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Summary: This work presents the feasibility studies to convert the UO2 core of the Westinghouse AP1000 reactor to a U/Th core aiming at U/Th fuel recycling. The focus of the work is to establish a first core which allows normal operation of the AP1000 reactor and investigate a possible route for generating the 233U for U/Th fuel recycling. The converted core named AP‐Th1000 is divided in three homogenous zones with different UO2/ThO2 mass proportions. The reprocessing procedure envisioned is to separate fission products and Pu isotopes, retain Uranium, use this fuel material in subsequent fuel cycles and complement the required fissile material with U with enrichment below 20%. The goal was to gradually reduce the mass proportion of mined Uranium fuel and eventually attain a Th‐233U core with similar operation characteristics of current AP1000 core. We perform a detailed three‐dimensional full core analysis with the SERPENT code examining core reactivity, power density distribution, and also a preliminary closed cycle study for the first 4 cycles where the production of 233U are evaluated. The goal of converting the AP1000 reactor core to a U/ThO2 fuel cycle was partially accomplished. While the first cycle was thoroughly examined and met all requirements we were not able to find a route to migrate it to a prevalent Th cycle. Basically, two of the set of criteria adopted in the study proved to be too restrictive to attain this goal with homogenous assembly, namely U enrichment below 20% and not recycling Pu. The results indicate that removing these two criteria the conversion factor in the ensuing fuel cycles can be increased and possibly attain a Th cycle without compromising the economics of power generation. The design changes were the elimination of IFBA burnable absorbers and replacement of gray control bundles by black control bundles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Failed transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) in dairy calves – which is often due to the low amount of colostrum provided within a few hours after birth – remains a crucial issue. Enabling dairy calves to nurse colostrum from their dams could be useful in increasing intake and thus avoiding FTPI, but further potential effects on the health and welfare of both calves and dams should also be considered. In this study, 107 calf-dam pairs from two Italian dairy farms were alternately assigned to one of the following colostrum provision methods (CPMs): 'hand-fed method' (HFM) – the calf was separated from the dam immediately after birth and colostrum was provided by nipple-bottle (n = 50); 'nursing method' (NM) – the calf nursed colostrum from the dam for the first 12 h of life without farmer assistance (n = 30); and 'mixed method' (MM) – the nursing calf received a supplementary colostrum meal by nipple-bottle (n = 27). Serum of calves (1 to 5 days of age) and samples of their first colostrum meal were analysed by electrophoresis to assess immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration. Additionally, behavioural indicators of separation distress (calf and dam vocalisations; calf refusal of the first meal after separation; undesirable dam behaviour at milking) in the following 24 h were recorded as binary variables (Yes/No), and the health status of calves (disease occurrence and mortality) and dams (postpartum disorders and mastitis occurrence) were monitored for the first 3 months of life and 7 days after parturition, respectively. The lowest FTPI occurrence (calf serum Ig concentration <10.0 g/l) was found in the MM (11.1%) and the HFM (22.0%) compared with the NM (60.0%) (P<0.05), and the highest percentage of calves with optimal transfer of passive immunity (serum Ig concentration ≥16.0 g/l) was observed in the MM (55.6%). The lowest calf–dam separation distress was observed in the HFM (P<0.05). The highest calf disease occurrence was recorded in the HFM (64.0%) and the lowest in the NM (33.3%), with an intermediate value for the MM (44.4%) (P<0.05). No effect of the CPM was observed on dam health or calf mortality (P>0.05). The results of this study indicated that providing calves with a supplementary colostrum meal in addition to nursing from the dam (MM) is truly effective in maximizing passive immunity transfer. Anyway, specific strategies should be studied to minimise calf-dam separation distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During oestrus, fattening female pigs are more prone to lameness, fractures and wounds due to mounting and agonistic behaviours of penmates. This study assessed the effect of sexual maturity on the behaviour and welfare of heavy female pigs slaughtered at 36 weeks of age (180±10 kg) for dry-cured ham production. An immunocastrated control group was used for comparison. In all, 56 15-week-old female pigs, individually identifiable by back tattoos were equally distributed among four pens. All animals from two pens were subject to a three-dose immunocastration schedule at 16, 20 and 32 weeks of age. Skin lesions and behaviours were assessed at 18, 23, 28, 33 and 36 weeks of age. A blood sample was collected at 20, 24, 28 and 32 weeks of age for assessing health/stress parameters and GnRH antibodies. At slaughter, ovaries were weighed, measured and histologically examined; stomachs, carcasses and lungs were scored for lesions and a further blood sample was taken. Immunocastrated pigs did not significantly differ from controls in growth rate, feed efficiency and slaughter performances (lung score, gastric score, backfat thickness). However, they showed a lower frequency of aggressive interactions at 33 and 36 weeks, lower front lesions at 28 weeks, but higher at 30 weeks; a lower haptoglobin level at 28 weeks, a