Pasture feeding improves the nutritional, textural and techno-functional characteristics of butter.

There is an increasing consumer desire for pasture-derived dairy products, as outdoor pasture-based feeding systems are perceived as a natural environment for animals. Despite this, the number of grazing animals globally has declined as a result of the higher milk yields achieved by indoor, total mixed ration feeding systems, in addition to the changing climatic conditions and lower grazing knowledge and infrastructure. This has led to the development of pasture-fed standards, stipulating the necessity of pasture and its minimum requirements as the primary feed source for products advertising such claims, with various requirements depending on region for which it was produced. This work investigates the differences in the composition and techno-functional properties of butters produced from high, medium and no pasture allowance diets during early, mid and late lactation. Butters were produced using milks collected from 3 feeding systems: outdoor pasture grazing (GRS; high pasture allowance); indoor total mixed ration (TMR; no pasture allowance); and a partial mixed ration (PMR; medium pasture allowance) system, which involved outdoor pasture grazing during the day and indoor TMR feeding at night. Butters were manufactured during early, mid and late lactation. Creams derived from TMR feeding systems exhibited the highest milk fat globule size. The fatty acid profiles of butters also differed significantly as a function of diet, and could be readily discriminated by partial least squares analysis. The most important fatty acids in such analysis, as indicated by their highest variable importance projection scores, were CLA C18:2 cis-9 trans-11 (rumenic acid), C16:1 n-7 trans (trans-palmitoleic acid), C18:1 trans (elaidic acid), C18:3 n-3 (α-linolenic acid) and C18:2 n-6 (linoleic acid). Increasing pasture allowances resulted in reduced crystallization temperatures and hardness of butters, while concurrently increasing the 'yellow' b* color. Yellow color was strongly correlated with Raman peaks commonly associated with carotenoids. The milk fat globule size of cream decreased with advancing stage of lactation and churning time of cream was lowest in early lactation. Differences in the fatty acid and triglyceride contents of butter as a result of lactation and dietary effects demonstrated significant correlations with the hardness, rheological, melting and crystallization profiles of the butters. This work highlighted the improved nutritional profile and functional properties of butter with increasing dietary pasture allowance, primarily as a result of increasing proportions of unsaturated fatty acids. Biomarkers of pasture feeding (response in milk proportionate to the pasture allowance) associated with the pasture-fed status of butters were also identified as a result of the significant changes in the fatty acid profile with increasing pasture allowance. This was achieved through the use of 3 authentic feeding systems with varying pasture allowances, commonly operated by farmers around the world and conducted across 3 stages of lactation.

Impact of feeding regimes and lactation stage on sensory attributes of Cheddar cheese.

This study investigated the effects of diet and stage of lactation (SOL) on sensory profiles, texture, volatile profiles, and colour of Cheddar cheese. Cheddar cheese was manufactured from early-, mid-, and late-lactation milk obtained from seasonally calved cows (n = 54). Cows were assigned a diet; group 1: perennial ryegrass (GRS), group 2: total mixed ration (TMR), and group 3: partial mixed ration (PMR). Instrumental analysis was performed at 270 days (mature Cheddar). Sensory evaluation took place after 548 days (extra mature Cheddar). Toluene was the only volatile compound that was significantly influenced by diet. The trained panel rated early-lactation cheese as stronger than mid- and late- for cowy/barny flavour and late-lactation cheese as sweeter than early- and mid-lactation cheese. Mid-lactation cheese was liked least overall. Early-lactation cheeses were rated higher for 'crumbly' texture than mid- and late. Diet affected consumer ratings, with GRS and PMR cheese rated as more intense than TMR for flavour, aftertaste, and saltiness. Consumers reported that TMR cheese was lighter in colour compared to GRS cheese, which was supported by instrumental analysis. Consumers perceived GRS as more springy and less crumbly than TMR and PMR, while Texture Profile Analysis indicated that TMR was harder than GRS. Consumer segmentation was observed with two clear preference groups, one preferring GRS and one preferring TMR. For both groups, 'taste' seemed to be the main driver of liking, highlighting that consumer preference is most impacted by individual taste preferences.

Impact of varying levels of pasture allowance on the nutritional quality and functionality of milk throughout lactation.

