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PubMed1978

[The effect of types of rations on a straw basis on fermentation and volatile fatty acid production in the rumen of lactating cows. 2. Ruminal fermentation and milk yield criteria after use of a high-fiber straw pellet batch as a basic ration component].

Lactating Black-Pied (DSR) cows were used to study, over a period of 100 days, the influence of different basal ration types (experimental group - straw pellets; control group - dried forage + fodder root crops) on fermentation response and daily production rate of volatile fatty acids (VFA) as well as on some criteria of milk yield. Whilst only slight differences were found between the experimental groups in the molar proportions of VFA, the straw pellet-concentrate ration resulted in a lower VFA production as compared to the conventional ration. The control group's VFA production relativated to energy intake, was found to be of the same level (4.1, 4.3 and 3.9 Mol/1 kilo energetic feed equivalents/cattle) after 30, 60 and 100 days of feeding, respectively. The corresponding values in the experimental group declined from 3.3 to 2.3 and 1.9 Mol/1 kilo EF/cattle when feeding a high-fibre straw-pellet batch as basal ration component. The VFA production rates rather diverging between both groups were not found to have a uniform effect on the milk synthesis processes. Both the daily and the first 100-day milk yields did not differ between the groups but within the range of statistical error. Statistically secured positive correlations were found to exist between concentration and production of VFA which, however, depend on the basal ration type and revealed a relatively wide deviation.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1979

[Possibilities of prediction the digestibility of crude nutrients by fullgrown and growing sheep from the crude nutrient content of the rations. 2. Rations with a higher content of crude fibers (mixtures of straw and concentrated feed as sole feed].

Eight variants of recipes for mixtures of straw and concentrated feed with 10 to 60 per cent straw more or less finely ground (86 to 314 g crude fibre per kg dry matter) and fattening feed for lambs (50 g crude fibre per kg dry matter) were checked concerning the digestibility of crude nutrients for fullgrown wethers and 60 to 80-, 80 to 100-and 100 to 120-day-old lambs which had been ablactated at an age of 60 days. The digestibility for wethers was significantly higher than for lambs, between the age groups of which there were no significant differences concerning the digestibility. In accordance with the results with rations on the basis of concentrated feed as checked and described in the first piece of information, the content of crude fibres in the rations had a negative influence on the digestibility of organic matter, NFE and energy whereas there was a positive relation with the digestibility of crude fibres. The regression functions established for mixtures of straw and concentrated feed concerning the dependence of the digestibility on the content of crude fibres showed a relatively good coincidence in the range of a low content of crude fibres with the corresponding regression functions which were described in the first piece of information for rations of concentrated feed. The equations for the digestibility of crude fibres were an exception. In contrast to this, the quantitative relations between crude fibres and the digestibility as established in the first piece of information for rations with a low content of crude fibres cannot be transferred to rations with a higher content of crude fibres.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1988

Identifying features, performance, and limitations of dairy ration formulation software: a comparison of three ration formulation programs.

A method for evaluating and selecting dairy ration formulation software for microcomputers is presented. Information obtained from a survey of practicing nutritionists and from interviews with computer programmers was used to identify users' needs, desired features, and patterns of use. A benchmark problem consisting of 15 activities frequently required in designing dairy rations was developed to evaluate ease of use, ease of learning, and software performance. Ease of use was measured by counting keystrokes and recording time required by a user familiar with these ration formulation programs to complete the benchmark problem. Ease of learning was measured as the amount of help and time needed by users unfamiliar with this software to complete the benchmark problem. Software performance was measured by speed of formulation, ration costs, ingredients and amounts selected, and nutrient content of rations. Evaluation of three commercially available software applications was made using the method developed.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2001

Physicians, thou shalt ration: the necessary role of bedside rationing in controlling healthcare costs.

Physicians are often asked to be "gatekeepers," determining their patients' access to medical therapies and technologies. At the same time, most physicians have been taught that they should act as patient advocates, pursuing patients' best interests regardless of cost. This paper reviews moral arguments ethicists have made for and against "bedside rationing." It argues that healthcare rationing is appropriate in order to help control healthcare costs, and that rationing decisions made at the bedside by physicians must be part of the rationing system. A system that attempts to control costs by mandating an elaborate set of rules would be burdensome, and many physicians would find ways

Decision Making↗
PubMed1976

[Protein utilization of mixed feed rations in lactating pigs with reference to the essential amino acid content of the feed proteins. 2. Report. Utilization of the feed proteins in the use of soy bean extraction residue, waste liquor yeast, horse bean meal fish meal and maize gluten for a basic ration].

