bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparison under grazing of pasture production, pasture N content and soil mineral N levels between granular urea and ONEsystem® on two contrasting dairy farms in New Zealand
Authors: Quin B.F. , Gillingham A.G. , Baird D. , Spilsbury S. , Gray M.
Published: June 2020

Field trials under grazing on two contrasting dairy farms in mid-Canterbury (Site C) on a stony silt loam under irrigation, and in rain-fed central Waikato (Site W) on a volcanic ash-derived soil, compared standard granular urea (4-5 mm diameter granules) with ONEsystem®. This uses prilled urea (0.8-2.8 mm diameter prills), passed through a fine water spray (50 litres/ha) that contains the urease inhibitor nbpt (2 gm nbpt/kg N) during application. A nil N control and three rates of each fertiliser were applied to 12 × 25 m plots on four occasions after rotational grazing during spring/early summer 2014. ONEsystem® resulted in extra dry matter (EDM) to N applied compared with granular urea at Site C. At Site W, the initial advantage to ONEsystem® in Period 1 (early spring) was not maintained. To produce EDM of 1250 (±750) kg/ha required 120 and 126 kg N/ha as granular urea at Sites C and W, respectively (giving EDM factors of 10.4 and 9.9 (± 2) kgDM/ kgN applied respectively). This compares with 50 and 74 kg N/ha required with ONEsystem® for higher EDM factors of 24 and 17 (± 5) kg DM/ kg N. Pasture N concentrations were higher at Site C following ONEsystem® application, and total N uptake was increased 3-fold compared to granular urea. At Site W, increases in EDM with ONEsystem® only occurred in the first period. The results of this study have implications for both the economic and environmental efficiency of fertiliser urea use on grazed pastures. Keywords: ONEsystem®, prilled urea, nbpt, granular urea, N efficiency, pasture, N uptake
Which rhizobia nodulate which legumes in New Zealand soils?
Authors: Andrews M. , Jack D. , Dash D. , Brown S.
Published: June 2020

Recent work which genotypically characterised rhizobia of native, crop and weed legumes in New Zealand and examined their cross-nodulation ability is reviewed and related to earlier work with focus on New Zealand pasture systems. The New Zealand native legumes were exclusively effectively nodulated by novel strains of Mesorhizobium which did not nodulate crop or weed legumes. Clovers, lucerne, Lotus and grain legumes were effectively nodulated by different genera, species and biovars of rhizobia primarily originating from inoculum. Rhizobial symbionts of white clover have established over wide areas in New Zealand. Weed legumes are effectively nodulated by different genera/ species of rhizobia depending on species. Bradyrhizobia that cross-nodulate lupins, gorse, European broom and tagasaste are widespread in New Zealand. Keywords: Bradyrhizobium, Burkholderia, Ensifer, Mesorhizobium, Rhizobium
NZGA PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS 2014
Authors: Lissaman W.
Published: June 2020

2014: Only a month ago it was Election Year. In the run up to the election we started to debate what is important to New Zealand; sadly that moment has long since passed. Will we ever have the great national debate that we sorely need? where does New Zealand pitch itself on the world stage and how we ensure that is possible? Sustainability in all its facets.
The evaluation of a controlled release nitrogen fertiliser
Authors: Edmeades D.C.
Published: June 2020

Experiments in the laboratory, glasshouse and in the field assessed the chemical and agronomic characteristics of four polymer-coated urea products manufactured to different specifications, by altering the number and chemical nature of the coatings. (The chemical and physical nature of the coatings and the coating process are the property of the New Zealand distributor, Eko 360 Ltd.) They are claimed to be controlled release nitrogen (N) fertilisers. The N release characteristics of the experimental products were measured, relative to water soluble urea, in the laboratory in the absence of soil. These results confirmed that the N release rates were consistent with the distributor's specifications and were slower than urea. A glasshouse experiment was designed to use N uptake by ryegrass as a proxy for the N release rate in a soil. These results confirmed those from the laboratory, indicating that soil had little effect on the relative N release characteristics of the fertilisers. The experimental product with the slowest release rate was selected for evaluation in the field. In three field experiments the effect the experimental product, applied once at two rates, on pasture production was compared with the same rates of N applied once as urea, over 5-6 months. The experimental product tested increased N use efficiency (NUE, kg DM/kg N applied) by between 5-50% depending on the site and rate of N application. Thus it is concluded that the products are as claimed - contolled release N fertilisers, relative to urea - and that this characteristic is expressed under field conditions. Proof-of-concept was therefore established. Keywords: fertiliser, nitrogen, nitrogen use efficiency, pasture, SmartFertTM, urea
A review of the use of chicory, plantain, red clover and white clover in a sward mix for increased sheep and beef production
Authors: Cranston L.M. , Kenyon P.R. , Morris S.T. , Kemp P.D.
Published: June 2020

