Muddy Conditions Research Articles

Deformation characteristics and bearing capacity of floating shell cushions in offshore muddy conditions

Deformation characteristics and bearing capacity of floating shell cushions in offshore muddy conditions

PERSEPSI PENGUNJUNG TERHADAP DAYA TARIK WISATA MANGROVE SETAPUK DI KOTA SINGKAWANG

Setapuk Mangrove tourism has the potential to be developed into natural tourism because it has the potential in the form of natural scenery, rainbow bridges and mangrove areas with various attractions and tourism infrastructure. The purpose of the study was to explain the perception and satisfaction of visitors to the attractiveness of Setapuk Mangrove tourism through available facilities. The method used a survey with 50 visitors as research informants selected by accidental sampling. Data collection was conducted through observation and interviews using a list of questions. Data analysis was carried out in a qualitative descriptive manner. Visitors' perception of the Setapuk Mangrove tourism area feels interested and quite satisfied with tourist objects in the form of natural scenery, flora, fauna, beaches, rivers and roads/tracks. It is also supported by the condition of facilities, cleanliness, comfort, safety and satisfaction of visitors as well as the physical condition of tourist facilities and infrastructure that are available or well maintained. It is supported by several tourism activities that get satisfied assessments by visitors, namely when observing mangrove beaches by speedboat. Accessibility conditions that are not supportive and physical conditions of infrastructure that are not good are basically weaknesses as well as advantages, because accessibility in muddy conditions will get more attention from visitors/researchers with educational purposes that require elements of unity with nature so that these conditions remain original, so this area has potency for ecotourism

SCHeMoS -- Smart Cow Health Monitoring System: An IoT based Cow Hoof Detection and Healthcare Alert System by Using LSTM Network

Human life and existence are intertwined with a few domestic animals. One of the most important animals of this kind is the cow. Cows play a vital role in daily activities. Most of the people in India consume cow’s milk as one of their major nutrients. Monitoring the health of a cow’s everyday life is quite challenging. After infertility and mastitis, lameness is typically ranked as the third most economically significant health issue in dairy herds.Lameness are caused due to genetics, lack in nutrition i.e. a diet deficient in essential nutrients such as biotin, which can lead to hoof problems. Due to geographical environments like cows kept in wet, muddy conditions are more likely to develop hoof problems. This investigation analyses the typical characteristics of cow behavior, and a Smart Cow Health Monitoring System (ScHeMoS) using IoT is proposed to identify the cow’s health through the data obtained from Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, including position, body temperature, stability, acceleration, and animal feed. IoT is combined with Deep learning (DL) technique to monitor and diagnose animal health. We used the Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) network to predict cow lameness by capturing the body temperature and other parameters, which will aid in predicting their illness. The accelerometer values are stored so that it will further help to determine which cow is lame and which is pregnant or regular and could be intimated to the care takers in the farms. We utilised a self collected dataset to perform the investigation. By implementing this system, we achieved 92.45\% accuracy and 0.92 as F1 score.

Feature-Based Place Recognition Using Forward-Looking Sonar

Some structures in the harbour environment need to be inspected regularly. However, these scenarios present a major challenge for the accurate estimation of a vehicle’s position and subsequent recognition of similar images. In these scenarios, visibility can be poor, making place recognition a difficult task as the visual appearance of a local feature can be compromised. Under these operating conditions, imaging sonars are a promising solution. The quality of the captured images is affected by some factors but they do not suffer from haze, which is an advantage. Therefore, a purely acoustic approach for unsupervised recognition of similar images based on forward-looking sonar (FLS) data is proposed to solve the perception problems in harbour facilities. To simplify the variation of environment parameters and sensor configurations, and given the need for online data for these applications, a harbour scenario was recreated using the Stonefish simulator. Therefore, experiments were conducted with preconfigured user trajectories to simulate inspections in the vicinity of structures. The place recognition approach performs better than the results obtained from optical images. The proposed method provides a good compromise in terms of distinctiveness, achieving 87.5% recall considering appropriate constraints and assumptions for this task given its impact on navigation success. That is, it is based on a similarity threshold of 0.3 and 12 consistent features to consider only effective loops. The behaviour of FLS is the same regardless of the environment conditions and thus this work opens new horizons for the use of these sensors as a great aid for underwater perception, namely, to avoid degradation of navigation performance in muddy conditions.

