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Using a diverse sample of military veterans enrolled in the Veteran Affairs (VA) Million Veteran Program ( N = 14,378; n = 1,361 females [9.5%]; all previously deployed), we examined sex differences on the Comprehensive Traumatic Brain Injury Evaluation (CTBIE), a structured traumatic brain injury (TBI) interview routinely administered in VA health centers. Confirmed TBI diagnoses were more frequent among males than females (65% vs. 58%). In addition, compared with females, a greater proportion of males with CTBIE-confirmed TBI histories experienced blast-related injuries and were employed. In contrast, a greater proportion of females reported experiencing falls, sustaining a TBI since deployment, and having more severe neurobehavioral symptoms (particularly affective-related symptoms). Results indicate that males and females experience differential clinical and functional outcomes in the aftermath of military TBI. Findings underscore the need to increase female representation in TBI research to increase understanding of sex-specific experiences with TBI and to improve the clinical care targeted to this vulnerable population.

We examined the association between cognitive functioning and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) in military veterans with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) using two methods to assess cognition: mean performance on cognitive composite scores and across-test intraindividual variability (IIV). The sample included 73 veterans (84.9% male; age, mean = 32.47 years) who completed neuropsychological testing and self-report questionnaires ∼7 years post-injury. Three cognitive composite scores representing mean performance were computed, including memory, attention/processing speed (A/PS), and executive functioning (EF). Three IIV indices were also calculated reflecting degree of dispersion across the same cognitive domains: memory-IIV, A/PS-IIV, and EF-IIV. The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist-Military Version (PCL-M) was used to assess current PTSD symptoms, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Short Version Physical Health domain was used to assess HR-QOL. Hierarchical linear regressions adjusting for PTSD symptoms demonstrated that IIV indices, but not mean cognitive composite scores, significantly predicted HR-QOL. Specifically, memory-IIV, A/PS-IIV, and EF-IIV, when taken together, made an independent and significant contribution to the prediction of HR-QOL. Examination of the standardized coefficients showed that the A/PS-IIV index was uniquely associated with HR-QOL, such that higher A/PS-IIV scores significantly predicted poorer HR-QOL. Our results are the first to show that, in veterans with remote mTBI histories, greater fluctuations in cognitive performance significantly contribute to poorer HR-QOL, even after accounting for PTSD symptom severity. Moreover, findings suggest that, compared to traditional mean cognitive performance scores, measures of IIV may represent more sensitive indicators of clinical outcome and better align with subjective experiences of distress.

The purpose of this study was to examine neurobehavioral symptom reporting in a large sample of military veterans (N = 12,144) who completed the Comprehensive Traumatic Brain Injury Evaluation (CTBIE) and enrolled in the VA's Million Veteran Program (MVP). The CTBIE is a clinician-administered interview that assesses for historical, deployment-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) and evaluates symptoms using the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI). Clinicians completing the CTBIE made clinical determinations about participants' (1) TBI diagnostic status (i.e., CTBIE+ or CTBIE-) and (2) current symptom etiology (i.e., Symptom Resolution, TBI, Behavioral Health, Comorbid TBI + Behavioral Health [Comorbid], or Other). We evaluated the association of TBI diagnostic status and symptom etiology group with neurobehavioral symptoms. Results showed a significant association between TBI diagnostic status and all NSI variables, with CTBIE+ veterans endorsing greater symptoms than CTBIE- veterans. There was also a significant association between symptom etiology group and all NSI variables; specifically, the Comorbid and Behavioral Health groups generally endorsed significantly greater symptoms compared to the other groups. Follow-up analyses showed that relative to the Symptom Resolution group, the Comorbid and Behavioral Health groups had increased odds of severe/very severe cognitive and affective symptoms, whereas the TBI and Other groups did not. Finally, presence of psychiatric symptoms, pain, post-traumatic amnesia, loss of consciousness, and blast exposure significantly predicted Comorbid symptom etiology group membership. Findings from this large epidemiologic MVP study have relevant clinical implications and further highlight the importance of prioritizing integrated behavioral health interventions for this vulnerable population.

Feed and water efficiency are important traits to improve beef cattle production’s economic and environmental sustainability. This study evaluated residual feed intake (RFI) and residual water intake (RWI) and their relationship with performance, ingestive behavior, and carcass traits in Caracu beef cattle. The data were analyzed using a generalized linear model with least squares means. The ingestive behavior, performance, and carcass traits were influenced by sex (p < 0.05). Males showed higher dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), mid-test metabolic weight (BW0.75), rib eye area, and rump fat thickness than females, besides spending more time drinking and eating. Low RFI animals exhibited higher DMI than high RFI animals. Low RWI animals ingested 3.89 L/d of water further than high RWI animals. The interaction between sex and RWI influenced the DMI, BW0.75, and backfat thickness. The ingestive behavior of low and high RFI animals was similar, although high RWI animals visited a smaller number of drinkers than low RWI animals. Water intake positively affects productive efficiency, and the combined use of RWI and RFI may help improve the selection of more efficient animals contributing to reducing the costs of beef cattle production and improving environmental sustainability.

