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We experimentally investigate the stochastic phase dynamics of planar Josephson junctions (JJs) and superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) defined in epitaxial InAs/Al heterostructures, and characterized by a large ratio of Josephson energy to charging energy. We observe a crossover from a regime of macroscopic quantum tunneling to one of phase diffusion as a function of temperature, where the transition temperature T∗ is gate-tunable. The switching probability distributions are shown to be consistent with a small shunt capacitance and moderate damping, resulting in a switching current which is a small fraction of the critical current. Phase locking between two JJs leads to a difference in switching current between that of a JJ measured in isolation and that of the same JJ measured in an asymmetric SQUID loop. In the case of the loop, T∗ is also tuned by a magnetic flux., Physical Review Letters, 130 (8), ISSN:0031-9007, ISSN:1079-7114

An industry survey representing approximately 310 million (M) market weight pigs was conducted with 20 U.S. slaughter facilities over the calendars years of 2012 to 2015 to determine the incidence, seasonal patterns, and estimated economic impact of dead and non-ambulatory pigs. Each plant entered daily totals in a secure online database for the following variables: 1) pigs slaughtered, 2) dead on arrival (DOA; dead on the truck), 3) euthanized on arrival (EOA; non-ambulatory pig with an injury that required euthanasia), 4) dead in pen (DIP; died after unloading), and 5) non-ambulatory (pig unable to move or keep up with the rest of the group from unloading to stunning). Total dead pigs were calculated as DOA + EOA + DIP, and total losses were calculated as non-ambulatory + total dead. The economic impact was estimated based on the 4-yr weighted averages from USDA annual reports for market swine slaughtered (108,470,550 pigs), live market weight (126.9 kg), and live market price ($1.44/kg). The 4-yr weighted averages for total dead, non-ambulatory, and total losses were 0.26%, 0.63%, and 0.88%, respectively. Total dead consisted of 0.15% DOA, 0.05% EOA, and 0.05% DIP. The months with the highest rates of total dead were July (0.29%), August (0.32%), and September (0.30%), while the lowest incidence rates occurred in February (0.22%), March (0.22%), and April (0.22%). The months with the highest rates of non-ambulatory pigs were observed during the months of October (0.70%), November (0.71%), and December (0.70%), whereas the lowest rates of non-ambulatory pigs were observed during the months of April (0.57%), May (0.53%), and June (0.54%). The following assumptions were used in the economic analysis: 1) dead pigs received no value and 2) non-ambulatory pigs were discounted 30%. Based on these assumptions, the annual cost to the industry for dead and non-ambulatory pigs was estimated to be $52 M ($0.48 per pig marketed) and $37 M ($0.35 per pig marketed), respectively. Therefore, total losses represent approximately $89 M in economic losses or $0.83 per pig marketed. This is the first industry-wide survey on the incidence of transport losses in market weight pigs at U.S. slaughter facilities, and this information is important for establishing an industry baseline and benchmark for transport losses that can be used for measuring industry improvements.

Recent experiments have suggested that superconductivity in metallic nanowires can be suppressed by the application of modest gate voltages. The source of this gate action has been debated and either attributed to an electric-field effect or to small leakage currents. Here we show that the suppression of superconductivity in titanium nitride nanowires on silicon substrates does not depend on the presence or absence of an electric field at the nanowire, but requires a current of high-energy electrons. The suppression is most efficient when electrons are injected into the nanowire, but similar results are obtained when electrons are passed between two remote electrodes. This is explained by the decay of high-energy electrons into phonons, which propagate through the substrate and affect superconductivity in the nanowire by generating quasiparticles. By studying the switching probability distribution of the nanowire, we also show that high-energy electron emission leads to a much broader phonon energy distribution compared with the case where superconductivity is suppressed by Joule heating near the nanowire.

Two studies were conducted to evaluate narasin inclusion level on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs. The studies were carried out using a randomized complete block design with three narasin levels: 0 vs. 15 vs. 20 mg/kg. Study 1 (2,232 pigs) was carried out over a fixed time of 85 days from 33.4 ± 1.7 kg to 117.0 ± 2.6 kg. Study 2 (1,125 pigs) was carried out over a fixed time of 113 days from 28.0 ± 2.2 kg to 124.4 ± 6.0 kg. All pigs were fed diets that met or exceeded nutrient recommendations of growing-finishing pigs (NRC, 2012). Pigs were offered ad libitum access to feed and water throughout the study and weighed on day 0, 28, 56, and 84. Feed additions and feed remaining in the feeder at the time of pig weighing was recorded. Due to disruptions at the slaughter facility, carcass data were not collected on Study 1. For Study 2, pigs were sent for slaughter over five weeks, with the heaviest 20% of each pen being sent for slaughter each week. At slaughter, hot carcass weight was collected. Compared to controls, feeding 15 mg/kg narasin increased (P < 0.05) final body weight (1.2 kg and 1.4 kg for Study 1 and 2, respectively), increased (P < 0.05) hot carcass weight (1.3 kg), and tended (P = 0.07) to improve carcass yield (0.3 percentage units). Feeding 20 mg/kg narasin increased (P < 0.05) overall G:F compared to controls (1.5% and 1.9% for Study 1 and 2, respectively). There were limited differences between the 15 and 20 mg/kg narasin levels. The results of this study confirm improvements in growth performance and carcass characteristics from feeding narasin to growing-finishing pigs. The outcomes of feeding 20 mg/kg narasin were unexpected and warrant further research.

This study was conducted at a commercial research facility and utilized 1,092 finishing pigs (PIC® 337 × Camborough®) in a RCBD with 3 dietary treatments to determine the effects of commercially available phytogenic feed additives on growth performance traits in finishing swine for the last 35 d prior to marketing. The dietary treatments were as follows: 1) Control; 2) Aromex Pro® (AP; Delacon) fed at 0.01%; and 3) Ambitine® (AM; PMI) fed at 0.1%. Pens with 13 pigs/pen and 0.66 m2/pig were randomly allotted to treatments on the basis of live weight and gender. Pigs had ad libitum access to corn-soy diets that met or exceeded the pig’s requirements (NRC, 2012). Aromex Pro® and Ambitine® were added to the diets at the expense of corn. Dietary treatments started on day 0 (BW = 97.7 kg; SEM = 1.04) and were fed throughout the 35 d trial period. On d 21, the two heaviest pigs per pen were marketed, while the remaining pigs in each pen were marketed on d 35. Pigs and feeders were weighed on d 0, 21, and 35. Data were analyzed by using PROC MIXED of SAS® version 9.4, and pen was the experimental unit. The model included the fixed effect of treatment and random effect of replicate. Pre-planned orthogonal contrasts were used to compare AP vs. Control and AM vs. Control. Feeding AP or AM for the last 35 d in finishing both improved (P < 0.05) ADG by 4%, ADFI by 3% and final BW by 1.6 kg over Control, but did not change feed to gain or mortality. These data demonstrate that phytogenic feed additives can improve growth performance traits in finishing swine.

