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Core Ideas Comparing sources of N applied to grasses can help lead to decisions N application. This information assists southeastern producers with guidelines on N fertilization. With conventional N fertilizer increasing prices, it is important to explore different alternatives. Alternatives to conventional N fertilization on tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort., nom. cons. cv. Kentucky‐31] and bermudagrass [Cynadon dactylon (L.) Pers. cv. Vaughn’s #1] were studied at the University of Tennessee Plateau Research and Education Center in Crossville, TN. The experimental period occurred from April to September 2016 and 2017, and the experimental design for each experiment was a completely randomized block design with six treatments and four replications (n = 24). For both species, treatments were: control (CN) without N fertilization; grass and white clover (WC) [Trifolium repens (L.) cv. Ladino‐Will]; grass and red clover (RC) [Trifolium pretense (L.) cv. Cinnamon Plus]; grass and cowpea (CW) [Vigna unguiculata (L.) cv. ‘Iron & Clay’]; broiler litter (BL); and ammonium nitrate (AN). Legume percentage of CW in tall fescue was comparable to RC in tall fescue (P = 0.646) in 2016 but differed in 2017 (P = 0.0002). Also in tall fescue, RC treatments resulted in the greatest total herbage mass (HM) in 2017, which was 1986 kg ha−1 more than other treatments. In 2017, RC and WC treatments in tall fescue were greater in (ADF) for most of the growing season. For bermudagrass, RC treatments resulted in the greatest HM in 2016, with 4526 kg ha−1 more than other treatments, and in 2017 with 4289 kg ha−1 more than other treatments. Treatments containing a single application of BL or AN in spring each year showed no differences for total HM and crude protein (CP) in both species.

Objective:Neuropathological descriptions of the brain in Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) were obtained before availability of the current molecular genetic tests for this disease. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) enables an unbiased whole-brain quantitative analysis of differences in gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volume.Methods:Using VBM, we assessed the brain structural damage in 22 patients with genetically confirmed FRDA and 25 healthy controls. The results were correlated with the disease duration and the severity of the patients’ clinical deficits—evaluated using the International Cerebellar Ataxia Rating Scale and Inherited Ataxia Clinical Rating Scale.Results:In patients with FRDA, VBM showed a symmetrical volume loss in dorsal medulla, infero-medial portions of the cerebellar hemispheres, the rostral vermis and in the dentate region. No volume loss in cerebral hemispheres was observed. The atrophy of the cerebellum and medulla correlated with the severity of the clinical deficit and disease duration.Conclusions:In patients with FRDA, significant GM and WM loss was observed only in the cerebellum and dorsal medulla. These structural changes correlate with the severity of the clinical deficit and disease duration.

Despite overall increased production in the last century, it is critical that grazing production systems focus on improving beef and dairy efficiency to meet current and future global food demands. For livestock producers, production efficiency is essential to maintain long-term profitability and sustainability. This continued viability of production systems using pasture- and range-based grazing systems requires more rapid adoption of innovative management practices and selection tools that increase profitability by optimizing grazing management and increasing reproductive performance. Understanding the genetic variation in cow herds will provide the ability to select cows that require less energy for maintenance, which can potentially reduce total energy utilization or energy required for production, consequently improving production efficiency and profitability. In the United States, pasture- and range-based grazing systems vary tremendously across various unique environments that differ in climate, topography, and forage production. This variation in environmental conditions contributes to the challenges of developing or targeting specific genetic components and grazing systems that lead to increased production efficiency. However, across these various environments and grazing management systems, grazable forage remains the least expensive nutrient source to maintain productivity of the cow herd. Beef and dairy cattle can capitalize on their ability to utilize these feed resources that are not usable for other production industries. Therefore, lower-cost alternatives to feeding harvested and stored feedstuffs have the opportunity to provide to livestock producers a sustainable and efficient forage production system. However, increasing production efficiency within a given production environment would vary according to genetic potential (i.e., growth and milk potential), how that genetic potential fits the respective production environment, and how the grazing management fits within those genetic parameters. Therefore, matching cow type or genetic potential to the production environment is and will be more important as cost of production increases.

