Productivity and cold resistance in ewes pre-lamb shorn by standard or cover comb

1995 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 721 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Dabiri ◽  
ST Morris ◽  
WJ Parker ◽  
SN McCutcheon ◽  
GA Wickham
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Cold Stress ◽  
Cold Resistance ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Practical Method ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Biting Rate ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Pregnancy Status

The cover comb has been developed in New Zealand as a means of increasing residual fleece depth after shearing and so increasing the resistance of shorn sheep to cold-stress. The effects of pre-lamb shearing ewes with cover or standard comb, and of leaving ewes unshorn until after weaning, on their feed intake, productivity, and cold resistance were studied. Border Leicester x Romney ewes were divided into three groups balanced for pregnancy status, ewe age and liveweight. Two groups of ewes were shorn, by either cover comb or standard comb, on day 114 of pregnancy (P114) and one group left unshorn until weaning on day 84 of lactation (L84). Ewes were managed under the same conditions during pregnancy and lactation. Ewes shorn pre-lamb by cover comb had lower mortality from shearing to lambing, and lower organic matter intakes and biting rates at P123-126 than ewes shorn by standard comb. These parameters did not differ between ewes shorn pre-lamb by cover comb and unshorn ewes except biting rate which was greater in the cover comb-shorn group. Twenty days after shearing (P134), the liveweights of ewes were greater in the unshorn group than in the cover comb-shorn group (P < 0.05), which was in turn heavier (P < 0.05) than ewes shorn by standard comb. Midside clean wool growth rates were greater in standard comb- and cover comb-shorn ewes during the post-shearing period (to day 40 of lactation) than in unshorn ewes ( P < 0.05). Similarly, the yield and brightness of wool were superior (P < 0.05) in pre-lamb shorn groups. Lamb liveweights at birth, docking and weaning, and lamb survival, were similar between shearing policies. Rectal temperature (RT) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in both pre-lamb shorn groups than in the unshorn group on day 3 post-shearing (S3), but by S5 only the ewes shorn by standard comb had lower RT. These results suggest that the greater amount of residual wool in cover comb- vs standard comb-shorn ewes provides a low cost practical method for reducing the two important disadvantages of pre-lamb shearing, namely increased cold-stress and feed intakes post-shearing.

scholarly journals Earthquake recording instrument

1969 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 308-328
Author(s):  
G. K. Bunce
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Strong Motion ◽  
Practical Method ◽  
Industrial Research ◽  
Earthquake Resistance ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Recording Instrument ◽  
Engineering Structures ◽  
Large Structures

Recognising that the only practical method for obtaining the primary data on earthquake resistance in large structures is to measure their behaviour during earthquakes, the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research realised there was a need both in New Zealand and overseas, for a low-cost, strong motion earthquake recording instrument suitable for use in multi-storey buildings and other important civil engineering structures.

Wool growth of pregnant and lactating Merino ewes

1985 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. 613-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. H. Oddy
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Wool Fibre ◽  
Total Plasma ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Growth Deficit

SUMMARYThe wool production of pregnant, lactating and non-pregnant, non-lactating (dry) Merino ewes eating one of three diets: chaffed oaten hay (OH), chaffed lucerne hay (LH), and a 50/50 (w/w) mixture of OH and LH, was determined. Measurements were made for 2 months prior to mating, during pregnancy and for 3 months after lambing, and for the dry ewes over the same period.Production of clean wool (Y, g/day) by dry ewes was linearly related to digestible organic matter intake (X, g/day):Y = 0·0301 X - 3·34, r = 0·97.Clean wool growth was significantly less (P < 0·01) than dry ewes in the 4th and 5th month of pregnancy and throughout lactation. During pregnancy the total deficit in clean wool growth (calculated as the difference between observed wool growth and that expected on the basis of the relationship between feed intake and clean wool growth of dry ewes) was 456 g for ewes bearing a single lamb and 578 g for those bearing twins, with no difference between diets. In lactation the total clean wool growth deficit increased as milk production increased, and for every litre of milk produced there was a deficit of 12 g clean wool.Wool fibre diameter was reduced during the 1st month of lactation. There was no consistent effect of pregnancy or lactation on the number of wool follicles per mm2, the ratio of primary plus secondary to primary wool follicles, or on the thickness of skin on the midside.Digestibility of dietary organic matter (DOM) was reduced during the last 3 months of pregnancy, and the first 2 months of lactation. However, this was insufficient to account for the magnitude of the decrease in wool growth seen during pregnancy and lactation.Wool sulphur content increased during pregnancy (P < 0·001), but not during lactation. The relationship between total plasma cyst(e)ine concentration and DOM intake during pregnancy was similar to that in dry ewes, but during lactation total plasma cyst(e)ine concentration was less than expected. It was calculated that during pregnancy the amount of sulphur saved through reduced wool growth was greater than that deposited in the conceptus, and during lactation the amount of sulphur saved in reduced wool growth matched that excreted as milk.These results are discussed in relation to control of wool growth during pregnancy and lactation.