Integration of high-quality semiconductor-superconductor devices into scalable and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor compatible architectures remains an outstanding challenge, currently hindering their practical implementation. Here, we demonstrate growth of InAs nanowires monolithically integrated on Si inside lateral cavities containing superconducting TiN elements. This technique allows growth of hybrid devices characterized by sharp semiconductor-superconductor interfaces and with alignment along arbitrary crystallographic directions. Electrical characterization at low temperature reveals proximity induced superconductivity in InAs via a transparent interface.

Cattle mobility is routinely measured at commercial slaughter facilities. However, the clinical signs and underlying causes of impaired mobility of cattle presented to slaughter facilities are poorly defined. As such, the objectives of this study were 1) to determine the prevalence of impaired mobility in finished cattle using a 4-point mobility scoring system and 2) to observe clinical signs in order to provide clinical diagnoses for this subset of affected cattle. Finished beef cattle (n = 65,600) were observed by a veterinarian during the morning shift from six commercial abattoirs dispersed across the United States; the veterinarian assigned mobility scores (MS) to all animals using a 1–4 scale from the North American Meat Institute’s Mobility Scoring System, with 1 = normal mobility and 4 = extremely limited mobility. Prevalence of MS 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 97.02%, 2.69%, 0.27%, and 0.01%, respectively. Animals with an abnormal MS (MS > 1) were then assigned to one of five clinical observation categories: 1) lameness, 2) poor conformation, 3) laminitis, 4) Fatigued Cattle Syndrome (FCS), and 5) general stiffness. Of all cattle observed, 0.23% were categorized as lame, 0.20% as having poor conformation, 0.72% as displaying signs of laminitis, 0.14% as FCS, and 1.68% as showing general stiffness. The prevalence of lameness and general stiffness was greater in steers than heifers, whereas the prevalence of laminitis was the opposite (P < 0.05). FCS prevalence was higher in dairy cattle than in beef cattle (0.31% vs. 0.22%, respectively; P ≤ 0.05). These data indicate the prevalence of cattle displaying abnormal mobility at slaughter is low and causes of abnormal mobility are multifactorial.

This review summarizes the effects of ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) dose (5, 7.5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) on market weight pig welfare indicators. Ractopamine hydrochloride (trade name Paylean) is a β-adrenergic agonist that was initially approved in the U.S. in 1999 at doses of 5 to 20 mg/kg to improve feed efficiency and carcass leanness. However, anecdotal reports suggested that RAC increased the rate of non-ambulatory (fatigued and injured) pigs at U.S. packing plants. This led to the addition of a caution statement to the Paylean label, and a series of research studies investigating the effects of RAC on pig welfare. Early research indicated that: (1) regardless of RAC administration, fatigued (non-ambulatory, non-injured) pigs are in a state of metabolic acidosis; (2) aggressive handling increases stress responsiveness at 20 mg/kg RAC, while 5 mg/kg reduces stress responsiveness to aggressive handling. Given this information, dosage range for Paylean was changed in 2006 to 5 to 10 mg/kg in market weight pigs. Subsequent research on RAC demonstrated that: (1) RAC has minimal effects on mortality, lameness, and home pen behavior; (2) RAC fed pigs demonstrated inconsistent prevalence and intensity of aggressive behaviors; (3) RAC fed pigs may be more difficult to handle at doses above 5 mg/kg; and (4) RAC fed pigs may have increased stress responsiveness and higher rates of non-ambulatory pigs when subjected to aggressive handling, especially when 20 mg/kg of RAC is fed.

The effects of handling intensity on the physiological response and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle fed ractopamine hydrochloride were evaluated at the time of transport to slaughter. Eighty steers (BW = 668 ± 36 kg) representing 10 lots of similar breed, frame size, and degree of finish were blocked by lot, stratified by weight, and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 handling intensities (HI) over a 1,600 m dirt alley course: 1) low-stress handling (LSH) or 2) high-stress handling (HSH). For the LSH treatment, 4 penmates were kept at a walk with the use of a lead rider. For the HSH treatment, 4 penmates were kept at a minimum of a trot and received 2 applications of an electric prod (approximately 1 s per impulse) at 2 separate instances: first in the alley before post-handling sampling, and again during loading for transportation to the abattoir. Behavioral observations and physical indicators of stress were recorded a minimum of 1 h before handling (baseline), immediately after handling (POSTHAND), and while in lairage after a 200 km transport to the abattoir. Vital parameters were recorded at baseline and POSTHAND. Venous blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture at baseline and POSTHAND, and mixed arterial and venous blood samples were collected during exsanguination at slaughter. Muscle tremors tended to be more prevalent in HSH cattle at POSTHAND ( = 0.10). The HSH cattle tended to have greater POSTHAND heart rate ( = 0.08); however, there was no effect of HI on POSTHAND respiration rate or rectal temperature ( 0.34). The HSH cattle had greater lactate, epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, and glucose concentrations at POSTHAND ( ≤ 0.02). Additionally, HSH cattle had lower POSTHAND blood pH, bicarbonate, base excess, and partial pressure carbon dioxide ( < 0.0001). Bicarbonate concentrations were greater in HSH cattle at slaughter ( = 0.05); however, there were no differences between HI treatments for the remaining blood variables ( 0.11). Concentrations of stress hormones and CK were significantly greater at slaughter relative to baseline and POSTHAND for both LSH and HSH cattle ( < 0.001). These findings suggest cattle trotted without a lead rider develop metabolic acidosis, and illustrate the importance of low-stress handling at the time of transport for slaughter. Further research is warranted to develop strategies to mitigate stress at the time of transport and ensure the welfare of beef cattle presented to abattoirs.

Feedlot cattle ( = 128; BW = 549 ± 60 kg) were used to evaluate the effects of ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) on growth performance, physiological response to handling, and mobility during shipment for slaughter in a study utilizing a split-plot design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: 1) diet (CON [no β-adrenergic agonist] vs. RAC [400 mg·animal·d ractopamine hydrochloride for 28 d]) and 2) handling intensity (HI; low-stress handling [LSH; cattle moved at a walking pace with no electric prod use] vs. high-stress handling [HSH; cattle moved at a minimum of a trot and an electric prod applied while in the alley for posthandling restraint and during loading for shipment to the abattoir]). Cattle fed RAC tended to have greater ADG and G:F ( = 0.06), and had greater HCW and LM area ( = 0.04). The HI treatments were applied on the day after the 28-d growth performance period. Blood samples were collected before HI treatment (baseline), after HI treatments (POSTHAND), after transport to the abattoir (POSTTRANS), and during exsanguination at slaughter. A diet × HI interaction ( = 0.01) was observed in the change in cortisol from baseline to POSTTRANS, and there tended ( ≤ 0.07) to be diet × HI interactions for the change in epinephrine from baseline to POSTHAND and for the change in creatine kinase (CK) from baseline to POSTTRANS. Feeding RAC and HSH both increased the change from baseline to POSTHAND in norepinephrine and pH ( ≤ 0.05). The HSH cattle also had greater changes from baseline to POSTHAND in blood HCO, base excess, partial pressure of CO, lactate, cortisol, and glucose ( ≤ 0.01). Ractopamine and HSH both produced greater increases in CK concentrations from baseline to slaughter ( < 0.01). Mobility was not affected by RAC at the feedlot or following an average 6-h lairage ( ≥ 0.43). This study confirms RAC improves growth performance and suggests metabolic acidosis, a precursor to fatigued cattle syndrome, develops in cattle allowed to trot without the use of a lead rider regardless of RAC administration. Cattle fed RAC displayed altered hormonal responses to handling and transport stress, and the overall proportion of cattle with compromised mobility appears to increase later in the marketing channel. These findings warrant additional research aimed at better understanding the physiological response to stress and protect the welfare of cattle during shipment for slaughter.

