IPM Implementation Project - Continuing Using NEWA Internet Resources To Increase Use of Onion IPM

Growers on 5 onion farms received a review on how to access information from NEWA and they were assisted in incorporating NEWA disease and weather forecasts, as well as field scouting, into their crop protection decision-making process. The wet season and significant disease pressure were motivating factors in their use of the onion disease and weather forecasts. The Modified Blight Alert and the Michigan Botrytis Forecast numbers were impressive and the growers took the disease pressure seriously. One of the 5 growers never participated in an onion IPM program before

Using NEWA Internet Resources To Increase Use of Onion IPM

Growers on 5 onion farms were taught how to access information from NEWA and 4 were assisted in incorporating NEWA disease and weather forecasts, as well as field scouting, into their crop protection decision-making process. This helped them fine-tune their pesticide applications and to reduce the risks of crop loss from pests. It is expected that they would make more use of NEWA in a year with normal/excess rainfall. Two of the 4 growers never participated in an onion IPM program before

Economic selection index development for Beefmaster cattle I: Terminal breeding objective

The objective of this study was to develop an economic selection index for Beefmaster cattle in a terminal production system where bulls are mated to mature cows with all resulting progeny harvested. National average prices from 2010 to 2014 were used to establish income and expenses for the system. Phenotypic and genetic parameter values among the selection criteria and goal traits were obtained from literature. Economic values were estimated by simulating 100,000 animals and approximating the partial derivatives of the profit function by perturbing traits one at a time, by 1 unit, while holding the other traits constant at their respective means. Relative economic values (REV) for the terminal objective traits HCW, marbling score (MS), ribeye area (REA), 12th–rib fat (FAT), and feed intake (FI) were 91.29, 17.01, 8.38, -7.07, and -29.66, respectively. Consequently, improving the efficiency of beef production is expected to impact profitability greater than improving carcass merit alone. The accuracy of the index lies between 0.338 (phenotypic selection) and 0.503 (breeding values known without error). The application of this index would aid Beefmaster breeders in their sire selection decisions, facilitating genetic improvement for a terminal breeding objective

The monstrous body of the law: Wollstonecraft vs. Shelley

Includes bibliographical references.Cover title.published_or_final_versio

UK-India Centre for Advanced Technology for Minimizing Indiscriminate Use of Antibiotics:"Exploring biology of antibiotic resistance and potential targets for early diagnosis and effective management of infectious diseases”

YesDuring January 15th – 17th, 2017 a group of scientists met, under the auspices of the UK-India Centre for Advanced Technology for Minimizing Indiscriminate Use of Antibiotics, to discuss the further developments and potential solutions to antimicrobial resistance. This was the third work shop under this funding stream held in Hyderabad. The presentations and outcomes of the workshop are released here. Key out comes included the need to address improved treatment and detection of TB, delivery of antimicrobial peptides, potential strategies for combating beta-lactam resistance.Medical Research Counci

Normal modes of oscillation of the VULCAN PHALANX close-in weapon system

A study of the PHALANX CLOSE-IN WEAPON SYSTEM's (CIWS) Mkl49 round and the M6lAl Gatling gun focused on modeling the various design factors that influence projectile trajectory and accuracy. The PHALANX currently experiences random and variable dispersion values which can diminish the PHALANX' ability to destroy incoming targets. The focus of the analysis was on determining and understanding the dynamical modes of oscillation and forced response dynamics. A model of the PHALANX' M6lAl Gatling gun was developed in great detail and its normal modes of vibration and natural frequencies were computed. Because dynamic response is comprised of modal responses, it is critical that the modes of the gun are understood. Various. excitation forces were applied, simulating a range of firing bursts, and displacements of the firing barrel were recorded in all translational directions. Animation of the normal modes of vibration indicate that PHALANX' six-barrel system plays a significant role in the lower order normal modes, and possibly the most significant contribution to dispersion. Also, results of the dynamic response reveal barrel tip displacements, that are consistent with well documented dispersion values. The FEM provides a timely method to evaluate proposed design modifications and subsequent analysis. This model will be valuable as part of the Optimized Barrel Design project currently underway.http://archive.org/details/normalmodesofosc1094539807Lieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

John Austin or Jane Austen?: the province of jurisprudence determined in pride and prejudice

Cover title.Includes bibliographical references and index.January 1998.published_or_final_versio

Antimicrobial graft copolymer gels

In view of the growing worldwide rise in microbial resistance, there is considerable interest in designing new antimicrobial copolymers. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between antimicrobial activity and copolymer composition/ architecture to gain a better understanding of their mechanism of action. Specifically, the antibacterial activity of several copolymers based on 2- (methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine [MPC] and 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) toward Staphylococcus aureus was examined. Both block and graft copolymers were synthesized using either atom transfer radical polymerization or reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer polymerization and characterized via 1H NMR, gel permeation chromatography, rheology, and surface tensiometry. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using a range of well-known assays, including direct contact, live/dead staining, and the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), while transmission electron microscopy was used to study the morphology of the bacteria before and after the addition of various copolymers. As expected, PMPC homopolymer was biocompatible but possessed no discernible antimicrobial activity. PMPC-based graft copolymers comprising PHPMA side chains (i.e. PMPC-g-PHPMA) significantly reduced both bacterial growth and viability. In contrast, a PMPC−PHPMA diblock copolymer comprising a PMPC stabilizer block and a hydrophobic core-forming PHPMA block did not exhibit any antimicrobial activity, although it did form a biocompatible worm gel. Surface tensiometry studies and LDH release assays suggest that the PMPC-g-PHPMA graft copolymer exhibits surfactantlike activity. Thus, the observed antimicrobial activity is likely to be the result of the weakly hydrophobic PHPMA chains penetrating (and hence rupturing) the bacterial membrane

Economic selection index development for Beefmaster cattle II: General-purpose breeding objective

An economic selection index was developed for Beefmaster cattle in a general-purpose production system in which bulls are mated to a combination of heifers and mature cows, with resulting progeny retained as replacements or sold at weaning. National average prices from 2010 to 2014 were used to establish income and expenses for the system. Genetic parameters were obtained from the literature. Economic values were estimated by simulating 100,000 animals and approximating the partial derivatives of the profit function by perturbing traits 1 at a time, by 1 unit, while holding the other traits constant at their respective means. Relative economic values for the objective traits calving difficultly direct (CDd), calving difficulty maternal (CDm), weaning weight direct (WWd), weaning weight maternal (WWm), mature cow weight (MW), and heifer pregnancy (HP) were −2.11, −1.53, 18.49, 11.28, −33.46, and 1.19, respectively. Consequently, under the scenario assumed herein, the greatest improvements in profitability could be made by decreasing maintenance energy costs associated with MW followed by improvements in weaning weight. The accuracy of the index lies between 0.218 (phenotypic-based index selection) and 0.428 (breeding values known without error). Implementation of this index would facilitate genetic improvement and increase profitability of Beefmaster cattle operations with a general-purpose breeding objective when replacement females are retained and with weaned calves as the sale end point