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HighlightsThe largest contributors to odor activity values (OAV) were heptanoic acid (23.5%), hexanoic acid (17.6%), indole (14.7%), and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) (9.50%).Measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOC) were greater from plots where manure was surface-applied than from plots with incorporated manure.Emissions of DMDS and dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) (0.318 and 0.074 µg m-2 min-1, respectively) were greater for plots with manure from beef cattle fed a diet containing 30% wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS).Rainfall immediately after manure application influenced the types and amounts of VOC that were emitted.Abstract. Land application of beef cattle manure may result in the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC). This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of diet, land application method, soil water condition, and time since manure application on VOC emissions. Manure was collected from feedlot pens where cattle were fed diets containing 0%, 10%, or 30% wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS). The effects of manure application method (surface-applied or incorporated) and soil water condition (saturated or wet) on VOC emissions were measured over a 48 h period. Heptanoic, hexanoic, isobutyric, and isovaleric acids contributed 23.5%, 17.6%, 9.26%, and 3.39% (0.034, 0.258, 0.030, and 0.014 µg m-2 min-1), respectively, to total odor activity values (OAV). The aromatics indole and skatole contributed 14.7% and 8.84%, (0.005 and 0.0004 µg m-2 min-1), respectively, to total OAV. Dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) contributed 9.50% (0.013 µg m-2 min-1) and dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) contributed 5.68% (0.030 µg m-2 min-1) to total OAV. Emissions of the sulfur compounds (DMDS and DMTS) were substantially greater for the 30% WDGS diet. With the exception of heptanoic acid, flux measurements were greater from the plots where manure was surface-applied than from the plots where manure was incorporated. Emissions of each VOC were greater on the first day following manure application when a saturated soil water condition was present. VOC flux values were found to rapidly decrease following manure application. Effective best management practices for reducing VOC emissions are to incorporate manure soon after application and to delay land application when there is a high probability of rainfall. Keywords: Air contaminants, Air quality, Environmental management, Land application, Manure management, Odor control, Odor emission, Odor evaluation, Volatile organic compounds, Volatile fatty acids.

The objective was to compare the repeatability between dental faculty, whose clinical practice was primarily restorative dentistry, and final year dental students in categorizing the inherent translucency of images selected at random using either a 3- or 7-point scale (translucent to opaque). Digital images of anterior dentition were randomly selected based on inherent translucency. Thirty images (five were repeated) were randomized and categorized by 20 dental students and 20 faculty on their inherent translucency. Statistical analysis was performed using an F test for analysis of variance at 95% confidence interval. A covariance parameter estimate (CPE) was accomplished to compare the inter-rater variability of the dental faculty and dental students. Statistically, more variability occurred between Slides (CPE of 0.185 (p = 0.001)) and between Subject and Slide (CPE of 0.122 (p = 0.0002)) than within subjects (CPE of 0.021 (p = 0.083)). Viewing repeat Slides, Students (CPE = 0.16) were more consistent (p &lt, 0.05) than faculty (CPE = 1.8) using the 3- point scale, while the CPE was the same (CPE = 0.669) using 7-point scale. Dental students and faculty were consistent using the 7-point scale to judge repeat slides, while dental students in this limited pilot study were more consistent when viewing a repeat slide using the 3-point scale.

Blepharospasm is a particularly distressing form of focal dystonia, specifically affecting the eyelids and causing involuntary closing of the eyes or an increased blinking. Despite its frequency, the diagnosis of this condition is often delayed. Diagnostic criteria are mainly clinical, but sometimes further investigations may be necessary as blepharospasm may be included in a complex clinical picture.Le blépharospasme est une forme de dystonie focale particulièrement invalidante, touchant spécifiquement les paupières et engendrant une fermeture involontaire des yeux ou un clignement palpébral excessif. Malgré sa fréquence, cette affection souffre d’un délai de diagnostic souvent trop long. Celui-ci est avant tout clinique, mais il ne faut pas méconnaître des formes s’intégrant au sein de tableaux neurologiques complexes et nécessitant une mise au point plus complète.

The wheat curl mite (WCM), Aceria tosichella Keifer, transmits three potentially devastating viruses to winter wheat. An increased understanding of mite movement and subsequent virus spread through the landscape is necessary to estimate the risk of epidemics by the virus in winter wheat. Owing to the small size of WCMs, their dispersal via wind is hard to monitor; however, the viruses they transmit produce symptoms that can be detected with remote sensing. The objective of this study was to characterize the spatial dispersal of the virus from a central mite-virus source. Virus infection gradients were measured spatially by using aerial remote sensing, ground measurements, geostatistics, and a geographic information system between 2006 and 2009. The red edge position vegetation index as measured via aerial imagery was significantly correlated with in-field biophysical measurements. The occurrence of virus symptoms extended differentially in all directions from mite-virus source plots, and predictions from cokriging revealed an oval pattern surrounding the source but displaced to the southeast. The variable dispersal in different directions appeared to be influenced by the mite source density and wind direction and speed, but temperature also seemed likely to have affected mite spread. The spatial spread revealed in this study may be used to estimate the potential sphere of influence of mite-infested volunteer wheat in production fields. These risk parameter estimates require further validation, but they may potentially aid growers in making better virus management decisions regarding differential virus spread potential away from a central source.