scholarly journals Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Potential Gene Modules Associated with Cold Tolerance in Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xing Huang ◽  
Yongsheng Liang ◽  
Baoqing Zhang ◽  
Xiupeng Song ◽  
Yangrui Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cold Stress ◽  
Cold Tolerance ◽  
Cold Resistance ◽  
Soluble Sugar ◽  
Resistance Mechanism ◽  
Saccharum Officinarum ◽  
Calcium Signal ◽  
Protein Kinase Activity ◽  
Comparative Transcriptome ◽  
Climate Conditions

AbstractSugarcane is an important crop worldwide, and most sugar is derived directly from sugarcane. Due to its thermophilic nature, the yield of sugarcane is largely influenced by extreme climate conditions, especially cold stress. Therefore, the development of sugarcane with improved cold tolerance is an important goal. However, little is known about the multiple mechanisms underlying cold acclimation at the bud stage in sugarcane. In this study, we emphasized that sensitivity to cold stress was higher for the sugarcane variety ROC22 than for GT42, as determined by physical signs, including bud growth capacity, relative conductivity, malonaldehyde contents, and soluble sugar contents. To understand the factors contributing to the difference in cold tolerance between ROC22 and GT42, comparative transcriptome analyses were performed. We found that genes involved in the regulation of the stability of the membrane system were the relative determinants of difference in cold tolerance. Additionally, genes related to protein kinase activity, starch metabolism, and calcium signal transduction were associated with cold tolerance. Finally, 25 candidate genes, including 23 variety-specific and 2 common genes, and 7 transcription factors were screened out for understanding the possible cold resistance mechanism. The findings of this study provide candidate gene resources for cold resistance and will improve our understanding of the regulation of cold tolerance at the bud stage in sugarcane.

scholarly journals Nutritional impact of partial or complete replacement of clover hay by untreated or biologically treated rice straw and corn stalks on: 1. growth performance and economic evaluation of growing New Zealand (NZW) White rabbits

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamed A. A. Omer ◽  
Sawsan M. Ahmed ◽  
Roshdy I. El-Kady ◽  
Aly A. El-Shahat ◽  
Mahmoud Y. El-Ayek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Trichoderma Reesei ◽  
Rice Straw ◽  
Pleurotus Ostreatus ◽  
Biological Treatment ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Biological Treatments ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract Background Agriculture by-products are considered a great potential value for utilization by ruminants as well as rabbits. They usually can be the maintenance and part of the production requirements. However, in developing countries, as well as in Egypt, animals suffer from shortage of feeds that are continuously increasing in costs. In general, biological treatments were shown to be the most effective and improved chemical composition of rice straw or corn stalks. Method This work aimed to investigate the possible ways of utilizing rice straws or corn stalks in rabbit feeding. The field work is designed to study the effect of biological treatment of Pleurotus ostreatus cultivated on rice straws and Trichoderma reesei cultivated on corn stalks and replacing clover hay by rice straws and corn stalks at levels of 0, 33, 66, and 100% either without or with microbes adding. Seventy-eight New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits aged 4–5 weeks (565 ± 13.57 g) were randomly divided into thirteen equal experimental groups. Results Untreated rice straws or biologically treated with Pleurotus ostreatus increased their contents of crude protein (CP) by 178.75 and 224.5% and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) by 6.30 and 24.53, respectively. Meanwhile, crude fiber (CF) content was reduced by 31.32 and 56.75%, and organic matter content was decreased by 2.81 and 5.51%, respectively, in comparison with the raw rice straws. Also, biological treatment of rice straws caused a decrease in values of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and hemicellulose contents in comparison with either raw or treated rice straws. Furthermore, biological treatment with Trichoderma reesei realized a decrease in organic matter (OM), CF, NDF, and ADF and increased CP and ash contents in corn stalks. NFE content of corn stalks was decreased as a result of treatment without or with Trichoderma reesei experimental rations by 11.95% and 3.82% compared to raw corn stalks (CS). Biological treatments with fungi significantly (P < 0.05) improved average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion. ADG and feed conversion were significantly (P < 0.05) improved when rabbits were fed diets containing rice straw (RS) compared to that fed CS. Rabbits fed diets replaced clover hay (CH) with 33% or 66% of RS or CS significantly increased ADG compared to control and that replaced 100% of both RS and CS containing rations. Levels of replacing had no significant effect on their dry matter intake (DMI) values. The highest improvement in feed conversion was recorded with rabbits that received diets replaced 33% of berseem hay (BH) by RS or CS, followed by that replaced 66% of BH by RS or CS. There were significantly interactions between biological treatments (T), roughage source (S), and replacement levels (L) (T × S × L) only on ADG. The best fed conversion was realized by rabbits fed diet replaced BH with 33% of RS that are treated by Pleurotus ostreatus (4.05 g DMI/g gain). Rabbits fed 33% biologically treated rice straw with Pleurotus ostreatus showed the highest economic efficiency (179%) followed by rabbits that received 33% of both rice straws treated without Pleurotus ostreatus and rabbits that received corn stalks biologically treated with Trichoderma reesei (161%). Conclusion Biological treatments of rice straws by Pleurotus ostreatus or corn stalks by Trichoderma reesei were safe, and it improves their chemical analysis and improved both daily gain and feed conversion, decreasing the costing of diet formulation which consequently decreased the price of 1-kg live body weight.

