Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Organic minerals for broilers and laying hens: reviewing the status of research so far

The current NRC recommendations for broiler chickens and laying hens are cause for concern within the animal feed industry, as they are based on very old trial data. This means the work was not only conducted with old-fashioned breeds of commercial chickens, but also relied on inorganic oxides and sulphates in feed and archaic diet formulation, with different quality and types of raw materials compared to those fed now. For modern poultry producers, these recommendations are so obsolete that they may be considered redundant for practical purposes. Broiler chickens and laying hens have benefitted from improvements in genetics and feeding practices since the 1950's and 60's, when many of the trials were run. They now also have the viable option of using chemically organic forms of minerals, which are known to be better absorbed, utilised and stored in tissues compared to inorganic ores. Since 2003, a program of research has been conducted comparing commercial organic minerals (Bioplexes®, Alltech Inc, USA) with inorganic forms, which monitored performance and excretion of minerals, as well as evaluating the new (lower) levels of organic minerals required for sustaining poultry performance. This large scale project began with a series of seminars, including one day on poultry, where global experts in this area discussed the problems and issues relating to mineral nutrition. A collection of the papers from these seminars were compiled and published (Taylor-Pickard and Tucker, 2005), and gave rise to a global project to redefine mineral nutrition. The following paper reviews the work completed to date, where chemically organic forms of minerals have been used in poultry diets.
Seasonal changes in size selection and intake rate of oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus feeding on the bivalves Mytilus edulis and Cerastoderma edule

During the course of spring, Cockles Cerastoderma edule and Mussels Mytilus edulis grow in size, while the condition, as measured by the biomass content of shells of a given size, also increases. Condition temporarily drops when the larger individuals spawn. This study investigates the effects of these seasonal changes on the intake rate and the prey choice of Oystercatchers. Although profitability (biomass gained per unit time spent handling) was lower when the bivalves were in poor condition, large Cockles and Mussels were always the most profitable. It was therefore remarkable that these large prey were dropped from the diet in spring and early summer. Whereas condition of the molluscs was highest in August, intake rates of Oystercatchers peaked by the end of May, early June, when many adult birds had nests and may have been pressed for time. However, since the intake rate of subadult birds followed a similar seasonal pattern, it seems unlikely that time stress alone caused the adult birds to feed faster. It therefore seems that prey choice is 'suboptimal' in terms of rate maximization when the daily demand for food is minimal and feeding conditions are maximally good. This leads to the suggestion that the prey choice of Oystercatchers in late spring/early summer is more heavily influenced by nonenergy criteria like, for instance, the risk of parasitism, than at other times of the year.
Biological invasion by Myrica faya in Hawai'i: plant demography, nitrogen fixation, ecosystem effects

Myrica faya, an introduced actinorhizal nitrogen fixer, in invading young volcanic sites in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. We examined the population biology of the invader and ecosystem-level consequences of its invasion in open-canopied forests resulting from volcanic cinder-fall. Although Myrica faya is nominally dioecious, both males and females produce large amounts of fruit that are utilized by a number of exotic and native birds, particularly the exotic Zosterops japonica. In areas of active colonization, Myrica seed rain under perch trees of the dominant native Metrosideros polymorpha ranged from 6 to 60 seeds m{sup {minus}2} yr{sup {minus}1}; no seeds were captured in the open. Planted seeds of Myrica also germinated an established better under isolated individuals of Metrosideros than in the open. Diameter growth of Myrica is > 15-fold greater than that of Metrosideros, and the Myrica population is increasing rapidly. Rates of nitrogen fixation were measured using the acetylene reduction assay calibrated with {sup 15}N. Myrica nodules reduced acetylene at between 5 and 20 {mu}mol g{sup {minus}1} h{sup {minus}1}, a rate that extrapolated to nitrogen fixation of 18 kg ha{sup {minus}1} in a densely colonized site. By comparison, all native sources of nitrogen fixation summed to 0.2 kg ha{sup {minus}1}more » yr{sup {minus}1}, and precipitation added < 4 kg ha{sup {minus}1} yr{sup {minus}1}. Measurements of litter decomposition and nitrogen release, soil nitrogen mineralization, and plant growth in bioassays all demonstrated that nitrogen fixed by Myrica becomes available to other organisms as well. We conclude that biological invasion by Myrica faya alters ecosystem-level properties in this young volcanic area; at least in this case, the demography and physiology of one species controls characteristics of a whole ecosystem. « less
Dairy cow welfare: the role of research and development in addressing increasing scrutiny