Vegetative filter strips (VFS) consisting of perennial vegetation have been successfully used to reduce the transport of contaminants in runoff from land application areas. The effectiveness of a winter wheat strip, which may be more acceptable to producers, in reducing microbial transport was examined in this study. A 1.4 m wheat strip was used to allow direct comparison with experimental results obtained in previous studies. Beef cattle manure was applied to 0.75 m wide by 4.0 m long plots established on an Aksarben silty clay loam located in southeast Nebraska. Manure was added at rates required to meet the 0- 1-, 2-, or 4-year phosphorus requirement for corn. The transport of selected microbes was measured for three 30 min simulated rainfall events separated by 24 h intervals. The narrow wheat strip did not significantly reduce counts of any of the measured microbes. The application of manure to meet the 4-year P requirement resulted in and enterococci loads that were significantly greater than the 1-year P requirement. Rainfall simulation run significantly affected measurements of phages, total coliforms, , and enterococci, with measurements during the three runs varying from 9.35 to 10.9 log plaque-forming units (PFU) ha-1, from 11.5 to 12.1 log colony-forming units (CFU) ha-1, from 12.1 to 12.5 log CFU ha-1, and from 11.1 to 11.4 log CFU ha-1, respectively. The transport of was found to be significantly correlated to selected nutrient loads and electrical conductivity of runoff. The presence of narrow wheat strips did not reduce microbial loads in runoff. Keywords: Bacteria, Cattle manure, E. coli, Filter strips, Land application, Manure management, Manure runoff, Microbial, Microorganisms, Runoff.

The effectiveness of a 1.4 m wide grass hedge in reducing microbial transport following manure application was examined in this study. Beef cattle manure was applied to 0.75 m wide by 4.0 m long plots established on an Aksarben silty clay loam located in southeast Nebraska. Manure was added at rates required to meet none or the 1-, 2-, or 4-year nitrogen requirements for corn. The transport of phages, total coliforms, , and enterococci was measured for three 30 min simulated rainfall events, which were separated by approximately 24 h intervals. The narrow grass hedge reduced total counts of phages, , and enterococci from 10.8 to 9.01 log PFU ha-1, from 12.4 to 11.9 log CFU ha-1, and from 11.8 to 11.2 log CFU ha-1, respectively. For the plots that received manure, no significant differences in transport of phages or enterococci were found among the three manure application rates. Rainfall simulation run significantly affected measurements of phages, total coliforms, and enterococci, with measurements during the three runs varying from 8.91 to 10.5 log PFU ha-1, from 12.7 to 13.3 log CFU ha-1, and from 11.2 to 11.7 log CFU ha-1, respectively. Counts for phages, total coliforms, and enterococci were significantly less for the first than the second and third rainfall simulation runs. All four of the microbial constituents were significantly correlated to dissolved P, particulate P, total P, and total N. A narrow grass hedge placed on the contour significantly reduced microbial transport following variable applications of beef cattle manure. Keywords: Bacteria, Cattle manure, E. coli, Filter strips, Land application, Manure management, Manure runoff, Microbial, Microorganisms, Runoff.

Manure is applied to cropland areas with varying surface cover to meet single- or multiple-year crop nutrient requirements. The objectives of this field study were to (1) examine microbial transport following land application of manure to sites with and without wheat residue, (2) compare microbial loads following land application to meet the 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8-year P-based requirements for corn, and (3) evaluate the effects of rainfall simulation run on microbial transport. Manure was added and incorporated by disking plots that were 0.75 m wide by 2.0 m long. Three 30 min simulated rainfall events, separated by 24 h intervals, were then applied at an intensity of 70 mm h-1. Plots containing wheat residue had a total coliform load of 12.6 log CFU ha-1, which was significantly greater than the 12.4 log CFU ha-1 measured on the plots without wheat residue. The plots with and without wheat residue had transport rates of and enterococci that were not significantly different. The plots on which manure was added at rates varying from 5.4 to 42.8 Mg ha-1 had counts of total coliforms and enterococci that were not significantly different. Rainfall simulation run did not significantly affect measurements of phages, total coliforms, or enterococci. Transport of selected microbes was found to be significantly affected by residue cover, manure application rate, and rainfall simulation run. Keywords: Bacteria, Cattle manure, E. coli, Feedlots, Land application, Manure management, Manure runoff, Microbial, Microorganisms, Runoff.

The concentrations of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) in runoff from cropland areas may be influenced by accumulation and release of P and N by stalk residues. A laboratory study was conducted to measure the effects of time since harvest and immersion period on accumulation and release of P and N by corn, soybean, and wheat stalks. Experimental variables included type of stalk material (corn, soybean, and wheat), time since harvest (six residue collection dates over an approximate 1-year period), and stalk immersion period (25 s (0.42 min), 250 s (4.2 min), 2500 s (42 min), 25,000 s (6.9 h), and 86,400 s (24 h)). The initial concentration of each of the P and N constituents in a test solution was 6 μg mL−1. The soybean, wheat, and corn residue released PO4-P at mean rates of 40, 69, and 141 μg g−1 residue, respectively. The amount of PO4-P that was released consistently increased as immersion period became greater. Corn and wheat residue either accumulated or released NO3-N depending on residue collection date. Soybean residue accumulated an average of 20 μg NO3-N g−1 residue. Wheat residue obtained on five of the collection dates accumulated an average of 13 μg NO3-N g−1 residue. Residue collection date also influenced accumulation of NH4-N by soybean and wheat residue. Corn residue released an average of 77 μg NH4-N g−1 residue. The type of crop residue material, the amount of time the residue has remained in the field following harvest, and residue immersion period were found to influence nutrient concentrations of solution.

Ground-based active sensors have been used in the past with success in detecting nitrogen (N) variability within maize production systems. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) presents an opportunity to evaluate N variability with unique advantages compared to ground-based systems. The objectives of this study were to: determine if a UAV was a suitable platform for use with an active crop canopy sensor to monitor in-season N status of maize, if UAV’s were a suitable platform, is the UAV and active sensor platform a suitable substitute for current handheld methods, and is there a height effect that may be confounding measurements of N status over crop canopies? In a 2013 study comparing aerial and ground-based sensor platforms, there was no difference in the ability of aerial and ground-based active sensors to detect N rate effects on a maize crop canopy. In a 2014 study, an active sensor mounted on a UAV was able to detect differences in crop canopy N status similarly to a handheld active sensor. The UAV/active sensor system (AerialActive) platform used in this study detected N rate differences in crop canopy N status within a range of 0.5–1.5 m above a relatively uniform turfgrass canopy. The height effect for an active sensor above a crop canopy is sensor- and crop-specific, which needs to be taken into account when implementing such a system. Unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with active crop canopy sensors provide potential for automated data collection to quantify crop stress in addition to passive sensors currently in use.

