bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell-Arg.) seed meal in White Leghorn cockerel diets
Authors: Ravindran V. , Rajaguru A. S. B. , De Silva Chitra
Published: March 2009

Para-rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell-Arg.) is a major plantation crop in South-East Asia. In addition to its economically important latex, the para-rubber tree produces seeds that serve as a source of industrial oil. Rubber seed meal (RSM), a by-product of the oil extraction, contains moderately high amounts of crude protein and is available at lower prices than most traditional vegetable protein supplements in the region. The estimated availability of RSM in South-East Asian countries is about 1·2 million tonnes.
Phosphorus-Rhizobium interaction studies on biological nitrogen fixation and yield of lentil
Authors: Dhingra K. K. , Sekhon H. S. , Sandhu P. S. , Bhandari S. C.
Published: March 2009

Field experiments were conducted at the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana from 1980–1 to 1984–5 to study the response of lentil genotypes to phosphorus application and Rhizobium inoculation. The number and dry weight of nodules increased consistently with increasing rates of application of phosphorus from 0 to 60 kg P2O5/ha. Nitrogenase activity of intact root nodules increased from 17 530 to 22 390 nmol/h per g dry weight of nodules with 20 kg P2O6/ha and to 27391 and 29170 nmol/h per g with 40 and 60 kg P2O5/ha, respectively. Rhizobium inoculation also increased nodulation, nitrogenase activity and grain yield. Interaction between phosphorus and Rhizobium inoculation was significant in 3 out of 5 years, indicating that the combination of Rhizobium and 20 kg P2O6/ha gave yield equivalent to 40 kg P2O6/ha without Rhizobium.
Oestrous and ovarian activity of subtropical fat-tailed Rahmani sheep and their response to light treatment
Authors: Aboul-Naga A. M. , Aboul-Ela M. B. , El-Nakhla S. M. , Mehrez A. Z.
Published: March 2009

Oestrous and ovarian activity were studied throughout the year in 29 subtropical Rahmani ewes using both vasectomized rams and intravaginal electrical resistance measurements. Percentages of ewes in oestrus and of ewes ovulating were consistently high throughout the year with a detectable drop in spring months. The drop was more pronounced and lasted longer in oestrous activity than in ovarian activity. About 33% of the ewes showed continuous ovarian activity throughout the year while almost all ewes had periods of behavioural anoestrus.

Effects of artificial light regimen on oestrous and ovarian activity were investigated in 21 Rahmani ewes over a 6-month period from January to June. Oestrous and ovarian activity were slightly lower in the light-treated (L) group than the control (C) group during the period of abrupt increase in daylength. With gradual decrease in daylength, the percentage of ewes showing oestrus was markedly higher in the L than in the C group (84·6 v.37·5% during May).

It was concluded that daylength change, although limited in this region, is a main factor controlling the seasonal changes in oestrous and ovarian activity in subtropical Rahmani sheep.
Use of faecal organisms from sheep for the in vitro determination of digestibility
Authors: El Shaer H. M. , Omed H. M. , Chamberlain A. G. , Axford R. F. E.
Published: March 2009

A method is described in which a liquid suspension of sheep faeces is used as an inoculum in the in vitro determination of digestibility of feedingstuffs for ruminants. The modified method was applied to 21 samples of grass, ten of lucerne, and a variety of other food materials. The results correlated closely (r = 0·98) with the in vivo digestibilities, and the relationship between in vitro and in vivo digestibilities was represented by the equation: in vivo digestibility = in vitro digestibility × 1·003.
Calcium metabolism in red deer (Cervus elaphus) offered herbages during antlerogenesis: kinetic and stable balance studies
Authors: Muir P. D. , Sykes A. R. , Barrell G. K.
Published: March 2009

Kinetic studies of Ca metabolism, using 45CaCl32, were carried out on two mature red deer stags during the period of maximum rate of Ca deposition in the antlers. They were offered green-feed oats to provide energy for maintenance; the diet provided approximately 42mg Ca/kg W per day.

Ca appeared to be irreversibly lost from the circulation into the antlers and could be treated for kinetic purposes in the same way as loss of Ca from the body in milk. The size of the rapidly exchangeable Ca pool in the body, excluding the antlers, was 0·21 g/kg W, similar to estimates for lactating cattle. Rates of Ca deposition in the antlers of the two stags, calculated from the model of Ca metabolism, were 58·4 and 38·6 mg Ca/kg W per day. Net endogenous loss was 6–7 mg Ca/kg W per day, much lower than estimates available for other ruminant species. Only 25–40% of Ca requirement or 11–24 mg Ca/kg W per day was derived from the diet, suggesting that the availability of Ca in greenfeed oats is much lower than current estimates for forages. Bones removed on completion of the experiment showed evidence of considerable skeletal demineralization.

