The Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) offers powerful new capabilities for studying the polarised and magnetised Universe at radio wavelengths. In this paper, we introduce the Polarisation Sky Survey of the Universe’s Magnetism (POSSUM), a groundbreaking survey with three primary objectives: (1) to create a comprehensive Faraday rotation measure (RM) grid of up to one million compact extragalactic sources across the southern $\sim50$% of the sky (20,630 deg$^2$); (2) to map the intrinsic polarisation and RM properties of a wide range of discrete extragalactic and Galactic objects over the same area; and (3) to contribute interferometric data with excellent surface brightness sensitivity, which can be combined with single-dish data to study the diffuse Galactic interstellar medium. Observations for the full POSSUM survey commenced in May 2023 and are expected to conclude by mid-2028. POSSUM will achieve an RM grid density of around 30–50 RMs per square degree with a median measurement uncertainty of $\sim$1 rad m$^{-2}$. The survey operates primarily over a frequency range of 800–1088 MHz, with an angular resolution of 20” and a typical RMS sensitivity in Stokes Q or U of 18 $\mu$Jy beam$^{-1}$. Additionally, the survey will be supplemented by similar observations covering 1296–1440 MHz over 38% of the sky. POSSUM will enable the discovery and detailed investigation of magnetised phenomena in a wide range of cosmic environments, including the intergalactic medium and cosmic web, galaxy clusters and groups, active galactic nuclei and radio galaxies, the Magellanic System and other nearby galaxies, galaxy halos and the circumgalactic medium, and the magnetic structure of the Milky Way across a very wide range of scales, as well as the interplay between these components. This paper reviews the current science case developed by the POSSUM Collaboration and provides an overview of POSSUM’s observations, data processing, outputs, and its complementarity with other radio and multi-wavelength surveys, including future work with the SKA.

The Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey (RACS) is the first large-area survey to be conducted with the full 36-antenna Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) telescope. RACS will provide a shallow model of the ASKAP sky that will aid the calibration of future deep ASKAP surveys. RACS will cover the whole sky visible from the ASKAP site in Western Australia and will cover the full ASKAP band of 700–1800 MHz. The RACS images are generally deeper than the existing NRAO VLA Sky Survey and Sydney University Molonglo Sky Survey radio surveys and have better spatial resolution. All RACS survey products will be public, including radio images (with $\sim$ 15 arcsec resolution) and catalogues of about three million source components with spectral index and polarisation information. In this paper, we present a description of the RACS survey and the first data release of 903 images covering the sky south of declination $+41^\circ$ made over a 288-MHz band centred at 887.5 MHz.

Variation in human cognitive ability is of consequence to a large number of health and social outcomes and is substantially heritable. Genetic linkage, genome-wide association, and copy number variant studies have investigated the contribution of genetic variation to individual differences in normal cognitive ability, but little research has considered the role of rare genetic variants. Exome sequencing studies have already met with success in discovering novel trait-gene associations for other complex traits. Here, we use exome sequencing to investigate the effects of rare variants on general cognitive ability. Unrelated Scottish individuals were selected for high scores on a general component of intelligence (g). The frequency of rare genetic variants (in n = 146) was compared with those from Scottish controls (total n = 486) who scored in the lower to middle range of the g distribution or on a proxy measure of g. Biological pathway analysis highlighted enrichment of the mitochondrial inner membrane component and apical part of cell gene ontology terms. Global burden analysis showed a greater total number of rare variants carried by high g cases versus controls, which is inconsistent with a mutation load hypothesis whereby mutations negatively affect g. The general finding of greater non-synonymous (vs. synonymous) variant effects is in line with evolutionary hypotheses for g. Given that this first sequencing study of high g was small, promising results were found, suggesting that the study of rare variants in larger samples would be worthwhile.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate if adjustments in diet formulations either based on total analysed amino acids or standardized ileal digestible (SID) amino acids may be used to eliminate negative effects of including heat-damaged soybean meal (SBM) or heat-damaged corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in diets fed to weanling pigs. In Experiment 1, four corn–SBM diets were formulated. Diet 1 contained non-autoclaved SBM (315 g/kg), and this diet was formulated on the basis of analysed amino acid concentrations and using SID values from the AminoDat® 4.0 database. Diet 2 was similar to Diet 1 in terms of ingredient composition, except that the non-autoclaved SBM was replaced by autoclaved SBM at 1 : 1 (weight basis). Diet 3 was formulated using autoclaved SBM and amino acid inclusions in the diet were adjusted on the basis of analysed total amino acid concentrations in the autoclaved SBM and published SID values for non-autoclaved SBM (AminoDat® 4.0). Diet 4 also contained autoclaved SBM, but the formulation of this diet was adjusted on the basis of analysed amino acids in the autoclaved SBM and SID values that were adjusted according to the degree of heat damage in this source of SBM. Pigs (160; initial BW: 10.4 kg) were allotted to the four treatments with eight replicate pens per treatment in a randomized complete block design. Diets were fed to pigs for 21 days. The gain to feed ratio (G : F) was greater (P<0.05) for pigs fed Diet 1 compared with pigs fed the other diets and pigs fed Diet 4 had greater (P<0.05) G : F than pigs fed Diet 2. In Experiment 2, 144 pigs (initial BW: 9.9 kg) were allotted to four diets with eight replicate pens per diet. The four diets contained corn, SBM (85 g/kg) and DDGS (220 g/kg), and were formulated using the concepts described for Experiment 1, except that heat-damaged DDGS, but not heat-damaged SBM, was used in the diets. Pigs fed Diet 1 had greater (P<0.05) G : F than pigs fed Diet 2, but no differences were observed for G : F among pigs fed diets containing autoclaved DDGS. Results demonstrate that the negative effects of heat damage of SBM or DDGS may be ameliorated if the reduced concentration and digestibility of amino acids in heat-damaged SBM or DDGS is taken into account in diet formulation. Further research is needed to improve the prediction of the ileal digestibility of amino acids in heat-processed ingredients used in practical diet formulations.

