Effects of Phosphogypsum, Phsophorus and Lime on Andropogon gayanus Kunth

There are several factors which determine the low animal productivity in the tropics. Among these factors, inadequate nutrition is the most limiting one followed by the low natural fertility and high acidity of the soils in these regions. Previous findings have shown important soil nutrient deficiencies in some Brazilian cerrado soils. Malavolta (1952) demonstrated sulfur (S) deficiencies, while Werner et al. (1967) found plant response to S. Responses to phosphorus addition are very common in this kind of soil and in tropical America there are rates of phosphorus being applied, which sometimes are uneconomical for the formation and maintenance of pastures. The combination among tolerant varieties to the low phosphorus disponibility, the correct application of phosphatic fertilizers and the correction of the soil acidity, to reduce phos­phorus fixation, would be an effective mean for its economical utilization in many tropical soils with high fixing capacity. In many cases, tropical grasses have shown little or no response to liming (Emrich, 1967). Being adapted to high acidity, they respond only to calcium and/or magnesium fertilization, when used at rates that are not enough to affect pH and the exchangeable aluminium (Ciat, 1977); however, there is a differential tolerance to soil acidity among forages, each species or variety in the same species having a different behavior. The purpose of this paper was to investigate possible deficiencies and responses of andropogon grass to rates of sulfur, phosphatic fertilization, and liming on cerrado soil

Influence of Sulfur and Nitrogen on Bahiagrass

One of the most important forage crops grown in Florida is bahiagrass, with nearly 1 million ha grown annually. Bahia­grass is found on more acres than all other improved grass pastures combined. Average annual dry matter yields for bahiagrass range from 9 - 16 t/ha. Bahiagrass is adapted to most climatic conditions throughout the state and can be grown on upland well drained sands as well as poorly drained « flatwoods » soils. Until recently, little attention has been focused on the need for S fertilization for plant growth. This is understandable since, in the past fertilizers were contaminated with S, thus fanners did not need to be concerned with S fertilization. How­ever, today in the age of modern technology, fertilizer manu­facturing processes have become highly advanced and as a consequence fertilizers are free of S impurities. As a result, S deficiencies are becoming more pronounced throughout the world. When soils are low in S, forage yields, protein quality and digestibility may be reduced. Numerous studies have been conducted on the response of various crops to S fertilization, however very few studies have been conducted with bahiagrass (Tabatabai, 1986)

Economics of Controlling Weeds of Permanent Pasture

In general, inedible weeds of permanent pasture reduce pas­ture dry matter available to stock in direct proportion to their cover (Doyle et al., 1984). Translating the effects of weeds on pasture to reductions in animal production is difficult because (i) pasture value can range from zero to the cost of purchased feed (ii) weed effects and pasture value can vary seasonally and interact and (iii) reductions in pasture availability at one time affect later growth (Auld et al., 1987). There have been few direct measurements of effects of pasture weeds on animal pro­ductivity, because of the co.sts involved. However, simulation models (Barlow, 1985; Popay & Barlow, 1987) allow trans­lation of pasture to animal production for a wide range of conditions and management. Such models, and theoretical analysis of weed and pest effects on grazing (Barlow, 1987), show that the impact of weeds on animal production depends on the level of pasture production, and therefore on stock car­rying capacity, and on the nature of the problem. Assuming that there is an on-going, long-term weed problem and the choice is between coexistence with the weed or repeated control to reduce its average cover, then the full benefits of control are only realised by raising stocking rate to utilise the extra pasture production. The models suggest that the percentage gain in per hectare gross margin equals the percentage gain in pasture pro­duction through reduced weed cover. If the stocking rate is not raised, the benefits from weed control will be at least 25 % less (Barlow, 1985, 1987; Popay and Barlow, 1987). In addition, using the average of percentage gains in pasture production takes partial account of seasonal variations in the value of pas­ture (Barlow, 1985). The saving in pasture production made by controlling pas­ture weeds depends on the reduction in weed cover caused by herbicide application, the recovery rate of weed cover after spraying and the area which the weeds would have occupied during the recovery period if they had not been sprayed. Doyle et al. (1984) and Moore et al. (1988) modelled these processes in detail to explore the cost/benefits for specific weeds. In this paper we bring together this information in summary form for several common pasture weeds and predict the economics of controlling them. Suggestions are made for future research on the biology of pasture weeds which could help in assessing their economic impact

