bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water Policy in New Zealand and Australia: We're not playing for tiddlywinks
Authors: Kaine G. , Johnson F.
Published: June 2020

The allocation of water resources between competing demands from agriculture, industry, energy, the environment and urban uses is an increasingly contentious issue in New Zealand. As a result there is a growing interest in the design of policies for better allocating water and policies for promoting the efficient use of water. For many decades governments in Australia have sought to develop and implement policies to promote the optimal allocation and efficient use of water. A wide variety of policies including regulatory, voluntary and market based approaches have been tried and significant modifications and improvement have been made to these policies over time. The experience in Australia has been that the transfer of water between agricultural uses occurs much more slowly than was originally expected. One reason for this is the importance of the reliability of water supply as a key contextual determinant of the feasibility and viability of different agricultural uses of water. While water supplies in NZ may be more reliable than in Australia, reliability can and does change as a result of changes in the rules governing the allocation of water. The experience in Australia with regards to promoting efficient use of water in agriculture is that farmers consider a wide range of needs and contextual factors when making decisions about adopting practices to improve water use efficiency (Armstrong 2004; Kaine & Bewsell 2002a; Burrows et al. 2002). Such decisions involve balancing a complex combination of human, production, environmental, economic and financial components of the farm business (Makeham & Malcolm 1993). Experience in Australia also shows that when they do act, farmers modify the practices or technology to ensure they meet the key needs of their farm business (Armstrong 2002; Kaine & Bewsell 2000a, 2000b, 2001, 2002b). Hence, when regulatory or forced change occurs farmers respond in a wide range of ways - many of which are unpredictable to the policy maker and at least some of which are not consistent with the intention of the regulation. These are deliberate and sensible reactions on the part of farmers given their farm contexts. Consequently, government in NZ needs a sophisticated understanding of farming systems and farm contexts if they are to experience fewer surprises and more successes with their initiatives in water policy. Keywords: farm systems, irrigation, water policy
Increasing maize silage yields in Taranaki
Authors: Densley R.J. , Mcdonald D.J.W. , Densley D.W. , Miller D.B.
Published: June 2020

Improved productivity and utilisation of forages will be central to maintaining business viability on high value Tar anaki dairy land. Data from 712 plots in 119 trials planted over ten years in Taranaki was analysed to determine average yields and the impact of planting date on yield. Six rural contractors who plant approx. 90% of maize in Taranaki were surveyed to determine the perceived factors most limiting maize yields in the Taranaki. The overall average Taranaki maize silage dry matter (DM) yield of all hybrids from the trialling program over the past ten years was 20.5 t DM/ha and the average harvest DM content was 33.8 %. Currently commercially available hybrids yielded an average of 20 t DM/ha. Average maize silage yield/yr varied from a high of 22 t DM/ha in 1999 to a low of 18.3 t DM/ha in 2004. Planting between the 15th and 24th October gave the greatest crop yield. Paddock selection seemed to be driven by the need for pasture renovation rather than paddocks being selected because they provide an ideal growing environment for maize. Contractors suggested shelter was a key consideration for increasing yields. Keywords: cropping , maize silage , Taranaki
Milksolids production from cows grazing timothy/white clover in comparison with ryegrass pastures
Authors: Thomson N.A. , Kay J.K.
Published: June 2020

Three experiments were conducted to compare milksolids (MS) production from cows grazing similar herbage allowances of timothy (Phleum pratense)/white clover (Trifolium repens) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium spp.) pastures. Two experiments were shortterm (2 weeks), one in spring 2000 (Experiment 1) and one in autumn 2001 (Experiment 2), and one longerterm (12 weeks) irrigated trial in summer/autumn 2002 (Experiment 3). In Experiment 1, the yield of all milk components; fat, protein, MS, casein and lactose, was greater from timothy/white clover than ryegrass, whereas in Experiment 2, the production of these components from timothy/white clover was less than from ryegrass. The protein content of timothy/white clover was greater than ryegrass in spring (P
Impacts of intensive dairying on soil and pasture sustainability in Taranaki
Authors: Roach C.G. , Morton J.D.
Published: June 2020

The intensification of dairying can have adverse impacts on the environment through diminished soil quality and greater loss of nutrients to water bodies. Poor soil quality can reduce the productivity and sustainability of pastoral farming systems. The effects of increased stocking rate (SR) (3, 4 and 5 cows/ha) and introducing a cut and carry system on soil, pasture and water quality were compared with a pasture fallow on an Egmont Allophanic soil in South Taranaki over three years. Soil nutrient and organic matter (OM) levels were not affected by the treatments imposed and were maintained in the ranges for adequate plant growth by the application of fertiliser (grazing) or farm dairy effluent (cut and carry). Macroporosity in the top 5 cm of soil was greater for the fallow treatment (31-37%) than the other treatments (cut and carry 20-25%; grazing 17-21%). Treading damage as indicated by soil surface roughness only increased with SR in one winter grazing when the soil was saturated. The management treatments had no significant effect on annual pasture production. Ryegrass content significantly increased with grazing and higher SRs and there was more dead material in the fallow treatment. Pasture chloride (Cl), potassium (K), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents were significantly lower in the fallow treatment and pasture K content significantly lower in the cut and carry treatment than in the grazing treatments. The leaching loss of calcium (Ca) was significantly lower in the fallow treatment in 2003, and in 2004, the rate of magnesium (Mg) leaching increased in the grazing treatments. Nitrate-N leaching losses were low (average 5 kg/ha/yr) but in the 2004 drainage season were significantly higher in the fallow compared with the cut and carry and grazing treatments. Overall it could be concluded that the more intensive management had no adverse effect in the short term on the sustainability and quality of soil, pasture and groundwater. Keywords: dairying, nutrient leaching, nutrients, pasture, soil macroporosity, sustainability
Recovery of soil physical quality under repeated dryland and irrigated winter forage crops grazed by sheep or cattle
Authors: Paton R.J. , Houlbrooke D.J.
Published: June 2020