A cluster of leptospirosis cases associated with crocodile workers in the Northern Territory, Australia, 2022.

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonotic waterborne disease endemic in tropical and subtropical climates. Outbreaks have been observed in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia. We briefly described the epidemiology of leptospirosis in the NT between 2012 and 2022, and undertook an investigation of a cluster of three leptospirosis cases observed in crocodile workers between January and December 2022 in the Top End of the NT. A descriptive case series was conducted to investigate the cluster; all three cases were male and non-Aboriginal with a median age of 46.5 years; none took chemoprophylaxis; only one of the three cases reported wearing appropriate protective attire; all reported receiving limited to no education about personal protective measures from their associated workplaces. Higher than average rainfall in both February and December 2022 likely contributed to the increased risk of infection in those months. Changing climate patterns are likely to result in more frequent periods of heavy rain, and risk of contracting leptospirosis in the NT may increase, particularly for those who work in wet and muddy conditions. Promoting the use of protective workplace clothing and equipment, the use of waterproof dressings for skin abrasions, regular hand hygiene, and the consideration of chemoprophylaxis in certain circumstances may prevent future cases.

Performance Evaluation of a Height Adjustable Mini Combine Harvester

Mini combine harvesters have been very popular among paddy farmers. The compact size of the machine, in addition to the axial flow threshing mechanism and the effect of low ground pressure on paddy soil, makes it a potential alternative for efficient paddy harvesting of a height-adjustable mini combine harvester used for harvesting paddy fields. This type of harvester was tested in typical paddy field conditions planted with MR297 variety at MARDI Seberang Perai. The performance tests included measuring theoretical and effective field capacity, field efficiency, soil bearing capacity before and after machine disturbance and machine slippage. The fuel consumption was also recorded. The combined harvesting losses were also measured during the experiment. Results showed that in wet and muddy conditions, the mini combine harvester obtained a theoretical field capacity (TFC) of 1.28 ha/hr, effective field capacity (EFC) of 0.94 ha/hr and a field efficiency (FE) of 73.4%. The average fuel consumption of the mini combine harvester was 25 L /ha. The wheel slippage in wet paddy fields was 2.18% and on farm roads was 1.55%. The mini combine harvester also contributed to producing less ground effects, combined with the use of low ground contact pressure tracks, that caused minimal soil disturbance that would affect the soil hardpan layer. This mini combine harvester produced an average harvesting loss of 2.3% with an average harvesting impurity of 10.65%. The mini combine harvester had enough power to move in typical paddy field conditions, with no soft soil problems. The mini combine harvester was able to turn 360 degrees within a small area, which made it suitable for harvesting in paddy fields. Thus, this mini combine harvester has the potential to be used for paddy harvesting with the ability to not only produce minimal harvesting loss, but also produce less ground contact pressure which can help to manage the soil hardpan layer from being easily damaged.

Environmental stress during the last trimester of gestation in pregnant cows and its effect on offspring growth performance and response to glucose and adrenocorticotropic hormone.

Winter and spring precipitation are predicted to increase in the Midwest region of the United States, causing muddy conditions. In a previous experiment, Angus cows (8 per treatment) were paired based on initial body weight (BW) and one cow from each pair was randomly allocated to either the mud or control treatment. Though cows consumed the same amount of dry matter, cows in the mud treatment weighed 37.4 kg less than cows in the control treatment by day 269 of gestation. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate developmental programming effects of steers born to cows in the mud treatment (MUD; n = 7) or the control treatment (CON; n = 6). Steers were weighed at birth and then weekly from approximately 56 d of age until weaning and were subjected to a glucose tolerance test (GTT) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge after weaning. Steers were then placed in the feedlot for an 84-d growing phase and were weighed weekly and 12th rib back fat (BF) and ribeye area (REA) were imaged every 28 d using ultrasonography. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with repeated measurements when appropriate (SAS 9.4). Although there was a 37.4 kg decrease in BW of cows by the end of gestation, there was no evidence of a pen treatment effect on calf birth weight (P = 0.60) or weaning weight (P = 0.99). Additionally, there was no evidence of a pen treatment × day effect for steer BW from birth to weaning (P = 0.67) or growing phase BW (P = 0.60). There was evidence of a treatment × day of growing phase effect (P = 0.02) for BF, such that CON steers had greater BF on day 28 of the growing phase; however, there was no evidence of a treatment × day effect for REA (P = 0.20). Furthermore, there was no evidence of a pen treatment effect for the growing phase average daily gain (P = 0.74), dry matter intake (P = 0.65), gain:feed (P = 0.48), plasma glucose concentration (P = 0.67) or plasma insulin concentration (P = 0.61) in response to the GTT, or plasma cortisol concentration in response to the ACTH challenge (P = 0.51). These results indicate that while mud increased net energy requirements for cows in the MUD treatment, there were no subsequent effects observed for steer BW, gain:feed, or response to glucose and ACTH during the growing phase.

