ORCID Profile
0000-0002-6177-497X
Current Organisations
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
,
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
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Publisher: Wiley
Date: 25-02-2015
DOI: 10.1002/JSFA.7129
Abstract: The marine plant Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile can be a source of fibre to increase the efficiency of product costs. The aim of the present study was to assess the productive (milk production and performance) and metabolic (blood metabolites) effects of P. oceanica in the ration of dairy goats as a substitute for straw. Posidonia oceanica was used at 225 and 450 g day(-1) per goat in lieu of barley straw. Supplementation with P. oceanica had no detrimental effects on the body weight, milk production and metabolic status of goats. Goats fed P. oceanica produced more milk fat, had a lower somatic cell count in their milk and showed a decreased risk of oxidative stress. Goats can be fed P oceanica at levels of up to 450 g day(-1) without detrimental effects on milk production and health, therefore P. oceanica can be a substitute for barley straw in the nutrition of goats.
Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)
Date: 24-04-2015
Publisher: American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Date: 04-2020
DOI: 10.1029/2019EA000582
Abstract: Elves are a class of transient luminous events, with a radial extent typically greater than 250 km, that occur in the lower ionosphere above strong electrical storms. We report the observation of 1,598 elves, from 2014 to 2016, recorded with unprecedented time resolution (100 ns) using the fluorescence detector (FD) of the Pierre Auger Cosmic‐Ray Observatory. The Auger Observatory is located in the Mendoza province of Argentina with a viewing footprint for elve observations of km , reaching areas above the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, as well as the Córdoba region, which is known for severe convective thunderstorms. Primarily designed for ultrahigh energy cosmic‐ray observations, the Auger FD turns out to be very sensitive to the ultraviolet emission in elves. The detector features modified Schmidt optics with large apertures resulting in a field of view that spans the horizon, and year‐round operation on dark nights with low moonlight background, when the local weather is favorable. The measured light profiles of 18% of the elve events have more than one peak, compatible with intracloud activity. Within the 3‐year s le, 72% of the elves correlate with the far‐field radiation measurements of the World Wide Lightning Location Network. The Auger Observatory plans to continue operations until at least 2025, including elve observations and analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this observatory is the only facility on Earth that measures elves with year‐round operation and full horizon coverage.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 13-01-2019
Abstract: Dairy cows undergo various transition periods throughout their productive life, which are associated with periods of increased metabolic and infectious disease susceptibility. Redox balance plays a key role in ensuring a satisfactory transition. Nevertheless, oxidative stress (OS), a consequence of redox imbalance, has been associated with an increased risk of disease in these animals. In the productive cycle of dairy cows, the periparturient and neonatal periods are times of increased OS and disease susceptibility. This article reviews the relationship of redox status and OS with diseases of cows and calves, and how supplementation with antioxidants can be used to prevent OS in these animals.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2013
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Date: 07-2021
DOI: 10.1088/1748-0221/16/07/P07019
Abstract: The atmospheric depth of the air shower maximum X max is an observable commonly used for the determination of the nuclear mass composition of ultra-high energy cosmic rays. Direct measurements of X max are performed using observations of the longitudinal shower development with fluorescence telescopes. At the same time, several methods have been proposed for an indirect estimation of X max from the characteristics of the shower particles registered with surface detector arrays. In this paper, we present a deep neural network (DNN) for the estimation of X max . The reconstruction relies on the signals induced by shower particles in the ground based water-Cherenkov detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory. The network architecture features recurrent long short-term memory layers to process the temporal structure of signals and hexagonal convolutions to exploit the symmetry of the surface detector array. We evaluate the performance of the network using air showers simulated with three different hadronic interaction models. Thereafter, we account for long-term detector effects and calibrate the reconstructed X max using fluorescence measurements. Finally, we show that the event-by-event resolution in the reconstruction of the shower maximum improves with increasing shower energy and reaches less than 25 g/cm 2 at energies above 2 × 10 19 eV.