In other stags subjected to stable Ca balances at the same stage of antler growth, while consuming ryegrass-white clover forage, 60–80% of Ca requirement was derived from the diet, with calculated rates of true absorption of 32–46 mg Ca/kg W per day. These rates of Ca absorption are low compared with values observed in other ruminants at times of high Ca demand such as during lactation.
Effect of dietary supplements of sodium bicarbonate on the utilization of nitrogen in the rumen of sheep receiving a silage-based diet
Authors: Newbold C. J. , Thomas P. C. , Chamberlain D. G.
Published: March 2009

Rumen ammonia levels in animals given silage diets are generally high and there appears to be considerable scope for improving the utilization of ammonia for microbial protein synthesis (Thomas & Chamberlain, 1982). Chamberlainet al.(1985) showed that supplements of sucrose were more effective than supplements of starch in reducing the rumen ammonia levels in animals given silage diets. Moreover, the effects of sucrose were increased when it was given together with sodium bicarbonate. The implication was that the sucrose supplements increased the fixation of ammonia in microbial protein through the provision of additional fermentable energy, and that this process was enhanced by the sodium bicarbonate supplements. The experiment reported here was designed to provide quantitative information on these effects and in particular to elucidate more fully the effects of sodium bicarbonate supplements on nitrogen metabolism in the rumen.
Leaching of salts as affected by the method of water application and atmospheric evaporativity under shallow and saline water-table conditions
Authors: Minhas P. S. , Khosla B. K.
Published: March 2009

Field studies on leaching a highly saline sandy loam soil having a shallow groundwater table showed that application of 150 mm water in two equal parts at 10 days interval had no distinct advantage over a single application of the whole amount. On the contrary, the surface-accumulated salts were displaced to a lesser extent and the salt peak remained at a shallower depth under split application, particularly during periods of high atmospheric evaporativity when the leached salts tended to move upward between successive water applications. A soil mulch created by shallow tillage reduced evaporation losses and curtailed upward movement of salts, resulting in nearly 10% increase in leaching efficiency. Significantly a small quantity of water (0·41 cm leaching water per unit soil depth) sufficed for 70% chloride removal, indicating that under the prevailing conditions a larger fraction of the pores contributed to the leaching process. A compact layer, having a bulk density of 1·69 g/cm3, at the soil surface, also appeared to be related to the higher leaching efficiency by maintaining a preponderance of unsaturated flow.
Production potential of kharif pulses in association with maize
Authors: Sidhu M. S. , Sawhney J. S. , Baljinder
Published: March 2009

Pulse crops play an important role in Indian agriculture because of their unique ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. Greengram, blackgram and soya bean are commonly grown during the kharif season (July–October) in Northern India. The availability of pulses is decreasing due to a decrease in area. Average yield of these crops is rather low and subject to great variation due to the vagaries of weather and pest attack.
Ruminal degradation characteristics of some African rangeland grasses
Authors: O'Reagain P. J. , Goetsch B. C. , Owen-Smith R. N.
Published: March 2009

The seasonal rate and extent of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) degradation of the African sourveld grassesAlloteropsis semialata, Andropogon appendiculatus, Cynodon dactylon, Elionurus muticus, Eragrostis plana, Harpochloa falx, Heteropogon contortus, Hyparrhenia hirta, Microchloa caffra, Themeda triandraandTristachya leucothrixin the rumen were measured using the nylon bag technique at the Döhne Agricultural Development Institute, South Africa, in 1993. The size of the soluble fraction (SF) was markedly different (P< 0·05) between species, being largest inA. semialata(22·6%) and smallest inE. plana(13%). Over all species, the mean SF was highest (P< 0·01) in spring (21·6%) and lowest in winter (11·8%). Species differed (P< 0·05) in the size of the potentially digestible fraction (PDF), withH. contortusandT. leucothrixhaving the largest (71%) andM. caffrathe smallest (53%) PDF. Mean PDF declined (P< 0·01) from spring (77·3%) through to winter (55·8 %). The rate of DM degradation (kd) in the rumen also differed (P< 0·01) between species, withC. dactylonandA. semialatahaving the fastest (0·054) andE. planaandA. appendiculatusthe slowest (0·039) degradation rates. Mean kdvalues were lower (P< 0·05) in winter (0·039) than in the other seasons (0·048).

Neutral detergent soluble (NDS) content was highest inA. semialata(29%) and lowest inE. plana(21·5%). Species similarly varied in the amount of potentially digestible cell wall (PDCW), withE. planahaving the highest (57%) andC. dactylonthe lowest (45·1%) PDCW content. Mean PDCW content was highest in spring (59·5 %) and lowest in winter (44·6%). Cell wall degradation (kc) rates were fastest (0·04) inC. dactylonand slowest inM. caffra(0·03). Overall, kcdeclined from spring (0·039) through to winter (0·029). In general,A. semialata, T. triandraandH. hirtaappeared to have the most favourable, andE. plana, A. appendiculatusandM. caffrathe least favourable, ruminal degradation characteristics. These differences suggest that species composition is likely to have a major impact on potential animal production on these low quality grasslands.
Estimating nutrient content of animal slurries using electrical conductivity
Authors: Stevens R. J. , O'bric C. J. , Carton O. T.
Published: March 2009

Electrical conductivity was evaluated for estimating the nutrient content of cattle and pig slurries. Slurry samples were collected in 1991 from the storage tanks of 48 cattle and 10 pig units on commercial farms in Ireland. Samples were analysed for NH4+and total concentrations of Na, K, Ca, Mg and P. Electrical conductivity (EC) was measured on raw slurries (ECraw) and on slurries diluted by 10 with water (ECdilute). Relationships between EC and nutrient content were examined by correlation and linear regression analyses.

