This thematic case study explores international, national, and local media coverage of a conflict between Barb Reddick, a rural, working-class, African-Nova Scotian woman, and her nephew over the ...ownership of a winning ‘Chase the Ace’ lottery ticket. Beginning from general media valuation of lottery winners, and Canadian coverage of the Nova Scotia CTA lottery ‘craze’, we find when Reddick goes off script as loving aunt she is pathologized and degraded in a dramatic reversal from soft to hard news story. Reddick’s habitus and trust in journalists to support her counternarrative became the dramatic content of media spectacle-making – what we call a ‘spectacle of silencing’ – as well as her deviance from Canadian white rurality, and class and gender norms. Rather than mere ‘misrepresentation’ of minorities, we conclude that the dynamics of counternarrative struggle are embedded in reportage itself as spectacle, reproducing the legitimacy and authority of journalistic institutions through a symbolic violence of consensus making.
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High-volume, hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) is widely applied for natural gas and oil production from shales, coals, or tight sandstone formations in the United States, Canada, and Australia, and is ...being widely considered by other countries with similar unconventional energy resources. Secure retention of fluids (natural gas, saline formation waters, oil, HVHF fluids) during and after well stimulation is important to prevent unintended environmental contamination, and release of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Here, we critically review state-of-the-art techniques and promising new approaches for identifying oil and gas production from unconventional reservoirs to resolve whether they are the source of fugitive methane and associated contaminants into shallow aquifers. We highlight future research needs and propose a phased program, from generic baseline to highly specific analyses, to inform HVHF and unconventional oil and gas production and impact assessment studies. These approaches may also be applied to broader subsurface exploration and development issues (e.g., groundwater resources), or new frontiers of low-carbon energy alternatives (e.g., subsurface H2 storage, nuclear waste isolation, geologic CO2 sequestration).
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A 2-yr study utilizing 120 mature, crossbred (Angus × Herford) cows/year, evaluated the influence of cow BCS and dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) supplementation during late gestation on ...cow performance and productivity of subsequent offspring. Treatments were arranged as a 2×2 factorial in a randomized complete block design with 2 BCS and with or without DDGS supplementation. Cows were nutritionally managed to enter the last trimester of gestation with a BCS of approximately 4 (LBCS) or 6 (HBCS) and were thereafter managed in a single herd (initial BCS were 4.4 and 5.7 for LBCS and HBCS treatments, respectively). During the last trimester, 12.7 kg/cow of low quality meadow hay (6.4% CP; DM basis) was provided each day. Supplemented cows were gathered and sorted into pens (12 pens; 5 cows/pen; 6 pens/BCS) every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and received the equivalent of 0.9 kg/cow daily of DDGS (31% CP; DM basis; supplement was consumed within 30 min on each supplementation day). Calf birth weight was greater for HBCS compared to LBCS (P=0.001) and for supplemented compared to nonsupplemented cows (P=0.04). Cow weight at weaning was greater for HBCS compared with LBCS (P<0.001); however, no differences were noted because of supplementation (P=0.16). Weaning weight was greater for the offspring of supplemented compared to nonsupplemented cows (P=0.02). There were no differences in postweaning calf performance (growing lot and feedlot) or carcass characteristics (P>0.05) due to treatments. Nevertheless, HBCS cows had approximately 10% more live calves at birth and at weaning (P≤0.01) compared to LBCS cows. Consequently, the total weaned calf weight per cow was 26 kg greater for HBCS compared with LBCS (P=0.004). Pregnancy rate was greater (P=0.05) for HBCS than LBCS cows (92% vs. 79%, respectively) but not affected by supplementation (P=0.94). This research demonstrates the potential consequences of not maintaining cows in adequate BCS at calving. Also, though it appears that supplementation of beef cows with DDGS during late gestation has a positive effect on weaning weight, there was no apparent developmental programming effect on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of calves.