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Date: 07-2021
DOI: 10.1088/1748-0221/16/07/P07016
Abstract: The Pierre Auger Observatory, at present the largest cosmic-ray observatory ever built, is instrumented with a ground array of 1600 water-Cherenkov detectors, known as the Surface Detector (SD). The SD s les the secondary particle content (mostly photons, electrons, positrons and muons) of extensive air showers initiated by cosmic rays with energies ranging from 10 17 eV up to more than 10 20 eV. Measuring the independent contribution of the muon component to the total registered signal is crucial to enhance the capability of the Observatory to estimate the mass of the cosmic rays on an event-by-event basis. However, with the current design of the SD, it is difficult to straightforwardly separate the contributions of muons to the SD time traces from those of photons, electrons and positrons. In this paper, we present a method aimed at extracting the muon component of the time traces registered with each in idual detector of the SD using Recurrent Neural Networks. We derive the performances of the method by training the neural network on simulations, in which the muon and the electromagnetic components of the traces are known. We conclude this work showing the performance of this method on experimental data of the Pierre Auger Observatory. We find that our predictions agree with the parameterizations obtained by the AGASA collaboration to describe the lateral distributions of the electromagnetic and muonic components of extensive air showers.
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Date: 25-01-2021
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 05-08-2014
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 07-2022
Abstract: Ultra-high-energy photons with energies exceeding 10 17 eV offer a wealth of connections to different aspects of cosmic-ray astrophysics as well as to gamma-ray and neutrino astronomy. The recent observations of photons with energies in the 10 15 eV range further motivate searches for even higher-energy photons. In this paper, we present a search for photons with energies exceeding 2 × 10 17 eV using about 5.5 yr of hybrid data from the low-energy extensions of the Pierre Auger Observatory. The upper limits on the integral photon flux derived here are the most stringent ones to date in the energy region between 10 17 and 10 18 eV.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-04-2015
DOI: 10.1111/RDA.12519
Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the redox balance of organically managed dairy cattle (OMC n = 40) during the transition period and to compare this with conventionally managed cattle (CMC n = 22). Serum s les of dairy cows from two organic and one conventional farm were taken. Markers of oxidants production [reactive oxygen species] and total serum antioxidant capacity were measured in four different production stages: (i) far-off dry (2 to 1 months before calving 44 s les in CMC and 48 in OMC) (ii) close-up dry (1 month until 3 days before calving 44 CMC 54 OMC) (iii) fresh (3 days to +1 month after calving 44 CMC 49 OMC) and (iv) peak of lactation (+1 to +3 months 71 CMC 78 OMC). Values were compared between production stages and against a metabolic baseline status (4th-5th month of pregnancy 40 CMC 30 OMC). Our results indicated that throughout the periparturient period, OMC had lower concentrations of reactive oxygen species, but also a lower antioxidant capacity than CMC. Indeed, when the two components of the redox balance were assessed together through the Oxidative Stress index, the values of this parameter were higher for OMC than for CMC, thereby implying a higher risk of oxidative stress. Therefore, further larger studies are needed to confirm the current observations, as organically reared animals might be exposed to a lack of antioxidants supply.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2015
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 08-2022
Abstract: A promising energy range to look for angular correlations between cosmic rays of extragalactic origin and their sources is at the highest energies, above a few tens of EeV (1 EeV ≡ 10 18 eV). Despite the flux of these particles being extremely low, the area of ∼3000 km 2 covered at the Pierre Auger Observatory, and the 17 yr data-taking period of the Phase 1 of its operations, have enabled us to measure the arrival directions of more than 2600 ultra-high-energy cosmic rays above 32 EeV. We publish this data set, the largest available at such energies from an integrated exposure of 122,000 km 2 sr yr, and search it for anisotropies over the 3.4 π steradians covered with the Observatory. Evidence for a deviation in excess of isotropy at intermediate angular scales, with ∼15° Gaussian spread or ∼25° top-hat radius, is obtained at the 4 σ significance level for cosmic-ray energies above ∼40 EeV.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-03-2016