This study was conducted to measure the effects of swine slurry application method, time following slurry application, and runoff rate on selected water quality characteristics. Slurry from a commercial swine operation was broadcast or injected on field plots at a rate required to meet annual nitrogen requirements for corn. Rainfall simulation tests were conducted at five varying periods following slurry application. During each study period, three simulated rainfall events, separated by 24 h intervals, were applied for 30 min duration at an intensity of approximately 70 mm h-1. Following the third rainfall simulation event, inflow was applied at the top of the plots in four successive increments to simulate greater plot lengths. Runoff samples were collected for analyses of dissolved P (DP), particulate P, total P (TP), NO3-N, NH4-N, total N, electrical conductivity, pH, and soil loss. The DP and TP loads of 0.35 and 0.46 kg ha-1 measured for the broadcast treatment were significantly greater than the 0.13 and 0.19 kg ha-1 obtained for the injection treatment. As time following slurry application increased from 1 to 3 days to 43 to 45 days, DP, TP, and NH4-N loads decreased from 0.35 to 0.14, from 0.52 to 0.18, and from 2.17 to 0.14 kg ha-1, respectively. Runoff rate significantly affected each of the measured water quality parameters. Runoff loads of DP, TP, and NH4-N increased from 10.1 to 29.8, from 12.9 to 35.5, and from 13.9 to 25.1 g ha-1 min-1, respectively, as overland flow rate increased from 2.3 to 12.6 L min-1. Application method, time following slurry application, and runoff rate are important variables influencing water quality characteristics of runoff.

Summary Glyphosate-resistant Ambrosia trifida is a competitive and difficult-to-control annual broad-leaved weed in several agronomic crops in the Midwestern United States and Ontario, Canada. The objectives of this study were to compare treatments for control of glyphosate-resistant A. trifida with tillage followed by pre-emergence (PRE) and/or post-emergence (POST) herbicides in glyphosate-resistant maize and to determine the impact of A. trifida escapes on maize yield. Field experiments were conducted in 2013 and 2014 in grower fields infested with glyphosate-resistant A. trifida. Tillage prior to maize sowing resulted in 80–85% control compared with no tillage. Tillage followed by PRE application of saflufenacil plus dimethenamid-P with or without atrazine resulted in 99% control compared with ≤86 and 96% control with PRE herbicides alone at 7 and 21 days after application respectively. Tillage or POST-only herbicides resulted in 4–14 A. trifida plants m−2, whereas a PRE and POST programme had

The area cultivated under conservation tillage practices such as no-till and minimal tillage has recently increased in Midwestern states, including Nebraska. This increase, consequently, resulted in changes in some of the impacts of cropping systems on soil, such as enhancing soil and water quality, improving soil structure and infiltration, increasing water use efficiency, and promoting carbon sequestration. However, there are no methods currently available to quantify the percent crop residue cover (CRC) and the area under conservation tillage for maize and soybean at large scales on a continuous basis. This research used Landsat-7 (ETM+) and Landsat-8 (OLI) satellite data to evaluate six tillage indices [normalized difference tillage index (NDTI), normalized difference index 7 (NDI7), normalized difference index 5 (NDI5), normalized difference senescent vegetative index (NDSVI), modified CRC (ModCRC), and simple tillage index (STI)] to map CRC in eight counties in south central Nebraska. A linear regression CRC model showed that NDTI performed well in differentiating the CRC for different tillage practices at large scales, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.62, 0.68, 0.78, and 0.07 for 25 March, 18 April, 28 May, and 6 June 2013 Landsat images, respectively. A minimum NDTI method was then used to spatially map the CRC on a regional scale by considering the timing of planting and tillage implementation. The measured CRC data were divided into training (calibration) and testing (validation) datasets. A CRC model was developed using the training dataset between minimum NDTI and measured CRC with an R2 of 0.89 (RMSD = 10.63%). A 3 x 3 matrix showed an overall accuracy of 0.90 with a kappa coefficient of 0.89. About 26% of the maize area and 15% of the soybean area had more than 70% CRC in south central Nebraska. This research and the procedures presented illustrate that multi-spectral Landsat images can be used to estimate and map CRC (error within 10.6%) on a regional scale and continuous basis using locally developed tillage practice versus crop residue algorithms. Further research is needed to incorporate soil and residue moisture content into the CRC versus tillage index to enhance the accuracy of the models for estimating CRC.

Beef cattle manure can serve as a valuable nutrient source for crop production. However, emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) following land application may pose a potential off-site odor concern. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of land application method, N application rate, soil moisture content, and time since manure application on VOC emissions. Manure from cattle fed a diet containing 30% wet distillers grains was applied to a cropland area at rates required to meet the 0.5, 1, or 2 year N requirement for corn. Land application methods included surface-applying manure (i.e., no tillage) or incorporating manure using disk tillage. The effect of soil moisture content on VOC emissions was determined by adding water to the experimental plots approximately 24 h after manure application. Volatile sulfur compounds (i.e., dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide), isovaleric acid, and butyric acid contributed 43.4%, 14.0%, and 13.9%, respectively, of the total measured odor activity value (OAV). Emissions of each of the principal VOC odor compounds were reduced by manure incorporation. In general, no significant differences in VOC measurements of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and aromatic compounds were found among varying manure application rates. However, an increase in emissions of volatile sulfur compounds resulted from increased manure application. Measurements of VFAs and aromatic compounds usually decreased and sulfide emissions increased following the application of water. Application method, N application rate, soil moisture content, and time since application may all influence VOC emissions following land application of cattle manure.