Pasture-based dairying in New Zealand and Australia has come under increasing animal welfare scrutiny as a result of changing public expectations for farm animal management. Concurrently, efficiency-driven changes in dairy management practices and a broadening of the feedbase beyond traditionally grazed pasture have resulted in increased intensification and stocking density within the dairy industries. This intensification has included a higher proportion of grain concentrates in the diet (particularly in Australia), and the greater management of cows off pasture and even in housing (particularly in New Zealand). Research to assess the animal welfare implications of these changes and to recommend good practice management has concentrated on issues of cow environments and cow feeding, including body condition. Research has shown that cows may be managed for a few hours per day on concrete surfaces without compromising their lying behaviour and other indicators of welfare, but that longer periods off pasture require the provision of a well drained and comfortable lying surface. Other research has defined the extremes of hot and cold/wet conditions beyond which cows benefit from provision of adequate shade and shelter. Research on cow body condition has indicated that welfare responses are aligned with measures of health and productivity in supporting the need to maintain a minimum body condition before calving and during the subsequent weight loss period of early lactation. Continued research, extension and industry adoption will enable dairy producers to address community expectations as they continue to change their farming practices.
Effects of vermicompost application and seed inoculation with biological nitrogen fertilizer under different plant densities in soybean ( Glycine max (L.) cultivar, Williams)

For studying the effects of vermicompost application, seeds inoculation with biological nitrogen fertilizer nitroxin and plant density management in soybean cultivar Williams, an experiment in factorial design with three factors based on randomized complete block design with 3 replication in the Astaneh Ashrafiyeh County (north of Iran) during 2010 was conducted. The factors of experiment consists off seed inoculation with biological nitrogen fertilizer nitroxin with two levels [N1: control (without seed inoculation) and N2: seed inoculation with nitroxin], application of vermicompost with three levels [V1: control (without vermicompost application), V2: 5 t/ha and V3: 10 t/ha] and plant density with three levels (D1: 45 plants per m2, D2: 65 plants per m2 and D3: 85 plants per m2). At maturity time seed yield, 100 seeds weight, plant height, number of pods per plant and number of seeds per plant were measured. Results of data analysis showed that, the effects of nitroxin biofertilizer inoculation, vermicompost application, plant density, interaction of nitroxin inoculation and density management and interaction of vermicompost application and density management on all studied traits was significant at 1% probability level. Interaction effect of nitroxin inoculation and vermicompost application on seed yield, 100 seeds weight, plant height and number of pods per plant at 1% and on number of seeds per plant at 5% was significant. Also, interaction effect of nitroxin inoculation, vermicompost application and plant density management on seed yield, 100 seeds weight and number of pods per plant showed significance differences at 1% probability level and on other traits was non significant. The highest seed yield was obtained from N2V3D2 treatment (seeds inoculation with nitroxin, 10 t/ha vermicompost application and 65 plants per m2) with 3831 kg/ha. Key words: Iran, soybean, vermicompost, nitroxin biofertilizer, plant density, seed yield.
Concentration and seasonal variation of calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium in raw cow, ewe and goat milk

The seasonal changes in concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) present in the milk of the three main milk-producing species (cow, ewe and goat) were studied for 1 year by using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean concentrations obtained for the four minerals studied, Ca, Mg, Na and K, were: 1.20 ± 0.11, 0.105 ± 0.007, 0.58 ± 0.07 and 1.68 ± 0.07 mg/g of fresh weight respectively for cow milk; 2.06 ± 0.27, 0.194 ± 0.040, 0.51 ± 0.12 and 1.57 ± 0.20 mg/g of fresh weight for ewe milk, 1.55 ± 0.12, 0.142 ± 0.014, 0.44 ± 0.08 and 1.63 ± 0.08 mg/g of fresh weight for goat milk. Two-factor variance analyses were made on the milk products investigated for the four mineral elements and Scheffe multiple analyses (P < 0.05) were also carried out for the formation of homogeneous groups per species for the mineral elements analysed.
Effect of supplemental humic and butyric acid on performance and mortality in broilers raised under various environmental conditions

