The Response of Selected Temperate Forages to Increasing Summer Drought Conditions and High Summer Temperatures in Northern Victoria, Australia

In the dairy region of northern Victoria, Australia, the performance of temperate perennial dairy pastures is often poor over summer due to a combination of high temperatures and limited water availability that can restrict dry matter production and plant survival. A series of field experiments examined the effects of heat and restricted irrigation (as a consequence of drought) on the growth and nutritive characteristics of selected forage species, and whether survival under experimental conditions was influenced by plant genotype, irrigation and grazing management strategies, as well as endophyte presence. The major focus was on perennial ryegrass. Detailed sampling of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb) pastures on commercial farms during five extreme heat events (\u3e 35 oC) over summer 2018/2019, highlighted the impact of high temperatures on pasture nutritive parameters. In vitro dry matter digestibility and water soluble carbohydrate concentrations decreased by 0.2% units per degree rise in average maximum daily temperature from 23 to 40 ºC and neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre concentrations increased by 0.2% and 0.15% units per degree, respectively. When a range of perennial ryegrass cultivars, hybrid ryegrasses and tall fescue cultivars were evaluated under full and restricted irrigation and two grazing strategies, few differences in net pasture accumulation over summer or survival were observed. The research highlighted the importance of maintaining plant density during periods of restricted irrigation to ensure plant recovery once irrigation or rainfall becomes available. No endophyte-ryegrass combinations were found to be better adapted to restricted water and high temperature conditions. The incidences of extreme heat events and low water availability are increasing in northern Victoria and this research will assist farmers to identify strategies to mitigate the negative effect of these conditions on the production and feed quality of perennial ryegrass-based pastures

Challenging the age of austerity: Disruptive agency after the global economic crisis

This article explores the different forms of disruptive subjectivity that have developed in the context of the post-2008 global and European crises. The article traces developments both before and after 2008, with a specific focus on events in Spain and the UK. These country contexts are chosen due to their considerable differences in terms of the impact that the crisis had; yet we witness notable similarities with regard to the instances of refusal and resistance observed, especially in terms of the motives held and forms adopted, albeit with differences in scale. The paper presents the results of qualitative research, including 65 in-depth interviews, to highlight the way in which disaffection, the search for voice, and the threat of withdrawal from relations of exploitation have each become problematic as means of dissent following 2008. As a result, we have seen a merging of these more conventional forms of dissent with a number of more radical prefigurative practices that had been developing prior to 2008. As a result, the stagnation of neoliberal capitalism from 2008 onwards has witnessed the development of a new form of pragmatically prefigurative disruptive subjectivity, responsible for some of the more important and interesting political developments in contemporary advanced industrial democracies

Perceptions of neighborhood social environment and drug dependence among incarcerated women and men: a cross-sectional analysis

Abstract Background Perception of neighborhood social environment can influence an individual’s susceptibility to drug dependence. However, this has never been examined with a jailed sample, where frequent transitions between local jails and disadvantaged neighborhoods are common. Understanding these associations could aid in the design of targeted programs to decrease drug dependence and recidivism among the incarcerated. Methods For this study, 596 women and men from three Kansas City jails were surveyed over the course of six months in 2010. Drug dependence was assessed with DSM-IV criteria. Independent variables included fear of one’s neighborhood, perceived level of neighborhood violence, and social capital. All data were self-reported and were analyzed using logistic regression. Results Controlling for gender and age, fear of neighborhood violence was associated with increased odds of having drug dependence (OR = 1.27, CI 1.02, 1.58) and a higher level of social capital prior to incarceration was associated with lower odds of drug dependence (OR = 0.65, CI 0.44, 0.96). Mental health problem diagnosis and past year intimate partner violence were significant mediating factors. Gender and race/ethnicity were significant moderating factors between neighborhood disadvantage and drug dependence. Conclusions Our study suggests that drug dependence programs for women and men who cycle between jails and communities require both individual- and community-level interventions. To be most effective, programs at the community-level should focus on helping specific groups navigate their communities, as well as address individual health needs associated with drug dependence.Peer Reviewe

Advance telephone calls ahead of reminder questionnaires increase response rate in non-responders compared to questionnaire reminders only : The RECORD phone trial

