Science Research Program Research Articles

ПРОЦЕСИ САМООРГАНІЗАЦІЇ ЯК ПРЕДМЕТ ФІЛОСОФСЬКОГО ОСМИСЛЕННЯ В УКРАЇНСЬКІЙ ФІЛОСОФІЇ НАУКИ

Topic of the article is Ukrainian philosophy of science, which last 50 years comprehended the modern scientific revolution as becoming of non-linear science. This year of celebrating 300th anniversary of Grygoriy Scovoroda as a symbol of Ukrainian philosophy is good time to make a look round achievements by this branch of our philosophy. Philosophical comprehension of self-organization as becoming of a new whole is the point of consideration for the reason that transition to studying of such objects needs the crucial change of scientific foundations system, especially of philosophical foundations of science. Potentially Ukrainian philosophy of science was ready to such work since Kyiv’s philosophers traditionally applied dialectic ideas to study worldview and to understand scientific truth as a process. It was shown in the article how Ukrainian philosophers of science use achievements of this tradition to understand non linear [synergetic] picture of our world as one of many possible worlds in self-organization of its genetic unity as a whole, beginning of becoming of the set of elementary particles with their interactions as its basic substance. Elaboration by Ukrainian philosophers of epistemic foundations for ideals and norms of non linear researches was represented also, particularly the consideration of truth as nonlinear process and rethinking of relations between fundamental and applied knowledge in respect of descriptiveness of non linear theories. Transdisciplinarity of Synergetics as common scientific research program leaded to application of synergetic ideas to humanities. Collaboration of humanitarians with philosophers who elaborate philosophical foundations for Synergetics created respective divisions in humanitarian disciplines, which studied processes of human and social self-organization. This collaboration created Ukrainian synergetic community as public organization of scientists who have enlighten aim to disseminate the synergetic ideas in Ukrainian society. This aim was successfully realized rather for the reason that self-organization is a good tradition of Ukrainian people who demonstrated it already in XXI century on Maidans, in volunteer movement and in resistance to Russian aggression.

Is there a scientific research program in memetics? - The case of bird songs

Is there a scientific research program in memetics? - The case of bird songs

Potential market and impact of clean hydrogen development to 2050 in Vietnam

Hydrogen plays an important role in the energy transition towards a zero-carbon economy. Blue hydrogen and green hydrogen are potential sources to replace fossil materials and fuels in the fields of refining - petrochemical, production of fertiliser, steel, cement, electricity, and transportation. The potential demand for clean hydrogen in these areas has been evaluated along with the impacts and benefits of hydrogen development. Accordingly, the potential hydrogen market can reach an output of 22 million tons/year by 2050. The development of hydrogen in the fields will create new markets with a total value of USD 100 billion in 2035 and USD 1,200 billion in 2050. In terms of the environment, replacing fossil materials and fuels with hydrogen reduces the total national CO2 emissions by 5.4%. In order to develop and complete the hydrogen value chain in Vietnam, it is necessary to set goals and roadmaps along with appropriate policies. Recognising the importance of hydrogen to the operation of the oil and gas and energy sectors in general, the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN) has developed a scientific research programme on the development of production, storage, transportation, distribution, and efficient use of hydrogen in Vietnam in the 2021 - 2025 period.

تأسيس الشركات بين الجامعات السودانية و مؤسسات المجتمع خاصة الشركات الخاصة

تأسيس الشركات بين الجامعات السودانية و مؤسسات المجتمع خاصة الشركات الخاصة
 This research tackles the way in which Sudanese universities establish partnerships with community institutions especially private sector companies in order to spare universities needs materially and physically which helps in achieving the economical job of the universities by benefiting from Peculiarities Of knowledge economics.
 The research also handles how Sudanese universities translates their developing efforts in academic process and scientific research through encouraging and adopting innovations and Excellent Research Ideas.
 In addition, The research aimed at identifying the important role of Innovations and Excellent Research Ideas Centers in universities in transforming Excellent Research Ideas into successful projects which enables universities in developing their Learning Inputs in order to obtain developed outputs, then accordingly, universities will find the way paved to Establish successful partnerships with community institutions especially private sector companies, in doing so, universities will spare the needed finance for scientific programmes, training, academic, and research programmes.
 The research confirms that transforming Excellent Research Ideas into successful projects attains good beneficial income for universities in especial* and thereafter for the economy of the country in general

How Well Does Evolution Explain Endogenous Retroviruses?-A Lakatosian Assessment.