There is limited research investigating the extent of soil physical damage under repeated winter forage cropping practices, the impact of management factors and the rates of soil recovery following winter grazing practices.
Advantages of on-farm research
Authors: Crofoot Anders
Published: June 2020

Farmers are always talking about the weather, not because it is a polite, safe topic of conversation, but because our livelihood depends on it.
Effect of resource supply on interactions between foliar endophytic and root mycorrhizal fungi in perennial ryegrass
Authors: Liu Q. , Parsons A.J. , Xue H. , Newman J.A. , Rassmussen S.
Published: June 2020

Both foliar endophytes and root arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can infect perennial ryegrass and improve its performance, mainly by improving herbivore resistance and phosphorus (P) uptake, respectively.
On-farm comparison of pasture production in relation to rainfall in Central Otago
Authors: Kearney J.K. , Moot D.J. , Pollock K.M.
Published: June 2020

Dry matter (DM) yields of unimproved resident browntop-dominant pasture on three Central Otago dryland farms was
Hill farming - An opinion on the future
Authors: Sheath G.W.
Published: June 2020

This paper is not a formal review of hill farming literature. Rather, it is my view on the critical challenges and changes that we need to deal with if mixed livestock farming on hill lands is to be successful over the next 20 years. It is my hope that industry leaders, policy makers and agribusiness managers will give consideration to these views. Some people say that it is not smart to look into the rear-vision mirror, but I do not agree. Having a better understanding of the consequences of past events can help guide future decisions and changes.
EVALUASI PENGEMBANGAN KAWASAN AFIRMATIF MENUJU DESA MANDIRI
Authors: Rachmadi Mansyur
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTThe focus of this research is to evaluate the development of affirmative area to independent village (study of rural agroforestry development in Pangalengan Regency, Bandung Regency West Java Province), by assessing how successful the rural development program and the role of Government, local government, village government, private and community together, integrated, and multy sector in an effort to accelerate and improve the quality of service, development, and empowerment of rural community to independent village by using six evaluation policy criteria according to William N Dunn, as material for improvement of program implementation in the next year according to planning stage . The method of this research is to use the combined method of qualitative descriptive, inductive, and data collection through interview, observation, documentation and Forum Group Discussion (FGD) conducted in the office and location of the area to know the extent of the implementation of rural development. The results showed that, by considering the results of the evaluation (On -Going) almost meet the criteria of effectiveness, efficiency, adequacy, responsiveness, while the criteria of smoothing and precision has not been met optimally, and so far only focus on infrastructure activities have not touched the program of quality improvement Human resources and empowermentcommunity. it can be concluded that there is a better development of the village as a result of the implementation of development programs in the first and second year, only not yet reached the achievement of the target of the village status independently.

Keywords: evaluation, rural area development, a self-sufficient village
Implementation of Regional Development Information System (SIPD) in Increasing Coordination of Regional Development
Authors: Dione Frans
Published: June 2020

Keberhasilan pembangunan ditentukan oleh koordinasi antara pemerintah pusat dan daerah, koordinasi yang baik perlu didukung oleh informasi yang akurat. Tujuan utama dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui dan memahami bagaimana implementasi Sistem Informasi Pembangunan Daerah (SIPD) dalam meningkatkan koordinasi pembangunan daerah, selain itu juga untuk mengetahui dan memahami apa saja kendala dalam penerapan SIPD dalam meningkatkan koordinasi pembangunan daerah di Kota Bengkulu.

Metode penelitian ini adalah deskriptif kualitatif dengan pendekatan induktif. Data dikumpulkan melalui observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi. Data dianalisis melalui reduksi data, penyajian data, dan penarikan kesimpulan.

Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa implementasi Sistem Informasi Pembangunan Daerah (SIPD) telah sesuai dengan peraturan yang berlaku. Namun, masih ada beberapa kendala, seperti kurangnya kesadaran para pelaksana SIPD tentang implementasi SIPD yang bisa dilihat dari tingkat keterisian data SIPD di kota Bengkulu. Selain itu, belum maksimal peraturan pelaksana terkait dengan sanksi administratif bagi penanggung jawab SIPD untuk meningkatkan tingkat kepatuhan dalam pengisian data.