In both slurry types, NH4+was the dominant cation with K+second in importance on a molar basis. Within each slurry type, the concentration of each of these cations was significantly correlated with EC. Using ECdilutegave more accurate predictions of concentrations than ECraw, but even ECrawwas a better predictor than dry matter (DM) content. The linear relationships between NH4+or K+and ECdiluteexplained > 82% of the variance within each slurry type. The P content in slurries was related better to DM than to EC. Since EC measurement could be by cheap, robust meters, its potential for on-farm use deserves further investigation.
Environmental control of lentil (Lens culinaris) crop development
Authors: McKenzie B. A. , Hill G. D.
Published: March 2009

The lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) cultivars Titore and Olympic were sown at Canterbury, New Zealand, on eight dates, from April to November in 1984 and in May and August in 1985. Of the four important physiological growth stages (sowing to emergence (S–E), emergence to flowering (E–F), flowering to physiological maturity (F–Pm) and physiological maturity to harvest (Pm–H)), the duration of all except E–F depended upon accumulated thermal time above 2 °C. The mean accumulated thermal times for E–F, F–Pm, Pm–H were 116, 565 and 293 °C days, respectively. Stage E–F required from 1165 °C days for an April sowing to 509 °C days for a November sowing. There was a highly significant positive relationship (r2 = 0·99) between the rate of development during E–F and mean temperature. Photoperiod also affected development rate.

Neither of the two cultivars studied had a vernalization requirement for the induction of flowering. In both years, the development rate during E–F was highly dependent upon photoperiod-corrected temperature. The relationships presented show that development of lentil crops in Canterbury can be accurately predicted using accumulated temperature and photoperiod-corrected temperature.
Seed-bed cultivations and sugar-beet seedling emergence
Authors: Gummerson R. J.
Published: March 2009

Experiments are described in which a range of seed beds was created in each of 5 years. The weather in these years produced wet, dry and capping seed-bed conditions. The time course of sugar-beet seedling emergence on each seed bed was recorded each year and the differences were considered in terms of soil physical characteristics: much of the year-to-year variation was accounted for by considering thermal time above 3 °C. The differences in emergence between seed beds were large only when conditions were dry, but in all years it was advantageous to level the seed bed in autumn or winter. Seed beds with a dense soil below the seed and fine aggregates above gave the most suitable conditions for rapid and successful emergence.
Protein and energy retention by growing rabbits offered diets with increasing proportions of fibre
Authors: Partridge G. G. , Garthwaite P. H. , Findlay M.
Published: March 2009

Ninety-six young rabbits (48 males, 48 females) each weighing 08 kg were offered one of six diets to appetite (n = 8 per treatment) or at one of four restricted feeding levels (n = 2 per treatment). All animals were culled at ca. 2 kg body weight and carcass analysis was carried out. Nutrient retention was estimated by the comparative slaughter technique.

Five of the experimental diets (A–E) were formulated to contain increasing concentrations of a poor-quality grassmeal (0, 100, 300, 500 and 700 g/kg, respectively), the remainder of the diet consisting predominantly of ground oats and soya-bean meal. A sixth diet (F) was based on a common laboratory rabbit diet (SGI). All diets contained similar digestible crude protein (DCP): digestible energy (DE) ratios of ca. 13·1 g DCP/MJ DE. Acid detergent fibre concentrations in diets A–F were 146, 158, 213, 264, 321 and 180 g/kg dry matter (D.M.), respectively.

When feeding to appetite, growth rates were depressed at the highest inclusions of grassmeal (diets D and E). Growth rates (GR) and voluntary food intakes (VFI) for diets A–F were: GR (g/day): 40, 41, 43, 36, 30 and 40; VFI (g D.M./day): 93, 103, 120, 137, 159 and 111, respectively. The depression in growth rate on diets D and E was associated with a reduction in total daily DCP and DE intake. The data suggested that, when the DE content of the diet falls below 10·5 MJ/kg D.M., the young rabbit is unable to compensate further by increasing daily VFI. Males grew significantly faster than females (40 cf. 37 g/day) and females had fatter carcasses at slaughter (301 cf. 274 g fat/kg carcass D.M.).

Relationships between daily N and energy intake and their retention in the body of the growing rabbit were calculated using data from both restricted and ad libitum-fed animals. Daily energy retention (ER, kJ) was related to daily DE intake (DEI, kJ) by the equation: ER = –227 + 6 x DEI (b ranged from 0·407 to 0·502, according to diet).

The estimated maintenance energy requirement of the growing rabbit ranged from 351 to 434 kJDE/kg0·75 per day and the average value across all diets was 377 kJ DE/kg0·75 per day.

Daily N retention (NR, g) was related to daily digestible nitrogen intake (DNI, g) by the equation: NR = –0·398 + 6 x DNI (b ranged from 0·589 to 0·667, according to diet).