Pasture Diversification Through Selection of New Panicum maximum Cultivars in Brazil

Cattle rearing in Brazil depends almost exclusively on pastures, of which, 35 % consist of cultivated introduced species. Guineagrass, Panicum maximum Jacq. is the main introduced forage grass species in cattle finishing, because of its ease of propagation, fast establishment after sowing and rapid and abundant growth of high quality forage during the rainy season. About 10 cultivars are commercialized in the country, the most important being « Coloniao » : a tall, tufted perennial plant (up to 3.5 m) with erect stems and long leaves (up to 1.0 m). It presents management problems however ; when allowed to grow excessively, leaf/stem ratio decreases reducing quality, and stems are rejected by cattle. Excessive extraction of nutrients from the soil to permit this growth, and little or no regrowth in the dry season result in pasture degradation after a few years. These reasons have led the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation-EMBRAPA, to introduce in 1982, 426 accessions of Panicum maximum, representative of the natural variability of this species, which are being evaluated at the National Beef Cattle Research Center (CNPGC), at Campo Grande, MS, Brazil, since 1984 (Savidan et al., 1985). The objectives are to select morphologically distinct accessions which combine agronomic productivity and better winter growth to good seed production, and may contribute to pasture diversity. This paper reports the results of the agronomic evaluation and selection of accessions

“What We Say Matters”: Reducing Drug Use Stigmatization by Healthcare Professionals Through a Narrative-Based Awareness Campaign

Background: Stigma towards substance use has been identified as a contributor to poor care and health outcomes amongst people who use drugs (PWUD), a vulnerable population. Healthcare worker stigma negatively affects the outcomes of individual patients and may have greater public health implications. Methods of addressing drug-use stigma have previously been implemented in a variety of clinical settings. Presenting the lived experience of PWUD to healthcare workers via emotionally compelling narratives has been found to be an effective means of stigma reduction. Purpose: This study utilized two psychometrically validated tools to measure (1) the baseline prevalence of drug use stigma as reported by adult inpatients with a history of substance use or who were actively using drugs prior to admission, and (2) the efficacy of an intervention designed to reduce drug use stigma amongst healthcare staff. The effect on patient outcomes was examined through retrospective analysis of patient experience scores. Methods: Narrative vignettes of PWUD were incorporated within an educational campaign targeting healthcare workers with direct patient contact on a single adult medical-surgical unit at the University of Kentucky (UKHC). Baseline prevalence of stigma was measured in a sample of 20 inpatients with a history of SUD during in-person interviews. Objective evidence of stigma was measured separately in a sample of 20 HCWs via pre- and post-interventional surveys. Select patient items of the Press Ganey – HCAHPS patient experience survey were examined to contextualize observed findings within unit-wide patient outcomes. Results: For part one, inpatients reported moderate to high levels of drug use stigma on anonymous pre-interventional surveys. For part two, a statistically significant reduction in post-interventional stigma scores was observed. For part three, select Hospital Consumer Assessment HCAHPS patient experience scores decreased in the post-intervention period. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that drug use stigma may currently affect some inpatients at UKHC. Results suggest that healthcare worker education incorporating narrative vignettes may be a useful method to reduce the likelihood that patients with a history of substance use will encounter drug use stigma while hospitalized. Additionally, tools used in the study may have utility in ongoing surveillance or subsequent investigations of drug use stigma. Patient experience HCAHPS scores were not positively affected by study interventions

Implementing an Opioid Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) Program Among Law Enforcement Officers in Lee County, KY

This grant proposal describes an implementation strategy for introducing an OEND training program among law enforcement officers (LEOs) to reduce opioid overdose deaths. The goal of the project is to increase LEOs\u27 awareness and knowledge of opioid overdose and Naloxone administration and usage of Naloxone