One of the most sophisticated philosophies of science is the methodology of scientific research programmes (MSRP), developed by Imre Lakatos. According to MSRP, scientists are working within so-called research programmes, consisting of a hard core of fixed convictions and a flexible protective belt of auxiliary hypotheses. Anomalies are accommodated by changes to the protective belt that do not affect the hard core. Under MSRP, research programmes are appraised as ‘progressive’ if they successfully predict novel facts but are judged as ‘degenerative’ if they merely offer ad hoc solutions to anomalies. This paper applies these criteria to the evolutionary research programme as it has performed during half a century of ERV research. It describes the early history of the field and the emergence of the endogenization-amplification theory on the origins of retroviral-like sequences. It then discusses various predictions and postdictions that were generated by the programme, regarding orthologous ERVs in different species, the presence of target site duplications and the divergence of long terminal repeats, and appraises how the programme has dealt with data that did not conform to initial expectations. It is concluded that the evolutionary research programme has been progressive with regard to the issues here examined.

American fall webworm in China: A new case of global biological invasions

American fall webworm in China: A new case of global biological invasions

Saving Senior Smiles: A Community Outreach Educational Program and Pilot Research Project

Globally, poor oral health has been evidenced more frequently among older adults. Thus, it is imperative to develop strategies for improving the oral health knowledge and access to dental care amongst the older adult population. The Saving Senior Smiles (S3) pilot outreach program was launched as an oral health education and awareness program for community-dwelling older adults across senior centers in the greater Boston area (Massachusetts, USA). The outreach consisted of oral health educational seminars presented by pre- doctoral dental students from three dental schools in the Boston area. The presentations highlighted the significance of oral health, and the importance of seeking routine dental care. Pre and post-test surveys were administered to assess the participants’ utilization of oral health services and oral health knowledge. The surveys were completed by 85 older adults (Female= 58.8%) across five senior centers. Questions pertaining to utilization of dental services revealed that 78.8% of the participants had a dentist. Expectedly, the center that reported the greatest number of missing teeth (Fenway center= 70.6%) had the least number of individuals who had a dentist (58.3%). With regard to oral health knowledge, before the seminars, less than half of the participants (42.2% ) across all the senior centers were aware of the common oral conditions that affected older adults ( dry mouth, gum recession and changes in oral bacteria) and after the presentation over 60% of the participants responded correctly to these knowledge questions. Overall, these findings emphasize the value of simple community-based interventions for older adults.

Providing a New Quality of Working Life in Ukraine in the Conditions of Digitalization of the Economy: Conceptualization of Research

The article identifies and substantiates the components of the system concept of scientific research “Formation of a new quality of working life in the context of digital transformations”, which is carried out within the target program of scientific research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine “Formation of a new quality of life”. The urgency to develop this concept is due to the rapid transformation of the social and labor fields, labor market in Ukraine under the influence of the development of the digital economy and the need for a achieving new quality of working life in Ukraine in this context. The key problem is the lack of a systemic and balanced conceptual, strategic and tactical vision of the development of socio-economic and labor fields in these conditions. The concept developed by the authors contains a description of the problem field, tasks and content of the study. This concept is the basis of an expert survey on the quality of working life in the context of digital transformations. The results of the research, conducted on the basis of the author’s concept, will improve the scientific and analytical basis for the development and implementation of state socio-economic policy in Ukraine. It will also allow to determine the priority of the formation of regulatory, organizational, managerial, information and communication and other support for the formation of a new quality of working life in the context of digital transformations. The expediency of further use of this concept is revealed, which will allow to specify and substantiate research priorities and to create preconditions for initiating and conducting on a permanent basis comprehensive monitoring of the social and labor fields in the context of digitalization of the economy.