The inclusion of plant extracts that contain secondary compounds with the potential to modulate rumen fermentation and improve animal performance has gained attention in recent years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of yerba mate extract (Ilex paraguariensis ST. Hilaire) (YME) on the ruminal parameters. Eight castrated cattle were divided into four groups, a control without YME (0%) and three treatment groups with 0.5, 1 and 2% inclusion of YME in the dry matter. The inclusion of YME did not show differences in ruminal methane emissions (CH4), and total apparent digestibility (p = 0.54). Likewise, YME did not modify ruminal pH, but positively affected NH3-N, which decreased linearly as the extract level in the diet increased (p = 0.01). No short chain fatty acids (SCFA) were influenced by YME, except isovaleric acid (p = 0.01), which showed a lower concentration in the inclusion of 2% YME. Our results show that up to 2% YME does not affect digestibility, ruminal fermentation parameters, or the concentration of short-chain fatty acids in the rumen.

The prototypical diluted magnetic semiconductor Cd1-xMnxTe is a spin glass (x0.6), but becomes ferromagnetic upon doping with a small amount of Cr atoms substituting for Mn. In order to investigate the origin of the ferromagnetism in Cd1-x-yMnxCryTe, we have studied its element specific magnetic properties by x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) at the Cr and Mn L2,3 edges. Thin films were grown by molecular beam epitaxy with a fixed Mn content of x = 0.2 and varying Cr content in the range of y = 0 - 0.04. Measured XAS and XMCD spectra indicate that both Cr and Mn atoms are divalent and that the ferromagnetic or superparamagnetic components of Cr and Mn are aligned in the same directions. The magnetization of Mn increases with increasing Cr content. These results can be explained if ferromagnetic interaction exists between neighboring Mn and Cr ions although interaction between Mn atoms is largely antiferromagnetic. We conclude that each ferromagnetic or superparamagnetic cluster consists of ferromagnetically coupled several Cr and a much larger number of Mn ions., 13 pages, 5 figures

The optical wave microphone was characterized and validated for the detection of sinusoidal acoustic waves generated by a piezoelectric transducer and arbitrary-shaped acoustic waves generated by pulsed and CW lasers.

A fiber optic seismometer based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer with variable structure and sliding modes nonlinear control was evaluated and showed potential for space application as detection of marsquake or meteorite impact.

A fiber optic accelerometer based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer with variable structure and sliding modes nonlinear control was constructed and characterized, obtaining estimations of its sensitivity, minimum detectable acceleration, and dynamic range.

The production of beef cattle in the Atlantic Forest biome mostly takes place in pastoral production systems. There are millions of hectares covered with pastures in this biome, including degraded pasture (DP), and only small area of the original Atlantic Forest has been preserved in tropics, implying that actions must be taken by the livestock sector to improve sustainability. Intensification makes it possible to produce the same amount, or more beef, in a smaller area; however, the environmental impacts must be assessed. Regarding climate change, the C dynamics is essential to define which beef cattle systems are sustainable. The objectives of this study were to investigate the C balance (t CO2e./ha per year), the intensity of C emission (kg CO2e./kg BW or carcass) and the C footprint (t CO2e./ha per year) of pasture-based beef cattle production systems, inside the farm gate and considering the inputs. The results were used to calculate the number of trees to be planted in beef cattle production systems to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The GHG emission and C balance, for 2 years, were calculated based on the global warming potential (GWP) of AR4 and GWP of AR5. Forty-eight steers were allotted to four grazing systems: DP, irrigated high stocking rate pasture (IHS), rainfed high stocking rate pasture (RHS) and rainfed medium stocking rate pasture (RMS). The rainfed systems (RHS and RMS) presented the lowest C footprints (−1.22 and 0.45 t CO2e./ha per year, respectively), with C credits to RMS when using the GWP of AR4. The IHS system showed less favorable results for C footprint (−15.71 t CO2e./ha per year), but results were better when emissions were expressed in relation to the annual BW gain (−10.21 kg CO2e./kg BW) because of its higher yield. Although the DP system had an intermediate result for C footprint (−6.23 t CO2e./ha per year), the result was the worst (−30.21 CO2e./kg BW) when the index was expressed in relation to the annual BW gain, because in addition to GHG emissions from the animals in the system there were also losses in the annual rate of C sequestration. Notably, the intensification in pasture management had a land-saving effect (3.63 ha for IHS, 1.90 for RHS and 1.19 for RMS), contributing to the preservation of the tropical forest.

