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An Evidence-Based Approach To Set Theory Paradoxism: From Set Boundary To Mixed-Fermion-Boson Condensate Hypothesis, Victor Christianto, Florentin Smarandache

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Physics thrives on precision, but paradoxes in set theory reveal limitations in our understanding of well-defined boundaries. Neutrosophic logic, challenging the excluded middle principle, introduces the concept of "betweenness" and partial belonging. This article explores among other things several possible avenues to resolve set theory paradoxism, including potential applications of neutrosophic logic in cosmology and particles, from set boundary, to the hypothetical "cosmosphere" boundary, to mixed fermion-boson condensate hypothesis. Embracing indeterminacy and fuzzy boundaries paves the way for a more holistic understanding of the universe's complexity.

A Review Of Proton Exchange Membrane Degradation Pathways, Mechanisms, And Mitigation Strategies In A Fuel Cell, Dharmjeet Madhav, Junru Wang, Rajesh Keloth, Jorben Mus, Frank Buysschaert, Veerle Vandeginste

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Faculty Publications

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have the potential to tackle major challenges associated with fossil fuel-sourced energy consumption. Nafion, a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membrane that has high proton conductivity and good chemical stability, is a standard proton exchange membrane (PEM) used in PEMFCs. However, PEM degradation is one of the significant issues in the long-term operation of PEMFCs. Membrane degradation can lead to a decrease in the performance and the lifespan of PEMFCs. The membrane can degrade through chemical, mechanical, and thermal pathways. This paper reviews the different causes of all three routes of PFSA degradation, underlying mechanisms, their …

Clinical Outcomes And Bacterial Characteristics Of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii Among Patients From Different Global Regions., Minggui Wang, Lizhao Ge, Liang Chen, Lauren Komarow, Blake Hanson, Jinnethe Reyes, Eric Cober, Thamer Alenazi, Zhiyong Zong, Qing Xie, Zhengyin Liu, Lanjuan Li, Yunsong Yu, Hainv Gao, Souha S Kanj, Jairo Figueroa, Erica Herc, Ezequiel Cordova, Gregory Weston, Paul Ananth Tambyah, Julia Garcia-Diaz, Keith S Kaye, Sorabh Dhar, Jose M Munita, Robert A Salata, Samuel Vilchez, Martin E Stryjewski, Maria Virginia Villegas Botero, Alina Iovleva, Scott R Evans, Keri Baum, Carol Hill, Barry N Kreiswirth, Robin Patel, David L Paterson, Cesar A Arias, Robert A Bonomo, Henry F Chambers, Vance G Fowler, Michael J Satlin, David Van Duin, Yohei Doi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAb) is 1 of the most problematic antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. We sought to elucidate the international epidemiology and clinical impact of CRAb.

Methods: In a prospective observational cohort study, 842 hospitalized patients with a clinical CRAb culture were enrolled at 46 hospitals in five global regions between 2017 and 2019. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 30 days from the index culture. The strains underwent whole-genome analysis.

Results: Of 842 cases, 536 (64%) represented infection. By 30 days, 128 (24%) of the infected patients died, ranging from 1 (6%) of 18 in Australia-Singapore to 54 (25%) …

Immunity From Nk Cell Subsets Is Important For Vaccine-Mediated Protection In Hpv+ Cancers, Madison P O'Hara, Ananta V Yanamandra, K Jagannadha Sastry

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are associated with genital and oral cancers, and the incidence of HPV+ head and neck squamous cell cancers is fast increasing in the USA and worldwide. Survival rates for patients with locally advanced disease are poor after standard-of-care chemoradiation treatment. Identifying the antitumor host immune mediators important for treatment response and designing strategies to promote them are essential. We reported earlier that in a syngeneic immunocompetent preclinical HPV tumor mouse model, intranasal immunization with an HPV peptide therapeutic vaccine containing the combination of aGalCer and CpG-ODN adjuvants (TVAC) promoted clearance of HPV vaginal tumors via induction …

Quantifying Diagenesis Of Florida Fish Scales Using Ir Spectroscopy, Brian Manzanares, Ivett De La Rosa, Alanna L. Lecher, Erika L. Doctor

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

Infrared spectroscopy (IR) is a powerful tool in archaeology to understand the chemical composition of artifacts. Bone digenesis is the chemical and physical process by which bones degrade over time. Archeologists discovered that archaeological bones from different excavation sites have different states of physical diagenesis, depending on site conditions. Methods are needed to quantify the chemical aspect bone digenesis. We are using fish scales, from South Inlet Park in Florida as a model to test IR spectroscopy as a new method to quantify bone digenesis. In this experiment, we used excavated fish scales and categorized them into three diagenetic categories: …

