Single Group Research Articles

Back-propagation ANN to Predict Cleanliness and Quality of Cotton Spinning Preparatory Output: A Comprehensive Research

Background: Modern spinning preparatory has undergone drastic technological changes, but still, individual’s expertise-based decisions govern the complex and non-linear multivariant relationships prevailing amongst raw material (cotton) variables, machine variables, process variables (waste), and product (card sliver) quality. The scientifically precise prediction regarding the cleanliness and quality of card sliver and waste control for the given inputted cotton variables processed on the state-of-the-art machinery setup without waiting for the production and testing of card sliver is still impossible. Methods: The present work describes the use of Aritificial Neural Networks (ANN) for ruling out these limitations on scientific grounds. A complex system targeted at ANN was developed using the "newff" function on the mill's five-year database. Single-group ANN was initially designed to determine the influence of inherent variations in raw cotton fibre properties and trash content on blow room and card performance. A multi-group approach of ANN was developed at a later stage to define the influence of complex interactions amongst various fibre properties on three main quality measures considered at blow room and carding, viz., i) influence of blow room and card on fibre length properties, ii) fibre damage at blow room or improvement at card, and iii) degree of cleanliness of the output material. Results: Reverse modelling for both groups was also successfully designed to demarcate feed cotton quality and cleanliness requirements for targeted blow room or card cleaning performance. Conclusion: A high level of positive endurance was observed for all ANNs. Multigroup networking has proven to be more precise than single group networking.

The impact of psychospiritual program on state of depression, anxiety and stress among female juvenile delinquents

The participation of teenagers in inappropriate social actions is linked to the disregard for their mental health. This research was carried out to assess how a psychospiritual program impacts the reduction of depression, anxiety, and stress among delinquent adolescents. The study employed a quasi-experimental design, utilizing a single group for pretest-posttest evaluation. In this study, 36 delinquent adolescents who were females (N=36) and were enrolled in an Approved School in Terengganu, Malaysia, participated. The analysis was conducted through paired sample t-tests. The level of depression, anxiety, and stress before and after the psychospiritual program was assessed using the clinical scale for depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS-21). The results showed that the level of depression, anxiety and stress had decreased as much as 0.7619, 1.4643 and 0.7937 respectively after joining the program which was less than 0.05 (p=0.000 ≤0.05). This implies that the psychospiritual program exerts a significant influence in reducing depression, anxiety, and stress levels among adolescent delinquents. As a result, it is prudent to explore the psychospiritual approach as a potential alternative to the conventional allopathic intervention for addressing depression, anxiety, and stress problems especially among female delinquent adolescents at approved schools who have similar criterion.

Chloride Ion Penetration Resistance of Reactive Powder Concrete with Mineral Admixtures

This study employed the rapid chloride ion penetration test and the salt spray erosion method to examine electric flux changes in mineral-admixed reactive powder concrete (RPC). Variations in the chloride ion content and diffusion coefficient under different erosion durations and depths were also investigated. The impact of mineral admixtures on the chloride penetration resistance was explored. Notably, after mixing fly ash (FA) and granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), the electric flux values of RPC of each group were significantly reduced, and the electric flux values of RPC of the mixed group were significantly lower than those of the single mixed group and the reference group, in which the electric flux of FA10G10 was reduced by 85.2% compared to the control group; at the same erosion cycle and depth, the chloride ion content and diffusion coefficient of the mixed group were significantly lower than the control group. It shows that the reasonable compounding of mineral admixtures can better exert the "superposition effect", improve the compactness inside the matrix, and effectively reduce the chloride ion penetration rate. Considering comprehensively, the FA10G10 group has the best chloride penetration ion resistance effect.

Single-bolus injection of local anesthetic, with or without continuous infusion, for interscalene brachial plexus block in the setting of multimodal analgesia: a randomized controlled unblinded trial

IntroductionPrevious trials favored a continuous interscalene brachial plexus block over a single injection for major shoulder surgery. However, these trials did not administer a multimodal analgesic regimen. This randomized, controlled...