Abstract Evaluating natural compounds as a way of enhancing performance and reducing mortality in broilers is important for the poultry industry. Four experiments, involving 1,668 male Ross 708 broilers, were conducted to determine the effect of humic acid (MFG) and protected butyric acid (PBA) on performance and death loss throughout the starter and grower-finisher periods. Experiments 1 and 2 (conducted in early summer and late summer and fall) had between 4 and 6 treatments with MFG and PBA fed alone or in combination with 10 (0.22 m2/bird) to 12 (0.18 m2/bird) broilers per pen. The combination of MFG and PBA significantly improved performance and livability in experiment 1, but had no effect in experiment 2. Experiments 3 (early summer) and 4 (middle of summer) had 20 broilers per pen (0.11 m2/bird). Treatments for experiments 3 and 4 were (1) control, (2) control + MFG (4 and 2 lb/ton for starter and grower-finisher, respectively), (3) control + MFG (4 and 2 lb/ton) + PBA (0.66 and 0.33 lb/ton) for starter and grower-finisher, respectively, and (4) control + MFG (4 and 2 lb/ton) + PBA (1.1 and 0.55 lb/ton). No significant performance differences were observed in experiment 3. In contrast, broilers on treatment 4 in experiment 4 had significant responses in ADG and FCR, along with lower mortalities in extremely hot weather, compared with treatment 1, for the overall (d 0–45) period. Based on these data, especially during heat stress, broilers fed a mixture of MFG and PBA have improved growth and feed efficiency along with lower mortalities.
Regeneration from Cotyledons in Gustavia superba (Lecythidaceae)

BAKER, H. G. 1955. Self-compatibility and establishment after “long-distance” dispersal. Evolution 9: 347-349. CHATURVEDI, S. K. 1988. Abiotic pollination in Tylophoru hirrutu Wight (Asclepiadaceae). Asklepios 45: 58-62. FISCHER, E. 1941. Der Anbau einer Faserund Bienen-futterpflanze. Pflanzenbau 17: 212-218. FORSTER, P.I. 1994. Diurnal insects associated with the flowers of Gomphocurpwphyrocurpur E. Mey. (Asclepiadaceae),
Helminths of American Robins, Turdus migratorius, and House Sparrows, Passer domesticus (Order: Passeriformes), from Suburban Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A

ABSTRACT: Thirty American robins (Turdus migratorius, Turdidae) and 10 house sparrows (Passer domesticus, Passeridae) were collected in June and July 2010 and 2011 from SW suburban Chicago, Illinois, and examined for helminths. In total, 9 helminth species (1 digenetic trematode: Lutztrema monenteron; 2 cestodes: Choanotaenia sp. and Paricterotaenia sp.; 5 nematodes: Chandlerella quiscali, Porrocaecum ensicaudatum, Splendidofilaria sp., Syngamus trachea, and Synhimantus nasuta; and 1 acanthocephalan: Plagiorhynchus cylindraceus) occurred in 30 American robins. Both Choanotaenia sp. and P. cylindraceus had the highest prevalence (40%). Lutztrema monenteron had the highest mean intensity (37), followed by Syngamus trachea (8.7), which also had the highest mean abundance (3.2). Juvenile American robins were parasitized by 7 of the 9 species, indicating that the majority of parasites found have a focus of infection in the suburban environment. Three helminth species (1 trematode: Urogonimus sp.; 1 cestode: Paricterotaenia sp.; and 1 nematode: Splendidofilaria sp.) occurred in 10 house sparrows. Urogonimus sp. and Paricterotaenia sp. each had a prevalence of 20%. Urogonimus sp. had the highest mean intensity (18.5) and mean abundance (3.7) in house sparrows. Gravid individuals of all helminth species were found. The survey reported herein is consistent with previous helminthological studies conducted on the helminths of American robins and house sparrows, except for the occurrence of Paricterotaenia sp. and Chandlerella quiscali in robins.
Roles of the Af and Tl genes in pea leaf morphogenesis: leaf morphology and pinna anatomy of the heterozygotes

