Short communication: Absorption of protein and immunoglobulin g in calves fed a colostrum replacer

A well-managed colostrum program on farms is the most important step in reducing disease in neonatal calves. In the last few years, colostrum replacers have increased in popularity and are designed to be an alternative to colostrum on farms that have poor colostrum quality, limited colostrum reserves, or to break the cycle of transmission for certain infectious diseases. However, it is important to make sure these products are effective and are capable of providing adequate serum immunoglobulin concentrations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a commercially available colostrum replacer product in dairy calves. Holstein calves from a single dairy were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups at birth. Group 1 (n = 21) calves were given 4 quarts of colostrum via esophageal feeder within 3 h of birth and served as the control group for this study. Group 2 (n = 21) received 2 packages of a colostrum replacer product, and group 3 (n = 21) received 3 packages of the colostrum replacer product within 3 h of birth. Blood samples from all calves were collected 24 h after colostrum administration and analyzed for serum total protein and IgG concentrations. Calves fed fresh colostrum had significantly higher serum total protein levels and IgG concentrations compared with calves fed the colostrum replacer product. Calves fed the colostrum replacer also had a significantly higher percentage of calves with failure of passive transfer (serum IgG <1,000 mg/dL). The colostrum replacer product evaluated in this study failed to routinely provide adequate IgG concentrations when fed according to label directions.     

Activity Sensors for Use in Psychiatric Evaluation

The need for objective methods of patient evaluation has long been recognized in clinical psychiatry. While the relationship between mood states and motor activity has been observed for many years, this relationship was never accurately defined due to the imprecise nature of the available observational techniques. This report describes two activity sensors and their related systems which objectively measure motor activity levels and patterns without affecting the patient's movements.     

SALT GLAZES FOR STRUCTURAL BUILDING UNITS*

The conditions necessary for the formation of a clear, transparent salt glaze on structural building units are described. Laboratory trials, which were made under these conditions or slight modifications of them, were studied by means of enlarged photographs of the surfaces and thin sections of the glazes. These pictures illustrate the process of formation of the glaze and show that glazes more than 0.001 in. thick are susceptible to crazing. Salt glazes usually are formed from 0.003 to 0.004 in. thick in order to obtain a smooth brilliant glaze, but such glazes craze badly. Much better glazes may be obtained with only a sufficient number of saltings to give a glaze thickness of approximately 0.001 in., followed by a maturing or smoothing treatment in which the salting temperature is held for some time, or borax is used during the latter part of the salting and (or) the early part of the cooling period.     

Professor Geoffrey Petts (1953–2018): An outstanding interdisciplinary river scientist

This paper provides an introduction and an editorial to this special issue of River Research and Applications by documenting the contributions made by Professor Geoffrey Petts to our interdisciplinary understanding of the functioning of rivers and their floodplains and their sustainable management. We outline Geoff's career, which framed not only his research but its communication through his inspirational teaching but also included very high level and innovative contributions to the management and development of several UK universities. We then explain how and why Geoff was an outstanding interdisciplinary river scientist and how he communicated his science through both integrative books and book chapters and also research papers that developed eight complementary research themes. Lastly, we introduce the papers in this special issue and show how they provide inputs to Geoff's areas of research interest.     

Influence of the nanofiber dimensions on the properties of nanocellulose/poly(vinyl alcohol) aerogels

The investigation of aerogels made from cellulose nanofibers and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) as a polymeric binder is reported. Aerogels based on different nanocellulose types were studied to investigate the influence of the nanocellulose dimensions and their rigidity on the morphology and mechanical properties of the resulting aerogels. Thus, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) with low (10), medium (25), and high (80) aspect ratios, isolated from cotton, banana plants, and tunicates, respectively, microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were dispersed in aqueous PVOH solutions and aerogels were prepared by freeze‐drying. In addition to the cellulose type, the PVOH‐ and the CNC‐concentration as well as the freeze‐drying conditions were varied, and the materials were optionally cross‐linked by an annealing step or the use of a chemical cross‐linker. The data reveal that at low PVOH content, rigid, high‐aspect ratio CNCs isolated from tunicates afford aerogels that show the least amount of shrinking upon freeze‐drying and display the best mechanical properties. However, with increasing concentration of PVOH or upon introduction of a chemical cross‐linker the differences between materials made from different nanocellulose types decrease. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41740.