PDRs4All

Context. Extraordinary observations of the Orion Bar by JWST have shown, for the first time, the incredible richness of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission bands and their variation on very small scales. These variations are the result of photochemical evolution of the PAH carrier. Aims. We aim to probe the photochemical evolution of PAHs across the key zones of the ideal photodissociation region (PDR) that is the Orion Bar using unsupervised machine learning. Methods. We used JWST NIRSpec IFU and MIRI MRS observations of the Orion Bar from the JWST Early Release Science programme PDRs4All (ID: 1288). We levered bisecting k-means clustering to generate highly detailed spatial maps of the spectral variability in the 3.2–3.6, 5.95–6.6, 7.25–8.95, and 10.9–11.63 μm wavelength regions. We analysed and subsequently described the variations in the cluster profiles and connected them to the conditions of the physical locations from which they arise. We interpreted the origin of the observed variations with respect to the following key zones: the H II region, the atomic PDR zone, and the layers of the molecular PDR zone stratified by the first, second, and third dissociation fronts (DF 1, DF 2, and DF 3, respectively). Results. Observed PAH emission exhibits spectral variation that is highly dependent on the spatial position in the PDR. We find the 8.6 μm band to behave differently than all other bands, which vary systematically with one another. Notably, we find a uniform variation in the 3.4–3.6 μm bands and 3.4/3.3 intensity ratio. We attribute the carrier of the 3.4–3.6 μm bands to a single side group attached to very similarly sized PAHs. Further, cluster profiles reveal a transition between characteristic profile classes of the 11.2 μm feature from the atomic to the molecular PDR zones. We find the carriers of each of the profile classes to be independent, and reason the latter to be PAH clusters existing solely deep in the molecular PDR. Clustering also reveals a connection between the 11 .2 and 6.2 μm bands and that clusters generated from variation in the 10.9–11.63 μm region can be used to recover those in the 5.95–6.6 μm region. Conclusions. Clustering is a powerful and comprehensive tool for characterising PAH spectral variability on both spatial and spectral scales. For individual bands as well as global spectral behaviours, we find ultraviolet processing to be the most important driver of the evolution of PAHs and their spectral signatures in the Orion Bar PDR.

Motivation Program to Reduce Occupational Accidents in a Manufacturing Company

the purpose of this research study was to determine whether implementing a motivation program could lead to a reduction in the rate of occupational accidents in the bakery plant of a manufacturing company based in Lima. The study followed a quasi-experimental approach and used a pretest/posttest design with a single group and a sample of 117 workers. The data collection methods included statistical data on work-related accidents, direct observations in the workplace, recording and monitoring of interactions, and a motivation questionnaire. The research results revealed that implementing the IPLEFOR motivation program—which spanned 21 months—led to a 100% reduction in the accident rate. Consequently, it led to a significant improvement in the occupational health and safety system.

Use of non-invasive mechanical ventilation in the Emergency Department, clinical outcomes and correlates of failure