The leaf blade of Pisum sativum L. possesses proximal leaflets and distal tendrils and is altered by two recessive mutations that affect pinna identity, afila (af) and acacia/tendrilless (tl). Using morphological and histology features we characterized the variation in leaf form and pinna anatomy of the Af and Tl heterozygous genotypes. Our goal was to identify the specific interactions of these genes and the relative influence of each in regulating all structural components of the leaf and pinna phenotypes. The Tl/tl genotypes possess broad tendril - narrow leaflets in the distal region that are histologically more similar to leaflets than to tendrils. The afafTltl leaves have simple tendrils in the distal region and branching complexity that is intermediate between that of aftl and af leaves in the proximal region. Only the most distal tips are slightly expanded. Because the Af and Tl genes interact to affect almost all aspects of leaf and pinna form, they affect development at multiple levels of organization.
Mathieu Moonshine and symmetries of K3 σ‐models

A recent observation by Eguchi, Ooguri and Tachikawa (EOT) suggests a relationship between the largest Mathieu group 𝕄24 and the elliptic genus of K3. This correspondence would be naturally explained by the existence of a non‐linear σ‐model on K3 with the Mathieu group as its group of symmetries. However, all possible symmetry groups of K3 models have been recently classified and none of them contains 𝕄24. We review the evidence in favour of the EOT conjecture and discuss the open problems in its physical interpretation.
Effect of mastitis and related-germ on milk yield and composition during naturally-occurring udder infections in dairy cows

The effect of mastitis and related-germs on milk chemical composition (protein and lac- tose contents) and milk somatic cell count (SCC) was investigated in 501 milk quarter samples during two consecutive years in cows from three experimental herds. Each infected quarter was matched by a healthy one in the same udder, as a control. Milk protein and mineral assays were performed in a sub- sample of 128 milks. Staphylococci were the most frequently isolated germs (Staphylococcus aureus: 27%, coagulase-negative Staphylococci: 26%, Streptococci: 21%). Major milk pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus uberis or Escherichia coli) associated with clinical signs of mastitis were accompanied by higher SCC (+1.6 log·mL -1 , P < 0.01), lower lactose concentration (-7.6 g·kg -1 , P < 0.01), higher protein concentration (+3.3 g·kg -1 , P < 0.01) and higher soluble protein concentrations (IgG and BSA), hence a sharp decrease in the casein/protein ratio (-10 percentage points, P < 0.01). Changes were more marked when Escherichia coli was present. Corynebacterium bovis did not alter milk chemical composition whereas coagulase-negative Staphylococci slightly re- duced lactose concentration (-1.8 g·kg -1 ) and increased SCC (+0.37 log·mL -1 ). Calcium and phos- phorus milk contents were hardly modified by the presence of microorganisms. The decrease in milk yield during clinical mastitis varied from 1.6 kg·d -1 in the presence of Staphylococcus aureus to 15 kg·d -1 in the presence of Escherichia coli.
Partes não-integrantes da carcaça de tourinhos alimentados com diferentes níveis de concentrado na dieta

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the non-integrant body components of the carcass from young bulls slaughtered at 14-16 months of age, fed different concentrate levels in the diet. The animals were feedlot finished until reaching 400 kg of body weight. Sixteen bulls were randomly distributed into four treatments: 22; 40; 59 or 79% concentrate in the diet. The initial average age and weight were 9.3 months and 192.4 kg, respectively. The empty body weight (EBW) and carcass dressing ajusted for empty body weight were similar among the different concentrate levels. The increase in the concentrate level in the diet promoted linear decrease for intestine absolute weight, and linear increase for ruminal and abomasum absolute fat weight. When the components were expressed as adjusted EBW values and slaughter weight (SW), linear increases were observed for weight of feet, heart, intestine, trim fat, ruminal fat, gastrintestinal tract content and internal fat, and linear decreases were observed for weight of head and omasum as the concentrate level increased. The response of the abomasum weight according to the concentrate level was quadratic, with the minimum values estimated for the concentrate levels of 68.0, 66.7 and 69.2%, in relation to the absolute weight, adjusted for EBW and SW, respectively. The increase in the concentrate level from 22 to 79% increased the ajusted weights of gastrintestinal tract content and internal fat; however, it did not affect the total internal organs, empty body weight and carcass dressing ajusted for empty body weight of bulls slaughtered at 14-16 months of age with 400 kg.
A stochastic model of selection on selfing rates in structured populations

