No abstract

Piglets were provided supplemental energy as oral doses of corn oil to find whether such treatment might improve survival or weight gains. A total of 1,840 piglets from 182 litters was used. Piglets were allotted to dosed and control treatments within litter on the basis of body weight. Dosed piglets received a total of 8 ml of corn oil in four doses during the first 48 h postpartum. The survival rate to weaning was high and not affected (P greater than .10) by the corn oil doses. Deaths of piglets low in birth weight were delayed by the fat doses, suggesting some utilization. The fat doses did not affect piglet weight gain. Factors affecting preweaning survival and growth of piglets were also evaluated using data from the same piglets. Specific factors investigated were sex, parity of dam, birth weight, litter size and the mean and standard deviation of piglet birth weights within litters. Male piglets were heavier at birth than females, but there was no sex effect on weight at 7 d or at weaning. Small males were less likely to survive to 3 d than were small females. Litters from primiparous sows were smaller at birth and weaning, but had lower percentages of stillbirths and of preweaning deaths than did those from multiparous sows. Piglets from primiparous sows were more uniform in birth weight. Piglets that were heavier at birth grew faster and were more likely to survive. Litter size affected growth but not survival of piglets. A heavier average birth weight in the litter reduced slightly the growth rate of individual piglets. An increase in variability of piglet birth weight within a litter was associated with an increase of the percentages of stillbirths and of preweaning mortality. A few litters accounted for a major portion of the mortality. Much of the variation in piglet mortality and growth was not explained by factors considered.

To measure direct response to single trait selection for milk yield and correlated response in health problems, two homologous base populations were formed by pairing 66 Holstein females by sire. Base populations and descendants were managed identically except for selection by milk yield. One base and lineage were mated with sires with highest predicted difference milk (selection group); other base and lineage were mated with average sires in 1964 (control group). Milk yield, supplemental labor, and veterinary and semen expense were recorded specific to each cow. Over 9 yr, 130 selection and 163 control cows were observed. Selection cows yielded more milk but with increase in labor and expense for health care. Estimates of labor for the selection group were greater for mammary, locomotion, and digestion categories and for expense in mammary, respiration, first insemination, and later insemination categories. Labor and expense for reproduction did not differ for genetic groups. Differences between groups in annual estimated labor and expense totaled $27.00. Extra income over feed cost more than compensated for greater health care and semen cost; however, the magnitude of the latter indicates a need for them to be considered when economically evaluating breeding programs where major emphasis is on milk yield.

Between 2002 and 2012, the number of individuals > 55 years of age in the workforce is projected to climb by approximately 50%. Few studies have substantiated that severe occupational injury to older workers is a significant problem. To identify the variables related to traumatic injuries of older workers, data were abstracted retrospectively from a regional trauma center database, including demographic and injury characteristics, length of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and cost. The results showed that older workers had higher fatality rates than younger workers. As age increased, the Injury Severity Score also increased. Most injuries were the result of falls, with orthopedic injuries being the most common type of injury. Patients spent an average of 6 days in the ICU at a cost of > 4920 US dollars/day. By identifying the characteristics associated with older workers' severe occupational injuries, further research and better industry programs targeting this group can be implemented.

Who should have the last word on fundamental policy issues? This book analyzes the rise of two contenders - the people, through direct democracy, and the courts. Now available in nearly half the states, direct democracy has surged in recent decades. Through ballot measures, voters have slashed taxes, mandated government spending, imposed term limits on elected officials, enacted campaign finance reform, barred affirmative action, banned same-sex marriage, and adopted many other controversial laws. In several states, citizens now bypass legislatures to make the most important policy decisions. However, the 'people's rule' is not absolute. This book demonstrates that courts have used an expanding power of judicial review to invalidate citizen-enacted laws at remarkably high rates. The resulting conflict between the people and the courts threatens to produce a popular backlash against judges and raises profound questions about the proper scope of popular sovereignty and judicial power in a constitutional system.