Nitrogen trials were performed on lactating pigs to investigate the utilization of protein from some feeding rations. The basal ration fed to the sows consisted of ground barley+oats+flaked potatoes or ground barley+sugar beet chips. The basal ration was supplemented with a protein source. The protein feeds used were extracted soya bean meal, horse bean meal, fish meal, maize gluten and waste liquor yeast. Data for the average biological value of the dietary proteins were as follows (in the given order of protein feeds): 61%, 59%, 54%, 58% and 37%. PPV data were: 44%, 43%, 39%, 44% and 28%. The proteins of nearly all rations were deficient in lysine when compared with the range of amino acids present in the proteins of sow milk.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed1992

A rational approach to rational suicide.

Suicide is a reaction to internal and external sources of stress and the impact of life events. In the elderly these situations are prevalent in many who are not suicidal and instead choose life. They represent what may be called rational nonsuicide. They are far more frequent than rational suicide. Nevertheless, considerably more is written about rational suicide than its alternative. The reasons for this phenomenon are reviewed, and suggestions are made for a rational approach to the affirmation of life rather than its rejection, even to the very end.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

[Health policy decisions between rationing and rationalization--exemplified by erythropoietin in tumor anemia].

The debate on rationalisation vs. rationing of health care interventions is of great importance for the shaping of social and health care policies. Nevertheless, concrete evaluations mostly deal with health interventions in the grey zone between rationing--withholding effective measures--and rationalisation--avoiding ineffective interventions. The assessment of erythropoietin in tumour anaemia is presented as an example: the results of the treatment of tumour-induced anaemia with EPO are partly unsatisfactory. Only 50-60% of anemic tumor-patients respond to EPO; of these responders 20-30% still require transfusions. The assessment presents the evidence for an "appropriate" application of erythropoietin in tumour anaemia and proposes standard values for a limited access and use of EPO. Additionally the assessment reveals what is known as the benefit of this treatment, and what is questionable. Applying the results of the assessment to clinical practice can be considered as "explicit rationing" according to effectiveness criteria.

Anemia↗
PubMed1997

[Rationalization versus rationing in surgery].

In the discussion on cost savings in public health, one can differentiate between rationalisation and rationing. In this context rationalisation means increase in productivity with reduced resources, or more efficient rationing of the available means in order to obtain sufficient room for manoeuvre in the public health system. By efficient use of the existing resources and adaptation to medically appropriate and necessary options one is able to define medical standards for treatment. These treatment standards enable the preservation of medical freedom of action as well as participation in scientific-technological progress with the help of consequent evaluation of treatment patterns. This process could result in the development of a so-called priorisation, i.e. active preference of certain indications or therapies, which correspond extensively to the expectations and priorities of all concerned persons. From the medical point of view explicit rationing of health performances has to be strictly rejected.

Cost Savings↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Rationing versus rationality: observations from outside the United States.

This commentary takes up A. David Paltiel's invitation to reflect on how to promote the use of decision analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis in health. From the perspective of a health services researcher outside the U.S. system, I make 3 arguments. First, the unthinking use of the term rationing for all applications of cost-effectiveness analysis distorts research priorities and may jeopardize wider public support. Second, public skepticism about decision and cost-effectiveness analysis (and thus the skepticism of decision makers) is well founded when ethical dimensions of these methods are not considered. We must continue to refine our methods to take account of societal values. Third, the United States may have particular problems in adopting more rational decision making in health care. The dominance of for-profit institutions in the U.S. health care system erodes the social legitimacy on which other systems depend to improve the rationality of health care decision making.

Australia↗
PubMed2005

Semi-rational approaches to engineering enzyme activity: combining the benefits of directed evolution and rational design.