Energy restriction and housing of pregnant beef heifers in mud decreases body weight and conceptus free live weight.

Average temperatures in the Midwest, USA are predicted to increase 2–9°C by the end of the century; resulting in muddy pastures for spring calving beef heifers as they enter late gestation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of muddy conditions on heifer body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), conceptus free live weight (CFLW), and fetal growth when heifers were energy restricted during late gestation. Eighteen Angus heifers (n = 9/treatment) were paired based on initial BW. One heifer from each BW pair was randomly allocated to either the mud (MUD) or control (CON) treatment on day 196 of gestation. Pens in the CON treatment were bedded with wood chips, while pens in the MUD treatment were filled with mud (average depth of 19.5 ± 7.9 cm). Heifers were housed individually and fed the same diet that consisted of a limit-fed total mixed ration from day 196 to 266 of gestation that was formulated to meet 66% of the net energy for maintenance, growth, and gestation requirements. Requirements and the amount of the diet offered were adjusted weekly, and heifers were weighed and sampled for blood metabolites weekly. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with repeated measurements. There was a treatment × day of gestation interaction, such that heifers had similar BW, BCS, and CFLW on day 196 of gestation. By day 266 of gestation; however, heifers in the MUD treatment weighed 43.5 kg less (P < 0.01) and were 1.8 BCS units less (P < 0.01) than heifers in the CON treatment. This is further supported by the treatment × day effects we observed for back fat (BF) and rump fat (RF) thickness, such that the MUD heifers had less BF (P = 0.02) and RF (P < 0.01) by day 266 of gestation. There was a marginally significant difference for gestation length (P = 0.06), such that heifers in the MUD treatment calved approximately 3.1 days before the heifers in the CON treatment. Though heifers in the MUD treatment decreased their BW and CFLW during the treatment period, we did not observe a difference in calf birth weight (P = 0.34), calf plasma IgG concentration (P = 0.37), or calf weaning weight (P = 0.63). Despite heifers in the MUD treatment having greater BW, CFLW, and BCS losses compared with the heifers in the CON treatment, the heifers in the MUD treatment seemed to prioritize fetal growth, as they mobilized their body tissues to meet the energetic demands of pregnancy.

Beef cows housed in mud during late gestation have greater net energy requirements compared with cows housed on wood chip bedding.

Mud increases net energy requirements for cattle because mud and precipitation compromise the ability of the hair coat to insulate and maintain core body temperature of the cow. The increase in energy required for a gestating cow to compensate for a muddy environment is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of muddy conditions on cow body weight (BW) and fetal growth during late gestation. Sixteen multiparous Angus cows (n = 8/treatment) were paired based on initial BW and one cow from each pair was randomly allocated to either the mud (MUD) or control (CON) treatment on day 213 of gestation. Pens in the CON group were bedded with wood chips, while pens in the MUD group were designed to create a muddy lot (average depth of 23.6 ± 5.8 cm). Cows were housed outdoors individually and fed the same diet that consisted of a limit-fed total mixed ration. Each pair was fed to meet energy and protein requirements for maintenance and gestation. From day 213 to 269 of gestation, cows were weighed and sampled for blood metabolites weekly. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with repeated measurements (SAS 9.4). Though cows consumed the same amount of dry matter, cows in the MUD treatment weighed 37.4 kg less than cows in the CON treatment (P < 0.01) by day 269 of gestation. Cows in the MUD treatment decreased approximately half a body condition score (BCS), while cows in the CON treatment gained approximately 1 BCS during the treatment period (P < 0.01). There was no evidence of a treatment × day of gestation effect for 12th rib back fat (P = 0.85), rump fat (P = 0.48), total plasma protein concentrations (P = 0.85), or plasma 3-methylhistidine (P = 0.84); however, there was a marginally significant treatment × day of gestation effect for plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentration (P = 0.09). Despite differences in cow BW at the end of the treatment period, calf birth weight (P = 0.66) and calf total plasma protein (P = 0.27) were not different; however, the divergence in cow BW remained marginally significant at parturition (P = 0.06). These results indicate that mud increased net energy requirements for cows in the MUD treatment, as calf birth weight was not different but maternal BW was decreased compared with cows in the CON treatment.