Background: Despite several studies having been carried in this organizational context, there is an absence of information about the effectiveness of non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) in Emergency Departments (ED), based on a number of suitable patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) of different aetiology. In particular, it has not yet been defined as to whether the context of the ED suits the necessary requirement of quality for the correct application of the method and if the obtained results are different from those taken in other studies in general or respiratory intensive care unit. Finally there are few data related to the predictive factors to NIV failure (endotracheal intubation, in-hospital mortality) when applied in the emergency setting. Methods: To answer these questions we have retrospectively studied a population of 210 patients (95 with COPD exsacerbation ; 92 with acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema; 23 with severe community acquired pneumonia) treated for ARF in the “critical area” of four Italian level II Emergency Departments. For all patients demographic data; some comorbidities (diabetes, dementia, sopraventricular arrhythmias, obesity); the physiological scores (Kelly, SAPS II, Apache II); the need for pharmacological sedation; vital and blood gas parameters (evaluated at entry, after one hour of treatment and before its suspension); the ventilatory modality applied (CPAP or PSV + PEEP) and some parameters of in-hospital stay (duration of the hospitalization in the critical area, duration of ventilation, compliance to the treatment, patient's refusal to continue it, development of skin necrosis, need for endotracheal intubation, in-hospital mortality) were considered. Finally demographic, event of death with Cox regression or to the need for ETI through linear regression analysis. Results: Globally, in-hospital mortality reached 13,3%, the percentage of failure with consequent endotracheal intubation amounted to 10,4% . Considering the single aetiologic groups in the patients with COPD, exsacerbation mortality and ETI percentage were 12,6% and 13,7% respectively; in ACPO patients these data respectively amounted to 3,3% and 4,3%; while for patients with severe CAP they respectively reached 34,7% and 21,7%. The following factors were independently correlated with in-hospital mortality: SAPS II > 35, presence of dementia for COPD patients; SAPS II > 35; presence of dementia, presence of sopraventricular arrhythmias for ACPO patients; SAPS II > 35, presence of sopraventricular arrhythmias, presence of dementia for CAP patients. Considering the whole population of 210 patients, the predictive factors of in-hospital mortality were the following: SAPS II > 35; presence of dementia; presence of sopraventricular arrhythmias; maintenance of a respiratory rate above 24 bpm during tratment. The following were factors independently correlated with the need for endotracheal intubation: male gender, pH < 7,32, respiratory rate > 24 bpm, mean arterial pressure > 96 mmHg, all measured at one hour of treatment, for COPD patients; male gender sex, pH < 7,32 , respiratory rate > 24 bpm, PaCO2> 54,5 mm Hg all measured after one hour treatment for ACPO patients. Given the low number of patients, it was not possible to perform the logistic regression and to calculate the matrix of covariance of the parameter for the CAP group. Considering the whole series of patients, the factors independently correlated to ETI resulting in the following: male gender; diagnosis of COPD; pH < 7,32, respiratory rate > 24 bpm, mean arterial pressure > 96 mm Hg, PaCO2 > 54,5 mm Hg, all measured after one hour treatment. Conclusions: In conclusion, our study shows that NIV is racticable in the ED with safety and clinical results I T A L I A N J O U R N A L O F P U B L I C H E A L T H JPH - Year 6, Volume 5, Number 3, 2008 T H E M E P A P E R S 1 9 9

The Change in the Thoughts and Feelings after the Orientation Education of Nurses Starting Work during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the change in the thoughts and feelings after the orientation education of nurses who started work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 Methods: This research was designed as a semi-experimental study with a single group applied with pre-test and post-test. The study was conducted with 358 nurses. The data were collected using the “Nurse Info Form”, “Pre-Orientation Evaluation Form” and “Post-Orientation Evaluation Form”. Approval for the study was granted by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee and permission was also received from the institution where the study was conducted. Data obtained in the study were analyzed statistically using Number Cruncher Statistical System Statistical Software (Utah, USA).
 Results: In the examination of the positive feelings, there was seen to be a statistically significant increase after the orientation education compared to before concerning feeling self-motivated, satisfied, and safe. In the examination of the negative feelings, there was seen to be a statistically significant decrease after the orientation education compared to before concerning feeling anxious. 
 Conclusions: The planning and application of orientation education taking the thoughts and feelings of nurses into account will facilitate adaptation to work.

Multiple Fluorescences in Situ Hybridization Status in Excreted Urine Improve Diagnostic Efficacy for Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinomas.

