Cell counts of milk in relation to the pathology and bacteriology of bovine mastitis

The author prepared and stained 2,500 milk smears and counted the cells present. Centrifugalisation of milk failed to sediment all cells. Volumes lifted by various wire loops were studied. All cells, other than mammary epithelial, in milk appeared identical to blood cells. Most samples contained polymorphs, epithelial cells and lymphocytes. Variations in type and severity of lesions occurred in different parts of the same quarter. Pathology of 94 quarters was compared by a scoring system based on severity and extent of lesions. Total counts were generally directly related to extent of pathological changes. Polymorph proportions generally exceeded 70 per cent, in milk from acute inflamed quarters and were below 40 per cent, during involution without acute mastitis. Pathological changes in the ratio 8:4:2:1 were found associated respectively with C. pyogenes and Str. agalactiae: Str. uberis and coagulase-positive Staph, aureus; coagulase-negative Staph. aureus and sterile quarters: other bacteria. Ten most diseased quarters had larger circumferences at the canal rosette. Liability to mastitis appeared unaffected by pockets and ridges in teats. Transport of cows by lorry increased fivefold, on average, the cell counts of milk from 28 of 30 quarters and increased polymorph proportions in milk from acutely inflamed quarters

Selection of climate model simulations for the DECCMA project

This report describes the selection of climate model simulations for use in the DEltas, Vulnerability, and Climate Change: Migration as an Adaptation (DECCMA) project. Data from the selected simulations are being used as input for modelling activities assessing the impact of climate change on the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM), Mahanadi, and Volta deltas. The DECCMA project has chosen to downscale the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 -Global Climate Model (CMIP5 GCM) output dynamically, using Regional Climate Model (RCM) simulations. Early in the DECCMA project it was decided to focus only on climate model simulations of the Representative Concentration Pathways RCP8.5 scenario.UK Department for International Development (DFID

A sampling strategy for genome sequencing the British terrestrial arthropod fauna

The Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) project aims to sequence and assemble high-quality genomes from all eukaryote species in Britain and Ireland, with the first phase of the project concentrating on family-level coverage plus species of particular ecological, biomedical or evolutionary interest. We summarise the processes involved in (1) assessing the UK arthropod fauna and the status of individual species on UK lists; (2) prioritising and collecting species for initial genome sequencing; (3) handling methods to ensure that high-quality genomic DNA is preserved; and (4) compiling standard operating procedures for processing specimens for genome sequencing, identification verification and voucher specimen curation. We briefly explore some lessons learned from the pilot phase of DToL and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic

Annual estimates of occupancy for bryophytes, lichens and invertebrates in the UK, 1970–2015

Here, we determine annual estimates of occupancy and species trends for 5,293 UK bryophytes, lichens, and invertebrates, providing national scale information on UK biodiversity change for 31 taxonomic groups for the time period 1970 to 2015. The dataset was produced through the application of a Bayesian occupancy modelling framework to species occurrence records supplied by 29 national recording schemes or societies (n = 24,118,549 records). In the UK, annual measures of species status from fine scale data (e.g. 1 × 1 km) had previously been limited to a few taxa for which structured monitoring data are available, mainly birds, butterflies, bats and a subset of moth species. By using an occupancy modelling framework designed for use with relatively low recording intensity data, we have been able to estimate species trends and generate annual estimates of occupancy for taxa where annual trend estimates and status were previously limited or unknown at this scale. These data broaden our knowledge of UK biodiversity and can be used to investigate variation in and drivers of biodiversity change

Validation of regional climate model simulations for the DECCMA project

This document describes an initial validation of the Regional Climate Model (RCM) simulations for the DEltas, Vulnerability, and Climate Change: Migration as an Adaptation (DECCMA) project. Maps and climate modelling simulations are presented and compared. A summary table is included which provides comparison of the output of the DECCMA RCM simulations for the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) basin and northern India, with temperature and precipitation observations.the UK Government's Department for international Development (DFID

A research paradigm for systems agriculture.

Commencing in the late 19708 a multidisciplinary group of staff at Hawkesbury Agricultural College embarked on what we now understand as an Action Research Project. Our experiences of agriculture in Australia, UK, Asia, Africa and South America convinced us that agriculture is a complicated human activity involving uncertainty and change. From our interactions with farmers and employers across the agricultural sector we increasingly believed that our graduates were not being sufficiently equipped to cope with this complexity and change - to be professional agriculturalists for the twenty-first century (Macadam and Bawden 1985). We were also conscious ofDahlberg's (1979) assertion that the 'conceptual maps that most people have of agriculture fail to recognise it as the basic interface between people and their environments.' We decided to investigate ways of learning about how to improve problem situations in agriculture. This required the development of insights into the learning-problem-solving- research process, which we elucidate subsequently. Through this process we have come to view problems as 'things that never disappear utterly and that cannot be solved once and for all' (Lakoff and Johnson 1980) in contrast to the present widely held view of problems as puzzles for which, typically, there is a correct solution. To convey this meaning we use here the phrase 'improve problem situations' rather than 'solve problems.' In this paper we will first outline the conditions in Australian agriculture that led us to decide to adopt a systems approach at Hawkesbury, which we are calling systems agriculture. We will follow this with an outline of the methodologies of the approach and relate these to a psychology of learning. For debate during the workshop, we will present our perception of the relative position of systems agriculture in the spectrum of systems approaches to research in agriculture and postulate a model of influences on their evolution. Finally, we will outline our views on the application of systems agriculture in researching complex problem situations in agriculture

Climate change scenarios for initial assessment of risk in accordance with risk management guidance

Climate change is likely to have significant impacts on Australia. This CSIRO report for the Australian Greenhouse Office creates specific scenarios and projections for 2030 for changes in average annual temperature, rainfall, and sea-level; average daily extremes of temperature, rainfall, cyclone intensity and fire danger; and average annual solar radiation and humidity, and extreme daily wind-speed