The inherent spatial heterogeneity and complexity of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance (AR) genes in manure-affected soils makes it difficult to sort out resistance that can be attributed to human antibiotic use from resistance that occurs naturally in the soil. This study characterizes native Nebraska prairie soils that have not been affected by human or food-animal waste products to provide data on background levels of resistance in southeastern Nebraskan soils. Soil samples were collected from 20 sites enumerated on tetracycline and cefotaxime media; screened for tetracycline-, sulfonamide-, β-lactamase-, and macrolide-resistance genes; and characterized for soil physical and chemical parameters. All prairies contained tetracycline- and cefotaxime-resistant bacteria, and 48% of isolates collected were resistant to two or more antibiotics. Most (98%) of the soil samples and all 20 prairies had at least one tetracycline gene. Most frequently detected were (D), (A) (O), (L), and (B). Sulfonamide genes, which are considered a marker of human or animal activity, were detected in 91% of the samples, despite the lack of human inputs at these sites. No correlations were found between either phenotypic or genotypic resistance and soil physical or chemical parameters. Heterogeneity was observed in AR within and between prairies. Therefore, multiple samples are necessary to overcome heterogeneity and to accurately assess AR. Conclusions regarding AR depend on the gene target measured. To determine the impacts of food-animal antibiotic use on resistance, it is essential that background and/or baseline levels be considered, and where appropriate subtracted out, when evaluating AR in agroecosystems.

Giant ragweed is one of the most competitive annual broadleaf weeds in soybean production fields in the midwestern United States and eastern Canada because of its early emergence, rapid growth rate, high plasticity, and resistance to glyphosate and acetolactate synthase inhibitors. Therefore, early-season management of giant ragweed is critical to avoid yield loss. The objectives of this study were to evaluate control of glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed through the integration of preplant tillage or 2,4-D; PRE or early POST (EPOST) followed by (fb) late POST (LPOST) herbicide programs with or without preplant tillage or 2,4-D; and their effect on soybean injury and yield. A field study was conducted in 2013 and 2014 in David City, NE in a field infested with glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed. Preplant tillage or 2,4-D application provided > 90% control of glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed 14 d after preplant treatment. Giant ragweed control and biomass reduction were consistently > 90% with preplant tillage or 2,4-D fb sulfentrazone plus cloransulam PRE or glyphosate plus cloransulam EPOST fb glyphosate plus fomesafen or lactofen LPOST compared with ≤ 86% control with same treatments without preplant tillage or 2,4-D. PRE or EPOST fb LPOST herbicide programs preceded by preplant treatments resulted in giant ragweed density < 2 plants m−2and soybean yield > 2,400 kg ha−1compared with the density of ≥ 2 plants m−2and soybean yield < 1,800 kg ha−1under PRE or EPOST fb LPOST herbicide programs. The contrast analysis also indicated that preplant tillage or 2,4-D fb a PRE or POST program was more effective for giant ragweed management compared with PRE fb POST herbicide programs. Integration of preplant tillage would provide an alternative method for early-season control of giant ragweed; however, a follow up application of herbicides is needed for season-long control in soybean.

It is often of interest to predict spatially correlated count outcomes that follow a Poisson distribution. For example, in the environmental sciences we may want to predict pollen counts using temperature or precipitation data as auxiliary variables. To predict a Poisson outcome variable in the presence of an auxiliary variable, Poisson cokriging as a Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) is proposed. This model has a bivariate structure with a Poisson outcome variable and an auxiliary variable. A covariance matrix similar to that used in cokriging is assumed. A simulation study and a real data example using the number of microplastics in the digestive tracts of fish are presented. The results showed that Poisson cokriging methodology can be applied successfully in practice with small average errors and coverage close to 95%. The Poisson cokriging model can be a useful tool for spatial prediction.

Cattle hides are a main source of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) contamination of beef carcasses. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the prevalence of "top 6" non-O157 plus O157:H7 EHEC (EHEC-7) on feedlot cattle hides and their matched preintervention carcasses; (2) assess the agreement among detection methods for these matrices; and (3) conduct a molecular risk assessment of EHEC-7 isolates. Samples from 576 feedlot cattle were obtained at a commercial harvest facility and tested for EHEC-7 by a culture-based method and the polymerase chain reaction/mass spectrometry-based NeoSEEK(™) STEC Detection and Identification test (NS). Prevalence data were analyzed with generalized linear mixed models. The cumulative prevalence of EHEC-7 in hide samples as detected by NS was 80.7%, with a distribution of 49.9%, O145; 37.1%, O45; 12.5%, O103; 11.0%, O157; 2.2%, O111; 2.0%, O121; and 0.2%, O26. In contrast, the cumulative prevalence of EHEC-7 in hide samples by culture was 1.2%, with a distribution of 0.6%, O157; 0.4%, O26; 0.2%, O145; and 0%, O45, O103, O111, and O121. The cumulative prevalence of EHEC-7 on matched preintervention carcasses as detected by NS was 6.0%, with a distribution of 2.8%, O157; 1.6%, O145; 1.2%, O103; 1.1%, O45; 0.2%, O26; and 0.0%, O111 and O121. Although the culture-based method detected fewer positive hide samples than NS, it detected EHEC in five hide samples that tested negative for the respective organism by NS. McNemar's chi-square tests indicated significant (p0.05) disagreement between methods. All EHEC-7 isolates recovered from hides were seropathotype A or B, with compatible virulence gene content. This study indicates that "top 6" and O157:H7 EHEC are present on hides, and to a lesser extent, preintervention carcasses of feedlot cattle at harvest. However, continued improvement in non-O157 detection methods is needed for accurate estimation of prevalence, given the discordant results across protocols.

