bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PSVII-22 Effect of dietary supplementation of vitamin C on productive performance, egg quality, relative organ weight, and tibia strength of laying hens
Authors: Reyes Jomari B Delos , Kim Jong Hyuk , Park Geun Hyeon , Choi Hyeon Seok , Han Gi Ppeum , Kang Hwan Ku , Kil Dong Yong
Published: December 2019

Endogenous synthesis of vitamin C may satisfy its requirement for laying hens; however, some previous experiments showed beneficial effects of dietary supplementation of vitamin C in laying hens. Thus, the results are still controversial. The objective of the current experiment, therefore, was to investigate the effect of vitamin C supplementation in diets on productive performance, egg quality, relative organ weight, and tibia strength in laying hens. A total of 504 46-wk-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments with 7 replicates in a completely randomized design. Each replicate had 12 hens. Diets were prepared by supplementing the basal diet with vitamin C at the levels of 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, or 3,000 mg/kg and were fed to hens for 6 wks. Results indicated that increasing supplementation of vitamin C in diets increased hen-day egg production and egg mass (quadratic, P < 0.05), but decreased production of broken or soft-shell eggs (linear and quadratic, P < 0.01) and feed conversion ratio (quadratic, P < 0.05). These positive effects were observable at the supplementation level of 250 mg/kg vitamin C, but there were no further benefits at the greater levels of vitamin C. Increasing supplementation of vitamin C in diets had no effects on egg quality, except for a decrease (quadratic, P < 0.01) in egg yolk color with increasing vitamin C supplementation. The relative weights of the liver, kidney, and spleen were not affected by increasing supplementation of vitamin C in diets. Tibia strength was not influenced by increasing supplementation of vitamin C. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of vitamin C has a beneficial effect on egg production of laying hens. Quadratic responses of increasing vitamin C supplementation in diets reveal that supplementation of 250 mg/kg vitamin C is recommended for diets fed to laying hens at 46–52 wks of age.
PSVII-39 Impact of reducing dietary fermentable protein level on growth performance in nursery pigs
Authors: Xue Pengcheng , Ebarb Sara , Williams Sabrina , Jolliff James , Zhao Junmei , Li Qingyun
Published: December 2019

Inclusion of highly digestible proteins can reduce protein fermentation in the hindgut and ameliorate digestive stress after weaning. This study evaluated the impact of reduced fermentable protein (FP) level on growth performance in nursery pigs. A total of 1,760 pigs (~19 d of age; initial BW = 5.4 ± 0.1 kg) were used in a study with 5 dietary treatments, 16 pens/treatment, and 22 pigs/pen. The pigs were housed in two barns which were blocked separately by pen location and randomly allocated to treatments. Treatments were: 1) Corn, soybean meal diets with antibiotics and pharmacological levels of Cu (235 ppm) and Zn (3000 ppm) (PC); 2) Corn, soybean meal diets without antibiotics and nutritional levels of Cu and Zn and standard level of FP (NC); 3) NC + 7.5% of FP; 4) NC - 7.5% of FP; 5) NC - 15% of FP. The content of FP for each ingredient was calculated by subtracting the apparent ileal digestible CP from the apparent total tract digestible CP. Treatment diets were formulated to similar energy and nutrient levels that met or exceeded NRC (2012) requirements. Pen weights were obtained on d 0, 8, and 22.5 post-weaning and growth performance parameters were calculated. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS 9.3 (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). Constructed contrasts tested the effect of antibiotics, Cu, and Zn (PC vs. NC) and level of FP (+7.5, NC, -7.5, -15%; linear and quadratic). From d 0 to 22.5 post-weaning, the NC had reduced BW, ADG, ADFI, and G:F when compared to the PC (P < 0.05). As the level of FP decreased, there were linear increases in BW, ADG, ADFI, and G:F (P < 0.01). In summary, reducing fermentable protein in the diet by using high quality protein sources improved growth performance of nursery piglets.
PSVII-27 Effects of dietary near ideal amino acid profile on amino acid utilization efficiency for milk production in sows under thermoneutral or heat stress conditions
Authors: Zhang Sai , Johnson Jay , Trottier Nathalie
Published: December 2019