Measurement of forage mass is critical to the management of forage allowance in grazing systems. The rising plate meter (RPM) was developed to monitor forage mass quickly and easily; however, it must be calibrated to provide reliable calculations of forage mass and the calibration coefficients may vary across seasons. Our objective was to investigate seasonal patterns in calibrations of the RPM for estimating forage mass in six cool-season grass swards in Ohio. The RPM reading was highly significant (P < 0.01) in explaining variation in forage mass across sites and weeks; however, the RPM × week, RPM × site, and RPM × week × site interactions (P < 0.01) for forage mass indicated the relationship between RPM reading and forage mass varied among sites and over time. At one site, the RPM to forage mass relationship was investigated for three cool-season grass species, but the RPM × species and RPM × week × species interactions were not significant (P > 0.05). Although there was variation among and within sites for the slope coefficients of forage mass regressed on RPM reading, a broadly similar seasonal pattern was found at most sites. The slope coefficients were usually high in early spring, decreased rapidly during the first weeks of the growing season, and then increased from early summer to the autumn. We concluded the RPM should be calibrated at least monthly over the growing season to define the seasonal pattern and changes in the slope coefficients for forage mass regressed on RPM readings.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of stockpiled forage type and protein supplementation on VFA production, serum metabolites, and BW in yearling beef heifers. Over 2 yr, spring-born, Angus crossbred yearling beef heifers ( = 42; 305 ± 2.9 kg initial BW) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 forage pasture types: 1) endophyte-infected tall fescue [TF; (Schreb.) Dumort], 2) a big bluestem ( Vitman) and indiangrass ( L.) combination (BI), or 3) switchgrass (SG; L.). Each pasture was then randomly assigned to receive either 1 of 2 isonitrogenous CP treatments: 1) 0.68 kg·heifer·d of dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS; 28% CP and 88% TDN) or 2) 0.22 kg·heifer·d of blood meal and fish meal (BF; 72.5% CP and 69.5% TDN), resulting in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Treatments were initiated in January and terminated in April in both years of the study. Body weights and blood samples were collected approximately every 28 d from initiation of grazing until the end of the trial. Heifer BW change from January to February and overall BW change were greater ( < 0.01) for TF heifers. However, BW change from March to April was not different ( = 0.84) among forage types. Supplement type did not influence ( ≥ 0.13) BW or BW change from January to February and from January to April; however, heifers fed DDGS had greater ( = 0.03) BW gain from March to April. Heifer BW change from February to March exhibited ( < 0.05) a forage type × supplement interaction, with BF-fed heifers gaining more BW on BI pastures than DDGS-fed heifers. Serum glucose concentrations, ruminal acetate, and the acetate:propionate ratio were greater ( ≤ 0.04) for SG heifers. However, circulating serum NEFA and urea N (SUN) concentrations were not different ( ≥ 0.85) among forage types. Serum glucose and NEFA concentrations were not influenced ( ≥ 0.61) by supplement type. Circulating SUN concentrations were greater ( < 0.01) in BF-supplemented heifers. Ruminal acetate tended to be greater ( = 0.09) and butyrate concentrations were greater ( < 0.01) for BF-supplemented heifers. The acetate:propionate ratio was not influenced ( = 0.15) by supplement type. These results suggest that a compensatory gain period prior to breeding would be needed for these native warm-season species to be a viable opportunity for growing and developing replacement heifers in the southeastern United States.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the effect of stockpiled forage type and protein supplementation on VFA production, serum metabolites, and BW in yearling beef heifers. Over 2 yr, spring-born, Angus crossbred yearling beef heifers (n = 42; 305 ± 2.9 kg initial BW) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 forage pasture types: 1) endophyte-infected tall fescue [TF; Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort], 2) a big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans L.) combination (BI), or 3) switchgrass (SG; Panicum virgatum L.). Each pasture was then randomly assigned to receive either 1 of 2 isonitrogenous CP treatments: 1) 0.68 kg·heifer−1·d−1 of dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS; 28% CP and 88% TDN) or 2) 0.22 kg·heifer−1·d−1 of blood meal and fish meal (BF; 72.5% CP and 69.5% TDN), resulting in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Treatments were initiated in January and terminated in April in both years of the study. Body weights and blood samples were collected approximately every 28 d from initiation of grazing until the end of the trial. Heifer BW change from January to February and overall BW change were greater (P < 0.01) for TF heifers. However, BW change from March to April was not different (P = 0.84) among forage types. Supplement type did not influence (P ≥ 0.13) BW or BW change from January to February and from January to April; however, heifers fed DDGS had greater (P = 0.03) BW gain from March to April. Heifer BW change from February to March exhibited (P < 0.05) a forage type × supplement interaction, with BF-fed heifers gaining more BW on BI pastures than DDGS-fed heifers. Serum glucose concentrations, ruminal acetate, and the acetate:propionate ratio were greater (P ≤ 0.04) for SG heifers. However, circulating serum NEFA and urea N (SUN) concentrations were not different (P ≥ 0.85) among forage types. Serum glucose and NEFA concentrations were not influenced (P ≥ 0.61) by supplement type. Circulating SUN concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) in BF-supplemented heifers. Ruminal acetate tended to be greater (P = 0.09) and butyrate concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) for BF-supplemented heifers. The acetate:propionate ratio was not influenced (P = 0.15) by supplement type. These results suggest that a compensatory gain period prior to breeding would be needed for these native warm-season species to be a viable opportunity for growing and developing replacement heifers in the southeastern United States.