The relationship between equine pastern dermatitis, meteorological factors, and the skin microbiota.

BackgroundEquine pastern dermatitis (EPD) is a multifactorial syndrome, with prolonged exposure to moisture assumed to be a predisposing or primary factor.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo examine the course of EPD lesion severity, changes in bacterial skin microbiota, and the influence of meteorological factors.AnimalsProspective, longitudinal cohort study over a one‐year period, with six Franches‐Montagnes stallions, four affected by EPD and two unaffected, that were kept under the same conditions.Methods and materialsPasterns were scored for lesion severity and sampled once a month for 12 consecutive months. Lesion severity, the skin microbiota and meteorological factors were examined for associations.ResultsEPD lesions tended to worsen in autumn and at the beginning of spring. The relationship between lesion severity and the meteorological factor precipitation was not clearly evident; high scores were preceded by both low or high rates of precipitation. Microbiota in affected pasterns appeared to have experienced a reduction in alpha diversity. Beta diversity analyses demonstrated that bacterial community structures were altered in affected versus unaffected pasterns, and that alterations were more pronounced with higher EPD scores (P = 0.005). Meteorological factors also had considerable influences on the bacterial composition, whereby these influences appeared to be more marked in the affected pasterns (P = 0.001, F = 3.19) than in unaffected ones (P = 0.005, F = 1.83).Conclusions and clinical relevanceOur study provides preliminary observations of the relationships between lesion severity, meteorological factors and cutaneous bacteria. The population was too small to draw firm conclusions, and further studies on environmental factors and the involvement of bacteria in this multifactorial disease are needed.

87 Beef Heifers Housed in Muddy Environmental Conditions Lose Body Weight and Body Condition but Meet Gestational Requirements for Fetal Growth

Abstract Beef heifers experience an exponential increase in energy requirements during late gestation. Heifers must simultaneously grow a fetus, reach mature body weight, and prepare for their first lactation. In spring calving herds, these energy demands coincide with environmental stressors. Future climate projections for the Midwest predict increased winter rainfall, creating muddy conditions. It is likely that muddy conditions increase heifer energy requirements. The increased energy requirements, if not met, may compromise growth of the heifer and fetus. The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate the effects of muddy conditions on heifer body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), and calf birth weight. Eighteen Angus heifers (n = 9/treatment) were paired based on initial BW. One heifer from each pair was assigned to either the mud (MUD) or control (CON) treatment. Heifers in the CON treatment were housed in pens with sawdust, and heifers in the MUD treatment were housed in pens with mud (20.3 ± 7.6 cm). Heifers were housed individually, and each pair received the same dietary allowance based on the CON heifer’s BW for maintenance, growth, and gestation. From day 196 to 266 of gestation, heifers were weighed and assigned a BCS weekly. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with repeated measurements (SAS 9.4). On day 196 of gestation, heifers were similar in BW and BCS (P &amp;gt; 0.05). By day 266, MUD heifers weighed 43.5 kg less than CON heifers (P &amp;lt; 0.01) and were assigned a BCS of 4.3 compared with CON heifers that were a BCS of 6.1 (P &amp;lt; 0.01). Calf birth weight was not different (P = 0.21). Heifers in both treatments were able to maintain fetal growth, however, MUD heifers did not meet their energy requirements and had decreased BW and BCS compared with the CON heifers.

