Integration of Pasturing Systems for Cattle Finishing Programs—A Progress Report

This progress report is an introduction to a study to evaluate the incorporation of rotational pasturing systems into cattle finishing programs. Because the first year is still in progress and the first trial is not complete, few data are available. However, there is a suggestion that feeding an ionophore to young calves on pasture may result in improved daily gains.

Integration of Pasturing Systems for Cattle Finishing Programs

A 3-year study, using 84 fall-born and 28 spring-born calves of similar genotypes, was conducted to integrate pasturing systems with drylot feeding systems. Calves were started on test following weaning in May and October. Seven treatments were imposed: 1) fall-born calves directly into feedlot; 2 and 3) fall-born calves put on pasture with or without ionophore and moved to the feedlot at the end of July; 4 and 5) fall-born calves put on pasture with or without ionophore and moved to the feedlot at the end of October; 6 and 7) spring-born calves put on pasture with or without ionophore and moved to the feedlot at the end of October. A bromegrass pasture consisting of 16 paddocks, each 1.7 acre in size, was available. Each treatment group had access to 1 paddock at a time and was rotated at approximately 3-day intervals. In the feedlot, steers were provided an 82% concentrate diet containing whole-shelled corn, ground alfalfa hay, and a protein, vitamin and mineral supplement containing ionophore and molasses. As pens of cattle reached about 1150 lb. average live weight, they were processed and carcass traits were evaluated. Pasture daily gains were highest for cattle on pasture for the longest duration (P < .03), and overall daily gains were highest for drylot cattle (P < .01) and decreased with increased time spent on pasture. Although differences among treatments existed in numerical scores for yield and quality grades (P < .05 and P < .03, respectively), all treatments provided average yield grade scores of 2 and quality grades of low Choice or higher. Use of four production costs and pricing scenarios revealed that fall-born calves placed on pasture for varying lengths of time were the most profitable (P < .04) among the treatments. Furthermore, employing a 5% price sensitivity analysis, indicated that fed-cattle selling price had great impact on profit potential and was followed in importance by feeder purchase price and corn grain price. Overall, these findings should provide significant production alternatives for some segments of the cattle feeding industry and also lend substantial credence to the concept of sustainable agriculture.

Integration of Pasturing Systems for Cattle Finishing Programs: A Progress Report

A three-year study was conducted to integrate pasturing systems with drylot feeding systems. Each year 84 fall-born and 28 spring-born calves of similar genotypes were used. Fall-born calves were started on test in May, and spring-born calves were started in October. Seven treatments were imposed: 1) fall-born calves directly into the feedlot (28 steers); 2 and 3) fall-born calves put on pasture with or without an ionophore and moved to the feedlot at the end of July (14 steers in each treatment); 4 and 5) fall-born calves put on pasture with or without an ionophore and moved to the feedlot at the end of October (14 steers in each treatment); and 6 and 7) spring-born calves put on pasture with or without an ionophore and moved to the feedlot at the end of October (14 steers in each treatment). Cattle on pasture receiving an ionophore gained faster (P=.009), but lost this advantage in drylot (P>.10). Overall, cattle started directly in the feedlot had higher gains (P<.001). Cattle receiving an ionophore on pasture had lower KPH than those that did not receive an ionophore (P<.01). Treatment influenced yield grade (P<0.001), although all treatments were YG 2. The percentage of cattle grading Prime and Choice was 75 % or higher for all treatment groups. The results show that using an ionophore improved pasture gains and that pasture treatments did not adversely influence yield and quality grades.

Integration of Pasturing Systems for Cattle Finishing Programs: A Progress Report

This progress report presents the findings of the first two years of a multi-year study. Each year 84 fall-born and 28 spring-born calves of similar genetic background were used to evaluate the incorporation of rotational pasturing systems into cattle finishing programs. The fall-born calves were started on test on May 7, 1996, and May 8, 1997, whereas the spring-born calves were started on test on October 1, 1996, and September 13, 1997. A total of seven treatments were imposed: 1) fall-born calves directly into the feedlot; 2) fall-born calves put on pasture and receiving an ionophore and moved to the feedlot on July 30, 1996, and July 29, 1997 in the first and second years, respectively; 3) fall-born calves put on pasture without an ionophore and moved to the feedlot on July 30, 1996 and July 29, 1997, in the first and second years, respectively; 4) fall-born calves put on pasture and receiving an ionophore and moved to the feedlot on October 22, 1996, and October 21, 1997, in the first and second years, respectively; 5) fall-born calves put on pasture without an ionophore and moved to the feedlot on October 22, 1996, and October 21, 1997, in the first and second years, respectively; 6) spring-born calves put on pasture and receiving an ionophore and moved to the feedlot on October 22, 1996, and October 21, 1997, in the first and second years, respectively; and 7) spring-born calves put on pasture without an ionophore and moved to the feedlot on October 22, 1996, and October 21, 1997, in the first and second years, respectively. Cattle receiving an ionophore on pasture gained more rapidly; however, cattle without access to an ionophore gained more rapidly in drylot thus negating the advantage obtained on pasture. Overall daily gains and feed conversions in drylot only, improved with increasing numbers of days fed in drylot; however, this may not be very cost effective. At similar end weights no real differences were observed in yield grades among the treatments; however, for fall-born calves the percentage grading Prime and Choice was higher for cattle fed longer in drylot.