The relationship of western spruce budworm outbreaks and population collapse to weather parameters was examined using long term weather records from two stations in the budworm outbreak area of British Columbia and outbreak patterns obtained from Forest Insect and Disease Survey records and from tree stem analyses.

Outbreaks were associated with warm dry summers in conjunction with synchrony of larval emergence and bud flush. Collapse of the last two outbreaks was clearly associated with extreme high temperatures following moth flight. Collapse of the earlier outbreaks may have been due to asynchrony between larval emergence and bud flush.

A simple empirical model of temperature variation with elevation was successfully used to explain variation in observed rates of development of larvae and pupae of the western spruce budworm in mountainous terrain. Hopkins' Bioclimatic Law did not adequately describe development of stages earlier than the sixth instar. Regional differences in the effect of elevation are demonstrated and related to coastal and interior conditions. Direct solar heating effects appear to be of major significance in the early instars. The empirically-derived rates of temperature decrease could be generally applied to regions with dry inland conditions, but not to moist coastal regions.

The effects of an altered rumen dilution rate (D) upon the molar proportions of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in rumen liquor, VFA production rate, microbial protein synthesis and carbohydrate digestion within the rumen were studied using adult wether sheep.

Dilution rate and VFA proportions were unaltered by the infusion of up to 121 water/day into the rumen of sheep fed dried grass and concentrate (9:1). There was a small but significant (P < 0·05) increase in the rumen volume when the infusion rate was increased from 8 to 12 1/day.

The intraruminal infusion of artificial saliva (41/day), or artificial saliva containing 4% or 8% w/v polyethylene glycol (PEG) caused a significant increase in D with an associated decline in the molar proportion of propionate (Pr) in the rumen liquor. A similar effect was obtained with the intraruminal infusion of 2·5% w/v sodium bicarbonate. The overall regression of Pr on D was highly significant: Pr = 32·5–82·1D; r = –0·99, P < 0·001.

A diet of flaked maize: dried grass (6:4) was offered to three sheep each fitted with a rumen cannula and with a re-entrant cannula at the proximal duodenum. The intraruminal infusion (4 1/day) of artificial saliva containing 4% w/v PEG caused a significant (P < 0·01) increase in D and a significant (P < 0·01) depression in Pr in two animals. The dilution rate and Pr in the third animal were virtually unaltered by infusion. The regression of Pr on D for the three animals was highly significant: Pr = 34·8–136·8D; r = –0·98, P < 0·001. Each increase in D was associated with an increased flow of α-linked glucose polymer, total amino acids and total microbial amino acids into the small intestine and with an increased efficiency of microbial protein synthesis within the rumen.

Wether sheep were fed on six forage diets, namely, (1) barn-dried low-N hay, (2) barndried low-N hay plus urea infused intraruminally at 12·6 g/24 h, (3) dried sainfoin, (4) dried lucerne, (5) fresh red clover and (6) dried and pelleted red clover. The proportions of amino acids in the diet and in samples of digesta from the duodenum and ileum were determined.

The relative proportions of individual amino acids in the duodenal digesta showed little variation despite the differences in intake and the variation in the proportions of amino acids in the feeds. Only the proportions of methionine, lysine, 2:6 diaminopimelic acid (DAPA) and aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) showed significant (P < 0·01) variation with respect to diet. In the ileal digesta the proportions of methionine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, glutamic acid, proline, glycine, alanine, AIB and DAPA showed significant variation by diet.

With all diets except lucerne the quantity (g/day) of total amino acids presented at the duodenum was higher than the quantity ingested. There was no correlation between the quantity of total amino acids presented at the duodenum and the quantity disappearing within the small intestine.

The duodenal digesta contained a significantly higher (P < 0·001) proportion of essential amino acids than did the ileal digesta. This difference was most marked with the diets which supplied a low amino acid intake.