Many farmers are sowing mixed swards containing chicory (Cichorium intybus), plantain (Plantago lanceolata), red clover (Trifolium pratense) and white clover (T. repens) (hereafter termed herb and clover mix). This herb and clover mix has comparable annual dry matter (DM) production to perennial ryegrass white clover pasture (rye/wc), however, it has a different pattern of growth, producing more DM during summer and autumn. The herb and clover mix also has a higher nutritive value and is able to support greater rates of animal production, especially over summer, than rye/ wc in both sheep and cattle. The herb and clover mix is most suited to a rotational grazing interval of 3-4 weeks to an 8 cm residual height, with no winter grazing. When managed appropriately the herb and clover mix is able to persist for at least 2 years and up to 5 years under both sheep and cattle grazing. Keywords: Cichorium intybus, Plantago lanceolata, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, legume, perennial, nutritive value.
Measuring the cost of environmental compliance for Waikato dairy farmers - a survey approach
Authors: Macdonald T.O.R. , Rowarth J.S. , Scrimgeour F.G.
Published: June 2020

The link between dairy farm systems and cost of environmental compliance is not always clear. A survey of Waikato dairy farmers was conducted to establish the real (non-modelled) cost of compliance with environmental regulation in the region. Quantitative and qualitative data were gathered to improve understanding of compliance costs and implementation issues for a range of Waikato farm systems. The average oneoff capital cost of compliance determined through a survey approach was $1.02 per kg milksolids, $1490 per hectare and $403 per cow. Costs experienced by Waikato farmers have exceeded average economic farm surplus for the region in the past 5 years. As regulation increases there are efficiencies to be gained through implementing farm infrastructure and farm management practice to best match farm system intensity. Keywords: Dairy, compliance, farm systems, nitrogen, Waikato
Can a deep-rooted spring crop recover winter-deposited urine nitrogen?
Authors: Lucci G.M. , Shepherd M.A. , Carlson W.T.
Published: June 2020

Grazing a winter forage crop can result in a substantial increase in soil nitrogen (N) from urine deposition, with a significant proportion leached below 30 cm during winter. If a follow-on crop can be used to recover this soil N before the following drainage season, N leaching risk could be reduced. We tested if faster growing, or deeper-rooted, spring-sown crops would be more effective at recovering winter-deposited N than ryegrass based pasture. Urea-N (800 kg N/ha) was applied in June to simulate a dairy cow urine patch and was subsequently leached down the soil profile. In the spring, the plots were sown with ryegrass, chicory and clover, or barley and harvested manually. The following autumn, the amount of N in the 60-90 cm depth (70 kg N/ha) was significantly less (P
Regular estimates of paddock pasture mass can improve profitability on New Zealand dairy farms
Authors: Beukes P.C. , Mccarthy S. , Wims C.M. , Romera A.J.
Published: June 2020

Paddock selection is an important component of grazing management and is based on either some estimate of pasture mass (cover) or the interval since last grazing for each paddock. Obtaining estimates of cover to guide grazing management can be a time consuming task. A value proposition could assist farmers in deciding whether to invest resources in obtaining such information. A farm-scale simulation exercise was designed to estimate the effect of three levels of knowledge of individual paddock cover on profitability: 1) "perfect knowledge", where cover per paddock is known with perfect accuracy, 2) "imperfect knowledge", where cover per paddock is estimated with an average error of 15%, 3) "low knowledge", where cover is not known, and paddocks are selected based on longest time since last grazing. Grazing management based on imperfect knowledge increased farm operating profit by approximately $385/ha compared with low knowledge, while perfect knowledge added a further $140/ha. The main driver of these results is the level of accuracy in daily feed allocation, which increases with improving knowledge of pasture availability. This allows feed supply and demand to be better matched, resulting in less incidence of under- and over-feeding, higher milk production, and more optimal post-grazing residuals to maximise pasture regrowth. Keywords: modelling, paddock selection, pasture cover
Potential impacts of different spring grazing strategies on lamb finishing in hill country
Authors: Stevens D.R. , Wall A.J. , Tho B.R.
Published: June 2020

How does the pasture cover at the beginning of lambing and the grazing strategy used in early spring influence the ability of a hill country sheep and beef farm to finish lambs? The results from an intensive pasture-mowing trial investigating three defoliation intensities (Lax, Moderate and Intense) starting from two herbage masses (1200 or 1500 kg DM/ha) during early spring were used to provide data on potential pasture consumption and feed quality from lambing to weaning for a breeding ewe flock. Using simulation modelling, this pasture data was used to estimate the potential lamb and ewe liveweight changes from birth to weaning at each of three different stocking rates (4.5, 8 and 10.5 twin-bearing ewes/ha) that closely represented the three defoliation intensities originally studied in a mowing trial. The impacts of these early-spring herbage masses and grazing intensities/ stocking rates on subsequent feed requirements and potential lamb finishing during the later summer and autumn period in four contrasting geo-climatic regions of New Zealand were then further investigated using simulation modelling. Variations in ewe and lamb weaning weights were evident and reflected the amount of pasture available through the different grazing management approaches. For all four geoclimatic regions studied, the Intense grazing, high stocking rate strategy generally produced the greatest gross revenue per ha from lamb sales out of the three grazing strategies investigated, though not significantly greater than the moderate stocking rate in summer dry environments. However, under Intense grazing, a high pasture cover (1500 kg DM/ha), in comparison to a low pasture cover (1200 kg DM/ha) at the start of ewe lactation further improved the gross revenue received from lamb sales, especially in the Canterbury and Waikato environments but less so in the Hawke's Bay and Southland environments. These variations demonstrate how iterations based on the same starting properties impact on weaning weight of lambs and post-weaning pasture growth and/or feed quality. Keywords: emergence, feed supply, geo-climatic regions, iteration, lactation, lamb weaning weight, pasture quality.
Levy oration - 2014: Agricultural science and extension
Authors: Morton J.D.
Published: June 2020