Adoption of Precision Technologies by Brazilian Dairy Farms: The Farmer's Perception.

Simple SummaryUnderstanding the perception of dairy farmers regarding precision livestock technologies is crucial for creating strategic actions that will increase the rate of adoption and usage of such technologies. A survey study was applied to 378 dairy farms located in Brazil. The farmers were characterized based on technology usage, farmer profile, farm characteristics, and production indexes. The farms were classified into seven clusters: (1) top yield farms; (2) medium–high yield, medium-tech; (3) medium yield and top high-tech; (4) medium yield and medium-tech (5); young medium–low yield and low-tech; (6) elderly medium–low yield and low-tech; and (7) low-tech grazing. Our study helped to elucidate the farmer’s perception about precision technologies and to shed light on challenges that need to be addressed by scientific research and extension programs.The use of precision farming technologies, such as milking robots, automated calf feeders, wearable sensors, and others, has significantly increased in dairy operations over the last few years. The growing interest in farming technologies to reduce labor, maximize productivity, and increase profitability is becoming noticeable in several countries, including Brazil. Information regarding technology adoption, perception, and effectiveness in dairy farms could shed light on challenges that need to be addressed by scientific research and extension programs. The objective of this study was to characterize Brazilian dairy farms based on technology usage. Factors such as willingness to invest in precision technologies, adoption of sensor systems, farmer profile, farm characteristics, and production indexes were investigated in 378 dairy farms located in Brazil. A survey with 22 questions was developed and distributed via Google Forms from July 2018 to July 2020. The farms were then classified into seven clusters: (1) top yield farms; (2) medium–high yield, medium-tech; (3) medium yield and top high-tech; (4) medium yield and medium-tech; (5) young medium–low yield and low-tech; (6) elderly medium–low yield and low-tech; and (7) low-tech grazing. The most frequent technologies adopted by producers were milk meters systems (31.7%), milking parlor smart gate (14.5%), sensor systems to detect mastitis (8.4%), cow activity meter (7.1%), and body temperature (7.9%). Based on a scale containing numerical values (1–5), producers indicated “available technical support” (mean; σ2) (4.55; 0.80) as the most important decision criterion involved in adopting technology, followed by “return on investment—ROI” (4.48; 0.80), “user-friendliness” (4.39; 0.88), “upfront investment cost” (4.36; 0.81), and “compatibility with farm management software” (4.2; 1.02). The most important factors precluding investment in precision dairy technologies were the need for investment in other sectors of the farm (36%), the uncertainty of ROI (24%), and lack of integration with other farm systems and software (11%). Farmers indicated that the most useful technologies were automatic milk meters systems (mean; σ2) (4.05; 1.66), sensor systems for mastitis detection (4.00; 1.57), automatic feeding systems (3.50; 2.05), cow activity meter (3.45; 1.95), and in-line milk analyzers (3.45; 1.95). Overall, the concerns related to data integration, ROI, and user-friendliness of technologies are similar to those of dairy farms located in other countries. Increasing available technical support for sensing technology can have a positive impact on technology adoption.

Reproductive qualities and the level of their phenotypical consolidation in sows of different operational value