The objective was to estimate essential AA (EAA) utilization efficiency for milk production in sows (n = 24) fed control (19.6% CP) or reduced CP (RCP; 14.2% CP) diets under thermoneutral (TN; 21±1.5°C) or cycling heat stress (HS; 32±1.5°C daytime and 24±1.5°C nighttime) conditions. We hypothesized that RCP fed lactating sows with supplemental AA have increased EAA efficiency for milk production under TN and HS conditions. Diets contained 0.90% SID Lys and 2,580 kcal/kg. Sow BW and backfat were recorded on d 1 and 21 to estimate body protein mobilization (BPM). Piglet BW was recorded on d 1 and 21 to estimate milk yield. Amino acid efficiencies were calculated based on milk AA output relative to SID AA intake corrected for AA contribution from BPM. During HS, N, Arg, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Trp, and Val efficiency for milk production did not differ between sows fed control (42, 26, 44, 36, 39, 49, 52, 32, 50, 43 and 44%, respectively) and RCP (56, 39, 51, 49, 56, 47, 42, 39, 50, 59 and 41%, respectively) diets. Compared to control sows, RCP sows had greater (P < 0.05) efficiency of Arg (30% vs. 61%) under TN condition. Efficiencies of His, Ile, Leu, Phe, and Trp tended to be greater (P = 0.07, 0.06, 0.06, 0.07 and 0.06, respectively) in RCP compared to control sows (50, 41, 44, 36, and 50% vs. 74, 67, 75, 54 and 78%, respectively). Efficiencies of Lys, Met, Thr, Trp and Val did not differ between control and RCP sows (56, 59, 57, and 50% vs. 67, 59, 69 and 57%, respectively). In summary, an RCP diet improved efficiency of N, Arg, His, Ile, Leu, Phe, and Trp for milk production in lactating sows under TN but not HS conditions.
PSXIII-14 The impact of estrus intensity on variables associated with fertility in Bos taurus-influenced beef cows
Authors: Cooke Reinaldo F , Oosthuizen Nicola , Schubach Kelsey , Brandão Alice , Filho Ramiro Oliveira , Colombo Eduardo , Pohler Ky
Published: December 2019

To evaluate the impact of estrus expression and intensity on parameters associated with reproductive performance, 219 lactating, multiparous Bos taurus-influenced beef cows were enrolled in this study. Cows were exposed to an estrus synchronization protocol, where they received a 100-µg injection of GnRH and a CIDR insert on d -10, a 25-mg injection of PGF2a at CIDR removal on d -3, and an injection of GnRH 60–66 h following CIDR removal at fixed-time AI (TAI; d 0). Cows were fitted with a pedometer behind their right shoulder on d -10, and an estrus detection patch was applied to their tail-head on d -3. Estrus expression was defined as removal of > 50% of the rub-off coating from the patch on d 0. Net physical activity during estrus was calculated by subtracting daily activity during the non-estrus period (d -10 to -3) from activity during the expected estrus period (d -3 to 0). Cows were classified into 3 groups: cows that did not express estrus (NOESTR; n = 119), cows that expressed estrus with net physical activity greater than the median (HIESTR; n = 50), and the remaining cows (LWESTR; n = 50). Ultrasonography was performed on d -3, 0, and 7 to determine the presence and size of ovarian structures. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 29 d after TAI. Net physical activity was greater in HIESTR compared to both LWESTR and NOESTR (P < 0.01). Dominant follicle size was greater in HIESTR compared to both LWESTR and NOESTR (P < 0.01). Furthermore, HIESTR had greater corpus luteum volume on d 7 than LWESTR and NOESTR (P < 0.01). Pregnancy rates to AI (PR/AI) were greater in HIESTR and LWESTR compared to NOESTR (P < 0.01). In conclusion, cows that expressed estrus at a greater intensity had improved ovarian dynamics. Additionally, cows that exhibited estrus had greater PR/AI compared to non-estrual cows.
PSXIII-21 Changes of blood biochemical parameters of Chinese Holstein cows in different seasons
Authors: hu Lirong , Dou Jinhuan , Guo Gang , Xu Qing , Wang Yachun
Published: December 2019