Crossbred, spring-calving cows (yr 1, n = 136; yr 2, n = 113; yr 3, n = 113) were used in a 3-yr experiment to evaluate the influence of supplemental protein prepartum and grazing subirrigated meadow ...postpartum on pregnancy rates and calf feedlot performance. A 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used in a switchback design. From December 1 to February 28, cows grazed dormant upland range in 8 pastures (32 ± 2 ha each). The equivalent of 0.45 kg of supplement/cow per d (42% CP) was provided to half of the cows on a pasture basis 3 d/wk. For 30 d before the beginning of breeding (May 1 to May 31), half of the cows grazed a common subirrigated meadow (58 ha), and the remainder was fed grass hay in a drylot. Cow BW and BCS were monitored throughout the year, and steer calf performance was determined until slaughter. Feeding supplement prepartum improved (P = 0.01 to P < 0.001) BCS precalving (5.1 vs. 4.7) and prebreeding (5.1 vs. 4.9) and increased (P = 0.02) the percentage of live calves at weaning (98.5 vs. 93.6%) but did not affect (P = 0.46) pregnancy rate (93 vs. 90%). Calves born to dams fed supplement prepartum had similar (P = 0.29) birth weight (37 vs. 36 kg) but greater (P = 0.02) weaning weight (218 vs. 211 kg). However, steer feedlot DMI (8.53 vs. 8.48 kg), ADG (1.6 vs. 1.6 kg), and carcass weight (369 vs. 363 kg) were not affected (P = 0.23 to P = 0.89) by prepartum supplementation. Allowing cows to graze subirrigated meadow postpartum improved (P < 0.001) BCS prebreeding (5.2 vs. 4.9) but did not affect (P = 0.88) pregnancy rate (92 vs. 91%). Allowing cows to graze subirrigated meadow increased (P = 0.01) calf weaning weight (218 vs. 211 kg) but not (P = 0.62 to P = 0.91) feedlot DMI (8.4 vs. 8.3 kg), ADG (1.6 vs. 1.6 kg), or carcass weight (363 vs. 362 kg) of their steer calves. Increased percentage of live calves at weaning as a result of feeding supplemental protein increased net returns at weaning and after finishing in the feedlot. Net returns were increased by allowing cows to graze subirrigated meadow postpartum regardless of whether calves were marketed at weaning or after finishing in the feedlot.
This study investigated effects of stocking rate on cattle performance, quality and quantity of corn residue, and impact of residue removal on grain yield for 5 yr at the University of Nebraska - ...Lincoln West Central Water Resources Field Laboratory near Brule, NE. Four removal treatments-1) no removal (control), 2) grazing at 2.5 animal unit month (AUM)/ha, 3) grazing at 5.0 AUM/ha, and 4) baling-were applied to a center pivot-irrigated corn field (53 ha). The field was divided into eight 6.6-ha paddocks to which replicated treatments were assigned. Samples of residue were collected in October and March (before and after residue removal) using ten 0.5-m quadrats per treatment replication. Residue was separated into 5 plant parts-stem, cob, leaf, husk, and grain-and analyzed for nutrient content. Esophageally fistulated cattle were used to measure diet quality. Cattle assigned to the 2.5 AUM/ha stocking rate treatment gained more BW ( < 0.01) and BCS ( < 0.01) than cattle assigned to the 5.0 AUM/ha treatment. Leaf contained the most ( < 0.01) CP and husk had the greatest ( < 0.01) in vitro OM disappearance (IVOMD) but the CP and IVOMD of individual plant parts did not differ ( > 0.69) between sampling dates. Amount of total residue was reduced ( < 0.05) by baling and both grazing treatments between October and March but was not different ( > 0.05) in control paddocks between sampling dates. As a proportion of the total residue, stem increased ( < 0.01) and husk decreased ( < 0.01) between October and March. Diet CP content was similar ( = 0.10) between sampling dates for the 2 grazing treatments but IVOMD was greater after grazing in the 2.5 AUM/ha grazing treatment ( = 0.04). Subsequent grain yields were not different ( = 0.16) across all 4 residue removal treatments. At the proper stocking rate, corn residue grazing results in acceptable animal performance without negatively impacting subsequent corn grain production.
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Gamete and embryo development are indispensable processes for successful reproduction. Cells involved in these processes acquire pluripotency, the ability to differentiate into multiple ...different cell types, through a series of events known as reprogramming that lead to profound changes in histone and DNA methylation. While essential for pluripotency, this epigenetic remodelling removes constraints that normally limit the expression of genomic sequences known as transposable elements (TEs). Unconstrained TE expression can lead to many deleterious consequences including infertility, so organisms have evolved complex and potent mechanistic arsenals to target and suppress TE expression during reprogramming. This review will focus on the control of transposable elements in gametes and embryos, and one important TE suppressing system known as the PIWI pathway. This broadly conserved, small RNA‐targeted silencing mechanism appears critical for fertility in many species and may participate in multiple aspects of gene regulation in reproduction and other contexts.
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Corn residue grazing can provide a valuable and cost effective means of feeding cattle and is a common practice in most corn producing states. Mechanical means of residue removal (baling) is also ...often practiced as a means of harvesting cattle feed. However, there are concerns about the effects of management practices that remove crop residue on soil processes such as compaction, aggregation, and N cycling. To study these concerns, an experiment with four treatments including control, light grazing, heavy grazing, and baling was carried out for 5 years at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Water Resources Field Laboratory near Brule, NE. Soil penetration resistance was measured after 3, 4, and 5 years of residue removal. Wind erodible fraction, mean weight diameter of dry aggregates, and soil total N were measured after 5 years. Corn yields were determined throughout the study. Results indicate that light grazing showed little or no difference from the no residue removal treatment, but heavy grazing and baled treatments often had higher penetration resistance, indicating that high rates of residue removal may increase risks of soil compaction. However, compaction did not appear to be cumulative over time. No significant differences were observed in wind erodible fraction and dry aggregate mean weight diameter. However, there were trends that suggest heavy grazing and baling may, in the long term, reduce dry aggregate stability, increasing wind erosion potential. Results also show that in the surface 0-2.5 cm grazing animals may increase soil total N and that baling residue may decrease soil N content. There was no impact on corn yields throughout the study. Overall, corn residue grazing and baling appear to have little or no adverse effects on soil compaction, aggregation, or nitrogen cycling after 5 years.