39 Muddy Environmental Conditions Cause Conceptus Free Live Weight Loss but Not a Decrease in Calf Birth Weight When Compared with Cows Housed on Wood Chips

Abstract Future climate projections for the Midwest U.S.A. predict increased winter rainfall. The increase in winter rainfall will consequently increase soil moisture and allow for muddy conditions in paddocks. Muddy conditions can directly affect cows during late gestation by compromising insulative properties of the hair coat. It is likely that cold climatic conditions and mud increase a cow’s maintenance requirement during gestation and may affect growth of the fetus. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of muddy conditions on cow body weight (BW) and fetal growth during late gestation. Sixteen multiparous Angus cows (n = 8/treatment) were paired based on initial BW. One cow from each pair was randomly allocated to either the mud (MUD) or control (CON) treatment. Pens in the CON group were bedded with wood chips, while pens in the MUD group were designed to create a muddy lot (average depth of 23.6 ± 5.8 cm). Cows were housed individually and fed the same diet. Each pair was fed based on the NRC recommendations for maintenance and gestation. From day 213 to 269 of gestation, cows were weighed weekly. Conceptus free live weight (CFLW) was then calculated by subtracting the estimated weight of the gravid uterus from the cow’s weekly BW. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with repeated measurements (SAS 9.4). At time of study initiation, cows were of a similar BW (P &amp;gt; 0.05). By day 269 of gestation, the CFLW of the cows in the MUD group weighed 37.4 kg less compared with the CON group (P &amp;lt; 0.01), though calf birth weight was not different (P = 0.72). Cows in the CON group maintained CFLW throughout the treatment period, however, cows in the MUD group did not maintain CFLW during the treatment period.

70 Cows housed in muddy environmental conditions during late gestation have lesser body weight and body condition score compared with cows housed on wood chips

Abstract Future climate predictions suggest greater precipitation events and an increase in mean ambient temperature during winter months, creating wet and muddy conditions during the last third of gestation for spring calving beef cows. Cows housed in these conditions will likely have increased energy requirements; however, there is limited data on cow requirements in such circumstances. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of muddy environmental conditions on cow body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) in late gestation. Twenty multiparous Angus cows (n = 10/treatment) housed and fed individually were used in this study. Cows were paired based on initial BW, and one cow from each pair was randomly allocated to either the mud (MUD) or control treatment (CON). Cows in the CON treatment were bedded with wood chips and not exposed to mud, while cows in the MUD treatment were housed in mud (23.6 ± 5.8 cm). Cows were fed the same diet, and each pair was fed to the CON cow’s requirements for maintenance and day of gestation. Maintenance requirements were adjusted weekly. From 213 to 269 days of gestation, cows were sampled for BW and BCS weekly. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with repeated measurements, and the SLICE option of SAS was used for mean separation. All cows started at similar BW (P = 0.35) and BCS (P = 0.79); however, cows housed in muddy conditions had lesser BW (P &amp;lt; 0.01) and BCS (P &amp;lt; 0.01) at day 269 compared with CON cows, while there were no dry matter refusals from any animals throughout the study. Therefore, MUD cows weighed 37.6 kg less than CON cows by the end of the study while dry matter intake was the same between treatments, indicating that mud greatly increased cow requirements.

Relationship Between Length-Weight, Condition Factor and Diversity Sex of Blood Cckle in Sedati, Sidoarjo, East Java

Sidoarjo regency is a district that has marine waters and has the potential to capture the resources of the shell. It is very influential in the livelihoods of the community, especially people sedati, sidoarjo. One of the resources in Sedati is the blood cockle (Anadara sp.), These shells include bivalves that live on the bottom substrate with muddy sand conditions. Catching of the shell has been done in hereditary by Sedati community. This catching activity can have an adverse effect if the capture of blood cockle (Anadara sp.) Is not controlled in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner and the pollution of the marine environment in Sedati also has an effect on the quality of the Sedati sea waters. This study examines the growth aspect of long-range distribution, long relationship of weight, condition factor and sex ratio of blood cockle (Anadara sp.) in sedati waters, Sidoarjo, East Java.

