The Explicit Construction of Einstein Finsler Metrics with Non-Constant Flag Curvature

By using the Hawking Taub-NUT metric, this note gives an explicit construction of a 3-parameter family of Einstein Finsler metrics of non-constant flag curvature in terms of navigation representation

The efficacy and safety of 10 mg/day vortioxetine compared to placebo for adult major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis

Background: There is a growing interest in vortioxetine in major depressive disorder (MDD). Objectives: This meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of 10 mg/day (mg/d) vortioxetine compared to placebo for MDD in adult.Methods: Eight randomly controlled trials (RCTs) about the treatment of 10 mg/d vortioxetine in adult patients with MDD were identified and 2354 patients were included in meta-analysis.Results: According to the results, 10 mg/d vortioxetine showed significant differences in response rates (OR=1.88, 95% CI=1.40-2.53, P<0.0001), remission rates (OR=1.54, 95% CI=1.27-1.86, P<0.00001), change from baseline in Montgomery-As- berg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score (SMD=-3.50, 95%CI=-4.83 to -2.17, P<0.00001), clinical global Impres- sion-Global Improvement (CGI-I) total score (SMD=-3.40, 95% CI=-4.69 to -2.11, P<0.00001), and change from baseline in Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) total score (SMD=-2.09, 95% CI=-2.64 to -1.55, P<0.00001). But 10 mg/d vortioxetine was easier induced nausea (OR=4.18, 95% CI=3.21-5.44, P<0.00001) and constipation (OR=1.88, 95% CI=1.14 to 3.09, P=0.01).Conclusion: 10 mg/d vortioxetine was more effective, but easily induced nausea and constipation when compared to placebo for MDD in adult.Keywords: Vortioxetine, major depressive disorder, meta-analysis.

Event frequency and severity of sorghum ergot in Australia

The temporal and regional distribution of the severity and potential number of events of sorghum ergot on grain sorghum in Australia were analysed using daily climatic data from 1957 to 1998. This analysis was conducted using both a rule-based method and a regression model. Between December and March, the main flowering period for most commercial grain sorghum crops, we found a likely increase of ergot events in eastern Australia from south to north as well as from west to east. When crops flowered in April or May the number of potential monthly events increased, particularly in the southern areas. The smallest number of events occurred when flowering occurred between September and December. The temporal and geographic distribution of the number of events and severity of sorghum ergot is closely related to relative humidity during the flowering period. The analysis indicates that grain sorghum crops flowering between early December and February are unlikely to be severely infected with sorghum ergot. Late flowering sorghum has increased risk to severe infection, especially in the coastal regions

Graphical representation of biological information

Master'sMASTER OF ENGINEERIN

Antimicrobial Usage and Resistance in Dairy Cattle Production

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been a public health threat globally, with millions of lives lost due to AMR infections each year. The cases of AMR continue to escalate and cause devastating effect to both humans and animals. AMR contributes to high morbidity and mortality of the livestock, which results in staggering economic losses to the livestock producers. The main factor for AMR to arise in this industry is mainly due to the eagerness of livestock producers to meet high demand by using antimicrobials to promote animal growth and disease prevention. From a public health perspective, AMR in dairy cattle can also jeopardize human population due to the potential dissemination of AMR pathogens to humans via consumption of infected dairy products or direct contact with infected dairy cattle. At the current rate of unrestricted antimicrobial usage, AMR will be expedited and soon we will run out of effective treatment for even the simplest infection. World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a set of guidelines for the use of medically important antimicrobials on animals to mitigate the adverse consequences of AMR on human. Thus, this chapter will explain antimicrobial usage in dairy cattle production and the recent approaches and challenges on AMR

Minimising costs of environmental service provision: water-yield, salt-load and biodiversity targets with new tree planting in Simmons Creek Catchment, NSW, a dryland farming/grazing area.

Although dryland farming and grazing have been practiced for over 130 years in the 17,000 ha Simmons Creek catchment without surface salinity problems, the area has been identified as a significant source of salt seepage to Billabong Creek in the NSW Murray catchment. Groundwater movement and salinity levels are spatially heterogenous at Simmons Creek. Groundwater of the upper catchment is relatively fresh and seemingly unconnected with the highly saline groundwater of the lower catchment. However, fresh surface water does flow from the upper to the lower catchment. This spatial diversity provokes the question of where high-water-use forest habitats might be placed to achieve different combinations of environmental services (greater water yield, lower stream salinity and greater biodiversity) at least cost. Agro-forestry and or carbon sequestration benefits are not considered here. This paper presents methods and preliminary calculations of land use changes for least-cost delivery of these environmental service targets.Optimisation, opportunity costs, forest-habitat, environmental services, Environmental Economics and Policy,

On the relation between weather variables and sorghum ergot infection

Sorghum ergot (Claviceps africana) has had a significant impact on seed production and breeders’ nurseries in Australia since it was first found in 1996. In this paper, 3 distinct key development stages of sorghum that are related to ergot infection were identified: flag leaf stage, pollen starch accumulation stage, and flowering period. Relationships between weather variables during these 3 stages and ergot severity as well as pollen viability were analysed using observed data from 2 field trials, a serial planting trial and a genotype trial, conducted at Gatton, Queensland. The duration of the flag leaf stage and of the flowering period was estimated from thermal time. An infection factor was introduced and calculated based on hourly temperature during the flowering period. This infection factor and the mean relative humidity at 0900 hours during the flowering period were the main factors influencing ergot infection. Mean daily minimum temperature during flag leaf stage also had a significant effect on ergot severity, although no significant relation was found between this mean daily minimum temperature and pollen viability. A linear regression model using the above 3 factors accounted for 94% of the environmentally caused variation in ergot severity observed in the genotype trial

Dynamic response analysis of rutting resistance performance of high modulus asphalt concrete pavement

In order to systematically study the rutting resistance performance of High-Modulus Asphalt Concrete (HMAC) pavements, a finite element method model of HMAC pavement was established using ABAQUS software. Based on the viscoelasticity theory of asphalt, the stress and deformation distribution characteristics of HMAC pavement were studied and compared to conventional asphalt pavement under moving loads. Then, the pavement temperature field model was established to study the temperature variation and the thermal stress in HMAC pavement. Finally, under the condition of continuous temperature variation, the creep behavior and permanent deformation of HMAC pavement were investigated. The results showed that under the action of moving loads, the strain and displacement generated in HMAC pavement were lower than those in conventional asphalt pavement. The upper surface layer was most obviously affected by outside air temperature, resulting in maximum thermal stress. Lastly, under the condition of continuous temperature change, HMAC pavement could greatly reduce the deformation of asphalt material in each surface layer compared to conventional asphalt pavement