lower level of cortisol and back lesions at slaughter (36 weeks). These findings suggest a low, yet not negligible, impact of sexual maturity on the welfare of heavy female pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the well-known importance of an adequate colostral immunoglobulin (Ig) transfer to calf health and survival, failed transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) remains a widespread problem in dairy farming. The aim of this study was to investigate the management factors associated with FTPI in newborn calves, evaluating particularly the combined effect of delivery time, amount and quality of the first colostrum meal. The study was conducted from March to August 2014 on 21 Italian dairy farms. Farmers were asked as first to answer a farm-level questionnaire on calf management. Blood sampling was then performed on overall 244 calves (1 to 5 days of age) born from Holstein cows, and a sample of the first colostrum meal of each calf was collected. Individual information on calves and the respective colostrum management were recorded. Serum and colostrum Ig concentrations were assessed by electrophoresis. A mixed effects multivariable logistic regression model was used to investigate the association of the variables obtained from both the management questionnaire and the individual calf data with FTPI (calf serum Ig concentration <10.0 g/l). A cumulative colostrum management score (CMS) that considered delivery time, amount and quality of the first colostrum meal was generated for 236 calves, with higher values indicating better colostrum management. Overall, 41.0% of the calves were found having FTPI, and within-farm percentage of FTPI was over 20.0% in 71.4% of the farms. The risk of having FTPI was higher both for Holstein purebred calves compared with Holstein-beef crossbreds and for females compared with males. Moreover, it increased by 13% with every hour of delay of the first colostrum meal provision since birth, whereas it decreased by 59% and 3%, respectively, with every additional liter of colostrum given and every additional gram of Ig per liter contained in the colostrum fed. Calf serum Ig concentration varied significantly according to the CMS, increasing by 1.53 g/l with every additional CMS point. In order to completely avoid FTPI, calves should receive at least 2.5 l of high-quality colostrum (Ig concentration >87.6 g/l) within 1.0 h from birth. Considerable improvements are still needed about colostrum management for newborn calves in dairy farms. The results of this study will help in developing farm-specific programs for reducing the occurrence of FTPI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The particle size of cereal grains has been found to modulate the rate of passage from the rumen and the digestibility of starch and neutral detergent fibre ( NDF), but few studies have examined its impact on reticular p H. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding finely ground maize on the risk of ruminal acidosis, milk yield and composition. Twelve Holstein- Friesian cows were assigned to one of two experimental groups and fed according to a cross-over design. Diets were isoenergetic and isonitrogenous and were characterised by the same NDF and ADF, differing only in maize particle size. In the control diet ( Ct), the maize meal was ground to 1.0 mm, whereas in the experimental diet, it was finely ground ( Fg) to 0.5 mm. The p H and temperature of the reticulum were continuously measured in eight cows throughout the trial using indwelling sensors. Dry matter intake was higher in cows offered Fg diet than in Ct (19.0 vs. 20.3 kg/day; p = 0.067). However, milk yield (p = 0.855) and the 3.5% fat-corrected milk ( FCM) (p = 0.724) did not show any differences between the diets. Casein (2.48 vs. 2.57%; p = 0.035) and crude protein (CP) (3.18 vs. 3.31%; p = 0.021) resulted higher in Fg. Similarly, starch digestibility increased in animals offered Fg diet versus Ct (0.94 vs. 0.98; p = 0.078). Among the reticular parameters, the Fg-fed cows spent a significantly higher time below the 5.5 p H threshold (15 vs. 61 min/day; p = 0.047) and had an average daily variation in reticular p H characterised by a lower nadir p H (5.95 vs. 5.72; p < 0.001) and a higher p H range (0.79 vs. 0.94; p = 0.003). In this study, grain particle size affected the risk of the onset of ruminal acidosis. Therefore, it should be carefully considered when formulating rations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to examine internal marketing relationships and their influence on salesperson attitudes and behaviors in retail store environments. The authors investigate the moderating role of customer complaining behavior on the nature of these relationships. Specially, they examine the relationship between organization-employee and supervisor-employee relationships and their association with salesperson job motivation and commitment to customer service. Customer complaints are expected to have differential moderating effects on the relationship between organizational and supervisory support and these salesperson outcomes. Our hypotheses were tested using a sample of 392 retail employees within 115 stores of a national retail organization. The model was partially supported. Theoretical and managerial implications are explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study compared the effects of enriching a basic solid feed mixture made of corn grain and straw with a protein source (extruded pea) or with urea on growth, health, behavior, and carcass quality of veal calves. Seventy-nine calves, divided according to their initial body weight (59.8 ± 6.9 kg) into 3 groups (5 pens of 5 or 6 animals per group), were allotted to 1 of 3 experimental feeding treatments: milk replacer