Saran dari penelitian ini antara lain perlunya komitmen Walikota dalam mengimplementasikan program SIPD. Pemerintah Kota perlu juga menetapkan peraturan pelaksanaan terkait dengan sanksi administratif untuk Dinas Instansi yang tidak mendukung program SIPD.
MULTIPLE CORRESPONDENCE ANALYSIS (MCA) UNTUK MEMETAKAN PROVINSI DI INDONESIA BERDASARKAN DATA POTENSI DESA DALAM UPAYA MITIGASI BENCANA
Authors: Dwipurwani Oki
Published: June 2020

The problem of the disaster becomes an important issue related to the resilience of an area in dealing with it. So it becomes the government's priority to determine excellent and appropriate disaster mitigation policies. Data is essential in supporting the mitigation policy. So the purpose of this study is to map the area in the form of plots of 34 provinces in Indonesia based on data on the number of villages that have disaster mitigation efforts and types of disasters. The data used is sourced from the Central Statistics Agency (CSA). Mapping uses the Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) method. The results showed that the provincial MCA plot with the number of villages in disaster mitigation efforts explained 93.2% of the diversity of the data. The plot shows that some provinces have a high level of Mitigation efforts in their villages. Meanwhile, the Provincial MCA plot, with its type of disaster, explained the diversity of data at 78.6%. The plot shows that several provinces need attention because they have a large number of villages affected by the disaster.

Masalah kebencanaan menjadi isu penting yang berhubungan dengan ketahanan suatu daerah dalam menghadapi bencana, sehingga hal tersebut menjadi prioritas pemerintah untuk menentukan kebijakan mitigasi bencana yang baik dan tepat. Oleh karena data merupakan hal penting dalam mendukung kebijakan mitigasi tersebut, sehingga tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk memetakan daerah berupa plot 34 provinsi di Indonesia berdasarkan jumlah desa yang memiliki upaya mitigasi bencana dan jenis bencananya. Data yang digunakan bersumber dari Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) dan pemetaan menggunakan metode Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA). Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa plot MCA provinsi dengan jumlah desa dalam upaya mitigasi bencana mampu menerangkan 93,2% keragaman data. Plot memperlihatkan bahwa beberapa provinsi telah memiliki tingkat upaya mitigasi yang tinggi di desanya. Sementara itu, plot MCA Provinsi dengan jenis bencananya mampu menerangkan keragaman data sebesar 78,6%. Plot tersebut menunjukkan bahwa ada beberapa provinsi yang perlu mendapatkan perhatian karena memiliki jumlah desa yang cukup banyak terdampak bencana.
PENGARUH FASILITAS E-FILING DAN E-SPT TERHADAP KEPUASAN WAJIB PAJAK ORANG PRIBADI DALAM MELAPORKAN SPT (Studi Kasus Pada KPP Pratama Kota Batam)
Authors: Ningsih Desrini , Sari Fany Rahma , Heryenzus Heryenzus
Published: June 2020

The Directorate General of Taxes has provided facilities to taxpayers to report taxes with SPT using e-Filing facilities and e-SPT. E-Filing is an application made by the directorate general of taxes so that taxpayers do not have to bother to queue at the tax service office. While e-SPT is also an application of services made by the directorate general of taxes for taxpayers to be able to report their taxes more easily and not consume a lot of paper. The study was conducted aimed to determine the effect of e-Filing and e-SPT facilities on the satisfaction of individual taxpayers in reporting SPT. The sample used was 400 using the purposive sampling method. The results of this study indicate that e-Filing and e-SPT facilities have a positive and significant influence on taxpayer satisfaction. Evident from the value of t count is greater than t table. The value of t table is 1.966 while the value of t count is obtained for the variable e-Filing facility (X1) 8.624 with a significance of 0,000 and the facility variable e-SPT (X2) 10,899 with a significance of 0,000. Result F shows F count 384,649 with a significant probability of 0,000.
COVID-19 Highest Incidence Forecast in Russia Based on Regression Model
Authors: Aronov Iosif Z. , Maksimova Olga V. , Galkina Nataliia M.
Published: June 2020

The authors suggest a simple regression model of COVID-19 highest incidence prognosis in Russia on the basis of the revealed correlation between the duration of coronavirus peak (plateau) and air traffic volume. The study base included 37 countries in Europe, South America and Asia. Cluster analysis on the basis of the Euclidean metric for these countries showed the necessity of classifying the USA and China into a separate group, which gave grounds to exclude these countries from the analysis. In addition, Ireland was excluded from the analysis due to its special geographical location. For the remaining countries, the correlation coefficient between the number of airline passengers and the duration of the epidemic before reaching its peak was 0,87, which shows a high level of linear relationship between these indicators. Point forecast for the highest incidence in Russia by regression line falls on the 4th of May. The forecast interval with confidence levelγ=0.9 is ±14 days from the calculated date. The one-way analysis of variance showed that from April 22 to May 2, there was a slowdown in the growth rates of the diseased, which indicates an exit to the plateau.
Wild Blueberry Fruit Drop: A Consequence of Seed Set?
Authors: Drummond Francis A.
Published: June 2020