Curbing Crop Farmers And Herders Clashes In Nigeria: The Ranching Option, T. T. Akpensuen, M. B. Foreman

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Nigeria is a West African country with a huge population and over 70% of the population are peasant and subsistence farmers scattered in rural areas. Due to a decrease in arable and grazing lands, there are clashes between crop farmers and herders which have increased significantly in the last two decades. Some of the causes of the clashes include the destruction of crops by cattle, contamination of drinking water sources, sexual harassment of women by herders, animal rustling and killings, impunity and ineffective governance security agencies, tremendous increase in population, urbanization, desertification, industrialisation, insurgency, banditry, ethnic and religious inclination, effects …

Public Policies For The Development Of A Sustainable, Forage-Based Cattle Sector In Colombia, Argentina, And Costa Rica: A Comparative Analysis, S. Burkart, M. Diaz, Moreno Lerma

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Projected increases in global food demand highlight the importance of Latin America as one of the major future food suppliers, particularly regarding animal-source foods such as beef or milk. Despite the importance of the cattle sector for the region, its negative environmental impacts are numerous and the shift towards sustainability is perceived as slow and uncoordinated. This study aims to identify achievements and difficulties in the implementation of public policies for a sustainable cattle sector in Colombia, Argentina, and Costa Rica, for which policies focused on the use of silvo-pastoral systems and forage-based solutions are prioritized. Based on the review …

Grasslands, Rangelands, Pastoralists – What Do We Mean?, D. M. Kelly, Ann Waters-Bayer, K. L. Johnson, Maryam Niamir-Fuller, Chris Magero, Tungalag Ulambayer

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The terms grasslands and rangelands are often confused, but the terms used to describe the people who live and manage these areas are even more confusing. The myriad of words used about these people includes: pastoralists, farmers, ranchers, herders, transhumants, indigenous peoples, nomads, graziers, gauchos. The terms used vary across the world, and meanings vary across time and space. One definition of pastoralists is “livestock-keepers who specialise in taking advantage of variability, managing grazing itineraries at a variety of scales so that livestock feed better than without a herder” (Krätli 2019). The United Nations Decade of Family Farming defines farmers …

Barriers/Drivers Of Diverse Perennial Systems: Policy Recommendations, M. L. Krome, A. S. Finan, J. Obudzinski, N. Serrano

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Despite growing documentation of perennial- and grass-based systems’ importance in addressing many ecological, infrastructural, farmer profitability, and climate concerns, these systems do not predominate on most United States farm and ranch lands. To better understand what impedes their wider adoption, we undertook four focus groups of diverse current and potential farmers using perennial systems. We were especially interested in how these farmers access, or don’t, insurance, credit, and federal programs, identifying patterns among farmers embracing more sustainable practices. Our virtual focus groups comprised 16 farmers in ten states, transecting climate zones and representing both rural and urban production systems and …

A New Soil Erosion Model For Alpine Meadow In The Source Park Of The Yellow River, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China, Huilong Lin, Rong Tang

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The source park of the Yellow River (SPYR), as a vital ecological shelter, is suffering different degrees of degradation and desertification, resulting in soil erosion in recent decades. It is urgent to find a soil erosion model suitable for the SPYR to grasp the amount and spatial distribution pattern of soil erosion, and to provide data support for soil erosion zoning and grading management. Base on largescale systematic sampling, 521 measured soil 137Cs data and environmental variables affecting soil erosion were used to verify the applicability of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and the Revised Wind Erosion Equation …

Applying The Concepts Of Animal Husbandry To Human Health, John Madany

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Instead of a new paradigm, we need to modify an old paradigm. We must focus on restoring soil health and reviving human health. Ruminants can be used to heal the land and the people. Pastoralists, by managing ruminants, can preserve their own health while promoting soil health.

Challenges Of Grassland Policies Implementation In Kenya And The Sustainable Development Goals, N. Daari

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Since independence, Kenya has found herself at the crossroads caused by economic recession, criminality, corruption and ineptitude leadership that has led to persistent household extreme poverty. It is time now to search for solutions to address the challenges facing sustainable livelihood development in Kenya. This study, therefore examines the challenges of grasslands related policies and their implementation in Kenya and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A review study of the literature on grasslands and rangelands related policies and laws, SDGs frameworks, government and academic literature was carried out. The study results show that; Kenya has faced challenges of grasslands policies …

