between East and West Germany. These seem to be the complex result of societal and health system differences in both parts of Germany before unification, differing population dynamics and health behaviours, and an increasing westernisation in the eastern part of Germany during recent years.

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of major dietary energy source fed from weaning to ovulation or from ovulation to d 35 of pregnancy on reproductive traits in primiparous sows. Dietary energy sources were used to manipulate the plasma insulin concentration. One hundred thirteen sows were used in a split-plot design. From weaning to ovulation sows were fed at two times maintenance either a diet with tallow (Fat) or maize starch plus dextrose (Starch) as the major energy source. From ovulation onward, sows within each dietary group were alternately reassigned to either the Fat or the Starch diet and were fed at 1.25 times maintenance. Estrus detection was performed three times a day from d 3 to 9 after weaning and sows were inseminated each day of standing estrus. On d 35 of pregnancy, the sows were slaughtered and their reproductive tracts were removed. Plasma insulin concentration was higher in sows fed the Starch-rich diet than in sows fed the Fat-rich diet on d 4 after weaning (1.30 vs 0.97 ng/mL, P= 0.08) and on d 32 of pregnancy (1.20 vs 0.51 ng/mL, P< 0.001). Plasma glucose and IGF-I concentration on d 4 after weaning and d 32 of pregnancy did not differ between sows on the two dietary energy sources. The percentage of sows exhibiting estrus within 9 d after weaning was 52 and 67% for the Fat and Starch diet before ovulation, respectively (P= 0.11), whereas the weaning-to-estrus interval was 134 vs 123 h, respectively (P= 0.12). Survival analysis showed that sows fed the Fat-rich diet had a 1.6 times higher risk to remain anestrous until d 9 after weaning than sows fed the Starch-rich diet (P= 0.04). No effect of dietary energy source, either before or after ovulation, on uterine, placental, or embryonal development on d 35 of pregnancy was found. It can be concluded that the dietary energy source provided after weaning can affect the risk of sows to remain anestrous but does not affect uterine, placental, or embryonic traits.

The effects of feeding level and major dietary energy source used during lactation on sow milk composition, piglet body composition, and energy balance of sows were determined. During a 21-d lactation, 48 primiparous sows were fed either a Fat-rich (134.9 g/kg fat; 196.8 g/kg carbohydrate) or a Starch-rich (33.2 g/kg fat; 380.9 g/kg carbohydrate) diet at either a High (44 MJ NE/d; 1,050 g protein/d) or a Low (33 MJ NE/d; 790 g protein/d) feeding level. Within each feeding level, the two diets were fed to provide an isocaloric and isonitrogenous intake. At the Low feeding level, no differences in milk production, milk composition, or piglet body composition were found as a result of feeding the two dietary energy sources. However, at the High feeding level, sows fed the Fat-rich diet produced higher milk fat (8.4 vs 6.9%) and milk energy (5.38 vs 4.77 kJ/g) concentrations and a higher piglet body fat concentration (152.1 vs 135.4 g/kg) than sows fed the Starch-rich diet. At the Low feeding level, the energy balance (d 6 to d 20) of the sows was similar when fed either the Fat- or the Starch-rich diet (−558 and −515 kJ · BW−.75· d−1), but at the High feeding level, the energy balance was more negative in sows fed the Fat than those fed the Starch-rich diet (−544 vs −372 kJ · BW−.75· d−1). This suggests that at the High feeding level, dietary energy in the form of fat is preferentially used for milk fat synthesis, resulting in growth and in fatter piglets. Alternatively, at the High feeding level, Starch as the major energy source is used only for growth of the piglets, as confirmed by protein deposition, and also results in a less-negative energy balance for the sows. From this experiment, it can be concluded that effects of substituting cornstarch for fat in the diet of lactating sows on milk composition, piglet body composition, and energy balance of the sows are dependent on feeding level.

We discuss symmetry properties of various phases that can result when biaxial objects with at least one polar axis are orientationally ordered and packed on layers. The possibility of spontaneous splay, bend and twist is also investigated for biaxial nematic, smectic banana and dolphin phases. We further discuss appropriate order parameters and expressions for Ginzburg-Landau free energies for some phase transitions involving these phases.

Our objective was to study the effects of dietary energy source (fat or starch) on periestrus hormone profiles and embryonal survival in primiparous sows. During lactation, 48 primiparous sows were fed either a starch-rich or a fat-rich diet, at either a high (44 MJ NE/d) or a low (33 MJ NE/d) feeding level. After weaning, all sows received the same amount of feed (31 MJ NE/d from weaning to estrus and 17.5 MJ NE/d from breeding to slaughter) of the same dietary energy source fed during lactation. Around estrus, blood samples were taken to analyze the preovulatory LH surge, estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P4). Sows were inseminated on each day of standing estrus. On d 35 after last insemination, all 35 pregnant sows were slaughtered and their reproductive tracts were removed. The number, weight, and length of the embryos and placentas were determined as well as the weight and length of the uterus. The LH, E2, and P4profiles were similar for the treatment groups, except for the E2levels at 16, 12, and 8 h before the LH surge, which were lower in the sows fed the fat-rich diet at a low level. Ovulation rate tended to be higher in sows fed the high compared to the low feeding level during lactation (18.0 vs. 16.2; P= .09), but the number of total and viable embryos as well as embryonal survival rate were not influenced by the treatments. Neither uterine length and weight nor length and weight of the embryos and placentas were affected by treatments. However, after removal of the embryo-placental units, uterine weight was greater in sows fed the high than in those fed the low feeding level during lactation (1.8 vs. 1.6 kg; P= .03). Plasma insulin concentration during lactation was not related to any of the uterine, placental, or embryo traits. Mean progesterone concentration between 24 and 250 h after the LH surge was positively correlated with embryonal survival. Differences in progesterone concentration between sows with high and low embryonal survival were evident from 172 h after the LH surge. From the present study, we conclude that altering feeding level during lactation or dietary energy source from farrowing until d 35 of subsequent pregnancy did not affect embryonic development and embryonal survival.