Wild blueberry is a native plant managed as a crop in northeastern North America. Fruit drop in wild blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton, was studied over 6 years (1996–1999, 2008 and 2011). Three hypotheses were tested regarding fruit drop mechanisms from plants (clones) sampled in the field: (1) proportional fruit drop; (2) constant or uniform fruit drop; and (3) pollen or resource limitation. In addition, the temporal rate of fruit drop was measured between the end of pollination (petal fall) and fruit maturity just prior to harvest (2008 and 2011). The dynamics of fruit drop were different in the two years. The role of pollination intensity in fruit drop was also assessed. Evidence for both proportional fruit drop and resource limitation at the clone level was found but only proportional drop at the field level. Low levels of seed set are associated with fruit drop. In a four-year study (1996–1999), fruit drop ranged from 23.3 to 49.4% of the total set fruit. Partitioning the variance in fruit drop between years, fields and clones (plant genotypes) showed that the highest variation is between stems within clones (37.4%) and clones (plant genotype) within fields (35.4%), followed by between fields (19.8%) and between years (7.4%).
Motivations and Barriers for Sheep and Goat Meat Consumption in Europe: A Means–End Chain Study
Authors: Mandolesi Serena , Naspetti Simona , Arsenos Georgios , Caramelle-Holtz Emmanuelle , Latvala Terhi , Martin-Collado Daniel , Orsini Stefano , Ozturk Emel , Zanoli Raffaele
Published: June 2020

This international study involving seven European countries (Italy, UK, Finland, France, Spain, Greece, Turkey) was conducted to explore the relevant reasons that affect both consumer and non-consumer perceptions of sheep and goat meat. Laddering and means–end chain theory were applied. The results indicate that consumers associate sheep and goat meat with a unique taste, authenticity and natural production, linked with values such as health and enjoyment of life. In contrast, non-consumers mainly feel disgusted when they think and feel about these meats, and do not associate any specific health benefits to their consumption, disliking their taste, odour and fat content. This study is based on qualitative research. Only analytical generalizations are possible, expanding the theory on what drives consumer behaviour when purchasing meat. No previous means–end chain studies are available in the literature regarding small ruminants’ meat consumer preferences.
The Australian Roadkill Reporting Project—Applying Integrated Professional Research and Citizen Science to Monitor and Mitigate Roadkill in Australia
Authors: Englefield Bruce , Starling Melissa , Wilson Bethany , Roder Caidyrn , McGreevy Paul
Published: June 2020

Australia has no national roadkill monitoring scheme. To address this gap in knowledge, a roadkill reporting application (app) was developed to allow members of the public to join professional researchers in gathering Australian data. The app is used to photograph roadkill and simultaneously records the GPS location, time and date. These data are uploaded immediately to a website for data management. To illustrate the capacity to facilitate cost-effective mitigation measures the article focuses on two roadkill hotspots—in Queensland and Tasmania. In total, 1609 reports were gathered in the first three months of the project. They include data on mammals (n = 1203, 75%), birds (n = 125, 7.8%), reptiles (n = 79, 4.9%), amphibians (n = 4, 0.025%), unidentified (n = 189, 11.8%) and unserviceable ones (n = 9). A significant finding is variance in the distribution of mammals and birds at different times of day. These findings reflect diurnal variation in the activity levels of different species and underline the need for data on a targeted species to be collected at appropriate times of day. By continuing to facilitate roadkill monitoring, it is anticipated that the data generated by the app will directly increase knowledge of roadkill numbers and hotspots. Indirectly, it will provide value-added information on animal behaviour, disease and population dynamics as well as for species distribution mapping.
Effect of Oral Supplementation of Healthy Pregnant Sows with Sucrosomial Ferric Pyrophosphate on Maternal Iron Status and Hepatic Iron Stores in Newborn Piglets
Authors: Mazgaj Rafał , Szudzik Mateusz , Lipiński Paweł , Jończy Aneta , Smuda Ewa , Kamyczek Marian , Cieślak Beata , Swinkels Dorine , Lenartowicz Małgorzata , Starzyński Rafał R.
Published: June 2020

Background: The similarities between swine and humans in physiological and genomic patterns, as well as significant correlation in size and anatomy, make pigs an useful animal model in nutritional studies during pregnancy. In humans and pigs iron needs exponentially increase during the last trimester of pregnancy, mainly due to increased red blood cell mass. Insufficient iron supply during gestation may be responsible for the occurrence of maternal iron deficiency anemia and decreased iron status in neonates. On the other hand, preventive iron supplementation of non-anemic mothers may be of potential risk due to iron toxicity. Several different regimens of iron supplementation have been applied during pregnancy. The majority of oral iron supplementations routinely applied to pregnant sows provide inorganic, non-heme iron compounds, which exhibit low bioavailability and intestinal side effects. The aim of this study was to check, using pig as an animal model, the effect of sucrosomial ferric pyrophosphate (SFP), a new non-heme iron formulation on maternal and neonate iron and hematological status, placental transport and pregnancy outcome; Methods: Fifteen non-anemic pregnant sows were recruited to the experiment at day 80 of pregnancy and randomized into the non-supplemented group (control; n = 5) and two groups receiving oral iron supplementation—sows given sucrosomial ferric pyrophosphate, 60 mg Fe/day (SFP; n = 5) (SiderAL®, Pisa, Italy) and sows given ferrous sulfate 60 mg Fe/day (Gambit, Kutno, Poland) (FeSO4; n = 5) up to delivery (around day 117). Biological samples were collected from maternal and piglet blood, placenta and piglet tissues. In addition, data on pregnancy outcome were recorded.; Results: Results of our study show that both iron supplements do not alter neither systemic iron homeostasis in pregnant sows nor their hematological status at the end of pregnancy. Moreover, we did not detect any changes of iron content in the milk and colostrum of iron supplemented sows in comparison to controls. Neonatal iron status of piglets from iron supplemented sows was not improved compared with the progeny of control females. No statistically significant differences were found in average piglets weight and number of piglets per litter between animals from experimental groups. The placental expression of iron transporters varied depending on the iron supplement.
Dairy Calf Welfare and Factors Associated with Diarrhea and Respiratory Disease among Chilean Dairy Farms
Authors: Calderón-Amor Javiera , Gallo Carmen
Published: June 2020