Integration of Pasturing Systems for Cattle Finishing Programs: A Progress Report

In this study, 84 fall-born and 28 spring-born calves of similar genetic background were used to evaluate the incorporation of rotational pasturing systems into cattle finishing programs. Because the second-year trial is not complete, this report will include only the first year of the five-year study. Seven treatments were imposed: 1) fall-born calves put directly into the feedlot on May 7, 1996; 2) fall-born calves put on pasture and receiving an ionophore and moved to the feedlot on July 30, 3) fall born calves put on pasture on May 7 and not receiving an ionophore and moved to the feedlot on July 30; 4) fall-born calves put on pasture on May 7 and receiving an ionophore and moved to the feedlot on October 22; 5) fall-born calves put on pasture on May 7 and not receiving an ionophore and moved to the feedlot on October 22; 6) spring-born calves put on pasture on October 1 and receiving an ionophore and moved to the feedlot on October 22; and 7) spring-born calves put on pasture on October 1 and not receiving an ionophore and moved to feedlot on October 22. Performance data showed that cattle on pasture receiving an ionophore had higher gains than those not receiving an ionophore on pasture. This trend was reversed in the feedlot period. Yield grades were not greatly influenced by treatment, although quality grades tended to be higher for older cattle and those cattle that were in drylot for a longer period of time.

Cost-effectiveness of point-of-care viral load monitoring of antiretroviral therapy in resource-limited settings: mathematical modelling study

BACKGROUND Monitoring of HIV viral load in patients on combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) is not generally available in resource-limited settings. We examined the cost-effectiveness of qualitative point-of-care viral load tests (POC-VL) in sub-Saharan Africa. DESIGN Mathematical model based on longitudinal data from the Gugulethu and Khayelitsha township ART programmes in Cape Town, South Africa. METHODS Cohorts of patients on ART monitored by POC-VL, CD4 cell count or clinically were simulated. Scenario A considered the more accurate detection of treatment failure with POC-VL only, and scenario B also considered the effect on HIV transmission. Scenario C further assumed that the risk of virologic failure is halved with POC-VL due to improved adherence. We estimated the change in costs per quality-adjusted life-year gained (incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, ICERs) of POC-VL compared with CD4 and clinical monitoring. RESULTS POC-VL tests with detection limits less than 1000 copies/ml increased costs due to unnecessary switches to second-line ART, without improving survival. Assuming POC-VL unit costs between US$5 and US$20 and detection limits between 1000 and 10,000 copies/ml, the ICER of POC-VL was US$4010-US$9230 compared with clinical and US$5960-US$25540 compared with CD4 cell count monitoring. In Scenario B, the corresponding ICERs were US$2450-US$5830 and US$2230-US$10380. In Scenario C, the ICER ranged between US$960 and US$2500 compared with clinical monitoring and between cost-saving and US$2460 compared with CD4 monitoring. CONCLUSION The cost-effectiveness of POC-VL for monitoring ART is improved by a higher detection limit, by taking the reduction in new HIV infections into account and assuming that failure of first-line ART is reduced due to targeted adherence counselling.

Does tin pre-treatment enhance the bond strength of adhesive systems to enamel?

OBJECTIVES The study investigated the modification of composite-to-enamel bond strength by pre-treatment of enamel with a concentrated, acidic SnCl2-solution. METHODS Six groups of flat human enamel specimens (n=44 per group) were treated as follows: OB-H: H3PO4 etching, Optibond FL application (primer+adhesive; manufacturer's instructions); OB-S: SnCl2 pre-treatment, Optibond FL application (primer+adhesive); OB-HS: H3PO4 etching+SnCl2 pre-treatment, Optibond FL application (primer+adhesive); CF-N: Clearfil SE application (primer+bond; manufacturer's instructions); CF-H: H3PO4 etching, Clearfil SE application (primer+bond); CF-S: SnCl2 pre-treatment, Clearfil SE application (primer+bond). Enamel specimens were then built up with resin composite (Clearfil Majesty Esthetic) and stored (100% humidity, 37 °C, 1 week). μTBS-measurement and failure mode analysis of one-half of the specimens were performed immediately after storage, while the other half was analysed after a thermocycling procedure (8500 cycles; 5 °C and 55 °C; dwell time 30s). Additional specimens were prepared for SEM- and EDX-analysis. RESULTS Highest values were measured for OB-H before and after thermocycling, lowest values for CF-N. Compared to OB-H treatment, OB-S treatment reduced μTBS before/after thermocycling by 23%/28% and OB-HS treatment by 8%/24% (except for OB-SH before (n.s.), all p≤0.001 compared to OB-H). In the Clearfil SE treated groups pre-treatment increased μTBS significantly compared to CF-N (before/after: CF-H: +46%/+70%; CF-S: +51%/42%; all p≤0.001). CONCLUSION Pre-treatment with H3PO4 or SnCl2 markedly increased the μTBS of Clearfil SE to enamel. However, thermocycling partly reduced the gain in μTBS obtained by SnCl2 pre-treatment. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The application of an acidic and highly concentrated SnCl2 solution is a good option to increase the μTBS between enamel and a resin composite mediated by an adhesive system containing the multifunctional monomer MDP.

