The Painter’s Wife and Other Stories is a novella and a collection of short fiction focusing on the lives of women and men in the contemporary Western United States. In their exploration of Western life, the novella and short stories subvert the popular mythology of the West. The novella and stories are set in one of three Colorado settings: the city of Denver, the rural Western slope, and the mountain communities of the Western Slope. Beyond being linked by region, the stories are also loosely linked by characters. Characters from one story are mentioned or make brief appearances in others, reinforcing the idea of a people connected by community and landscape.

A study was performed in agricultural company “Nemunas”, Prienai district, the Departament of Non-contagious Diseases of the Lithuanian veterinary Academy and the Laboratory of Animal reproduction. The master of thesis analyses reproduction of the cowherd and mastitis prblems in the farm of agricultural “Nemunas”, Prienai district. Analysis of data shows that the yield of milk is quite low (3203 kg) despite the fact that annual introduction of first-calf heifers amounts to 21,1 % of the herd. By examination of 1227 milk samples in 2003, the general count of somatics cells was 590,550 ± 51,030 cells/ml. Only 61,2 % of the delivered milk satisfied standart milk indicators (SCCL < 400,000 cells/ml). An increase in the somatic cell count is closely related with hidden mastitis. By examination of 41 milk samples (SCCL < 400,000 cells/ml), a mixed micro-flora was isolated in 78 % of the cases and pure cultures isolated in 22 % of the cases. The mixed microorganism cultures constituted of Streptococci, Stafilococci, Enterococci and yeast-like fungi. The sensitivity of the isolated organism was determined by carrying out antibioticogram testing. Used anti-mastitis preparations were found differently effective against isolated microorganisms. The preparation “Penak Entervitol” was effective agaisnt enterobacter and Candida, the preparation “Targot mastitis Suspension” was effective against Streptococci, Stafilococci and Proteus. The preparation “Streptopen” was effective against... [to full text]

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of rumen-protected fish oil (RPFO) and rumen-protected marine algae (RPMA) supplements on ovarian function of lactating dairy cows on pasture or in confinement during the estrus and ovulation synchronization period. Thirty-six Holstein cows were assigned to one of the two feeding systems and fed with lipid supplements from 30d before to 100d after calving. The resumption of cyclicity and onset of estrus were not influenced by LS. Mean daily number of the large follicles was similar across the treatments. During the Ovsynch period, RPFO treated cows had larger follicles (?10mm; P<0.05). Ovulation was delayed in RPFO and RPMA group but the number of ovulation was not altered. The number and diameter of CL were greater in the RPMA group. Progesterone concentrations were greater in the RPMA group on pasture (P<0.05). These findings indicate that RPMA supplementation improves the ovarian function.

A cross sectional study of 22 commercial free stall farms was conducted to investigate associations between feeding and housing practices, ration variability, and measures of productivity of group-housed dairy cows. Farms were visited for 7 consecutive days in both summer and winter to collect measures related to management, milk production, environment, and ration characteristics. Feeding 2x/d compared to 1x/d was associated with greater group-average milk yield, DMI and less sorting against long particles. Provision of increased feed bunk space was associated with increased milk fat% and lower group-average SCC. Higher daily variability in energy content and % long particles in the ration was associated with lower group-average milk yield and efficiency of milk production. Overall, these results suggest that herd-level feeding and housing practices which increase access to consistent feed can improve group-level productivity and ultimately improve herd profitability. / Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Canadian Dairy Commission, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, OMAFRA, Canadian Foundation for Innovation, Ontario Research Fund

No description available.

The role of plasmin and plasminogen activators (PA) in bovine lactation and porcine ovulation has been examined. There is no difference in the activation pattern of plasminogen to plasmin throughout the whole range of somatic cell counts (SCC) and from third to ninth month in lactation. The ratio of (plasminogen + plasmin)/plasmin, which serves as an index of the activation process, was 7.27 during early (first and second month) and 4.23 during late lactation (tenth month) and both values are different (p $<$ 0.01) from all the other ratios throughout the whole range of SCC and from third to ninth month in lactation suggesting limited and increased activation of plasminogen to plasmin during early and late lactation, respectively. Macrophages produce but they do not secrete urokinase-PA, suggesting a minor role in influencing milk plasmin. Somatotropin administration resulted in a suppression of milk plasmin in vivo. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), the most likely mediator of the effects of somatotropin on the bovine mammary gland, inhibited the induction of tissue-PA (t-PA) production which is observed when mammary epithelial cells are cultured in the absence of IGF-1. Plasmin and t-PA increased while PA inhibitor-1 decreased in porcine granulosa, theca interna cells and follicular fluid just prior to the time of expected ovulation suggesting a role for plasmin in follicle rupture.

No description available.

Licentiatavhandling (sammanfattning) Skara : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2005. / Härtill 2 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning). Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2003. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.