DOI: 10.1038/NATURE16976
Abstract: Cosmic rays are the highest-energy particles found in nature. Measurements of the mass composition of cosmic rays with energies of 10(17)-10(18) electronvolts are essential to understanding whether they have galactic or extragalactic sources. It has also been proposed that the astrophysical neutrino signal comes from accelerators capable of producing cosmic rays of these energies. Cosmic rays initiate air showers--cascades of secondary particles in the atmosphere-and their masses can be inferred from measurements of the atmospheric depth of the shower maximum (Xmax the depth of the air shower when it contains the most particles) or of the composition of shower particles reaching the ground. Current measurements have either high uncertainty, or a low duty cycle and a high energy threshold. Radio detection of cosmic rays is a rapidly developing technique for determining Xmax (refs 10, 11) with a duty cycle of, in principle, nearly 100 per cent. The radiation is generated by the separation of relativistic electrons and positrons in the geomagnetic field and a negative charge excess in the shower front. Here we report radio measurements of Xmax with a mean uncertainty of 16 grams per square centimetre for air showers initiated by cosmic rays with energies of 10(17)-10(17.5) electronvolts. This high resolution in Xmax enables us to determine the mass spectrum of the cosmic rays: we find a mixed composition, with a light-mass fraction (protons and helium nuclei) of about 80 per cent. Unless, contrary to current expectations, the extragalactic component of cosmic rays contributes substantially to the total flux below 10(17.5) electronvolts, our measurements indicate the existence of an additional galactic component, to account for the light composition that we measured in the 10(17)-10(17.5) electronvolt range.
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 22-08-2012
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-2012
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Date: 07-2021
DOI: 10.1088/1748-0221/16/07/T07008
Abstract: The Auger Muon Infill Ground Array (AMIGA) is part of the AugerPrime upgrade of the Pierre Auger Observatory. It consists of particle counters buried 2.3 m underground next to the water-Cherenkov stations that form the 23.5 km 2 large infilled array. The reduced distance between detectors in this denser area allows the lowering of the energy threshold for primary cosmic ray reconstruction down to about 10 17 eV. At the depth of 2.3 m the electromagnetic component of cosmic ray showers is almost entirely absorbed so that the buried scintillators provide an independent and direct measurement of the air showers muon content. This work describes the design and implementation of the AMIGA embedded system, which provides centralized control, data acquisition and environment monitoring to its detectors. The presented system was firstly tested in the engineering array phase ended in 2017, and lately selected as the final design to be installed in all new detectors of the production phase. The system was proven to be robust and reliable and has worked in a stable manner since its first deployment.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 14-07-2016
DOI: 10.1111/JPN.12365
Abstract: Post-parturient insulin resistance (IR) is a common feature in all mammalian animals. However, in dairy cows, it can be exacerbated because of high milk yield, leading to excessive negative energy balance, which is related with increased disease incidence, reduced milk production and worsened reproductive performance. IR has been extensively investigated in humans suffering from diabetes mellitus. In these subjects, it is known that oxidative stress (OS) plays a causative role in the onset of IR. Although OS occurs in transitional dairy cattle, there are yet no studies that investigated the association between IR and OS in dairy cattle. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between OS and IR in dairy cattle. Serum s les were taken repeatedly from 22 dairy cows from 2 months prior to the expected calving date to 2 months after calving and were analysed for markers of metabolic and redox balance. Surrogate indices of insulin sensitivity were also calculated. Generalised linear mixed models revealed an effect of the oxidative status on peripheral insulin concentration and on indices of insulin sensitivity. Hence, field trials should investigate the effectiveness of antioxidant therapy on insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues during the transition period of dairy cattle.