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of increasing proportions of grazed pasture in the diet on the composition, quality, and functionality of bovine milk across a full lactation. Fifty-four spring-calving cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups (n = 18), blocked on the basis of mean calving date (February 15, 2020 ± 0.8 d), pre-experimental daily milk yield (24.70 ± 3.70 kg), milk solids yield (2.30 ± 0.27 kg), lactation number (3.10 ± 0.13), and economic breeding index (182 ± 19). Raw milk samples were obtained weekly from each group between March and November 2020. Group 1 (GRS) consumed perennial ryegrass and was supplemented with 5% concentrates (dry matter basis); group 2 was maintained indoors and consumed a total mixed ration (TMR) diet consisting of maize silage, grass silage, and concentrates; and group 3 consumed a partial mixed ration diet (PMR), rotating between perennial ryegrass during the day and indoor TMR feeding at night. Raw milk samples consisted of a pooled morning and evening milking and were analyzed for gross composition, free amino acids, fatty acid composition, heat coagulation time, color, fat globule size, and pH. The TMR milks had a significantly higher total solids, lactose, protein, and whey protein as a proportion of protein content compared with both GRS and PMR milks. The GRS milks demonstrated a significantly lower somatic cell count (SCC), but a significantly higher pH and b*-value than both TMR and PMR milks. The PMR milks exhibited significantly lower total solids and fat content, but also demonstrated significantly higher SCC and total free amino acid content compared with GRS and TMR. Partial least squares discriminant analysis of fatty acid profiles displayed a distinct separation between GRS and TMR samples, while PMR displayed an overlap between both GRS and TMR groupings. Variable importance in projection analysis identified conjugated linoleic acid cis-9,trans-11, C18:2n-6 cis, C18:3n-3, C11:0, and C18:2n-6 trans as the largest contributors to the variation between the diets. Milk fats derived from GRS diets exhibited the highest proportion of unsaturated fats and higher unsaturation, health-promoting, and desaturase indices. The lowest proportions of saturated fats and the lowest atherogenic index were also exhibited by GRS-derived milk fats. This work highlights the positive influence of grass-fed milk for human consumption through its more nutritionally beneficial fatty acid profile, despite the highest milk solid percentages derived from TMR feeding systems. Furthermore, this study demonstrates the proportional response of previously highlighted biomarkers of pasture feeding to the proportion of pasture in the cow's diet.

Toward Nonepitaxial Laser Diodes.

Thin-film organic, colloidal quantum dot, and metal halide perovskite semiconductors are all being pursued in the quest for a wavelength-tunable diode laser technology that does not require epitaxial growth on a traditional semiconductor substrate. Despite promising demonstrations of efficient light-emitting diodes and low-threshold optically pumped lasing in each case, there are still fundamental and practical barriers that must be overcome to reliably achieve injection lasing. This review outlines the historical development and recent advances of each material system on the path to a diode laser. Common challenges in resonator design, electrical injection, and heat dissipation are highlighted, as well as the different optical gain physics that make each system unique. The evidence to date suggests that continued progress for organic and colloidal quantum dot laser diodes will likely hinge on the development of new materials or indirect pumping schemes, while improvements in device architecture and film processing are most critical for perovskite lasers. In all cases, systematic progress will require methods that can quantify how close new devices get with respect to their electrical lasing thresholds. We conclude by discussing the current status of nonepitaxial laser diodes in the historical context of their epitaxial counterparts, which suggests that there is reason to be optimistic for the future.

Electrochemical Doping of Halide Perovskites by Noble Metal Interstitial Cations.

Metal halide perovskites are an attractive class of semiconductors, but it has proven difficult to control their electronic doping by conventional strategies due to screening and compensation by mobile ions or ionic defects. Noble-metal interstitials represent an under-studied class of extrinsic defects that plausibly influence many perovskite-based devices. In this work, doping of metal halide perovskites is studied by electrochemically formed Au+ interstitial ions, combining experimental data on devices with a computational analysis of Au+ interstitial defects based on density functional theory (DFT). Analysis suggests that Au+ cations can be easily formed and migrate through the perovskite bulk via the same sites as iodine interstitials (Ii + ). However, whereas Ii + compensates n-type doping by electron capture, the noble-metal interstitials act as quasi-stable n-dopants. Experimentally, voltage-dependent, dynamic doping by current density-time (J-t), electrochemical impedance, and photoluminescence measurements are characterized. These results provide deeper insight into the potential beneficial and detrimental impacts of metal electrode reactions on long-term performance of perovskite photovoltaic and light-emitting diodes, as well as offer an alternative doping explanation for the valence switching mechanism of halide-perovskite-based neuromorphic and memristive devices.

Short communication: Effect of feeding pooled and nonpooled high-quality colostrum on passive transfer of immunity, morbidity, and mortality in dairy calves.