The results of studies of indicators of reproductive qualities of sows of different operational value, the level of their phenotypic consolidation are presented, and the economic efficiency of using sows in experimental groups is calculated. The experimental part of the research was carried out in LLC "Druzhba-Kaznacheevka" in the Dnepropetrovsk region and in the laboratory animal husbandry of the State Institution "Institute of Grain Crops of the NAAS of Ukraine". The work was carried out according to the program of scientific research of NAAS No. 31 "Genetic improvement of farm animals, their reproduction and preservation of biodiversity (Genetics, conservation and reproduction of biological resources in animal husbandry)" task "To determine the adaptive characteristics and the nature of inheritance of polygenic-hereditary traits of pigs of different genotypes and to develop an integrated system for creating a highly productive population". The object of research was sows of the Llarge White breed. It was found that the sows of the main herd, according to the characteristics of reproductive ability, belong to the I class and the elite class. The number of sows from which 100 or more live piglets were obtained during the breeding period is 27.45 %. Sows in the "high operational value" category exceed their peers in the "average operational value" category in terms of life expectancy and breeding use by 25.1 and 26.2 months respectively. A significant difference between the animals of the indicated groups was established according to the indicators "received farrowings", "received live pigs in total, head", "multiple births, head.", "weight of the nest at the time of weaning at the age of 28 days, kg" and the index of N. D. Berezovsky. The coefficients of phenotypic consolidation (К1, К2) range from – 0.050 to +0.231 units, which indicates an insufficient level of consolidation of reproductive qualities in sows of the controlled population and determines the vector of further work of agricultural specialists and research workers - curator of work in this direction. The coefficient of pair correlation between the breeding index of sow reproductive qualities (SIRQS) and the absolute indicators of reproductive qualities of sows of different operational value ranges from –0.525 (tr = 3.09) to +0.934 (tr = 81.8). The maximum increase in additional production was obtained from sows of the "high operational value" category – + 3.41 %, and its cost is 92.44 UAH /heard/ farrowing. Key words: sow, breed, reproductive qualities, operational value, coefficient of phenotypic consolidation, cost of additional production, variability, correlation.

Scientific research program of NAAS 20 “Bast Crops”: main results of 2020

The scientific results of the program executors are given, the current state of scientific research on breeding, cultivation technologies, harvesting and processing of industrial hemp and fiber flax, standardization, marketing and economic research is shown

The Psychological Construction of Emotion – A Non-Essentialist Philosophy of Science

Advocates for the psychological construction of emotion view themselves as articulating a non-essentialist alternative to basic emotion theory's essentialist notion of affect programs. Psychological constructionists have also argued that holding essentialist assumptions about emotions engenders misconceptions about the psychological constructionist viewpoint. If so, it is important to understand what psychological constructionists mean by “essentialism” and “non-essentialism.” To advance the debate, I take a deeper dive into non-essentialism, comparing the non-essentialist views of the early empiricists with those of the psychological constructionists, focusing on the theories of James Russell and Lisa Barrett. Using Lakatos’ notion of scientific research programs, I also describe how Russell's and Barrett's views have evolved into different and potentially competing research programs under the psychological constructionist banner.

Improving modes of germination of seeds of mung bean, chickpea and soybeans for obtaining high-protein concentrates

There is nearly no production of legume seedlings rich in protein, aminoacids, crude fiber, micro- and macro-elements, bioactive agents as well as the derived balanced foodstuffs in Belarus. Due to this fact, the local market is dominated by the imported premium price commodities. The purpose of the research is to develop optimal temperature and humidity conditions for germinating seeds of mung bean, chickpea and soybeans, obtaining high-protein concentrates and assessing their consumer properties. Mathematical modeling experiments have enabled to optimize temperature and humidity parameters of scarcely studied seed germination process of mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) R.Wilczek), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) organoleptic, physicochemical, biochemical characteristics, and microbiology safety of sprouts were evaluated. Laboratory resource-saving technology of producing protein enriched concentrates from legume grain feedstock has been developed, and it may lay the basis for large-scale manufacture thereof. Germinated seed concentrates of mung bean, 502 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, agrarian Series, 2021, vol. 59, no. 4 рр. 501–512 chickpea and soybean are likely to be in sharp demand as ingredients of novel healthy nutrition recipes and natural cosmetic formulas intended to enlarge the range of offered commercial products. Acknowledgments. The research was carried out as part of the state program of scientific research “Biotechnologies” (2016-2020), subprogram “Microbial biotechnology”