A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the effects of pen location, moisture, and temperature on emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from surface materials obtained from feedlot pens where beef cattle were fed a diet containing 30% wet distillers grain plus solubles. Surface materials were collected from the feed trough (bunk), drainage, and raised areas (mounds) within three feedlot pens. The surface materials were mixed with water to represent dry, wet, or saturated conditions and then incubated at temperatures of 5, 15, 25 and 35 °C. A wind tunnel and gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer were used to collect and quantify emissions of eight volatile fatty acids (VFAs), five aromatics and two sulfur-containing compounds. Pen location significantly (P

Agricultural runoff from areas receiving livestock manure can potentially contaminate surface water with antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of narrow grass hedges (NGHs) on reducing the transport of antimicrobials and ARGs in runoff after land application of swine manure slurry. Plot-scale rainfall simulation tests were conducted on 0.75 m by 4.0 m plots designed to test three treatment factors: manure amendment (control plots receiving no manure vs. amended plots receiving manure based on 3 times N requirement), NGH (plots with a NGH vs. plots without a NGH), and rainfall events (days 1-3). Runoff generated during three 30-min simulated rainfall events was sampled and analyzed for antimicrobials and ARGs. Manure amendment was responsible for the presence of antimicrobial tylosin ( < 0.0001) and tylosin resistance gene (B) ( < 0.0001) in runoff. Narrow grass hedges proved to be effective in reducing tylosin ( < 0.0001) and (B) ( < 0.0347) in runoff. Manure amendment was responsible for the introduction of tylosin ( < 0.0482) and (B) ( = 0.0128) into the soil; however, it had no significant impact on the abundance of the 16S rRNA gene in soil. Results from this study suggest that NGHs could be a best management practice to control the transport of antimicrobials and ARGs in agricultural runoff.

Subjects with/without temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD) were tested for differences in muscle forces.School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo. Ninety-one subjects were classified in four groups based on the presence/absence (±) of chronic myofascial and/or TMJ pain (P) and bilateral disc displacement (DD).Validated numerical models employed an organizational objective and subjects' anatomy to calculate masticatory muscle forces during static biting. anova and Holm's step-down procedure post hoc tests assessed group differences. Theoretical geometries, representing the range of subjects' muscle orientations, were surveyed via numerical models to identify key combinations resulting in high muscle forces. Effect size (Cohen's d) and anova/post hoc tests assessed group differences in key muscle orientations.+P-DD subjects had significantly higher muscle forces, especially for lateral pterygoid muscles, compared to the other groups (p0.01) for bite forces that were directed posteromedially or posterolaterally on mandibular molars and posteriorly and slightly medially on mandibular incisors. Key muscle orientations for peak lateral pterygoid muscle forces were identified, and group comparisons showed mean orientation in +P-DD compared to other diagnostic groups was ≥5° more upright for masseter and ≥3° more posteriorly directed for temporalis muscles (all Cohen's d≥0.8).Predicted lateral pterygoid muscle forces were significantly higher in +P-DD compared to other groups for specific biting conditions and were attributable, in part, to differences in masseter and temporalis muscle orientations.

OBJECTIVES Cartilage fatigue, due to mechanical work, may account for precocious development of degenerative joint disease in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This study compared energy densities (mJ/mm³) in TMJs of three diagnostic groups. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION Sixty-eight subjects (44 women, 24 men) gave informed consent. Diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD) and imaging were used to group subjects according to presence of jaw muscle or joint pain (+P) and bilateral disk displacement (+DD). MATERIAL AND METHODS Subjects (+P+DD, n = 16; -P+DD, n = 16; and -P-DD, n = 36) provided cone-beam computed tomography and magnetic resonance images, and jaw-tracking data. Numerical modeling was used to determine TMJ loads (Fnormal ). Dynamic stereometry was used to characterize individual-specific data of stress-field dynamics during 10 symmetrical jaw-closing cycles. These data were used to estimate tractional forces (Ftraction ). Energy densities were then calculated as W/Q (W = work done or mechanical energy input=tractional force × distance of stress-field translation, Q = volume of cartilage). anova and Tukey-Kramer post hoc analyses tested for intergroup differences. RESULTS Mean ± standard error energy density for the +P+DD group was 12.7 ± 1.5 mJ/mm³ and significantly greater (all adjusted p < 0.04) when compared to -P+DD (7.4 ± 1.4 mJ/mm³) and -P-DD (5.8 ± 0.9 mJ/mm³) groups. Energy densities in -P+DD and -P-DD groups were not significantly different. CONCLUSION Diagnostic group differences in energy densities suggest that mechanical work may be a unique mechanism, which contributes to cartilage fatigue in subjects with pain and disk displacement.

This paper will present an alternative approach to modelling spatially correlated proportions called beta-binomial kriging. The model adjusts a simpler model, binomial cokriging, to more accurately model latent beta spatial random fields as a function of observed sample proportions. Beta-binomial kriging is relatively simple compared to other models, and provides accurate predictions under a wide variety of circumstances. The approach is ideally suited for problems in epidemiology and spatial ecology where underlying probabilities of a phenomenon are of primary interest. The modeling approach will be evaluated using simulated spatial data.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis in temporomandibular joints (TMJs) is often treated with intra-articular steroid injections, which can inhibit condylar growth. The purpose of this study was to compare simvastatin (a cholesterol-lowering drug that reduces TMJ inflammation) with the steroid triamcinolone hexacetonide in experimental TMJ arthritis.Joint inflammation was induced by injecting complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the TMJs of 40 growing Sprague Dawley rats; 4 other rats were left untreated. In the same intra-articular injection, one of the following was applied: (1) 0.5 mg of simvastatin in ethanol carrier, (2) ethanol carrier alone, (3) 0.15 mg of triamcinolone hexacetonide, (4) 0.5 mg of simvastatin and 0.15 mg of triamcinolone hexacetonide, or (5) nothing additional to the CFA. The animals were killed 28 days later, and their mandibles were evaluated morphometrically and with microcomputed tomography.The analysis showed that the TMJs subjected to CFA alone had decreased ramus height compared with those with no treatment (P0.05). Groups that had injections containing the steroid overall had decreases in weight, ramus height, and bone surface density when compared with the CFA-alone group (P0.0001). Groups that had injections containing simvastatin, however, had overall increases in weight (P0.0001), ramus height (P0.0001), condylar width (P0.05), condylar bone surface density (P0.05), and bone volume (P0.0001) compared with the groups receiving the steroid injections, and they were not different from the healthy (no treatment) group.Treatment of experimentally induced arthritis in TMJs with intra-articular simvastatin preserved normal condylar bone growth.