ObjectivesInitial stability of tibial trays is crucial for long-term success of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in both primary and revision settings. Rotating platform (RP) designs reduce torque transfer at the tibiofemoral interface. We asked if this reduced torque transfer in RP designs resulted in subsequently reduced micromotion at the cemented fixation interface between the prosthesis component and the adjacent bone.MethodsComposite tibias were implanted with fixed and RP primary and revision tibial trays and biomechanically tested under up to 2.5 kN of axial compression and 10° of external femoral component rotation. Relative micromotion between the implanted tibial tray and the neighbouring bone was quantified using high-precision digital image correlation techniques.ResultsRotational malalignment between femoral and tibial components generated 40% less overall tibial tray micromotion in RP designs than in standard fixed bearing tibial trays. RP trays reduced micromotion by up to 172 µm in axial compression and 84 µm in rotational malalignment models.ConclusionsReduced torque transfer at the tibiofemoral interface in RP tibial trays reduces relative component micromotion and may aid long-term stability in cases of revision TKA or poor bone quality. Cite this article: Mr S. R. Small. Micromotion at the tibial plateau in primary and revision total knee arthroplasty: fixed versus rotating platform designs. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:122–129. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.54.2000481.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of pre-sorting prior to loading on stress responses and transport losses at the harvest facility in the market weight pig. A total of 5,802 pigs (n=33 loads) were used in a randomized complete block design with two treatments. The pre-sorted (PRE) and non pre-sorted (NON) treatments both had 292 pigs / pen (0.65 m*pig). For PRE internal swing gates were used to manually pre-sort pigs approximately 18-h prior to loading, while NON pigs were sorted from pen mates at the

This chapter provides a rationale for high quality STEM experiences in inclusive early childhood (EC) classrooms, describes what high quality STEM experiences are and why they can be an ideal context for supporting the development of young children with special needs and dual language learners. The authors offer recommendations concerning how to plan and implement STEM learning centers to support the meaningful participation of all children using a tiered perspective that includes the framework of Universal Design for Learning. Ideas and resources for how teachers can plan STEM learning centers, integrate literacy and arts, and interact in ways to support the engagement of all children, especially those with special needs and dual language learners are shared. These strategies are recognized as best practices, and adhere to position statements endorsed by NAEYC and the recommended practices developed by the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children (DEC, 2014).

The effects of handling intensity on the physiological response and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle fed ractopamine hydrochloride were evaluated at the time of transport to slaughter. Eighty steers (BW = 668 ± 36 kg) representing 10 lots of similar breed, frame size, and degree of finish were blocked by lot, stratified by weight, and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 handling intensities (HI) over a 1,600 m dirt alley course: 1) low-stress handling (LSH) or 2) high-stress handling (HSH). For the LSH treatment, 4 penmates were kept at a walk with the use of a lead rider. For the HSH treatment, 4 penmates were kept at a minimum of a trot and received 2 applications of an electric prod (approximately 1 s per impulse) at 2 separate instances: first in the alley before post-handling sampling, and again during loading for transportation to the abattoir. Behavioral observations and physical indicators of stress were recorded a minimum of 1 h before handling (baseline), immediately after handling (POSTHAND), and while in lairage after a 200 km transport to the abattoir. Vital parameters were recorded at baseline and POSTHAND. Venous blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture at baseline and POSTHAND, and mixed arterial and venous blood samples were collected during exsanguination at slaughter. Muscle tremors tended to be more prevalent in HSH cattle at POSTHAND ( = 0.10). The HSH cattle tended to have greater POSTHAND heart rate ( = 0.08); however, there was no effect of HI on POSTHAND respiration rate or rectal temperature ( 0.34). The HSH cattle had greater lactate, epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, and glucose concentrations at POSTHAND ( ≤ 0.02). Additionally, HSH cattle had lower POSTHAND blood pH, bicarbonate, base excess, and partial pressure carbon dioxide (0.0001). Bicarbonate concentrations were greater in HSH cattle at slaughter ( = 0.05); however, there were no differences between HI treatments for the remaining blood variables ( 0.11). Concentrations of stress hormones and CK were significantly greater at slaughter relative to baseline and POSTHAND for both LSH and HSH cattle (0.001). These findings suggest cattle trotted without a lead rider develop metabolic acidosis, and illustrate the importance of low-stress handling at the time of transport for slaughter. Further research is warranted to develop strategies to mitigate stress at the time of transport and ensure the welfare of beef cattle presented to abattoirs.

Feedlot cattle ( = 128; BW = 549 ± 60 kg) were used to evaluate the effects of ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) on growth performance, physiological response to handling, and mobility during shipment for slaughter in a study utilizing a split-plot design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: 1) diet (CON [no β-adrenergic agonist] vs. RAC [400 mg·animal·d ractopamine hydrochloride for 28 d]) and 2) handling intensity (HI; low-stress handling [LSH; cattle moved at a walking pace with no electric prod use] vs. high-stress handling [HSH; cattle moved at a minimum of a trot and an electric prod applied while in the alley for posthandling restraint and during loading for shipment to the abattoir]). Cattle fed RAC tended to have greater ADG and G:F ( = 0.06), and had greater HCW and LM area ( = 0.04). The HI treatments were applied on the day after the 28-d growth performance period. Blood samples were collected before HI treatment (baseline), after HI treatments (POSTHAND), after transport to the abattoir (POSTTRANS), and during exsanguination at slaughter. A diet × HI interaction ( = 0.01) was observed in the change in cortisol from baseline to POSTTRANS, and there tended ( ≤ 0.07) to be diet × HI interactions for the change in epinephrine from baseline to POSTHAND and for the change in creatine kinase (CK) from baseline to POSTTRANS. Feeding RAC and HSH both increased the change from baseline to POSTHAND in norepinephrine and pH ( ≤ 0.05). The HSH cattle also had greater changes from baseline to POSTHAND in blood HCO, base excess, partial pressure of CO, lactate, cortisol, and glucose ( ≤ 0.01). Ractopamine and HSH both produced greater increases in CK concentrations from baseline to slaughter (0.01). Mobility was not affected by RAC at the feedlot or following an average 6-h lairage ( ≥ 0.43). This study confirms RAC improves growth performance and suggests metabolic acidosis, a precursor to fatigued cattle syndrome, develops in cattle allowed to trot without the use of a lead rider regardless of RAC administration. Cattle fed RAC displayed altered hormonal responses to handling and transport stress, and the overall proportion of cattle with compromised mobility appears to increase later in the marketing channel. These findings warrant additional research aimed at better understanding the physiological response to stress and protect the welfare of cattle during shipment for slaughter.