Below Ground Benefits Of Cactus Opuntia Stricta Under Rangeland Conditions In Laikipia, Kenya, K. T. Oduor, Jose C. B. Dubeux, W. O. Owino, M. Ruiz-Moreno, L. M. D. Queiroz, I. L. Bretas

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Cactus Opuntia stricta primarily invades arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), which form more than 80% of Kenya’s landmass. The ability of the plant to tolerate poor soils and accumulate biomass under low precipitation has resulted in studies into its potential use by pastoral communities for biofuel and livestock feed. However, few studies have assessed the below-ground benefits associated with cactus under rangeland conditions. In this study, we evaluated the root contributions of the invasives cactus Opuntia stricta under rangeland conditions in Laikipia, Kenya. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with ten (10) replicates, each measuring …

Applying The Transdisciplinary Adaptive Systemic Approach To Securing The Long-Term Future Of Grassland Ecosystems, C. G. Palmer, Z. W. Tessema, A. Bantider, B. Gusha, J. Tanner

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Contemporary grasslands all exist as complex adaptive systems, specifically complex social-ecological systems – whether these are in protected areas or are part of private or communal agricultural landscapes. These systems are subject to the current planetary condition that includes rapidly growing human populations and demand for natural resources, the widespread use of pollutants, and climate change consequences. All complex adaptive systems have characteristics in common - they comprise multiple elements, which interact, and the multiple interactions cause intersecting feedback loops. As a result, a current system condition reflects its history, future condition is difficult to predict, and interventions have unpredictable …

Collaborative Management Of Common Pasture Resources: Institutional Concerns On Sustainable Pasture Use In Mongolia, Nyamdorj Doljinsuren, Tserendash Sainkhuu, Ariunbold Batkhuu

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Mongolia is a landlocked country which is elevated on average to 1,580 m above sea level with a range of 532 m (Khukh Nuur Lake depression) and 4,374 m (Khuiten mountain peak, Mongolian Altai range), in Asia. Historically, animal husbandry was dominantly widespread in the country. Today, 73% of the country's territory accounts for agriculture, where 31.6% of the national population belong. Agriculture contributes 13% of the gross domestic production of the country after mining and industry and construction sectors (The Statistical Yearbook 2021). Animal husbandry produces 96% of gross agriculture product, occupying 70% of the country's territory as pasture …

Saving Rangelands From Pastoralists? Understanding The Long-Term Socio-Ecological Consequences Of The Current Rangeland Conservation Model In The Indian Himalaya, Rashmi Singh

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Following the mainstream narrative of biodiversity conservation, state-led policies of pastoralist removal from protected areas have been a common practice across parts of Asia and Africa. In the Himalayan region, restrictive access and removal of pastoralist communities from protected areas have been assumed to be the best remedy for rangeland conservation. But does this practice translate into any benefits for conservation? This paper critiques the current conservation model adopted in the Indian Himalayas. I argue that this model simply recreates a landscape favouring the state’s interests, produces exclusions, and may also negatively affect both society and ecology. I build on …

The Impacts Of Collective Action In Common-Pool Resources ——Evidence From The Field Of Grassland Use, Wang Jizhe, Liu Min, Nie Zihan

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The deterioration of common-pool resources is a serious issue faced by over the world now. How to manage public resources sustainably is extremely urgent. Collective action plays an important role in the sustainable management of common-pool resources. It creates a common goal that makes resource users not only concern their individual interests, but also the collective interests, in order to avoid the common-pool resource dilemma. The extent of collective interests that resource users concern affects their decisions in collective action, which further impacts the sustainable use of common-pool resources. We use a grazing experiment to observe and measure collective action. …

Fencing Lands To Enhanced Climate Change Resilience, Promoting Biodiversity Regeneration And Improved Livelihoods Of Climate Change In Makueni County, Frank Wesonga, Francis Keya

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Kenya is a food insecure country, weather patterns are drastically changing and people are losing livelihoods and earnings when their lands dry, water for domestic supply lacks and livestock die further frustrating livelihoods of the poor. This paper briefly discusses Fencing of lands as prerequisite to biodiversity protection and faster water retention mechanism, through tree planting, enhancing CO2 sequestration as trees, shrubs and vegetation’s find suitable environment to grow. Baringo and Makueni County are characterized by unsustainable agriculture, environmental degradation resulting from soil erosion, high poverty levels and food insecurity due to unpredictable dry spells and climate change. The present …

Effects Of Intrinsic Tannins On Metabolome During Sainfoin Ensiling, Rongzheng Huang

