An essential feature of any democratic system is the holding of regular elections that lead to the creation of the government of a nation. It is often said that such elections should be ‘free and fair’. Some obviously fail this test. For example, observers, including representatives of the European Union (‘EU’) and the Commonwealth, found that in recent elections in Zimbabwe the number of polling stations was reduced in strong opposition areas, the body supervising the election was unqualified and the ruling party (Zanu-PF) used violence, intimidation, bribery and vote-rigging to secure re-election. Of course, elections need not be so blatantly violent or corrupt to fail the ‘free and fair’ standard. International observers and opposition parties have, for instance, criticised the recent Russian elections because the state run television station promoted the ruling party while criticising and defaming the challengers.

This collection of articles, commentaries and book reviews, published here in the Federal Law Review, forms only the second symposium on electoral law published in Australia. Interest in how democratic choice is regulated and how elections are run – the rules of the game of electoral politics and the ways in which its dynamics intersect with those rules – is a staple of media debate and political science. Yet it is only beginning to emerge as a focus of sustained attention in the legal academy.

In the Australian and New Zealand common law tradition, the law governing elections in particular and democracy in general has been historically subsumed, and to a degree lost, under the broader rubric of ‘constitutional law’. In part this has been imposed from without; a product of the dicing up of the discipline of law into broad doctrinal categories to suit the legal profession, a practice perpetuated by the dictates of the admission rules. However, it has also been the consequence of academic neglect: an overlooking of the potential of the field by legal scholars.

Trifludimoxazin is a PPO-inhibiting herbicide currently under development for preplant burndown and soil residual weed control in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and other crops. Greenhouse dose response experiments with foliar applications of trifludimoxazin, fomesafen, and saflufenacil were conducted on susceptible and PPO-inhibitor resistant (PPO-R) waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer] and Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) biotypes. These PPO-R biotypes contained the PPO2 target site (TS) mutations ΔG210 (A. tuberculatus and A. palmeri), R128G (A. tuberculatus), and V361A (A. palmeri). The R/S ratios for fomesafen and saflufenacil ranged from 2.0 to 9.2 across all PPO-R biotypes. In contrast, the response of known PPO inhibitor-susceptible and -resistant biotypes to trifludimoxazin did not differ within each Amaranthus species. In 2017 and 2018 experiments at the Meigs and Davis Purdue Agriculture Centers were conducted in fields with native A. tuberculatus populations comprised of 3% and 30% PPO-R plants (ΔG210 mutation), respectively. At Meigs in 2018, A. tuberculatus control following foliar applications of fomesafen, lactofen, saflufenacil, and trifludimoxazin was greater than 95%. When averaged across the other three site-years, applications of 25 g ai ha-1 trifludimoxazin resulted in 95% control of A. tuberculatus 28 DAA, while applications of fomesafen (343 g ai ha-1), lactofen (219 g ai ha-1), or saflufenacil (25.0 or 50 g ai ha-1), resulted in 80 to 88% control. Thus, at these relative application rates, the foliar efficacy of trifludimoxazin was comparable or greater on A. tuberculatus, when compared to other commercial PPO inhibitors, even in populations where low frequencies of PPO inhibitor-resistant plants exist. The lack of cross resistance for common PPO2 TS mutations to trifludimoxazin, and the level of foliar field efficacy observed on populations containing PPO-R individuals suggests that trifludimoxazin may be a valuable herbicide in an integrated approach for managing herbicide-resistant Amaranthus weeds.

Foliar-applied postemergence applications of glufosinate are often applied to glufosinate-resistant crops to provide nonselective weed control without significant crop injury. Rainfall, air temperature, solar radiation, and relative humidity near the time of application have been reported to affect glufosinate efficacy. However, previous research may have not captured the full range of weather variability to which glufosinate may be exposed to prior to or following application. Additionally, climate models suggest more extreme weather will become the norm, further expanding this weather range glufosinate can be exposed to. The objective of this research was to quantify the probability of successful weed control (efficacy ≥85%) with glufosinate applied to some key weed species across a broad range of weather conditions. A database of >10,000 North American herbicide evaluation trials was used in this study. The database was filtered to include treatments with a single POST application of glufosinate applied to waterhemp (Amaranthus tuburculatus (Moq.) J. D. Sauer), morningglory species (Ipomoea spp.), and/or giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herm.) <15cm in height. These species were chosen because they are well represented in the database and listed as common and troublesome weed species in both corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (Van Wychen 2020, 2022). Individual random forest models were created. Low rainfall (≤20 mm) over the five days prior to glufosinate application was detrimental to the probability of successful control of A. tuburculatus and S. faberi. Lower relative humidity (≤70%) and solar radiation (≤23 MJ m-1 day-1) the day of application reduced the probability of successful weed control in most cases. Additionally, the probability of successful control decreased for all species when average air temperature over the first five days after application was ≤25C. As climate continues to change and become more variable, the risk of unacceptable control of several common species with glufosinate is likely to increase.

