Finite element modeling of ROPS in static testing and rear overturns

Even with the technological advances of the last several decades, agricultural production remains one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States. Death due to tractor rollover is a prime contributor to this hazard. Standards for rollover protective structures (ROPS) performance and certification have been developed by groups such as the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) to combat these problems. The current ROPS certification standard, SAE J2194, requires either a dynamic or static testing sequence or both. Although some ROPS manufacturers perform both the dynamic and static phases of SAE J2194 testing, it is possible for a ROPS to be certified for field operation using static testing alone. This research compared ROPS deformation response from a simulated SAE J2194 static loading sequence to ROPS deformation response as a result of a simulated rearward tractor rollover. Finite element analysis techniques for plastic deformation were used to simulate both the static and dynamic rear rollover scenarios. Stress results from the rear rollover model were compared to results from simulated static testing per SAE J2194. Maximum stress values from simulated rear rollovers exceeded maximum stress values recorded during simulated static testing for half of the elements comprising the uprights. In the worst case, the static model underpredicts dynamic model results by approximately 7%. In the best case, the static model overpredicts dynamic model results by approximately 32%. These results suggest the need for additional experimental work to characterize ROPS stress levels during staged overturns and during testing according to the SAE standard.     

An inter-laboratory comparison of multi-enzyme and multiple substrate-induced respiration assays to assess method consistency in soil monitoring

The use of indicators in soil monitoring schemes to detect changes in soil quality is receiving increased attention, particularly the application of soil biological methods. However, to date, the ability to compare information from different laboratories applying soil microbiological techniques in broad-scale monitoring has rarely been taken into account. This study aimed to assess the consistency and repeatability of two techniques that are being evaluated for use as microbiological indicators of soil quality: multi-enzyme activity assay and multiple substrate-induced respiration (MSIR). Data were tested for intrinsic (within-assay plate) variation, inter-laboratory repeatability (geometric mean regression and correlation coefficient) and land-use discrimination (principal components analysis). Intrinsic variation was large for both assays suggesting that high replicate numbers are required. Inter-laboratory repeatability showed diverging patterns for the enzyme assay and MSIR. Discrimination of soils was significant for both techniques with relatively consistent patterns; however, combined laboratory discrimination analyses for each technique showed inconsistent correspondence between the laboratories. These issues could be addressed through the adoption of reliable analytical standards for biological methods along with adequate replication. However, until the former is addressed, dispersed analyses are not currently advisable for monitoring schemes.     

National diet and nutrition surveys: the British experience

OBJECTIVE: The National Diet and Nutrition Surveys (NDNS) are a series of government-funded surveys of food intake, nutrient intake and nutritional status of individuals, undertaken to support nutritional policy and risk assessment. This paper summarises a review that considered the extent to which NDNS met the needs of users and suggested options for the future. The Food Standards Agency has since progressed favoured options. This paper aims to help others wishing to obtain this type of information within their own populations. DESIGN: A detailed questionnaire was used to probe use of data and gather opinions from users, producers and managers of the NDNS. It asked about general information needs from NDNS and changes that might be made. This was followed by a two-day workshop which included discussion of the main issues and the generation of 19 possible future options for consideration by the Agency. RESULTS: Options to improve effectiveness included methods to prioritise breadth and depth of coverage and possible ways of improving response and compliance. Strategies to make surveys more efficient and timely, such as adopting a rolling programme, disaggregating survey components, integrating with other studies and improving data access, were also suggested. A rolling programme, in which data are collected continuously, was the favoured option to address some of the concerns and a strategy is now in place to achieve this. CONCLUSIONS: There is widespread support for the NDNS from its users. There is no alternative source for such high-quality data on food and nutrient consumption and nutritional status and physical measurements in the same individuals. Useful information, such as the potential value of using a rolling programme from the outset, can be gained from this British experience by others wishing to measure food and nutrient intakes and status in their own populations.     