Improved Superconducting Qubit State Readout by Path InterferenceSupported by the Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Science, the Frontier Science Center for Quantum Information of the Ministry of Education of China through the Tsinghua University Initiative Scientific Research Program, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 11874235), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant Nos. 2016YFA0301902

High fidelity single shot qubit state readout is essential for many quantum information processing protocols. In superconducting quantum circuit, the qubit state is usually determined by detecting the dispersive frequency shift of a microwave cavity from either transmission or reflection. We demonstrate the use of constructive interference between the transmitted and reflected signal to optimize the qubit state readout, with which we find a better resolved state discrimination and an improved qubit readout fidelity. As a simple and convenient approach, our scheme can be combined with other qubit readout methods based on the discrimination of cavity photon states to further improve the qubit state readout.

Settlement Predictions of a Trial Embankment on Ballina Clay

An instrumented trial embankment was constructed on the soft ground with the use of prefabricated vertical drains at Ballina in northern New South Wales (NSW, Australia) as part of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Geotechnical Science and Engineering (CGSE) research program. Comprehensive geotechnical site investigations were performed and field monitoring data were collected, which make it possible to study and compare various settlement prediction methods. In this paper, the Asaoka method, the Hyperbolic method, and the Bayesian updating approach are employed to predict the settlement of the trial embankment. The predictions of the three methods are compared for different amounts of monitoring data. The results show that the predicted settlements are close to the measurements and the accuracy of the ultimate settlement prediction can be improved by incorporating more monitoring data. The time increment can significantly influence the accuracy of the result predicted by the Asaoka method. The Bayesian updating approach is in agreement with the observed settlement by using only 215 days of the monitoring data. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Table Normal; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Times New Roman,serif;}

Leukocyte telomerase concentration is inversely associated with central wave reflection in patients with hypertension

Abstract Introduction Telomere length and telomerase are biomarkers of aging and cardiovascular diseases. Arterial stiffness is associated with vascular age and higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. Decreased reparative cell's potential may cause vascular ageing and predispose to the progression of hypertension. Objective To determine association leukocyte telomerase concentration (TC) and relative telomere length (RTL) with arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients. Material and methods The study included 120 people (70 patients with uncomplicated arterial hypertension (AH) and 50 normotensive individuals). Mean age of hypertensives was 54.8±9.3 and of normotensives was 50.2±9.73 years. Dietary habits, smoking, level of physical activity, body mass index, waist circumference, presence of obesity, blood pressure (BP) level, family history of cardiovascular deseases, depressive episodes and psychological stress according the international questionnaires, glucose; cholesterol, angiotensin II, renin and aldosteron in blood were assessed in the participants. Aortic BP, aortic pulse pressure, augmentation index (AIx), AIx adjusted for heart rate 75 beats per minute (Aix@HR75), pulse wave velocity (PWV) were determined by the applanation tonometry. RTL of peripheral blood leukocytes was performed by real-time PCR. The leukocyte TC was measured using the enzyme immunoassay. Results There were no differences between patients with AH and normotensives in both leukocyte TC (4.9 (4.0; 8.0) versus 6.2 (4.1; 9.4), p=0.281) and RTL (0.94 (0.86; 1.0) versus 0.96 (0.83; 1.0), p=0.978). In hypertensive and normotensive groups the mean systolic aortic BP were 130.6±17,7 and 109.9±11.7 mmHg (p<0.001), aortic pulse pressure – 41.5±9,7 and 33.6±10,4 mmHg (p<0.001), Aix@HR75 – 16.0 (7.0; 28.0) and 27.0 (13.0; 35.0)% (p=0.004), PWV –7.9±1.4 and 8.1±1,7 m/s (p=0.409) respectively. In patients with AH the mean leukocyte TC was lower with an increased Aix@75 (>25%) in contrast to the group of patients with normal Aix@75 (4.45 (3.9; 7.8) versus 7.97 (4.6; 10.0) ng/ml; p=0.043). Based on the multivariate logistic regression analysis independent factors influencing on the Aix@75 were leukocyte TC <5 ng/ml with the family history of AH (OR=1.9, 95% CI: 1.1–3.4; p=0.036), the degree of AH combined with decreased salt sensitivity (OR=3.1; 95% CI: 1.3–7.5; p=0.010) and age (OR=1.2; 95% CI: 1.1–1.2; p=0.001). Conclusions Decrease of the leukocyte telomerase concentration associated with the raise of augmentation index in patient with uncomplicated AH. As a parameter of central wave reflection the augmentation index may considered as an early sign of biological and vascular aging in hypertension. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The state program of scientific research “Fundamental and applied sciences for medicine”