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Condensed tannins (CT) from sainfoin have a high capacity to inhibit proteolysis. The objective of the present study was to investigated the effects of CT (following supplementation of deactivated CT with polyethylene glycol [PEG]) on metabolome during sainfoin ensiling. As results, in total, 510 metabolites were identified after 60 d of sainfoin ensiling, with 33 metabolites were annotated in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database. Among those metabolites, phospholipids were the most abundant (72.7% of total 33 metabolites). In addition, 10 up-regulated and 23 down-regulated metabolites, respectively, were identified in the PEG treated group when compared with …

Physically Adjusted Ndf: Integrating Forage Physical Form With Diet Complexity On The Farm, P. J. Kononoff, M. B. Hall

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Physical form of forages and their neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content are crucial in ruminant diets for maintaining a healthy rumen and a productive animal. A challenge has been in taking the concept from its research base and applying it successfully in varied diets. A new system for physically adjusted NDF (paNDF) offers an option. It takes into account the forage, NDF, starch and other components in the diet and uses the Penn State Particle Separator on farm to assess total mixed ration particle size to provide recommendations on directions to move the diet to maintain a healthy rumen. This …

Pasture Production And Grazing System In Assist Project: Outcome And Replication Viability In Nigeria For Sustainable Ruminant Production, Okanlade A. Lawal-Adebowale, M. J. Rivero, J. Hunt, Sarah Morgan, Hannah Fleming, R. Pywell, Jonathan Storkey

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

As important as pasture is to productive management of cattle, sheep and goats, intensive development of grassland for ruminant animals is rare in Nigeria largely due to no conscious effort at pasture cultivation in the country. Consequently, nomadic and free grazing systems remain a practice in the country, with resultant poor animal productivity and agro-related conflicts between ruminant keepers and crop farmers and/or agro-processors. The need to revert this situation underscored the exploration of the potential value of the innovative pasture production and grazing management system tested under the Achieving Sustainable Agricultural Systems (ASSIST) programmme in Rothamsted Research, United Kingdom, …

Drought Tolerance Dissection And Molecular Breeding In Alfalfa, Luo Dong, Qiang Zhou, Xueming Dong, Wenxian Liu, Zhipeng Liu

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Drought stress is one of the leading impediments that limit the productivity of global alfalfa (Medicago sativa). The underlying molecular and genetic mechanisms for drought tolerance in alfalfa remain largely unclear. In order to fully reveal the transcriptional changes of alfalfa in response to abiotic stress, the alfalfa transcriptome database under mannitol (simulated drought stress), NaCl (simulated salt stress), or exogenous ABA application was built via various RNA-seq technologies. Through further screening of the transcriptome database, a number of genes significantly induced by drought stress, such as the Nuclear Transport Factor 2-like (MsNTF2L), Drought-Induced Unknown Protein 1 (MsDIUP1), …

Effects Of Incorporation Of Sainfoin (Onobrychis Viciafolia Scop.) With Cool Season Grasses On In Vitro Digestibility And Ch4 Emission, H. P. Poudel, Y. Wang, T. Mcallister, Z. J. Zu, B. Eisenreich, S. Acharya

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciafolia Scop.) is an important non-bloating perennial leguminous forage. The tannins in sainfoin alter protein metabolism in the rumen and have been implicated in altering both nitrous oxide and methane emissions. However, the effect of sainfoin when mixed with cool-season forages is unknown. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the in-vitro fermentation of sainfoin hay mixed with two other perennial cool-season forages, meadow bromegrass and orchardgrass at five ratios (0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:50, and 100:0). Data on dry matter disappearance (DMD), neutral detergent fiber disappearance (NDFD), gas production (GP) methane (CH4) emissions, and ammonia production were collected …

Condensed Tannins And Total Phenols In Stylosanthes Spp., M. V. F. Santos, J. P. Muir, O. F. Oliveira, I. M. Macêdo, W. P. S. Diniz, M. V. Cunha, José C. B. Dubeux Jr., M. A. Lira, R. L. C. Ferrreira

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Rangelands, such as the species of the genus Stylosanthes, are plants highly selected by animals and represent an important forage source for livestock in the Northeast region of Brazil. Plants of this genus are naturally occurring in several places in Brazil and other semi-arid areas. The variability of condensed tannins and total phenols in different Stylosanthes accessions is still poorly characterized. Based on that, the objective of this study was to quantify the content of condensed tannins and total phenols of Stylosanthes accessions collected in different physiographic zones of the State of Pernambuco and cultivated in germplasm banks. The …

Forage Production Is Not Changed In Dwarf Elephantgrass Swards Managed In A Wide Range Of Pre-Grazing Canopy Heights, V. Y. M. Moncada, K. C. Vargas, D. A. Barreta, D. S. Comassetto, F. C. S. Gislon, E. R. Ribeiro, D. Moraes, A. F. Sbrissa