Since this oration is in the name of Sir Bruce Levy, I took the time to Google his biography and found it in the Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Many of us are aware of his role as the Father of New Zealand Grasslands with his message of fertiliser, improved pasture cultivars and the efficient cycling of nutrients through grazing. But what interested me was his extension technique with farmers. This was described as akin to a sergeant major (Sir Bruce) dressing down the latest group of raw recruits (the farmers). It was clearly suitable for those times. Interestingly, Sir Bruce Levy, in taking his research findings out directly to farmers, was emulated by other notable scientists such as McMeekan and Brougham.
Measurement techniques and yield estimates of fodder beet in Canterbury and Southland
Authors: Judson H.G. , Mckenzie S. , Robinson S. , Nicholls A. , Moorhead A.J.E.
Published: June 2020

A survey of commercial fodder beet crops across Canterbury and Southland was undertaken to determine average yields and to provide some basic information on commercial crops. Commercial yields were approximately 19 t DM/ha but higher yields (34 t DM/ha) were achievable. Dry matter content (DM%) of bulbs was higher for lighter than for heavier bulbs. Variation in DM% between bulbs was greater than the variation between parts (inner and outer fractions) of the bulb suggesting a rapid method of sampling multiple bulbs may lead to increases in accuracy of DM% assessment. A rapid coring method was tested. Keywords: fodder beet, yield, survey, dry matter yield
Levy oration - 2015
Authors: Holmes C.W.
Published: June 2020

New Zealand dairy farming has lost its competitive edge
A protocol for sampling pastures in hill country
Authors: Hutchinson K.J. , Scobie D.R. , Beautrais J. , Mackay A.D. , Rennie G.M. , Moss R.A. , Dynes R.A.
Published: June 2020

To develop a protocol to guide pasture sampling for estimation of paddock pasture mass in hill country, a range of pasture sampling strategies, including random sampling, transects and stratification based on slope and aspect, were evaluated using simulations in a Geographical Information Systems computer environment. The accuracy and efficiency of each strategy was tested by sampling data obtained from intensive field measurements across several farms, regions and seasons. The number of measurements required to obtain an accurate estimate was related to the overall pasture mass and the topographic complexity of a paddock, with more variable paddocks requiring more samples. Random sampling from average slopes provided the best balance between simplicity and reliability. A draft protocol was developed from the simulations, in the form of a decision support tool, where visual determination of the topographic complexity of the paddock, along with the required accuracy, were used to guide the number of measurements recommended. The protocol was field tested and evaluated by groups of users for efficacy and ease of use. This sampling protocol will offer farmers, consultants and researchers an efficient, reliable and simple way to determine pasture mass in New Zealand hill country settings. Keywords: hill country, feed budgeting, protocol pasture mass, slope
NZGA PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS 2015
Authors: Lissaman W.
Published: June 2020

Agricultural science, Government policy and the farmer
Towards the integrated assessment of New Zealand pastoral farm systems
Authors: Dodd M.B. , Stevens D.R.
Published: June 2020

Land use and management change is a feature of New Zealand farm systems, driven by a range of factors including volatile markets and exchange rates, variable weather and climate patterns, continuous policy evolution and the inherent innovation of New Zealand farmers. Yet the common indicators used to evaluate the impact of change appear to be limited to the link between productivity (of land/labour/capital) and profitability. However, if farm system "owners" seek truly sustainable systems they should consider a wider set of indicators to guide investment. Sustainability is considered in terms of the ability of the pastoral farm system to fulfil its primary purpose in the long-term, i.e. "to derive value from the natural capital of a land and water resource that is sufficient to support the objectives of the resource owner" and fulfil secondary objectives considered important by other stakeholders (e.g., product and environmental quality). The objective of this study was to develop an integrated assessment framework for sustainability indicators that was useful for guiding change decisions at the farm system scale, a key determinant of regional economic, environmental and social outcomes. The approach is based on the fundamental properties of a complex adaptive system: existence, effectiveness, freedom of action, security, adaptability and coexistence, applied to six key system drivers (financial, environmental, social, cultural, technological and regulatory). This framework could support decision-making in terms of the investment of human, natural and financial capital at the farm system scale and contribute to larger scale information imperatives (e.g., value chains, catchments). Keywords: integrated assessment, pastoral farm systems, sustainability, systems properties
Response to clover root weevil outbreaks in South Canterbury, Otago and Southland; the agricultural sector and government working together
Authors: Hardwick S. , Ferguson C.M. , Mccauley P. , Nichol W. , Kyte R. , Barton D.M. , Mcneill M.R. , Philip B.A. , Phillips C.B.
Published: June 2020

