Magnetic Monopoles and Free Fractionally Charged States at Accelerators and in Cosmic Rays

Unified theories of strong, weak and electromagnetic interactions which have electric charge quantization predict the existence of topologically stable magnetic monopoles. Intermediate scale monopoles are comparable with detection energies of cosmic ray monopoles at IceCube and other cosmic ray experiments. Magnetic monopoles in some models can be significantly lighter and carry two, three or possibly even higher quanta of the Dirac magnetic charge. They could be light enough for their effects to be detected at the LHC either directly or indirectly. An example based on a D-brane inspired $SU(3)_C\times SU(3)_L\times SU(3)_R$ (trinification) model with the monopole carrying three quanta of Dirac magnetic charge is presented. These theories also predict the existence of color singlet states with fractional electric charge which may be accessible at the LHC.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figures, minor revisions, references adde

Summaries of Forage Research

Identification of alternative crops capable of producing high quality forage in conditions not conducive for alfalfa or perennial grass production would be desirable. The production of high quality forages in large quantities is the basis of any successful dairy enterprise. This will reduce the necessity of purchasing expensive supplemental grain and protein sources. Certain warm-season annual grasses and legumes, when harvested at the proper stage of maturity, are capable of producing high quality forage in large quantities where conditions are not suitable for alfalfa production. The objects was to evaluate the forage production and chemical composition at two cutting dates of four warm-season annual grasses and two annual legumes at two locations. Four grasses (German millet, Siberian millet, Sudangrass, and teff) and an annual legume (cowpea) were grown at two locations (Brookings and Highmore, SD) in the summer of 1986. Forage were harvested at two dates, 36 and 57 days after planting at Brookings and 41 and 57 days after planting at Highmore, to evaluate changes in nutrient composition as affected by maturity. Forage material was harvested, weighed, and analyzed for dry matter, crude protein, neutral-detergent fiber (NDF), acid-detergent fiber (ADF), lignin, and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). Chickpeas were also included in this study, but plots were completely destroyed by Ascochyta blight

Bedding and sprinkling recommendations when transporting market weight pigs in warm weather to improve well-being

In the U.S., 113 million pigs are transported annually to market, primarily by road in a tractor trailer. The conditions under which pigs are handled and transported can have a direct impact on their well-being, which may result in increased transport losses (the sum of dead on arrival and non-ambulatory (sum of fatigued and injured)). Transport losses cost ~$125/head for dead on arrival and ~$37/head for non-ambulatory pigs, which sum to $46 million yearly. The National Pork Board has recently funded research to improve pig well-being during handling and transport. The objectives of Chapter 3 were to compare the effects of 2 bedding levels on the (1) pig measures at the time of unloading and (2) transport losses during warm weather for market weight pigs. During warm weather, incorrect bedding levels on a trailer transporting market weight swine may result in heat stress, fatigue, and death. Two experiments were conducted in June and July 2011; Experiment 1 used 80 loads (n = 13,887 pigs) to determine the effects of two bedding levels (3- or six 22.7 kg, 0.2 m3 bags of wood shavings/trailer) on pig measures (surface temperature, vocalizations, slips and falls, and stress signs). Experiment 2 used 131 loads (n = 22,917 pigs) to determine the effects of bedding on transport losses (dead, sum of dead- and euthanized- on arrival; non-ambulatory, sum of fatigued and injured; total transport losses sum of dead and non-ambulatory). Bedding did not affect surface temperature, vocalizations, or slips and falls (P = 0.58, P = 0.50, and P = 0.28, respectively). However, pigs transported on 6 bags/trailer had 1.5 % more stress signs than pigs transported on 3 bags/trailer (P \u3c 0.01). The relationship was weak (R2 = 0.26). No differences were observed between bedding levels for non-ambulatory, dead, or total transport losses (P = 0.10, P = 0.67, and P = 0.34, respectively). Within the context of these experiments there was no evidence of deleterious effects on pig measures or transport losses. However, using more bedding would cost the industry more. Therefore, 3 bags of bedding/trailer may be used when transporting market weight pigs during warm weather in the Midwestern U.S. Chapter 4 objectives were to compare the effects of 4 sprinkling methods used on trailers transporting market weight pigs on (1) pig measures at the time of unloading and (2) transport losses at the plant. This study was conducted in July of 2012 in Iowa, in WARM (\u3c 26.7 °C) and HOT (≥ 26.7 °C) weather. Four sprinkling methods were compared, with one treatment being randomly assigned to each load: Control (not applied in HOT weather), pigs only, bedding only, or pigs and bedding. Experiment 1 used 51 loads in WARM- and 86 loads in HOT weather to determine the effects of sprinkling method on pig measures (surface temperature, vocalizations, slips and falls, and stress signs). Experiment 2 used 82 loads in WARM- and 54 loads in HOT weather to determine the effects of sprinkling on transport losses (non-ambulatory, dead, and total transport losses). Experiment 1 found that, in WARM weather, there were no differences between sprinkling treatments for surface temperature, vocalizations, or slips and falls (P ≥ 0.18). However, stress signs were 2 % greater for the pigs and bedding- than for the control treatment (P = 0.03). Experiment 2 found, that in WARM and HOT weather, sprinkling did not affect non-ambulatory, dead, or total transport losses (P ≥ 0.18). Therefore, it is only necessary to sprinkle the pigs, but not the bedding, when transporting market weight pigs during WARM and HOT weather in the Midwestern U.S. Based on these results, 3 bags of bedding/trailer could be used instead of 6 when transporting pigs in June and July in Iowa. Using less bedding could save both money and potentially decreasing the industry\u27s impact on the environment. The overall conclusion of the sprinkling study was that the current industry practice of sprinkling only the pigs should be continued in July in Iowa. However, bedding should not be wetted

