Economic analysis of waste management systems on Tennessee dairy farms

The purpose of this research was to make a comparative evaluation of the various waste management systems most commonly found on Tennessee dairy farms. Systems deemed to be most typical were classified as: (1) daily haul (DH); (2) dry stack (DS); (3) earthen pit (EP); (4) above- ground tank (ACT) (steel or concrete); (5) single stage lagoon (SSL); and (6) two stage lagoon (TSL). Storage capacity of 3-months and 6-months was assumed for DS, EP, and ACT systems. The dairy waste management systems were compared for various sizes of milking herds and alternative confinement systems. The sizes of milking herds modeled were 80, 160, and 320 cows. Alternative confine-ment systems were defined as partial and total confinement. Seventy- eight distinct dairy waste systems resulted from incorporating the three herd sizes, two confinement systems, and seven waste systems (with associated variation in storage capacity and collection methods) into the analysis. Based upon technical data synthesized and primary cost data col-lected, each specific dairy waste management system was modeled with regard to economic parameters of initial investment and annual costs/- returns. It was assumed that quantifiable economic returns from any system were restricted to the fertilizer value of the waste nutrients preserved by that waste system. System comparisons were then made based upon these estimated economic parameters. With regard to initial investment, DH systems were least cost in each case analyzed. Generally, EP (particularly EP/3) systems were the next least cost system. AGT systems consistently required the greatest initial investment. Typically, SAGT systems required larger capital outlays than similar CAGT systems. Definite economies accrued to herd size. Per cow investment costs fell by as much as 70% when herd size was increased from 80 to 320 cows. Additionally, doubling storage capacity on those systems for which this parameter was varied resulted in less than double investment costs. When compared with respect to net annual costs, DH systems were least cost for modeled dairy herds utilizing partial confinement. How ever, EP systems (EP/3 and EP/6) tended to be least cost on modeled dairy herds incorporating total confinement. At the very large herd size (320 cows) lagoon systems, especially the SSL/FC system, became quite competitive with EP systems. AGT systems, specifically SAGT systems, were consistently the most costly systems. Certain critical parameters were varied to test the stability of the performed net annual cost analysis. Parameters deemed to be criti-cal included nutrient loss rates, manorial nutrient values, and labor costs. Generally, variation of these parameters did not significantly im-pact on relative net annual costs. Systems remained relatively stable when compared to one another. However, net annual costs for particular dairy waste systems were significantly affected in absolute terms. Only when nutrient values were increased by 50% did positive re-turns accrue to any dairy waste management system. Increases of this magnitude in prices of manorial fertilizer nutrients are not anticipated in the near future

Fragaria species grown in a Greenhouse Cropping System chemigated by Phosfite® and Bacillus® in subsidence of Phytophthora fragariae and Verticillium dahliae

Strawberry yields depend directly on infestation of Phytophthora fragariae and Verticillium dahliae in correspondance to the use of Phosfite and Bacillus. The objective is to find understanding of newly administered techniques in prevention of Phytophthora fragariae and Verticillium dahliae and prohibiting the use of Methyl Bromide. Application of Phosfite and Bacillus on patented Fragariae species to identify utilization of P and ZN forms and their aid in prevention of Phytophthora and Verticillium species. In the Plots on the western bench the developmental symptoms of PRR disease were absent within all infested soil containers containing the FHS-1 crop. In the plots on the eastern bench the developmental symptoms of VVD was present among a select few plants within the study and caused necrosis and death to one plant within this particular study, Can # 95 a container confirmed to have residual V. dahliae fungus. Our results demonstrated that the suppressive effect of Phosphite against PRR in the FHS-1 was not evident in the study. Throughout the experiment large quantities of strawberries showed imperfect shape and structure due to unsatisfactory incomplete pollination by greenhouse bees. Overall fruit quality was satisfactory. Throughout the study The UTC, and the strawberries tested with Phosfite had no evidence of any disease symptoms present. Adding gypsum to the soil helped aid in water penetration solving the irrigation problem and could have been the catalyst in suppressing the PRR disease as correlated in previous studies found on riddance of Phytophthora Cinamoni in Avocado Orchards. In future studies plant leaf analysis in comparison of P and Zn species will be conducted to monitor a closer balance among the treatments used. Phosphoric Acid solutions will be provided to study at specific concentrations (ppm)

Theoretical and Empirical Investigation of Fourier Trajectory Analysis for System Discrimination