To examine health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) in Veterans with and without a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and investigate correlates and predictors of HR-QOL within the mTBI sample. Research Method/Design: Participants (ANCOVAs adjusting for age found that, relative to VCs, the mTBI group demonstrated poorer HR-QOL across all SF-36 subscales (Results suggest that, above and beyond depression, PTSD, and combat exposure, history of remote mTBI contributes to aspects of HR-QOL-particularly in perceptions of physical health and social functioning. Furthermore, different combinations of predictor variables are associated with different HR-QOL domains, highlighting the need for multimodal treatments within this vulnerable population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Made available in DSpace on 2022-05-01T08:44:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-09-01 In this work, an optical fiber was coated by a thin-film metal layer to work as a fiber optical phase modulator based on thermal effect. This device was assembled in one of the arms of an all-fiber Michelson interferometer stabilized by a nonlinear control system based on variable structure and sliding modes. The frequency response reached 200 Hz, which can be considered high for a device based on the thermal effect. Compared with a fiber optical phase modulator based on the piezoelectric effect, the thermal modulator presented a higher scale factor per meter of optical fiber, showing the potential to work as a simple, low-cost, small-sized, short length, lightweight, and low-voltage fiber optical phase modulator. Aeronautics Institute of Technology [Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica-ITA], Praça Mal. Eduardo Gomes 50, SP Division of Photonics Institute for Advanced Studies [Instituto de Estudos Avançados-IEAv], Trevo Cel. Av. José A. A. do Amarante 1, SP Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Av. Cesare Mansueto Giulio Lattes 1201, SP Department of Electrical Engineering São Paulo State University (UNESP), José Carlos Rossi Avenue 1370, SP Department of Electrical Engineering São Paulo State University (UNESP), José Carlos Rossi Avenue 1370, SP

To examine measures of social support and associations with neurobehavioral, psychiatric, and cognitive symptoms in Veterans who underwent the Veterans Health Administration's Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Screening and Evaluation Program.Nationally representative sample of U.S. Veterans enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Million Veteran Program.Veterans (N = 9,837) were classified into the following three diagnostic groups based on results from the TBI Screening and Evaluation Program: (1) negative TBI screen (Screen-; n = 6,523), (2) positive TBI screen but no TBI diagnosis (Screen+/TBI-; n = 1,308), or (3) positive TBI screen and TBI diagnosis (Screen+/TBI+; n = 2,006).Epidemiological cross-sectional study.Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey Instrument (MOS-SSSI), with subscales representing emotional, tangible, and affectionate support and positive social interaction; Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI); PTSD Checklist (PCL); Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4); and Medical Outcomes Study Cognitive Functioning-Revised Scale (MOS-Cog-R).ANCOVAs showed significant associations between diagnostic group and all aspects of social support. Pairwise comparisons revealed that Veterans in the two Screen+ groups (Screen+/TBI+ and Screen+/TBI-) reported comparable levels of social support, but that both Screen+ groups reported significantly lower levels of social support compared to the Screen- group. Among the Screen+ groups, adjusted linear regression models controlling for age, sex, and race/ethnicity showed significant associations between social support indices and all symptom measures, such that lower levels of social support were associated with more severe neurobehavioral and psychiatric symptoms and worse cognitive functioning. Finally, mediation analyses showed that psychiatric symptoms mediated the association between TBI screen group and social support.Our results are clinically informative and suggest (1) that the relationship between TBI screen status and social support is influenced by psychiatric symptoms and (2) that implementing distress reduction techniques before social support interventions may be most beneficial for Veterans screening positive for TBI.

A passive interferometry phase detection method is presented, which emulates the closed-loop high gain approach technique. This method comprises an all-digital closed-loop observer based on the variable structure and sliding modes nonlinear control theory, able to demodulate the phase of an open-loop feedback-free interferometer hardware. A proof-of-concept experiment is conducted by measuring complex displacements (module and angle) generated by a piezoelectric actuator. The results show that this method simplifies the optical hardware while providing features such as direct detection of the optical phase, increase of the dynamic range, high robustness, and dismissing of the feedback phase modulator and reset circuits.