Many research groups successfully rely on whole-gene random mutagenesis and recombination approaches for the directed evolution of enzymes. Recent advances in enzyme engineering have used a combination of these random methods of directed evolution with elements of rational enzyme modification to successfully by-pass certain limitations of both directed evolution and rational design. Semi-rational approaches that target multiple, specific residues to mutate on the basis of prior structural or functional knowledge create 'smart' libraries that are more likely to yield positive results. Efficient sampling of mutations likely to affect enzyme function has been conducted both experimentally and, on a much greater scale, computationally, with remarkable improvements in substrate selectivity and specificity and in the de novo design of enzyme activities within scaffolds of known structure.

Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques↗
PubMed1978

[Digestibility and utilization of rations containing differently treated straw. 2. Energetic utilization by sheep of rations containing differently treated straw].

A total of 59 complete metabolic periods of adult sheep were used to compare energy balance and energy utilization of rations containing 45, 60 and 99% of straw previously subjected to different treatments. In addition, some indices of rumen physiology were determined. The straw was fed in the following forms: chopped, chopped and treated with 6% sodium hydroxide, pelleted with and without NPN-addition (ammonium bicarbonate and/or urea) during the pelleting process. Notwithstanding pressing temperatures above 90 degrees C during compaction, the addition of NPN-compounds did not result in increased digestibility. The NaOH-treatment of the straw increased the energy digestibility of the ration containing 45% straw by 5 to 6 digestibility units. All experiments revealed a higher energy balance and, consequently, a higher energy utilization than could be expected from calculations on the basis of equations derived from earlier experiments with adult sheep. The variations are discussed under the aspect of energetic feed evaluation and with regard to consequence for the efficient use of straw in rations for ruminants.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1978

[Digestibility and utilization of rations containing differently treated straw. 3. Energetic utilization by fattening bulls of rations containing differently treated straw].

In 136 complete metabolic periods of fattening bulls (live weight range 250 to 440 kg) comparative studies were performed on rations containing 30 to 40% straw previously subjected to different treatments. In addition, several rumen-physiological and blood indices were determined. Chopped straw without and with NaOH (6%) treatment and straw pellets without and with NPN-addition (ammonium bicarbonate and/or urea) during the pelleting process were used. No significant differences were found between comparable rations as to energy digestibility. The rations containing 60% straw revealed a higher evergy balance and, consequently, a higher energy utilization than could be expected from calculations on the basis of equations derived from previous experiments with adult steers. The importance of straw as energy source for ruminant feeding is highlighted.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1990

[Measuring of the energy turnover in adult swine during feeding of rations with potato starch, potatoes, beets, pressed shreds and coarse fodder as supplements to a basic ration. 2. Evaluation and discussion of the results for further development of energetic feed rating for swine].

Energy metabolism measurings of male castrates of a live weight between 90 and 180 kg after feeding rations with a wide variety in the content of various carbohydrates (crude fibre 36-185, water soluble carbohydrates 25-306, starch 272-683 g/kg DM) formed the experimental basis of the considerations. Energy retention depended significantly on the digestibility and metabolizability of the energy, on energy concentration and the crude fibre content of the rations. By means of multiple regression analyses the energetic effect of 1 g digested matter of the carbohydrate fraction was assessed as follows: 12.9 kJ for starch, 12.1 kJ for disaccharides, 11.5 kJ for the remaining water soluble carbohydrates and 10.4 kJ for bacterially fermentable carbohydrates (BFC). There was a difference between the energetic effective value of starch and BFC. This corresponds completely to the difference in the utilization of metabolizable energy between exclusively precaecal and postileal digestion. The following conclusions are drawn for the further development of the energetic feed evaluation for pigs in the framework of the GDR feed evaluation system: --There are to be differentiated fixed values for the retention of digestible carbohydrates for the fractions starch, water soluble carbohydrates (pectin) and bacterially fermentable carbohydrates. --The influence of the digestibility of the energy in the ration on the energetic retention effect of BFC is small. The integration of these variables into an estimation equation for the energetic feed value is therefore not necessary.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1993

[Comparative studies of the parameters of rumen fermentation and the digestibility of feed rations in cattle and sheep. 2. The digestibility of feed rations].