Clinically silent lesions on cerebral magnet resonance imaging have been found in larger numbers after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) especially with phased radio frequency (pRF) using all ten electrodes. However, the neuropsychological effects of cerebral microembolism during the procedure remain unclear and data regarding this issue so far are inconsistent. Between August 2011 and June 2012, 76 patients undergoing their first PVI were randomized to ablation with either phased (40) or irrigated (36) radio frequency (iRF). A comprehensive neuropsychological test battery was performed the day before and after PVI as well as 6 months after ablation. The occurrence of cerebral microemboli during the procedure was performed via a transcranial Doppler ultrasound device. PVI using pRF was associated with increased number of microembolic signals (MES) compared to iRF (1530.0 ± 979.8 vs. 645.7 ± 448.7; p

The objective was to evaluate pig performance, feed efficiency, and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs fed ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) in a single-phase (7.4 mg/kg for 31 d) or step-up (5.0/10 mg/kg) feeding program when compared with a NRC control diet. Barrows and gilts were divided into pens of approximately 22 pigs per pen and fed one of 3 dietary programs when pigs reached approximately 103.5 kg of BW. The 5 heaviest pigs per pen were marketed on d 17 of the trial (before the step-up initiation), and on d 31 the remaining 17 pigs per pen were marketed. Pigs fed RAC and marketed after 17 d (1.195 kg/d) of feeding had a 14.5% improvement (P < 0.0001) in ADG and a 13.2% improvement (P < 0.0001) in efficiency (0.385) compared with controls (1.04 kg/d; 0.34). On average, RAC-fed pigs had 0.43 percentage units greater (P = 0.02) carcass yield. During the entire 31-d feeding trial, RAC-fed pigs (1.20 kg/d) gained 12% more (P < 0.0001) weight per day and were 14% more (P < 0.0001) efficient (0.365) at feed conversion than were controls (1.07 kg/d; 0.32). Ractopamine-fed pigs also had greater (P < 0.0001) carcass yields, larger (P < 0.0001) loin depths, and greater (P < 0.0001) estimated carcass lean values than did pigs not fed RAC. Ractopamine can be fed in a step-up feeding program even in marketing strategies when pigs are marketed relatively soon after the RAC initiation with the same performance and carcass results normally observed in continuous-dose feeding programs.

The objective of this paper is to review the scientific literature to identify on-farm factors that contribute to market weight pig transportation losses. Transportation of market weight pigs is an essential element to the multisite pork production model used in the United States. In 2011 alone, approximately 111 million market weight pigs were transported from the finishing site to the abattoir. For pigs, the marketing process can present a combination of potentially novel, physical, and/or unfamiliar experiences that can be stressful. If the pig cannot cope with these sequential and additive stressors, then an increased rate of transportation losses could occur with a detrimental effect on pork carcass value. Current yearly estimates for transport losses are 1 million pigs (1%). A variety of market weight pig and farm factors have been reported to detrimentally affect transportation losses. By understanding how pigs interact with their environment during marketing, researchers, producers, and personnel at the abattoir may begin to identify, prioritize, and attempt to minimize or eliminate these stressors. This process will ultimately decrease transportation losses, improve pork quality, and increase profitability.

Porcine circovirus type 2 associated disease (PCVAD) is a costly disease to the commercial pig industry. Clinically significant PCVAD decreases growth rate and increases mortality in growing pigs. Porcine circovirus type 2 can costs the US swine industry 3 to 4 dollars per pig and in extreme cases as much as $20 per pig because of increased mortality rates and reduced growth performance of infected pigs relative to pigs of higher health. A total of 1,635 barrows and gilts with a known history of PCVAD were used in a randomized complete block design with a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement of the following treatments: no ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC), 5.0 mg/kg of RAC for 21 d, 7.4 mg/kg of RAC for 21 d, 5.0/7.4 mg/kg step-up, or 5.0/10.0 mg/kg step-up feeding program in barrows and gilts. Pigs assigned to the step-up program were fed the initial dose of 5 mg/kg of RAC for the first 14 d of the trial and then stepped-up to the increased dose of 7.4 or 10.0 mg/kg for the final 7 d of the feeding period. Growth performance traits were measured weekly during the 21-d test period, and carcass traits were measured on d 21 at the slaughter facility. Growth advantages of RAC-fed pigs over controls were observed as early as 7 d on trial and persisted throughout the entire live phase of the experiment. Pigs fed RAC gained 18.6% more weight per day than did control-fed pigs (1.02 vs. 0.86 kg/d, P

The objective was to summarize previous literature, using a meta-analysis approach, on the effects of ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) when fed at doses of 5 to 10 mg/kg for up to 35 d before harvest on carcass cutability and belly quality of finishing pigs. The meta-analysis provided an opportunity to determine the consensus of previously published literature. Ten studies were evaluated to determine cutting yields and 8 studies were used to determine belly quality in this review. Pooled dietary RAC concentrations (5 mg/kg, 7.4 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and step-up feeding programs) and pooled feeding durations (up to 35 d before harvest) were compared with pigs not fed RAC (controls) and were analyzed as a meta-analysis using the mixed procedure of SAS. Ractopamine inclusion was the fixed effect in the model and the individual study was considered a random variable. The only difference between RAC and control pigs for whole primals as a percentage of side weight was the whole ham (P < 0.01). No other differences were detected for whole primals as a percentage of side weight. Yet, differences were detected in the standardized trimmed primal yields. A difference (P < 0.05) in percentages of the side weight was detected for the Boston butt, trimmed loin, and trimmed ham. This translated into RAC pigs having a carcass cutting yield (74.70% vs. 73.69%, respectively; P = 0.02; SED = 0.33) advantage of 1.01% units and a bone in lean cutting yield (61.43% vs. 60.33%, respectively; P = 0.03; SED = 0.40) advantage of 1.10% units when compared with control pigs. The advantage in bone-in cutability was a result of increased boneless sub primal yields in each of the lean cuts (shoulder, loin, and ham). When further evaluated, RAC pigs had a boneless shoulder (Boston butt + picnic) yield advantage of 0.32% units (P < 0.01; SED = 0.11), a 0.43% unit (P = 0.01; SED = 0.13) yield advantage in the boneless loin (Canadian back + tenderloin + sirloin), and a 0.51% unit (P < 0.001; SED = 0.11) advantage in the boneless ham (inside + outside + knuckle). A boneless yield was calculated using a summation of the percentage of side weight from the boneless shoulder, boneless loin, and boneless ham, which resulted in a 1.08% unit (36.28% vs. 35.20%, respectively; P = 0.002; SED = 0.25) advantage of RAC pigs when compared with control pigs. There were no subprimal yield differences (P = 0.93) in the trimmed belly between RAC pigs (12.18%) and control pigs (12.18%). However, RAC pigs (15.27 cm; 73.42) had narrower flop distances (P = 0.02; SED = 0.62) and greater iodine values (P = 0.01; SED = 0.33), respectively, when compared with control pigs (17.08 cm; 71.48).

