Dose-Response Effects of 3-Nitrooxypropanol Combined with Low- and High-Concentrate Feed Proportions in the Dairy Cow Ration on Fermentation Parameters in a Rumen Simulation Technique.

Methane (CH) from ruminal feed degradation is a major pollutant from ruminant livestock, which calls for mitigation strategies. The purpose of the present 4 × 2 factorial arrangement was to investigate the dose-response relationships between four doses of the CH inhibitor 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) and potential synergistic effects with low (LC) or high (HC) concentrate feed proportions (CFP) on CH reduction as both mitigation approaches differ in their mode of action (direct 3-NOP vs. indirect CFP effects).

Effects of 3-nitrooxypropanol and varying concentrate feed proportions in the ration on methane emission, rumen fermentation and performance of periparturient dairy cows.

The climate-relevant enteric methane (CH) formation represents a loss of feed energy that is potentially meaningful for energetically undersupplied peripartal dairy cows. Higher concentrate feed proportions (CFP) are known to reduce CH emissions in cows. The same applies to the feed additive 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP), albeit through different mechanisms.

Integrating stochastic time-dependent travel speed in solution methods for the dynamic dial-a-ride problem.

In urban areas, logistic transportation operations often run into problems because travel speeds change, depending on the current traffic situation. If not accounted for, time-dependent and stochastic travel speeds frequently lead to missed time windows and thus poorer service. Especially in the case of passenger transportation, it often leads to excessive passenger ride times as well.

Renovation activities during pregnancy induce a Th2 shift in fetal but not in maternal immune system.

The aim of the present study was to investigate to which extent environmental influences like indoor renovation activities affect the immune system of mother and child during the gestation period. Within the LINA (Lifestyle and Environmental Factors and their Influence on Newborn Allergy risk) birth cohort study blood samples of mothers during pregnancy and cord blood samples were analyzed for concentrations of the Th1/Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IFN-γ and IgE. Data on indoor renovation activities (painting, flooring and new furniture) were assessed with questionnaires.

Metaheuristics for the dynamic stochastic dial-a-ride problem with expected return transports.

The problem of transporting patients or elderly people has been widely studied in literature and is usually modeled as a dial-a-ride problem (DARP). In this paper we analyze the corresponding problem arising in the daily operation of the Austrian Red Cross. This nongovernmental organization is the largest organization performing patient transportation in Austria.