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).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe 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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn 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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe 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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFComput Oper Res
December 2011
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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFZ Geburtshilfe Neonatol
August 2001
Objective: The aim of the study was to analyse the accuracy of prenatal sonography in terminated pregnancies and the influence of factors like personnel and standard of technique and organisation on the quality of prenatal sonography for the detection of fetal anomalies.
Material And Methods: The retrospective study includes 64 cases with termination of pregnancy from 1989 to 1997. We analyse prenatal sonographic and postnatal pathological findings of fetus, placenta and umbilical cord.