plus an 85:15 (as-fed basis) mixture of corn grain and wheat straw (CGS); milk replacer plus a 72:15:13 mixture of corn grain, wheat straw, and extruded pea (CGS-EP); or milk replacer plus an 83.3:16:0.7 mixture of corn grain, wheat straw, and urea (CGS-U). All feeding treatments were targeted to provide 140 kg of dry matter (DM)/ calf of solid feed during the 201-d fattening cycle, and the greater crude protein content of the mixtures supplemented with protein or urea was balanced by restricting to 96% the daily amount of milk replacer delivered to CGS. Results did not differ among feeding treatments for average daily gain or solid feed intake but, net of meal refusal events, the average daily intake of milk replacer was 1.73, 1.66, and 1.60 kg of DM/ calf for CGS, CGS-EP, and CGS-U, respectively. The overall mean hemoglobin values from samples taken at d 11, 40, 83, 126, and 196 were lower for CGS-U calves (9.1 ± 0.2 g/dL) compared with CGS (9.8 ± 0.2 g/dL), whereas those of CGS-EP were intermediate (9.4 ± 0.2 g/dL). Behavioral observations showed a frequency of oral stereotypes <1.2% for all feeding treatments. Longer eating and chewing or ruminating time was recorded for CGS-U calves compared with CGS and CGS-EP calves. All carcasses had satisfactory color for the veal market and none of the carcass traits were affected by the feeding treatments. The proportions of tongues and lungs with signs of lesions, forestomach development, abomasal lesions, and rumen plaques did not differ among feeding treatments. Hyperkeratinization of rumen papillae was observed only in CGS-U calves with a prevalence of 11.3%. Based on these findings, providing a corn grain and straw solid feed mixture enriched with extruded pea or urea was an effective strategy to reduce milk replacer consumption, lowering total feeding cost per calf by 3.0 to 3.4% and 6.9 to 7.2%, respectively. This economic advantage was supported by the lack of detrimental effects on calf growth performance, behavior, and carcass quality. However, the occurrence of rumen papillae hyperkeratosis may raise some concerns about the use of urea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reference limits for metabolic profiles in Holstein late-pregnant heifers and dry cows were determined considering the effects of parity, days relative to calving, and season. Blood samples were collected from 104 pregnant heifers and 186 dry cows (68 primiparous and 118 pluriparous) from 60 to 10 d before the expected calving date in 31 dairy farms in northeastern Italy. Sampling was performed during summer (182 samples) and the following winter (108 samples). All the animals were judged as clinically healthy at a veterinary visit before sampling. Outliers were removed from data of each blood analyte, and variables that were not normally distributed were log transformed. A mixed model was used to test the fixed effects of parity (late-pregnant heifers, primiparous or pluriparous dry cows), class of days relative to calving (60-41 d, 40-21 d, 20-10 d), season (summer or winter), and the interactions between parity and class of days relative to calving and between parity and season, with farm as random effect. Single general reference limits and 95% confidence intervals were generated for analytes that did not vary according to fixed effects. Whenever a fixed effect included in the model significantly affected a given analyte, specific reference limits and 95% confidence intervals were generated for each of its levels. Albumin, urea, triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine kinase, conjugated bilirubin, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, chloride, zinc, copper, and iron concentrations were not influenced by any of the fixed effects. Total protein, globulins, creatinine, glucose, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltransferase, lactate de-hydrogenase, and sodium plasma concentrations were affected by parity. The class of days relative to calving had a significant effect on the concentrations of total protein, globulins, fatty acids, cholesterol, total bilirubin, and sodium. Season affected plasma concentrations of creatinine, glucose, fatty acids, lactate dehydrogenase, and sodium. Interactions between parity and class of days relative to calving and between parity and season did not significantly affect any of the blood analytes tested. The reference limits and the 95% confidence intervals for blood analytes determined in the study could help dairy practitioners to improve the accuracy of metabolic profile interpretation in Holstein late-pregnant cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Confidence intervals for blood parameters used for nutritional and metabolic profile testing in cattle were calculated for clinically normal lactating Holstein cows, taking into account the effects of parity, stage of lactation, and season. Blood samples were collected from 740 cows in 33 Italian dairy herds according to a predefined protocol. Herds were visited during summer and the following winter, sampling 12 lactating cows at each visit (4 primiparous and 8 multiparous). Six cows were selected from the early-lactation group (days in milk: 10 to 89) and the other 6 were selected from the mid-lactation group (days in milk: 90 to 215). Cow selection criteria excluded animals clinically exposed to periparturient diseases as well as animals not considered in good health by a veterinary clinical examination. For each blood variable, outliers were identified and discarded. Data were then analyzed for their Gaussian distribution and variables with not normal distribution were log-transformed to adjust for lack of normality. Herd mean values were calculated for each blood parameter according to 3 main classification factors: parity (primiparous