Clover root weevil was first discovered in the northern South Island in 2006, and an introduced biocontrol agent the parasitoid wasp Microctonus aethiopoides, was immediately released there in response. As the weevil spread southwards, ongoing releases and natural parasitoid dispersal generally supressed it to economically tolerable levels. However, mild winters in the southern South Island during 2013 and 2014 allowed weevil populations to grow and spread quicker than the parasitoid. This severely impacted white clover production and farm profitability in parts of South Canterbury, Otago and Southland, thus, scientists and industry conducted 18 months of intensive parasitoid releases of ca. 1.1 million parasitised weevils at 6000 sites. The parasitoid rapidly established at all 50 monitored release sites and dispersed from them. The biocontrol agent now occurs at all locations in South Canterbury, Otago, Southland, and elsewhere in New Zealand, where clover root weevil is present. Keywords: biological control, pest spread, parasitic wasp, Sitona obsoletus, Microctonus aethiopoides, South Canterbury, Southland, Otago
Evaluation of perennial lupin/cocksfoot pasture relative to lucerne pasture under summer dry conditions
Authors: Black A.D. , Ryan-Salter T.P.
Published: June 2020

The productivity of a perennial lupin/cocksfoot mix was compared to that of lucerne in summer dry conditions at Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand. The pastures were planted in December 2013 and rotationally grazed by ewe lambs in autumn 2014 (Year 1), and by ewe hoggets in spring-summer and ewe lambs in autumn of 2014/2015 (Year 2) and 2015/2016 (Year 3). For lupin/cocksfoot relative to lucerne in Years 1 to 3, sheep liveweight gains were 54% of 107 kg/ha, 68% of 1134 kg/ha and 50% of 1347 kg/ha; herbage dry matter yields were 122% of 3520 kg/ha, 64% of 10 230 kg/ha and 59% of 9680 kg/ha; and in Years 2 and 3, the water use efficiency of sheep liveweight gain was 76% of 2.0 kg/ha/mm and 49% of 2.7 kg/ha/mm, respectively. The lupin content in the pre-grazing herbage in Years 1 to 3 averaged 42, 22 and 12%, whereas the lucerne content averaged 78, 95 and 98%, respectively. This showed that perennial lupin was not persistent at this lowland site. Keywords: Lupinus polyphyllus, Dactylis glomerata, Medicago sativa, dryland, sheep liveweight gain, water use
Establishment year productivity, botanical composition and nutritive value of grass/lucerne/plantain dairy pasture mixtures
Authors: Dodd M.B. , Dalley D.E. , Elliott D. , Wims C.M.
Published: June 2020

In the context of dairy grazing systems, pasture mixtures including tall fescue, lucerne and plantain have been identified by animal modelling as having potential to both improve milk production and reduce urinary nitrogen excretion. A grazed paddock-scale trial was established in the Waikato in September 2015 to test this in two short-term grazing trials including these species. This paper presents the pasture production, botanical composition and nutritive value data generated from four pasture mixtures sown in spring 2015 and sampled until autumn 2017 (18 months). The pasture mixtures represented a comparison between perennial ryegrass and tall fescue, with and without the herb narrow-leaved plantain. The inclusion of plantain in grass-lucerne mixtures had a positive effect on firstyear herbage dry matter (DM) production, by ~2.6 t DM/ha/year in ryegrass-based pastures and ~1.6 t DM/ ha/year in tall fescue-based pastures. Where plantain was included, the proportion of grass was reduced by more than half from autumn 2016 through to summer 2016-2017, while the proportion of lucerne was reduced to a lesser degree. The proportion of plantain was 35-70% through most of the first year, declining to
Post-weaning performance of East Friesian cross ewe lambs grazing ryegrass or plantain-based pastures after rearing on two contrasting diets
Authors: Stevens D.R. , Knol F.W. , Neiper B.A. , Mccoard S.A.
Published: June 2020

Abstract Artificial rearing is used routinely on dairy sheep farms. Different strategies are used to optimise the growth and development of the young lamb with an economic ration of milk and other feed components. Early weaning, and early introduction to pasture can both reduce these costs, but may also reduce the liveweight gains of the growing lamb. Can differences in pre-weaning feeding strategies be mitigated using specialist pastures such as plantain/red/white clover? Lambs from an experiment investigating the impacts of rearing with and without meal access (n=30/group) and weaned at 12 weeks of age were grazed on either perennial ryegrass-based or plantain/red clover-based pastures in 3 replicates. Liveweight gain, animal health, feed supply and feed quality parameters were recorded over the following 5 weeks. Liveweights of the lambs reared on the different feeding regimens were similar at 12 weeks of age when the grazing study began (25.9 kg). Using plantain/red clover-based pastures provided no advantage to the liveweight gain of lambs reared under different milk and concentrate feeding regimens. Both feed types provided adequate nutrition to ensure growth rates of approximately 180 g/day over the 5 week measurement period in late spring. However, lambs reared under a high concentrate system has consistently lower liveweight gains (160 g/day) over the 5 weeks than those lambs reared with access to pasture (200 g/day; P
Economics of a variable rate fertiliser strategy on a Whanganui hill country station
Authors: White M.D. , Metherell A.K. , Roberts A.H.C. , Meyer R.E. , Cushnahan T.A.
Published: June 2020

