Herbivore Preference for Afternoon- and Morning-Cut Forages and Adoption of Cutting Management Strategies

Photosynthesizing forage plants accumulate total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) during daylight, but then TNC concentrations are reduced during the night. Afternoon-cut forage (PM) has greater TNC value and thus economic value, than morning-cut (AM). Livestock prefer PM-cut hay and this can be readily demonstrated by offering animals a choice of hays cut in PM and AM. Alfalfa growers in the western United States are readily adopting PM-cutting technology to increase profits

Collecting biological material from palliative care patients in the last weeks of life: a feasibility study

Objective To assess the feasibility of prospectively collecting biological samples (urine) from palliative care patients in the last weeks of life. Setting A 30-bedded specialist hospice in the North West of England. Participants Participants were adults with a diagnosis of advanced disease and able to provide written informed consent. Method Potential participants were identified by a senior clinician over a 12-week period in 2014. They were then approached by a researcher and invited to participate according to a developed recruitment protocol. Outcomes Feasibility targets included a recruitment rate of 50%, with successful collection of samples from 80% who consented. Results A total of 58 patients were approached and 33 consented (57% recruitment rate). Twenty-five patients (43%) were unable to participate or declined; 10 (17%) became unwell, too fatigued, lost capacity, died or were discharged home; and 15 (26%) refused, usually these patients had distressing pain, low mood or profound fatigue. From the 33 recruited, 20 participants provided 128 separate urine samples, 12 participants did not meet the inclusion criteria at the time of consent and 1 participant was unable to provide a sample. The criterion for a urinary catheter was removed for the latter 6 weeks. The collection rate during the first 6 weeks was 29% and 93% for the latter 6 weeks. Seven people died while the study was ongoing, and another 4 participants died in the following 4 weeks. Conclusions It is possible to recruit and collect multiple biological samples over time from palliative care patients in the last weeks and days of life even if they have lost capacity. Research into the biological changes at the end of life could develop a greater understanding of the biology of the dying process. This may lead to improved prognostication and care of patients towards the end of life

The Scarecrow

Currently, the development of technology is already quite rapidly with many new discoveries were found, but of the many technologies invented yet applied or utilized for agriculture. Technology expulsion of rice pests automatically environmentally friendly (solar powered) with high efficiency is needed to save money, energy and time. In the study conducted to optimize the testing tool carefully gradually from the collection of materials and materials, design tools and programs, making tools, testing tools, data analysis and conclusions. To support this process and get the appropriate calculation is done using the first simulation software simulator with high accuracy. With the establishment of rice pest repellent technology automatically solar powered, could create an automated tool to repel pests of rice, rice pest population control, energy saving, power, cost, time, effective, practical, environmentally friendly and has a high efficiency in its use, so that farming communities can develop their business evolve towards better and produce maximum production of agricultural products

Soil Ingestion by Cattle on Semiarid Range as Reflected by Titanium Analysis of Feces

Soil ingestion was determined for cattle grazing a Bromus tectorum range in southern Idaho by measuring titanium concentrations in animal feces collected at 2-week intervals during the droughty 1973 grazing season. The experiment was based on the premise that titanium, which is abundant in soils, is contained only in small quantities (less than 1 ppm) in plants not contaminated with soil. Fecal-soil values averaged 14%, with values ranging from 3 to 30% of fecal dry matter, increasing as forage availability decreased. Soil ingestion levels were estimated to range from 0.1 to 1.5 kg with a median of 0.5 kg soil/animal-day. This soil was ingested primarily with the roots of Bromus tectorum, which were often pulled up and consumed with the aboveground plant parts. Dust on leaves and stems accounted for only a small portion of the ingested soil. Measurements of acid-insoluble residue concentration in feces overestimated soil ingestion because of the probable presence of SiO? of plant origin. Large changes in forage SiO? concentrations of the diet reduce the effectiveness of this method compared to the Ti method. Ingested soil may be a possible source of trace minerals, pesticides, heavy metals, and radionucleides that may be sorbed to surface soil particles

A new tall fescue with a beneficial endophyte

Researchers from the University of Arkansas, University of Missouri, and the USDA Agricultural Research Service cooperated in an effort to produce a new cultivar of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) containing an endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum) which does not produce ergot alkaloids. Our objective was to select and introduce an endophyte which was not toxic to livestock be that retained the beneficial characteristic of enhancing plant drought tolerance. Studies were conducted in Arkansas and Missouri to test the safety and persistence of the cultivar HiMag with a nontoxic endophyte, referred to here as ArkPlus. ArkPlus was shown to produce steer weight gains as high as HiMag fescue without endophyte, and significantly higher than Kentucky-31 fescue with its natural, toxic endophyte. Stand persistence of ArkPlus was as good as toxic Kentucky-31 and better than endophyte-free HiMag in southwest Arkansas. ArkPlus Brand tall fescue is currently being marketed by FFR Cooperative and through its associated cooperatives throughout most states in the southeast