Modelling organic matter dynamics in New Zealand soils

2001 ◽  
Vol 27 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 111-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aroon Parshotam ◽  
Surinder Saggar ◽  
Kevin Tate ◽  
Roger Parfitt
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Organic Matter Dynamics

Point-of-entry adsorbers for the removal of fumigants

1995 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-120
Author(s):  
Roberto M. Narbaitz ◽  
Frances Z. Parsons ◽  
Tsong-Yih Tzeng
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Activated Carbon ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Ethylene Dibromide ◽  
Point Of Entry ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Adsorption Data

Point-of-entry systems with granular activated carbon filters have been used extensively to provide safe water to rural homes with wells contaminated with synthetic organic chemicals. Because of the low cost of these systems, their design is generally based on the equilibrium column model, the isotherm data from the literature, and a scale-up factor. This paper analyzes the necessary scale-up factors for point-of-entry adsorbers based on fumigant adsorption data gathered through an extensive literature review. The fumigants evaluated are 1,2-dichloropropane, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane, and ethylene dibromide. It was impossible to thoroughly assess the scale-up factors for 1,2-dichloropropane because of the limited data. Column data for the other two fumigants were sufficient to generate column loading lines, which can be used directly without resorting to scale-up factors. Column data showed that the scale-up factors are greatly affected by competitive adsorption with the naturally occurring background organic matter and by preloading of these organic matter. As these phenomena are not well understood, it is presently impossible to accurately predict the appropriate scale-up factors. A recommended design approach is outlined. Key words: adsorption, activated carbon, fumigants, point-of-entry.

scholarly journals Costing the cold: Connecting fuel poverty & supplier switching in Wellington, New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sam McLean
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Electricity Market ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Colonial History ◽  
Electricity Prices ◽  
Energy Services ◽  
Poor Households ◽  
Competitive Prices ◽  
Supplier Switching ◽  
Equitable Outcomes

<p>Fuel poverty describes the inability of households to afford adequate energy services, such as space heating. In New Zealand, where 25% of households are estimated to be ‘fuel poor’, high electricity prices in a restructured electricity market have an important influence on fuel poverty. However, the ability of the New Zealand Government to regulate these high electricity prices is constrained. Consequently, there is a strong reliance on consumers to switch energy suppliers, which promotes competitive prices and in turn regulates the price of electricity. In contrast to energy efficiency improvements, switching offers fuel poor households a low-cost opportunity to improve the short-term affordability of energy services. Yet, switching is suggested to not benefit fuel poor households who are in most need of affordable energy.  This thesis explored the relationship between fuel poverty and supplier switching in Wellington, New Zealand through a geographic lens. First, a new approach to identifying fuel poverty in New Zealand was applied. Using geographic information systems (GIS), a fuel poverty index was calculated to identify fuel poverty in Wellington at meshblock level. Spatial analysis of the index revealed the complexity of identifying fuel poverty and the extent to which the spatial distribution of fuel poverty in Wellington is shaped by the city’s colonial history. The index was then used to identify survey participants through which a survey was conducted exploring Wellington households’ switching behaviours. In a competitive market, consumers are expected to switch according to economically rational behaviours. However, switching behaviours in the survey sample were influenced by factors other than these economically rational behaviours. Integrating the findings of this thesis supports suggestions that switching is not benefiting the fuel poor. Finally, this thesis sheds light on the extent to which an understanding of the geography of fuel poverty can be applied towards improving the effectiveness of policy and equitable outcomes for fuel poor households.</p>