Previous theoretical studies of the evolution of the selfing rate have shown that mixed mating systems are not evolutionary stable states. Such models have, however, not included the effects of population structure and thus biparental inbreeding together with the evolution of selfing rates and inbreeding depression. In order to examine selection on selfing rates in structured populations, a stochastic model simulating a finite population with partial selfing and restricted pollen and seed dispersal has been developed. Selection on the mating system was followed by introducing modifiers affecting the selfing rate. The major result was that, with density dependent recruitment, a process which maintains the population structure necessary for biparental inbreeding to occur, a mixed mating system could be maintained. This result was associated with an increase of the mutation load with high selfing rates, and the selected selfing rate depended on the degree of population structure rather than on the initial selfing rate. With low dominance of deleterious alleles, complete allogamy can be selected for. Further studies showed that the more general condition of spatial heterogeneity of recruitment can lead to similar results, the most important condition being the maintenance of genetic structure within populations. A brief survey of the empirical literature shows that a positive relationship between the magnitude of inbreeding depression and the inbreeding coefficient within populations has been observed, in support of the present model.
Controlling reproduction in sheep.

Intravaginal progestagen pessaries + pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) for controlling the oestrous cycle and for inducing out-of-season breeding have been commercially available for many years. However, extremely good mating management is required if acceptable results are to be achieved. More recently the role of the pineal hormone, melatonin, in the regulation of seasonal breeding has been recognized, and this has led to the development of slow-release formulations for use under farm conditions. Early indications are that such preparations can advance the breeding season by about 4 to 6 weeks, with lambing percentages in early (January) lambing flocks comparable with those of traditional (March) lambing flocks.Recent developments in the use of laparoscopy as an aid to intrauterine insemination and multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) should play a major role in breed improvement. Intrauterine insemination can markedly improve conception rates following the use of frozen semen compared with the conventional cervical technique, as well as eliminating the incidence of fertilization failure in embryo transfer donors. In addition, laparoscopic collection and transfer of embryos permit repeated collections from the same donor ewes and are much more acceptable than surgical techniques from the welfare point of view.
TRIALS TO CONTROL SEA BASS MORTALITIES DUE TO CONCOMITANTLY MICROBIAL AND PARASITIC INFECTION

A total of 60 Sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) were collected from a private farm in Fayoum province suffered from cumulative mortality. All fish were subjected to clinical, postmortem, bacteriological, fungal and parasitological examinations with trial for treatment. The identified pathogens with its prevalence rates among the examined fish were Pseudomonas putida (8.5%), Tenacibaculum maritimum (66.4%), Ichthyophonus spp. (60%) and Monogenetic trematodes Diplectamum sp. (100%). Fish were suffered from detached scales with the presence of hemorrhagic patches and fin and tail rot. Before the fish death developed signs of asphyxia and excess mucus production from damaged gills were characteristic signs. The internal organs were congested with ascietic fluid. Antibiogram has revealed that the bacterial isolates were sensitive to Ciprofloxacin. Water samples were examined for confirmation of good husbandry condition and all physicochemical parameters were within the normal ranges advised for fish culture. Results indicated that the naturally infected fish could be treated successfully by Mebendazole (50 mg / Kg Body weight) as single dose for one day and followed by feeding ration containing Ciprofloxacin (150mg/ Kg Body wt) for 10 days. The mortalities were declined. Also, the clinical signs were disappeared and the fish returned to normal state of health. Meanwhile, pathogens were not detected from fish after treatment.