The estimated N requirement for maintenance ranged between 0·464 and 0·525 g DN/kg0·75 per day and the average value across all diets was 0·497 g DN/kg0·75 per day.
Phosphorus homoeostasis in growing calves
Authors: Challa J. , Braithwaite G. D. , Dhanoa M. S.
Published: March 2009

The mechanisms by which phosphorus homoeostasis is achieved in growing calves in response to changes in P supply ranging from deficient to excess were investigated in three studies in which additional P was given in the diet, infused into the abomasum, or infused directly into the blood.

Whereas the rate of P absorption was directly related to P supplied, the efficiency of absorption of P differed according to the supply. Thus, the absorption efficiency was low from the P-deficient basal diets, increased with P supplementation until the supply was sufficient to meet requirements and then decreased at higher rates of P supply, possibly as a result of homoeostatic control.

The serum P concentration, which was directly related to the rate of P absorption, appeared to determine the rates of P retention, salivary P secretion and urinary P excretion. Urinary P excretion was negligible at P intakes below those needed to supply requirements, and any additional P absorbed was partitioned between retention and salivary P secretion in the ratio 0–88:1, these two processes continuing to have equal priority for absorbed P until retention reached a maximum, approximately equal to the postulated growth requirement. Only when the growth requirement for P had been met, did urinary P excretion occur, increasing progressively as the serum P concentration exceeded the renal threshold.

The endogenous faecal loss of P increased in direct relation to salivary P secretion and hence to the rate of P supply, the increase occurring even in P-deficient animals. This finding supports the claim that the inevitable endogenous faecal loss of P is not maintained at the constant rate expected at zero P intake until all requirements are met, as assumed by the Agricultural Research Council (1980) in their calculations of P requirements, but varies in direct relation to the P intake needed to supply a particular requirement. Indeed, these results suggest that the ARC (1980) recommendations for P, particularly for growing animals, are too low.

Finally, these studies show that bone resorption, salivary P secretion, P absorption and urinary P excretion all play a part in P homoeostasis in the growing ruminating calf, and that the relative importance of each of these processes depends upon the P status of the calf.
Modelling the fate of nitrogen in crop and soil in the years following application of 15N-labelled fertilizer to winter wheat
Authors: Bradbury N. J. , Whitmore A. P. , Hart P. B. S. , Jenkinson D. S.
Published: March 2009

A computer model is presented that describes the flow of nitrogen between crop and soil on the field scale. The model has a compartmental structure and runs on a weekly time-step. Nitrogen enters via atmospheric deposition and by application of fertilizer or organic manures, and is lost through denitrification, leaching, volatilization and removal in the crop at harvest. Organic nitrogen is contained within three of the model compartments – crop residues (including plant material dying off through the growing season), soil microbial biomass and humus. Inorganic nitrogen is held in two pools as NH4+ or NO3-. Nitrogen flows in and out of these inorganic pools as a result of mineralization, immobilization, nitrification, leaching, denitrification and plant uptake. The model requires a description of the soil and the meteorological records for the site – mean weekly air temperature, weekly rainfall and weekly evapotranspiration. The model is designed to be used in a ‘carry forward’ mode – one year's run providing the input for the next, and so on. The model also allows the addition of 15N as labelled fertilizer, and follows its progress through crop and soil. Data from a Rothamsted field experiment in which the fate of a single pulse of labelled N was followed over several years were used to set the model parameters. The model, thus tuned, was then tested against other data from this and two contrasting sites in south-east England. Over a period of 4 years, the root mean square (R.M.S.) difference between modelled and measured quantities of labelled N remaining in the soil of all three sites was c. 7·5 kg N/ha, on average. The root mean square error in the measurements was c. 2·5 kg/ha. Similarly, the R.M.S. difference between modelled and measured recovery of labelled N by the crop was 0·6, compared with 0·3 kg/ha in the measurements themselves.
Comparison of Texel-and Suffolk-sired lambs out of Finnish Landrace × Dorset Horn ewes under grazing conditions
Authors: Latif M. G. A. , Owen E.
Published: March 2009

Two hundred and ten Finn–Dorset ewes were mated to ten rams, five Suffolks and five Texels, in 2 years, to evaluate Texel rams as fat lamb sires. Three hundred and ninetyseven lambs were born and used in the study until the 6th week of age, after which 155 lambs were available for the rest of the experiment. From 6 weeks of age they were grazed with their dams and weighed weekly until slaughtered at 30 kg (females) or 36 kg (males) live weight. Carcasses were assessed by the Meat and Livestock Commission and a random sample of 16 left sides were fully dissected.

Fertility and prolificacy of the ewes were 95 and 190% respectively, and were not affected by sire breed. Texel-sired lambs did not differ from Suffolk in birth weight, weight at 6 weeks, growth rate from 6 weeks to slaughter, overall growth rate or age at slaughter. Except for growth rate from birth to 6 weeks, sex difference was significant (P < 0·05) in all growth estimates.

No significant breed or sex difference was found in dressing percentages or carcass weight for age. Mean dressing percentage was 47·4 ± 3·48 and 47·5 ± 3·78 for Texel and Suffolk crosses, respectively. Texel cross carcasses had significantly (P < 0·05) lower fat scores and males did not differ from females. Texel cross carcasses had significantly (P < 0·05) higher lean and bone percentages, but significantly (P < 0·01) lower total fat percentage.

