Metabolic disorders in the transition period indicate that the dairy cows' ability to adapt is overstressed

Metabolic disorders are a key problem in the transition period of dairy cows and often appear before the onset of further health problems. They mainly derive from difficulties the animals have in adapting to changes and disturbances occurring both outside and inside the organisms and due to varying gaps between nutrient supply and demand. Adaptation is a functional and target-oriented process involving the whole organism and thus cannot be narrowed down to single factors. Most problems which challenge the organisms can be solved in a number of different ways. To understand the mechanisms of adaptation, the interconnectedness of variables and the nutrient flow within a metabolic network need to be considered. Metabolic disorders indicate an overstressed ability to balance input, partitioning and output variables. Dairy cows will more easily succeed in adapting and in avoiding dysfunctional processes in the transition period when the gap between nutrient and energy demands and their supply is restricted. Dairy farms vary widely in relation to the living conditions of the animals. The complexity of nutritional and metabolic processes Animals 2015, 5 979 and their large variations on various scales contradict any attempts to predict the outcome of animals’ adaptation in a farm specific situation. Any attempts to reduce the prevalence of metabolic disorders and associated production diseases should rely on continuous and comprehensive monitoring with appropriate indicators on the farm level. Furthermore, low levels of disorders and diseases should be seen as a further significant goal which carries weight in addition to productivity goals. In the long run, low disease levels can only be expected when farmers realize that they can gain a competitive advantage over competitors with higher levels of disease.

Lean Enterprise Transformation: Measuring and Accelerating the transition to lean.

PowerPoint presentation that showcases: • Research Objectives • Strategic Value of the Lean Enterprise • Multi-Stakeholder Value Optimization • Lean Enterprise Self-Assessment Tool (LESAT) • Leading and Lagging Indicators of Lean Enterprise Transformation • Empirical Results in the Aerospace Industry • Accelerating the Lean Transformation - Linking LESAT to Strategic Objectives • Summary and Questions

Quality of learning support for mathematics in transition to University

Resumen basado en el de la publicaci??n

Front spreading in population dynamic models. Theory and application to the Neolithic transition

This thesis presents population dynamics models that can be applied to predict the rate of spread of the Neolithic transition (change from hunter-gathering to farming economics) across the European continent, which took place about 9000 to 5000 years ago. The first models in this thesis provide predictions at a continental scale. We develop population dynamics models with explicit kernels and apply realistic data. We also derive a new time-delayed reaction-diffusion equation which yields speeds about a 10% slower than previous models. We also deal with a regional variability: the slowdown of the Neolithic front when reaching the North of Europe. We develop simple reaction-diffusion models that can predict the measured speeds in terms of the non-homogeneous distribution of pre-Neolithic (Mesolithic) population in Europe, which were present in higher densities at the North of the continent. Such models can explain the observed speeds.

Incentives and Barriers to the Adoption of Digital Terrestrial Television in Portugal: Perspectives of the stakeholders involved in the transition process

The success of the transition from analogical terrestrial television to digital terrestrial television – process also known as switch-over – requires the identification of barriers and drivers among the impacted population. Therefore, the study in which this article is based had as main purpose to understand exactly what are those barriers, in order to produce a valid contribution to the several decision makers, and to be able to contribute to a more inclusive television, accessible and transversal to the whole of the population. In that sense, one of the phases of the project consisted in several interviews to key stakeholders in the transition process, the results of which and subsequent recommendations are presented in this article.

Visceral tissue mass and rumen volume in dairy cows during the transition from late gestation to early lactation

The objectives were to measure the effects of transition and supplemental barley or rumen-protected protein on visceral tissue mass in dairy cows and the effects of transition and barley on rumen volume and liquid turnover. Cows were individually fed a grass silage-based gestation ration to meet energy and protein requirements for body weight stasis beginning 6 wk before expected calving. A corn silage-based lactation ration was individually fed ad libitum after calving. In the visceral mass study, 36 cows were randomly assigned to one of 3 dietary treatments: basal ration or basal ration plus either 800 g dry matter (DM) of barley meal per day or 750 g DM of rumen-protected soybean protein per day. Cows were slaughtered at 21 and 7 d before expected calving date or at 10 and 22 d postpartum. Visceral mass and rumen papillae characteristics were measured. Diets had little effect on visceral mass. The mass of the reticulo-rumen, small intestine, large intestine, and liver was, or tended to be, greater at 22 d postpartum but not at 10 d postpartum before DM intake had increased. Rumen papillae mass increased at 10 d postpartum, perhaps in response to increased concentrates. Mesenteric fat decreased after calving, reflecting body fat mobilization. Ten rumen-cannulated cows were fed the basal gestation ration alone or supplemented with 880 g of barley meal DM. Rumen volumes and liquid dilution rates were measured at 17 and 8 d before calving and at 10, 20, and 31 d postpartum. Feeding barley had no effects. After calving, rumen DM volume and liquid dilution rate increased, but liquid volume did not increase. Changes in gastrointestinal and liver mass during transition were apparently a consequence of changes in DM intake and nutrient supply and not initiation of lactation per se.

The origin, molecular regulation and therapeutic potential of myogenic stem cell populations

Satellite cells, originating in the embryonic dermamyotome, reside beneath the myofibre of mature adult skeletal muscle and constitute the tissue-specific stem cell population. Recent advances following the identification of markers for these cells (including Pax7, Myf5, c-Met and CD34) (CD, cluster of differentiation; c-Met, mesenchymal epithelial transition factor) have led to a greater understanding of the role played by satellite cells in the regeneration of new skeletal muscle during growth and following injury. In response to muscle damage, satellite cells harbour the ability both to form myogenic precursors and to self-renew to repopulate the stem cell niche following myofibre damage. More recently, other stem cell populations including bone marrow stem cells, skeletal muscle side population cells and mesoangioblasts have also been shown to have myogenic potential in culture, and to be able to form skeletal muscle myofibres in vivo and engraft into the satellite cell niche. These cell types, along with satellite cells, have shown potential when used as a therapy for skeletal muscle wasting disorders where the intrinsic stem cell population is genetically unable to repair non-functioning muscle tissue. Accurate understanding of the mechanisms controlling satellite cell lineage progression and self-renewal as well as the recruitment of other stem cell types towards the myogenic lineage is crucial if we are to exploit the power of these cells in combating myopathic conditions. Here we highlight the origin, molecular regulation and therapeutic potential of all the major cell types capable of undergoing myogenic differentiation and discuss their potential therapeutic application.

Peroxides in ordered nanoporous silicas: clean alternatives to transition metal oxidants for the removal of toxic gases

Ordered nano-structured MCM-48 silica containing sodium peroxydisulfate is a novel, highly effective material for the decomposition of HCN under ambient conditions.

Moving on: the challenges for foreign language learning on transition from primary to secondary school

Europe's commitment to language learning has resulted in higher percentages of pupils studying foreign languages during primary education. In England, recent policy decisions to expand foreign language learning at primary level by 2010 create major implications for transition to secondary. This paper presents findings on transition issues from case studies of a DfES-funded project evaluating 19 local authority Pathfinders piloting the introduction of foreign language learning at primary level. Research on transition in other countries sets these findings in context. Finally, it investigates the challenges England faces for transition in the light of this expansion and discusses future implications.