This study aimed to describe management practices that may compromise the welfare of unweaned dairy calves on 29 dairy farms in Chile, and identify factors associated with diarrhea and respiratory disease (n = 700 calves). Evaluations were divided into protocol-, facility-, and animal-based measurements. Calf diarrhea and respiratory disease data were analyzed using logistic regression models. Management practices identified as risk factors for poor calf welfare were: relying on the mother to provide colostrum (48.0% of the farms); using restrictive milk feeding (65.5%), and unpasteurized waste milk (51.7%); giving water after 30 days of age (17.2%); disbudding without analgesia (89.6%) or anesthesia (79.3%); lacking euthanasia protocols (61.5%). Factors significantly (p < 0.05) associated with increased odds of diarrhea were: cleaning the calves’ bed once a week and 2–3 times a week compared with every day, using milk replacer and untreated waste milk compared with treated waste milk (pasteurized or acidified), animals scored dirty in the calf cleanliness score compared with clean animals, and greater herd size. Factors significantly associated with increased odds of respiratory disease were: less pen space allowance (<1.8 m2), farms that did not check colostrum quality, and animals that scored dirty and moderately dirty compared with clean calves. These results suggest the need to improve specific management practices associated with reduced welfare and health in dairy calves in Chile.
Immune Responses and Performance Are Influenced by Respiratory Vaccine Antigen Type and Stress in Beef Calves
Authors: Hudson Rachel E. , Tomczak Dexter J. , Kaufman Emily L. , Adams Ashlee M. , Carroll Jeffery A. , Broadway Paul R. , Ballou Michael A. , Richeson John T.
Published: June 2020

The study objective was to determine if a combined weaning and transportation stress model affected performance, antibody, endocrine, or hematological responses to modified-live virus (MLV) or killed virus (KV) respiratory vaccination in beef steers. In total, 48 calves (Day 0 BW = 226 ± 6.2 kg) from a single origin were used in a 2 × 2 factorial to evaluate main effects of stress model, vaccine type, and their interaction, resulting in four treatments (n = 12/treatment) including non-stress control (C) with KV (CKV), C with MLV (CMLV), stress model implementation (S) with KV (SKV), and S with MLV (SMLV). The C calves were weaned at the origin ranch on Day −37 and transported 472 km to the study site on Day −21 to allow acclimation. The S calves were weaned on Day −3, transported 460 km to a research facility on Day −2, held overnight, and transported 164 km to the study site on Day −1 to mimic the beef cattle marketing process. Vaccines were administered on Day 0 and KV was revaccinated on Day 14. The animal was the experimental unit and dependent variables were analyzed using PROC MIXED with repeated measures (day). A stress model effect (p = 0.01) existed for DMI from Day 0 to Day 7 with greater DMI for C (6.19 vs. 4.64 kg/day) when compared to S. The MLV groups had reduced (p = 0.05) ADG from Day 0 to Day 56, compared to KV. There was a vaccine type × day (p < 0.01) interaction with increased (p ≤ 0.01) PI3V- and IBRV-specific antibody titers for KV on Day 21; conversely, MLV had increased (p ≤ 0.01) BVDV titers on Days 14, 28, 35, 42, 49, and 56. Increased (p ≤ 0.05) BRSV titers were observed in a stress model × day (p < 0.01) interaction for S on Days 21, 28, 36, and 42; however, C exceeded S in BVDV-specific antibody concentration on Days 21, 28, and 49. A day effect (p < 0.01) was observed for serum haptoglobin with the greatest (p < 0.01) concentration on Day 3. Serum cortisol concentration was greater (p ≤ 0.04) for C vs. S on Days −2, 0, 1, 3, and 5. Total leukocytes were decreased for C vs. S on Days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21 (p ≤ 0.02). A reduction (p ≤ 0.04) in total leukocytes was observed for MLV on Days 5, 7, and 14 vs. KV. Neutrophils and neutrophil:lymphocyte were markedly increased (p ≤ 0.01) for S on Day −2, whereas neutrophils were decreased (p ≤ 0.01) on Days 1 and 21 for S. Monocytes were decreased on Days 1, 5 and 7 for MLV (p ≤ 0.04) and Days −2 to 14 for S (p ≤ 0.03). Eosinophils were reduced (p = 0.007) for S vs. C on Day −2, yet a distinct rebound response (p = 0.03) was noted for S on Day 0. The results indicate that S and MLV vaccination more profoundly induced immunomodulation in beef calves.
Assessment of the Stress Response in North American Deermice: Laboratory and Field Validation of Two Enzyme Immunoassays for Fecal Corticosterone Metabolites
Authors: Eleftheriou Andreas , Palme Rupert , Boonstra Rudy
Published: June 2020