The study was conducted to understand the effect of seasonal change on blood biochemical parameters and verify potential blood biochemical parameters which were selected as candidates for thermal stress response evaluation of Chinese Holstein cows in the previous study using independent individuals. A total of 652 healthy lactating Holstein cows from Sanyuan dairy farm were selected as experimental animals. Their milk production data and blood samples used for detection of blood biochemical parameters, were collected in spring (April), summer (August), fall (November) and winter (January), respectively, as well as the continuous temperature and humidity of cowsheds. The changes in 13 blood biochemical parameters (ACTH, BUN, COR, CRP, GH, GLU, HSP70, LD, LPO, NE, PRL, SOD, T3) among seasons were evaluated by MIXED models in SAS9.2 software. Our results showed that 1) The temperature and humidity index (THI) before sampling for continuous 8 days displayed experimental animals had no stress in spring and fall, but in summer and winter experienced heat and cold stress, respectively; 2) All of above 13 blood biochemical parameters had highly significant difference among seasons (P < 0.01). The concentrations of 8 parameters were significantly higher in summer (P < 0.05), but other 5 parameters were significantly lower (P < 0.05). In winter, 6 parameters were significantly higher (P < 0.05), and other 5 parameters were significant lower (P < 0.05); 3) The changes of 8 parameters (such as GH, PRL) between summer and fall, as well as 6 parameters (such as ACTH, SOD) between winter and fall were consistent as the previous study. These results revealed that heat and cold stress had serious effects on physiological condition of Chinese Holstein cows, and multiple parameters had been confirming to be used as candidates for the evaluation of temperature stress in Holstein cows.
PSXI-1 Effects of mineral supplementation during summer on physiological variables and milk production in Holstein dairy cows
Authors: Rio-Aviles Andrea Dahnae del , Correa-Calderon Abelardo , Avendaño-Reyes Leonel , Thomas Milton G , Enns R Mark , Speidel Scott E , Sanchez-Castro Miguel Angel , Zamorano-Algandar Ricardo , Luna-Nevárez Pablo
Published: December 2019

Summer season in northwest Mexico is characterized by hot-humid weather conditions that lead to heat stress and affect physiological and productive performance of lactating Holstein cows. Mineral supplementation has been proposed as strategy to alleviate negative effects of heat stress in dairy cattle. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an injectable mineral supplement on physiological variables and milk production in Holstein cows managed during summer. Sixteen cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 experimental groups: Mineral-treated (TRT; n = 8) or control (CON; n = 8). The TRT group received 3 injections of Fosfosan® (10 ml, i.m., Virbac, Uruguay), on days 0, 7 and 17, considering summer onset as day 0 (June 21st), whereas group CON was untreated. Physiological variables such as respiratory rate (RR), vaginal temperature (VT) and skin-surface temperature (SST), were registered twice a week (0500-1700 h) during 6 weeks. Ambient temperature and humidity were collected to calculate the daily temperature and humidity index (THI). Data were analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures, which included fixed effects of treatment, time and treatment*time, and sire as random effect. According to the THI, Holstein cows were exposed to heat stress during the experiment (>72 units). Cows in the TRT group showed higher (P < 0.05) milk production than CON cows (17.93±0.47 vs 17.02±0.51 kg/day) and lower (P < 0.01) VT (39.14±0.11 vs 39.46±0.15 °C). Relative to CON cows, treated cows also had lower RR (63.16±0.65 vs 64.47±0.76 breaths/min) and lower SST (33.75±0.15 vs 34.02±0.16 °C). All physiological variables showed a significant effect of time (P < 0.01). In conclusion, mineral supplementation during summer appears to improve physiological and productive performance in heat-stressed milking dairy cows; therefore, we suggest to consider this management as strategy to reduce negative effects of summer and heat stress on the dairy industry in northwest Mexico.
PSXI-36 Effects of antifungal and fibrinolytic inoculants on fermentation quality, rumen digestibility, and aerobic stability of rye silage harvested at early dough stage
Authors: Paradhipta Dimas Hand Vidya , Lee Seong Shin , lee Hyuk jun , Joo Young Ho , Choi In-Hag , Kim Sam Churl
Published: December 2019