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feeding ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) in an equal weight marketing scenario. Barrows and gilts (n = 427) were assigned to 3 different RAC feeding programs before slaughter: control (0 mg/kg), 5 mg/kg for up to 35 d, or 5 mg/kg for 21 d followed by a step-up to 7.4 mg/kg for up to 14 d. Treatments including RAC were pooled and compared against control pigs using single df estimate statements. Coefficient of variation in beginning BW of RAC (7.16%) and control pigs (6.95%) did not (P = 0.68) differ; however, RAC-fed pigs had a lower (P < 0.01) market BW CV (3.91%) than controls (5.27%). Pigs fed RAC reached market weight 2.5 d earlier (P = 0.01) than control pigs (26.8 vs. 29.3 d). Ractopamine-fed pigs had a 21% greater (P < 0.01) ADG than control pigs, even though ADFI did not (P = 0.19) differ between RAC and control pigs. Pigs fed RAC produced 3% heavier HCW (P < 0.01), 3% greater loin depths (P = 0.05), and a 1 percentage unit greater dressing percent (P < 0.01) than control pigs. Sort loss per kilogram was less (P < 0.01) for RAC-fed than control-fed pigs, with 8 control pigs having HCW less than the sort loss threshold compared with only 2 RAC pigs. Ractopamine can be an important tool in reducing the variation in market weight and sort loss of finishing pigs.

Type 2 Diabetes is the plague of the 21st century; a chronic condition with complex pathogenetic mechanisms that require the use of multiple therapies to achieve optimal glycemic control. Although conventional therapies offer robust reduction in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), they are also associated with increased risks of hypoglycemia and weight gain over time. SGLT-2 Inhibitors are the latest class in the diabetes armamentarium to emerge with the promise of minimal hypoglycemia risk and potential for weight loss based on their unique mechanism of action. They reduce hyperglycemia by promoting the excretion of glucose through the urine. Several studies have demonstrated efficacy in HbA1c reduction of the SGLT-2 inhibitors dapagliflozin and canagliflozin, when compared with both placebos and other types of oral hypoglycemic agents. However, to date no head to head trials exist that have compared the efficacy of HbA1c reduction of these two agents. We propose a randomized controlled double-blind non-inferiority trial that will examine the efficacy of Hba1c reduction of canagliflozin to dapagliflozin respectively in patients treated with metformin monotherapy with suboptimal glycemic control. We hypothesize that there will be no difference in efficacy of HbA1c reduction between these two agents. Keywords: Type 2 Diabetes, HbA1c, SGLT-2 Inhibitors, dapagliflozin, canagliflozin, metformin.

The objective was to evaluate varying doses and durations of ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC; Paylean, Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN) on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Finishing pigs were allotted to 12 treatments 35 d before market. Treatments consisted of negative control [NEG; 13.13% CP, 0.64% standard ileal digestible (SID) Lys] and positive control (POS; 17.77% CP, 0.94% SID Lys); and 2 RAC diets (5 or 7.4 mg/kg) that were fed for the last 7, 14, 21, 28, or 35 d before market. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed between 5 and 7.4 mg/ kg of RAC; therefore, the 2 doses were pooled and compared with the NEG and POS diets. Feeding RAC (pooled average for the RAC groups) increased (P = 0.004) final BW by ~ 3 kg, overall ADG by 12% (P

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to examine the effect of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) retention, PCL recession, and PCL excision during cruciate-retaining total knee replacement.MethodsA total of 3018 anatomic graduated component total knee replacements were examined; 1846 of these retained the PCL, 455 PCLs were partially recessed, and in 717 the PCL was completely excised from the back of the tibia.ResultsClinical scores between PCL groups favored excision for flexion (p < 0.0001), and recession and retention for stairs (p < 0.0001). There was a mild difference in long-term all-cause aseptic survivorship between PCL-retained (96.4% at 15 years) combined with PCL-recessed groups (96.6% at 15 years) when compared with the PCL-excised group (95.0% at 15 years) (p = 0.0411, Wilcoxon; p = 0.0042, log-rank), as well as tibial or femoral loosening, which reported prosthesis survival of 97.8% at 15 years for PCL-retained knees, 98.2% for recessed knees, and 96.4% for excised knees (p = 0.0934, Wilcoxon; p = 0.0202, log-rank).ConclusionsDespite some trade-off in clinical performance, if the PCL is detached at the time of operation, conversion to a posterior-stabilised prosthesis may not be necessarily required as long as stability in the anteroposterior and coronal planes is achieved.

SummaryObjective: The objective of this study was to describe the clinical and radiographic features, as well as the treatment and outcome of minimally displaced tibial-tuberosity-avulsion-fractures (MDTTAF).Materials and methods: Signalment, history, diagnostics, therapy, and outcome were recorded. Follow-up was documented as re-examination, radiographic assessment or telephone conversation.Results: Nine large breed dogs that were presented with lameness originating from the proximal tibia were included. All showed signs of pain when pressure was applied to the tibial tuberosity. There was no stifle instability or intra-articular disease. The main feature on mediolateral radiographs was a widened tibial-tuberosity-physis with reactive new bone and loss of edge definition of the epiphyseal and metaphyseal margins. Non-surgical treatment was chosen in eight dogs, and surgery in one dog. Radiographic follow-up showed progressive closure of the tibial-tuberosity-physis and healing. Clinical signs resolved at a median of 28 days (range: 14–120).Discussion: Minimally displaced tibial-tuberosity-avulsion-fractures should be a differential diagnosis in skeletally immature large breed dogs older than nine months of age with signs of subtle pelvic-limb lameness, and signs of proximal tibial pain, but no evidence of stifle joint disease. Thorough clinical examination and critical review of bilateral radiographs are important to diagnose MDTTAF. The outcome in these cases suggests that the prognosis for MDTTAF is excellent. Age and size of the affected dogs in this study differ from an earlier publication that illustrated more severely displaced tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures, occurring mainly in terriers around five months of age.

