Accounting for Data Architecture on Structural Equation Modeling of Feedlot Cattle Performance

Structural equation models (SEM) are a type of multi-trait model increasingly being used for inferring functional relationships between multiple outcomes using operational data from livestock production systems. These data often present a hierarchical architecture given by clustering of observations at multiple levels including animals, cohorts and farms. A hierarchical data architecture introduces correlation patterns that, if ignored, can have detrimental effects on parameter estimation and inference. Here, we evaluate the inferential implications of accounting for, or conversely, misspecifying data architecture in the context of SEM. Motivated by beef cattle feedlot data, we designed simulation scenarios consisting of multiple responses in a clustered architecture. Competing fitted SEMs differed in their model specification so that data architecture was explicitly accounted for (M1; true model) or misspecified due to disregarding either the cluster-level correlation between responses (M2) or the correlation between observations of a response within a cluster (M3), or ignored all together (M4). Model fit was increasingly impaired when data architecture was misspecified or ignored. Both accuracy and precision of estimation were also negatively affected when data architecture was disregarded. Our findings are further illustrated using data from feedlot operations from the US Great Plains. Standing statistical recommendations that call for proper model specification capturing relevant hierarchical levels in data structure extend to the multivariate context of structural equation modeling.Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear on-line.     

Cumulative Effect of Leaf Compost on Yield And Size Distribution in Onions

For three years, a one inch layer of leaf compost was applied to plots on a sandy terrace soil in Windsor, Connecticut and fertilized with 1300 lb 10-10-10/A (N-P₂O₅-K₂O). Yields of four cultivars of onions (Allium cepa L.) (3 Spanish, 1 storage) from these plots were compared to yields from unamended control plots fertilized at the same rate. Year to year variability in yields was significantly lower in compost-amended plots. Yields from the unamended control plots (52% variation) fluctuated more than the compost-amended plots (3% variation) in response to variable rainfall from year to year. After three years of compost additions, yields from the compost-amended plots of the three Spanish onion cultivars were significantly greater than yields of these cultivars grown in unamended plots. The greater yields were due to both increased bulb weight and greater percent harvested. In two of three years, the compost-amended plots produced a greater percentage of colossal and jumbo sized onions in all cultivars. Repeated compost additions also reduced the incidence of soft rot disease, especially in susceptible cultivars in years with higher than average precipitation.     

Meteorological analysis of the eruption of soufriere in april 1979

Meteorological upper-air data, in conjunction with satellite imagery, lidar light detection and ranging returns, and aircraft sampling, aid in the determination of plume altitude and transport. The estimated trajectories indicate that the ash was transported eastward across the Atlantic to Africa in 3 to 5 days and that there was modest meridional transport as far as 15 degrees poleward during the first week of travel.     

Multi-functional landscapes from the grassroots? The role of rural producer movements

Around the world, agricultural landscapes are increasingly seen as “multi-functional” spaces, expected to deliver food supplies while improving rural livelihoods and protecting and restoring healthy ecosystems. To support this array of functions and benefits, governments and civil society in many regions are now promoting integrated farm- and landscape-scale management strategies, in lieu of fragmented management strategies. While rural producers are fundamental to achieving multi-functional landscapes, they are frequently viewed as targets of, or barriers to, landscape-oriented initiatives, rather than as leading agents of change. In reality, however, rural producers in many areas have embraced elements of multi-functional land management. In this paper, we explore the role and recent evolution of producer movements in influencing multi-functional farm and landscape management. We explore these roles through six case studies, including a land reform movement in Brazil, indigenous territorial development in Bolivia, conservation agriculture associations in Canada, environmental cooperatives in the Netherlands, indigenous and biocultural heritage associations in Peru, and Landcare groups in the Philippines. These experiences suggest that producer movements are playing pivotal roles in supporting landscape multi-functionality, not only through agroecological farming practices but also through off-farm efforts to conserve ecosystems and support multi-stakeholder landscape planning. On the other hand, interests of producer movements are not always fully aligned with multi-functional landscape management approaches. The contribution of producer movements to multi-functional landscapes depends on these movements including farm and landscape stewardship in their values and goals, and having the political support and capacity to engage meaningfully in multi-stakeholder processes.     

Synergisms in Science: Climate Change and Integrated Pest Management Through the Lens of Communication—2019 Student Debates

Every year, the Student Debates Subcommittee (SDS) of the Student Affairs Committee (SAC) for the annual Entomological Society of America (ESA) meeting organizes the Student Debates. This year, the SAC selected topics based on their synergistic effect or ability to ignite exponential positive change when addressed as a whole. For the 2019 Student Debates, the SAC SDS identified these topic areas for teams to debate and unbiased introduction speakers to address: 1) how to better communicate science to engage the public, particularly in the area of integrated pest management (IPM), 2) the influential impacts of climate change on agriculturally and medically relevant insect pests, and 3) sustainable agriculture techniques that promote the use of IPM to promote food security. Three unbiased introduction speakers gave a foundation for our audience to understand each debate topic, while each of six debate teams provided a strong case to support their stance or perspective on a topic. Debate teams submitted for a competitive spot for the annual ESA Student Debates and trained for the better part of a year to showcase their talents in presenting logical arguments for a particular topic. Both the debate teams and unbiased introduction speakers provided their insight toward a better understanding of the complexities of each topic and established a foundation to delve further into the topics of science advocacy and communication, climate change, and the many facets of integrated pest management.     