Pasar Tradsional Busalangga Sebagai Representasi Kebertahanan Ekonomi Lokal Masyarakat Rote Ndao, Nusa

Traditional markets are generally muddy, dirty, and physical conditions are the same, like traditional markets on Rote Ndao island, there are 24 traditional markets. The Busalangga traditional market is located in North West Rote and is open on Wednesday and Saturday. Busalangga traditional market is the center of the economy in Rote Ndao. The Busalangga traditional market is not only the center of economic activity, but also describes the social relations of the Rote Ndao community. With this the formulation of the problem in this study is (a) how is the local economy of the Rote Ndao community in the Busalangga traditional market (b) why is the Busalangga traditional market as a representation of the survival of the local economy. The theory used in this research is Serge Moscovici representation theory and network theory from Van Zanden which examines the depiction of the local economy and the network in the Busalangga traditional market. The concept used by researchers in this study is representation, survival, local economy, traditional market, and the community of Rote Ndao. This research is an ethnographic research with a qualitative approach accompanied by data collection techniques through observation, interviews, and literature studies. The results of this study show that the traditional market of Busalangga can meet the needs of society both economically, socially and culturally. The traditional market of Busalangga is the place for the local economy to be formed from a network. The Busalangga traditional market can survive through its local economic role in forming these networks, so that they can be consumed by the Rote Ndao people. Because of that, the local economy in the Busalangga traditional market can survive and exist in the Rote Ndao community.

Performance and carcass characteristics of steers fed with two levels of metabolizable energy intake during summer and winter season

Climate change is producing an increase on extreme weather events around the world such as flooding, drought and extreme ambient temperatures impacting animal production and animal welfare. At present, there is a lack of studies addressing the effects of climatic conditions associated with energy intake in finishing cattle in South American feed yards. Therefore, two experiments were conducted to assess the effects of environmental variables and level of metabolizable energy intake above maintenance requirements (MEI) on performance and carcass quality of steers. In each experiment (winter and summer), steers were fed with 1.85 or 2.72 times of their requirements of metabolizable energy of maintenance. A total of 24 crossbred steers per experiment were used and located in four pens (26.25 m2/head) equipped with a Calan Broadbent Feeding System. Animals were fed with the same diet within each season, varying the amount offered to adjust the MEI treatments. Mud depth, mud scores, tympanic temperature (TT), environmental variables, average daily gain, respiration rates and carcass characteristics plus three thermal comfort indices were collected. Data analysis considered a factorial arrangement (Season and MEI). In addition, a repeated measures analysis was performed for TT and respiration rate. Mean values of ambient temperature, solar radiation and comfort thermal indices were greater in the summer experiment as expected (P<0.005). The mean values of TT were higher in steers fed with higher MEI and also in the summer season. The average daily gain was greater during summer v. winter (1.10±0.11 v. 0.36±0.06) kg/day, also when steers were fed 2.72 v. 1.85 MEI level (0.89±0.12 v. 0.57±0.10) kg/day. In summer, respiration rate increased in 41.2% in the afternoon. In winter, muddy conditions increased with time of feeding, whereas wind speed and rainfall had significant effects on TT and average daily gain. We conclude that MEI and environmental variables have direct effects on the physiology and performance of steers, including TT and average daily gain, particularly during the winter. In addition, carcass characteristics were affected by season but not by the level of MEI. Finally, due to the high variability of data as well as the small number of animals assessed in these experiments, more studies on carcass characteristics under similar conditions are required.

SUPERPOSITION: Equilibrium & Engagement, 21st Biennale of Sydney

SUPERPOSITION: Equilibrium & Engagement, 21st Biennale of Sydney

Muddy conditions reduce hygiene and lying time in dairy cattle and increase time spent on concrete