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Date: 03-09-2020
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2014
Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)
Date: 16-09-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2015
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-03-2016
DOI: 10.1111/JVIM.13922
Abstract: Exacerbated postparturient insulin resistance (IR) has been associated with several pathologic conditions in dairy cattle. Oxidative stress (OS) plays a causative role in IR in humans, and an association, but not direct relationship, between OS and IR recently has been reported in transition dairy cattle. Supplementation with antioxidants shortly before calving improves glucose tolerance after parturition in dairy cattle. Ten late‐pregnant Holstein cows entering their 2nd to 5th lactation. Randomized placebo‐controlled trial: 15 ± 2 days before expected calving, the treatment group received an injection of DL‐alpha‐tocopheryl acetate at a dosage of 6 mg/kg body weight (BW) and 0.06 mg/kg BW of sodium selenite, and the control group was injected with isotonic saline. During the first week after calving, both groups underwent glucose tolerance testing (0.25 g glucose/kg BW). Commercial assays were used to quantify the concentrations of glucose, insulin, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta‐hydroxybutyrate, and markers of redox status in blood. Data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U ‐test (α = 0.05). Supplemented cows showed a lower risk for OS, as reflected by a lower OS index ( P = .036), different areas under the curve for the concentrations of glucose ( P .01), insulin ( P = .043), and NEFA ( P = .041), more rapid elimination rates ( P = .080, .01 and .047 respectively), and shorter half‐lives ( P = .040, .01 and .032) of these metabolites. Supplementation with antioxidants before calving resulted in greater insulin sensitivity after calving, thereby suggesting the role of OS in the development of IR in cattle and the potential benefits of antioxidant supplementation in minimizing the consequences of negative energy balance.
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Date: 04-2021
DOI: 10.1088/1748-0221/16/04/P04003
Abstract: To obtain direct measurements of the muon content of extensive air showers with energy above 10 16.5 eV, the Pierre Auger Observatory is currently being equipped with an underground muon detector (UMD), consisting of 219 10 m 2 -modules, each segmented into 64 scintillators coupled to silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). Direct access to the shower muon content allows for the study of both of the composition of primary cosmic rays and of high-energy hadronic interactions in the forward direction. As the muon density can vary between tens of muons per m 2 close to the intersection of the shower axis with the ground to much less than one per m 2 when far away, the necessary broad dynamic range is achieved by the simultaneous implementation of two acquisition modes in the read-out electronics: the binary mode, tuned to count single muons, and the ADC mode, suited to measure a high number of them. In this work, we present the end-to-end calibration of the muon detector modules: first, the SiPMs are calibrated by means of the binary channel, and then, the ADC channel is calibrated using atmospheric muons, detected in parallel to the shower data acquisition. The laboratory and field measurements performed to develop the implementation of the full calibration chain of both binary and ADC channels are presented and discussed. The calibration procedure is reliable to work with the high amount of channels in the UMD, which will be operated continuously, in changing environmental conditions, for several years.
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Date: 06-2021
DOI: 10.1088/1748-0221/16/06/P06027
Abstract: FRAM (F/Photometric Robotic Atmospheric Monitor) is a robotic telescope operated at the Pierre Auger Observatory in Argentina for the purposes of atmospheric monitoring using stellar photometry. As a passive system which does not produce any light that could interfere with the observations of the fluorescence telescopes of the observatory, it complements the active monitoring systems that use lasers. We discuss the applications of stellar photometry for atmospheric monitoring at optical observatories in general and the particular modes of operation employed by the Auger FRAM. We describe in detail the technical aspects of FRAM, the hardware and software requirements for a successful operation of a robotic telescope for such a purpose and their implementation within the FRAM system.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 02-2023
Abstract: A catalog containing details of the highest-energy cosmic rays recorded through the detection of extensive air showers at the Pierre Auger Observatory is presented with the aim of opening the data to detailed examination. Descriptions of the 100 showers created by the highest-energy particles recorded between 2004 January 1 and 2020 December 31 are given for cosmic rays that have energies in the range 78–166 EeV. Details are also given on a further nine very energetic events that have been used in the calibration procedure adopted to determine the energy of each primary. A sky plot of the arrival directions of the most energetic particles is shown. No interpretations of the data are offered.