With few exceptions, simulation output analysis has focused on static characterizations, to determine a property of the steady-state distribution of a performance metric such as a mean, a quantile, or the distribution itself. Analyses often seek to overcome difficulties induced by autocorrelation of the output stream. But sample paths generated by stochastic simulation exhibit dynamic behavior that is characteristic of system structure and associated distributions. In this technical report, we investigate these dynamic characteristics, as captured by the Fourier transform of a dynamic simulation trajectory. We find that Fourier coefficient magnitudes can have greater discriminatory power than the usual test statistics, and with simpler analysis resulting from the statistical independence of coefficient estimates at different frequencies. Theoretical and Empirical results are provided

Associations among neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation, physical activity facilities, and physical activity in youth during the transition from childhood to adolescence

BACKGROUND: This study aims to examine the longitudinal association of neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation (SED) with physical activity in youth during the transition from elementary to middle school, and to determine if access to physical activity facilities moderates this relationship. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Transitions and Activity Changes in Kids (TRACK) study, which was a multilevel, longitudinal study designed to identify the factors that influence changes in physical activity as youth transition from elementary to middle school. The analytic sample for the current study included 660 youth with complete data in grades 5 (baseline) and 7 (follow-up). A repeated measures multilevel framework was employed to examine the relationship between SED and physical activity over time and the potential moderating role of elements of the built environment. RESULTS: Decreases in physical activity varied by the degree of neighborhood SED with youth residing in the most deprived neighborhoods experiencing the greatest declines in physical activity. Access to supportive physical activity facilities did not moderate this relationship. CONCLUSION: Future research studies are needed to better understand how neighborhood SED influences youth physical activity over time

The intrinsic stiffness of human trabecular meshwork cells increases with senescence.

Dysfunction of the human trabecular meshwork (HTM) plays a central role in the age-associated disease glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness. The etiology remains poorly understood but cellular senescence, increased stiffness of the tissue, and the expression of Wnt antagonists such as secreted frizzled related protein-1 (SFRP1) have been implicated. However, it is not known if senescence is causally linked to either stiffness or SFRP1 expression. In this study, we utilized in vitro HTM senescence to determine the effect on cellular stiffening and SFRP1 expression. Stiffness of cultured cells was measured using atomic force microscopy and the morphology of the cytoskeleton was determined using immunofluorescent analysis. SFRP1 expression was measured using qPCR and immunofluorescent analysis. Senescent cell stiffness increased 1.88±0.14 or 2.57±0.14 fold in the presence or absence of serum, respectively. This was accompanied by increased vimentin expression, stress fiber formation, and SFRP1 expression. In aggregate, these data demonstrate that senescence may be a causal factor in HTM stiffening and elevated SFRP1 expression, and contribute towards disease progression. These findings provide insight into the etiology of glaucoma and, more broadly, suggest a causal link between senescence and altered tissue biomechanics in aging-associated diseases

Optimising motor learning in infants at high risk of cerebral palsy: a pilot study

Background: The average age for the diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP) is 19 months. Recent neuroplasticity literature suggests that intensive, task-specific intervention ought to commence as early as possible and in an enriched environment, during the critical period of neural development. Active motor interventions are effective in some populations, however the effects of active motor interventions on the motor outcomes of infants with CP have not been researched thoroughly, but pilot work is promising. The aim of this study was to determine the short- term effects of “GAME”; a new and novel goal-oriented activity-based, environmental enrichment therapy programme on the motor development of infants at high risk of CP and test study procedures for a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Methods: Pragmatic 2-group pilot RCT to assess motor outcomes, goal attainment, parent well-being and home environment quality, after 12-weeks of GAME intervention versus standard care. GAME included: creation of movement environments to elicit motor behaviours; parent training in motor learning and task analysis; frequent practice of motor tasks using a programme that was individualised to the child, was varied and focused on self-initiated movement. Data were analyzed using multiple regression. Results: Thirteen infants were consented, randomised, treated and completed the study. At study conclusion, the GAME group (n = 6) demonstrated an advantage in Total Motor Quotient of 8.05 points on the Peabody Developmental Motor Scale-2 (PDMS-2) compared to the standard care group (n = 7) (p \u3c .001). No significant differences existed between groups on any other measure. Conclusions: GAME appears to offer a promising and feasible new motor intervention for CP, with favourable short-term motor outcomes. A pressing need exists for an adequately powered RCT with long-term end points, to determine if GAME may advance these children’s motor trajectory

Advanced propfan analysis for the family of commuter airplanes

Advanced propfans were selected to be used throughout the family of commuters. These propulsion systems offer a 25 to 28 percent fuel savings over comparably sized turbofans operating in the 1990s. A brief study of the propulsion systems available for the family of commuters is provided and the selection of the advanced turboprops justified. The propeller and engine designs and performance are discussed. The integration of these designs are examined. Also addressed is the noise considerations and constraints due to propfan installation