Apart from demonstrating the capacity to produce leaner lambs compared with Suffolk, the results suggest that Texel sires offer the possibility of producing heavier carcasses without excess fat production.
Effects of laboratory germination, soil temperature and moisture content on the emergence of spring wheat
Authors: Khah E. M. , Ellis R. H. , Roberts E. H.
Published: March 2009

In field investigations in a sandy-loam soil, probit percentage seedling emergence of commercial and aged seed lots of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Timmo) was a positive linear function of probit percentage laboratory germination and mean soil temperature and a negative linear function of percentage soil moisture content over the ranges 12·1–15·5% moisture content and 7·0–11·0 °C. In a laboratory investigation using the same soil a similar form of relationship was observed in six lots over a range of constant soil moisture contents between 10 and 18% and at constant soil temperatures of 8 and 20 °C. In all cases there was no interaction between any of these determinants of seedling emergence.

Linear relationships between the mean rate of seedling emergence in the field (i.e. reciprocal of mean emergence time) and probit percentage laboratory germination and mean soil temperature were shown, but there was no obvious effect of mean scil moisture content between 12·1 and 15·5% on rate of field emergence. Seed lots of different percentage laboratory germination had the same base tsmperature for emergence (1·9 °C): differences between seed lots in mean emergence rate were due to different thermal time (day-degree) requirements for emergence; the thermal times required were a function of probit percentage germination in a standard laboratory test. The implications of these results in providing better advice on sowing rates are discussed.
Effects of ova transfer on the birthcoats of lambs
Authors: Burns Marca
Published: March 2009

Birthcoat samples from Lincoln and Welsh Mountain lambs born in an ova transfer experiment (Weiner & Slee, 1965) were examined to determine the fibre type arrays and any effect of ova transfer on manifestation of the prenatal check or the base (Dry, 1965).

In the Lincoln breed arrays were Truncated Ravine or Truncated Valley thus showing central checking. Pre-curly tip fibres were mainly confined to central primary follicles. Post-natal medullation was plentiful, especially in peak curly-tips, but kemp was absent. In the Welsh lambs all identifiable arrays were either Plateau or Saddle, with the lateral primary fibres more checked than the centrals. Pre-curly tip fibres occupied almost all the primary follicles, with only a few curly-tips in primary laterals. Post-natal medullation was strongest in pre-curly tips and their successors.

The effect of ova transfer was to decrease the manifestation of check in Lincoln-in-Welsh and increase it in Welsh-in-Lincoln, without affecting the base. Although this, in each case, changed the check of the lamb in the direction of that of the foster breed, it is suggested that this may not be due to any influence of maternal check on foetal check. The effect on pre-natal check may be due to foetal size, and in particular skin expansion, during a short period immediately following completion of primary follicle initiation. As compared to their respective controls, the Welsh transfer lambs had a higher S/P ratio at birth, whilst that of the transferred Lincolns was reduced.

If increased prenatal fibre check is associated with increased foetal growth rate at the relevant period, it may also be correlated with increased lamb size at birth and therefore have been favoured in selection for meat production, at least in some breeds.
An investigation into copper deficiency in cattle in the Southern Pennines. II. Response to copper supplementation
Authors: Thornton I. , Kershaw G. F. , Davies M. K.
Published: March 2009

Copper supplementation within the molybdenum-rich areas, on an exploratory basis in 1967 and in controlled trials in 1968, showed mean live-weight responses of 10–70% in dairy followers representing mean herd increases due to copper of 30–70 lb per animal over a 6-month grazing period. With few exceptions control stock showed no clinical symptoms of hypocuprosis.
The effect of ewe body condition at lambing on the performance of ewes and their lambs at pasture
Authors: Gibb M. J. , Treache T. T.
Published: March 2009

Ewes in body condition scores of 2·4 (thin) or 3·2 (fat) on a 5-point scale and suckling twin lambs were grazed at two stocking rates for the first 16 weeks of lactation. Paddocks were grazed for periods of 2 weeks at densities of 80 and 160 ewes/ha in weeks 1–8 and then 70 and 140 ewes/ha in weeks 9/16 of lactation.

Intakes of herbage by ewes were not significantly affected by body condition. Estimation of milk yield by weekly measurement of secretion rates over 4 h failed to demonstrate significant differences due to body condition except in weeks 9, 11 and 12, although there was a tendency throughout for fat ewes to produce more milk. However, the daily growth rates of the lambs during the first 8 weeks and the overall live-weight gains were significantly higher for lambs suckled by fat ewes than for those suckled by thin ewes. Intake of herbage by lambs was not affected by the body condition of the ewes.

Herbage intakes, milk yields and lamb growth rates were all significantly higher at the low stocking density than at the high stocking density.
Studies in the Yield of Tea. I. The Experimental Errors of Field Experiments with Tea
Authors: Eden T.
Published: March 2009

1. A uniformity trial of 144 plots of mature tea plucked on 42 occasions is examined with a view to determining an adequate technique for field experiments.