The results from 283 comparisons of digestibility in cattle (ox, cow, male and female young cattle) and sheep (adult wether) are presented. The crude protein content of the applied rations ranged from 90 to 340 and the crude fibre content from 80 to 430 g/kg DM. Within the range of rations with 200-350 g crude fibre per kg DM the differences between adult cattle and wether in the digestibility of energy and organic matter don't exceed 1%-unit (mean -0.5 +/- 2.5), that of crude protein is 5%-units lower in adult cattle than in adult wether. In young cattle digestibility is altogether lower than in wether; in young cattle with 120 to 200 kg live weight 4 to 6 and in more developed cattle 3 to 4 digestibility units for energy. In the metabolizability of the energy in comparison between adult wether and the different animal categories of cattle the difference don't exceed 1.5%-units. Relations between the live weight of cattle, the crude fibre of the rations as well as the nutrition level and the amount of difference of digestibility between cattle and sheep are considered.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1999

[Economics in intensive care medicine: rationalization or rationing?].

Four thesis related to economics of intensive care medicine are derived from an analysis of the intensive care unit of the university hospital of Basel, Switzerland, and the respective literature: (1) Intensive care medicine is costly but rationing can be avoided by rationalization. (2) Exemption or withdrawal of intensive care cannot be justified in the absence of accurate predictors of costs and outcomes of individual patients. (3) Intensive care physicians must not act as judges but on behalf of patients incapable of decision making. They must represent patients' interests vis-à-vis authorities and reimbursing institutions. (4) Analyses of cost-efficiency are instrumental for process improvement of intensive care, for negotiations on reimbursement and for the regulatory decisions of the authorities. Tools for economic analyses of intensive care medicine are therefore worthy of further development.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed2005

[The impact of ethical and moral competence in decision making on rationalism and rationing nursing interventions].

The intraprofessional discourse about economical aspects in nursing from an ethical point of view has not taken place yet. To cope with the increasing restriction of resources, some preconditions have to be met: It is necessary to communicate issues in rationalizing and rationing in nursing openly. Person-oriented criteria in the nursing process indicate a high level of competence and user-oriented quality in nursing care. But nursing professionals do not decide in favor or against resources to perform this task on a high or poor quality level. Democratic decision-making on providing nursing services depends on a continuous societal discourse about allocation criteria.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Effects of rational emotive education on the rationality, neuroticism and defense mechanisms of adolescents.

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of rational emotive education (REE) as a mental health prevention program for adolescents. The subjects included 109 eleventh- and twelfth-grade students enrolled in four introductory psychology courses, and who were divided into experimental and control classes. Experimental subjects received 12 biweekly sessions of REE. Subjects were pre- and posttested on three measures of psychosocial adaptation: the Rational Behavior Inventory (RBI), the Defense Mechanism Inventory (DMI), and the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI). The effects of REE upon behavior were also examined by comparing academic effort grades, number of detentions, and grade point averages. Overall results showed significant positive changes in use of more adaptive defense mechanisms and in academic effort grades in the predicted direction. No significant changes occurred on the other measures. However, as a distinctive group, 17-year-olds demonstrated a significant reduction in neuroticism scores and a significant increase in academic effort grades.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Rational combinatorial library design. 2. Rational design of targeted combinatorial peptide libraries using chemical similarity probe and the inverse QSAR approaches.

We have developed a novel strategy for rational design of targeted peptide libraries. The goal of this method is to select a subset of natural amino acids that are most likely to be present in active peptides for the synthesis of library. Two different protocols are employed where chemical structures of peptides are described either by topological indices or by a combination of physicochemical descriptors for individual amino acids. The selection of a peptide as a candidate for the targeted library is based either on its chemical similarity to a biologically active probe or on its biological activity predicted from a preconstructed quantitative structure-activity (QSAR) equation. The optimization of the library is achieved by means of genetic algorithms (GA). This method was tested by rational design of the library with bradykinin-potentiating activity. Twenty-eight bradykinin-potentiating pentapeptides were used as a training set for the development of a QSAR equation, and, alternatively, two active pentapeptides, VEWAK and VKWAP, were used as probe molecules. In each case, the frequency distribution of amino acids in the top 100 peptides suggested by the method resembles the frequency distribution of amino acids found in the active peptides. The results obtained after GA optimization also compared favorably with those obtained by the exhaustive analysis of all possible 3.2 million pentapeptides.

Algorithms↗