Maria José

Abstract Background Obesity is a complex, multifactorial disease with rising global prevalence.

Postgraduate Program in Clean Technologies, Cesumar University—UNICESUMAR, Maringa 87050-390, PR, Brazil

The link between higher education and research is paramount in the current academic landscape [...]

This study investigates morbidity, mortality, and weight gain in pre-weaned female dairy calves, which pose economic and animal welfare challenges for farms, particularly in family-run operations in southern Brazil. We aimed to identify the rates and factors associated with these outcomes in Alto Uruguai, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, tracking 547 calves from 70 farms across 27 municipalities from July 2015 to September 2016. We assessed calf-rearing practices, nutrition, health, and the environment using farmer questionnaires, direct observations, and systematic weight and health monitoring of female calves from birth to weaning. The association between predictors and perinatal mortality (stillbirths and deaths within 24 h), postnatal mortality (deaths from 25 h after birth to weaning), calf morbidity, and weight gain was analysed through regression models. The participating farms had 25 (9–70) (median and range) lactating cows and produced 411 (96–1631) L/d of milk (median and range). Total mortality rate was 6.8% (median 0, range 0–50%/range), of which 2.4% (median 0, range 0–50%/range) was perinatal and 4.5% (median 0, range 0–40%/range) postnatal. Average morbidity was one case for every five calves born alive (106/538), 83% of which were reported as diarrhoea cases. Weight gain was 570 ± 212 g/d (mean and standard deviation). The postnatal mortality rate was highest in the first few weeks of life and among calves with at least one case of diarrhoea. Younger and winter/spring-born calves became sick more frequently. The calves of purebred bulls, fed with cow's milk, which received at least 4 L of milk and 0.5 kg of feed daily, had greater weight gain. The calf mortality rate was at the lower end of the range reported in international research. The main disease affecting calves was diarrhoea, and weight gain was insufficient for calves to double their weight by the time they were weaned. The results of the present study suggest that the quality of the management adopted in calf rearing in many of the family-run dairy farms of southern Brazil may be compromising the welfare, health, performance, and survival of the calves and possibly the productivity of dairy herds.

Permissions Icon Permissions Abstract Genomic prediction for multiple environments can aid the selection of genotypes suited to specific soil and climate conditions.

Instituto de Ciências da Terra (ICT), Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada (IIFA), Universidade de Évora, Rua Romão Ramalho, 59, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal

Animal Science Department, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal

Impacts of Microplastics, Cadmium, and Their Mixtures on Biochemical Biomarkers in the Freshwater Bivalve Corbicula fluminea (Bivalvia, Corbiculidea)

Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória 29075-910, ES, Brazil

In recent decades, in response to changes in work dynamics, demographics, and technological advancements, organizations have sought to implement practices that facilitate transitions between work and family—so-called work-family practices. Previous research has focused on identifying antecedents for a more positive work-family relationship, employees' well-being, and positive organizational outcomes. Nevertheless, the development of this research framework over the decades has brought a main conclusion and concern: the availability of these practices is not a measure of organizational success and, to some extent, is dependent on the supportive behaviors of supervisors. To address the growing interest in this topic, a systematic review was conducted to qualitatively analyze the relationship between work-family practices and supervisor support, as well as their subsequent impact on employees and organizations. Following a PRISMA methodology, this review examined 39 articles (40 studies) and corroborated the positive and essential role of supervisor support in enhancing the effectiveness of work-family practices. The findings further clarified its influence on employee well-being and health, workplace attitudes (e.g., commitment, job satisfaction, turnover intention), and the work-family relationship (e.g., conflict and enrichment). Consequently, supervisor support proved imperative for employees and organizational contexts to benefit from work–family practices, going beyond their provision by organizations. Therefore, this research is the first systematic review focusing on recognizing and confirming the importance of work-family practices and supervisor support as foundational components of a family-supportive work environment. Theoretical and practical implications, as well as future research paths, will be discussed.