Evidence based check-up: the general medical point of view

Check-up is a frequent motivation for patients to see their general practitioner. The challenge lies in the choice of screening tools to accomplish an efficient, individual and age-adapted approach. In this article we review evidence-based screening methods, whose efficacy has been demonstrated by randomized clinical trials, as well as their application in clinical practice. While cardiovascular check-up has a high grade of evidence for nearly all patients, counselling to lifestyle change except for smoking cessation has been proved with lower evidence. In contrast, relatively new is the fact that ultrasound to screen for an abdominal aortic aneurysm is useful among men smokers or past smokers between 65 and 75 years old.

DEVELOPING A METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING AND REDUCING FUNCTIONAL DISCREPANCIES OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Currently more than half of Electronic Health Record (EHR) projects fail. Most of these failures are not due to flawed technology, but rather due to the lack of systematic considerations of human issues. Among the barriers for EHR adoption, function mismatching among users, activities, and systems is a major area that has not been systematically addressed from a human-centered perspective. A theoretical framework called Functional Framework was developed for identifying and reducing functional discrepancies among users, activities, and systems. The Functional Framework is composed of three models – the User Model, the Designer Model, and the Activity Model. The User Model was developed by conducting a survey (N = 32) that identified the functions needed and desired from the user’s perspective. The Designer Model was developed by conducting a systemic review of an Electronic Dental Record (EDR) and its functions. The Activity Model was developed using an ethnographic method called shadowing where EDR users (5 dentists, 5 dental assistants, 5 administrative personnel) were followed quietly and observed for their activities. These three models were combined to form a unified model. From the unified model the work domain ontology was developed by asking users to rate the functions (a total of 190 functions) in the unified model along the dimensions of frequency and criticality in a survey. The functional discrepancies, as indicated by the regions of the Venn diagrams formed by the three models, were consistent with the survey results, especially with user satisfaction. The survey for the Functional Framework indicated the preference of one system over the other (R=0.895). The results of this project showed that the Functional Framework provides a systematic method for identifying, evaluating, and reducing functional discrepancies among users, systems, and activities. Limitations and generalizability of the Functional Framework were discussed.

GuideView: structured multi-modal delivery of clinical guidelines.

GuideView is a system designed for structured, multi-modal delivery of clinical guidelines. Clinical instructions are presented simultaneously in voice, text, pictures or video or animations. Users navigate using mouse-clicks and voice commands. An evaluation study performed at a medical simulation laboratory found that voice and video instructions were rated highly.

Does Radar Technology Support the Diagnosis of Pneumothorax? PneumoScan-A Diagnostic Point-of-Care Tool

Background. A nonrecognized pneumothorax (PTX) may become a life-threatening tension PTX. A reliable point-of-care diagnostic tool could help in reduce this risk. For this purpose, we investigated the feasibility of the use of the PneumoScan, an innovative device based on micropower impulse radar (MIR). Patients and Methods. addition to a standard diagnostic protocol including clinical examination, chest X-ray (CXR), and computed tomography (CT), 24 consecutive patients with chest trauma underwent PneumoScan testing in the shock trauma room to exclude a PTX. Results. The application of the PneumoScan was simple, quick, and reliable without functional disorder. Clinical examination and CXR each revealed one and PneumoScan three out of altogether four PTXs (sensitivity 75%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, and negative predictive value 95%). The undetected PTX did not require intervention. Conclusion. The PneumoScan as a point-of-care device offers additional diagnostic value in patient management following chest trauma. Further studies with more patients have to be performed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the device.

New Patterns of Democracy in the Countries of the Comparative Study of Electoral Systems

The chapter introduces a new database on political-institutional patterns of democracy used in the contributions to the book. It provides an update and extension of Lijphart’s (1999, 2012) measurement of consensus and majoritarian democracy for the countries of the second wave of the CSES during the period 1997–2006, using 11 partly improved indicators. The chapter explores patterns of democracy by the means of factor analysis, construct additive indices, and present the resulting country scores of consensus and majoritarian democracy graphically. Two variants are presented, one featuring Lijphart’s (1999) classic ‘executives–parties’ and ‘federal–unitary’ dimensions, and another incorporating direct democracy into the framework, yielding an additional ‘cabinets–direct democracy’ dimension