The effects of floor space on the trailer and journey time during transport from the farm to the packing plant on indicators of stress (open-mouth breathing, muscle tremors, and skin discoloration) and on the incidence of transport losses (dead on arrival, nonambulatory, noninjured, and nonambulatory, injured) were evaluated in a study involving 160 loads of market-weight pigs (BW 124.7 ± 4.38 kg) using a split-plot design with a 2 × 6 factorial arrangement of treatments: 1) journey time [main plot; short ( 0.05) on the incidence of dead and nonambulatory, injured pigs, or on total transport losses. There were interactions (P 0.05) of journey time. The incidence of open-mouth breathing for the 3 smallest floor spaces was greater (P 0.05) of journey time for the 3 greatest floor spaces. The frequency of skin discoloration was greater (P < 0.001) for pigs transported at the 2 smallest floor spaces compared with the other 4 floor spaces. In summary, short journey time increased the frequency of indicators of stress after unloading at the plant for pigs transported at smaller floor spaces and also increased the incidence of nonambulatory, noninjured pigs at 2 of the 3 smallest floor spaces. However, neither transport floor space nor journey time had an effect on total losses.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of grow-finish group sizes on stress response and transport losses from the market-weight pig. A total of 4,522 pigs (122.0 ± 10.6 kg; n = 26 trailer loads of pigs) were used in a randomized complete block design. In the grow-finish barn, the small group size (SG) treatment had 36 pigs per pen, whereas the large group size (LG) treatment had 324 pigs per pen. Floor space and feeder space were standardized across treatments. Market-weight pigs were sorted from pen mates at loading and mixed with unfamiliar pigs during transport. Treatments were assigned to trailer decks in an alternating manner. Loading time, physical signs of stress, and transport losses were monitored by treatment. Loading time was analyzed using mixed model procedures, and stress responses were analyzed using generalized linear mixed model methodology. Loading time differed (P 0.05) for open-mouth breathing or muscle tremors. There were no differences for dead on arrival, nonambulatory pigs, or total losses. In summary, group size does not appear to affect the incidence of transport losses.

The objective was to investigate the effect of various doses and durations of ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) on pig HCW, cutting yields, and meat quality. Late-finishing pigs (approximately 93 kg) were allotted to 12 treatments 35 d before slaughter. Treatments consisted of negative control (NEG; 13.1% CP, 0.64 TID Lys), positive control (POS; 17.8% CP, 0.94 TID Lys), and 2 RAC doses (5 and 7.4 mg/kg) with 5 different feeding durations for each dose (7, 14, 21, 28, or 35 d). Pigs on ractopamine-duration diets were fed NEG until incorporation of RAC, and then the diet was switched to POS to comply with label requirements. A subset of 240 pigs was utilized to determine the effects of RAC on carcass cutting yields. This subset was selected by taking the 5 pigs closest to the average pen weight from 4 complete replicates. Differences in response to RAC between 5 and 7.4 mg/kg were not significant. Therefore, RAC dosages were pooled, resulting in an average dose of 6.2 mg/kg, which was then compared with NEG and POS diets. Ractopamine increased (P < 0.05) HCW by 2.5 and 2.3 kg compared with the NEG and POS diets, respectively. Hot carcass weight also increased linearly (P=0.003) as RAC duration increased. Indicators of carcass leanness increased with RAC compared with NEG. Estimated carcass lean percentage increased (P=0.010) 1 percentage unit from 54.79 to 55.79%, carcass cut yield increased (P

The effects of dietary energy source and feed withdrawal on muscle glycolytic potential (GP) and blood acid-base responses to handling were investigated in slaughter-weight pigs (initial BW 94.7 ± 1.01 kg). Crossbred pigs (n = 96; 48 barrows, 48 gilts) were used in a randomized complete block design with a 4 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: l) diet (control, high fat (10% supplemental fat), low- digestible carbohydrate (20% total starch), and high- fat/low-digestible carbohydrate (10% supplemental fat and 20% total starch)); 2) feed withdrawal (0 and 36 h); and 3) sex (barrow and gilt). Diets were fed for 28 d before the feed withdrawal treatment was applied, at the end of which all pigs were individually moved through a 12.20-m-long × 0.91-m-wide passageway for 16 laps (195 m total distance), with the assistance of an electric goad (2 times per lap). Longissimus muscle biopsies were collected at the beginning of the feeding and feed withdrawal periods and immediately after and 4 h after the handling procedure. Venous blood was collected 2 h before and immediately after the handling procedure to measure acid-base responses. At the end of the feeding period, pigs fed the control and high-fat diets were heavier (P 0.05) blood acid-base responses to handling. Muscle GP at the end of the feeding period and 4 h posthandling was least (P 0.05) for fasted and fed pigs receiving the 2 low-digestible carbohydrate diets. In conclusion, neither dietary energy source nor fasting affected blood acid-base responses to handling; however, fasting-induced changes in LM GP were diet dependent.

Ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) has consistently led to an advantage in carcass cutting yields of finishing pigs and remains a common feed additive in US finishing pig diets. Less is known about the effect of RAC on further processing characteristics. Some researchers have reported advantages in ultimate pH of the LM in pigs fed RAC. If a greater ultimate pH was also observed in hams, the increased pH could affect further processing characteristics and lead to better protein interaction and improved textural properties. The objective of this experiment was to determine if RAC-fed pigs yielded hams with a greater ultimate pH, and if so, whether or not that advantage improves textural properties and water retention of further processed hams. Two hundred hams from barrows and gilts fed RAC or control diets were selected based on HCW. Hams were fabricated into 5 separate pieces to determine cutting yields, and 6 muscles were evaluated for ultimate pH. Hams were processed to make cured and smoked hams. Ractopamine increased cutting yields of the whole ham (P < 0.0001), inside (P < 0.01), outside (P < 0.01), and knuckle (P < 0.01) when expressed as a percentage of chilled side weight. Ultimate pH of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and semitendinosus were all 0.06 pH units greater (P < 0.05), the biceps femoris was 0.04 pH units greater (P = 0.02), and the semimembranosus and adductor muscles were 0.03 pH units greater in pigs fed 7.4 mg/kg of RAC when compared with control pigs. Cured hams from RAC-fed pigs were heavier at all stages of production. No differences were detected in binding strengths (P = 0.88) or protein fat-free values (P = 0.13) between RAC (9.06 kg and 20.37) and control hams (9.01 kg and 20.13). Ractopamine increased cutting yields, total weight of cured hams, and ultimate muscle pH. Ractopamine can be fed to pigs to achieve the desired growth characteristic advantages and cutting yields without affecting further processed ham characteristics.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of presorting before loading on stress responses and transport losses at the slaughter facility in the market-weight pig. A total of 5,802 pigs (n = 33 loads) were used in a randomized complete block design with 2 treatments. The presorted (PRE) and not presorted (NON) treatments each had 292 pigs/pen (0.65 m2/pig). For the PRE treatment, internal swing gates were used to presort pigs manually 18 h before loading, whereas pigs in the NON treatment were sorted from pen mates at the time of marketing. Treatments were assigned to trailer decks in an alternating manner. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed model methodology, and loading time was analyzed using mixed model procedures. Loading time differed (P 0.05) different. There were no (P > 0.05) differences between treatments for total losses at the slaughter facility. Two pigs in the PRE treatment and zero pigs in the NON treatment were classified as dead on arrival. In conclusion, presorting market-weight pigs reduced loading time and some stress responses on farm; however, no treatment differences were observed for stress responses or transport losses at the slaughter facility.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of 2 grow-finish swine facility system designs and presorting on the stress responses and incidence of nonambulatory and dead pigs at the time of loading and unloading market pigs. A total of 5,901 pigs (n = 33 loads) were used in a randomized complete block design. The new facility system design (NFSD) had 192 pigs/pen, and internal swing gates were used to manually presort market weight pigs on the day before loading. The smaller traditional facility system design (TFSD) had 32 pigs/pen with no presorting. During loading, facility system design and presorting were randomly assigned to trailer decks. The time required to load a trailer deck was recorded by facility system design and presorting. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed model methodology, and loading time was analyzed using mixed model procedures. Loading time differed (P = 0.007) between facility system design and presorting, with TFSD taking longer to load compared with NFSD. The NFSD with presorting had lower (P