Foliar-applied postemergence herbicides are a critical component of corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] weed management programs in North America. Rainfall and air temperature around the time of application may affect the efficacy of herbicides applied postemergence in corn or soybean production fields. However, previous research utilized a limited number of site-years and may not capture the range of rainfall and air temperatures that these herbicides are exposed to throughout North America. The objective of this research was to model the probability of achieving successful weed control (≥85%) with commonly applied postemergence herbicides across a broad range of environments. A large database of more than 10,000 individual herbicide evaluation field trials conducted throughout North America was used in this study. The database was filtered to include only trials with a single postemergence application of fomesafen, glyphosate, mesotrione, or fomesafen + glyphosate. Waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer], morningglory species (Ipomoea spp.), and giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm.) were the weeds of focus. Separate random forest models were created for each weed species by herbicide combination. The probability of successful weed control deteriorated when the average air temperature within the first 10 d after application was <19 or >25 C for most of the herbicide by weed species models. Additionally, drier conditions before postemergence herbicide application reduced the probability of successful control for several of the herbicide by weed species models. As air temperatures increase and rainfall becomes more variable, weed control with many of the commonly used postemergence herbicides is likely to become less reliable.

Trifludimoxazin is a novel protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO)-inhibiting herbicide currently under development for foliar and residual control of several problematic weeds in preplant applications for soybean production. Field experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2018 to evaluate the foliar efficacy of trifludimoxazin applied alone and in combination with other herbicides on waterhemp, giant ragweed, and horseweed. Foliar applications of trifludimoxazin alone at 12.5 or 25.0 g ai ha−1 were highly efficacious on glyphosate-resistant waterhemp (94% to 99% control) and moderately effective on giant ragweed (78% to 79% control) and resulted in minor efficacy on horseweed (≤20% control). Combinations of trifludimoxazin with glufosinate, glyphosate, paraquat, or saflufenacil remained highly effective (≥91% control) on waterhemp and giant ragweed. All herbicide mixtures with trifludimoxazin applied to horseweed were classified as additive interactions. Greenhouse experiments and Isobole analysis indicated that trifludimoxazin mixtures with glyphosate and glufosinate on waterhemp and giant ragweed were additive. Mixtures of trifludimoxazin + paraquat were slightly antagonistic under greenhouse conditions when applied to either waterhemp or giant ragweed, whereas trifludimoxazin + saflufenacil was synergistic when applied to giant ragweed. Overall, trifludimoxazin applied alone at 12.5 or 25.0 g ha−1 is effective for managing waterhemp and, to an extent, giant ragweed, but not horseweed, in preplant burndown applications. Furthermore, the addition of glufosinate, glyphosate, paraquat, or saflufenacil to applications of trifludimoxazin does not appreciably reduce weed control for these mixtures. As such, applications of trifludimoxazin alone and in combination with these herbicides may be utilized for effective preplant management of several problematic weeds in soybean.

We define a knot to be half ribbon if it is the cross-section of a ribbon 2-knot, and observe that ribbon implies half ribbon implies slice. We introduce the half ribbon genus of a knot K, the minimum genus of a ribbon knotted surface of which K is a cross-section. We compute this genus for all prime knots up to 12 crossings, and many 13-crossing knots. The same approach yields new computations of the double slice genus. We also introduce the half fusion number of a knot K, that measures the complexity of ribbon 2-knots of which K is a cross-section. We show that it is bounded below by the Levine–Tristram signatures, and differs from the standard fusion number by an arbitrarily large amount.

Cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop and preemergence herbicides are important components of an integrated weed management program for waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer] and Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) management in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Accumulating adequate cereal rye biomass for effective suppression of Amaranthus spp. can be challenging in the upper Midwest due to the short window for cereal rye growth in a corn–soybean rotation. Farmers are adopting the planting green system to optimize cereal rye biomass production and weed suppression. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of planting soybean green when integrated with preemergence herbicides for the control of Amaranthus spp. under two soybean planting time frames. The study was conducted across 19 site-years in the United States over the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons. Factors included cover crop management practices (“no-till,” “cereal rye early-term,” and “cereal rye plant-green”), soybean planting times (“early” and “late”), and use of preemergence herbicides (“NO PRE” and “YES PRE”). Planting soybean green increased cereal rye biomass production by 33% compared with early termination. Greater cereal rye biomass production when planting green provided a 44% reduction in Amaranthus spp. density compared with no-till. The use of preemergence herbicides also resulted in a 68% reduction in Amaranthus spp. density compared with NO PRE. Greater cereal rye biomass produced when planting green reduced soybean stand, which directly reduced soybean yield in some site-years. Planting soybean green is a feasible management practice to optimize cereal rye biomass production, which, combined with preemergence herbicides, provided effective Amaranthus spp. management. Soybean stand was a key factor in maintaining soybean yields compared with no-till when planting green. Farmers should follow best management recommendations for proper planter and equipment setup to ensure effective soybean establishment under high levels of cereal rye biomass when planting green.

Preemergence applications of mesotrione, an herbicide that inhibits 4-hydroxyphenolpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD), have recently gained regulatory approval in soybean varieties with appropriate traits. Giant ragweed is an extremely competitive broadleaf weed, and biotypes resistant to acetolactate synthase inhibitors (ALS-R) can be particularly difficult to manage with soil-residual herbicides in soybean production. This study investigated control of giant ragweed from preemergence applications of cloransulam (32 g ai ha–1), metribuzin (315 g ai ha–1), and S-metolachlor (1,600 g ai ha–1) in a factorial design with and without mesotrione (177 g ai ha–1) at two different sites over 2 yr. Treatments with mesotrione were also compared with two commercial premix products: sulfentrazone (283 g ai ha–1) and cloransulam (37 g ai ha–1), and chlorimuron (19 g ai ha–1), flumioxazin (69 g ai ha–1), and pyroxasulfone (87 g ai ha–1). At 42 d after planting, control and biomass reduction of giant ragweed were greater in treatments with mesotrione than any treatment without mesotrione. Giant ragweed biomass was reduced by 84% in treatments with mesotrione, whereas treatments without mesotrione did not reduce biomass relative to the nontreated. Following these preemergence applications, sequential herbicide treatments utilizing postemergence applications of glufosinate (655 g ai ha–1) plus fomesafen (266 g ai ha–1) and S-metolachlor (1,217 g ai ha–1) resulted in at least 97% control of giant ragweed at 42 d after planting, which was greater than sequential applications of glufosinate alone in 3 of 4 site-years. Preemergence applications of mesotrione can be an impactful addition to soybean herbicide programs designed to manage giant ragweed, with the potential to improve weed control and delay the onset of herbicide resistance by providing an additional effective herbicide site of action.

We recently reported on the radio-frequency attenuation length of cold polar ice at Summit Station, Greenland, based on bi-static radar measurements of radio-frequency bedrock echo strengths taken during the summer of 2021. Those data also allow studies of (a) the relative contributions of coherent (such as discrete internal conducting layers with sub-centimeter transverse scale) vs incoherent (e.g. bulk volumetric) scattering, (b) the magnitude of internal layer reflection coefficients, (c) limits on signal propagation velocity asymmetries (‘birefringence’) and (d) limits on signal dispersion in-ice over a bandwidth of ~100 MHz. We find that (1) attenuation lengths approach 1 km in our band, (2) after averaging 10 000 echo triggers, reflected signals observable over the thermal floor (to depths of ~1500 m) are consistent with being entirely coherent, (3) internal layer reflectivities are ≈–60$\to$–70 dB, (4) birefringent effects for vertically propagating signals are smaller by an order of magnitude relative to South Pole and (5) within our experimental limits, glacial ice is non-dispersive over the frequency band relevant for neutrino detection experiments.

In this study, for the first time, we consider longitudinal motion of the walls during peristalsis in a distensible tube and how this affects backward (or retrograde) flow, i.e. peristaltic reflux. Building on the analytical model developed by Shapiro et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 37, no. 4, 1969, pp. 799–825) based on lubrication theory, we model peristalsis as a two-dimensional infinite sinusoidal wavetrain. We develop an objective function with high mechanical pumping efficiency and low reflux to find optimal peristalsis conditions. We show that optimal wall longitudinal motion contributes substantially to limiting reflux during peristalsis. The results suggest that the optimal form of wall longitudinal velocity is a linear function of the wall transverse coordinate, moving forward with the wave when the tube is distended and retracting when contracted. Our results are in general agreement with clinical observations of ureteral peristalsis.