Publisher: AIP
Date: 2013
DOI: 10.1063/1.4807530
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-04-2016
DOI: 10.1007/S12011-016-0713-4
Abstract: There has been some recent criticism about the reliability of the assays commonly used to measure oxidant status in cattle, because some recent publications suggested that the concentration of different trace elements influences the results of these assays. The aim of this study was to test the correlation in 502 bovine serum s les between the concentration of several trace elements (Br, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, I, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Sr, V and Zn) and markers of oxidant status (reactive oxygen species (ROS) and total serum antioxidant capacity (SAC)). The Oxidative Stress index (OSi) was also calculated as ROS/SAC. Some significant correlations were found, although weak (|ρ| < 0.50). Therefore, the relationships observed might be attributed to the different pro- and antioxidant effect of the different elements rather than to the assays detecting these elements instead of the oxidised molecules or total antioxidant potential, respectively. The OSi was poorly correlated (|ρ| ≤ 0.36) with the concentration of the studied trace elements, and therefore, its use is recommended to assess shifts in the systemic redox balance.
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Date: 23-09-2020
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 13-03-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.TVJL.2013.10.032
Abstract: New-born calves depend upon colostrum intake for the acquisition of immunoglobulins (Ig) and other beneficial substances. However, colostrum is also a source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Intrinsic production of ROS also increases after birth, so the combination of colostral and intrinsic ROS could overwhelm the antioxidant capacity of the calf leading to oxidative stress (OS), a condition that has been shown to play a key role in the initiation and development of several pathological conditions. The aim of this observational study was to assess the effects of the redox balance of colostrum on the oxidative status of calves and on passive immune transfer. Serum s les were taken from 20 calves on their day of birth, every week during their first month of life and at 2 and 3 months of age, and the concentrations of ROS and serum antioxidant capacity (SAC) assayed. The oxidative/anti-oxidative profile and IgG content of the colostrum were also assessed. The redox balance of the colostrum had a significant effect on both calf oxidative status and on passive immune transfer (as measured by calf serum IgG concentration), which indicates that the oxidative/antioxidative profile of colostrum should be measured when colostrum quality is assessed. The highest risk of OS during the study period was found to be when the calves were fed artificial milk replacer this suggests that calves should be supplemented with antioxidants during this period in order to minimize any harmful consequences of high ROS generation.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.DOMANIEND.2017.06.003
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between different surrogate indices and parameters of the intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) in dairy cows at the start of their lactation. Ten dairy cows underwent IVGTT on Days 3 to 7 after calving. Areas under the curve during the 90 min after infusion, peak and nadir concentrations, elimination rates, and times to reach half-maximal and basal concentrations for glucose, insulin, nonesterified fatty acids, and β-hydroxybutyrate were calculated. Surrogate indices were computed using the average of the IVGTT basal s les, and their correlation with the IVGTT parameters studied through the Spearman's rank test. No statistically significant or strong correlation coefficients (P > 0.05 |ρ| < 0.50) were observed between the insulin sensitivity measures derived from the IVGTT and any of the surrogate indices. Therefore, these results support that the assessment of insulin sensitivity in early lactation cattle cannot rely on the calculation of surrogate indices in just a blood s le, and the more laborious tests (ie, hyperinsulinemic euglycemic cl test or IVGTT) should be employed to predict the sensitivity of the peripheral tissues to insulin accurately.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2014
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Date: 16-10-2017
Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)
Date: 23-11-2010
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-2020
DOI: 10.1140/EPJC/S10052-020-8055-Y