Prediction of radiation-related cardiotoxicity using F-18 FDG PET in non-small-cell lung cancer

Abstract Background Radiation-related cardiotoxicity has been refocused nowadays as the follow-up was increased amomg the patients with advanced lung cancer. The early recognition of the occult cardiotoxicity enables the early intervention preventing clinically significant cardiac events or worsening of severity. Purpose We aim to search whether the F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) performed immediately after radiotherapy could predict the late cardiac events. Methods We retrospectively enrolled 133 patients with locally advanced, unresectable stage III NSCLC who underwent F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) immediately after CCRT for the response evaluation and survived at least for 6 months. Heart was recontoured according to the RTOG 0617 secondary analysis atlas for the dose volume analysis. Standardized uptake values (SUV) of the left ventricular myocardium were measured on FDG PET images. The patients were regularly followed up for the disease progression and complications. The primary end-point was the cardiac events grade ≥2 based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 5.0). Results FDG PET was performed at median interval of 11 days after CCRT. Fourty-two patients experienced cardiotoxicity during a median follow-up of 47 months (range, 12 – 123 months). In univariable analysis, mean heart dose, maximum SUV of the left ventricle (LV SUVmax), white blood cell count, and diabetes were associated with the risk of cardiotoxicity. In multivariable analysis, only higher mean heart dose (>11.1 Gy, hazard ratio 3.930 [95% confidence interval 1.933–7.988]; p=0.0002) and higher LV SUVmax (>12.84, 2.189 [1.162–4.124]; p=0.0152) were independently associated with increased risk of cardiotoxicity. In subgroup analyses, LV SUVmax remained predictive of cardiotoxicity among those with higher mean heart dose, but not among those with lower mean heart dose. Conclusion Early FDG PET after CCRT for NSCLC could predict the late cardiac events, especially in patients with high dose cardiac irradiation. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): This work was supported by a grant of the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation funded by the Ministry of Education, Republic of Korea (Principal Investigator: Sang-Geon Cho)

542 Rethinking/reexamining Grand Challenges Within Teaching for Workforce Readiness – a Scorecard and Recalibration

Abstract The ASAS Public Policy Committee (PPC) provides updates of Grand Challenges (GCs; www.asas.org/about/public-policy/asas-grand-challenges) which clearly articulate research priorities while providing science-based information for shaping public policy, and to enhance future funding for research and education programs in animal sciences (AS). In this nexus symposium for 2021, PPC examines previous stated priorities and provides a progress report card and offers additional perspectives and recommendations for research needed to address some of the GCs continuing to face animal agriculture. Among the GCs is teaching for workforce readiness (WR) as the preparation of graduates for diverse roles in the modern workforce has provoked substantial research in recent years. Ensuring new and returning workplace entrants are prepared to enter the workforce with requisite knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiential attributes required in a diverse array of occupations is a GC. Through an examination of the past, present and future instructional landscape, we will examine a gap which exists between WR and expectations of future employers. Expected employee competencies will include critical thinking and problem solving, mastery of human relationship skills and leadership mindsets, diverse and effective communication abilities, influence skills and workplace emotional intelligence. Instructive to meeting the GC are principles identified in ASAS Accreditation Standards for Animal Science Programs. Those standards strive to ensure graduates can communicate the importance of animal agriculture and STEM biology to an increasingly non-ag world. Among the GC of providing experiences are increased emphasis on high-impact programming around internships, externships and apprenticeships layered onto a knowledge, scaffolded curriculum. Use of research methodology to develop and incorporate into practice varied instructional modalities, technologies and practices within a dynamic higher education landscape requires intentional, systematic, and iterative scholarly approaches; which will enable creation of adaptive learning experiences and learning outcomes needed for an ever-changing workplace with its unique challenges and opportunities.