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Height corresponding to the critical leaf area index (LAI) has been successfully used to define pre-grazing management targets in pastures subjected to intermittent stocking. However, studies on short/stoloniferous grasses have demonstrated that it is possible to manage pastures at heights below those corresponding to the critical LAI (with a threshold grazing height of approximately 65% of those corresponding to the critical LAI) and achieve a similar forage yield, provided that the severity of defoliation does not exceed 50 percent of the pre-grazing height. In this study, we hypothesized that in tall tussock grasses (such as elephant grass), the amplitude of …

Brix As An Indicator Of Sugar Content And Nutritive Value In Alfalfa And Orchardgrass Herbage, Eric D. Billman, K. Soder, J. Horst, K. Balk, A. Hafla

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Brix, a measurement of total dissolved solids in solution, has been used by forage producers to provide real-time estimates of energy content of fresh herbage. However, its efficacy has never been validated in herbage through wet chemistry testing and comparisons with other nutritive value parameters. This study compared and correlated Brix measurements with sugar concentrations and common nutritive value parameters relating to protein, fiber, and energy to determine the viability of using Brix to predict when to graze or harvest fresh herbage. Brix measurements were collected monthly on fresh herbage samples of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and orchardgrass (Dactylis …

Integrating Livestock And Cropping Systems: Interseeding Cereal Rye Into Corn For Late Season Grazing, K. J. Soder

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Corn (Zea mays) grown for grain is harvested too late in the year in many temperate regions to establish a cover crop to provide winter ground cover and an opportunity for late season grazing. The objective of this project is to evaluate the effect of interseeding cereal rye (Secale cereale) into corn for use as grazed forage after corn grain harvest on corn grain yield and additional grazing day/ha. In a 4-year study, corn was planted (64,246 plants/ha) in spring on two, 4.8-ha fields in central Pennsylvania. Cereal rye was interseeded (135 kg/ha) into the corn …

Organization Of Indigenous Dairy Cattle Production System In Murunkan Veterinary Region In Mannar District, Sri Lanka, Rmus Bandara, S. Fernando, S. C. Somasiri

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The dairy sector in Murunkan veterinary region in Mannar district in the northern province, Sri Lanka was adversely affected by the 30-year-long civil war which ended in 2009. The post-war recovering dairy sector in the region produced 2.11 million litres of milk in 2017. However, the lack of updated information constrained the sector’s development and identification of development interventions. Hence, this study was designed to review the organization of the dairy production system in the Murunkan veterinary region in Mannar district. A survey was conducted involving 100 dairy cattle farmers selected from 40 villages in the Murunkan veterinary region using …

Building Partnerships To Address Social And Technological Challenges To Enhance Farm Profitability And Improve Water Quality Through Better Grassland Management, C. C. Stafford, R. A. Clark, L. Ritchie, J. Dudding, G. Pent, J. Fike, J. Benner, C. Swanson, S. Baker, T. Mize, V. Temu, K. Payne, D. Gill, D. Mullins, R. Mcguire, C. Teutsch, W. Thomason, A. Grev, P. Blevins, T. P. Clarke, M. Poore, M. Booher, T. Stanley, G. Halich, J. Bovay, S. Jones, K. Love, A. Hilliard, A. Byington, E. Mullins, I. Haugen

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

With 2.1 million acres of pastureland and 1.25 million acres of hay land in Virginia, the rural Virginia landscape is predominately grassland. These lands form the base of the $3.96 billion-dollar livestock and dairy industry in Virginia. Managing these livestock in a profitable manner for farmers and beneficial to the environment is important. A cultural tradition with roots in colonial times has been to run animals in large fields year-round throughout Virginia. Livestock often graze from spring until fall (about 220 days), and farmers feed hay the remainder of the year. Spikes in the cost of fuel, fertilizer, and equipment …

Effects Of Different Production Systems On The Nutrient Density Of Beef, T. Statham, J. Cloward, N. Evans, S. Van Vliet

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

As concerns regarding beef production systems on human health and animal welfare become more apparent, consumer interest in pasture-raised livestock has been steadily on the rise in the US. Such interest has increasingly led to questions about potential nutritional composition differences in beef from different production systems, such as grass-fed beef and grain-fed beef. The goal of this work was to conduct untargeted metabolomics analysis on a broad range of samples from the US beef supply chain to provide insight into how different finishing systems impact the beef metabolome and nutrient density. Here, we found that 191 out of 802 …