Commercialization of 2,4-D-resistant soybean varieties allows for postemergence (POST) applications of 2,4-D in soybean. With the increase in POST applications of 2,4-D in soybean, shifts in weed populations may occur. A long-term field trial was conducted over 7 yr in a corn-soybean rotation. Weed populations were subjected to four herbicide strategies with variable levels of 2,4-D reliance. The strategies used included 1) diversified glyphosate strategy with six herbicide sites of action (SOAs); 2) 2,4-D reliant strategy with three SOAs; 3) diversified 2,4-D reliant strategy with seven SOAs; and 4) fully diversified strategy with eight SOAs. Soil residual herbicides were used for both corn and soybean years, except for the 2,4-D-reliant strategy, which used only a residual herbicide during the corn years. A 52% or greater reduction in weed densities for all herbicide strategies, except the 2,4-D-reliant strategy, was observed by the end of the study. However, the density of weeds tolerant to 2,4-D, such as monocots, increased after 3 yr of selection pressure, and more than doubled after 5 yr of selection pressure in the 2,4-D-reliant strategy. Additionally, in the 2,4-D-reliant strategy with three SOAs, species richness was 30% higher in the soil seedbank compared to herbicides strategies with six or more SOAs. In order to delay weed shifts, diversified herbicide strategies with more than three SOAs that include residual herbicides should be used in corn:soybean rotational systems that use 2,4-D-resistant soybean.

Cover crops can be utilized to suppress weeds via direct competition for sunlight, water, and soil nutrients. Research was conducted to determine if cover crops can be used in label-mandated buffer areas in 2,4-D-resistant soybean cropping systems. Delaying termination of cover crops containing cereal rye to at or after soybean planting resulted in a 25 to more than 200 percentage point increase in cover crop biomass compared to a control treatment. Cover crops generally improved horseweed control when 2,4-D was not used. Cover crops reduced grass densities up to 54% at four of six site-years when termination was delayed to after soybean planting. Cover crops did not reduce giant ragweed densities. Cover crops reduced waterhemp densities by up to 45%. Cover crops terminated at or after planting were beneficial within buffer areas for control of grasses and waterhemp, but not giant ragweed. Yield reductions of 14% to 41% occurred when cover crop termination was delayed to after soybean planting at three of six site-years. Terminating the cover crops at planting time provided suppression of grasses and waterhemp within buffer areas and had similar yield to the highest-yielding treatment in five out of six site-years.

Across Eurasia, horse transport transformed ancient societies. Although evidence for chariotry is well dated, the origins of horse riding are less clear. Techniques to distinguish chariotry from riding in archaeological samples rely on elements not typically recovered from many steppe contexts. Here, the authors examine horse remains of Mongolia's Deer Stone-Khirigsuur (DSK) Complex, comparing them with ancient and modern East Asian horses used for both types of transport. DSK horses demonstrate unique dentition damage that could result from steppe chariotry, but may also indicate riding with a shallow rein angle at a fast gait. A key role for chariots in Late Bronze Age Mongolia helps explain the trajectory of horse use in early East Asia.

Background: Despite significant morbidity and mortality, estimates of the burden of healthcare-associated viral respiratory infections (HA-VRI) for noninfluenza infections are limited. Of the studies assessing the burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), cases are typically classified as healthcare associated if a positive test result occurred after the first 3 days following admission, which may miss healthcare exposures prior to admission. Utilizing an expanded definition of healthcare-associated RSV, we assessed the estimates of disease prevalence. Methods: This study included laboratory-confirmed cases of RSV in adult and pediatric patients admitted to acute-care hospitals in a catchment area of 8 counties in Tennessee identified between October 1, 2016, and April 30, 2019. Surveillance information was abstracted from hospital and state laboratory databases, hospital infection control databases, reportable condition databases, and electronic health records as a part of the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network by the Emerging Infections Program. Cases were defined as healthcare-associated RSV if laboratory confirmation of infection occurred (1) on or after hospital day 4 (ie, “traditional definition”) or (2) between hospital day 0 and 3 in patients transferred from a chronic care facility or with a recent discharge from another acute-care facility in the 7 days preceding the current index admission (ie, “enhanced definition”). The proportion of laboratory-confirmed RSV designated as HA-VRI using both the traditional definition as well as with the added enhanced definition were compared. Results: We identified 900 cases of RSV in hospitalized patients over the study period. Using the traditional definition for HA-VRI, only 41 (4.6%) were deemed healthcare associated. Adding the cases identified using the enhanced definition, an additional 12 cases (1.3%) were noted in patients transferred from a chronic care facility for the current acute-care admission and 17 cases (1.9%) were noted in patients with a prior acute-care admission in the preceding 7 days. Using our expanded definition, the total proportion of healthcare-associated RSV in this cohort was 69 (7.7%) of 900 compared to 13.1% of cases for influenza (Figure 1). Although the burden of HA-VRI due to RSV was less than that of influenza, when stratified by age, the rate increased to 11.7% for those aged 50–64 years and to 10.1% for those aged ≥65 years (Figure 2). Conclusions: RSV infections are often not included in estimates of HA-VRI, but the proportion of cases that are healthcare associated are substantial. Typical surveillance methods likely underestimate the burden of disease related to RSV, especially for those aged ≥50 years.