2. Yields are expressed as dry matter; the necessity for, and accuracy of, this procedure is examined.

3. Using the latin square and statistical analysis of variance, a maximum diminution of error up to the plot sizes of acre is found; the elimination of positional variance is shown to be inferior to that generally obtained on annual crops in temperate climates, but this inferiority corresponds with similar experience on other tropical crops.
A note on the value of uniformity trials for subsequent experiments
Authors: Sanders H. G.
Published: March 2009

The question attacked is whether soil variations are sufficiently constant from year to year to give useful corrections to the yields of experimental plots from their yields under previous uniformity trials, and the data investigated were the published results of uniformity trials carried out on two fields at Aarslev (Denmark) between 1906 and 1911. In one case the plots did tend to keep constant in their relative yields, and the precision of an experiment would be increased by nearly 150 per cent. if the regression on the mean yield in the three previous years were used: with the other field, however, the plots showed no constancy in yield (when the variation due to strips was taken out as in modern experimental methods), and consequently previous uniformity trials could give no assistance.

The work described here was done whilst I was enjoying the hospitality of the Rothamsted Laboratory: it gives me much pleasure to acknowledge my great indebtedness to Dr R. A. Fisher, F.R.S., who suggested the problem, and guided my unsteady steps throughout.
Sulphur as a soil fungicide against the potato wart disease organism
Authors: Roach W. A.
Published: March 2009

(1) Thiosulphuric acid has been shown to exist in a free state.

(2) It is relatively stable in dilute solution; an M/200 solution is only half decomposed at the end of 1 day and an M/400 solution at the end of 10 days only.

(3) This degree of stability is sufficient to account for the fungicidal action of acidified thiosulphate solutions in terms of the liberated thiosulphuric acid.

(4) It can be calculated that it is only necessary to assume 6 per cent. of the minimum quantity of sulphur found effective against Wart Disease in the field to be in the form of thiosulphuric acid over a period of 10 days in order to account for its toxicity.
Effect of nitrogen fertilizer applied to winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus) on soil mineral nitrogen after harvest and on the response of a succeeding crop of winter wheat to nitrogen fertilizer
Authors: Shepherd M. A. , Sylvester-Bradley R.
Published: March 2009

Soil mineral nitrogen (Nmin) was measured to 90 cm at a total of 12 sites in the UK in the autumn after an oilseed rape experiment, which measured responses to fertilizer N. On average, Nmin, increased by 15 kg/ha per 100 kg/ha fertilizer nitrogen (N) applied to the rape, up to the economic optimum amount of N (Nmin). There were larger increases in Nmin where fertilizer applications exceeded Nopt, thus super-optimal fertilizer applications disproportionately increased the amount of nitrate likely to leach over-winter. The small effects of sub-optimal N on Nmin were associated with large increases in N offtake by the oilseed rape, whereas the larger effects of super-optimal N on Nmin were associated with only small increases in N offtake. Over 70% of the variation in autumn Nmin was explained by the previous rape's N fertilizer rate and the topsoil organic matter content.

Nitrogen applied to the rape increased grain yields of the succeeding wheat crops when no further fertilizer N was applied to the wheat. It was concluded that N applied to oilseed rape significantly affected Nmin after harvest, and these effects were not completely nullified by leaching over-winter, so soil N supply to the succeeding wheat crop was significantly increased. Responses in grain yield indicated that each 100 kg/ha N applied to the rape provided N equivalent to c. 30 kg/ha for the following cereal. Each 1% of soil organic matter further contributed N to the wheat, equivalent to 25 kg/ha.

It is important to ensure that oilseed rape receives no more than the optimum amount of fertilizer N if subsequent leaching is to be minimized. Reductions below optimum amounts will have only a small effect on leaching. Substantial changes in the economic optimum N for rape production should be accompanied by adjustment in fertilizer N application to following wheat crops. Fertilizer recommendation systems for wheat should take account of the fertilizer N applied to the preceding oilseed rape and the topsoil organic matter content.
Language and State Building: The Case of the Habsburg Monarchy
Authors: Evans R. J. W.
Published: March 2009

Robert Kann in his Day famously asked large questions about nationality, revitalizing and imbuing with new academic rigor an already classic debate on ethnic sins of omission and commission in Central Europe. Language was, of course, always recognized as somehow intrinsic to this discussion; and it has exercised a fascination, whether lasting or just casual, for many with interest in the region. The Habsburg lands are renowned as thelocus classicusof a polity whose ethnicities were notably marked by language. Moreover, they encompassed a large number (eleven in all, though it is a trope too to exaggerate the total!) of widely divergent languages: German; two Romance tongues, Italian and Romanian; a range of Slavonic languages from all the three branches—western, eastern, and southern—of that family; and Hungarian, or Magyar, from the Finno-Ugric group.
Mediating Progress in the Provinces: Central Authority, Local Elites, and Agrarian Societies in Bohemia and Moravia
Authors: Krueger Rita A.
Published: March 2009