Stress physiology is commonly employed in studies of wildlife ecology and conservation. Accordingly, we need robust and suitable methods to measure stress physiology in the field. Fecal cortisol/corticosterone metabolites (FCMs) are now increasingly being used to non-invasively evaluate adrenocortical activity; a measure of stress physiology. However, immunoassays that measure FCMs must be appropriately validated prior to their use and factors that can influence FCMs, such as trap-induced stress, must be considered. Deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus) are widely used in scientific studies so that developing methods that appropriately measure their adrenocortical activity is critical. In the laboratory, we tested the suitability of two enzyme immunoassays (EIAs; a corticosterone EIA, and a group-specific 5α-pregnane-3β,11β,21-triol-20-one EIA) in deermice by challenging individuals with dexamethasone and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). We found that dexamethasone suppressed FCM levels within ~10 h post injection whereas ACTH increased FCM levels within ~2 h post injection. In the field, we found that FCM levels generally increased with more time in trap confinement when using both EIAs. Although we acknowledge low sample sizes (N = 4), our results validated the two EIAs for use with FCMs from deermice.
Control of Automotive Semi-Active MR Suspensions for In-Wheel Electric Vehicles
Authors: Anaya-Martinez Mauricio , Lozoya-Santos Jorge-de-J. , Félix-Herrán L.C. , Tudon-Martinez Juan-C. , Ramirez-Mendoza Ricardo-A. , Morales-Menendez Ruben
Published: June 2020

In this work, four different semi-active controllers for a quarter of vehicle and full vehicles are evaluated and compared when used in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles vs electric vehicles (EVs) with in-wheel motor configuration as a way to explore the use of semi-active suspension systems in this kind of EVs. First, the quarter of vehicle vertical dynamics is analyzed and then a full vehicle approach explores the effectiveness of the control strategies and the effects of the traction in the vertical Control performances. Aspects like the relation between traction and suspension performances, and the resonance frequencies are also discussed.
Detecting the Structural Hole for Social Communities Based on Conductance–Degree
Authors: Liao Zhifang , Gu Lite , Fan Xiaoping , Zhang Yan , Tang Chuanqi
Published: June 2020

It has been shown that identifying the structural holes in social networks may help people analyze complex networks, which is crucial in community detection, diffusion control, viral marketing, and academic activities. Structural holes bridge different communities and gain access to multiple sources of information flow. In this paper, we devised a structural hole detection algorithm, known as the Conductance–Degree structural hole detection algorithm (CD-SHA), which computes the conductance and degree score of a vertex to identify the structural hole spanners in social networks. Next, we proposed an improved label propagation algorithm based on conductance (C-LPA) to filter the jamming nodes, which have a high conductance and degree score but are not structural holes. Finally, we evaluated the performance of the algorithm on different real-world networks, and we calculated several metrics for both structural holes and communities. The experimental results show that the algorithm can detect the structural holes and communities accurately and efficiently.
Real Geometrical Imperfection of Bow-String Arches—Measurement and Global Analysis
Authors: Odrobiňák Jaroslav , Farbák Matúš , Chromčák Jakub , Kortiš Ján , Gocál Jozef
Published: June 2020

In order to analyse the buckling behaviour of existing bow-string arch bridges, it is necessary to deal with the imperfections that influence the global stability of their superstructures. Direct quantification of the material imperfections represents an extremely difficult task for this type of structure. On the other hand, the geometrical imperfections can be measured in more detail by using special scanners or high-accuracy surveying instruments. This contribution represents a beginning part of the research activities focusing on the real values of geometric imperfections of existing steel arch bridges using three-dimensional (3D) scanning. The possibility of using these data for further theoretical and numerical analysis based on the finite element method (FEM) and for further creating the building information modelling (BIM) of the bridges is proposed. When verifying the stability of bow-string arch bridges, much higher attention has to be paid to the out-of-plane stability of the arches. The numerical models of an existing bridge superstructure were developed to execute a nonlinear analysis with geometrical imperfections included. Both the theoretical and actual imperfections obtained by 3D scanning were taken into account. The obtained data, their comparison and the applicability of the presented method are finally discussed.
Nature-Inspired Cellular Structure Design for Electric Vehicle Battery Compartment: Application to Crashworthiness
Authors: Mudassir Mohammed , Tarlochan Faris , Mansour Mahmoud Ashraf
Published: June 2020

This paper discusses the potential of using lightweight nature-inspired cellular structured designs as energy absorbers in crashworthiness applications for electric vehicles (EV). As EVs are becoming popular with their increased battery capacity, these lightweight cellular structures have regained research interest as they may increase mileage by reducing vehicle mass in addition to protecting the battery during collisions. In this paper, a novel lightweight cellular structure for EV battery protection and crashworthiness is designed and simulated. In designing the cellular structure, four different ways of applying the shell thickness have been considered that affects the collapse behavior and the crashworthiness. A numerical study was conducted on 45 samples with varying length, shell thicknesses, and thickness application methods. Four types of shell thickness application methods were investigated: Uniform thickness, strut-wall thickness, gradient thickness, and alternate thickness. Force-displacement curves, energy absorption, specific energy absorption, and collapse behaviors are some of the metrics used for evaluating the crashworthiness of the structures. Shell thickness is found to affect both the collapse behavior and energy absorption capabilities. Energy absorption results are similar to other studies on designed cellular structures. The highest performing cellular structure is reported to have a specific energy absorption of 35kJ/kg, which is comparable to cellular structures reported in the literature.
Wireless Home Energy Management System with Smart Rule-Based Controller
Authors: Shareef Hussain , Al-Hassan Eslam , Sirjani Reza
Published: June 2020