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of single and multiple fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) tests for upper urinary tract cancer (UTUC), we analyzed the diagnostic efficacy of FISH in patients with UTUC and the difference between it and the Tumor Node Metastasis (TNM) stage and grade of the tumor. Patients treated for UTUC at our institution between 2011 and 2021 who had not been previously diagnosed with UTUC were included. Patients were divided into single, two, and multiple (three times or four times) FISH groups based on the number of FISH tests performed on different samples from the same patient, and the diagnostic efficiency of single, two, and multiple FISH tests for muscle-invasive tumors and highgrade tumors were assessed. We included a total of 207 patients with UTUC, and when compared to single FISH, the sensitivity of multiple and double FISH for the diagnosis of UTUC increased from 62% to 76% and 78%, respectively. It went from 67% to 78% and 80% for muscle-invasive UTUC (> = pT2) and from 71% to 79% and 81% for the highest- grade UTUC. Multiple FISH improves the diagnostic efficacy of UTUC and helps to differentiate aggressive tumors.

Study on Micro-Pressure Drive in the KKM Low-Permeability Reservoir

Kazakhstan has abundant resources of low-permeability oil reservoirs, among which the KKM low-permeability oil reservoir has geological reserves of 3844 × 104 t and a determined recoverable reserve of 1670 × 104 t. However, the water flooding efficiency is only 68%, and the recovery efficiency is as low as 32%. The development of the reservoir faces challenges such as water injection difficulties and low oil production from wells. In order to further improve the oil recovery rate of this reservoir, our team developed micro-pressure-driven development technology based on pressure-driven techniques by integrating theories of fluid mechanics and artificial intelligence. We also combined this with subsequent artificial lift schemes, resulting in a complete set of micro-pressure-driven process technology. The predicted results indicate that after implementing micro-pressure-driven techniques, a single well group in the KKM oilfield can achieve a daily oil production increase of 32.08 t, demonstrating a good development effect.

The effect of antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate beads and Medical Optimization Clinic attendance on the acute surgical site infection rate in high-risk pediatric neuromuscular and syndromic scoliosis patients.

Neuromuscular and syndromic (NMS) scoliosis patients are at higher risk of acute surgical site infections (SSIs). Despite following POSNA's endorsed consensus-based guidelines for SSI prevention, our institutional rates of acute SSI have varied dramatically. This variability drove simultaneous strategies to lower SSI rates: the creation of a preoperative Medical Optimization Clinic (MOC) and use of antibiotic-impregnated (Abx-I) calcium sulfate beads. Patients undergoing index PSF at a single institution between 2016 and 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with ≥ 2 risk factors were included: (1) BMI < 18.5 or > 25; (2) incontinence; (3) instrumentation to pelvis; (4) non-verbal; (5) GMFCS IV/V. SSI was defined as deep infection within 90days. We compared patients who attended MOC and received Abx-I (MOC + Abx-I) to those receiving neither intervention (control) nor a single intervention. 282 patients were included. The overall infection rate was 4.26%. Higher GMFCS (p = 0.0147), non-verbal status (p = 0.0048), and longer fusions (p = 0.0298) were independently associated with infection rate. Despite the MOC + Abx-I group having larger Cobb angles (88° ± 26°), higher GMFCS levels (4.5 ± 0.9), ASA class (3 ± 0.4), and more frequent instrumentation to the pelvis (85%), they had the lowest infection rate (2.13%) when compared to the control (4.2%) or single intervention groups (5.7%, 4.6%) (p = 0.9). The study examined the modern infection rate of NMS patients following the implementation of two interventions: MOC and Abx-I. Despite having higher risk factors (curves (88°), GMFCS level (4.5), ASA class (3), higher % instrumentation to the pelvis (85%)), the patients treated with both interventions demonstrated the lowest infection rate (2.13%).