We provide a database of the surface ruptures produced by the 26 December 2018 Mw 4.9 earthquake that struck the eastern flank of Mt. Etna volcano in Sicily (southern Italy). Despite its relatively small magnitude, this shallow earthquake caused about 8 km of surface faulting, along the trace of the NNW-trending active Fiandaca Fault. Detailed field surveys have been performed in the epicentral area to map the ruptures and to characterize their kinematics. The surface ruptures show a dominant right-oblique sense of displacement with an average slip of about 0.09 m and a maximum value of 0.35 m. We have parsed and organized all observations in a concise database, with 932 homogeneous georeferenced records. The Fiandaca Fault is part of the complex active Timpe faults system affecting the eastern flank of Etna, and its seismic history indicates a prominent surface-faulting potential. Therefore, this database is essential for unravelling the seismotectonics of shallow earthquakes in volcanic areas, and contributes updating empirical scaling regressions that relate magnitude and extent of surface faulting.Measurement(s)coseismic surface rupture • surface rupture kinematics • surface rupture displacement • surface rupture locationTechnology Type(s)field survey • GPS navigation systemFactor Type(s)offset • strike • angle • length • latitude • longitude • elevationSample Characteristic - Environmentvolcanic fieldSample Characteristic - LocationIsland of Sicily • Mount EtnaMachine-accessible metadata file describing the reported data: 10.6084/m9.figshare.11673027

Inhaled corticosteroids may cause oropharyngeal side effects if deposited in the oropharynx in active form. Ciclesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid with low glucocorticoid receptor affinity, is activated primarily in the lung by esterases to an active metabolite, desisobutyryl-ciclesonide (des-CIC), with high glucocorticoid receptor affinity. We studied oropharyngeal deposition of ciclesonide, des-CIC, and budesonide. In an open-label, randomized, two-treatment (administered in sequence), five-period study, 18 healthy subjects received 800 microg (ex-valve) inhaled ciclesonide via a hydrofluoroalkane-pressurized, metered-dose inhaler followed by 800 microg budesonide (Pulmicort) by a chlorofluorocarbon-pressurized, metered-dose inhaler (four puffs of 200 microg each, ex-valve) or vice versa. Oropharyngeal cavity rinsing was performed immediately, or 15, 30, 45, or 60 min after inhalation (one rinsing per study period), and the solutions were analyzed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection. Ciclesonide and budesonide were detected in most oropharyngeal wash samples. Maximal concentration of each inhaled corticosteroid was reached immediately post-inhalation; maximal concentrations of ciclesonide and des-CIC were 30% and 0.67%, respectively, of budesonide. Oropharyngeal deposition of ciclesonide and budesonide decreased rapidly within 15 min post-inhalation, and less rapidly thereafter. Less than 10% of the residual ciclesonide in the oropharynx was converted to des-CIC. The molar dose-adjusted amount of des-CIC was 4% of budesonide (P < 0.0001). There were no significant adverse events. Oropharyngeal deposition of des-CIC was more than one order of magnitude lower than that of budesonide when administered by the respective metered-dose inhalers. This may explain the low frequency of oropharyngeal side effects of ciclesonide in clinical studies.

Dissemination of knowledge should be a core objective for scientists who work with communities exposed to natural disasters. This task requires the spread of knowledge, to make the public aware in a simple, easy-to-understand, manner, yet without any loss of accuracy. ‘Urban Disaster Prevention Strategies using Macroseismic Fields and Fault Sources’ (UPStrat-MAFA) was a European project devoted to the implementation of strategies for urban disaster prevention of several aspects of seismic hazard, including the damage state and the earthquake impact. The project carried out numerous outreach activities for the public and stakeholders, to encourage the development of a bottom-up strategy towards disasters mitigation. Here we provide a description of actions that have been aimed at: (1) ensuring effective dissemination and communication of the project outcomes, also after its completion; and (2) raising public awareness and understanding in countries exposed to earthquake hazard.

Presenilin 1 (PS1) mutation carriers provide the opportunity to asses early features of neurodegeneration in familial Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Gray matter (GM) regional volume loss and decrease of magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) consistent with microstructural changes have been reported in sporadic AD. We performed a regional volumetric and MTR analysis in carriers of PS1 mutations. Six non-demented mutated PS1 carriers (5 with memory deficits) and 14 healthy subjects were examined with high resolution T1-weighted images for volumetry and with T2* weighted images for MTR. Cortical GM volume and MTR values were derived. Compared to healthy controls, the GM volume of the left temporal and inferior parietal cortex and the MTR of the temporal cortex bilaterally were significantly decreased in PS1 gene carriers. In the latter, the temporal lobe MTR showed a trend for correlation with memory and executive function scores. Early neurodegeneration in non-demented subjects at risk for familial AD may be associated with atrophy and decreased MTR in the temporal cortex.