Standard Error Of The Difference Research Articles

20-Gauge vs. 23-Gauge Vitrectomy, in Terms of Surgically Induced Astigmatism

OBJECTIVES To compare the post-operative (post-op) surgically induced mean astigmatism in patients undergoing 20-gauge- and 23-gauge vitrectomy. METHODOLOGY Sixty patients were enrolled. Relevant information was recorded in a Performa for each patient. Patients were randomly grouped into A (20-gauge) and B (23-gauge) groups. Astigmatism was recorded by a single technician using the same keratometer for all patients. A single surgeon operated on all patients. Post-operatively, all patients were re-examined after 1 week and 6 weeks, and their surgically induced astigmatism was recorded. RESULTSOf 60 patients, 58.6% were males, and 41.4% were females, with a mean age of 53.77 ± 9.63 years. The post-operative astigmatism difference between the two vitrectomy procedures was investigated. In the 20-gauge group, with 30 patients, the mean post-operative astigmatism difference was 2.21 D (±0.66 SD), with a standard error mean of 0.12. In the 23-gauge group, with 30 patients, the mean post-operative astigmatism difference was 0.74 D (±0.44 SD), with a standard error mean of 0.08. The degrees of freedom (df) were 58, and the standard error of the difference was 0.145. The t-value was calculated at 10.1504, and the p-value was found to be 0.001, indicating a significant difference. CONCLUSION The observation that the 20-gauge group displayed a notably higher mean difference in astigmatism than the 23-gauge group suggests a potential association between the choice of vitrectomy procedure and the extent of astigmatism alteration in post-operative outcomes.

Successful approaches for on-farm experimentation

On-farm experiments are used increasingly in agronomic research because they are commercially relevant, but they can carry greater risks of failure than traditional small plot experiments conducted by scientists. Experimental failures can result from farmer withdrawal, errors in treatment application or harvest, or non-provision of yield data by farmers. This paper describes the development and testing of approaches for on-farm experimentation and concludes which approaches should be adopted to maximise success. The programme of work included the largest on-farm research network in the UK, with farmers conducting around 50 on-farm experiments per year from 2017 to 2019 to compare fungicide programmes in winter wheat. The project developed management approaches to mitigate the risks of experimental failure such that in 2019, 96 % of experiments were completed and returned a yield result; a greater success rate than is commonly achieved in on-farm experiments. Statistical analysis of yield maps resulted in an average site SED (standard error of the difference between means) of 0.26 t/ha, which is comparable to that achieved in randomised, replicated small plot experiments. The large number of experimental sites enabled a greater level of precision in the cross-site analysis (SED 0.06 t/ha), showing the potential of on-farm experiments for detection of small yield effects if the appropriate yield analysis is undertaken. The project results received substantial publicity within the UK arable farming community, demonstrating the value of effective on-farm research for engaging and informing farmers. • On-farm experiments risk failure from treatment or harvesting errors, or non-provision of yield data by host farmers. • Risks can be mitigated by good farmer liaison, marking test tramlines, and providing instructions for yield data transfer. • Large series of on-farm experiments deliver precise comparisons of agronomic inputs in commercial situations. • The results of on-farm experiments are relevant and persuasive for the farming community.

Estrous activity in lactating cows with divergent genetic merit for fertility traits