537 Animal Growth and Development—A Scorecard and Recalibration

Abstract The ASAS Public Policy Committee (PPC) provides updates of Grand Challenges (GCs; www.asas.org/about/public-policy/asas-grand-challenges) to clearly articulate research priorities, to provide science-based information for shaping public policy, and to enhance future funding for research and education programs in animal sciences (AS). In this nexus symposium for 2021, PPC examines previous stated priorities and provides a progress report card and offers additional perspectives and recommendations for research needed to address some of the GCs continuing to face animal agriculture. Among the GC topics is growth and development, a rather broad field of inquiry focused on improving the overall growth efficiency of meat producing animals. The genesis of this discipline and its popularity grew mainly in response to heightened efforts by pharmaceutical companies to identify, develop and adopt novel new growth promotants. This included a myriad of work on the highly heralded technologies involving estrogenic and androgenic implants, somatotropin, and beta-adrenergic agonists. Because the potential application of these technologies was so broad, many disciplines within the animal sciences became involved in the process of creating knowledge around these drivers of productivity. In the process, our understanding of how tissues grow in response to these compounds, under a myriad of other conditions, and our fundamental understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating growth and development, expanded significantly. Areas of significant expansion included but were not restricted to: satellite cell biology and myogenesis, whole body and tissue-specific protein synthesis and degradation, growth factor biology, adipogenesis, and repartitioning of nutrients throughout the body. In our quest to increase productivity and product quality, coupled with advances in scientific techniques, long-existing and emerging genetic mutations with desirable traits were studied and mechanisms undergirding their biology began to develop. Applying the most innovative tools for the detailed manipulation of cellular processes, great strides were made during this time. However, this eclectic area of investigation is perhaps more important than ever given the inevitable replacement of growth promotant technologies with new and emerging genomic technologies. Many biological research challenges lie ahead such as applications of gene editing, RNA control, and epigenetic regulation through fetal programming. This presentation will review some of the significant advances made in the growth and development area and explore where significant gains may be possible in the future.

135 Grand Challenges in Domestic Agricultural Animal Reproduction

Abstract The ASAS Public Policy Committee (PPC) provides updates of Grand Challenges (GCs) which clearly articulate research priorities while providing science-based information for shaping public policy and enhancing future funding for research and education programs in animal sciences (AS). Among the GCs is reproduction of domesticated animals (cattle, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, horses, and aquatic species) that is integral to sustain and improve global competitiveness of U.S. animal agriculture, understand and resolve complex animal and human diseases, and advance fundamental research in sciences that are critical to understanding mechanisms of action and identify future targets for interventions. Historically, federal and state budgets have dwindled and funding for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) competitive grants programs remained relatively stagnant from 1985 through 2010. This shortage in critical financial support for basic and applied research, coupled with the underappreciated knowledge of the utility of non-rodent species for biomedical research, has hindered funding opportunities for research involving livestock and limited improvements in both animal agriculture and animal and human health. In 2010, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) established an interagency partnership to promote the use of agriculturally important animal species in basic and translational research relevant to both biomedicine and agriculture. The “Dual Purpose with Dual Benefit” program encouraged One Health approaches for comparative medicine studies that use farm animal models that mimic human developmental, physiological, and etiological processes to promote human and animal health, better understand disease origins, interspecies transmission and mitigation strategies, and improve efficiency of assisted reproduction technologies. This presentation will review the successes of the 9-year Dual Purpose effort and highlight opportunities for tackling GC research in reproduction of domesticated agricultural animals.