ZusammenfassungDie Stroke Unit ist eine Krankenhausstruktur, die in ihrer Gesamtheit als Akut- und Subakut- Therapeutikum wirkt. Gleichzeitig dient sie als Organisationszentrale für das Management des Schlaganfallpatienten in der gesamten Versorgungskette. Die Wirksamkeitsprinzipien der Stroke-Unit-Behandlung sind durch Studien untermauert und umfassen die ausschließliche Behandlung von Schlaganfallpatienten in dieser Einheit, den Einsatz eines multiprofessionellen Teams und die Kombination von Akuttherapie und früher Mobilisations- und Rehabilitationsbehandlung. Eine- Metaanalyse zeigte, dass Patienten, die in Stroke Units behandelt wurden, nach einem Jahr hochsignifikant häufiger überlebt hatten (21% weniger Todesfälle) und auch im Hinblick auf ihre Behinderung signifikant besser abschnitten (13% weniger Abhängigkeit von anderen). Diese Senkung von Tod und Abhängigkeit ist auch zehn Jahre nach Behandlung auf der Stroke Unit noch nachweisbar. In Stroke Units entwickelt sich eine besondere Expertise in der Thrombolysetherapie des Hirninfarktes mit eindeutigen Mengeneffekten. Je häufiger diese Therapie an einem Zentrum durchgeführt wird, um so geringer ist die Letalität. Dieses Ergebnis wurde nicht nur in Deutschland, sondern auch in anderen Ländern gefunden. Verbesserte Infrastrukturen mit hohem Patientendurchsatz schaffen generell besondere Expertise, und die Patienten werden wirkungsvoller behandelt. Über das Benchmarking der Stroke Units wird ein kontinuierliches Qualitätsmanagement mithilfe der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Schlaganfallregister anhand definierter Qualitätsindikatoren sichergestellt. In Deutschland werden in Kürze über 200 zertifizierte Stroke Units aktiv sein. Hieraus lässt sich abschätzen, dass bundesweit mindestens 60% der Schlaganfallpatienten in zertifizierten Stroke Units behandelt werden.

Transport losses (dead and nonambulatory pigs) present animal welfare, legal, and economic challenges to the US swine industry. The objectives of this review are to explore 1) the historical perspective of transport losses; 2) the incidence and economic implications of transport losses; and 3) the symptoms and metabolic characteristics of fatigued pigs. In 1933 and 1934, the incidence of dead and nonambulatory pigs was reported to be 0.08 and 0.16%, respectively. More recently, 23 commercial field trials (n = 6,660,569 pigs) were summarized and the frequency of dead pigs, nonambulatory pigs, and total transport losses at the processing plant were 0.25, 0.44, and 0.69% respectively. In 2006, total economic losses associated with these transport losses were estimated to cost the US pork industry approximately $46 million. Furthermore, 0.37 and 0.05% of the nonambulatory pigs were classified as either fatigued (nonambulatory, noninjured) or injured, respectively, in 18 of these trials (n = 4,966,419 pigs). Fatigued pigs display signs of acute stress (open-mouth breathing, skin discoloration, muscle tremors) and are in a metabolic state of acidosis, characterized by low blood pH and high blood lactate concentrations; however, the majority of fatigued pigs will recover with rest. Transport losses are a multifactorial problem consisting of people, pig, facility design, management, transportation, processing plant, and environmental factors, and, because of these multiple factors, continued research efforts are needed to understand how each of the factors and the relationships among factors affect the well-being of the pig during the marketing process.

Sixty-four market-weight (130.0 +/- 0.65 kg) barrows (n = 16) and gilts (n = 48) were used in a split-plot design with a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: 1) handling intensity (gentle vs. aggressive), 2) transport floor space (0.39 vs. 0.49 m(2)/pig), and 3) distance moved during handling (25 vs. 125 m) to determine the effects of multiple concurrent stressors on metabolic responses. For the handling intensity treatment, pigs were moved individually approximately 50 m through a handling course with either 0 (gentle) or 8 (aggressive) shocks from an electric goad. Pigs were loaded onto a trailer and transported for approximately 1 h at floor spaces of either 0.39 or 0.49 m(2)/pig. After transport, pigs were unloaded, and the distance moved treatment was applied; pigs were moved 25 or 125 m through a handling course using livestock paddles. Rectal temperature was measured, and blood samples (to measure blood acid-base status) were collected 2 h before the handling intensity treatment was applied and immediately after the distance moved treatment was applied. A LM sample to measure glycolytic potential was collected after the distance moved treatments on a subset of 32 pigs. There were handling intensity x distance moved interactions (P < 0.05) for several blood acid-base measurements. In general, there was no effect of distance moved on these traits when pigs were previously handled gently. However, when pigs were previously handled aggressively, pigs moved 125 compared with 25 m had greater (P < 0.05) blood lactate and less (P < 0.05) blood pH, bicarbonate, and base-excess. Pigs transported at 0.39 compared with 0.49 m(2)/pig had a greater (P < 0.01) increase in creatine kinase values; however, transport floor space did not affect any other measurements. Data were analyzed by the number of stressors (the aggressive handling, restricted transport floor space, and 125-m distance moved treatments) experienced by each pig (0, 1, 2, or 3). As the number of stressors experienced by the pig increased, rectal temperature, blood lactate, and LM lactate increased linearly (P

This study evaluated effects of trailer design and season on physical indicators of stress dur- ing loading and unloading and transport losses (dead and nonambulatory pigs) in market-weight pigs (BW = 129.6 ± 0.40 kg). A total of 109 trailer loads of pigs (n = 17,256 pigs) from 1 farm were used in a random- ized complete block design with a 2 × 4 factorial ar- rangement of treatments: 1) trailer design (pot-belly vs. straight-deck) and 2) season (spring vs. summer vs. fall vs. winter). A subset of loads (n = 42) was used to examine effect of distance pigs were moved during loading (short (

Immediate imaging is the only way to reliably distinguish between ischemic stroke and intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). New imaging modalities and new multi-slice scanners have emerged in recent years. "Stroke-MRI” including T2*- or gradient echo sequences has shown to reliably display ICH. The combination of CT or MRI with contrast enhanced or native angiographic methods has replaced the need for invasive angiographic vessel diagnosis. CT and MRI show acute ICH with almost 100% sensitivity. The European (EUSI) and the American (AHA) stroke councils consider both modalities to be equivalent. Patients with known hypertension and ICH "loco typico” do not require angiographic imaging. The same holds true for elder people with lobar haemorrhage and signs of cerebral amyloid angiopathy in T2*-weighed MRI. Because MRI and CT are equally sensitive in the diagnosis, the choice of the first modality follows a pragmatic approach. If available, MRI should be preferred for stable patients. For severely affected or even ventilated patients, CT remains the modality of choice. The "dot” or "spot-sign” on CTA source images as a predictor of haematoma expansion may influence patient management and patients' prognosis in the near future.