vs. multiparous), stage of lactation (early vs. mid) and season of production (summer vs. winter). The resulting data set was statistically analyzed using a mixed model with the fixed effects of these factors, their interactions, and the random effect of herd. General 95% confidence intervals were calculated for blood variables that showed a relevant herd variance component such as albumin, triglycerides, aspartate, urea, glucose, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, direct and total bilirubin, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. For the remaining parameters, specific confidence intervals were calculated for each level of the significant main factors. Parity affected blood concentration of total protein, globulin, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, creatinine kinase, and phosphorus. Blood nonesterified fatty acids, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, creatinine kinase and cholesterol were influenced by stage of lactation. The season of production had a significant effect on total protein, globulin, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, phosphorus, sodium, and chlorine. The outcomes of this work will improve the accuracy of the biochemical profile as a tool for dairy practitioners to assess the metabolic status of lactating Holstein cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the concentrations of progesterone (P 4 ) and cholesterol (CHOL) in fluid of cavitary corpus luteum (CL) and in serum of dairy cattle. Cavitary corpora lutea, collected from cows at a local abattoir, were divided in four stages of development, based on days of the estrous cycle (stage I: 1-4days; stage II: 5-10days; stage III: 11-17days; stage IV: 18-20). Fluid of the their cavity was aspirated and P 4 and CHOL concentrations were evaluated. The concentrations of P 4 in CL cavity fluids were very high (1640-4666.67ng/mL) and showed a peak at the stage III. CHOL values were similar to those of serum and the highest levels were found in the stage I., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX), when used as a growth promoter, cause morphological and functional alterations in cattle lymphoid organs and cells. In the present experiment, the transcriptional effects of an illicit DEX protocol upon six target genes were investigated in cattle neutrophils (NEU) and lymphocytes (LFC). Blood samples were taken before (T(0)) and 2, 3, 10, 19, 31 and 43 days from the beginning of DEX administration (T(1)-T(6)). Leukocytes were counted and cells isolated by gradient centrifugation; then, glutathione peroxidase 1 and 3 (GPX1 and GPX3), glucocorticoid receptor alpha (GRα), l-selectin, nuclear factor κB, subunit p65 (NFκB) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) mRNA amounts were measured through a quantitative Real Time RT-PCR approach. A significant change vs controls in NEU/LFC ratio was noticed from T(3) forward. Compared to T(0), DEX significantly increased to a variable extent all candidate gene mRNAs abundances in NEU; in contrast, only l-selectin, GRα and GPX1 were significantly up-regulated in LFC. Present results suggest that illicit DEX affects transcription in cattle immune cells, that might be considered as a promising surrogate tissue for the screening of DEX abuse in cattle farming., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The study aimed at comparing three strategies of supplementing selenium (Se) during the finishing period of Charolais young bulls: (1) administration of sodium selenite throughout the finishing (NaSe); (2) administration of an Se-enriched yeast strain (Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC R397) throughout the finishing (Se-Y); (3) administration of sodium selenite for 140 days replaced by Se-enriched yeast during the last 70 days of finishing (Switch). Eighty-four young bulls (mean initial BW=434.2±31.9 kg; mean age=382±52 days) were stratified by live weight and equally assigned to one of three Se treatments. Experimental groups were fed the same diets and the inclusion rate of the different treatments was targeted to achieve 0.3 mg of Se/kg of dry matter (DM) in the complete feed. The average daily gain of bulls was 1.36 kg/d and no differences due to Se treatment were recorded. Dry matter intake and feed conversion ratio were not affected by Se treatment resulting in, on average, 10.3 kg/d and 7.65, respectively. Repeated blood samples were taken at days 0, 120, 180 and 210 of finishing to assess the Se status of the animals. As compared to NaSe, both organic Se treatments (Se-Y and Switch) increased plasma Se in the last two sampling sessions according to a significant treatment×time interaction (P<0.001). A similar trend was observed for serum total antioxidant status of the young bulls, whereas there was only a significant time effect (P<0.001) on glutathione peroxidase activity that was raised by all Se treatments. The finishing period lasted 210 days and at the abattoir there were no differences across Se treatments in carcass weight and dressing percentage. A higher Se content in the Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle was instead observed in Se-Y samples as compared with NaSe (0.85 v. 0.47 mg/kg DM; P<0.05). Meat quality evaluation was carried out on LT samples after 6 and 11 days of ageing under a vacuum package. Regardless of ageing time, meat from young bulls supplemented with Se yeast had higher colour lightness (L*) values than those receiving NaSe (38.1 v. 36.6; P<0.01) and showed a significant decrease in shear force (3.69 v. 4.22 kg/cm2; P<0.01). The outcomes of the study suggest that the provision of Se yeast throughout the finishing period is a strategy to increase the benefits of the replacement of sodium selenite with organic selenium in beef cattle.