scholarly journals Costing the cold: Connecting fuel poverty & supplier switching in Wellington, New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sam McLean
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Electricity Market ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Colonial History ◽  
Electricity Prices ◽  
Energy Services ◽  
Poor Households ◽  
Competitive Prices ◽  
Supplier Switching ◽  
Equitable Outcomes

<p>Fuel poverty describes the inability of households to afford adequate energy services, such as space heating. In New Zealand, where 25% of households are estimated to be ‘fuel poor’, high electricity prices in a restructured electricity market have an important influence on fuel poverty. However, the ability of the New Zealand Government to regulate these high electricity prices is constrained. Consequently, there is a strong reliance on consumers to switch energy suppliers, which promotes competitive prices and in turn regulates the price of electricity. In contrast to energy efficiency improvements, switching offers fuel poor households a low-cost opportunity to improve the short-term affordability of energy services. Yet, switching is suggested to not benefit fuel poor households who are in most need of affordable energy.  This thesis explored the relationship between fuel poverty and supplier switching in Wellington, New Zealand through a geographic lens. First, a new approach to identifying fuel poverty in New Zealand was applied. Using geographic information systems (GIS), a fuel poverty index was calculated to identify fuel poverty in Wellington at meshblock level. Spatial analysis of the index revealed the complexity of identifying fuel poverty and the extent to which the spatial distribution of fuel poverty in Wellington is shaped by the city’s colonial history. The index was then used to identify survey participants through which a survey was conducted exploring Wellington households’ switching behaviours. In a competitive market, consumers are expected to switch according to economically rational behaviours. However, switching behaviours in the survey sample were influenced by factors other than these economically rational behaviours. Integrating the findings of this thesis supports suggestions that switching is not benefiting the fuel poor. Finally, this thesis sheds light on the extent to which an understanding of the geography of fuel poverty can be applied towards improving the effectiveness of policy and equitable outcomes for fuel poor households.</p>

scholarly journals The Use of Text Messaging to Improve Clinical Engagement for Individuals With Psychosis: Systematic Review (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica D'Arcey ◽  
Joanna Collaton ◽  
Nicole Kozloff ◽  
Aristotle N Voineskos ◽  
Sean A Kidd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Text Messaging ◽  
English Language ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Practical Method ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Clinical Engagement ◽  
Safety Considerations ◽  
Year 2000 ◽  
Sms Text Messaging

BACKGROUND Individuals experiencing psychosis are at a disproportionate risk for premature disengagement from clinical treatment. Barriers to clinical engagement typically result from funding constraints causing limited access to and flexibility in services. Digital strategies, such as SMS text messaging, offer a low-cost alternative to potentially improve engagement. However, little is known about the efficacy of SMS text messaging in psychosis. OBJECTIVE This review aimed to address this gap, providing insights into the relationship between SMS text messaging and clinical engagement in the treatment of psychosis. METHODS Studies examining SMS text messaging as an engagement strategy in the treatment of psychosis were reviewed. Included studies were published from the year 2000 onward in the English language, with no methodological restrictions, and were identified using 3 core databases and gray literature sources. RESULTS Of the 233 studies extracted, 15 were eligible for inclusion. Most studies demonstrated the positive effects of SMS text messaging on dimensions of engagement such as medication adherence, clinic attendance, and therapeutic alliance. Studies examining the feasibility of SMS text messaging interventions found that they are safe, easy to use, and positively received. CONCLUSIONS Overall, SMS text messaging is a low-cost, practical method of improving engagement in the treatment of psychosis, although efficacy may vary by symptomology and personal characteristics. Cost-effectiveness and safety considerations were not adequately examined in the studies included. Future studies should consider personalizing SMS text messaging interventions and include cost and safety analyses to appraise readiness for implementation. CLINICALTRIAL

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