This observational study aimed to determine the effect of genetic merit for fertility traits on estrous expression and estrous cycle duration in grazing dairy cows, as measured by an activity monitoring device. A secondary aim was to describe changes in expression of estrus that occur during successive estrous cycles postpartum. Neck-mounted, activity-monitoring devices (Heatime, SCR Engineers Ltd.) were fitted to nulliparous Holstein-Friesian heifers with positive (POS FertBV) or negative genetic merit for fertility traits (NEG FertBV) to capture activity data during their first and second lactations (POS FertBV: n = 242, n = 188; NEG FertBV: n = 159, n = 87 in lactation 1 and 2, respectively). An estrous event was identified when the activity change index exceeded 26 activity units (AU) for 4 h. A total of 1,254 and 892 estrous events were identified in lactation 1 and 2, respectively. Estrous duration was defined as the interval between when the threshold was first exceeded and when activity dropped below the threshold, with no new event starting within 24 h of the end of the previous event. This definition of estrus included cows in which activity crossed the threshold multiple times in a day and were classified as a single estrous event. A second measure, high activity duration, was defined as the total hours that activity exceeded the threshold. To characterize estrous activity, peak activity (above baseline) and total activity (area under the curve of activity above baseline) were measured. Compared with NEG FertBV cows, POS FertBV cows had more active, longer estrous events. In lactation 1, the POS FertBV group had a mean estrous duration and a high activity duration of 12.5 and 12.4 h compared with 11.4 and 11.3 h for the NEG FertBV group [standard error of the difference (SED) = 0.5 and 0.4 h, respectively]. This significant difference also occurred in lactation 2, with a mean estrous duration of 13.1 versus 11.8 h (SED = 0.5 h) and a high activity duration of 13.0 versus 11.8 h (SED = 0.4 h) in the POS and NEG FertBV groups, respectively. Total activity and peak activity were greater in the POS compared with the NEG FertBV group in lactation 1 (peak activity: 65.5 vs. 55.8 AU, SED = 2.4 AU; total activity: 588 vs. 494 AU, SED = 25 AU) and lactation 2 (peak activity: 72.5 vs. 61.2 AU, SED = 2.9 AU; total activity: 648 vs. 541 AU, SED = 30 AU). Estrous cycle duration did not differ between the POS and NEG FertBV groups (lactation 1: 20.4 vs. 20.6 d, SED = 0.25; lactation 2: 20.8 vs. 21.0 d, SED = 0.28). Less estrous activity of the cow was associated with the first postpartum estrus. In contrast, the number of previous estrous events did not consistently affect the duration of the subsequent estrous cycle. The outcomes of this study provide evidence that positive genetic merit for fertility traits is associated with more overt estrous expression. Selection for these traits may improve estrous expression and thus estrous detection in commercial herds.

Do brassinosteroids alleviate water stress in seedlings of Handroanthus serratifolius?

AbstractLimited water availability in reforestation areas can compromise plant growth and development, especially for plants at early stages. In this context, the exogenous application of growth regulators, such as brassinosteroids (BRs), can be used to mitigate the negative effects of water restriction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the application of BRs (90% brassinolide + a brassinosteroid) on initial growth, gas exchange, leaf water potential and leaf anatomy in yellow Ipê (Handroanthus serratifolius), under water restriction conditions. Throughout the experimental period, plants were maintained in two different water regimes: WR1—plants maintained at 100% of the pot capacity; WR2—plants rehydrated with 50% of the evapotranspiration from the previous day. BRs were applied on three occasions during the experimental period, in five concentrations: C1, 0 g/L (application of distilled water); C2, 0.25 g/L; C3, 0.5 g/L; C4, 0.75 g/L; and C5, 1.00 g/L. The dry mass, root:shoot ratio, water status and leaf anatomy traits were evaluated at the end of the experimental period and were analysed in two‐level factorial scheme (2WR × 5BRs concentrations). The plant height, number of leaves, gas exchange and leaf chlorophyll content were evaluated four times during the experimental period and were analysed in a split‐split‐plot design (two WR × five BRs concentrations × four evaluation times). The differences between the means were evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Pairs of means were separated using the standard error of the difference between the means (SED) and the Fisher's protected least significant difference test (LSD) at p < .05. In addition, all variables were subjected to regression analysis, being the variables evaluated over time, analysed through a two‐stage modelling approach. The results obtained indicate that the water deficit led to reductions in growth and gas exchange parameters, regardless of the exogenous application of the regulator; therefore, higher concentrations (C4 and C5) were the most harmful for the maintenance of metabolic and photosynthetic activity. The exogenous application of BRs in H. serratifolius plants attenuated the effects of water limitation on the leaf water potential, but was not able to mitigate for the negative effects in growth, gas exchange and leaf anatomy.

Nondigestible Carbohydrates Affect Metabolic Health and Gut Microbiota in Overweight Adults after Weight Loss

The composition of diets consumed following weight loss (WL) can have a significant impact on satiety and metabolic health. This study was designed to test the effects of including a nondigestible carbohydrate to achieve weight maintenance (WM) following a period of WL. Nineteen volunteers [11 females and 8 males, aged 20-62 y; BMI (kg/m2): 27-42] consumed a 3-d maintenance diet (15%:30%:55%), followed by a 21-d WL diet (WL; 30%:30%:40%), followed by 2 randomized 10-d WM diets (20%:30%:50% of energy from protein:fat:carbohydrate) containing either resistant starch type 3 (RS-WM; 22 or 26g/d for females and males, respectively) or no RS (C-WM) in a within-subject crossover design without washout periods. The primary outcome, WM after WL, was analyzed by body weight. Secondary outcomes of fecal microbiota composition and microbial metabolite concentrations and gut hormones were analyzed in fecal samples and blood plasma, respectively. All outcomes were assessed at the end of each dietary period. Body weight was similar after the RS-WM and C-WM diets (90.7 and 90.8kg, respectively), with no difference in subjectively rated appetite. During the WL diet period plasma ghrelin increased by 36% (P<0.001), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) decreased by 33% (P<0.001), and insulin decreased by 46% (P<0.001), but no significant differences were observed during the RS-WM and C-WM diet periods. Fasting blood glucose was lower after the RS-WM diet (5.59±0.31mmol/L) than after the C-WM diet [5.75±0.49mmol/L; P=0.015; standard error of the difference between the means (SED): 0.09]. Dietary treatments influenced the fecal microbiota composition (R2=0.054, P=0.031) but not diversity. The metabolic benefits, for overweight adults, from WL were maintained through a subsequent WM diet with higher total carbohydrate intake. Inclusion of resistant starch in the WM diet altered gut microbiota composition positively and resulted in lower fasting glucose compared with the control, with no apparent change in appetite. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01724411.