Concern has been expressed surrounding the utility of studies describing the efficacy of antimicrobial interventions targeting the Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) that inoculate chilled versus non-chilled beef carcasses. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of chilling (non-chilled, chilled to surface temperature of ≤5 °C) on STEC attachment to brisket surfaces, and the effects of post-inoculation storage on STEC recovery. Paired briskets from split carcasses were separated; one brisket from each pair was kept non-chilled, while the other was chilled to a surface temperature of ≤5 °C prior to inoculation. Briskets were inoculated with a cocktail of eight STEC and then stored at 5 or 25 °C. At 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min post-inoculation, 30 cm(2) of tissue was aseptically excised, followed by selective enumeration of strongly and loosely attached STEC. A significant, though small (0.4 log10 CFU/cm(2)), difference in the numbers of strongly attached cells was observed between non-chilled and chilled briskets (p

Climate data are increasingly scrutinized for accuracy because of the need for reliable input for climate-related decision making and assessments of climate change. Over the last 30 years, vast improvements to U.S. instrumentation, data collection, and station siting have created more accurate data. This study explores the spatial accuracy of daily maximum and minimum air temperature data in Nebraska networks, including the U.S. Historical Climatology Network (HCN), the Automated Weather Data Network (AWDN), and the more recent U.S. Climate Reference Network (CRN). The spatial structure of temperature variations at the earth’s surface is compared for timeframes 2005–09 for CRN and AWDN and 1985–2005 for AWDN and HCN. Individual root-mean-square errors between candidate station and surrounding stations were calculated and used to determine the spatial accuracy of the networks. This study demonstrated that in the 5-yr analysis CRN and AWDN were of high spatial accuracy. For the 21-yr analysis the AWDN proved to have higher spatial accuracy (smaller errors) than the HCN for both maximum and minimum air temperature and for all months. In addition, accuracy was generally higher in summer months and the subhumid area had higher accuracy than did the semiarid area. The findings of this study can be used for Nebraska as an estimate of the uncertainty associated with using a weather station’s data at a decision point some distance from the station.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of race, age, and gender on Commision Internationale de l’Eclairage Lab color space (CIELAB) values of attached gingival colors. The color coordinates of an optimal proposed attached gingival shade guide were also determined. Material and Methods Participants (n = 120) were recruited to fulfill the following stratification of five age groups: 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60-85, with four racial categories (white, black, Asian, and others) and balanced for gender. Reflectance measurements of participants’ attached gingiva were made using a spectroradiometer and Xenon arc lamp with a 45/0 optical configuration. A stepwise discriminant analysis was carried out to identify gingival color contribution from race, age, and gender. A hierarchical clustering analysis was used to identify color groups that clustered together. The coverage error of the proposed shade guide was calculated to the original gingival color. Results The stepwise discriminant analysis showed a statistically significant difference in gingival color contribution from the factors evaluated. Significant influence was found for the race/gender factors (p < 0.05), but not for age. The cluster analysis results revealed three cluster centroids with mean L*a*b* as follows: (1 = 51.0 ± 4.2, 27.7 ± 4.7, 18.3 ± 3.2), (2 = 61.4 ± 4.5, 24.3 ± 4.3, 17.6 ± 2.3), and (3 = 36.1 ± 4.1, 21 ± 4.9, 16 ± 5.2). The coverage errors to the following racial categories were: Asian (ΔE = 6.0 ± 4.8), black (ΔE = 6.7 ± 3.9), others (ΔE = 5.8 ± 2.9), and white (ΔE = 4.6 ± 2.7). Conclusions The study showed that L*a*b* was significantly affected by race and gender. Clustering analysis was able to identify clusters in 120 participants for three gingival tones.

Beef cattle feedlots contain unconsolidated material that accumulates on the feedlot surface during a feeding cycle. This study was conducted to measure the effects of varying diameters of unconsolidated surface material and varying flow rates on nutrient concentrations in runoff. Unconsolidated surface material with an average diameter of 4.76, 9.53, 19.1, or 47.5 mm and a composite sample with a 15.2 mm mean diameter were placed within 0.75 m wide A— 4.0 m long plot areas. Flow was then introduced at the top of the plots in successive increments, and runoff samples for water quality analyses were obtained. Particle diameter significantly influenced runoff concentrations of dissolved phosphorus (DP), particulate phosphorus (PP), total phosphorus (TP), NH 4 -N, and solids transport. Concentrations of DP, PP, TP, and NH 4 -N for the composite material were 1.90, 1.28, 3.18, and 3.81 mg L -1 , respectively, and solids transport was 19.8 g min -1 . Runoff rate significantly affected concentrations of DP, PP, TP, NH 4 -N, and solids transport for each of the particle size classes except the 4.76 mm diameter material. For the composite material, concentrations of DP, PP, TP, and NH 4 -N decreased from 4.30 to 0.34 mg L -1 , from 5.52 to 0.41 mg L -1 , from 9.82 to 0.75 mg L -1 , and from 25.8 to 0.49 mg L -1 , respectively, as runoff rate increased from 0.02 to 1.10 L s -1 . Nutrient concentrations of runoff from feedlot surfaces are affected by both varying diameters of unconsolidated surface material and varying flow rates.