Effect of complementary prana therapy on serotonin levels, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) Scores and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores in psoriasis vulgaris patients

Introduction: Psoriasis vulgaris is a skin problem that has become a global concern with an increase in new cases reaching around 150,000 cases each year. This condition certainly reduces the quality of life and increases the patient's anxiety regarding the disease they are experiencing. This research was conducted to examine the effect of pranic complementary therapy on serotonin levels, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores in psoriasis vulgaris patients. Method: Experimental research using a single group pre-test and post-test study design approach was carried out on 17 patients with psoriasis vulgaris. The resulting data was then analyzed using SPSS. Results: This study showed that there was a significant decrease between pre and post-therapy serotonin levels with a mean difference of 44.69 ng/ml (p=0.002). Providing pranic therapy can also reduce the severity of psoriasis through (PASI) by 2.92 ± 3.82 (p = 0.006; 95% CI = 0.95-4.89). Meanwhile, prana was also found to reduce the stress index (PSS) by 3.88 ± 4.54 (p = 0.003; 95% CI = 1.10-6.21). Conclusion: Complementary pranic therapy affects serotonin levels, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores in psoriasis vulgaris patients.

Experimental and theoretical study of sediment scour around angled bridge piers

The present study investigated a square-shaped group pier with attack angles of 0°, 10°, 15°, 20°, and 30° and spacing of 2, 3, and 4 times the pier width and a single pier with the same attack angles in the same experimental conditions. Also, a semi-empirical equation was presented for predicting the maximum depth of scour for single pier and group pier, which had good agreement with experimental results. Results indicated that by considering the angle of the single square pier, the flow impact area on the pier was altered, and the maximum depth of scour was reduced due to deformation resulting from the attack angle of the pier. In the tests related to the group pier, the attack angle of 15° was known as the critical attack angle in this study, which agreed with the results of previous studies.

Alert and flight initiation distances of Chilean Flamingo and American Oystercatcher to anthropogenic stimuli in a stopover site

ABSTRACT Tourism provides benefits, such as economic incentives, increasing support for conservation. However, it can also evoke responses in wildlife and be analogous to predation risk. As tourism increases, adequate planning and management is necessary. Chilean Flamingos (Phoenicopterus chilensis) and American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) were exposed to four stimuli (single walker, group of walkers, car, and kayak) in a stopover site to determine their response and estimate minimal approach distances, controlling the effect of potentially influential factors. Flight initiation distance and the distance at which birds change its posture or orientation to monitor an approaching threat (alert distance) were identified as response distances. Kayaks and cars allowed closer approaches than single walkers and groups of walkers for both species. The Chilean Flamingo exhibited responses to approaching stimuli at longer distances compared with oystercatchers. Potential factors (starting distance, month, season, initial behavior, and wind speed) including large variations among individuals, and influenced bird responses. To reduce the effects of tourists on bird behavior in an important stopover site, the minimal approach distance can be set at 80 m for the American Oystercatcher on the beach and 240 m for the Chilean Flamingo when walking and 207 m when kayaking in the estuary.

How Much More Efficient Are Adaptive Platform Trials Than Multiple Stand-Alone Trials? A Comprehensive Simulation Study for Streamlining Drug Development During a Pandemic.

With the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there is growing interest in utilizing adaptive platform clinical trials (APTs), in which multiple drugs are compared with a single common control group, such as a placebo or standard-of-care group. APTs evaluate several drugs for one disease and accept additions or exclusions of drugs as the trials progress; however, little is known about the efficiency of APTs over multiple stand-alone trials. In this study, we simulated the total development period, total sample size, and statistical operating characteristics of APTs and multiple stand-alone trials in drug development settings for hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Simulation studies using selected scenarios reconfirmed several findings regarding the efficiency of APTs. The APTs without staggered addition of drugs showed a shorter total development period than stand-alone trials, but the difference rapidly diminished if patient's enrollment was accelerated during the trials owing to the spread of infection. APTs with staggered addition of drugs still have the possibility of reducing the total development period compared with multiple stand-alone trials in some cases. Our study demonstrated that APTs could improve efficiency relative to multiple stand-alone trials regarding the total development period and total sample size without undermining statistical validity; however, this improvement varies depending on the speed of patient enrollment, sample size, presence/absence of family-wise error rate adjustment, allocation ratio between drug and placebo groups, and interval of staggered addition of drugs. Given the complexity of planning and implementing APT, the decision to implement APT during a pandemic must be made carefully.