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

New procedures for testing whether stock price processes are martingales

We propose procedures for testing whether stock price processes are martingales based on limit order type betting strategies. We first show that the null hypothesis of martingale property of a stock price process can be tested based on the capital process of a betting strategy. In particular with high frequency Markov type strategies we find that martingale null hypotheses are rejected for many stock price processes

A flexible, open, and interactive digital platform to support online and blended experiential learning environments: Thinglink and thin sections

Abstract. This study investigates the potential value of, and provides a method for, the creation of flexible, digital, and asynchronous platforms to create student-centred materials for use in an online and/or blended learning environment. We made use of Thinglink to create a “virtual microscope” resource for geology and associated courses in higher education. This is achieved through the dissemination of a simple learning resource comprising interactive imagery and audio. The visual analysis of rocks under the microscope, termed thin-section petrography, is a fundamental component in geology programmes in higher education, with key skills which are transferable with other fields such as material science, biology, and forensic science. However, learning environments and activities in this field are often dictated by the requirement for access to microscope facilities and supplementary resources which are highly variable in their academic level, availability, design, and scale, ranging from traditional textbooks to online resources. A resource was created which allows individuals to experience some of the aspects of petrographic microscopy in a digital manner. In particular, specific features of the materials observed and how microscopes work were included. The resource was disseminated to a population of learners and educators, who provided responses to a questionnaire. Responses were overwhelmingly positive and indicate considerable interest from learner and teacher alike. Critical areas for improvement include the need for clarity in the user interface and the inclusion of a recorded human voice rather than automated text narration. This study highlights the need for, and benefits of, interactive online learning resources in petrology and associated fields. This type of resource has positive implications for the flexibility, inclusivity, and accessibility of teaching materials. Such resources may prove particularly valuable when distance learning is unavoidable (e.g. the COVID-19 crisis) and/or hybrid, blended learning environments are being deployed. The method and platform used in this study are highly transferable to other subject areas (or other areas of the geosciences)

The microbiome in bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is increasing in prevalence worldwide, yet current treatments available are limited to those alleviating symptoms and reducing exacerbations. The pathogenesis of the disease and the inflammatory, infective and molecular drivers of disease progression are not fully understood, making the development of novel treatments challenging. Understanding the role bacteria play in disease progression has been enhanced by the use of next-generation sequencing techniques such as 16S rRNA sequencing. The microbiome has not been extensively studied in bronchiectasis, but existing data show lung bacterial communities dominated by Pseudomonas, Haemophilus and Streptococcus, while exhibiting intraindividual stability and large interindividual variability. Pseudomonas- and Haemophilus-dominated microbiomes have been shown to be linked to severe disease and frequent exacerbations. Studies completed to date are limited in size and do not fully represent all clinically observed disease subtypes. Further research is required to understand the microbiomes role in bronchiectasis disease progression. This review discusses recent developments and future perspectives on the lung microbiome in bronchiectasis

Comparing the Outcomes of Face-to-Face and Synchronous Online Research Mentor Training Using Propensity Score Matching

In this study, propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted to examine differences in the effectiveness of research mentor training (RMT) implemented using two modes-face-to-face or synchronous online training. This study investigated each training mode and assessed participants\u27 perceived gains in mentoring skills, ability to meet mentees\u27 expectations, and overall quality of mentoring, as well as intention to make changes to their mentoring practices. Additional factors that may contribute to participant outcomes were also examined. In total, 152 mentors trained using a synchronous online platform and 655 mentors trained in in-person workshops were analyzed using the PSM method. Mentors were matched based on similar characteristics, including mentee\u27s career stage, mentor\u27s title, mentor\u27s prior mentoring experience, mentor\u27s race/ethnicity and sex, and mentor\u27s years of experience; results show that both face-to-face and synchronous online modes of RMT are effective. Findings indicated that the training mode did not significantly impact the mentors\u27 perceived training outcomes. Factors associated with the reported training outcomes included dosage (hours of training), facilitator effectiveness, race/ethnicity, and previous mentoring experience. The results of this study demonstrate that mentors\u27 perceived training outcomes are comparable regardless of the training modality used-online versus face-to-face