This study estimated the effects of new inoculants on fermentation quality and rumen digestibility of rye silage with different moisture contents. New inoculants were isolated for producing antifungal substances (Lactobacillus brevis 100D8) and fibrinolytic enzymes (Leuconostoc holzapfelii 5H4), and mixed at 1:1 ratio. Rye forage was harvested at 20 days after heading stage, and chopped into 3–5 cm length. The chopped forage ensiled immediately (high moisture, High) or after 8 h wilting (low moisture, Low) into 10-L mini silo (8kg) with new inoculants at 7.5 × 105 cfu/g (MIX) or commercial inoculant (L. plantarum CMbio) at 8.0 × 105 cfu/g (LPT) for 100 days in quadruplicate. Wilting process did not affect chemical compositions of rye forages, except dry matter (DM) content (P < 0.001; 42.8 vs. 34.7%) was higher in High than in Low. Rye silage in High had lower (P < 0.001) DM with higher (P < 0.05) neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and in vitro digestibilities of DM (IVDMD) and NDF (IVNDFD) than in Low. Additionally, NDF (P < 0.01), hemicellulose (P = 0.005), IVDMD (P = 0.005), and IVNDFD (P = 0.045) of rye silages were higher in MIX than those in LPT. Rye silage had lower (P < 0.05) pH by High or MIX application. Acetate concentration of rye silage was higher (P < 0.01) in MIX than in LPT, but lower (P < 0.001) lactate to acetate ratio. Yeast was lower (P = 0.006) in MIX than in LTP. There were the interaction effects (P < 0.05) between moisture and inoculant on ammonia-N, lactate, propionate, lactic acid bacteria, and aerobic stability of rye silage. Therefore, this study could conclude that new inoculant improved the fermentation quality of rye silage harvested at early dough stage, which showed the beneficial effects on rumen digestibility with high moisture rye forage and on aerobic stability with low moisture.
PSXII-27 The effect of Quercus cortex extract added separately or with probiotic to ruminal fluid of cattle (in vitro) on microbiota and fermentation characteristics
Authors: Makaeva Aina , Duskaev Galimzhan , Nurzhanov Baer , Rysaev Albert , Rakhmatullin Shamil , Inchagova Ksenia , Rayzanov Vitalii
Published: December 2019