Femtosecond stimulated Raman microscopy (FSRM) aims at the reduction of acquisition times in Raman microscopy while preserving the spectral coverage. An improved light source for FSRM is briefly described. This light source delivers a narrow bandwidth Raman pump pulse and a broad-band Raman probe. The small spectral changes (relative magnitude 10−6 to 10−3) in the probe light due to the stimulated Raman effect are recorded simultaneously relying on array detectors. Here, estimates for the parameters of an ideal detector are derived and compared with the technical status quo of available detectors. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Beef cattle manure can serve as a valuable source of nutrients for crop production. However, emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) after land application may pose an odor nuisance to downwind populations. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of land application method, diet, soil moisture content, and time since manure application on VOC emissions. Manure was collected from feedlot pens where cattle were fed diets containing 0, 10, or 30% wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS). Land application methods included surface-applying manure (i.e., no-tillage) or incorporating manure using disk tillage. The effects of soil moisture content on VOC emissions was determined by adding water to each of the plots approximately 24 h after manure application. Isovaleric acid, butyric acid, and 4-methylphenol contributed 28.9, 18.0, and 17.7%, respectively, of the total measured odor activity values. In general, the largest emissions of volatile fatty acids and aromatics were measured during the initial collection periods on the no-tillage plots under dry soil moisture conditions. Emissions of volatile fatty acids and aromatics were reduced after water additions because these compounds were stored in the soil-water matrix rather than released into the atmosphere. In contrast, sulfide emissions generally increased with the addition of the water, especially on the plots containing manure from the 30% WDGS diet. Sulfur content of manure increases with higher percentages of WDGS feed stock. Application method, diet, soil moisture content, and time since application should be considered when estimating VOC emissions.

This study was conducted to measure the effects of slurry application method, swine growth stage, and flow rate on runoff nutrient transport. Swine slurry was obtained from production units containing grower pigs, finisher pigs, or sows and gilts. The swine slurry was applied using broadcast, disk, or injection methods at a rate required to meet annual nitrogen requirements for corn. Three 30 min simulated rainfall events, separated by 24 h intervals, were applied to the experimental plots at an intensity of 70 mm h -1 . Inflow was applied at the top of each plot in four successive increments after the third rainfall simulation run to simulate greater plot lengths. The dissolved phosphorus (DP) load of 0.20 kg ha -1 obtained on the broadcast treatment was significantly greater than the 0.11 and 0.08 kg ha -1 measured on the disk and injected treatments, respectively. The DP runoff load of 0.17 kg ha -1 measured for the sows and gilts treatment was significantly greater than the 0.11 kg ha -1 obtained for the finisher treatment. In contrast, the NH 4 -N load of 0.70 kg ha -1 obtained on the finisher treatment was significantly greater than the 0.32 kg ha -1 measured on the grower treatment and the sows and gilts treatment. Runoff rate was an important variable significantly influencing each of the measured water quality parameters. Runoff loads of DP, total phosphorus, NO 3 -N, and total nitrogen increased from 8.4 to 40.1, from 101 to 659, from 420 to 2470, and from 470 to 2850 g ha -1 min -1 , respectively, as runoff rate increased from 3.2 to 21.2 L min -1 .

It is unknown if present-day pigments used for intrinsic colouration of maxillofacial prostheses are representative of human facial skin tones. This study's purpose was to measure L*a*b* values of pigmented elastomers coloured by eleven skin tone pigments and determine coverage error (CE) when the pigments were compared to human facial lip and nose colour data.11 skin tone pigments were combined at 0.1%, 1% and 10% by weight with A-2186 elastomer (n=3). L*a*b* values were measured with a spectrophotometer and group means were used to calculate ΔE* colour differences with each L*a*b* value obtained for human nose and lip. Pigmented elastomer CEs were calculated for nose and lip. Results were compared to CEs for proposed shade guide colours obtained from clustering analyses of facial skin colours.L* values of pigmented elastomers generally were higher than those measured for nose and lip, whereas a* values were lower. CEs for pigmented elastomers were higher than those obtained from the proposed shade guide obtained from clustered skin measurements.Overall, the current commercial elastomers appeared to be too white and not red enough to adequately match the skin tones of the subject population. Adjustments must be made to the existing pigmenting system in order to adequately match the skin colours of the study population.The creation of a shade guide and a collection of intrinsic pigments representing the realm of human facial skin colours would greatly decrease the time a patient must sit while the clinician is obtaining an acceptable colour match for the silicone to be used for processing the final prosthesis, thereby increasing both patient satisfaction and clinician productivity.

Beef cattle feedlots contain unconsolidated surface material that accumulates within feedlot pens during a feeding cycle. Runoff from feedlot surfaces is diverted into settling basins. The storage capacity of the settling basins will be substantially reduced if large quantities of solid material are transported in runoff from the feedlot surfaces. The objective of this study was to identify the hydraulic conditions that will not move unconsolidated surface material located within feedlots in order to minimize sediment transport. Selected sizes and a composite sample of unconsolidated surface material were placed within 0.75 m wide by 4.0 m long metal frames. Flow was then introduced at the top of the frames in successive increments. The discharge rate and flow velocity necessary to cause movement of unconsolidated surface material was measured. Hydraulic measurements were used to determine the ratio of critical flow depth to particle diameter, critical flow rate, critical flow velocity, critical shear velocity, critical Reynolds number, critical shear stress, critical dimensionless shear stress, and critical boundary Reynolds number. Measurements of these parameters for the composite material were 0.556, 0.499 L s -1 , 0.0787 m s -1 , 0.0643 m s -1 , 695, 4.12 Pa, 0.0436, and 1040, respectively. Darcy-Weisbach roughness coefficients were calculated for each particle size class and the composite sample at varying flow rates. The information presented in this study can be used to identify the hydraulic conditions required to not move unconsolidated surface material located within feedlots in order to minimize sediment transport.