A novel approach to quantitatively synthesize subgroup findings from multiple trials.

e14081 Background: The identification of characteristics that stratify patients according to the likelihood of treatment response is a key goal of precision oncology research. Within randomized trials, effect modification is typically examined through subgroup analyses or the inclusion of an interaction term(s) in a multivariable regression model. To date, systematic reviews of such findings have relied upon qualitative summaries or subgroup-specific meta-analyses. Such approaches are problematic because they do not quantify the magnitude or the degree of uncertainty in the difference in the treatment effects between subgroups. To address this gap, we propose a novel approach that can be used to quantitatively pool subgroup findings from multiple trials. Methods: Our procedure is focused on the estimation of the pooled difference between the subgroup-specific treatment effects within a two-stage meta-analysis. In the first stage, the magnitude and standard error of the difference between the subgroup-specific treatment effects is estimated for each study. When studying relative effect measures, this difference can be estimated on the log-scale, e.g., study-specific difference = log(RRsubgroup A) – log(RRsubgroup B). The standard error of this difference can then be estimated using subgroup-specific 95% CIs. A meta-analysis of the study-specific differences is then conducted. When the differences are estimated on the log-scale, the pooled quantity can be re-expressed as the ratio of the subgroup specific ORs, RRs, or HRs whereby a ratio equal to 1.00 indicates that the subgroup-specific estimates are equal in magnitude. Results: Case-studies and empirical simulations highlighting the application of our approach will be presented. Potential extensions of this methodology will also be discussed. Such extensions include the use of dose-response models to address subgroup categories of a continuous variable and the inclusion of three or more treatments within a network meta-analysis. Conclusions: This method may help to better identify and quantify the degree of heterogeneity of subgroup differences across trials, particularly in settings where the number of patients within each trial is limited.

Intake, milk yield, and lying behavior of dairy cows fed on two hay diets at dry-off: A case study in Brazil

Dry-off involves a series of changes to the cows’ routine to achieve cessation of lactation. One of these methodologies includes a change in diet, typically to a feed that is lower in energy. Although this is effective in reducing milk production, it has potential negative welfare effects. The objective of this case study was to investigate the effect of two hay diets on dry matter intake, milk yield (MY), lying behavior, and vocalizations of dairy cows at dry-off on a farm in Brazil. Sixteen Holstein dairy cows were assigned to one of two dietary treatments: diet 1 = Vaquero (Cynodon dactylon) or diet 2 = Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.). Cows were monitored for 3 days before dry-off and 5 days after. Baseline results are presented as mean ± SEM or mean and 95% confidence interval. Before provision of hay diets (day −2 to day 0), each cow was consuming 8.9 ± 0.5 kg/d of dry matter of total mixed ration, MY was 9.5 ± 0.3 kg/d, and they were lying down for 10.9 ± 0.7 h/d, over 7.8 (6.2-9.8) bouts/d. Regardless of treatment, compared with baseline, MY (mean ± standard error of the difference) decreased by 5.2 ± 0.3 kg/d on day 1 and a further 1.0 ± 0.3 kg/d on day 5. Similarly, lying time and bouts were not affected by treatment, but they did change compared with baseline, likely because of an effect of the skipped milking schedule. Highly variable vocalization data prevented modeling of this variable. In conclusion, low-producing dairy cows at dry-off could be fed either diet to reduce milk production, without negatively affecting feed intake or lying behavior.

Psychometric Properties of the Apathy Scale in Advanced Parkinson's Disease.