Are public health measures and individualised care compatible in the face of a pandemic? A national observational study of bereaved relatives’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: COVID-19 public health restrictions have affected end-of-life care experiences for dying patients and their families. Aim: To explore bereaved relatives’ experiences of quality of care and family support provided during the last days of life; to identify the impact of factors associated with perceived support. Design: A national, observational, open online survey was developed and disseminated via social media, public fora and professional networks (June–September 2020). Validated instruments and purposively designed questions assessed experiences. Analysis used descriptive statistics, logistic regression and thematic analysis of free-text responses. Participants: Individuals (⩾18 years) who had experienced the death of a relative/friend (all care settings) within the United Kingdome during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Respondents (n = 278, mean 53.4 years) tended to be female (n = 216, 78%); over half were ‘son/daughter’ (174, 62.6%) to the deceased. Deceased individuals (mean 81.6 years) most frequently died in their ‘usual place of care’ (n = 192, 69.3%). Analysis established five conceptual themes affecting individualised care: (1) public health restrictions compounding the distress of ‘not knowing’; (2) disparate views about support from doctors and nurses; (3) challenges in communication and level of preparedness for the death; (4) delivery of compassionate care; (5) emotional needs and potential impact on grief. Male respondents (OR 2.9, p = 0.03) and those able to visit (OR 2.2, p = 0.04) were independently associated with good perceptions of family support. Conclusion: Despite public health restrictions, individualised care can be enabled by proactive, informative communication; recognising dying in a timely manner and facilitating the ability to be present before death

The impact of Covid-19 pandemic on hospices: a systematic integrated review and synthesis of recommendations for policy and practice

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the development of numerous recommendations for practice and policy for specialist palliative care provided by hospices in United Kingdom (UK), as hospices were significantly affected by the pandemic and protections put in place. The aim of this review is to identify and synthesise recommendations or implications for policy and practice that have been generated for adult hospice specialist palliative care during the first 24 months of the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: AMED, BNI, CINAHL, EMBASE, EMCARE, HMIC, Medline, PsycINFO, PubMed databases were searched for peer-reviewed papers, as well as hand searchers for grey literature. Literature relating to hospices and Covid-19 in the UK were included and a thematic synthesis of recommendations for hospice policy and practice was undertaken. Results: 858 articles were identified with 12 meeting the inclusion criteria. Fifty-eight recommendations or implications were identified: 31 for policy, 27 for practice, and 10 covering both. Recommendations were organised under ten themes. There were several recommendations seeking to secure hospice resources to mitigate the short-term impact of the pandemic, as well as those focused on longer-term implications such as core funding. The impact of the pandemic on the quality of hospice care was the focus for numerous recommendations around improving integration of hospice care in the community, provision of bereavement support and better use of Advance Care Plans (ACP). However, there were significant gaps related to carer visitation in hospices, inequities of palliative care, or hospice-at-home services. Conclusion: The Covid-19 pandemic and protections exposed several ongoing policy and practice needs, especially around hospice resources, while generating novel issues for hospices to address. Significant policy gaps remain to be addressed to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the quality of hospice specialist palliative care

Biotransfer possibilities of selenium from plants used in phytoremediation

We are investigating the biotransfer of accumulated Se by the plant in several phytoremediation systems. In study I, we evaluated the biotransfer of Se from Indian mustard, a Brassica species, to the insect-cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni); mortality, deterrence, and biomagnification of Se were examined. We determined that feeding behavior of food chain consumers was affected not only by the plant concentration of Se, but also by the mobility of the insects and choice of feed available. In study II, we examined the survival and development of beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua) fed Se-enriched plant tissues from different lines of saltbush (Atriplex spp.) After feeding on lines of saltbush that produced high biomass and accumulated high concentrations of Se, insect growth and survival was reduced. In studies III, IV, and V, lambs, dairy cows, and rabbits were fed Se-enriched Brassica and Medicago (alfalfa) plants as part of their feed ration. None of the tested animals exhibited any Se toxicity symptoms, but they had increased levels of Se in most tissues sampled (e.g., organs, blood, urine, feces), excluding milk. In study VI, we evaluated biotransfer of Se from broccoli to rats to determine efficacy of Se for reducing colon cancer. We found that Se-enriched plant material was more effective than inorganic sources of Se for preventing precancerous colon lesions. Results from all studies clearly show that Se absorbed by plants can be transferred biologically in an intentional or unintentional manner to insects and animals

Risk factors associated with poorer experiences of end-of-life care and challenges in early bereavement: Results of a national online survey of people bereaved during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Experiences of end-of-life care and early bereavement during the COVID-19 pandemic are poorly understood. Aim: To identify clinical and demographic risk factors for sub-optimal end-of-life care and pandemic-related challenges prior to death and in early bereavement, to inform clinical practice, policy and bereavement support. Design: Online national survey of adults bereaved in the UK (deaths between 16 March 2020 and 2 January 2021), recruited via media, social media, national associations and organisations. Setting/participants: 711 participants, mean age 49.5 (SD 12.9, range 18–90). 628 (88.6%) were female. Mean age of the deceased was 72.2 (SD 16.1, range miscarriage to 102 years). 311 (43.8%) deaths were from confirmed/suspected COVID-19. Results: Deaths in hospital/care home increased the likelihood of poorer experiences at the end of life; for example, being unable to visit or say goodbye as wanted (p < 0.001). COVID-19 was also associated with worse experiences before and after death; for example, feeling unsupported by healthcare professionals (p < 0.001), social isolation/loneliness (OR = 0.439; 95% CI: 0.261–0.739), and limited contact with relatives/friends (OR = 0.465; 95% CI: 0.254–0.852). Expected deaths were associated with a higher likelihood of positive end-of-life care experiences. The deceased being a partner or child also increased the likelihood of positive experiences, however being a bereaved partner strongly increased odds of social isolation/loneliness, for example, OR = 0.092 (95% CI: 0.028–0.297) partner versus distant family member. Conclusions: Four clear risk factors were found for poorer end-of-life care and pandemic-related challenges in bereavement: place, cause and expectedness of death, and relationship to the deceased