Bias and Accuracy of Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimating Equations in the US

There is increasing concern that continued use of a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimating equation adjusted for a single racial group could exacerbate chronic kidney disease-related disparities and inequalities. To assess the performance of GFR estimating equations across varied patient populations. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Scopus databases were systematically searched from January 2012 to February 2023. Inclusion criteria were studies that compared measured GFR with estimated GFR in adults using established reference standards and methods. A total of 6663 studies were initially identified for screening and review. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, 2 authors independently extracted data on studies that examined the bias and accuracy of GFR estimating equations. For each outcome, a random-effects model was used to calculate pooled estimates. Data analysis was conducted from March to December 2023. The primary outcomes were bias and accuracy of estimated GFRs in Black vs non-Black patients, as well as in individuals with chronic conditions. Bias was defined as the median difference between the measured GFR and the estimated GFR. Accuracy was assessed with P30 (the proportion of persons in a data set whose estimated GFR values were within 30% of measured GFR values) and measures of heterogeneity. A total of 12 studies with a combined 44 721 patients were included. Significant heterogeneity was found in the bias of various GFR estimation equations. Race-corrected equations and creatinine-based equations tended to overestimate GFR in Black populations and showed mixed results in non-Black populations. For creatinine-based equations, the mean bias in subgroup analysis was 2.1 mL/min/1.73 m2 (95% CI, -0.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 to 4.4 mL/min/1.73 m2) in Black persons and 1.3 mL/min/1.73 m2 (95% CI, 0.0 mL/min/1.73 m2 to 2.5 mL/min/1.73 m2) in non-Black persons. Equations using only cystatin C had small biases. Regarding accuracy, heterogeneity was high in both groups. The overall P30 was 84.5% in Black persons and 87.8% in non-Black persons. Creatinine-based equations were more accurate in non-Black persons than in Black persons. For creatinine-cystatin C equations, the P30 was higher in non-Black persons. There was no significant P30 difference in cystatin C-only equations between the 2 groups. In patients with chronic conditions, P30 values were generally less than 85%, and the biases varied widely. This systematic review and meta-analysis of GFR estimating equations suggests that there is bias in race-based GFR estimating equations, which exacerbates kidney disease disparities. Development of a GFR equation independent of race is a crucial starting point, but not the sole solution. Addressing the disproportionate burden of kidney failure on Black individuals in the US requires an enduring, multifaceted approach that should include improving diagnostics, tackling social determinants of health, confronting systemic racism, and using effective disease prevention and management strategies.

Early Results in Total Replacement of the Distal Radioulnar Joint.

Pathology of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) including instability and arthritis presents a challenge for hand and upper extremity surgeons. Surgical options include a Darrach procedure and similar resections, soft tissue interposition arthroplasty, and a one-bone forearm. In 2005, a prosthesis for DRUJ arthroplasty was approved for use in the United States. The authors hypothesize that DRUJ arthroplasty will lead to improved pain and range of motion (ROM) with a moderate, but manageable, complication rate. A retrospective review of 46 patients who underwent DRUJ arthroplasty by a single private group of hand surgeons was performed. Demographics, complications, postoperative visual analog scale (VAS), and postoperative ROM were obtained and analyzed. The patients were followed up for a mean of 60 weeks. The implant was used both as primary surgical treatment for DRUJ pathology and as salvage for previous failed procedures. Twenty-two percent of patients experienced complications: 15% required revision surgery. No patients were converted to another type of implant, including those who underwent revision surgery. Prominent hardware was the most common indication requiring revision. Patients achieved an improvement in supination of 17° and extension of 5°. They additionally achieved a decrease in average VAS score from 7.1 to 2.3. Distal radioulnar joint arthroplasty reduces pain and improves ROM in patients with DRUJ pathology with a 22% complication rate. This cohort demonstrates improved pain, modest improvement in ROM, but a 22% complication rate for this implant. Further long-term studies are encouraged.