Abstract Automated flow control coupled to differential GPS guidance systems in aerial topdressing aircraft will allow variable rate (VR) fertiliser strategies to be applied on hill country farms. The effectiveness of these strategies will be enhanced with the use of remotely sensed hyperspectral data to categorise and quantify the farm landscape in greater detail. The economic benefit of a variable rate fertiliser strategy in comparison to a single rate (blanket) strategy was evaluated for a case study Whanganui hill country station. The analysis illustrates the robustness of a VR strategy in the face of volatile returns in that it produced a higher 10 year cumulative net present value (NPV) and remained at a positive advantage at three different stock gross margins, in comparison to a blanket approach. The effectiveness of hyperspectral imagery for defining effective pasture areas to assist development of more precise variable rate fertiliser applications, compared to the current visual classification from farm photography is discussed. Keywords: economic benefit, variable rate fertiliser, hyperspectral data
Urgensi Pendaftaran Penyelenggara Sistem Elektronik Bagi Pelaku Usaha E-Commerce
Authors: Moha Mohamad Rivaldi , Sukarmi Sukarmi , Kusumadara Afifah
Published: June 2020

Kewajiban pendaftaran penyelenggara sistem elektronik bagi  seluruh pelaku usaha e-commerce di indonesia menjadi salah satu program pemerintah dalam Peta Jalan Sistem Perdagangan Nasional Berbasis Elektronik (Road Map E-commerce) Tahun 2017-2019. Oleh karena itu, Tujuan penulisan ini untuk menguraikan pentingnya pendaftaran penyelenggara sistem Elektronik bagi pelaku usaha e-commerce di Indonesia. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian yuridis normatif yang menggunakan pendekatan perundang-undangan, pendekatan konsep dan pendekatan perbandingan. Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah pentingnya pendaftaran penyelenggara sistem elektronik bagi pelaku usaha e-commerce ialah memudahkan konsumen dalam mengidentifikasi pelaku usaha, serta dapat membantu pemerintah dalam program pengenaan pajak bagi pelaku usaha e-commerec.
Nutritional Quality of Plant Species in Pyrenean Hay Meadows of High Diversity
Authors: Reiné Ramón , Ascaso Joaquín , Barrantes Olivia
Published: June 2020

The feed quality of 34 species (27 dicotyledonous and 7 grasses) present in the vegetation of the Pyrenean mountain hay meadows rich in species subject to extensive management is analyzed in this paper. For this, just before mowing, samples were taken in the field and their organic and mineral components were determined in the laboratory. The results indicate that some species, such as Taraxacum officinale, Sanguisorba minor, Chaerophyllum aureum, and Lotus corniculatus, are outstanding in their forage feed value and, in the cases of T. officinale and C. aureum, also for their mineral content. The non-leguminous forbs studied presented quality comparable to legumes and higher than grasses, which provide worse nutritional values in this type of late-cut meadow. The forbs are shown to have higher content than grasses and legumes in Mg, K, and Na, as well as intermediate Ca content. All species present suitable mineral content for animal nutrition, except in the case of P, which is low. The Ca:P ratio is higher than adequate in half of the species analyzed, while the K:(Ca + Mg) ratio is appropriate for all species. The ratios between the elements N, P, and K indicate that most of the species studied grow under N-limited conditions, which are adequate for their conservation in the meadows.
RNAi-Mediated Silencing of Catalase Gene Promotes Apoptosis and Impairs Proliferation of Bovine Granulosa Cells under Heat Stress
Authors: Khan Adnan , Khan Muhammad Zahoor , Dou Jinhuan , Umer Saqib , Xu Huitao , Sammad Abdul , Zhu Hua-Bin , Wang Yachun
Published: June 2020

Heat stress in dairy cattle is recognized to compromise fertility by altering the functions of ovarian follicle-enclosed cells, e.g., oocyte and granulosa cells (GCs). Catalase is an antioxidant enzyme that plays a significant role in cellular protection against oxidative damage by the degradation of hydrogen peroxide to oxygen and water. In this study, the role and mechanism of CAT on the heat stress (HS)-induced apoptosis and altered proliferation of bovine GCs were studied. The catalase gene was knocked-down successfully in bovine GCs at both the transcriptional and translational levels. After a successful knockdown using siRNA, GCs were divided into HS (40 °C + NC and 40 °C + CAT siRNA) and 38 °C + NC (NC) groups. The GCs were then examined for ROS, viability, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), cell cycle, and biosynthesis of progesterone (P4) and estrogen (E2) hormones. The results indicated that CAT silencing promoted ROS production and apoptosis by up-regulating the Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) and Caspase-3 genes both at the transcriptional and translational levels. Furthermore, the knockdown of CAT markedly disrupted the MMP, impaired the production of P4 and E2, altered the progression of the G1 phase of the cell cycle, and decreased the number of cells in the S phase. This was further verified by the down-regulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), CyclinB1, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR), and cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1 (Cyp11A1) genes. Our study presented a novel strategy to characterize how CAT can regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis in GCs under HS. We concluded that CAT is a broad regulatory marker in GCs by regulating apoptosis, cellular progression, and simultaneously by vital fluctuations in hormonal signaling. Our findings infer a crucial evidence of how to boost the fertility of heat-stressed cows.
Comparisons of Activity Budgets, Interactions, and Social Structures in Captive and Wild Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Authors: Inoue Nodoka , Shimada Masaki
Published: June 2020