One of the enduring issues in Central European history has been the question of Habsburg longevity, namely, explaining the Habsburg monarchy's ability to endure though confronted with powerful changes in social relations, economic organization, and national allegiances. Certainly, there have been many arguments about which factors are most salient in assessing the Habsburg monarchy's disintegration; some scholars favor an analysis of “inevitable” long-term decline, while others point to the stresses and strains of unsuccessful war. An emphasis on nationalism is common to most explanations and is legitimately attached to the monarchy's ultimate demise. In addition to being challenged by pressures associated with economic and political modernization, imperial longevity and its breakdown were linked to the degree to which the Habsburgs were successful in extending the control of Vienna (the center) over the provinces, both German and non-German (the periphery).
Pluralist Myth and Nationalist Realities: The Dynastic Myth of the Habsburg Monarchy—a Futile Exercise in the Creation of Identity?
Authors: Urbanitsch Peter
Published: March 2009

What is a myth? This question cannot be easily answered; the notions and concepts used in various scientific disciplines are too divergent and, as with many other terms, they possess different meanings in different societies. For the purpose of this article, a definition by Philip Manger is useful. According to this author, a myth is “a form of poetic truth, the sifting out of an essence, a hypothetical, metahistorical core that contained an intrinsic meaning,” a meaning that joins the past to the present and thus establishes another, perhaps higher, form of reality. This holds true for all kinds of myths, but especially for the “political” myth that will be dealt with in this paper.
Village Elections and Redistribution of Political Power and Collective Property
Authors: Yao Yusheng
Published: March 2009

This study of competitive elections in a northern China village identifies two contradictions: one between villagers and village officials, the other between village elite and those seeking power. The one between villagers and the old leadership in the village focuses on the latter's corruption and bad governance, which had led to serious erosion and unfair distribution of the collective property. The one between villagers and the new leadership lies in the latter's failure to address the problems left by the old leadership. Both led to popular discontent and fuelled political participation. The contradiction between elite members focuses on competing for political office, which has resulted in the formation of factions and factionalism in both election and post-election politics and has become a salient feature of the village politics. The investigation of this village with governing problems found that free elections have brought about a radical redistribution of political power, but little satisfaction to villagers because their deep-seated desire for a fair redistribution of the collective property remains unfulfilled.
Women's Participation in Village Autonomy in China: Evidence from Zhejiang Province
Authors: Guo Xiajuan , Zheng Yongnian , Yang Lijun
Published: March 2009

Drawing on the data collected from three surveys in China's Zhejiang province during the period from 1999 to 2006, this article attempts to examine women's political participation in village autonomy and village elections in China. The data show that while men and women have obtained a very similar level of self-awareness and motivation in terms of political participation, China's patriarchal system, embedded in various forms of mindset and political practice, continues to constrain rural women's political involvement in a substantial way. The gender gap remains and the proportion of rural women in local power structures is declining. The article explains both the similarities and differences between men and women in rural political participation, and identifies some major causes for the decline of women's share in grassroots leading positions. It shows that there is no causal linkage between economic development and the improvement of women's political participation, and that the lack of political and other systematic supports leads to the low proportion of women in local power structures.
Freiman's Theorem in Finite Fields via Extremal Set Theory
Authors: GREEN BEN , TAO TERENCE
Published: March 2009

Using various results from extremal set theory (interpreted in the language of additive combinatorics), we prove an asymptotically sharp version of Freiman's theorem in $\F_2^n$: if $A \subseteq \F_2^n$ is a set for which |A + A| ≤ K|A| then A is contained in a subspace of size $2^{2K + O(\sqrt{K}\log K)}|A|$; except for the $O(\sqrt{K} \log K)$ error, this is best possible. If in addition we assume that A is a downset, then we can also cover A by O(K46) translates of a coordinate subspace of size at most |A|, thereby verifying the so-called polynomial Freiman–Ruzsa conjecture in this case. A common theme in the arguments is the use of compression techniques. These have long been familiar in extremal set theory, but have been used only rarely in the additive combinatorics literature.
Triangles in Regular Graphs with Density Below One Half
Authors: LO ALLAN SIU LUN
Published: March 2009

Let k3reg(n, d) be the minimum number of triangles in d-regular graphs with n vertices. We find the exact value of k3reg(n, d) for d between $2n /5 + 12 \sqrt{n}/5$ and n/2. In addition, we identify the structure of the extremal graphs.
The law of military occupation put to the test of human rights law
Authors: Campanelli Danio
Published: March 2009

This article outlines the debate on the general relationship between the law of armed conflicts and human rights and examines particularly the applicability of human rights during military occupation. Complementarity and compatibility should be evaluated case by case, on the basis of the rules making up each of these regimes and any exceptions that these rules contain. The different interests and values at stake – the interests of the occupying forces and those of the civilian population, the protection of human rights and the derogations necessary to maintain order – reveal many grey areas that still exist in the interaction between human rights law and the law of military occupation.
Mirror instability: From quasi‐linear diffusion to coherent structures
Authors: Hellinger P. , Kuznetsov E. A. , Passot T. , Sulem P. L. , Trávníček P. M.
Published: March 2009

A model for the nonlinear dynamics of mirror modes near the instability threshold is presented. By matching the quasi‐linear theory for the space‐averaged distribution function with a reductive perturbative description of the mirror modes, the model reproduces the early‐time flattening of the distribution function and the development of magnetic humps from an initial noise, in agreement with Vlasov‐Maxwell numerical simulations. It suggests a possible mechanism at the origin of the mirror structures observed in planetary magnetosheaths and in the solar wind.
Hybrid code simulations of the solar wind interaction with Pluto
Authors: Delamere P. A.
Published: March 2009