Background Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) is robustly overexpressed in both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and is a promising therapeutic target for IBD. We have previously published that systemically or enema administered small molecule GCPII inhibitors have efficacy in multiple mouse colitis models. While this is a highly encouraging activity profile for a candidate IBD drug, an oral dose route would be strongly preferred. Thus, here we develop and characterize a new class of GCPII inhibitors designed to be gut-restricted for oral administration, with the intention of selecting a lead inhibitor for further clinical development. Methods Anti-inflammatory secondary bile acids lithocholic acid, deoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid were conjugated to GCPII inhibitor, 2-PMPA, yielding three novel constructs. These conjugates were screened for oral activity in murine dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) colitis, followed by detailed characterization of the most active inhibitor to: measure GCPII inhibition (IC50), confirm colon target engagement, evaluate plasma and colon pharmacokinetic profiles, compare efficacy versus standard-of-care agents, evaluate mechanisms of anti-inflammatory activity in vivo, confirm efficacy in a second colitis model (IL10-/-), and assess safety in standard preclinical assays. Results The deoxycholic acid 2-PMPA conjugate, IBD3540, was identified as the lead inhibitor (IC50 = 4nM). Oral IBD3540 was robustly efficacious in acute DSS colitis, where it dose-dependently inhibited colon GCPII, attenuated both gross disease activity index and blinded colon histopathology scores, and had improved efficacy relative to both sulfasalazine and tofacitinib when compared head-to-head. Mechanistically, we determined that IBD3540 attenuated pathogenic monocytic inflammation in the colon, as measured by flow cytometry, and also decreased colon pro-inflammatory cytokine content. We confirmed efficacy of IBD3540 in spontaneously occurring, chronic, IL10-/- colitis, where treatment initiated 4 weeks after the onset of colon inflammation improved multiple disease endpoints. Further, in preclinical safety screens, inclusive of CYP inhibition/induction assays, Eurofins SafetyScreen44TM, and AMES/hERG mutagenicity testing, no concerns were identified. Conclusion IBD3540 is a novel, gut-restricted, GCPII inhibitor with potent oral anti-colitis efficacy in both acute (DSS) and chronic (IL10-/-) mouse colitis models and a promising preclinical safety profile. Further development of this mechanistically unique candidate IBD drug is warranted.

Objective To examine the association between employment status and neuropsychological functioning in veterans with a history of remote mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) using 2 approaches to assess cognitive performance: (a) standard, traditional mean cognitive performance; and (b) across-test intraindividual variability (IIV). Setting Outpatient Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital. Participants Eligibility criteria included veterans with a history of mTBI who performed adequately on performance validity tests. Participants (N = 75; 37 employed, 38 unemployed) were evaluated, on average, about 5.5 years after their most recent mTBI. Design Observational cohort study; all participants completed a clinical interview and a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Main measures Primary outcomes of interest included mean cognitive composite test scores and IIV scores on tasks of memory, attention/processing speed, and executive functioning. Results Logistic regression models showed that mean cognitive performance was not predictive of employment status; however, IIV indices were (χ23,75 = 7.88, P = .048) and accounted for 13% of the variance. Greater memory-IIV was significantly associated with being unemployed (β = -.16, SE = .07, P = .020, Exp(B) = 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74-0.98). Conclusion These findings build upon prior work showing that IIV, or cognitive dispersion, is associated with important functional outcomes following mTBI, including employment status. Future studies are needed to verify these findings, but the present study suggests that IIV indices offer a clinically meaningful marker of cognitive functioning and should be considered when evaluating functional outcomes following head trauma.

Stocking density (SD) of turkey toms (n = 2,868 Nicholas Select) was evaluated in 2 16-wk trials. Poults were randomly allocated to 1 of 8 independently ventilated rooms (6.71 × 10.06 m) for each trial, to reach a final target SD of 30, 40, 50, or 60 kg/m2. Air quality was monitored (carbon dioxide and ammonia) throughout the trial, and ventilation was adjusted to balance these parameters across all rooms. Within each trial, body weight and feed consumption were recorded (0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 wk of age). Body weight gain and mortality-corrected feed-to-gain ratio (F: Gm) were calculated for each 4-wk interval. Uniformity was assessed at 12 and 16 wk of age (20 birds per replicate). Mortality and culled birds were recorded daily and necropsied to determine cause of death or illness. Room temperature was recorded hourly, and litter moisture and temperature (trial 2) were evaluated weekly from 12 to 16 wk. A 1-way ANOVA was performed to evaluate the effects of SD on room temperature. Regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between SD and all other measured variables (linear, Proc Reg; quadratic, Proc RSReg in SAS 9.4). Differences were considered significant when P ≤ 0.05. Body weight decreased as SD increased at 12 (quadratic) and 16 wk (linear). Body weight gain decreased in the last 4 wk (12 to 16, linear) and over the course of the trial (0 to 12, quadratic; 0 to 16, linear) as SD increased. Feed consumption demonstrated a linear relationship with increasing SD, increasing from week 4 to 8 and decreasing from week 12 to 16. The F: Gm ratio increased linearly with increasing SD for all time periods beginning at week 4. Flock uniformity and total percent mortality were unaffected by SD. Litter moisture demonstrated a quadratic effect and litter temperature increased (quadratic) as SD increased. Overall, increasing SD negatively impacted aspects of bird performance, including body weight, body weight gain, and feed efficiency. Feed consumption was negatively impacted later in production (week 12 to 16). Finally, overall mortality and uniformity were not affected.