Chimpanzees in zoos with sufficient and appropriate environmental enrichment devices are expected to exhibit behaviors, interactions, and societies similar to those in the wild. In this study, we compared the activity budgets of each observed behavior, characteristics of social grooming, and social networks of captive chimpanzees at Tama Zoological Park (Tama) with those of wild chimpanzees at Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania (Mahale), and tested our predictions. We surveyed 16 chimpanzees in both Tama and Mahale and recorded the behaviors and individuals in proximity of each focal individual and social grooming the focal individuals participated in. The proportion of time spent collecting foraging was significantly lower in Tama than in Mahale. Additionally, the percentage of mutual grooming was much higher in Tama than in Mahale. All focal individuals in Mahale performed mutual grooming interactions, including grooming handclasp (GHC) but this was not observed in Tama. The result of a high rate of mutual grooming in chimpanzees in Tama without GHC and the finding that individuals forming the core of their social network are sex independent suggest that chimpanzees placed in an appropriate environmental enrichment have idiosyncratic grooming or social features, even in captivity.
The Combination of Diode Laser and Ozonated Water in the Treatment of Complicated Pulp Gangrene
Authors: Giuroiu Cristian Levente , Andrian Sorin , Stoleriu Simona , Scurtu Mihaela , Țănculescu Oana , Poroch Vladimir , Sălceanu Mihaela
Published: June 2020

The study aimed to investigate the effects of endodontic space decontamination using a laser combined with ozonated water in the therapy of complicated pulp gangrene. The subject of this in vivo study was a 12-year-old patient diagnosed with extensive periapical periodontitis on the mandibular right first molar. Biological samples were initially collected to identify the active pathogen—Enterococcus faecalis, then the nonsurgical endodontic treatment was performed in a single visit, according to the active disinfection guidelines of the identified pathogen. Two-month postoperative, clinical and radiological examination revealed a complete healing of the periapical lesion. The correct diagnosis of this endodontic–periodontal pathology, and the unconventional treatment of the complex system of infected root canals, allowed a favorable treatment result without any surgical intervention. This unconventional approach, which combines a laser technique with ozonated water, allows for predictable results in periapical lesion treatment.
Quantum Leap from Gold and Silver to Aluminum Nanoplasmonics for Enhanced Biomedical Applications
Authors: Ambardar Sharad , Nguyen Dang , Binder Grace , Withers Zachary W. , Voronine Dmitri V.
Published: June 2020

Nanotechnology has been used in many biosensing and medical applications, in the form of noble metal (gold and silver) nanoparticles and nanostructured substrates. However, the translational clinical and industrial applications still need improvements of the efficiency, selectivity, cost, toxicity, reproducibility, and morphological control at the nanoscale level. In this review, we highlight the recent progress that has been made in the replacement of expensive gold and silver metals with the less expensive aluminum. In addition to low cost, other advantages of the aluminum plasmonic nanostructures include a broad spectral range from deep UV to near IR, providing additional signal enhancement and treatment mechanisms. New synergistic treatments of bacterial infections, cancer, and coronaviruses are envisioned. Coupling with gain media and quantum optical effects improve the performance of the aluminum nanostructures beyond gold and silver.
Programming Real-Time Sound in Python
Authors: De Pra Yuri , Fontana Federico
Published: June 2020

For its versatility, Python has become one of the most popular programming languages. In spite of its possibility to straightforwardly link native code with powerful libraries for scientific computing, the use of Python for real-time sound applications development is often neglected in favor of alternative programming languages, which are tailored to the digital music domain. This article introduces Python as a real-time software programming tool to interested readers, including Python developers who are new to the real time or, conversely, sound programmers who have not yet taken this language into consideration. Cython and Numba are proposed as libraries supporting agile development of efficient software running at machine level. Moreover, it is shown that refactoring few critical parts of the program under these libraries can dramatically improve the performances of a sound algorithm. Such improvements can be directly benchmarked within Python, thanks to the existence of appropriate code parsing resources. After introducing a simple sound processing example, two algorithms that are known from the literature are coded to show how Python can be effectively employed to program sound software. Finally, issues of efficiency are mainly discussed in terms of latency of the resulting applications. Overall, such issues suggest that the use of real-time Python should be limited to the prototyping phase, where the benefits of language flexibility prevail on low latency requirements, for instance, needed during computer music live performances.
Characterization of Bioactive Ligands with Antioxidant Properties of Kiwifruit and Persimmon Cultivars Using In Vitro and in Silico Studies
Authors: Kim Young Mo , Park Yong Seo , Park Yang-Kyun , Ham Kyung-Sik , Kang Seong-Gook , Shafreen Raja Mohamed Beema , Lakshmi Selvaraj Alagu , Gorinstein Shela
Published: June 2020