Pluto's low gravity implies that the atmosphere is only weakly bound and that significant hydrodynamic outflow can exist. Though surface spectroscopy of Pluto has revealed methane frost, the dominant escaping neutral gas is thought to be N2. These escaping neutrals are photoionized, and the heavy ions (N2+) move away from Pluto in the direction perpendicular to the solar wind flow (i.e., nearly unmagnetized relative to the length scales of the plasma interaction region). The turning distance of the solar wind protons at the magnetic pileup boundary is large compared to the interaction region. As a result, large ion gyroradius effects determine Pluto's highly asymmetric interaction with the solar wind. We use a three‐dimensional hybrid code (fluid electrons, kinetic ions) to investigate the geometry of the interaction region for a variety of possible atmospheric escape rates in anticipation of the New Horizons encounter with Pluto. We find considerable structuring in the wake region due to bi‐ion waves and Kelvin‐Helmholtz waves. The shock structures vary from a simple Mach cone for low escape rates (∼2 × 1026 s−1) to a full detached bow shock for large escape rates (∼2 × 1028 s−1).
Thermal decomposition of carbonates in fault zones: Slip‐weakening and temperature‐limiting effects
Authors: Sulem J. , Famin V.
Published: March 2009

During an earthquake, the heat generated by fault friction may be large enough to activate the devolatilization of minerals forming the fault rocks. In this paper, we model the mechanical effects of calcite thermal decomposition on the slip behavior of a fault zone during an earthquake. To do so, we introduce the coupled effects of calcite volume loss, heat consumption, and CO2 production in the theoretical analysis of shear heating and thermal pressurization of pore fluids. We consider a rapidly deforming shear band consisting of a fluid‐saturated carbonate rock. The equations that govern the evolution of pore pressure and temperature inside the band and the mass of emitted CO2 are deduced from the mass and energy balance of the multiphase‐saturated medium and from the kinetics of the chemical decomposition of calcite. Numerical simulation of seismic slip at depths of 5 to 8 km show that decarbonation has two critical consequences on fault slip. First, the endothermic reaction of calcite decomposition limits the coseismic temperature increase to less than ∼800°C (corresponding to the initiation of the chemical reaction) inside the shear band. Second, the rapid emission of CO2 by decarbonation significantly increases the slip‐weakening effect of thermal pressurization. The pore pressure reaches a maximum and then decreases due to the reduction of solid volume, causing a restrengthening of shear stress. Our theoretical study shows, on the example of decarbonation, that the thermal decomposition of minerals is an important slip‐weakening process and that a large part of the frictional heat of earthquakes may go into endothermic devolatilization reactions.
Smaller projected increases in 20‐year temperature returns over Australia in skill‐selected climate models
Authors: Perkins S. E. , Pitman A. J. , Sisson S. A.
Published: March 2009

Using results from the 4th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, changes in the 20‐year return levels for Australian daily maximum and daily minimum temperature were derived using extreme value theory. The climate models were evaluated using each of (a) mean performance, (b) skill in matching the observed probability density function and (c) skill in capturing the tails of the probability density function. Each weak‐skilled model ensemble projected larger increases in both the maximum and minimum temperature return levels compared to each strong‐skilled ensemble. The weak and strong skilled ensembles in maximum temperature were statistically significantly different. Over Australia, weak‐skilled models therefore simulated statistically significantly larger amounts of warming compared to stronger models in maximum temperature and larger amounts of warming in minimum temperature irrespective of how skill was assessed.
Metallothioneins: Historical Development and Overview
Authors: Nordberg Monica , Nordberg Gunnar F.
Published: March 2009

The history on research of metallothionein is reviewed. Various methods for isolation, characterization, and quantification are evaluated. The role of metallothionein in metal metabolism and toxicity is explained. Gender differences and polymorphism as well as possible relationships with diseases are discussed. The review is based on data from the literature and on own original experimental and epidemiological data. Aspects on future research within the metallothionein field are indicated.
Regulation of Metallothionein Gene Expression
Authors: Balamurugan Kuppusamy , Schaffner Walter
Published: March 2009

Organisms from bacteria to humans use elaborate systems to regulate levels of bioavailable zinc, copper, and other essential metals. An excess of them, or even traces of non-essential metals such as cadmium and mercury, can be highly toxic. Metallothioneins (MTs), short, cysteine-rich proteins, play pivotal roles in metal homeostasis and detoxification. With their sulfhydryl groups they avidly bind toxic metals and also play a role in cellular redox balance and radical scavenging. The intracellular concentration of MTs is adjusted to cellular demand primarily via regulated transcription. Especially upon heavy metal load, metallothionein gene transcription is strongly induced. From insects to mammals, the major regulator of MT transcription is MTF-1 (metal-responsive transcription factor 1), a zinc finger protein that binds to specific DNA sequence motifs (MREs) in the promoters of MT genes and other metal-regulated genes. This chapter provides an overview of our current knowledge on the expression and regulation of MT genes in higher eukaryotes, with some reference also to fungi which apparently have independently evolved their own regulatory systems.