Objectives To assess the psychometric attributes of the Apathy Scale- (AS-) Spanish version in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (APD). Materials and Methods Over 6 months, 61 patients participated in a clinical study of levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) and were evaluated using the AS and other clinical tools. Various psychometric attributes of the AS were assessed. Results Patients (60.7% men) were aged 68.02 ± 7.43 years, with 12.57 ± 5.97 years from PD diagnosis. Median HY of patients in “on state” was 2 (range, 1–4), and mean levodopa equivalent daily dose was 1455.98 ± 456.00 mg. Overall, the parameters of feasibility/acceptability were satisfactory, except for a moderate-to-high floor effect in AS items but not in its total score (both 3.3%). Cronbach's alpha was 0.78, while item homogeneity coefficient was 0.21. Almost all items (11/14) reached acceptable item-total corrected correlations (rS = 0.16–0.50). AS total score was moderately correlated with Beck Depression Inventory (0.34) and with Non-Motor Symptoms Scale domains 2 (sleep/fatigue, 0.35), 3 (mood/apathy, 0.56), and 5 (attention/memory, 0.41). There were no significant differences between AS total scores by established groups of sex, time from diagnosis, HY, and Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale. Following LCIG treatment, there was no significant change in the AS total score. The relative change was 5.56%, the standard error of the difference was 4.17, and Cohen's d effect was 0.10. Conclusions The AS showed satisfactory feasibility, acceptability, scaling assumptions, internal consistency, and convergent validity. Responsiveness parameters were poor, probably due to the characteristics of the clinical study from which these data came. This trial is registered with NCT02289729.

Body Protein Reserves Sustain Maternal Performance in Early Lactation but Dietary Protein Is Necessary to Maintain Performance and Immune Responses to Nippostrongylus brasiliensis in Lactating Rats

It has been shown that dietary protein supplementation during lactation boosts immunity in Nippostrongylus brasiliensis-infected periparturient rats. It is not known whether body protein reserves accumulated during gestation have a similar effect during lactation. This study aimed to quantify the impact of body protein reserves and dietary protein supplementation on maternal performance and immune responses to N. brasiliensis during lactation. Multiparous female Sprague-Dawley rats were administered a primary infection of N. brasiliensis before mating and were restriction-fed either 60 g [low-protein diet gestation (Lge)] or 210 g [high-protein diet gestation (Hge)] crude protein (CP) per kilogram of dry matter (DM) until parturition. From parturition onward, dams were restriction-fed either 100 g [low-protein diet lactation (Lla)] or 300 g [high-protein diet lactation (Hla)] CP per kilogram of DM, generating 4 different dietary treatments. A subset of rats was sampled before parturition; postparturition, dams were secondarily infected with N. brasiliensis and samples were collected at days 5 and 11 postparturition. Maternal performance until parturition, as measured by pup weight, was better in Hge rats than in Lge rats [Lge: 4.84 g; Hge: 6.15 g; standard error of the difference (SED): 0.19]. On day 11, pup weights of dams with reduced protein reserves fed protein during lactation (Lge-Hla; 20.28 g) were higher than their counterparts from Hge-Lla dams (17.88 g; SED: 0.92). Worm counts were significantly different between Lge-Lla-fed (253; 95% CI: 124, 382) and Hge-Hla-fed (87; 95% CI: 22, 104) dams on day 11 (P=0.024). The expression of splenic interleukin 13 (Il13) and arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (Alox15) was significantly higher (P<0.05) in Hge-Hla dams compared with Lge-Lla dams on day 5. Although protein reserves were adequate to maintain maternal performance in the early stage of lactation in dams infected with N. brasiliensis, they were not adequate to maintain maternal performance and effective immune responses at later stages. Dietary protein supplementation was required to achieve this.