Following the rejection of antibiotics, the effectiveness of plant substances and probiotics is actively studied in order to increase the productivity of cattle. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Quercus cortex extract (1 ml/kg b. w.) (QC) on rumen microbiota and characteristics of fermentation against the background of control (C). It was added separately or with a probiotic (Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Lactobacillus acidophilus; 80.0: 1.0) (QC + Pr) as a substrate to the diets of bulls having rumen fistula (12 months of age, diet - 70% hay, 30% barley grain, within 8 days). The parameters of fermentation (CH4, volatile fatty acids) were analyzed every day during the entire period, and the microbiota of archaea and bacteria (microbes associated with fluid) was analyzed using high-performance sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. The QC was prepared by grinding, extraction in a water bath (30 min., 700C) and filtration. The results of this study showed that the production of propionate was higher (P ≤ 0.05) with the substrate QC + Pr compared to C. Bacterial communities differed in feed substrates: Bacteroidetes relatively prevailed with QC and Pr, just like Proteobacteria with QC + Pr C (P ≤ 0.05). At the level of Prevotellaceae family, dominance was registered with QC and Pr (P ≤ 0.05), as well as in genus Prevotella. Firmicutes tended to decrease in all variants as compared with C, the Lactobacillaceae family - with Pr (P ≤ 0.05), and Clostridia - with QC + Pr. In Pr variant there was an increase in Ascomycota and Saccharomycetaceae (P ≤ 0.05). This study highlights the potential joint use of plant and probiotic substances as a natural feed additive that may play a role in metabolism of propionate, without adverse effect on rumen’s microbiota. This research was performed with financial support from the RSF (16-16-10048).
PSXII-24 Effects of supplementing ruminally protected and non-protected active dried yeast on fecal bacterial community of finishing beef steers
Authors: Ran Tao , Jiao Peixin , AlZahal Ousama , Xie Xiaolai , Beauchemin Karen A , Yang Wenzhu
Published: December 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing ruminally protected and non-protected active dried yeast (ADY; AB Vista, UK) on fecal bacterial diversity of finishing beef steers. Seventy-five Angus steers (initial BW 448 kg) were randomly assigned to one of five treatments: control, antibiotics (ANT, 330 mg monensin + 110 mg tylosin/d), ADY (1.5 g/d), encapsulated ADY (EDY; 3 g/d), and mixture of ADY and EDY (MDY). The ADY (1.7×1010 cfu/g) was encapsulated with equal amount of ADY and capsule material. Steers were fed a diet containing 10% barley silage and 90% barley concentrate (DM basis), ANT, ADY, EDY and MDY were top-dressed at feeding. Fecal samples were rectally collected from 10 steers of each treatment on d 56 to determine fecal bacterial diversity using high throughput MiSeq sequencing. Alpha diversity indices were not different among treatments. Principal coordinate analysis revealed that samples were not clustered by treatments. Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were dominant phyla in the fecal bacterial community for all treatments, with a tendency (P < 0.10) of ANT, EDY and MDY to have greater relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (averaged 51.3 vs 46.8%) but lesser Firmicutes (averaged 39.5 vs 47.9%) than control steers. About 50 to 61% of sequences remained unclassified and identified 32 genus, with Prevotella ranging from 15.8 to 25.5% as the dominant genus in all treatments. Notably, steers with ANT, EDY, MDY vs. control had greater (P < 0.05) relative abundance of Prevotella (averaged 23.5 vs 16.8%) but lesser (P < 0.03) Oscillospira (averaged 1.7 vs 2.8%). No differences between ADY and control were observed for aforementioned variables. The results indicate that supplementing ruminally protected or non-protected ADY have limited effect on diversity of fecal bacteria, whereas feeding protected ADY and ANT to finishing beef steers altered dominant fecal bacteria at phylum and genus level.
PSXIV-14 Evaluation of 21 fungal strains as pretreatment of corn stover: chemical composition and in vitro digestibility
Authors: Moreno Paulina Luna , Leal-Lara Hermilo , García-Pérez Águeda , Corona Luis , Romero-Pérez Atmir , Márquez-Mota Claudia Cecilia
Published: December 2019