Funding: No

Disclosures: None

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

Background: Healthcare-associated transmission of influenza leads to significant morbidity, mortality, and cost. Most studies classify healthcare-associated viral respiratory infections (HA-VRI) as those with a positive test result after the first 3 days following admission, which does not account for healthcare exposures prior to admission. Utilizing an expanded definition of healthcare-associated influenza, we aimed to improve the estimates of disease prevalence on a population level. Methods: This study included laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza in adult and pediatric patients admitted to any acute-care hospital in a catchment area of 8 counties Tennessee identified between October 1, 2012, and April 30, 2019. Surveillance information was abstracted from hospital and state laboratory databases, hospital infection control practitioner databases, reportable condition databases, and electronic health records as a part of the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Emerging Infections Program (EIP). Cases were defined as healthcare-associated influenza laboratory confirmation of infection occurred (1) on or after hospital day 4 (“traditional definition”), or (2) between hospital days 0 and 3 in patients transferred from a chronic care facility or with a recent discharge from another acute-care facility in the 7 days preceding the current index admission (ie, enhanced definition). The proportion of laboratory-confirmed influenza designated as HA-VRI using both the traditional definition as well as with the added enhanced definition were compared. Data were imported into Stata software for analysis. Results: We identified 5,904 cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza in hospitalized patients over the study period. Using the traditional definition for HA-VRI, only 147 (2.5%, seasonal range 1.3%–3.4%) were deemed healthcare associated (Figure 1). Adding the cases identified using the enhanced definition, an additional 317 (5.4%, range 2.3%–6.7%) cases were noted in patients transferred from a chronic care facility for the current acute-care admission and 336 cases (5.7%; range, 4.1%–7.4%) were noted in patients with a prior acute-care facility admission in the preceding 7 days. Using our expanded definition, the total proportion of healthcare-associated influenza in this cohort was 772 of 5,904 (13.1%; range, 10.6%–14.8%). Conclusion: HA-VRI due to influenza is an underrecognized infection in hospitalized patients. Limiting surveillance assessment of this important outcome to just those patients with a positive influenza test after hospital day 3 captured only 19% of possible healthcare-associated influenza infections across 7 influenza seasons. These results suggest that the traditionally used definitions of healthcare-associated influenza underestimate the true burden of cases.

Funding: No

Disclosures: None

Figure 1.

Rapid vegetative growth and adverse application conditions are common factors leading to the failure of postemergence herbicides on Palmer amaranth. A sequential herbicide application, or respray, is often necessary to control weeds that have survived the initial herbicide application to protect crop yield and minimize weed seed production. The optimum timing after the initial application and the most effective herbicide for control of Palmer amaranth has not been characterized. The objectives of these experiments were to determine the optimum herbicide for treating Palmer amaranth regrowth, the optimum timing for each of those herbicides, and how the initial failed herbicide might affect efficacy of a second herbicide application. Bare ground field experiments were performed in 2017 and 2018 in which glufosinate or fomesafen herbicide failure was induced on Palmer amaranth plants that were 30 cm in height. Respray treatments of glufosinate, fomesafen, lactofen, 2,4-D, and dicamba were applied once at timings of 4 to 5 d, 7 d, or 11 d after the initial spray application. Nearly all herbicide treatment and timing combinations increased control by at least 13 percentage points compared to no respray herbicide treatment. Regardless of initial herbicide, glufosinate applied as a respray treatment was the most consistent and efficacious with up to 97% control. The specific herbicide used in the second application impacted final weed control more so than timing of the respray application. For instance, control by glufosinate respray treatments was 10 to 18 percentage points greater than control from lactofen respray treatments, whereas control decreased by 3 percentage points when respray applications of any herbicide were made 11 d after initial application of glufosinate compared to 4 to 5 and 7 d after initial application of glufosinate. In the event of failure to control Palmer amaranth with glufosinate or fomesafen, glufosinate should be applied in order to maximize control.