Abstract: The hybrid design of the Pierre Auger Observatory allows for the measurement of the properties of extensive air showers initiated by ultra-high energy cosmic rays with unprecedented precision. By using an array of prototype underground muon detectors, we have performed the first direct measurement, by the Auger Collaboration, of the muon content of air showers between $$2\\times 10^{17}$$ 2 × 10 17 and $$2\\times 10^{18}$$ 2 × 10 18 eV. We have studied the energy evolution of the attenuation-corrected muon density, and compared it to predictions from air shower simulations. The observed densities are found to be larger than those predicted by models. We quantify this discrepancy by combining the measurements from the muon detector with those from the Auger fluorescence detector at $$10^{{17.5}}\\, {\\mathrm{eV}} $$ 10 17.5 eV and $$10^{{18}}\\, {\\mathrm{eV}} $$ 10 18 eV . We find that, for the models to explain the data, an increase in the muon density of $$38\\%$$ 38 % $$\\pm 4\\% (12\\%)$$ ± 4 % ( 12 % ) $$\\pm {}^{21\\%}_{18\\%}$$ ± 18 % 21 % for EPOS-LHC , and of $$50\\% (53\\%)$$ 50 % ( 53 % ) $$\\pm 4\\% (13\\%)$$ ± 4 % ( 13 % ) $$\\pm {}^{23\\%}_{20\\%}$$ ± 20 % 23 % for QGSJetII-04 , is respectively needed.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-2019
DOI: 10.1038/S41586-019-1086-6
Abstract: Lightning is a dangerous yet poorly understood natural phenomenon. Lightning forms a network of plasma channels propagating away from the initiation point with both positively and negatively charged ends-called positive and negative leaders
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 2013
DOI: 10.1155/2013/616098
Abstract: From a clinical point of view, oxidative stress (OS) is considered the primary cause of numerous metabolic processes in transition cow. Thus, the addition of antioxidants has been considered a palliative or preventive treatment. But beyond the clinical perspective, antioxidant supplementation provides an added value to the product obtained being either milk or meat. This paper reviews the beneficial aspects that provide antioxidant supplementation on quality of both products and that fit into the new concept that the consumer has a functional and healthy food. Our approach is from a veterinary standpoint, by reviewing the studies conducted to date and the new perspectives that are interesting and need to be studied in the following years. One of the highlights is that sustainable farming, one in which production is combined with animal health, also impacts positively on the quality of the final products, with beneficial antioxidant properties to human health.
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Date: 07-03-2019
Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)
Date: 16-04-2021
Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)
Date: 16-09-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2011
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-12-2014
DOI: 10.1111/JPN.12273
Abstract: Dairy cows are especially vulnerable to health disorders during the transition period, when they shift from late pregnancy to the onset of lactation. Diseases at this stage affect not only the animals' well-being, but also cause a major economic impact in dairy farms, because apart from treatment costs, affected cows will not reach their peak milk-producing capacity. The overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leads to oxidative stress, which has been identified as an underlying factor of dysfunctional inflammatory responses. Supplementation with vitamins and trace elements attempts to minimize the harmful consequences of excessive ROS production, thereby trying to improve animals' health status and to reduce disease incidence. However, results regarding the effects of supplementing antioxidants on dairy cows' health and performance have been inconsistent, because in most cases, the antioxidant potential of the animals was not assessed beforehand and the nutritional strategy planned accordingly. Therefore, reviewing the physiological and harmful effects of ROS production, along with the different options available for assessing the redox balance in dairy cattle and some of the key findings of different supplementation trials, could bring one step forward the on-farm application of determinations of oxidative status for establishing nutritional strategies early enough in the dry period that could improve transition cow health.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-12-2014
DOI: 10.1111/VCP.12218
Abstract: Age-related changes in blood variables have previously been reported for cattle. A few studies have investigated differences in biochemistry analytes over time using repeat measures. The purpose of the study was to investigate the variation in select variables during the first 3 months of life of Holstein-Friesian calves using repeat s ling. Twenty healthy calves were s led on the day of birth (0) and at 6, 13, 21, 30, 60, and 90 days of life. Analyzed variables included concentration of glucose, total protein, albumin, urea and creatinine, and activity of AST, GGT, and CK. Reference intervals (RI) were obtained from 40 adult cows using specific computer software. The variation in each analyte throughout the study period and differences relative to the RI in adult cattle were assessed. With the exception of glucose, the studied variables were affected by the calf's age. However, for most of the analytes studied, the values obtained from calves from one week of age onwards remained within the RI determined in adult cattle. During the calves' first week of life, some variables outside the RI of adult cattle were due to the changes associated with birth and colostrum intake. With the exception of AST and GGT activity, RI for standard biochemistry variables determined for adult cattle are likely to be valid for calves older than one week. However, special consideration is necessary for calves within their first week of life.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2016