Environmental factors shaping a sawfly-associated community of parasitoids

A major goal of evolutionary biology is to understand the mechanisms that shape biodiversity, especially amongst highly speciose lineages such as parasitic wasps. However, most of these lineages are poorly described, with very little available natural history information. This lack of information limits our ability to uncover the environmental factors that contribute to their patterns of divergence, distribution, and abundance. To that end, here we take advantage of a community of hymenopteran parasites that has an unusually large amount of available information since they attack an economically important pine sawfly species, Neodiprion lecontei. We build upon a set of historical literature to produce the most comprehensive survey of this parasite community to date and identify several putative new species. For a subset of this community, we then examine how different environmental variables impact community composition, and shape species’ distribution and abundance. Finally, we interpret our results in light of their interactions with their sawfly host

Reestablishing Alfalfa into Existing Stands Damaged by Flooding

Excess moisture conditions in 1993 caused damage to many stands of alfalfa throughout South Dakota. Floods killed alfalfa in many low-lying areas, and in some instances, entire stands were lost because of excess water. Alfalfa cannot tolerate wet soil conditions for an extended period of time. Several diseases that persist under wet conditions can further damage or even kill alfalfa plants. In addition, standing water can damage plants by reducing oxygen levels necessary for adequate respiration within the plant

Forage Potential of Cicer Milkvetch

Cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L), a legume native from the Causcasus Mountains in Asia across southern Europe to Spain, was introduced into the United States in the 1920’s. It’s used for grazing, hay, and soil conservation in the northern and central Rocky Mountain Region of the United States and western Canada. Cicer milkvetch is gaining popularity in other regions of the United States because it is more tolerant than alfalfa to acidic or alkaline soils and does not cause bloat in grazing animals. Several South Dakota producers planted small acreages of cicer milkvetch in spring 1989. These acreages are being monitored, and producer experiences with this crop will be publicized

Winter Injury in Alfalfa: Assessment and Management

Injury to alfalfa plants during the winter can cause serious stand losses and is a major problem in growing alfalfa in South Dakota. Stand hardiness is affected by climatic conditions, soil condi¬tions, and cultural practices

Cultivar Test in South Dakota, 1989 Report: Alfalfa Yields

Fifteen to 20 new alfalfa cultivars are released annually through public and commercial breeding programs. To select a cultivar for your operation, you will need information on forage yield, winterhardiness, and disease resistance. The alfalfa cultivar yield test of the Plant Science Department at SDSU determines relative forage production characteristics for available cultivars and experimental lines at several locations in South Dakota

Cultivar Test in South Dakota, 1988 Report: Alfalfa Yields

About 15 new alfalfa cultivars are released each year. Many of these cultivars are on the market, and you need to know their forage yields under South Dakota conditions before you can select one for your operation. Such yield information is given here for available cultivars and experimental lines at several locations in the state

Cultivar Test in South Dakota, 1990 Report: Alfalfa Yields

New alfalfa cultivars come on the market every year. Selecting the right one for your situation takes a little study on your part. From the SDSU Alfalfa Cultivar Yield Tests you can compare the critical forage production characteristics--yield, winterhardiness, and disease resistance--for available cultivars and experimental lines at several locations in South Dakot