The effects of elevated concentrations of dissolved inorganic phosphate in seawater on the growth and survival of juvenile abalone,Haliotis iris

Seawater sampling from three abalone farms in New Zealand showed average ambient concentrations of dissolved inorganic phosphate (P_i) varying between 2.36 and 238 μM. The P_i concentration within each system appeared to be directly linked to the percentage of water that was replaced each day. An experiment was conducted over 5 months to examine the effect of elevated P_i concentrations on the growth of two juvenile abalone (Haliotis iris) size classes (small: average shell length=23.9 ± 0.1 and large: average shell length=61.9 ± 0.1 mm). Abalone from each size class were exposed to P_i concentrations of; (a) natural incoming seawater (average 0.12 ± 0.12 μM), (b) 10.7 ± 1.3 μM, (c) 60.9 ± 5.8 μM and (d) 113.1 ± 5.6 μM. The results suggest that over the course of the 5‐month period of this experiment there was a significant negative impact on growth (shell length and wet weight) when the smaller size class of abalone were exposed to P_i concentrations greater than 10.7 μM and for the large size class of abalone when exposed to greater than 60.9 μM P_i. However, elevated P_i concentrations did not significantly impact on abalone survival during the course of the experiment.     

Long photoperiod delayed spawning and increased somatic growth in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)

The effects of extended photoperiods, mimicking the longest day of the year, were studied in 1- and 2-year seabream. The photoperiod regimes started in late July, 36 and 39 days after the summer solstice and continued for 11 months, well beyond the natural reproductive season of December–March. Regime 1 (long day, 15.5L:8.5D), which used natural and fluorescent light, reduced the incidence of maturity in both year classes and females did not spawn although some gonadal development was observed. Among all 1-year sampled fish of regime 1, a maximum of 5% became spermiating males (March) and 5% reached the yolk granule stage of vitellogenesis (VO3; 250–400 μm diameter) by May. Among 2-year sampled fish of regime 1, 45% became spermiating males and 25% were females, which reached the advanced vitellogenesis stage (VO4; 400–600 μm) by April. Regime 2 (skeleton photoperiod), consisting of natural light and a 1.5-h pulse of fluorescent light during the period 14–15.5 h after sunrise, postponed gonadal development and spawning for up to 3 months. In this regime, a maximum of 80% of 1-year sampled fish were spermiating males in February and a maximum of 10% were VO3 stage females in March. In the sampled 2-year fish, the maximum levels were 50% spermiating males in February and 25% VO3 stage females in March. Control fish, which were exposed to the natural photoperiod (29°34′N), spawned during their natural season. The maximum levels for 1-year sampled control fish were 95% spermiating males and no females in December, while among 2-year sampled fish, maxima of 75% males in February and 45% VO4 stage females in November. Final average weights of photoperiod treated fish (1-year=430 g—regime 1, 400 g—regime 2; 2-year=582 g—regime 1, 518 g—regime 2) were significantly greater (p<0.05) than control fish (1-year=341 g; 2-year=476 g). Daily feed consumption (g/100 g fish) dropped from an average of 1.83 to 0.93 g for 1-year fish during August–December and from 0.88 to 0.54 g for 2-year fish during the same period. This was correlated with reduced autumn and winter water temperatures (26–20°C summer to winter change) and increased fish weight in all treatments. Daily feed consumption was also affected by the onset of spawning in the control and regime 2 (skeleton photoperiod) treatments of both 1- and 2-year fish. The efficiency of feed utilization (FCR) and protein and energy retention were all affected by the photoperiod regimes and followed the same pattern of decrease as weight gain, regime 1 (long day)>regime 2 (skeleton photoperiod)>control.     

A retrospective study of the MRI findings in 18 dogs with stifle injuries

O bjectives : To make an objective assessment of the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of meniscal damage and cranial cruciate ligament disease in the canine stifle by comparing magnetic resonance imaging findings with surgical findings.
M ethods : Magnetic resonance images of 18 stifles from 18 dogs which had undergone magnetic resonance imaging for the investigation of stifle disease were reviewed. For every stifle, the menisci and cranial cruciate ligaments were assessed according to predetermined criteria. The magnetic resonance imaging findings were compared with the reported surgical findings and the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) were calculated using the surgical findings as the gold standard. Kappa analysis was used as an objective measure of agreement between surgical and magnetic resonance imaging findings. For 11 stifles, meniscal evaluation by three different observers was used to measure interobserver agreement using Kappa analysis.
R esults : Magnetic resonance imaging was demonstrated to be an accurate technique in the detection of meniscal injury (k=0·86), with excellent interobserver agreement (k=0·89 to 1·0). Disruption of cranial cruciate ligament continuity and an increase in ligament intensity were found to be useful criteria in the diagnosis of cranial cruciate ligament rupture.
C linical S ignificance : Magnetic resonance imaging offers a non-invasive alternative to exploratory surgery in the evaluation of cranial cruciate ligament and meniscal disease.