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 10-2020
Abstract: Results of a search for ultra-high-energy neutrinos with the Pierre Auger Observatory from the direction of the blazar TXS 0506+056 are presented. They were obtained as part of the follow-up that stemmed from the detection of high-energy neutrinos and gamma rays with IceCube, Fermi-LAT, MAGIC, and other detectors of electromagnetic radiation in several bands. The Pierre Auger Observatory is sensitive to neutrinos in the energy range from 100 PeV to 100 EeV and in the zenith-angle range from θ = 60° to θ = 95°, where the zenith angle is measured from the vertical direction. No neutrinos from the direction of TXS 0506+056 have been found. The results were analyzed in three periods: one of 6 months around the detection of IceCube-170922 A, coinciding with a flare period of TXS 0506+056, a second one of 110 days during which the IceCube collaboration found an excess of 13 neutrinos from a direction compatible with TXS 0506+056, and a third one from 2004 January 1 up to 2018 August 31, over which the Pierre Auger Observatory has been taking data. The sensitivity of the Observatory is addressed for different spectral indices by considering the fluxes that would induce a single expected event during the observation period. For indices compatible with those measured by the IceCube collaboration the expected number of neutrinos at the Observatory is well below one. Spectral indices as hard as 1.5 would have to apply in this energy range to expect a single event to have been detected.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 2014
DOI: 10.1155/2014/702572
Abstract: Acute ruminal acidosis is a metabolic status defined by decreased blood pH and bicarbonate, caused by overproduction of ruminal D-lactate. It will appear when animals ingest excessive amount of nonstructural carbohydrates with low neutral detergent fiber. Animals will show ruminal hypotony/atony with hydrorumen and a typical parakeratosis-rumenitis liver abscess complex, associated with a plethora of systemic manifestations such as diarrhea and dehydration, liver abscesses, infections of the lung, the heart, and/or the kidney, and laminitis, as well as neurologic symptoms due to both cerebrocortical necrosis and the direct effect of D-lactate on neurons. In feedlots, warning signs include decrease in chewing activity, weight, and dry matter intake and increase in laminitis and diarrhea prevalence. The prognosis is quite variable. Treatment will be based on the control of systemic acidosis and dehydration. Prevention is the most important tool and will require normalization of ruminal pH and microbiota. Appropriate feeding strategies are essential and involve changing the dietary composition to increase neutral detergent fiber content and greater particle size and length. Appropriate grain processing can control the fermentation rate while additives such as prebiotics or probiotics can help to stabilize the ruminal environment. Immunization against producers of D-lactate is being explored.
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Date: 21-10-2020
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 21-11-2012
Abstract: Oxidative stress (OS) impairs organic function and is considered causally related to cellular senescence and death. This study aims to evaluate if the redox balance varies in relation to age and gender in healthy cats. To quantify the oxidative status of this species we determined the oxidative damage as serum reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) and the total serum antioxidant capacity (SAC). In addition, we used the ratio of ROM to SAC as a measure of the oxidative balance, with higher values meaning higher oxidative stress (oxidative stress index). Our results suggest that the male population is at oxidative risk when compared with females, especially between the age of 2 and 7 years. Nutritional strategies in this population looking for additional antioxidant support would probably avoid the oxidative stress status that predisposes to chronic processes in senior male cats. Further clinical trials in this field are recommended.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2017
Location: United States of America
No related grants have been discovered for Stijn Buitink.