The connection between on-farm assessed welfare (A-index) and production parameters of the sows

T��m��n tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli selvitt���� tilalla m����ritetyn hyvinvoinnin yhteytt�� emakoiden tuotantotuloksiin. Hyvinvointia arvioitiin suomalaisen hyvinvointi-indeksin, A-indeksi, avulla. Tuotantotuloksina k��ytettiin kahta erilaista tuotosaineistoa, jotka molemmat pohjautuivat kansalliseen tuotosseuranta aineistoon. Hyvinvointim����ritykset tehtiin 30 porsastuotantosikalassa maaliskuun 2007 aikana. A-indeksi koostuu kuudesta kategoriasta ���liikkumismahdollisuudet���, ���alustan ominaisuudet���, ���sosiaaliset kontaktit���, ���valo, ilma ja melu���, ���ruokinta ja veden saanti��� sek�� ���el��inten terveys ja hoidon taso���. Jokaisessa kategoriassa on 3-10 p����osin ymp��rist��per��ist�� muuttujaa, jotka vaihtelevat osastoittain. Maksimipistem����r�� osastolle on 100. Hyvinvointimittaukset tehtiin porsitus-, tiineytys- ja joutilasosastoilla. Erillisten tiineytysosastojen pienen lukum����r��n takia (n=7) tilakohtaiset tiineytys- ja joutilasosastopisteet yhdistettiin ja keskiarvoja k��ytettiin analyyseiss��. Yhteyksi�� tuotokseen tutkittiin kahden eri aineiston avulla 1) Tilaraportti aineisto (n=29) muodostuu muokkaamattomista tila- ja tuotostuloksista tilavierailua edelt��v��n vuoden ajalta, 2) POTSIaineisto (n=30) muodostuu POTSI-ohjelmalla (MTT) muokatusta tuotantoaineistosta, joka sis��lt���� managementtiryhm��n (tila, vuosi, vuodenaika) vaikutuksen ensikoiden ja emakoiden pahnuekohtaiseen tuotokseen. Yhteyksi�� analysointiin korrelaatio- ja regressioanalyysien avulla. Vaikka osallistuminen tutkimukseen oli vapaaehtoista, molempien tuotantoaineistojen perusteella tutkimustilat edustavat keskituottoista suomalaista sikatilaa. A-indeksin kokonaispisteet vaihtelivat v��lill�� 37,5���64,0 porsitusosastolla ja 39,5���83,5 joutilasosastolla. Tilaraporttiaineistoa k��ytett��ess�� paremmat pisteet porsitusosaston ���el��inten terveys ja hoidon taso��� -kategoriasta lyhensiv��t el��inten lis����ntymissykli��, lis��siv��t syntyvien pahnueiden ja porsaiden m����r���� sek�� alensivat kuolleena syntyneiden lukum����r����. Regressiomallin mukaan ���el��inten terveys ja hoidon taso��� -kategoria selitti syntyvien porsaiden lukum����r��n, porsimisv��lin pituuden sek�� keskiporsimiskerran vaihtelua. Paremmat pisteet joutilasosaston ���liikkumismahdollisuudet��� kategoriasta alensivat syntyneiden pahnueiden sek�� syntyneiden ett�� vieroitettujen porsaiden lukum����r����. Regressiomallin mukaan ensikkopahnueiden osuus ja ���liikkumismahdollisuudet��� kategorian pisteet selittiv��t vieroitettujen porsaiden lukum����r��n vaihtelua. POTSI-aineiston yhteydess�� kuolleena syntyneiden porsaiden lukum����r��n aleneminen oli ensikoilla yhteydess�� parempiin porsitusosaston ���sosiaalisiin kontakteihin��� ja emakoilla puolestaan joutilasosaston parempiin ���el��inten terveys ja hoidon taso��� pisteisiin. Kahden eri tuotantoaineiston avulla saadut tulokset erosivat toisistaan. Seuraavissa tutkimuksissa onkin suositeltavampaa k��ytt���� Tilaraporttiaineistoja, joissa tuotokset ilmoitetaan vuosikohtaisina. T��m��n tutkimuksen perusteella hyvinvoinnilla ja tuotoksella on yhteyksi��, joilla on my��s merkitt��v���� taloudellista vaikutusta. Erityisesti hyv�� el��inten hoito ja el��inten terveys lis����v��t tuotettujen porsaiden m����r���� ja lyhent��v��t lis����ntymiskiertoa. Erityishuomiota tulee kiinnitt���� vapaana olevien joutilaiden emakoiden sosiaaliseen stressiin ja rehunsaannin varmistamiseen kaikille yksil��ille.

