Determining suitable dimensions for dairy goat feeding places by evaluating body posture and feeding reach

Confined goats spend a substantial part of the day feeding. A poorly designed feeding place increases the risk of feeding in nonphysiological body postures, and even injury. Scientifically validated information on suitable dimensions of feeding places for loose-housed goats is almost absent from the literature. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to determine feeding place dimensions that would allow goats to feed in a species-appropriate, relaxed body posture. A total of 27 goats with a height at the withers of 62 to 80 cm were included in the study. Goats were tested individually in an experimental feeding stall that allowed the height difference between the feed table, the standing area of the forelegs, and a feeding area step (difference in height between forelegs and hind legs) to be varied. The goats accessed the feed table via a palisade feeding barrier. The feed table was equipped with recesses at varying distances to the feeding barrier (5–55 cm in 5-cm steps) at angles of 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, or 150° (feeding angle), which were filled with the goats' preferred food. In 18 trials, balanced for order across animals, each animal underwent all possible combinations of feeding area step (3 levels: 0, 10, and 20 cm) and of difference in height between feed table and standing area of forelegs (6 levels: 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 cm). The minimum and maximum reach at which the animals could reach feed on the table with a relaxed body posture was determined for each combination. Statistical analysis was performed using mixed-effects models. The animals were able to feed with a relaxed posture when the feed table was at least 10 cm higher than the standing height of the goats' forelegs. Larger goats achieved smaller minimum reaches and minimum reach increased if the goats' head and neck were angled. Maximum reach increased with increasing height at withers and height of the feed table. The presence of a feeding area step had no influence on minimum and maximum reach. Based on these results, the goats' feeding place can be designed to ensure that the animals are able to reach all of the feed in the manger or on the feed table with a relaxed posture, thus avoiding injuries and nonphysiological stress on joints and hooves. A feeding area step up to a maximum of 20 cm need not be taken into account in terms of feeding reach. However, the feed table must be raised at least 10 cm above the standing area to allow the goats to feed in a species-appropriate, relaxed posture.     

The Ability of the Nitric Oxide Synthases Inhibitor T1023 to Selectively Protect the Non-Malignant Tissues

Previously, we showed that a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, compound T1023, induces transient hypoxia and prevents acute radiation syndrome (ARS) in mice. Significant efficacy (according to various tests, dose modifying factor (DMF)—1.6–1.9 against H-ARS/G-ARS) and safety in radioprotective doses (1/5–1/4 LD10) became the reason for testing its ability to prevent complications of tumor radiation therapy (RT). Research methods included studying T1023 effects on skin acute radiation reactions (RSR) in rats and mice without tumors and in tumor-bearing animals. The effects were evaluated using clinical, morphological and histological techniques as well as RTOG classification. T1023 administration prior to irradiation significantly limited the severity of acute RSR. This was due to a decrease in radiation alteration of the skin and underlying tissues, and the preservation of the functional activity of cell populations that are critical in the pathogenesis of radiation burn. The DMF values for T1023 for skin protection were 1.4–1.7. Moreover, its radioprotective effect was fully selective to normal tissues in RT models of solid tumors—T1023 reduced the severity of acute RSR and did not modify the antitumor effects of γ-radiation. The results indicate that T1023 can selectively protect the non-malignant tissues against γ-radiation due to hypoxic mechanism of action and potentiate opportunities of NOS inhibitors in RT complications prevention.     

Cystine-capped CdSe@ZnS nanocomposites: mechanochemical synthesis, properties, and the role of capping agent

Cystine-capped CdSe@ZnS nanocomposites were synthesized mechanochemically with the aim to prepare a material which could be used in medicine for biosensing applications. Although synthesized CdSe@ZnS nanocomposites were capped with l-cysteine, cystine was formed from l-cysteine during the milling process. It was proven that water plays the key role in this oxidative transformation. The novel material was characterized by the complex of physico-chemical methods (FTIR, XPS, SEM, EDX, surface area measurements) and CHNS analysis. The leakage of Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions into physiological solution was also studied.     

硅溶胶水热处理及添加B2O3微粉改性碳/碳复合材料的抗氧化性能

以正硅酸乙酯为原料,采用一种新颖的硅溶胶及添加B2O3微粉-水热处理,并经800℃煅烧30min,对碳纤维增强碳(carbon fiber reinforcedcarbon,C/C)合材料基体进行改性.研究了水热处理温度、时间、B2O3微粉的添加等工艺因素对改性C/C复合材料的结构及抗氧化性能的影响.采用X射线衍射仪、扫描电子显微镜和能量色散谱仪对改性C/C复合材料的表面物相组成、显微结构和微区化学元素组成进行了表征.结果表明:硅溶胶-热处理法提供了一条较好的C/C复合材料基体抗氧化改性的途径;复合材料的抗氧化性能随着水热温度的升高呈现先降低,后提高的趋势;适当延长反应时间,能提高复合材料的抗氧化性能;添加B2O3微粉的硅溶胶改性后的C/C复合材料的抗氧化性能明显提高,改性后的样品在500℃经5h氧化后,没有产生质量损失.     