The current study attempted to understand the interaction profiles of phytoconstituents in new and traditionally used fruit cultivars with human serum albumin (HSA) in the context of predicting the biological role under in vivo conditions. Therefore, polyphenols, flavonoids, flavanols, tannins, vitamin C, secondary metabolites and their antioxidant capacities of organic kiwifruit Actinidia (A.) eriantha cv. Bidan (AEB) and A. arguta cv. Cheongsan (AAC), as new cultivars grown in Korea, and widely consumed A. deliciosa cv. Hayward (ADH) and Diospyros kaki Thunb. cv. Fuyu (DKF) were determined and compared. All investigated fruits showed relatively high antioxidant capacities. To complement the bioactivity of these fruits, the binding properties between extracted polyphenols and HSA were determined by 3D-fluorescence spectroscopy and docking studies. The most bioactive was AEB with the highest percentage of binding, following by AAC, ADH and DKF. Our study for the first time unveils the differential binding properties of kiwifruit and persimmon phytoconstituents with HSA. Although cultivars possess virtually the same phytoconstituents, presence of one unique compound significantly alters the binding properties of HSA. The results of fluorescence quenching and molecular docking showed that these fruits possess multiple properties, which have a great potential to be used in industry with emphasis on the formulation of functional foods and medicinal applications.
Estimating the Effect of Radiative Feedback Uncertainties on Climate Response to Changes in the Concentration of Stratospheric Aerosols
Authors: Soldatenko Sergei
Published: June 2020

Using the two-box energy balance model (EBM), we explore the climate system response to radiative forcing generated by variations in the concentrations of stratospheric aerosols and estimate the effect of uncertainties in radiative feedbacks on changes in global mean surface temperature anomaly used as an indicator of the response of the climate system to external radiative perturbations. Radiative forcing generated by stratospheric sulfate aerosols from the second-largest volcanic eruption in the 20th century, the Mount Pinatubo eruption in June 1991, was chosen for this research. The global mean surface temperature response to a specified change in radiative forcing is estimated as a convolution of the derived impulse response function corresponding to EBM with a function that describes the temporal change in radiative forcing. The influence of radiative feedback uncertainties on changes in the global mean surface temperature is estimated using several “versions” of the EBM. The parameters for different “versions” were identified by applying a specific procedure for calibrating the two-box EBM parameters using the results of climate change simulations conducted with coupled atmosphere–ocean general circulation models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5). Changes in the global mean surface temperature caused by stratospheric aerosol forcing are found to be highly sensitive not only to radiative feedbacks but also to climate system inertia defined by the effective heat capacity of the atmosphere–land–ocean mixed layer system, as well as to deep-ocean heat uptake. The results obtained have direct implications for a better understanding of how uncertainties in climate feedbacks, climate system inertia and deep-ocean heat uptake affect climate change modelling.
Molecular and Genomic Profiling of Lung Cancer in the Era of Precision Medicine: A Position Paper from the Italian Association of Thoracic Oncology (AIOT)
Authors: Normanno Nicola , Barberis Massimo , De Marinis Filippo , Gridelli Cesare ,   on the behalf of the AIOT Expert Panel
Published: June 2020

The identification of the optimal cancer treatment has become progressively more intricate for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients due to the multitude of options available. The testing of biomarkers to predict clinical responses to therapies is pivotal to stratify the patients based on the molecular features of their tumors. The number of actionable genetic alterations to be tested is increasing together with the comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor growth and development. The possibility of using next generation sequencing-based approaches enhanced the acquisition of genetic data with potential clinical usefulness, and favored the integration of precision medicine in clinical practice. The availability of targeted sequencing panels that cover genetic alterations in hundreds of genes allows the performance of a comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) of lung tumors. However, different issues still need to be solved, from the tissue needed for next generation sequencing analysis, to the choice of the test and its interpretation in the clinical context. This position paper from the Italian Association of Thoracic Oncology (AIOT) summarizes the results of a discussion from a Precision Medicine Panel meeting on the challenges to bringing CGP and, therefore, precision medicine into the daily clinical practice.
Formation of Unique Characteristics of Hiding and Encoding of Data Blocks Based on the Fragmented Identifier of Information Processed by Cellular Automata
Authors: Kuleshova Elena , Marukhlenko Anatoly , Dobritsa Vyacheslav , Tanygin Maxim
Published: June 2020

Currently, the following applications of the theory of cellular automata are known: symmetric encryption, data compression, digital image processing and some others. There are also studies suggesting the possibility of building a public key system based on cellular automata, but this problem has not been solved. The purpose of the study is to develop an algorithm for hiding and encoding data blocks based on a fragmented identifier of information processed on the basis of cellular automata in the scale of binary data streams using an original method containing an public parameter in the conversion key. A mathematical model of the formation of unique data characteristics is considered, based on the use of patterns that determine the individual neighborhood of elements in cell encryption. A multi-threaded computing scheme has been developed for processing confidential data using the single-key method with a public parameter based on cellular automata and using data segmentation. To study individual chains in data blocks, a software module has been developed that allows one to evaluate the uniformity of information distribution during encryption. A variant of estimating the distribution of bits is proposed that indirectly reflects the cryptographic strength of the method. Based on the developed theoretical principles, a software module is synthesized that implements a transformation rule that takes into account the individual neighborhood of the processed element on the basis of a cellular automata. Experimental studies have shown that this modification made it possible to increase the speed of the method by up to 13 percent due to segmentation and the possibility of parallel processing of the original matrix, as well as to increase cryptographic strength due to the use of a unique chain of pseudo-random neighborhood (hereinafter referred to as PRN) defined by the transformation key. At the same time, it was possible to maintain uniformity of distribution of the output chain at the bit level and to ensure that the number of inversions was included in the confidence interval.
Acacia longifolia: A Host of Many Guests Even after Fire
Authors: Jesus Joana Guedes de , Tenreiro Rogério , Máguas Cristina , Trindade Helena
Published: June 2020

