AEDGE: Atomic Experiment for Dark Matter and Gravity Exploration in Space

Abstract: We propose in this White Paper a concept for a space experiment using cold atoms to search for ultra-light dark matter, and to detect gravitational waves in the frequency range between the most sensitive ranges of LISA and the terrestrial LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA/INDIGO experiments. This interdisciplinary experiment, called Atomic Experiment for Dark Matter and Gravity Exploration (AEDGE), will also complement other planned searches for dark matter, and exploit synergies with other gravitational wave detectors. We give examples of the extended range of sensitivity to ultra-light dark matter offered by AEDGE, and how its gravitational-wave measurements could explore the assembly of super-massive black holes, first-order phase transitions in the early universe and cosmic strings. AEDGE will be based upon technologies now being developed for terrestrial experiments using cold atoms, and will benefit from the space experience obtained with, e.g., LISA and cold atom experiments in microgravity. KCL-PH-TH/2019-65, CERN-TH-2019-12

Comparative Study on Growth Performance in Lambs Reared under Organic and Conventional Systems

Aim of the current research was to compare the growth performance in finishing lambs reared under organic production system to performances of lambs from conventional systems, under highland pastures conditions. Two genotypes were used, purebred Turcana lambs and F1 German Blackheaded x Turcana dual-breeds, reared under two production systems, conventional versus organic. In addition, each of the production system and genotype had two experimental variants, with and without concentrates allowance, resulting 8 experimental groups. Under conventional system, lambs registered average daily gains (ADG) ranging between 258.0±0.12 and 124.0±0.20 g/day, with both genotype and experimental variant significantly (p≤0.05) influencing the growth rates. Under organic production, ADG values in lambs ranged between 227.3±0.12 and 94.3±0.08 g/day, with the factors taken into account influencing significantly (p≤0.001) the growth rates. It was concluded that production system, genotype and concentrates allowance significantly influence growth rates in finishing lambs

Patterns of Maternal Behaviour in Sheep

The mother-offspring behaviour patterns were monitored in 10 ewes and their new-born lamb(s), during one month, between 1015 am and 1915 pm. Inside the shelter, the temperature ranged between 9 and 20°C and outside, there was sunny weather, with mild wind blow. The observations were made from 10 m distance, without breaking into the sheep’s flight zone. There were observed 2130 patterns of ewe-lamb interaction, belonging to 22 main manifestations of maternal behaviour. The most frequently observed behaviour in the ewes was lamb grooming (licking): licking the head of the lamb was observed 356 times (41%), followed by licking the forequarter – 265 times (30%), the back of the lamb – 131 times (15%), the abdominal area – 91 times (10%) and the perineal and/or anogenital area – 36 times (4%). Studies of maternal and neonatal behaviour in sheep contribute to development of management practices, resulting in decreased neonatal mortality, increased meat production and improvement of animal health and welfare. They also confirm the importance of ethology in the veterinary practice

Effects of Crossbreeding and Concentrates Feeding on Growth Rates of Goat Kids Reared under Highlands Conditions

Aim of the current research was to evaluate the effects that crossbreeding and concentrates feeding have on growth performance of goat kids managed under pasture conditions of the Romanian highlands. Experiments were carried out at the Research and Development Station for Sheep and Goats from Caransebes, in south-western Romania. The growth performances of two kids genotypes were studied, Carpatina purebreds and F1 Boer x Carpatina crossbred kids, respectively. Under two experimental variants, with no concentrates allowance and with 300 g/day concentrates supplementation of the ration, respectively. Carpatina purebred kids had an average daily gain of 100.7±0.03 g/day when managed exclusively on pastures (control group), while the group fed with concentrates registered growth rates of 124.4±0.02 g/day (p≤0.05). The F1 Boer x Carpatina crossbreeds had growth rates of 145.2±0.02 g/day when kept exclusively on pasture, while the group fed with additional concentrates registered growth rates of 211.9±0.04 g/day (p≤0.01). Genotype of the kids affected significantly (p≤0.001) the growth rates, in both experimental variants. It was concluded that both crossbreeding and, to a leaser extent concentrates feeding of kids, are influencing the growth rates of fattening kids managed under highlands conditions of Romania

Effects of Crossbreeding and Concentrates Feeding on Growth Rates of Goat Kids Reared under Highlands Conditions

Aim of the current research was to evaluate the effects that crossbreeding and concentrates feeding have on growth performance of goat kids managed under pasture conditions of the Romanian highlands. Experiments were carried out at the Research and Development Station for Sheep and Goats from Caransebes, in south-western Romania. The growth performances of two kids genotypes were studied, Carpatina purebreds and F1 Boer x Carpatina crossbred kids, respectively. Under two experimental variants, with no concentrates allowance and with 300 g/day concentrates supplementation of the ration, respectively. Carpatina purebred kids had an average daily gain of 100.7±0.03 g/day when managed exclusively on pastures (control group), while the group fed with concentrates registered growth rates of 124.4±0.02 g/day (p≤0.05). The F1 Boer x Carpatina crossbreeds had growth rates of 145.2±0.02 g/day when kept exclusively on pasture, while the group fed with additional concentrates registered growth rates of 211.9±0.04 g/day (p≤0.01). Genotype of the kids affected significantly (p≤0.001) the growth rates, in both experimental variants. It was concluded that both crossbreeding and, to a leaser extent concentrates feeding of kids, are influencing the growth rates of fattening kids managed under highlands conditions of Romania

Effects of Crossbreeding Lacaune with Turcana Breed on Milk Production Traits

Objective of the current research was to evaluate the effects of crossbreeding the French Lacaune breed with Romanian indigenous Turcana sheep on milk production traits in crossbred ewes. Milk yield in Turcana ewes was on average 77.98±2.73 kg, with limits ranging between 64.67kg and 92.01kg. While in the F1 Lacaune x Turcana, the average milk production was of 109.04±4.70 kg, with limits ranging between 89.23kg and 129.76kg. The F1 Lacaune x Turcana ewes outperformed significantly (p0.05) on the fat percentage from milk. Current results show that by using Lacaune rams for crossbreeding with the unimproved Turcana, the progeny will have significantly higher milk yields, and thus, the farm returns could be much improved in sheep enterprises that practice the semi-intensive pasture-based farming system. Thus, current results should be advertised to both farmers and the breeders associations, in order for the sheep farmers to take advantage of the breed complementarity found between the specialized Lacaune and the local Turcana