130 Effect of an appeasing substance application on growth, stress, handling quality and reproduction of Bos indicus beef heifers synchronized to fixed-time AI

Abstract This experiment evaluated the effects of an analogue of bovine appeasing substance (BAS) on growth, stress, handling quality, and reproduction of Nellore heifers. Twenty-nine heifers [body condition score (BCS) = 4.84 ± 0.13; body weight (BW) = 371 ± 0.77 kg; 23 ± 2 months of age)] were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: 1) Saline solution (0.9 NaCl; n = 14) or BAS (Secure Cattle, IRSEA Group, Quartier Salignan, France; n = 15). Both solutions were applied topically in the nuchal skin area (5 mL/heifers) at the beginning (d -9) of the fixed-time artificial insemination protocol (FTAI). Heifers were allocated in two different pastures according to the treatment (one pasture per treatment) for 15 d (time of action of BAS) and then combined in a single group (both treatments in the same pasture). Heifers were inseminated on d 0, and BW and BCS were collected on d -9 and 40. The temperament in the squeeze chute (entry and exit scores; scale 1 – 3; chute score; scale 1 – 5; greater values mean more reactive heifers) and blood samples were collected on d -9, 0, 7, 14 and 30. The percentual of aggression, accident, and dirtiness in the perineal region were evaluated on d 0 along with time to inseminate, estrus expression scores (scale 1 – 3; 1 = no expression, 2 = low expression, 3 = greater expression), and dominant follicle size. The corpus luteum size was measured on d 7 and 14, and the pregnancy and embryo size on d 40. The BAS vs. Saline-treated heifers tended to have greater BW change (23.6 vs. 20.8 ± 1.03 kg; P = 0.09) and had greater BCS change (0.05 vs. -0.21 ± 0.05; P &amp;lt; 0.01). The BAS vs. Saline-treated heifers tended to have lesser entry scores (1.42 vs. 1.67 ± 0.09; P = 0.09) and percentual of dirtiness in the perineal region (48.3 vs. 71.1 ± 8.67 %; P = 0.06), and no effects of treatment were detected (P ≥ 0.39) for chute score, exit score, aggression, accident and time to inseminate. The BAS vs. Saline-treated heifers had greater estrus scores (2.00 vs. 1.27 ± 0.21; P = 0.03), and no effects were detected (P ≥ 0.11) for ovarian variables, pregnancy rate, and conceptus size. Furthermore, no treatment effects were detected (P ≥ 0.25) for serum concentration of cortisol and plasma concentration of haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, and progesterone. Therefore, BAS application at the beginning of the FTAI protocol could decrease the temperament and dirtiness in the perineal region and increase the growth and estrus expression of beef heifers.

Morphological and molecular analysis of rose cultivars from the Grandiflora and Kordesii garden groups.