ErbB-2 expression and its association with other biological parameters of breast cancer among Indian women

Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor family genes, which include ErbB-1, 2, 3 and 4, has been implicated in a number of cancers. We have studied the extent of ErbB-2 overexpression among Indian women with sporadic breast cancer. Methods: Immmunohistochemistry and genomic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to study the ErbB2 overexpression. ErbB2 status was correlated with other clinico-pathological parameters, including patient survival. Results: ErbB-2 overexpression was detected in 43.2% (159/368) of the cases by immunohistochemistry. For a sub-set of patients (n = 55) for whom total DNA was available, ErbB-2 gene amplification was detected in 25.5% (14/55) of the cases by genomic PCR. While the ErbB2 overexpression was significantly higher in patients with lymphnode (��2 = 12.06, P��� 0.001), larger tumor size (��2 = 8.22, P = 0.042) and ductal carcinoma (��2 = 15.42, P ��� 0.001), it was lower in patients with disease-free survival (��2 = 22.13, P ��� 0.001). Survival analysis on a sub-set of patients for whom survival data were available (n = 179) revealed that ErbB-2 status (��2 =25.94, P ��� 0.001), lymphnode status (��2 = 12.68, P ��� 0.001), distant metastasis (��2 = 19.49, P ��� 0.001) and stage of the disease (��2 = 28.04, P ���0.001) were markers of poor prognosis. Conclusions: ErbB-2 overexpression was significantly greater compared with the Western literature, but comparable to other Indian studies. Significant correlation was found between ErbB-2 status and lymphnode status, tumor size and ductal carcinoma. ErbB-2 status, lymph node status, distant metastasis and stage of the disease were found to be prognostic indicators.

Apsidal motion in 4U 0115+63 and orbital parameters of 2S 1417-624 and V0332+53

Be/X-ray binary pulsars have wide eccentric orbits and hence the angle of periastron of the orbit is very well defined in these sources. The presence of an X-ray pulsar allows for accurate measurements of orbital elements. A Be star usually is a rapidly rotating star and hence will deviate from spherical geometry. The tidal interaction between the neutron star and the Be star will add to the distortion of the Be star and alter its mass distribution. Thus a measurable rate of apsidal motion is expected from these systems. In this paper, we present the first conclusive detection of apsidal motion of the binary 4U 0115+63. We also present new and accurate orbital parameters of the Be/X-ray binaries V0332+53 and 2S 1417-624.

Electrocardiographic parameters of ventricular repolarization : modifiers and the prognostic value

Electric activity of the heart consists of repeated cardiomyocyte depolarizations and repolarizations. Abnormalities in repolarization predispose to ventricular arrhythmias. In body surface electrocardiogram, ventricular repolarization generates the T wave. Several electrocardiographic measures have been developed both for clinical and research purposes to detect repolarization abnormalities. The study aim was to investigate modifiers of ventricular repolarization with the focus on the relationship of the left ventricular mass, antihypertensive drugs, and common gene variants, to electrocardiographic repolarization parameters. The prognostic value of repolarization parameters was also assessed. The study subjects originated from a population of more than 200 middle-aged hypertensive men attending the GENRES hypertension study, and from an epidemiological survey, the Health 2000 Study, including more than 6000 participants. Ventricular repolarization was analysed from digital standard 12-lead resting electrocardiograms with two QT-interval based repolarization parameters (QT interval, T-wave peak to T-wave end interval) and with a set of four T-wave morphology parameters. The results showed that in hypertensive men, a linear change in repolarization parameters is present even in the normal range of left ventricular mass, and that even mild left ventricular hypertrophy is associated with potentially adverse electrocardiographic repolarization changes. In addition, treatments with losartan, bisoprolol, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide have divergent short-term effects on repolarization parameters in hypertensive men. Analyses of the general population sample showed that single nucleotide polymorphisms in KCNH2, KCNE1, and NOS1AP genes are associated with changes in QT-interval based repolarization parameters but not consistently with T-wave morphology parameters. T-wave morphology parameters, but not QT interval or T-wave peak to T-wave end interval, provided independent prognostic information on mortality. The prognostic value was specifically related to cardiovascular mortality. The results indicate that, in hypertension, altered ventricular repolarization is already present in mild left ventricular mass increase, and that commonly used antihypertensive drugs may relatively rapidly and treatment-specifically modify electrocardiographic repolarization parameters. Common variants in cardiac ion channel genes and NOS1AP gene may also modify repolarization-related arrhythmia vulnerability. In the general population, T-wave morphology parameters may be useful in the risk assessment of cardiovascular mortality.

Shell-model calculation of defect energies in alkali halides employing crystal-independent interionic potential parameters

Shell model calculation of defect energies in alkali halides have been carried out using the ion-dependent, crystal-independent potential parameters of Sangster and Atwood (1978). Results indicate that appreciable differences exist between barrier heights for migration of cations and anions. While barrier heights for cations are generally lower than for anions in alkali halides of NaCl structure, the opposite is true in alkali halides of CsCl structure.