Despite the increasing utilization of renewable energy resources, such as solar and wind energy, most residential buildings still rely on conventional energy supply by public utility services. Such utility services often use time-of-use energy pricing, which compels residential consumers to reduce their energy usage. This paper presents a wireless home energy management (HEM) system that enables the automatic control of home appliances to reduce energy consumption to assist such energy users. The system consists of multiple smart sockets that measure the energy that is consumed by the connected appliances and are capable of implementing on/off commands. The system includes other support components for supplying data to a central controller, which utilizes a rule-based HEM algorithm. The control rules were designed, such that the lifestyle of the user would be preserved while the energy consumption and daily energy cost were reduced. The experimental results showed that the central controller could effectively receive data and control multiple devices. The system was also found to afford significant reductions of 23.5 kWh and $2.898 in the total daily energy consumption and bill of the considered household setup, respectively. The proposed HEM system promises to be particularly useful for households with a high daily energy consumption.
Autonomous Dynamic Adaptability System to Maintain Irradiance Levels in a Steady-State Solar Simulator
Authors: Meyer Edson L. , Nwodo Julian C.
Published: June 2020

This paper presents the design of an autonomous dynamic adaptability system (ADAS) for maintaining the irradiance levels of a steady-state xenon arc lamp solar simulator (SS). The solar simulator is used to carry out indoor testing and accelerated age tests on photovoltaic (PV) cells at the Fort Hare Institute of Technology (FHIT). The ADAS was designed primarily for two reasons: Firstly, to maintain a set irradiance level, irrespective of external effects which may cause unintended irradiance drift or fluctuations, while carrying out indoor tests. Secondly, to achieve the solar simulator set point quicker, thus reducing temperature build up on the target area. At a cold start, the SS runs at 20% of its rated current (145 A). At 20% of 145 A, the simulator gave an irradiance of 145.97 Wm−2 with a non-uniformity of 1.02%, and a cell surface temperature of 24.9 °C. At 50%, the simulator produced irradiance of 501.30 Wm−2, with a non-uniformity of 1.53% and a cell surface temperature of 25.0 °C. The irradiance of 1000 Wm−2, with a non-uniformity of 3.26% and a cell surface temperature of 25.9 °C, was achieved at 90% of the rated current. From the results obtained, the ADAS demonstrates that it can reliably operate the SS with very minimal human–machine interaction. Through the autonomous dynamic adaptability, set irradiance levels are maintained in a steady-state solar simulator once the user supplies operational set points via the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) interface.
A Numerical Model for Enzymatically Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation
Authors: Hommel Johannes , Akyel Arda , Frieling Zachary , Phillips Adrienne J. , Gerlach Robin , Cunningham Alfred B. , Class Holger
Published: June 2020

Enzymatically induced calcium carbonate precipitation (EICP) is an emerging engineered mineralization method similar to others such as microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP). EICP is advantageous compared to MICP as the enzyme is still active at conditions where microbes, e.g., Sporosarcina pasteurii, commonly used for MICP, cannot grow. Especially, EICP expands the applicability of ureolysis-induced calcium carbonate mineral precipitation to higher temperatures, enabling its use in leakage mitigation deeper in the subsurface than previously thought to be possible with MICP. A new conceptual and numerical model for EICP is presented. The model was calibrated and validated using quasi-1D column experiments designed to provide the necessary data for model calibration and can now be used to assess the potential of EICP applications for leakage mitigation and other subsurface modifications.
Thermal Performance of Concrete with Recycled Concrete Powder as Partial Cement Replacement and Recycled CDW Aggregate
Authors: Cantero Blas , Bravo Miguel , de Brito Jorge , Sáez del Bosque Isabel Fuencisla , Medina César
Published: June 2020

This novel study was triggered by a lack in the international literature of the simultaneous use of ground recycled concrete (GRC) as a cement replacement and mixed recycled aggregate as part of the granular skeleton in recycled concrete. It explores the thermal behaviour of concrete mixes bearing 10 wt% or 25 wt% GRC as a cement replacement and 25 wt% or 50 wt% mixed recycled aggregate (MRA) sourced from construction and demolition waste (CDW). The experimental programme conducted assessed concrete’s dry density, open porosity, electrical and thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity. The findings showed that the use of 10% and 25% GRC, in conjunction with 50% MRA, reduced thermal conductivity by 7.9% to 11.8% and raised specific heat capacity by 6.0% to 9.1% relative to concrete with 100% natural aggregate (NA). A cross-property analysis revealed that improved thermal performance was linearly related to lower density and higher porosity. The results also support the conclusion that these new recycled aggregate concrete mixes are more energy-efficient construction materials than conventional concrete.
Smart Route: Internet-of-Vehicles (IoV)-Based Congestion Detection and Avoidance (IoV-Based CDA) Using Rerouting Planning
Authors: Khan Zahid , Koubaa Anis , Farman Haleem
Published: June 2020