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The South West CO
2
Geosequestration Hub (the South West Hub) is located in South West Western Australia in proximity to industrialised regions around Kwinana, Kemerton, and coal mining and power ...production facilities around Collie. Recognition that there is a potentially suitable geosequestration site in the region near extensive emission sources led to the formation of the South West Hub and its submission as a potential Flagship under the Australian Federal Clean Energy Initiative (CEI). An area with geosequestration potential was identified based on data from years of active research in the region to investigate oil and gas potential, ground-water resources and more recently for geothermal energy potential and now carbon storage. Three interesting factors stand out regarding this site: (1) the storage site relies primarily on residual and dissolution trapping, (2) some of the CO
2
will be sequestered by mineralisation during the amelioration of bauxite residue from some nearby alumina plants, and (3) the subsurface storage area can be tested at a relatively early stage by accessing significant pilot-scale quantities of high-purity CO
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from existing industry in the Kwinana area. CO
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is already being captured and vented at a site in Kwinana, and a proposed pipeline will transport the CO
2
to the alumina plants with the remainder of the gas used for a pilot-scale test. The upfront capital costs are therefore reduced to the pipeline cost rather than for a full-scale capture-ready power plant. In preparation for an investment decision (to drill a new data well addressing the main criteria for characterising carbon storage potential of the proposed Lesueur site) a series of studies have increased the understanding of the geology of the area. Modelling studies suggest that up to 6.4 million tonnes per annum could be stored in the Triassic aged Lesueur Sandstone, with total capacity estimates of 200-260 million tonnes of CO
2
over the lifetime of the project. This paper primarily discusses the evolution of the geological understanding of the Lesueur Sandstone and associated formations in and around the Harvey Ridge structure, which falls within the Lesueur study area, as well as how the Collie coal users and producers and other local industries and government have become engaged in the project. Recent activities in the project have included seismic data acquisition and the drilling, coring and logging of a data well that will allow significant reductions in geological uncertainties for the project.
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Twelve 2-ha, Nebraska Sandhills upland range paddocks were used in a 2-yr study to determine effects of stocking rate on grazed forage nutrient value in early summer. Paddocks contain a mixture of ...native cool- and warm-season grasses with forbs as a minor component. Stocking rates were 0 (control), 0.57 (light), and 0.85 (heavy) animal unit months per ha, respectively. Three esophageally fistulated cows collected diet samples on May 14 (d 0), May 21 (d 7), May 28 (d 14), and June 4 (d 21) in 2013 and 2014. Ten quadrats per paddock were clipped and separated into current or previous year growth on each diet sampling date. All samples were analyzed for CP, NDF, and in vitro OM disappearance, which was adjusted to an in vivo OM basis (). For diet samples, treatment interacted ( < 0.001) with sampling date for CP, NDF, and IVOMD. However, treatment and date did not interact ( ≥ 0.32) for clipped samples. Diets collected in control paddocks had greater ( < 0.05) IVOMD and CP and lower NDF compared with light and heavy stocking rate paddocks on d 7, 14, and 21 but light stocking rate paddocks did not differ ( ≥ 0.26) from heavy stocking rate paddocks on any sampling day except d 21 NDF ( = 0.03). In general, previous year growth IVOMD, CP, and NDF were not affected ( ≥ 0.11) by treatment. Generally, current year growth IVOMD and CP were not affected ( ≥ 0.22) by treatment. Current year growth NDF did not differ ( = 0.23) among stocking rates on d 0, but control paddock had lower ( = 0.02) NDF than light and heavy on d 7, 14, and 21. In stocked paddocks, diet samples had greater ( < 0.01) IVOMD and CP and lower NDF than current and previous year growth except IVOMD on d 0 where diet and current year growth did not differ ( = 0.34). Generally, in control paddocks, current year growth and diet samples had greater ( < 0.01) IVOMD and CP than previous year growth. Control paddocks had greater ( < 0.01) forage accumulation than stocked paddocks on d 7, 14, and 21; however, light and heavy stocked paddocks did not differ ( ≥ 0.29). On d 0 it was estimated that 96% of the diet was current year growth and only 4% previous year growth, whereas on d 21, 70% of the diet was current year growth vs. 30% previous year growth. Stocking pastures decrease current year growth forage mass and therefore diet nutritive value by forcing cattle to consume diets containing previous year growth in early summer.
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