Development and testing of a model for predicting tillage effects on nitrate leaching from cracked clay soils

Both water movement and nitrate leaching in structured soils are strongly influenced by the nature of the macro-porosity. That macro-porosity can however also be manipulated by choice of tillage operations. In order to investigate the potential impacts of tillage on rates of nitrate leaching from structured soils, a model specific to these soils, CRACK-NP was developed. The model, its application and validation for an experimental site on a heavy clay soil (Verti-Eutric Gleysoil) at Brimstone Farm, Oxfordshire, UK, is described. The model considers the soil as a series of aggregates whose size is also the spacing of the macro-porosity. Water and solutes move in the macro-pores, but within the peds they move only by diffusion, internal infiltration and root uptake (evaporation). The model reflects the influence of diffusion limitation in the release of solutes to by-passing water. The model was then used to investigate the influence of variable ped spacings which were created by variations in tillage practices. The results both from the model and from the field data demonstrated that finer soil structures, which have larger surface contact areas and shorter diffusion path lengths, present greater opportunities for interaction between peds and the water moving around them, and so release more nitrates through the drainage waters.     

Effect of nitrogen form ratio on pansy growth and nutrition and the palatability to white‐tailed deer

Abstract

Pansies are one of the most popular annual bedding plants in the United States. Growth and uptake of essential nutrients as influenced by N‐form ratio was evaluated in pansy as well as what role pansy nutrition plays in the protection of pansy against feeding damage by white‐tailed deer provided by selected repellents. Plants were grown under three N‐form ratios: 100:0, 50:50, and 0:100NO₃:NH₄. Dry weight was highest for pansy treated with 100:0 and lowest for plants treated with 0:100 NO₃:NH₄ Mean quality ratings were 4.07 for pansies grown with 100:0,1.80 for pansies grown with 50:50, and 0.78 for pansies grown with 0:100. Potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn) content was lower in plants treated with 0:100 than in those treated with 100:0. Ammonium may have competed with these cations for uptake. Boron (B), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), and aluminum (Al) content was highest in plants treated with N‐NH₄. There was no significant difference shown in nutrient levels caused by repellent treatments. Feeding damage was shown to be affected by N‐form ratio only on Day 3 of the study. Of the three repellent treatments [Deer and Rabbit Repellent (Thiram), Deer Away purrescent egg spray, and no spray], Thiram provided the greatest protection to pansies over the study period.     

Effects of Supplemental Calcium on Ion Accumulation,Transport and Plant Growth of Salt Sensitive Brassica Rapa Landrace

ABSTRACT

Effects of three supplemental calcium (Ca⁺⁺; 2.5, 5.0, and 10 mole m^?3) concentrations on ion accumulation, transport, selectivity, and plant growth of salt-sensitive species, Brassica rapa ‘Sani’ in saline medium were investigated. Supplemental Ca⁺⁺ in the presence of 125 mol m^?3 sodium chloride (NaCl) did not improve the dry weight and leaf area indicating no role played by Ca⁺⁺ in the alleviation of salinity induced growth inhibition. However, calcium chloride (CaCl₂) did significantly affect sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), and Ca⁺⁺ contents of roots and shoots. The ion contents of shoots were significantly greater than those of roots per g dry weight, indicating ion transportation to shoots is greater than ion accumulation in roots. Use of CaCl₂ in 125 mol m^?3 NaCl reduced the Na⁺ content but increased K⁺ and Ca⁺⁺ contents in shoots. Sodium contents in shoots differed among the supplemental Ca⁺⁺ treatments indicating the role of CaCl₂ in Na⁺ ions transportation. Calcium content in shoots declined significantly in the control treatment (0 CaCl₂) but increased significantly in 10 mol m^?3 CaCl₂. The root also showed the effects of Ca⁺⁺ on the reduction of Na⁺ content and the increase of K⁺ and Ca⁺⁺ content. Unexpectedly, 5 mol m^?3 CaCl₂ induced the highest Na⁺ content in roots at 16 days after treatment. Supplemental CaCl₂ application influenced the K⁺ or Ca⁺⁺ selectivity over Na⁺ in two ways, ion accumulation at roots and transport to shoots. However, high CaCl₂ treatments allowed greater Ca⁺⁺ selectivity over Na⁺ than low CaCl₂. Likewise, high supplemental CaCl₂ showed higher K⁺ selectivity over Na⁺ than low CaCl₂. A marked increase in K⁺ versus Na⁺ selectivity for the transport process occurred at 10 mol m^?3 CaCl₂ treatments. The roots and shoots exhibited higher K⁺/Na⁺ and Ca⁺⁺/Na⁺ ratios in high CaCl₂ treatment than in low. The results are discussed in context to supplemental Ca⁺⁺ concentrations, ions accumulation, transportation and selectivity of salt sensitive Brassica rapa cultivar.     