Carcass characteristics of cattle differing in Jersey proportion

Comparison of alternative dairy (cross-)breeding programs requires full appraisals of all revenues and costs, including beef merit. Few studies exist on carcass characteristics of crossbred dairy progeny originating from dairy herds as well as their dams. The objective of the present study was to quantify, using a national database, the carcass characteristics of young animals and cows differing in their fraction of Jersey. The data set consisted of 117,593 young animals and 42,799 cows. The associations between a combination of sire and dam breed proportion (just animal breed proportion when the dependent variable was on cows) with age at slaughter (just for young animals), carcass weight, conformation, fat score, price per kilogram, and total carcass value were estimated using mixed models that accounted for covariances among herdmates of the same sex slaughtered in close proximity in time; we also accounted for age at slaughter in young animals (which was substituted with carcass weight and carcass fat score when the dependent variable was age at slaughter), animal sex, parity of the cow or dam (where relevant), and temporal effects represented by a year-by-month 2-way interaction. For young animals, the heaviest of the dairy carcasses were from the mating of a Holstein-Friesian dam and a Holstein-Friesian sire (323.34 kg), whereas the lightest carcasses were from the mating of a purebred Jersey dam to a purebred Jersey sire which were 46.31 kg lighter (standard error of the difference = 1.21 kg). The young animal carcass weight of an F1 Holstein-Friesian × Jersey cross was 20.4 to 27.0 kg less than that of a purebred Holstein-Friesian animal. The carcass conformation of a Holstein-Friesian young animal was 26% superior to that of a purebred Jersey, translating to a difference of 0.78 conformation units on a scale of 1 to 15. Purebred Holstein-Friesians produced carcasses with less fat than their purebred Jersey counterparts. The difference in carcass price per kilogram among the alternative sire-dam breed combinations investigated was minimal, although large differences existed among the different breed types for overall carcass value; the carcass value of a Holstein-Friesian animal was 20% greater than that of a Jersey animal. Purebred Jersey animals required, on average, 21 d longer to reach a given carcass weight and fat score relative to a purebred Holstein-Friesian. The difference in age at slaughter between a purebred Holstein-Friesian animal and the mating between a Holstein-Friesian sire with a Jersey dam, and vice versa, was between 7.0 and 8.9 d. A 75.8-kg difference in carcass weight existed between the carcass of a purebred Jersey cow and that of a Holstein-Friesian cow; a 50% Holstein-Friesian-50% Jersey cow had a carcass 42.0 kg lighter than that of a purebred Holstein-Friesian cow. Carcass conformation was superior in purebred Holstein-Friesian compared with purebred Jersey cows. Results from this study represent useful input parameters to populate simulation models of alternative breeding programs on dairy farms, and to help beef farmers evaluate the cost-benefit of rearing, for slaughter, animals differing in Jersey fraction.

Validation of a Kinect V2 based rehabilitation game.

Interactive technologies are beneficial to stroke recovery as rehabilitation interventions; however, they lack evidence for use as assessment tools. Mystic Isle is a multi-planar full-body rehabilitation game developed using the Microsoft Kinect® V2. It aims to help stroke patients improve their motor function and daily activity performance and to assess the motions of the players. It is important that the assessment results generated from Mystic Isle are accurate. The Kinect V2 has been validated for tracking lower limbs and calculating gait-specific parameters. However, few studies have validated the accuracy of the Kinect® V2 skeleton model in upper-body movements. In this paper, we evaluated the spatial accuracy and measurement validity of a Kinect-based game Mystic Isle in comparison to a gold-standard optical motion capture system, the Vicon system. Thirty participants completed six trials in sitting and standing. Game data from the Kinect sensor and the Vicon system were recorded simultaneously, then filtered and sample rate synchronized. The spatial accuracy was evaluated using Pearson’s r correlation coefficient, signal to noise ratio (SNR) and 3D distance difference. Each arm-joint signal had an average correlation coefficient above 0.9 and a SNR above 5. The hip joints data had less stability and a large variation in SNR. Also, the mean 3D distance difference of joints were less than 10 centimeters. For measurement validity, the accuracy was evaluated using mean and standard error of the difference, percentage error, Pearson’s r correlation coefficient and intra-class correlation (ICC). Average errors of maximum hand extent of reach were less than 5% and the average errors of mean and maximum velocities were about 10% and less than 5%, respectively. We have demonstrated that Mystic Isle provides accurate measurement and assessment of movement relative to the Vicon system.

RESPONSE FUNCTION FOR THE SRELATIVE INDEX IN CAMBISOL TREATED WITH AND WITHOUT BOVINE LIQUID BIOFERTILIZER

ABSTRACT The present study aimed at assessing the influence of physical properties associated with soil structure on the Srelative index. Two soil conditions under Ficus carica L. cultivation were studied (with or without liquid bovine biofertilizer in the irrigation water), in the 0-0.1 m and 0-0.3 m layers. Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were collected from the above-mentioned layers and physical analyzes, pertinent to the study objective, were performed. The response function model was applied to verify how the soil independent physical variables influence on the Srelative index in the 0-0.1 m and 0-0.3 m layers, with 0 and 60% biofertilizer, being combined two to two. Once the response functions were known, the slopes of both functions were compared, being represented by the coefficients β11-β12 and β21-β22. This comparison enabled verifying whether there was an effect of the treatments on the response variable. In addition, the standard error of the difference between coefficients was calculated, and the Student's t-test applied. The method of multiple regression was also used to confirm the effect of the variables on the Srelative index for the 0-0.3 m layer in both treatments. Then, the variables with greater weight were selected by a backward elimination method to estimate the Srelative. The results showed that the Srelative index is strongly influenced by properties of the porous fraction, with total porosity and continuity of pores being of significant influence. Management with liquid bovine biofertilizer results in improvement in the soil structure, with effects measured by the Srelative index.