Background and Objective Local host-modulation therapy is an emerging approach to prevent disease progression in sites with moderate periodontitis. The combination of simvastatin and alendronate would be an intriguing host-modulatory strategy because of the bone-anabolic properties of simvastatin and the antiresorptive/bone-targeting characteristics of alendronate. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of local administration of a simvastatin–alendronate–β-cyclodextrin (SIM–ALN–CD) conjugate for preventing experimental periodontitis bone loss. Material and Methods Twenty-four mature female Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with three, 12 μL injections, administered one week apart, bilaterally into the palatal/interproximal gingiva. The injections contained: (i) a conjugate of 0.5 mg of SIM and 3.75 mg of ALN–CD in H2O; (ii) H2O alone; or (iii) no treatment. One week later, the same sites were subjected to induction of experimental periodontitis by three injections (i.e. one injection administered every other day for five d) of 0.01 mg of Escherichia coli endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or PBS alone. After an additional week, the rats were killed, the palates were harvested and interproximal bone volume and adjacent thickness were calculated using microcomputed tomography. Subsequently, specimens were decalcified, and interproximal histologic sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for evaluation of alveolar crest osteoclasts and surrounding inflammation. Values were compared among treatment groups using analysis of variance and the Kruskal–Wallis test. Results Interproximal bone volume was reduced by LPS injections (p ≤ 0.04), yet when experimental periodontitis was preceded by treatment with SIM–ALN–CD, more bone was preserved than after treatment with carrier alone (p = 0.007). While LPS caused a significant loss in bone thickness over the palatal roots (p ≤ 0.04), the injection protocol (PBS) also caused a significant loss of palatal bone thickness (p ≤ 0.03). However, prophylactic SIM–ALN–CD injections resulted in no further loss of bone thickness during experimental periodontitis. LPS injections gave histologic evidence of increased osteoclasts and subsulcular inflammation, both of which were reduced when preceded by treatment with SIM–ALN–CD (p ≤ 0.0002). Conclusion The primary conclusion of this study was that locally applied SIM–ALN–CD has the potential to prevent episodes of periodontitis bone loss.

Simvastatin has been shown to stimulate new bone growth on rat mandibles, but much of the bone is lost over time. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of a locally or systemically applied antiresorptive agent (alendronate) on simvastatin-induced bone formation in and adjacent to a rat periodontal defect.Fenestration defects were created over mandibular molar roots in 65 mature female Sprague-Dawley rats. Two weeks later, animals were divided into eight groups of eight to nine rats, and three weekly injections around the defect were applied: 1) 0.5 mg simvastatin in ethanol (SIM-EtOH); 2) 0.5 mg simvastatin in alendronate-cyclodextrin conjugate (SIM-ALN-CD); 3) EtOH alone; 4) ALN-CD alone; or 5) no injections. Twenty-four animals were evaluated for new bone width around the defect 21 days after the last injections (short-term) and 41 rats were followed for 48 days (long-term). Three SIM-EtOH groups of long-term rats also were subjected to 2 weeks of daily systemic ALN or saline either during or 3 to 4 weeks after SIM-EtOH injections. Decalcified, hematoxylin-and-eosin-stained cross-sections of the defect area were analyzed for new bone width and groups were compared using mixed-model analyses of variance.All groups showed nearly 100% bone fill, with no differences among the short-term groups. However, in the long-term animals, two-fold to three-fold more new bone width (≤ 0.004) was seen around the periphery of the defect with the use of systemic ALN after SIM-EtOH injections (0.93 ± 0.12 and 0.78 ± 0.11 mm with early and late systemic ALN, respectively) compared to local SIM/ALN-CD preparations (0.32 ± 0.10 mm) or short-term SIM-EtOH injections (0.35 ± 0.10 mm). No significant new cementum formation or ankylosis was noted.The use of a short course of systemic ALN during the healing period after bone anabolic SIM injections has the potential to enhance local bone augmentation.

Effective antimicrobial intervention strategies to reduce Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) risks associated with veal are needed. This study evaluated the efficacy of lactic acid (4.5%, pH 2.0), Citrilow (pH 1.2), and Beefxide (2.25%, pH 2.3) for reducing STEC surrogates on prerigor and chilled bob veal carcasses and monitored the effects of these interventions on chilled carcass color. Dehided bob veal carcasses were inoculated with a five-strain cocktail of rifampin-resistant, surrogate E. coli bacteria.E. coli surrogates were enumerated after inoculation, after water wash, after prechill carcass antimicrobial spray application, after chilling for 24 h, and after postchill carcass antimicrobial spray application; carcass color was measured throughout the process. A standard carcass water wash (∼50°C) reduced the STEC surrogate population by 0.9 log CFU/cm(2) (P ≤ 0.05). All three antimicrobial sprays applied to prerigor carcasses delivered an additional ∼0.5-log reduction (P ≤ 0.05) of the surrogates. Chilling of carcasses for 24 h reduced (P ≤ 0.05) the surrogate population by an additional ∼0.4 log cycles. The postchill application of the antimicrobial sprays provided no further reductions. Carcass L*, a*, and b* color values were not different (P0.05) among carcass treatments. Generally, the types and concentrations of the antimicrobial sprays evaluated herein did not negatively impact visual or instrumental color of chilled veal carcasses. This study demonstrates that warm water washing, followed by a prechill spray treatment with a low-pH chemical intervention, can effectively reduce STEC risks associated with veal carcasses; this provides processors a validated control point in slaughter operations.

Shape analysis is useful for a wide variety of disciplines and has many applications. There are many approaches to shape analysis, one of which focuses on the analysis of shapes that are represented by the coordinates of predefined landmarks on the object. This paper discusses Tridimensional Regression, a technique that can be used for mapping images and shapes that are represented by sets of three-dimensional landmark coordinates, for comparing and mapping 3D anatomical structures. The degree of similarity between shapes can be quantified using the tridimensional coefficient of determination (). An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this technique to correctly match the image of a face with another image of the same face. These results were compared to the values obtained when only two dimensions are used and show that using three dimensions increases the ability to correctly match and discriminate between faces.