A set of hormonal, haematological and biochemical parameters was used to evaluate the physiological response and welfare status of 14 finishing Marchigiana bulls treated for 49 days with a low daily dosage (0.75 mg/head per day) of dexamethasone per os. Compared to the Control group, dexamethasone decreased cortisol concentrations (42.3 v. 5.7 nmol/l; s.e.d. = 4.17; P < 0.001), and led to the reversal of the leukocyte formula in the animals treated (P < 0.05). Total serum proteins (70.2 v. 73.9 g/l; s.e.d. = 1.55; P < 0.05), in particular β1 globulins (7.5 v. 9.1 g/l; s.e.d. = 0.24; P < 0.01) and fibrinogen (199 v. 258 mg/dl; s.e.d. = 32.70; P < 0.05), increased as a consequence of treatment. Prolonged dexamethasone administration led the bulls to an apparently chronic stress condition. Moreover, the study indicated various blood parameters that might be used by health officials as effective tools in identifying beef cattle suspected of being illegally treated with dexamethasone.

Aims: The aims of this study were 1) to investigate the mRNA pattern of CD44 variants in three primary (MIA PaCa 2, PANC-1, PSN-1) and two metastatic (CAPAN-1, SUIT-2) pancreatic cancer (PC) cell lines; 2) to ascertain whether the genetic transfer of CD44s and CD44v10 modifies the adhesion of PC cells to the extracellular matrix (ECM) in vitro and their metastatic behavior in vivo., Methods: CD44 mRNA analysis was done by means of RT-PCR. Adhesion to ECM the was assessed using coated microtiter plates. For the study of CD44v10 insertion in the CAPAN-1 line, liposome-mediated DNA transfer was used. SCID mice were employed for in vivo experiments., Results: CD44v10 mRNA was not expressed by the CAPAN-1 nor by four of the six SUIT-2-derived clones. The stable expression of CD44v10 by modified CAPAN-1 significantly enhanced fibronectin adhesion. Mice without either liver or pancreatic metastases were more frequently found among the animals injected with modified (CD44v10 expressing) than with non-modified CAPAN-1., Conclusions: 1) It is possible to differentiate between metastatic and non-metastatic PC cells on the basis of CD44v10 expression; 2) CD44v10 seems to be involved in mediating fibronectin adhesion in vitro and in counteracting metastases in vivo.

The serum determination of pepsinogen A (PGA) and pepsinogen C (PGC) might indicate gastric mucosal inflammation and atrophy. Body gastric mucosa produces both PGA and PGC, while antral mucosa produces only PGC. Therefore, diseases involving mainly the antrum, such as H. pylori infection, are mainly indicated by the variations in serum PGC than in serum PGA. In agreement, when the antral mucosa is infected by the more virulent cagA positive H. pylori strains, which cause severe inflammation, serum PGC significantly increases. Another indirect indicator of gastric inflammation is polymorphonuclear (PMN) oxidative burst after the stimulation with water extracts from H. pylori culture: this parameter is significantly increased in infected if compared to non-infected subjects. The higher oxidative burst response of peripheral PMN in infected patients, possibly consequent to the release of specific cytokines able to prime PMN towards H. pylori products, is unable to eliminate the infection, but it might concur in damaging the gastric mucosa.