Residential satisfaction of elderly in the city centre: The case of revitalizing neighbourhoods in Prague

While the historical cores of the post-socialist cities of Central and Eastern Europe are adapting to the invasion of tourism and profitable companies, dynamic regeneration is altering the character of the inner-city neighbourhoods from working class peripheries to modern multi-functional urban sub-centres. Changing residential environments, landscapes and functions affect the daily lives and residential satisfaction of the local population, and especially of the low-income and elderly people facing mobility restrictions. This research evaluates the residential satisfaction of the elderly in two Prague city centre neighbourhoods that experienced dramatic changes in their residential environment during the post-socialist transition: the historical core, which has been exposed to massive touristification and commercialization, and a former working class neighbourhood that has been experiencing rapid regeneration. The local accessibility of services, public spaces, housing and social support was examined through a questionnaire survey. Contrary to our expectations based on the existing literature review, the results show that, despite the rapid revitalization processes, the elderly are fairly satisfied with their residential environment in both neighbourhood types.     

The choice of homogenisation equipment affects lipid oxidation in emulsions

Milk proteins are often used by the food industry because of their good emulsifying properties. In addition, they can also provide oxidative stability to foods. However, different milk proteins or protein components have been shown to differ in their antioxidative properties, and their localisation in emulsions has been shown to be affected by the emulsification conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of homogenisation equipment (microfluidizer vs. two-stage valve homogeniser) on lipid oxidation in 10% fish oil-in-water emulsions prepared with two different milk proteins. Emulsions were prepared at pH 7 with similar droplet sizes. Results showed that the oxidative stability of emulsions prepared with sodium caseinate was not influenced by the type of homogeniser used. In contrast, the type of homogenisation equipment significantly influenced lipid oxidation when whey protein was used as emulsifier, with the microfluidizer resulting in lower levels of oxidation.     

Diaminofuroxan: Synthetic Approaches and Computer‐Aided Study of Thermodynamic Stability

Different approaches to synthesize diaminofuroxan are presented herein. Mathematical and quantum chemical methods were used to study the possible reasons for failures in the syntheses of diaminofuroxan. Additionally, structural isomers of this compound were generated. With the help of the results of quantum chemical calculations at levels of DFT B3LYP 6‐31G(d) and MP2 6‐31G(d), screening of the most stable isomeric forms in the gaseous phase and in water was performed. It was shown that diaminofuroxan is not the thermodynamically most stable isomer among its structural analogues.     

Dietary Supplementation with 22-<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-Hydroxycholesterol to Rats Reduces Body Weight Gain and the Accumulation of Liver Triacylglycerol

This study explores the pharmacokinetics of 22-S-hydroxycholesterol (22SHC) in vivo in rats. We also carried out a metabolic study to explore whether the beneficial effects observed of 22SHC on glucose and lipid metabolism in vitro could be seen in vivo in rats. In the pharmacokinetic study, rats were given 50 mg/kg of [³H]22-S-hydroxycholesterol before absorption, distribution and excretion were monitored. In the metabolic study, the effect of 22SHC (30 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks) in rats on body weight gain [chow and high-fat diet (HFD)], serum lipids triacylglycerol (TAG) content and gene expression in liver and skeletal muscle were examined. Results showed that 22SHC was well absorbed after oral administration and distributed to most organs and mainly excreted in feces. Rats receiving 22SHC gained less body weight than their controls regardless whether the animals received chow diet or HFD. Moreover, we observed that animals receiving HFD had elevated levels of serum TAG while this was not observed for animals on HFD supplemented with 22SHC. The amount of TAG in liver was reduced after 22SHC treatment in animals receiving either chow diet or HFD. Gene expression analysis revealed that two genes (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 and uncoupling protein 3) involved in fatty acid oxidation and energy dissipation were increased in liver. Ucp3 expression (both protein and mRNA level) was increased in skeletal muscle, but insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and TAG content were unchanged. In conclusion, 22SHC seems to be an interesting model substance in the search of treatments for disorders involving aberrations in lipid metabolism.     

Hierarchically Structured Zeolite Bodies: Assembling Micro‐, Meso‐, and Macroporosity Levels in Complex Materials with Enhanced Properties

Engineering levels of porosity in hierarchical zeolites is a vibrant area of research with remarkable application potential. To gain practical relevance, the superior properties observed for the as‐synthesized powders have to be preserved when they are shaped into suitable technical geometries. Herein, mechanically stable millimeter‐sized bodies are prepared by granulation of mesoporous ZSM‐5 zeolite powders using an attapulgite clay binder. Alkaline treatment of conventional zeolite granules is demonstrated to be unsuitable for this purpose. Multiple techniques are applied to characterize mesoporous zeolite granules with respect to their conventional zeolite counterparts, thus establishing the impact of binder inclusion and granulation on their respective properties. The intrinsic structure and acidity of the zeolite are retained post‐structuring. Gas adsorption and mercury porosimetry confirm the presence of interconnected micro‐, meso‐, and macropores. A wide range of imaging techniques permits visualization of the particle properties, phase distribution, and consequent origins of the distinct levels of porosity within the zeolite granules. The superior adsorption properties of the hierarchical ZSM‐5 zeolite granules are demonstrated using cyclohexane, toluene, and isopropyl alcohol as probe molecules.