Introduction The Glasgow prognostic score, a marker of systemic inflammation, is associated with clinical outcomes in different cancers including prostate cancer. However, there is no evidence for the relationship between the high-sensitivity modified Glasgow prognostic score (Hs-mGPS) in prostate cancer and its prognosis. Objective This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of Hs-mGPS in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) treated with docetaxel. Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical datasets from 131 CRPC patients who received docetaxel treatment at Chiba University Hospital and a related hospital. Clinical factors including Hs-mGPS before docetaxel treatment were evaluated according to overall survival. Results The numbers of patients with Hs-mGPS of 0, 1, and 2 were 88, 30, and 13, respectively. The median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 28.9 ng/mL. The median testosterone level was 13.0 ng/dL. The percentages of bone and visceral metastases were 80.8% and 10.2%, respectively. For overall survival, Hs-mGPS ≥ 1 (hazard ratio of 2.41; p = 0.0048), testosterone ≥ 13.0 ng/dL (hazard ratio of 2.23; p = 0.0117), and PSA ≥ 28.9 ng/mL (hazard ratio of 2.36; p = 0.0097) were significant poor prognostic factors in the multivariate analysis. The results of the two-group analysis showed that a higher Hs-mGPS was associated with high PSA, alkaline phosphatase, and testosterone levels. The median testosterone levels for Hs-mGPS of 0, 1, and 2 were 9.0, 16.5, and 23.0, respectively. Based on the multivariate analysis, we created a combined score with three prognostic factors: Hs-mGPS, testosterone, and PSA. The low-risk group (score of 0-1) showed a significantly longer overall survival compared to the intermediate-risk (score of 2-3) and high-risk (score of 4) groups (p < 0.0001). Conclusion Our results demonstrated that an elevated Hs-mGPS was an independent prognostic factor in CRPC patients treated with docetaxel therapy. Risk classification based on Hs-mGPS, testosterone, and PSA may be useful in predicting the prognosis of CRPC patients. Disclosure Work supported by industry: no.

Introduction and Objective In European Male Aging Study (EMAS), hypogonadism is classified in four groups as normal or eugonadal [total testosterone (TT) ≥10.5nmol/L and luteinizing hormone (LH) ≤9.4IU/L; N/E group], secondary hypogonadism (TT9.4IU/L; P/H group), compensated hypogonadism (TT≥10.5nmol/L and LH>9.4IU/L;C/H group). Symptoms and co-morbidities were different among groups. In the present study, incidence of EMAS hypogonadism and the relationship between gonadal state and treatment outcomes of microsurgical varicocele repair. Patients and Methods Enrolled were 88 patients who underwent microsurgical varicocele repair with pretreatment measurement of sex hormones. We retrospectively analyzed incidence of EMAS hypogonadism, presurgical difference in semen quality according to gonadal state, and change in semen parameters after microsurgical varicocele repair. Student T test was used to compare two groups. This study was proved by institutional review board of Chiba University (#2557). Results Seventy-five patients were classified as eugonadal (N/E group, 84.3%), and 13 (15.7%) were hypogonadal [8 in S/H group (9%), 0 in P/H group (0%), and 5 in C/H group (5.7%)]. Mean testicular volume was significantly higher in N/E group than in hypogonadal (S/H, P/H and C/H) groups (mean volume of the right testis 17mL vs. 12mL, p=0.0283; mean volume of the left testis, 16mL vs. 11mL, p=0.0281). Out of 54 patients with male infertility, 44 were in N/E group and 8 (15.4%) were hypogonadal and total sperm count was significantly higher in N/E group than in hypogonadal patients (10.1 × 106 vs.1.3 × 106, p=0.0033). Post-surgical semen analyses were performed after 6.4 months in average. Sperm count, sperm motility and total sperm count were significantly higher in N/E group than in hypogonadal patients (in average, 33.4 × 106/mL vs. 2.8 × 106/mL, p Conclusion Hypogonadism should be evaluated using not only testosterone level but also LH level. EMAS hypogonadal state were related to semen parameters and outcomes of microsurgical varicocelectomy. Disclosure Work supported by industry: no.

