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The interaction between Onthophagus binodis and cattle dung pH: Impacts on reproduction and offspring phenology
No full textThe environment surrounding invertebrates can influence the physiology of larval offspring. Dung beetles provide several significant ecological functions, including dung breakdown, fly control and nutrient cycling. Cattle diet influences the chemical and physical constituents of dung, of which pH is considered critical. Few studies have assessed this, though a pH of 6.3 is the lowest threshold for dung beetle reproduction. We investigated the effects of an introduced and widespread dung beetle (Onthophagus binodis) on cattle dung pH (7.3, 6.0 and 5.0) and pH on O. binodis reproduction, offspring phenotypic traits and development time. Dung beetle presence increased the Δ pH (more alkaline) within dung pads after 96 h. Dung beetles produced broods in dung with a pH of 5.0, though in fewer numbers compared with the other pH treatments. Larval development was delayed in pH 5.0 with an average of 50 days compared with 44 days in dung with pH 6, 7, and the control (7.3). Smaller broods (ellipsoid volume [mm3]) were produced in dung with a pH of 5.0 compared with pH 6.0 and 7.0, and offspring emerging from broods produced from dung with a pH of 6.0 were larger compared with the other pH treatments. Our results show that dung pH is important for brood production and progeny phenotypic traits of O. binodis, an agricultural ecosystem engineer and that there is no experimental evidence to support the suggestion that dung pH influences the provisioning of broods in this species
Geographic variation in mammal and reptile responses to fire and livestock grazing regimes
No full text1. Changes in land use and fire regimes are a major threat to species and ecosystems worldwide. Species' responses to altered fire and livestock grazing likely vary depending on the local ecosystem and the attributes of the disturbance regimes. 2. We used single-species, single-season occupancy modelling to investigate the responses of 15 commonly occurring mammal and reptile species to fire and grazing regime attributes in an Australian subtropical woodland. Thirty-one hypotheses were formed based on species' responses to these regime attributes reported in other studies conducted in Australia. We expected that our hypotheses would be more likely to be supported when based on results from studies closer to our study area. 3. Of the 31 relationships we tested for, only six were consistent with the hypothesized responses for each species, and we were unable to discern any geographic patterns that made this consistency more likely. Seven mammal species' occupancy changed in response to a fire or grazing regime attribute. Four small mammals (eastern chestnut mouse Pseudomys gracilicaudatus, pale field rat Rattus tunneyi, delicate mouse Pseudomys delicatulus, central shorttailed mouse Leggadina forresti) and two large mammals (eastern grey kangaroo Macropus giganteus, red-necked wallaby Macropus rufogriseus) responded to different fire regime attributes. Pigs (Sus scrofa) had higher occupancy in more heavily grazed areas. 4. Synthesis and applications. Based on our findings, conservation land managers should be cautious in using species' responses to disturbance regimes from studies done in other bioregions to inform conservation practices in their local area. Factors that may have influenced the response of species to fire and livestock grazing in this region include the unique climate of the bioregion, prior land use history, previous large wildfires and recent above-average rainfall. Given the interspecies variability to fire regime attributes in this study area, we recommend maintaining variation in time since fire, time since late-dry-season fire and fire frequency in the landscape to accommodate the different fire history needs of individual species
Agriculture
No full textWhilst farming practices (as opposed to hunting and gathering) have existed for eons, by the twentieth century these had evolved in many parts of the world into large-scale commercial enterprises. Contemporary practices incorporate crop and animal specialisation, uniform monocultures, mechanisation of labour, consolidation of farms and market concentration, the application of chemical inputs, and the use of genetically modified crops. Evolving cultural values and political sensibilities mean that modern agriculture is fraught with conflict, with animal welfare and climate change being most prominent. Agriculture broadly and farmers individually can be pre-eminent in environmental harm and crime. Farmers are also victims of the effects of climate change and in some instances are at the forefront of conservation efforts
Stocking density in intensive housing and the implications for beef cattle behavior, stress physiology, and liveweight
No full textStocking density can potentially impact cattle welfare during livestock export voyages. The aim of this study was to assess selected measures that reflect the welfare of cattle housed at 3 allometric stocking densities (k = 0.027, 0.030, 0.047). Bos indicus cross Bos taurus steers were housed in 12 pens, each with 5 steers, for 10 d. Scan sampling of standing and lying behaviors were conducted on days 2, 5, 7, and 9, at hourly intervals. Continuous observations were conducted on the same days between 1030 and 1130 h, to count aggressive interactions. Liveweights were recorded at the start of the study, and on days 6 and 10. For a subset of focal steers (3 per pen), white blood cell counts, and fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGCM) concentrations were assessed on days 0, 6, and 10. More pen space led to a small increase in the number of steers lying, as well as a small increase in lying synchronicity. Results also indicated that the number of cattle lying in isolation from conspecifics is higher when more space is available. More pen space also resulted in more steers lying with outstretched legs on days 2 and 5, but there was no evidence of this after day 5. Stocking density had no important effect on day 6 or 10 liveweights or FGCM concentrations. Only small decreases in total white blood cell and lymphocyte counts between days 6 and 10 were observed, as well as small increases in neutrophil counts and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, but all mean counts still fell within reference intervals for healthy cattle. The lack of important effects on stress physiology and liveweight suggests that the cost of attempting to adapt to pen space restriction was relatively low, leading to behavioral responses only. Results for lying behaviors also suggest that additional pen space may facilitate adaptation upon introduction to a new housing environment and is beneficial in facilitating the expression of some lying behaviors. While designed to emulate stocking densities applicable to Australian cattle export voyages, other environmental factors that may induce stress during these voyages were not present, and so the conclusions must be interpreted in the context of the controlled experimental conditions