The breeding of remontant rose cultivars that are resistant to diseases and adverse conditions, with high decorative value and continuous flowering is the most important task during work with the gene pool of garden roses. Currently, intercultivar hybridization within a single garden group has largely outlived its usefulness. It is necessary to breed for highly decorative forms or cultivars that have outstanding resistance, morphological characters and patterns of seasonal rhythms, and use these plants as parental forms in further breeding. This study represents a comparative analysis of rose cultivars from two garden groups, Grandiflora (Gurzuf, Lezginka, Korallovy Syurpriz, Queen Elizabeth, Komsomolsky Ogonyok, Love) and Rosa Kordesii (Letniye Zvyozdy, Dortmund, Gutsulochka). These cultivars proved themselves during many years of testing in harsh climatic conditions. The objectives of the study were to determine the genetic relationship within the groups and to assign phenotypically different cultivars to one or another garden group. The analysis was carried out by morphological, phenological and ISSR markers. According to the phenological observations on the Grandiflora cultivars, Komsomolsky Ogonyok had later budding and flowering stages. Polymorphic data generated from the ISSR markers showed that this cultivar was the most distant from the others and formed a separate cluster on the dendrogram. A comparison of the morphological characters (flower diameter, number of petals, peduncle length, bush height) showed a significant difference ( p < 0.05) between Komsomolsky Ogonyok and the other Grandiflora cultivars. A dendrogram based on a molecular analysis showed a lack of close relationships between Komsomolsky Ogonyok and the Kordesii group, which formed a separate cluster. A pairwise comparison of the morphological characters in Komsomolsky Ogonyok with the Kordesii group revealed a significant ( p <0.05) difference in three of the four characters studied. The exceptions were flower diameter when comparing with Dortmund and Letniye Zvyozdy and peduncle length when comparing with Gutsulochka. Although Komsomolsky Ogonyok has a pattern of seasonal development similar to Dortmund in the Kordesii group, the molecular analysis did not assign the former to this group of roses. The cultivars that have valuable characters that no average rose does and that are phenotypically different from such roses represent the most valuable breeding material.

46 Use of soy hull as a supplement during late gestation and lactation for landrace hair sheep ewes in a forage-based system

Abstract Forage-based production systems can be limiting in providing adequate nutrition as the result of seasonal fluctuations in forage quality and quantity, especially during periods of increased nutritional demands such as late gestation and lactation. This study evaluated the use of an agro-byproduct supplementation (soy hull) to fill these demands. Barbados Blackbelly (BB) and St. Croix (STX) hair sheep ewes were bred November 1 in a 25-d breeding season in two single-sire groups to like breed sires, and initially managed as one group. Pregnant ewes (n = 36) were allocated, balanced by breed, parity and fetal numbers to either a corn/soybean (CS) or soy hull (SH) supplementation starting the last trimester of pregnancy. Ewes rotationally grazed predominantly fescue pastures subdivided into 6 sections (0.13 ha) using electro-netting (3 sections of 6 ewes per supplement type). Ewes were supplemented at either 0.75% BW (late gestation) or 1.5% BW (lactation) using a single group feeder per section. Ewes lambed on pasture and lambs were weaned at approximately 63 d. Lambs had access to the supplement provided to their dams. Data were collected on ewe BW changes and reproductive performance, and analyzed in a model with supplement type and breed as main effects. Results are presented as LSM. Supplement type had no effect on ewe prepartum (54.7 kg), postpartum (47.3 kg) and weaning BW (44.7 kg), whereas BW was consistently heavier in STX than BB ewes. Ewe late gestation (61 g/d) and lactation ADG (-51 g/d) were not affected by supplement type though breeds differed (P &amp;lt; 0.01) in lactation ADG (BB: -14 vs STX: -78 g/d). Lambing performance was also not affected by supplement type with 1.97 lambs born live, and 1.69 lambs weaned per ewe. There was a supplement type by breed interaction (P &amp;lt; 0.05) for number of lambs weaned with STX ewes receiving SH having a larger litter size at weaning than ewes receiving CS (1.40 vs. 2.10 lambs per ewe) with no difference in BB ewes (1.71 vs. 1.50 lambs per ewe, respectively). Neither litter birth (6.14 kg) and weaning weights (19.9 kg) nor litter ADG (233 g/d) were affected by supplement type. Litter BW was significantly greater (P &amp;lt; 0.01) in STX than BB (6.85 vs 5.18 kg), but not different at weaning. Lamb birth and weaning weights were not affected by supplement type, though preweaning ADG tended (P &amp;lt; 0.1) to be greater in CS than SH (162 vs. 142 g/d). Data indicate that substituting SH for a more traditional corn-based supplement in landrace hair sheep ewes managed in a pasture-based system did not affect ewe growth, reproductive performance, and lamb performance. Agro-byproduct supplementation should be explored further for use in sustainable, forage-based sheep production systems.