This study measured milk and solid feed intake in pre- weaning period and feed intake in postweaning period of Nellore calves, and to correlated them with performance traits and ingestive behavior of animals classified as most and least efficient. During pre weaning phase, feed efficiency was evaluated in 51 cow-calf pairs from 21±5 days after calving until weaning. During post-weaning phase, only male calves (n=23) were evaluated. Pre-weaning milk intake of calves was estimated based on cow’s milk production. Pre-weaning daily metabolizable energy intake (MEI) of calves was estimated as the sum of MEI from milk and solid diet. There was no difference in ADG between calves with negative and positive pre RFI, with a consequent better feed conversion to more efficient calves. The most efficient calves spent less time at the feed bunk, with a shorter feeding duration and higher rate of intake, compared to the least efficient animals. Correlations between feed intake and metabolic body weight of the animals during pre- and postweaning phases were positive, of medium to high magnitude, and significant, while correlation between ADG values was close to zero. Results suggested that part of the animals ranked based on pre weaning feed intake won’t maintain their rank during postweaning phase. In conclusion, calves classified as most efficient during pre-weaning phase have similar weight gain but lower milk intake and MEI than least efficient animals. The estimated pre RFI is weakly correlated with post RFI, showing that RFI is not consistent or repeatable across two periods. RESUMO: Este estudo teve como objetivo mensurar o consumo de leite e sólidos no período pré-desmama e o consumo alimentar no período pós-desmama, e relacioná-los com características de desempenho e comportamento ingestivo de animais classificados como mais eficientes e menos eficientes. Na fase pré-desmama foram avaliados 51 pares vaca-bezerro da raça Nelore quanto à eficiência alimentar dos 21±5 dias após o parto até a desmama. Na fase pós-desmama, apenas os bezerros machos (n=23) foram avaliados. O consumo de leite dos bezerros na pré-desmama foi estimado pela produção de leite das vacas. O consumo diário de energia metabolizável do bezerro na pré-desmama (CEM), foi estimado pela soma do consumo de energia metabolizável do leite e do consumo diário de energia metabolizável da dieta. Bezerros CARpre negativo não diferiram dos bezerros CARpre positivo quanto ao GMD, resultando em melhor CA dos bezerros mais eficientes. Bezerros mais eficientes ficaram menos tempo no cocho, com menor duração da refeição e com maior taxa de alimentação comparativamente aos animais menos eficientes. As correlações entre o consumo alimentar e peso corporal metabólico dos animais na pré e pós-desmama foram positivas, de média a alta magnitudes e significativas, enquanto que a correlação entre ganho médio diário foi próxima de zero. Os resultados sugerem que parte dos animais classificados pelo consumo alimentar na pré-desmama manterão a classificação na pós-desmama. Na fase pré-desmama bezerros classificados como mais eficientes tem ganho de peso similar, porém com menor consumo de leite e consumo de energia metabolizável do que bezerros menos eficientes. A estimativa do consumo alimentar residual na fase pré-desmama é fracamente relacionada à estimativa do consumo alimentar residual na fase pós-desmama, mostrando que o consumo alimentar residual não é consistente e repetível nos dois períodos.

Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) is a developing region characterized for its importance for global food security, producing 23 and 11% of the global beef and milk production, respectively. The region's ruminant livestock sector however, is under scrutiny on environmental grounds due to its large contribution to enteric methane (CH4) emissions and influence on global climate change. Thus, the identification of effective CH4 mitigation strategies which do not compromise animal performance is urgently needed, especially in context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) defined in the Paris Agreement of the United Nations. Therefore, the objectives of the current study were to: 1) collate a database of individual sheep, beef and dairy cattle records from enteric CH4 emission studies conducted in the LAC region, and 2) perform a meta-analysis to identify feasible enteric CH4 mitigation strategies, which do not compromise animal performance. After outlier's removal, 2745 animal records (65% of the original data) from 103 studies were retained (from 2011 to 2021) in the LAC database. Potential mitigation strategies were classified into three main categories (i.e., animal breeding, dietary, and rumen manipulation) and up to three subcategories, totaling 34 evaluated strategies. A random effects model weighted by inverse variance was used (Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V3.3.070). Six strategies decreased at least one enteric CH4 metric and simultaneously increased milk yield (MY; dairy cattle) or average daily gain (ADG; beef cattle and sheep). The breed composition F1 Holstein × Gyr decreased CH4 emission per MY (CH4IMilk) while increasing MY by 99%. Adequate strategies of grazing management under continuous and rotational stocking decreased CH4 emission per ADG (CH4IGain) by 22 and 35%, while increasing ADG by 22 and 71%, respectively. Increased dietary protein concentration, and increased concentrate level through cottonseed meal inclusion, decreased CH4IMilk and CH4IGain by 10 and 20% and increased MY and ADG by 12 and 31%, respectively. Lastly, increased feeding level decreased CH4IGain by 37%, while increasing ADG by 171%. The identified effective mitigation strategies can be adopted by livestock producers according to their specific needs and aid LAC countries in achieving SDG as defined in the Paris Agreement. Fil: Congio, Guilhermo Francklin de Souza. Universidade do Sao Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; Brasil. Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria; Colombia Fil: Bannink, André. University of Agriculture Wageningen; Países Bajos Fil: Mayorga Mogollón, Olga Lucía. Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria; Colombia Fil: Jaurena, Gustavo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomia. Departamento de Producción Animal. Cátedra de Nutrición Animal; Argentina Fil: Gonda, Horacio Leandro. Uppsala Universitet; Suecia Fil: Gere, José Ignacio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria; Argentina Fil: Cerón Cucchi, María Esperanza. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Patobiología; Argentina Fil: Ortiz Chura, Abimael. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Patobiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Tieri, María Paz. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Rafaela; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea. - Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Santa Fe. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela. Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea; Argentina Fil: Hernandez, Olegario. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Tucuman-Santiago del Estero; Argentina Fil: Ricci, Patricia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce. Instituto de Innovación Para la Producción Agropecuaria y El Desarrollo Sostenible. Grupo Vinculado Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria Cuenca del Salado Al Ipads | Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Innovación Para la Producción Agropecuaria y El Desarrollo Sostenible. Grupo Vinculado Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria Cuenca del Salado Al Ipads.; Argentina Fil: Juliarena, María Paula. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Lombardi, Banira. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Abdalla, Adibe Luiz. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Abdalla Filho, Adibe Luiz. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Berndt, Alexandre. Ministerio da Agricultura Pecuaria e Abastecimento de Brasil. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria; Brasil Fil: Oliveira, Patrícia Perondi Anchão. Ministerio da Agricultura Pecuaria e Abastecimento de Brasil. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria; Brasil Fil: Henrique, Fábio Luis. Colegios Asociados de Uberaba; Brasil Fil: Monteiro, Alda Lúcia Gomes. Universidade Federal do Paraná; Brasil Fil: Borges, Luiza Ilha. Universidade Federal do Paraná; Brasil Fil: Ribeiro Filho, Henrique Mendonça Nunes. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil Fil: Ribeiro Pereira, Luiz Gustavo. Ministerio da Agricultura Pecuaria e Abastecimento de Brasil. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria; Brasil Fil: Tomich, Thierry Ribeiro. Ministerio da Agricultura Pecuaria e Abastecimento de Brasil. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria; Brasil Fil: Campos, Mariana Magalhães. Ministerio da Agricultura Pecuaria e Abastecimento de Brasil. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria; Brasil Fil: Machado, Fernanda Samarini. Ministerio da Agricultura Pecuaria e Abastecimento de Brasil. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria; Brasil Fil: Marcondes, Marcos Inácio. Universidade Federal de Viçosa.; Brasil Fil: Mercadante, Maria Eugênia Zerlotti. Agencia de Tecnología Agroindustrial de Sao Paulo; Argentina Fil: Sakamoto, Leandro Sannomiya. Agencia de Tecnología Agroindustrial de Sao Paulo; Argentina Fil: Albuquerque, Lucia Galvão. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil Fil: Carvalho, Paulo César de Faccio. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasil Fil: Hristov, Alexander Nikolov. State University of Pennsylvania; Estados Unidos. University of Agriculture Wageningen; Países Bajos. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil. Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria; Colombia

We report time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements on the Sb(111) surface. We observe band- and momentum-dependent binding-energy oscillations in the bulk and surface bands driven by $A_{1g}$ and $E_{g}$ coherent phonons. While the bulk band shows simultaneous $A_{1g}$ and $E_{g}$ oscillations, the surface bands show either $A_{1g}$ or $E_{g}$ oscillations. The observed behavior is reproduced by frozen-phonon calculations based on density-functional theory. This evidences the connection between electron-phonon coupling and coherent binding energy dynamics.

A new 790 – 940 GHz heterodyne receiver, ASTE Band 10, was installed in October 2019 on ASTE (Atacama Submillimeter Telescope Experiment), a 10 m submillimeter telescope near of the ALMA site in Chile. An ALMA Band 10 prototype receiver was upgraded with SIS mixers employing high-Jc junctions. The receiver noise temperature (TDSB) measured in the laboratory is between 175 K and 344 K. The achieved system noise temperature on ASTE toward the zenith was 2400 K (PWV