Kidney trajectory charts improve GP management of patients with reduced kidney function: a randomised controlled vignette study
No full textBackground: The stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) reference ranges are currently determined without considering age. Aim: To determine whether a chart that graphs age with eGFR helps GPs make better decisions about managing patients with declining eGFR. Design & setting: A randomised controlled vignette study among Australian GPs using a percentile chart plotting the trajectory of eGFR by age. Method: Three hundred and seventy-three GPs received two case studies of patients with declining renal function. They were randomised to receive the cases with the chart or without the chart, and asked a series of questions about how they would manage the cases. Results: In an older female patient with stable but reduced kidney function, use of the chart was associated with GPs in the study recommending a longer follow-up period, and longer time until repeat pathology testing. In a younger male First Nations patient with normal but decreasing kidney function, use of the chart was associated with GPs in the study recommending a shorter follow-up period, shorter time to repeat pathology testing, increased management of blood pressure and lifestyle, and avoidance of nephrotoxic medications. This represents more appropriate care in both cases. Conclusion: Having access to a chart of percentile eGFR by age was associated with more appropriate management review periods of patients with reduced kidney function, either by greater compliance with current guidelines or greater awareness of a clinically relevant kidney problem
Livestock Industries in Australia: Production Systems and Management
No full textA comprehensive and detailed account of the evolution and development of Australia’s livestock industries, both ruminant (beef and dairy cattle, sheep and goats) and non-ruminant (pig and poultry) is provided in this chapter. The development over 200 years from a continent, of many different climatic regions, on which there were no livestock, to one of the world’s largest exporter of meat, wool and other animal products is explained, along with the challengers faced by the industries in the 21st century. Several cattle and sheep production case studies are included to capture the unique features of various Australian ruminant production systems
Ab initio study of lithium-doped graphane for hydrogen storage
No full textBased on the first-principle density functional calculations we predict that Li-doped graphane (prehydrogenated graphene) can be a potential candidate for hydrogen storage. The calculated Li-binding energy on graphane is significantly higher than the Li bulk’s cohesive energy ruling out any possibility of cluster formations in the Li-doped graphane. Our study shows that even with very low concentration (5.56%) of Li doping, the Li-graphane sheet can achieve a reasonable hydrogen storage capacity of 3.23 wt.%. The van der Waals corrected H2 binding energies fall within the range of 0.12–0.29 eV, suitable for practical H2 storage applications
Conflict and control in cortical responses to inconsistent emotional signals in a face-word Stroop
No full textSocial communication is fraught with ambiguity. Negotiating the social world requires interpreting the affective signals we receive and often selecting between channels of conflicting affective information. The affective face-word Stroop (AFWS) provides an experimental paradigm which may identify cognitive-affective control mechanisms underpinning essential social-affective skills. Initial functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study of the AFWS identified right amygdala as driving this affective conflict and left rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) as the locus of conflict control. We employed electroencephalogram (EEG) and eLORETA source localization to investigate the timing, location, and sequence of control processes when responding to affective conflict generated during the AFWS. However we designated affective word as the response target and affective face as the distractor to maximize conflict and control effects. Reaction times showed slowed responses in high vs. low control conditions, corresponding to a Rabbitt type control effect rather than the previously observed Grattan effect. Control related activation occurred in right rACC 96–118 ms poststimulus, corresponding to the resolution of the P1 peak in the Visual Evoked Potential (VEP). Face distractors elicit right hemisphere control, while word distractors elicit left hemisphere control. Low control trials require rapid “booting up” control resources observable through VEPs. Incongruent trial activity in right fusiform face area is suppressed 118–156 ms post stimulus corresponding to onset and development of the N170 VEP component. Results are consistent with a predicted sequence of rapid early amygdala activation by affective conflict, then rACC inhibition of amygdala decreasing facilitation of affective face processing (however, amygdala activity is not observable with EEG)
Navigating the challenges and opportunities for equipping pre-service English language teachers for diverse classrooms
No full textThis chapter reports on research designed to analyse the views and attitudes of a group of 12 Chilean pre-service teachers (PSTs) of English towards inclusive pedagogies, and to critically examine their perceived levels of professional responsibility for diversity as experienced during teaching placements. Using a qualitative methodology, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with PSTs from four Chilean universities. The interviews were structured around three main dimensions: (i) the role of English language teacher education programmes in preparing teachers for diverse contexts, (ii) the candidates’ pedagogical readiness and pedagogical responsibility for diversity, and (iii) the challenges and opportunities encountered during school placements. Analysis of the interview data revealed that while PSTs showed a great sense of pedagogical responsibility and recognition of the value of initial teacher education programmes in providing grounding for diverse contexts, they expressed a sense of limited pedagogical preparedness to meet the needs of increasingly culturally and linguistically diverse language learning classrooms. Further, the findings suggested that attempts to enact inclusive pedagogies during placements are constrained by the persistent drives of neoliberal ideologies for accountability, standardisation, and a continuing narrowing of curriculum focus