Theoretical Treatment of Interaction Parameters in Multicomponent Metallic Solutions

A new theoretical equation for interaction parameter in multicomponent metallic solutions is developed using the pseudopotential formalism coupled with the free energy of the hard sphere system. The approximate expression for the pseudopotential term is given in terms of the heat of solution at infinite dilution, to allow easy evaluation of the interaction parameter in various multicomponent systems. This theory has been applied to 23 non-ferrous alloys based on Pb, Sn, Bi and indium. Comparison with the results of previous theoretical calculations using only the hard sphere model suggests that the inclusion of the pseudopotential term yields a quantitatively more correct prediction of interaction parameters in multicomponent metallic solutions. Numerical calculations were also made for 320 Fe-base solutions relevant to steelmaking and the agreement between calculation and experimental data appears reasonable, with 90% reliability in predicting the correct sign.

Equivalent circuit parameters of the film-covered magnesium/electrolyte interface in Mg/MnO2 dry cells from transient and ac impedance measurements

The electrochemical properties of the film-covered anode/solution interface in the magnesium/ manganese dioxide dry cell have been evaluated. The most plausible electrical equivalent circuit description of the Mg/solution interface with the passive film intact, has been identified. These results are based on the analysis of ac impedance and voltage transient measurements made on the dry cell under conditions which cause no damage to the protective passive film on the anode. The study demonstrates the complementary character of impedance and transient measurements when widely different frequency ranges are sampled in each type of investigation. The values and temperature dependence of the anode-film resistance, film capacitance, double-layer capacitance and charge-transfer resistance of the film-covered magnesium/solution interface have been determined. The magnitude of these values and its implications in understanding the important performance aspects of the magnesium/manganese dioxide dry cell are discussed. The study may be extended, in principle, to Li, Al and Ca batteries.

Equivalent circuit parameters of the film-covered magnesium/electrolyte interface in Mg/MnO2 dry cells from transient and ac impedance measurements

The electrochemical properties of the film-covered anode/solution interface in the magnesium/ manganese dioxide dry cell have been evaluated. The most plausible electrical equivalent circuit description of the Mg/solution interface with the passive film intact, has been identified. These results are based on the analysis of ac impedance and voltage transient measurements made on the dry cell under conditions which cause no damage to the protective passive film on the anode. The study demonstrates the complementary character of impedance and transient measurements when widely different frequency ranges are sampled in each type of investigation. The values and temperature dependence of the anode-film resistance, film capacitance, double-layer capacitance and charge-transfer resistance of the film-covered magnesium/solution interface have been determined. The magnitude of these values and its implications in understanding the important performance aspects of the magnesium/manganese dioxide dry cell are discussed. The study may be extended, in principle, to Li, Al and Ca batteries.

Comparative measurements of HV impulses to evaluate different sets of response parameters

Results are reported of comparative measurements made in 14 HV (high-voltage) laboratories in ten different countries. The theory of the proposed methods of characterizing the dynamic behavior is given, and the parameters to be used are discussed. Comparative measurements made using 95 systems based on 53 dividers are analyzed. This analysis shows that many of the system now in use, even though they fulfil the basic response requirements of the standards, do not meet the accuracy requirements. Because no transfer measurements were made between laboratories, there is no way to detect similar errors in both the system under test and the reference system. Hence, the situation may be worse than reported. This has led to the recommendation that comparative measurements should be the main route for quantifying industrial impulse measuring systems

Impedance parameters and the state-of-charge. III. Zinc-manganese dioxide and magnesium-manganese dioxide dry batteries

The problem of non-destructive determination of the state-of-charge of zinc- and magnesium-manganese dioxide dry batteries is examined experimentally from the viewpoint of internal impedance and open-circuit voltage at equilibrium. It is shown that the impedance is mainly charge-transfer controlled at relatively high states-of-charge and progressively changes over to diffusion control as the state-of-charge decreases in the case of zinc-manganese dioxide dry batteries. On the other hand, the impedance is mainly diffusion controlled for undischarged batteries but becomes charge-transfer controlled as soon as there is some discharge in the case of magnesium-manganese dioxide batteries. It is concluded that the determination of state-of-charge is not possible for both types of batteries by the measurement of impedance parameters due to film-induced fluctuations of these parameters. The measurement of open-circuit voltage at equilibrium can be used as a state-of-charge indicator for Zn-MnO2 batteries but not for Mg-MnO2 batteries.

Impedance parameters and the state-of-charge. II. Lead-acid battery

The determination of the state-of-charge of the lead-acid battery has been examined from the viewpoint of internal impedance. It is shown that the impedance is controlled by charge transfer and to a smaller extent by diffusion processes in the frequency range 15���100 Hz. The equivalent series/parallel capacitance as well as the a.c. phase-shift show a parabolic dependence upon the state-of-charge, with a maximum or minimum at 50% charge. These results are explained on the basis of a uniform transmission-line analog equivalent circuit for the battery electrodes.