Four Midwestern packing plants (designated as plants A, B, C, and D) were visited on 53 occasions, and tissue samples were collected postmortem from a total of 2,019 pigs to determine the frequency of the HAL-1843 mutation of the ryanodine receptor gene in dead (DOA), nonambulatory-noninjured (NANI), and normal animals. The sampled pigs came from approximately 130,000 animals from 454 farms and were transported on 861 trailer loads, with an average of 152 pigs/load and an average pig live BW/load of 125 (SD 7.02) kg/pig. Frequency of animals with the HAL-1843 mutation was low, with only 2.7% of the pigs being either homozygous recessives (nn, 0.45%) or carriers (Nn, 2.3%) for the mutation and 97.3% of the pigs being homozygous for the normal allele (NN). The mutation was present in all 3 classes of pig, with 1.8% of normal, 1.8% of NANI, and 4.7% of DOA animals having at least 1 copy. Two of the plants (A and C) had a greater frequency (P < 0.05) of carrier (3.7 and 3.5 vs. 1.1 and 1.0 for plants A and C vs. B and D, respectively) and homozygous recessive (1.0 and 0.9 vs. 0.0 and 0.0, respectively) animals than the others (plants B and D). There was a greater frequency (P < 0.05) of carriers in DOA animals than in the normal or NANI pigs (3.7 vs. 1.7 and 1.5 for DOA vs. normal and NANI, respectively). The 55 pigs that had at least 1 copy of the mutation came from 53 farms; therefore, the mutation was relatively widespread, being present in approximately 11% of the farms sampled. Although the HAL-1843 mutation is still present in commercial pig populations in the United States, its low frequency in DOA and NANI pigs suggests that it is not a major cause of these transport losses.

Effects of distance moved during loading and floor space on the trailer during transport on the incidence of transport losses (dead and nonambulatory pigs) on arrival at the packing plant were evaluated in a study involving 42 loads of pigs (average BW = 131.2 kg, SD 5.05). A split-plot design was used with a 2 x 6 factorial arrangement of the following treatments: 1) distance moved from the pen to the exit of the building [short (0 to 30.5 m) vs. long (61.0 to 91.4 m)] and 2) transport floor space (0.396, 0.415, 0.437, 0.462, 0.489, or 0.520 m(2)/pig). Loading distance treatments (sub-plots) were compared within transport floor space treatments (main plot). Pigs were loaded at the farm using sorting boards and, if necessary, electric goads, transported approximately 3 h to a commercial packing plant and unloaded using livestock paddles. The number of nonambulatory pigs during loading and the number of dead and nonambulatory pigs at the plant were recorded. Nonambulatory pigs were classified as fatigued, injured, or injured and fatigued. In addition, the incidence of pigs exhibiting signs of stress (open-mouth breathing, skin discoloration, and muscle tremors) during loading and unloading was recorded. There were no interactions (P > 0.05) between distance moved and transport floor space treatments. Moving pigs long compared with short distances during loading increased (P < 0.001) the incidence of open-mouth breathing after loading (24.9 vs. 11.0 +/- 1.03%, respectively) and tended to increase the incidence of nonambulatory pigs during loading (0.32 vs. 0.08 +/- 0.09%, respectively; P = 0.09) and of nonambulatory, injured pigs at the plant (0.24 vs. 0.04 +/- 0.07%, respectively; P = 0.06). However, distance moved did not affect other losses at the plant. Total losses at the plant were greater (P < 0.05) for the 3 lowest floor spaces compared with the 2 highest floor spaces, and pigs provided 0.462 m(2)/pig during transport had similar transport losses to those provided 0.489 and 0.520 m(2)/pig (total losses at the plant = 2.84, 1.88, 1.87, 0.98, 0.13, and 0.98 +/- 0.43% of pigs transported, for 0.396, 0.415, 0.437, 0.462, 0.489, and 0.520 m(2)/pig, respectively). These data confirm previous findings that transport floor space has a major effect on transport losses and suggest that these losses are minimized at a floor space of 0.462 m(2)/pig or greater.

The impact of feeding ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) on growth performance and responses to handling and transport in heavy BW pigs was evaluated in a study performed as a split-plot design with a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments: 1) RAC level (0 vs. 5 vs. 7.5 mg/kg of feed) and 2) handling intensity (HI; gentle vs. moderate vs. aggressive); RAC level was the main plot and HI was the subplot. A total of 288 pigs housed in groups of 8 were used to evaluate growth performance over a 28-d RAC feeding period (98.5 ± 4.58 to 131.5 ± 7.45 kg BW). On d 29 of the study, the HI treatment was applied to 216 pigs (6/pen; 2/pen on each HI). This was followed by transportation for 1 h on a livestock trailer at the end of which pigs were subjected to a final handling procedure. Blood samples (to measure acid-base, cortisol, and catecholamine levels) were collected and rectal temperature was measured 2 h before the HI treatment (baseline) and after the final handling procedure (final). Feeding RAC (5 and 7.5 mg/kg) improved (0.01) ADG (9.9 and 9.0% for 5 and 7.5 mg/kg RAC, respectively) and G:F (8.8 and 11.8%, respectively) compared to controls, with no differences (0.05) between the 2 RAC levels. Increasing the intensity of handling decreased (0.001) final blood pH, bicarbonate, and base excess and increased (0.001) final blood lactate and plasma cortisol and norepinephrine levels. Aggressive compared to gentle handling increased (0.05) the incidence of pigs exhibiting open-mouth breathing and skin discoloration after the final handling procedure but had no effect (0.05) on the incidence on nonambulatory, noninjured pigs. There was no effect (0.05) of feeding RAC on final rectal temperature or blood acid-base measurements. Feeding 7.5, but not 5, compared to 0 mg/kg RAC increased (0.05) final plasma epinephrine levels and the incidence of nonambulatory, noninjured pigs. This study confirms the improved growth performance of pigs fed RAC and the negative effects of aggressive handling on physical, metabolic, and physiological responses of pigs. It also suggests that pigs fed 5 compared to 0 mg/kg RAC showed similar responses to transport and handling. However, pigs fed 7.5 mg/kg of RAC had a greater incidence of nonambulatory, noninjured pigs when subjected to the handling/transport model and this warrants further investigation.