Acacia longifolia is a worldwide invader that cause damage in ecosystems, expanding largely after wildfires, which promote germination of a massive seed bank. As a legume, symbiosis is determinant for adaptation. Our study aims to isolate a wider consortium of bacteria harboured in nodules, including both nitrogen and non-nitrogen fixers. Furthermore, we aim to evaluate the effects of fire in nodulation and bacterial diversity on young acacias growing in unburnt and burnt zones, one year after the fire. For this, we used molecular approaches, M13 fingerprinting and 16S rRNA partial sequencing, to identify species/genera involved and δ15N isotopic composition in leaves and plant nodules. Nitrogen isotopic analyses in leaves suggest that in unburnt zones, nitrogen fixation contributes more to plant nitrogen content. Overall, A. longifolia seems to be promiscuous and despite Bradyrhizobium spp. dominance, Paraburkholderia spp. followed by Pseudomonas spp. was also found. Several species not previously reported as nitrogen-fixers were identified, proposing other functions besides ammonia acquisition. Our study shows that bacterial communities are different in nodules after fire. Fire seems to potentiate nodulation and drives symbiosis towards nitrogen-fixers. Taken together, a multifunctional community inside nodules is pointed out which potentiate A. longifolia invasiveness and adaptation.
Epidemic Source Detection over Dynamic Networks
Authors: Choi Jaeyoung
Published: June 2020

Epidemic source detection is one of the most crucial problems in statistical inference. For example, currently, the debate continues to reveal when and where the first spread of COVID-19 occured. For this problem, most of the works have assumed a static network topology, that is, the connections between nodes do not change over time. This is impractical because many nodes have some mobility in the network, or the connections can be changed. In this paper, we focus on the dynamic network, in the sense that the node connectivity varies over time. We first introduce a simple dynamic model, named k-flip dynamic such that

k
>
0

connections in the network may be changed with some probability at each time. Next, we design a proper estimation algorithm using some investigation for the contact information between infected nodes, named dynamic network source estimation (DNSE)(k) for the dynamic model. We perform various simulations for the algorithm compared to several existing source estimation methods. Our results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms and is efficient for finding the epidemic source compared to other methods. Further, we see that the detection probability for our proposed algorithm can be above 45% when we use budget to investigate the contact information from the infected nodes under some practical setting of k.
A Predictive Fleet Management Strategy for On-Demand Mobility Services: A Case Study in Munich
Authors: Wittmann Michael , Neuner Lorenz , Lienkamp Markus
Published: June 2020

The global market for MoD services is in a state of rapid and challenging transformation, with new market entrants in Europe, such as Uber, MOIA, and CleverShuttle, competing with traditional taxi providers. Rapid developments in available algorithms, data sources, and real-time information systems offer new possibilities of maximizing the efficiency of MoD services. In particular, the use of demand predictions is expected to contribute to a reduction in operational costs and an increase in overall service quality. This paper examines the potential of predictive fleet management strategies applied to a large-scale real-world taxi dataset for the city of Munich. A combination of state-of-the art dispatching algorithms and a predictive RHC optimization for idle vehicle rebalancing was developed to determine the scale by which a fleet size can be reduced without affecting service quality. A simulation study was conducted over a one-week period in Munich, which showed that predictive fleet strategies clearly outperform the present strategy in terms of both service quality and costs. Furthermore, the results showed that current taxi fleets could be reduced to 70% of their original size without any decrease in performance. In addition, the results indicated that the reduced fleet size of the predictive strategy was still 20% larger compared to the theoretical optimum resulting from a bipartite matching approach.
Applicability of Swaging as an Alternative for the Fabrication of Accident-Tolerant Fuel Cladding
Authors: Kim Dae Yun , Lee You Na , Kim Joon Han , Kim Yonghee , Yoon Young Soo
Published: June 2020

We suggest an alternative to conventional coating methods for accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) cladding. A Zircaloy-4 tube was inserted into metal tubes of different materials and the inserted tubes were subjected to physical force at room temperature. The manufactured tube exhibited a pseudo-single tube (PST) structure and had higher thermal stability than a Zircaloy-4 tube. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images showed that the PST had a uniform and well-bonded interface structure, i.e., no gaps or voids were found at the interface between the inner and outer tubes. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis confirmed that the metal components did not interdiffuse at the interface of the PST, even after being kept at 600 and 900 °C for 1 h and rapidly cooled to room temperature. Unlike pure Zircaloy-4 tubes, Zircaloy-4/stainless use steel (SUS) 316 PST did not show significant structural collapse, even after being stored at 1200 °C for 1 h. Based on these results, if a PST was fabricated using a Zircaloy-4 tube thinner than the Zircaloy-4 tube used in this study and an outer tube of micron-scale thickness, swaging may be a feasible alternative to Zircaloy-4-based ATF cladding.