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T11:08:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-01-01 This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters, including genomic data, for feeding behavior, feed efficiency, and growth traits in Nellore cattle. The following feeding behavior traits were studied (861 animals with records): time spent at the feed bunk (TF), duration of one feeding event (FD), frequency of visits to the bunk (FF), feeding rate (FR), and dry matter intake (DMI) per visit (DMIv). The feed efficiency traits (1,543 animals with records) included residual feed intake (RFI), residual weight gain (RWG), and feed conversion (FC). The growth traits studied were average daily gain (ADG, n = 1,543 animals) and selection (postweaning) weight (WSel, n = 9,549 animals). The (co)variance components were estimated by the maximum restricted likelihood method, fitting animal models that did (single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction) or did not include (best linear unbiased prediction) genomic information in two-trait analyses. The direct responses to selection were calculated for the feed efficiency traits, ADG, and WSel, as well as the correlated responses in feed efficiency and growth by direct selection for shorter TF. The estimated heritabilities were 0.51 ± 0.06, 0.35 ± 0.06, 0.27 ± 0.07, 0.34 ± 0.06, and 0.33 ± 0.06 for TF, FD, FF, FR, and DMIv, respectively. In general, TF and FD showed positive genetic correlations with all feed efficiency traits (RFI, RWG, and FC), ADG, DMI, and WSel. Additionally, TF showed high and positive genetic and phenotypic correlations with RFI (0.71 ± 0.10 and 0.46 ± 0.02, respectively) and DMI (0.56 ± 0.09 and 0.48 ± 0.03), and medium to weak genetic correlations with growth (0.32 ± 0.11 with ADG and 0.14 ± 0.09 with WSel). The results suggest that TF is a strong indicator trait of feed efficiency, which exhibits high heritability and a weak positive genetic correlation with growth. In a context of a selection index, the inclusion of TF to select animals for shorter TF may accelerate the genetic gain in feed efficiency by reducing RFI but with zero or slightly negative genetic gain in growth traits. Beef Cattle Research Center Institute of Animal Science Department of Animal Science Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences São Paulo State University (Unesp) School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences São Paulo State University (Unesp)

Current-voltage (I – V) characteristics in armchair graphene nanoribbon (AGNR) double barrier systems (DBSs) are investigated by the density functional theory (DFT) and the non-equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) methods. The hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) which has an analogous structure with a graphene shows wide bandgap and becomes an electrical barrier in DBSs. The heterojunction structure of AGNR and two h-BNs with one six-membered ring width has properties as a resonant tunnelling device. Due to the resonance, sharp peaks are formed in the transmission function around the Fermi energy EF . Our previous studies have explained the origins of some peaks by solving the one-dimensional Dirac equation for massless particles. Here, by using the two-dimensional Dirac equation, we show that the remaining sharp peaks depend on the transverse nodal pattern of the wavefunction as well as the anisotropy of the Fermi velocity. Moreover, in the I – V characteristics, a flat part is formed without the negative differential resistance appearing. By partial density of state (PDOS) analysis, we reveal that the flat part in the current is caused by the fact that the peak positions in the resonance region are stable against the bias voltage.

Increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from anthropogenic activities have contributed to global warming and consequently to climate change. Among all sources of emissions, the agricultural sector accounts for just under a quarter, mainly because of the intensification of food production systems necessary to supply the growing demand of the population. As ruminal fermentation is the largest source of methane emission in the livestock industry, emission by cattle has become the focus of studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate enteric methane emission and emission intensities of Nellore cattle at different ages submitted to levels of intensification of the grazing system. Twenty-four animals per cycle (age of 21.8 and 13.1 mo in cycles 1 and 2, respectively) were randomly distributed across different grazing systems: irrigated pasture with a high stocking rate (IHS), dryland pasture with a high stocking rate (DHS), recovering dryland pasture with a moderate stocking rate (DMS), and degraded pasture with a low stocking rate (DP). Methane emission was measured using the sulfur hexafluoride technique in each season of the cycle. Intensive systems provided higher yields of good-quality forage as well as superior animal performance when compared with DP. Methane yields were different between seasons and cycles. Methane emissions per average daily weight gain and dry matter digestible intake were different between treatments. Differences in the results were observed when they were analyzed per hectare, with the highest gain yield (P = 0.0134), stocking rate, weight gain, carcass production, and total methane emission (P < 0.0001) being found for the intensive systems. There were no differences in emissions per weight gain or carcass production between production systems, while a difference was observed between cycles (P = 0.0189 and P = 0.0255, respectively), resulting in lower emission intensities for younger animals. We conclude that more intensive systems resulted in a higher kilograms production of carcass per hectare; however, animals at 19 mo of age raised in the IHS and DMS systems had a lower emission intensity in kilogram of CO2-eq. per kilogram of carcass. Moderate intensification (DMS) using animals at about 19 mo of age might be an effective strategy to mitigate GHG emissions from Brazilian tropical pastures. Further studies are needed to understand the relationship between increasing productivity and decreasing environmental impacts, especially methane emission from ruminants.