Effects of soil‐surface microbial community phenotype upon physical and hydrological properties of an arable soil: a microcosm study

The nature of the first few millimetres of the soil surface strongly affects water infiltration rates, generation of run‐off, soil detachment and sediment transport. We hypothesized that the phenotypic community structure of the soil‐surface microbiota affects the physical and hydrological properties of an arable soil. A range of contrasting microbial community phenotypes were established in microcosms by manipulating the wavelength of light reaching the soil surface, with the microcosms being incubated in the field for approximately 6 months. Phenotypes were characterized by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA), ergosterol and chlorophyll analysis. The microcosms were then subjected to simulated rainfall at an intensity of 60 mm hour⁻¹ for 20 minutes at a slope gradient of 9°. Water infiltration rates, run‐off generation, soil loss (including a particle‐size analysis of the sediment) and soil‐surface shear strength were quantified. Distinct microbial phenotypes developed on the soil surfaces with UV‐A and restricted‐UV treatments when compared with subsurface layers. There was significantly greater fungal biomass in the no‐light treatment when compared with all other treatments, with approximately 4.5 times more ergosterol being extracted from the subsurface layer of the no‐light treatment when compared with other treatments. The no‐light treatment produced the greatest amount of run‐off, which was approximately 15% greater than the restricted photosynthetically‐active radiation (PAR) treatment. Significant differences between treatments were also found in shear strengths, with increasing strength being correlated with increasing ergosterol concentration. Water infiltration, erosion and the sediment concentrations in run‐off were not significantly different between treatments. This work demonstrates that the quality of light reaching the soil surface affects the microbial phenotype, in turn producing functional consequences with regard to the physical and hydrological properties of arable soil surfaces.     

Antioxidant properties of bran extracts from "Akron" wheat grown at different locations

Bran extracts of Akron wheat grown at four nonirrigated and one irrigated testing locations were examined and compared for their free radical scavenging properties against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH(*)) and the radical cation ABTS(*)(+), chelating capacities, and total phenolic content (TPC) to determine the potential effects of environmental factors on the antioxidant properties of hard winter wheat. The environmental factors included total solar radiation, average daily solar radiation, and number of hours exceeding 32 degrees C. The results showed that bran samples from different growing locations may significantly differ in their radical scavenging activities against both DPPH(*) and ABTS(*)(+), chelating capacities, and TPC. A significant negative correlation was detected between the chelating activities of the bran samples from the four nonirrigated locations and total solar or daily average solar radiation (r = -0.999 and P = 0.001). These data suggest potential influences of growing conditions on the antioxidant properties of hard winter wheat and the possibility of producing wheat that is strong in a selected antioxidant property by optimizing the growing conditions of a selected wheat variety. More research is required to further investigate the relationship among antioxidant properties and environmental factors using different wheat varieties and larger sample sizes.     

European bat lyssaviruses: Distribution, prevalence and implications for conservation

Worldwide, there are more than 1100 species of the Order Chiroptera, 45 of which are present in Europe, and 16 in the UK. Bats are reservoirs of, or can be infected by, several viral diseases, including rabies virus strains (in the Lyssavirus genus). Within this genus are bat variants that have been recorded in Europe; European bat lyssavirus 1 (EBLV-1), European bat lyssavirus 2 (EBLV-2) and, four currently unclassified isolates. Since 1977, 783 cases of EBLVs (by isolation of viral RNA) have been recorded in Europe. EBLV-1 or EBLV-2 has been identified in 12 bat species, with over 95% of EBLV-1 infections identified in Eptesicus serotinus. EBLV-2 is associated with Myotis species (Myotis daubentonii and Myotis dasycneme). A programme of passive surveillance in the United Kingdom between 1987 and 2004 tested 4871 bats for lyssaviruses. Of these, four M. daubentonii (3.57% of submitted M. daubentonii) were positive for EBLV-2. Potential bias in the passive surveillance includes possible over-representation of synanthropic species and regional biases caused by varying bat submission numbers from different parts of the UK. In 2003, active surveillance in the UK began, and has detected an antibody prevalence level of 1-5% of EBLV-2 in M. daubentonii (n = 350), and one bat with antibodies to EBLV-1 in E. serotinus (n = 52). No cases of live lyssavirus infection or lyssavirus viral RNA have been detected through active surveillance. Further research and monitoring regarding prevalence, transmission, pathogenesis and immunity is required to ensure that integrated bat conservation continues throughout Europe, whilst enabling informed policy decision regarding both human and wildlife health issues.