Dairy cattle spend less time lying and show signs of increased stress when housed in rainy and windy conditions, but no work has separated the effects of exposure to inclement weather from muddy conditions underfoot. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of muddy conditions alone on lying behavior, hygiene, and physiological responses. We housed pairs of pregnant, nonlactating dairy cattle (n = 12; 6 primigravid heifers, 6 multiparous cows) in enclosed pens with dirt floors and a concrete feed apron. Cattle were exposed to 3 levels of soil moisture: 90 (dry), 74 (muddy), or 67% (very muddy) dry matter for 5 d each in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. Lying time was measured on all days with data loggers, and lying locations and postures were recorded on the final day of each treatment. Before and after each treatment, blood samples were collected, and the percentage of dirty surface area was measured on the udder, hind leg, and side of each animal. Cattle spent less time lying down in muddier conditions, especially in the first 24 h of exposure, when cows and heifers spent only 3.2 and 5.8 h, respectively, lying down in the muddiest treatment compared with 12.5 and 12.7 h on dry soil. When the soil was dry, cattle never chose to lie down on concrete, but in muddier conditions they spent a greater proportion of their lying time on concrete (mean ± SE: 56 ± 14 and 10 ± 8% in the very muddy and muddy treatments, respectively). The shift in lying location was more marked for heifers, and all 6 spent ≥87% of their lying time on concrete in the muddiest treatment. When cattle chose to lie down on wetter soil, they limited the surface area exposed to their surroundings by tucking their legs beneath their bodies (mean ± SE: 30 ± 11, 15 ± 4, and 5 ± 2% of lying observations in the very muddy, muddy, and dry treatments, respectively). Despite cattle spending less time on wetter soil, all 3 measured body parts became dirtier in muddier conditions (1.4-, 1.6-, and 1.8-fold more on the leg, udder, and side, respectively, in the muddiest compared with the driest treatment). In addition, higher soil moisture levels resulted in greater reductions in white blood cell counts relative to baseline levels (-0.95, -0.43, and 0.34 × 109/L relative to baseline levels in the very muddy, muddy, and dry treatments). Muddy conditions, even in the absence of wind or rain, are aversive for cattle and have negative implications for their welfare.

Developing a playground as catchment area in effort to maintaining groundwater in Jaten village of Karanganyar district of Central Java, Indonesia

Changes in land use for housing indirectly disturb the hydrology balance of the area. Groundwater conservation efforts can be done by keeping the function the catchment area. One of the housing developer's obligations is providing open spaces (the playground) to play or activity of the residents. Playground in Bumi Graha Indah Housing, Jaten village, Karanganyar district, Central Java, Indonesia has a fundamental issue, that is, in the rainy season the water is difficult to seep due landfill process are not well planned. It causes the playground become in muddy conditions with tall grass, so that reduces the function as a playground and or activity the residents. In the dry season, the soil dry of landfill caused dust scattering and disrupt the activities of people around the playground. Lack of water resources lead watering process for solving the problem of dust during the dry season was considered ineffective. Structuring drainage combined with modified recharge wells can be used to catch water runoff housing. This modification of water catchment areas can make playground dry quickly after rain so the activities of people are not bothered when utilizing the open space provided. Surface runoff water absorbed in open aquifer so that the hydrological balance always be maintained. Adequacy groundwater in the area playground can be used to sprinkler dust and backup needs clean water residents by creating wells and reservoir stocks.

Chronostratigraphy of Bramston Reef reveals a long-term record of fringing reef growth under muddy conditions in the central Great Barrier Reef

Inshore reefs on Australia's Great Barrier Reef (GBR) are widely argued to be in decline, although recent reports suggest that some may be more resilient than traditionally assumed. Resolution of this debate requires long-term insights into past reef development and variability to provide context for the assessment of present reef condition. Long-term reef growth histories can preserve extended records of reef growth and condition, however they are rare, especially for mainland-attached fringing reefs, which are themselves uncommon on the GBR. We examined the internal structure and ecology at Bramston Reef, a mainland-attached fringing reef located in a protected bay on the central GBR. Eight reef matrix cores were collected across the reef flat. Sedimentological and palaeo-ecological analyses coupled with U–Th dating were used to develop the first reef growth history for a shore-attached fringing reef in this region. Twenty-five hard coral genera were identified in the palaeo-ecological analyses. The key reef-building genera (including Acropora, Montipora, Euphyllia, Porites and Goniopora) have contributed to reef growth since initiation and are represented in the extant coral community, despite a change in accretion ‘mode’ during the late Holocene. Sedimentological and stratigraphic investigations demonstrate Bramston Reef has always grown in a mud-rich setting. U–Th ages indicate that reef initiation occurred at or before 5400yBP in a palaeo-water depth of 2–3m. Bramston Reef reached sea level by 4256yBP when sea level was approximately 1m higher than present, after which rapid seaward progradation occurred until around 3000yBP (~19cm/yr on average). Between approximately 3000 and 1000yBP seaward progradation of the reef flat slowed (to ~9.8cm/yr on average). This deceleration of reef growth occurred long before European settlement of the Queensland coast and was driven by natural constraints, probably associated with limited accommodation space due to late-Holocene sea-level fall. Our results demonstrate that mainland-attached reef initiation and accretion can occur in muddy inshore environments over long timeframes (centuries to millennia).