Mitigation of variability between competitively fed dairy cows through increased feed delivery frequency

The objective of this study was to determine whether increased frequency of total mixed ration (TMR) delivery could mitigate the effects of feed bunk competition on the behavior and productivity of individual lactating dairy cows within a group. We hypothesized that, for competitively fed cows, a greater frequency of TMR delivery would improve access to feed, and reduce individual variability in behavior, meal patterns, and production between cows. Sixteen lactating Holstein dairy cows (first lactation = 4, second lactation = 5, ≥ third lactation = 7) averaging 72 ± 35 d in milk and producing 42 ± 6 kg of milk/d at the start of the trial, were categorized as either young (≤ second lactation) or mature (≥ third lactation) and paired to maximize difference in parity. Pairs were housed 4 at a time and competitively fed a TMR at a ratio of 2 cows:1 feed bin. Cow pairs were exposed, in a crossover design, to each of 2 feed delivery frequency treatments: low (2×/d) and high (6×/d) frequency. Treatments were applied for 10 d, with dry matter intake (DMI), feeding behavior (feeding time, feeding rate, and meal patterns), and replacement frequency for each cow recorded using an automated feed intake system on d 6 to 10 of each period. Rumination time, feed sorting, lying behavior, and productivity were also measured for this period. Variability in behavior within pairs of cows was determined by averaging the absolute difference within each pair over the recording period to provide 1 value per pair. Frequency of TMR delivery did not affect feeding time, feeding rate, DMI, replacement frequency, feed sorting, or productivity. At the high delivery frequency, there was a tendency for rumination time to increase [low = 519.3; high = 544.3 min/d; standard error of the difference (SED) = 11.32], and to be more variable within pairs (low = 38.0, high = 50.0 min/d; SED = 5.57). Cows also had longer lying bouts at the high delivery frequency (low = 53.0; high = 55.5 min/bout; SED = 1.00). No differences in daily meal patterns were found between treatments; however, the average first meal following each feeding indicated that cows under the high delivery frequency spent less time, consuming smaller meals during peak feeding periods. Comparing the young and mature individuals within each treatment pair revealed that feeding rate (young = 0.16; mature = 0.19 kg/min; SED = 0.014) and DMI (young = 25.6; mature = 28.6 kg of DM/d; SED = 1.36) were lower for the young cows on both treatments. Meal frequency was greater in young cows (young = 9.0; mature = 7.5 meals/d; SED = 0.71) and meal size was greater in mature cows (young = 3.2; mature = 4.2 kg of DM/meal; SED = 0.32) across treatments. These results suggest that for cows fed at a high level of competition, increasing TMR delivery frequency from 2 to 6×/d led to consumption of shorter, smaller meals during peak periods of feed consumption. However, under these conditions, the relative parity of competitively fed cows had a greater effect on feeding behavior, meal patterns, and production than did the frequency of feed delivery.

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OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: To identify brain regions with the highest and least variable rate of multiple sclerosis (MS)-specific atrophy using an agnostic approach, and to perform simulation-based sample size calculations for Phase II s using these regions as primary endpoint. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: In total, 601 subjects (2638 MRI scans) were analyzed; 520 subjects with relapsing forms of MS across the spectrum of disease severity and duration were followed in a single-center prospective cohort study at an academic MS Center between 2005 and 2010 with annual 3 T MRIs and clinical visits for 5 years, including standardized 1 mm3 3D T1-weighted images (3DT1s; 2483 MRIs). Separately, a convenience sample of 81 healthy controls (HC) was recruited from the same center and scanned longitudinally using the same MRI scanner and protocol (155 MRIs). 3DT1s were processed using FreeSurfer’s longitudinal pipeline (software version 5.3). Rates of change in all cortical and subcortical regions (n=119 brain regions) were estimated in MS patients and HC with linear mixed effects models. An effect size was calculated for each region as the difference in change over time between MS patients and HC divided by the standard error of the difference [d=β(MS×time)/SE β(MS×time)]. Regions were ranked according to absolute effect size, and the top regions were chosen for simulation-based sample size calculations to estimate the number of subjects needed to achieve 80% power to detect a slowing of MS atrophy down to normal aging, assuming significance levels of 5% and 10%. Ten percent was included because some have advocated for a more relaxed alpha in Phase II s. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Four regions (putamen, subcortical grey matter, caudate, and thalamus) yielded the smallest sample sizes. At 80% power, ~50 subjects per arm would be needed with putamen or subcortical grey matter volume, or ~80–85 subjects per arm with caudate or thalamic volume as primary endpoint. For the remaining regions, &gt;140 subjects per arm would be needed. A 20%–30% increase in sample size was observed when α=5% was used. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Using an agnostic approach considering all brain regions and simulation-based sample size calculations specifically designed for longitudinal studies, putaminal, subcortical grey, caudate, and thalamic volumes are sensitive to change over time and yield feasible sample sizes for Phase II studies in MS. Because the effect size estimates incorporate normal aging, these regions represent the most sensitive outcomes for testing therapeutic interventions that target irreversible, MS-specific brain atrophy. The clinical relevance of these regions is our next focus to help inform which of these regions should be favored as primary endpoint.