Massive traffic jam is the top concern of multiple disciplines (Civil Engineering, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), and Government Policy) presently. Although literature constitutes several IoT-based congestion detection schemes, the existing schemes are costly (money and time) and, as well as challenging to deploy due to its complex structure. In the same context, this paper proposes a smart route Internet-of-Vehicles (IoV)-based congestion detection and avoidance (IoV-based CDA) scheme for a particular area of interest (AOI), i.e., road intersection point. The proposed scheme has two broad parts: (1) IoV-based congestion detection (IoV-based CD); and (2) IoV-based congestion avoidance (IoV-based CA). In the given area of interest, the congestion detection phase sets a parametric approach to calculate the capacity of each entry point for real-time traffic congestion detection. On each road segment, the installed roadside unit (RSU) assesses the traffic status concerning two factors: (a) occupancy rate and (b) occupancy time. If the values of these factors (either a or b) exceed the threshold limits, then congestion will be detected in real time. Next, IoV-based congestion avoidance triggers rerouting using modified Evolving Graph (EG)-Dijkstra, if the number of arriving vehicles or the occupancy time of an individual vehicle exceeds the thresholds. Moreover, the rerouting scheme in IoV-based congestion avoidance also considers the capacity of the alternate routes to avoid the possibility of moving congestion from one place to another. From the experimental results, we determine that proposed IoV-based congestion detection and avoidance significantly improves (i.e., 80%) the performance metrics (i.e., path cost, travel time, travelling speed) in low segment size scenarios than the previous microscopic congestion detection protocol (MCDP). Although in the case of simulation time, the performance increase depends on traffic congestion status (low, medium, high, massive), the performance increase varies from 0 to 100%.
A 4-DOF Workspace Lower Limb Rehabilitation Robot: Mechanism Design, Human Joint Analysis and Trajectory Planning
Authors: Wang Hongbo , Lin Musong , Jin Zhennan , Yan Hao , Liu Guowei , Liu Shihe , Hu Xinyu
Published: June 2020

Most of currently rehabilitation robots cannot achieve the adduction/abduction (A/A) training of the hip joint and lack the consideration of the patient handling. This paper presents a four degrees of freedom (DOF) spatial workspace lower limb rehabilitation robot, and it could provide flexion/extension (F/E) training to three lower limb joints and A/A training to the hip joint. The training method is conducting the patient’s foot to complete the rehabilitation movement, and the patient could directly take training on the wheelchair and avoid frequent patient handling between the wheelchair and the rehabilitation device. Because patients own different joint range of motions (ROM), an analysis method for obtaining human joint motions is proposed to guarantee the patient’s joint safety in this training method. The analysis method is based on a five-bar linkage kinematic model, which includes the human lower limb. The human-robot hybrid kinematic model is analyzed according to the Denavit-Hartenberg (D-H) method, and a variable human-robot workspace based on the user is proposed. Two kinds of trajectory planning methods are introduced. The trajectory planning method and the human joint analysis method are validated through the trajectory tracking experiment of the prototype.
Flow Visualization of Spinning and Nonspinning Soccer Balls Using Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Asai Takeshi , Nakanishi Yasumi , Akiyama Nakaba , Hong Sungchan
Published: June 2020

Various studies have been conducted on the aerodynamic characteristics of nonspinning and spinning soccer balls. However, the vortex structures in the wake of the balls are almost unknown. One of the main computational fluid dynamics methods used for the analysis of vortex structures is the lattice Boltzmann method as it facilitates high-precision analysis. Studies to elucidate the dominant vortex structure are important because curled shots and passes involving spinning balls are frequently used in actual soccer games. In this study, we identify the large-scale dominant vortex structure of a soccer ball and investigate the stability of the structure using the lattice Boltzmann method, wind tunnel tests, and free-flight experiments. One of the dominant vortex structures in the wake of both nonspinning and spinning balls is a large-scale counter-rotating vortex pair. The side force acting on a spinning ball stabilizes when the fluctuation of the separation points of the ball is suppressed by the rotation of the ball. Thus, although a spinning soccer ball is deflected by the Magnus effect, its trajectory is regular and stable, suggesting that a spinning ball can be aimed accurately at the outset of its course.
A Reproducible Method for Growing Biofilms on Polystyrene Surfaces: Biomass and Bacterial Viability Evolution of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Staphylococcus epidermidis
Authors: Angarano Valeria , Smet Cindy , Akkermans Simen , Akritidou Theodora , Huyck Bart , Chieffi Andre , Impe Jan F. M. Van
Published: June 2020

Since biofilm development represents a crucial issue within industrial, clinical and domestic sectors, innovative technologies/approaches (e.g., light technology for inactivation, antibiofilm coatings) are required to eradicate them. In this multidisciplinary scenario, protocols for the development of biofilms are necessary, particularly, in laboratories (not specialised in biofilm science) lacking in sophisticated devices for their growth. A protocol was developed for growing Pseudomonas fluorescens (Gram-negative) biofilms on wide, flat, polystyrene surfaces within 24 h. Several factors, such as inoculum level, area size and growth medium concentration, were investigated. Biofilm development was studied via viable cells and biomass quantification. A comparative analysis between kinetics and growth parameters, estimated using the Baranyi and Roberts model, was conducted at different inoculum levels (104 and 107 CFU/mL). The inoculum levels did not influence the final population within the 24-h-grown biofilms, but they influenced the total biomass development, which followed different kinetics. Confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed that overnight growth allowed for development of a densely packed biofilm with its 3D structure. The developed protocol was validated for Staphylococcus epidermidis (Gram-positive). The present work is the first study to develop an easy-to-use protocol to obtain highly reproducible biofilms, on flat polystyrene surfaces, with no need for sophisticated technologies.