With all diets there was little apparent absorption of DAPA in the small intestine.

Calves were reared on milk replacer up to 5 weeks of age and given ad libitum access to pellets and chopped straw from 1 to 10 weeks of age. Major ingredients of the pellets were ground barley (B) or ground barley and grass meal in a 6:4 ratio (G). Included in these two basal diets were NaCl or NaHCO3, each at 2, 11, 20 or 29 g Na/kg D.M.

Calves on G diets ate more than those on B diets but grew at a similar rate. The replacement value of grass meal for ground barley was 1·36:1. Most responses to Na inclusions were unaffected by the basal diets.

Before weaning there were linear increases in food intake and growth rate related to Na level in the diet. At 29 g Na/kg D.M., total D.M. intake/kg0.75 and growth rate were respectively 31 and 23% greater than at 2 g Na/kg D.M. After weaning there were differential responses to the two salts. With NaHC03 there were linear increases in food intake and growth rate up to 20 g Na/kg D.M., at which level total D.M. intake/kg0.75 and growth rate were respectively 36 and 44% greater than at 2 g Na/kg D.M. With NaCl the only significant response was that total D.M. intake at 11 g Na/kg D.M. was 16% higher than at 2 g Na/kg D.M.

Observations on acid-base balance and water intake indicated that inclusions of NaCl or NaHCO3 up to 20 g Na/kg D.M. were well tolerated by calves. Above this level there was a sharp increase in water intake, and with NaHCO3 there was a large base excess and high pH in the blood.

Purpose: Having previously reviewed the implementation of systematic in vivo dosimetry at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital this paper examines the results of entrance dose measurements for specific sites/techniques and determines whether different action/alert protocols are required for these different categories.

Methods and materials: Entrance dose measurements using p-type diodes were analysed for the following treatment categories: Breast, head and neck in beam direction shell, abdomino-pelvic and intrathoracic. A 4% tolerance was applied.

Results: Mean deviations from expected dose and proportion of measurements exceeding tolerance were: Breast: +1.15%±3.04% (1SD), 238/1073≥4%; Head and neck: +0.35%±2.20% (1SD), 21/326≥4%; Abdomino-pelvic: +0.52%±2.75% (1SD), 93/712≥4%; Intrathoracic: −0.01%±2.75% (1SD), 22/119≥4%. Significant improvements in results for breast patients were noted following the introduction of a commercial breast board. The results for abdomino-pelvic patients confirmed a substantial variation in diode response under short FSD, wedged fields at 16MV (that had not been corrected for). The statistical uncertainty in dose measurement for each treatment category was calculated in order to assist determination of appropriate tolerance levels.

Conclusions: A blanket tolerance of 4% was generally too low given the extent of measurement uncertainty. The relatively high number of readings outside tolerance where identification of errors was difficult/impossible resulted in inconsistent application of the action protocol. Some widening of tolerances is likely to improve quality of procedure and treatment. Appropriate action levels are recommended for each treatment category.

Objectives: To assess the volume and range of diagnosis in new patients referred to paediatric cardiac outpatient clinics. Methods: Data was collected prospectively, using a proforma completed at all outpatient clinics over a period of three months. Results: There were 526 new referrals, representing an increase of almost one-fifth compared to 5 years ago. Of the referrals, 78 percent came from hospital doctors, and 22 percent from general practitioners, with 221 of those referred being infants. A heart murmur was the most common reason for referral, representing almost two-thirds of cases. In 372 patients referred (71 percent), the heart was discovered to be structurally normal. The proportion of patients with normal hearts referred by general practitioners and hospital doctors were 81 percent, and 68 percent, respectively (p less than 0.004). There was considerable variation in the pattern of referral between doctors working in different hospitals. Conclusion: New referrals to centres dealing with congenital cardiac malformations are increasing alarmingly, with the majority of the children referred having normal hearts. This increase in demand for specialist services has important implications for resources and training.

The changes taking place in the mixed farming systems of northwest Syria were examined by re-visiting, in 1996 and 2000, five villages along a rainfall gradient. The villages had been surveyed first in 1977–79. In those villages with moderate rainfall, intensification of crop production, namely a trend towards cereal monoculture and the planting of tree crops, did not lead to specialization in cropping at the expense of sheep ownership. In contrast, households in the areas too dry for most rainfed crops except barley (Hordeum vulgare) were more likely to sell their sheep because they depended heavily on off-farm income. Increases in crop yields were found but these only benefited the families in villages in the higher rainfall zones. Conversely, with the exception of ewe fertility, there was little evidence of improvements in sheep productivity. The mixed farming systems in the five villages sampled are still passing through a period of transition, and the cropping component will undoubtedly continue to change. This is less likely to happen to the small ruminant component in the near future unless the sector is given higher priority in national policy. As a strategy to increase feed production and balance the crop rotations, the prospects for closer crop/livestock integration at the farm level are limited by the many difficulties associated with the introduction of leguminous pasture and forage crops.