Higher Levels of Aflatoxin M1 Contamination and Poorer Composition of Milk Supplied by Informal Milk Marketing Chains in Pakistan.

The present study was conducted to observe the seasonal variation in aflatoxin M1 and nutritional quality of milk along informal marketing chains. Milk samples (485) were collected from three different chains over a period of one year. The average concentrations of aflatoxin M1 during the autumn and monsoon seasons (2.60 and 2.59 ppb) were found to be significantly higher (standard error of the difference, SED = 0.21: p = 0.003) than in the summer (1.93 ppb). The percentage of added water in milk was significantly lower (SED = 1.54: p < 0.001) in summer (18.59%) than in the monsoon season (26.39%). There was a significantly different (SED = 2.38: p < 0.001) mean percentage of water added by farmers (6.23%), small collectors (14.97%), large collectors (27.96%) and retailers (34.52%). This was reflected in changes in milk quality along the marketing chain. There was no difference (p = 0.178) in concentration of aflatoxin M1 in milk collected from the farmers (2.12 ppb), small collectors (2.23 ppb), large collectors (2.36 ppb) and retailers (2.58 ppb). The high levels of contamination found in this study, which exceed the standards set by European Union (0.05 ppb) and USFDA (0.5 ppb), demand radical intervention by regulatory authorities and mass awareness of the consequences for consumer health and safety.

Comparison of preanesthetic sedation in pediatric patients with oral and intranasal midazolam.

Background and Aims:Preoperative anxiety in children leading to postoperative negative changes and long-term behavioral problems needs better preanesthetic sedation. Across the world, midazolam is the most commonly used premedicant in pediatric patients. The fact that no single route has achieved universal acceptance for its administration suggests that each route has its own merits and demerits. This study compares oral midazolam syrup and intranasal midazolam spray as painless and needleless systems of drug administration for preanesthetic sedation in children.Material and Methods:With randomization, Group O (30 children): Received oral midazolam syrup 0.5 mg/kg and Group IN (30 children): Received intranasal midazolam spray 0.2 mg/kg. Every child was observed for acceptance of drug, response to drug administration, sedation scale, separation score, acceptance to mask, recovery score and side effects of drug. Data were analyzed using Student's t-test, standard error of the difference between two means and Chi-square test.Results:In Group O and IN, 15/30 children (50%) and 7/30 children (23%) accepted drug easily (P < 0.05); 4/22 children (18%) in Group O and 11/20 children (55%) in Group IN cried after drug administration (P < 0.05). In both the groups, sedation at 20 min after premedication (Group O [80%] 24/30 vs. Group IN [77%] 23/30), parental separation and acceptance to mask were comparable (P > 0.05); 12/30 children (40%) in Group IN showed transient nasal irritation.Conclusion:Oral midazolam and intranasal midazolam spray produce similar anxiolysis and sedation, but acceptance of drug and response to drug administration is better with oral route.

Pregnancy outcomes in subclinical hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity

Context: This is a study on “pregnancy outcomes in subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and thyroid autoimmunity,” as the data from previous Indian studies is inconclusive. Aims: The aims were to evaluate pregnancy outcomes in SCH and to compare outcomes with and without thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAbs). We also looked at pregnancy outcomes in euthyroid in relation to TPOAb. Design: This is an observational, prospective, cohort study. Subjects and Methods: One Hundred (50 SCH and 50 euthyroid) pregnant women are recruited in the study. Samples are analyzed for thyroid stimulating hormone, free T4, and TPOAb. SCH women are treated with levothyroxine. Pregnancy outcomes that are, miscarriage, pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), gestational diabetes, preterm (PT) delivery, cesarean section (CS), Apgar score, and birth weight are recorded in follow-up. Statistical Analysis: Unpaired t-test and standard error of the difference between proportions are used for statistical analysis. P < 0.05 is considered as significantResults: Pregnancy outcomes between cases and controls, TPOAb positive and negative cases are similar. However, there is a significant increase of PT deliveries (10% vs. 0) and CS (36.73% vs. 15%) in cases when compared to TPOAb negativecontrols. PIH (6.67% vs. 0) is significantly higher in TPOAb positive controls when compared to TPOAb negative controls. Conclusions: Adverse pregnancy outcomes are not significantly higher in treated SCH when compared to euthyroid women, and TPOAb status have not affected the outcomes in SCH. However, there are significantly higher PT deliveries and need for CS in SCH compared to TPOAb negative euthyroid women. Euthyroid women with TPOAb are associated with significantly higher risk of PIH.

Lateralization of behavior in dairy cows in response to conspecifics and novel persons

The right brain hemisphere, connected to the left eye, coordinates fight and flight behaviors in a wide variety of vertebrate species. We investigated whether left eye vision predominates in dairy cows’ interactions with other cows and humans, and whether dominance status affects the extent of visual lateralization. Although we found no overall lateralization of eye use to view other cows during interactions, cows that were submissive in an interaction were more likely to use their left eye to view a dominant animal. Both subordinate and older cows were more likely to use their left eye to view other cattle during interactions. Cows that predominantly used their left eye during aggressive interactions were more likely to use their left eye to view a person in unfamiliar clothing in the middle of a track by passing them on the right side. However, a person in familiar clothing was viewed predominantly with the right eye when they passed mainly on the left side. Cows predominantly using their left eyes in cow-to-cow interactions showed more overt responses to restraint in a crush compared with cows who predominantly used their right eyes during interactions (crush scores: left eye users 7.9, right eye users 6.4, standard error of the difference=0.72). Thus, interactions between 2 cows and between cows and people were visually lateralized, with losing and subordinate cows being more likely to use their left eyes to view winning and dominant cattle and unfamiliar humans.

Developing Vocabulary Mastery Of The Seventh Grade Students Through Vocabulary Tree Technique

The objective of this research was to find out the effectiveness of vocabulary tree technique in developing vocabulary mastery of seventh grade students of SMP Negeri 2 Una-una. The advantages of vocabulary tree technique are the students are interested in the material, therefore; the students develop their vocabulary mastery fast and remember the words easily, and the students can construct the sentences by using their own words. The research method used true experimental research design. The population of this research was the seventh grade students of SMP Negeri 2 Una-una and the sample was the seventh grade students of class A. The number of the sample was 28 students selected by using random sampling technique. The mean score of experimental class post-test was 33 and the mean score of control class post-test was 11. The standard error of the difference between two means was 2.342. The t-ratio was 8. The degree of freedom for an independent t-test was 54 and the row was found 2.000. The number 2.000 in column labeled .05 indicated that under a true hypothesis and 54 degrees of freedom a t-ration of ± 2000 or more would exist by chances 5 percent of the time. The observed 8 was greater than 2.342, which means that t-counted was higher than t-table. Based on this fact, the null hypothesis was rejected and the hypothesis was accepted because there was a significant difference between students learning vocabulary through vocabulary tree technique than those who are learning vocabulary through traditional technique. It is concluded that vocabulary tree technique has significant influence in developing vocabulary mastery of the seventh grade students at SMP Negeri 2 Una-una. Key words: Developing; Vocabulary Mastery; Vocabulary Tree Technique; True Experimental; Research

Valoración del estado nutricional de la población escolar del municipio de Argelia, Colombia

Malnutrition affects most rural areas in Colombian, mainly involving the school-aged population. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of students (n=1,528) attending an Agricultural College in the town of Argelia in south-western Colombia in the Cauca department.The school-aged children’s weight and height were measured and their nutritional status was determined from their body mass index (BMI), according to criteria defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). Anthropometric measurements were analyzed by means of measures of central tendency, stratified by gender and age. The standard error of the difference was estimated to specify the statistical significance of some of the most important differences observed between study indicators; such significance was verified at 0.05 level.Prevalence regarding malnutrition and thinness in 5-10 years-old children, a trend towards obesity in adolescents and growth retardation in children and adolescents was established from analysis of the children’'s weight (P/E), height for age (H/A) and BMI.The results suggested that sports should be encouraged at an early age, as well as training school children and their families regarding healthy eating habits and thus provide scientific support for planning government healthcare agencies’ prevention and control strategies.