Pooling colostrum is commonly practiced on Irish dairy farms. Pooling can result in dilution when colostrums with high and low IgG concentrations are mixed, thereby predisposing calves to failure of passive immunity. The objectives of this study were to compare IgG concentrations in colostrum from individual cows with colostrum pooled from several cows, and assess serum IgG concentrations, morbidity, and mortality among calves fed colostrum from their own dam, from a different cow, or pooled from several cows. We hypothesized that pooling colostrum reduces IgG concentration due to dilution compared with colostrum from individual cows, and that calves fed pooled colostrum achieve lower serum IgG concentrations than calves fed colostrum from individual cows. Calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: (1) fed colostrum from their own dam (n = 20); (2) fed colostrum from a different dam (n = 20); or (3) fed pooled colostrum (n = 18). A sample of colostrum fed to each calf was collected. Serum samples were collected from calves at birth (0 h) and at 24 h after colostrum feeding. Colostrum and serum IgG concentrations were measured by radial immunodiffusion. Calves were weighed at birth and at weaning, and the health status of each calf was assessed twice daily. Health assessment was based on general demeanor, rectal temperature, fecal consistency, respiratory rate, and the presence of cough, nasal, or ocular discharge. Colostrum and serum IgG concentrations, and weaning weights were compared using ANOVA. Associations between group and morbidity or mortality rates were compared using χ2 or Fisher's exact tests. Median and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of IgG concentrations of colostrum were 99.4 (81.8-111.5), 95.2 (84.1-107.2), and 100.7 (90.5-104.4) g/L for own dam, different dam, and pooled groups, respectively. We did not find any differences in colostrum IgG concentrations among the colostrum sources. Median (95% CI) serum IgG concentrations at 24 h were 52.0 (45.6-65.9), 55.7 (51.2-65.9), and 53.1 (46.2-63.7) g/L for calves that received colostrum from own dam, different dam, and pooled, respectively. All calves achieved adequate passive immunity. Serum IgG concentrations at 24 h, weaning weights, and proportions of morbidity and mortality were not different among the 3 groups. Our results suggest that on dairy farms where median colostrum IgG concentrations are high and colostrum management is optimal, pooling has a minimal effect on passive immunity and subsequent calf health.

A complete course of intravenous antibiotics vs a combination of intravenous and oral antibiotics for perforated appendicitis in children: a prospective, randomized trial.

INTRODUCTION: In a previous prospective randomized trial, we found a once-a-day regimen of ceftriaxone and metronidazole to be an efficient, cost-effective treatment for children with perforated appendicitis. In this study, we evaluated the safety of discharging patients to complete an oral course of antibiotics. METHODS: Children found to have perforated appendicitis at the time of laparoscopic appendectomy were enrolled in the study. Perforation was defined as a hole in the appendix or fecalith in the abdomen. Patients were randomized to antibiotic treatment with either once daily dosing of ceftriaxone and metronidazole for a minimum of 5 days (intravenous [IV] arm) or discharge to home on oral amoxicillin/clavulanate when tolerating a regular diet (IV/PO arm) to complete 7 days. RESULTS: One hundred two patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis. On presentation, there were no differences in age, weight, sex distribution, days of symptoms, maximum temperature, or leukocyte count between the 2 groups. There was no difference in the postoperative abscess rate between the two treatment groups. Discharge was possible before day 5 in 42% of the patients in the IV/PO arm. CONCLUSIONS: When patients are able to tolerate a regular diet, completing the course of antibiotics orally decreases hospitalization with no effect on the risk of postoperative abscess formation.

Urachal anomalies in children: the vanishing relevance of the preoperative voiding cystourethrogram.

PURPOSE: Children with a wet, draining, or infected umbilicus are often referred to pediatric surgeons. Unfortunately, uniform guidelines regarding diagnostic imaging are lacking. Historically, the persistence of the urachus was attributed to intrauterine distal urinary obstruction. Today, many surgeons continue to advocate preoperative voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG). METHODS: Records of children with urachal abnormalities over the past 10 years were reviewed. Demographics, presentation, imaging, genitourinary anomalies, operations, length of stay, and complications were recorded. Statistical evaluation was by descriptive analysis. RESULTS: Fifty-six children were diagnosed with urachal anomalies. Age at operation was 2.5 years (1 day-13 years). Fifty percent of patients were less than 1 year. Ultrasound was used in 88% of cases. Voiding cystourethrogram (34%) and computed tomography (14%) were also used. Average hospitalization was 1.9 (0-13) days. Thirty-two percent underwent operations as outpatients. Seven percent developed wound infections. Eight children (14%) had genitourinary anomalies. However, no VCUG examination (n = 19) documented an obstructive process. CONCLUSIONS: The current study represents the largest reported series of symptomatic urachal anomalies in children. Disorders of the urachus are variable in presentation with the diagnosis reliably made by history and ultrasound alone. Further testing, including VCUG, is not warranted, adding additional cost, an invasive procedure, and inconvenience to the child.

Computed tomography of traumatic abdominal wall hernia and associated deceleration injuries.

We retrospectively reviewed the computed tomographic (CT) examinations of 15 cases of abdominal wall hernia due to abdominal trauma; 13 patients had been injured in motor vehicle accidents (11 of those were belted in). All hernias were correctly identified on CT and confirmed intraoperatively. Traumatic abdominal wall hernia proved an important indicator of associated visceral injury, especially to the bowel (n = 6) and mesentery (n = 10). Careful review of the bowel and mesentery should thus be undertaken when disruption of the abdominal wall is documented. Radiologists should be aware, however, that CT findings may correlate poorly with severity of injury in these areas. In these instances, close clinical correlation and, sometimes, rescanning may be necessary.