HOW SLEEP DISORDERS AND SLEEP DURATION IMPACT MEMORY

INTRODUCTION: Sleep duration and sleep disorders can cause changes in memory function as populations age. Previous studies have shown that disordered sleep is associated with increased risk of cognitive dysfunction and long and short sleep durations can cause memory impairment. This study studies aims to find if there is an association between sleep disorders and sleep duration and the impacts on memory. METHODS: In this study, 3,478 participants aged 60 year and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014 dataset were included in adjusted and unadjusted models, comparing the sleep disorders and sleep duration exposures to the standardized scores (z-scores) taken from the CERAD Delayed Recall test (memory test) scores. RESULTS: Unadjusted models show a potentially protective effect of sleep disorders on memory at z-score cutoff -1.5 [OR: 0.84 (0.57, 1.22)] and an increased risk of sleep disorders on memory at z-score cutoff -1 [OR: 1.73 (1.36-2.20)]. Adjusted models show increased risk of sleep disorders on memory at both z-score cutoffs [1.03 (0.68-1.55) for cutoff -1.5 and 2.01 (1.52, 2.66) for cutoff -1]. Both unadjusted and adjusted models for sleep duration showed that with every one-hour increase in sleep duration, the odds of experiencing memory impairment increased. DISCUSSION: Results do suggest an association between sleep disorders and sleep duration and experiencing memory impairment, with findings being like previous epidemiologic studies. Future longitudinal studies are recommended to strengthen association, especially as cognitive function is vital and improving the health of aging populations is a relevant public health initiative

Influence due Niveau de Fertilization Azotee sur la Degradabilite de L\u27Azote de la Fetuque Elevee Recoltee en Vert

Il est connu que la fertilisation azotee ameliore non seule­ment la biomasse produite mais aussi la teneur en azote de la plante; cependant certains auteurs la soup9onnent de reduire le flux d\u27azote duodenal (Armstrong, 1974). Cette diminution de la valeur azotee reelle pourrait s\u27expliquer par la baisse des syntheses de proteines microbiennes et/ou !\u27augmentation de la degradation ruminale des proteines de l\u27herbe. Dans ce travail, l\u27effet de 2 niveaux de fertilisation azotee, appliques sur 4 cycles successifs d\u27une fetuque, sur la degradabilite de l\u27azote de la plante verte a ete etudie par 3 methodes differentes ; de plus l\u27incidence du stade vegetatif et l\u27effet remanent de la fertilisa­tion anterieure out ete precises Sur le 4e cycle

IMPACTS OF UTILIZING REVERSE OSMOSIS CONCENTRATE ON MASHING, FERMENTATION, AND WATER USE IN BOURBON WHISKEY PRODUCTION

This thesis addresses the feasibility of reusing reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) in the bourbon whiskey fermentation processes. Initial work compared laboratory-scale mashing and fermentation methods, demonstrating that simultaneous saccharification and fermentation reliably reflects industrial-scale processes, with lower complexity and process time. Building upon this, laboratory and distillery-scale experiments demonstrated that reusing ROC in the mashing and fermentation steps does not negatively impact ethanol yields. ROC produced by systems with a water softener was found to significantly increase mash rheology, suggesting a need for potential process adjustments. Softened ROC also altered the production of flavor-influencing volatile congeners. Under worst case conditions, severe scale formation on equipment, due to high Ca and Mg levels, was identified as a challenge for using unsoftened ROC. While implementation of ROC reuse requires consideration of ROC impacts on mash properties, equipment scaling, and flavor profiles, this research demonstrates that ROC reuse is a feasible water conservation strategy. ROC reuse was found to offer a significant reduction in freshwater consumption, estimated at 18-34% for a representative distillery. This work provides a foundation for the whiskey industry to adopt ROC reuse, improve water sustainability, enhance resilience to water scarcity, and realize potential economic benefits

Effect of Cellulase Preparation on Fermentation of Silage

The effects of cellulase preparation (Meicelase) on silage fermentation were studied using the first cutting alfalfa and timothy. In one-liter laboratory silos with Meicelase of 0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0:8% of the fresh grasses, the fermentative quality was examined throughout a 30 day ensilage period. The amount of the lactic acid in the silage with the Meicelase was considerably greater than the control silage with no additive. In addition, the pH of that silage was low and the content of water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) was high. However, the differences in the amount of Meicelase applied had no effects in the fermentative quality. Moreover after 30 days, the cellulose content in the Meicelase treated silage was reduced. It was observed that the hydrolyzed product of cellulose was used in the silage fermentation which, in turn, improved the fermentative quality