Agricultural by-products such as corn stover (CS) are abundantly available in many countries; however, its high content of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and lignin (L) and low protein content, causes low digestibility and nutrient availability for ruminants. The production of edible fungi could improve the digestibility of the CS because fungi can break down the cross-links between cell wall components. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the invaded CS-based substrate used in the production of 21 white rot fungi of the species: Auricularia sp (Auri), Ganoderma sp (Gano), Hericium sp (Heri), Lentinula edodes (LC, L5, L9, L15, L21), Pleurotus eryngii (Pe-PQ, Pe-MB), Pleurotus djamour (Pd-Pro, Pd-UTMR) and Pleurotus ostreatus (Po-IAP, Po-Psma, Po-P14, Po-POS, Po-IE202, Po-JP, Po-P35, Po-P38, Po-Sfco) on crude protein (CP), NDF and L content and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). The variables were analyzed in a completely randomized design with the MIXED procedure of SAS and the comparison of the means was made with the Tukey analysis. For CP, a significant increase (P < 0.05) was observed from 10% (Pe-MB) to 41% (LC) in comparison with the substrate without inoculation (C). There was a decrease (P < 0.05) of NDF from 2% (LC) to 10% (Pd-PRO) against C. Fungal treated CS had no effect on L (P < 0.05) as compared to C. Treatments increased (P < 0.05) IVDMD from 3% (L15) up to 36% (Po-POS) for all fungal strains, except for Pe-PQ and Po-Sfco in comparison with C. There was a positive correlation (r2=0.21, P < 0.05) between CP and IVDMD. An equation was obtained to predict IVDMD [IVDMD=0.40578 + 358.38(%ADF)–358.02(%NDF)+358.17(%HEM)–0.3211(%DM), R2=0.32 (P < 0.05)]. In conclusion the mycelial invasion of white rot fungi on a CS-based substrate, increased CP content, decreased NDF and improved IVDMD, making it a viable option to increase the digestibility of CS.
PSXIV-23 Characterization of microbial communities associated with the rumen lining, digesta and rumen fluid from beef cattle consuming a high energy diet using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing
Authors: Reyes Arquimides , Weinroth Margaret , Wolfe Cory , Delmore Robert , Engle Terry , Morley Paul , Belk Keith
Published: December 2019

The true etiology of liver abscesses is not well known. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize the microbial communities in the rumen lining, digesta, and rumen fluid from beef cattle consuming a high energy diet, using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Twelve crossbred feedlot steers (450 ±10 kg; ~ 3.0 years of age) fitted with ruminal fistulas, consuming a high energy finishing diet (1.43 NEg, Mcal/kg DM) for 21 d were utilized in this experiment. Microbial DNA from three regions within the rumen [rumen lining (ventral/lateral), digesta (geometric center of the rumen), and rumen fluid] was extracted and the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced. Across all sample regions, bacterial sequences were classified into 34 phyla, 76 classes, 143 orders, and 254 families. Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the predominant phyla present across all samples. The relative abundance of Bacteroidetes detected in rumen fluid was lesser (P < 0.05) when compared to bacteria sampled from the rumen lining and digesta. In contrast, the relative abundance of Firmicutes were greater (P < 0.05) in rumen fluid and the rumen lining when compared to digesta samples. There are very few publications describing the complex community of the rumen microbiome. To our knowledge this is the first publication categorizing microbial populations in three distinct locations within the rumen using next generation sequencing in feedlot cattle.
PSX-39 Burning for redcedar control in Oklahoma
Authors: Lourencon Raquel , Hart Steven , Gipson Terry A
Published: December 2019

In a research study using goats to control redcedar (Juniperus virgiana), burning was used as a comparison. The objective of the study was to measure the degree of control of redcedar provided by burning in Oklahoma: There were three research locations in Oklahoma, Langston, Mannford, and Midwest City. All plots were 0.81 hectares. The redcedar population was inventoried, quantified as to height, width, and GPS coordinates during the summer of 2016. An adjacent area was cleared by clipping cedars and the dry cedars (fuel) were stacked on the border of sites to be burned. A fire plan was made and burns were conducted in October 26 at Langston, November 11 at Midwest City, and December 6 of 2016 at Mannford. Percentage green canopy of the cedars was scored 3 months after burning. Percentage green canopy of the trees according to size (short; ≤ 1.83m or tall; > 1.83m) and presence of fuel were analyzed using Chi-Square statistics. The results indicated that burning was more effective in Langston with 33% of green canopy (P < 0.001), while Mannford and Midwest City averaged 64% of green canopy. In all locations the presence of fuel around the trees potentiated the fire and reduced green canopy to 28% as compared with the trees not surrounded by fuel with 79% of green canopy (P < 0.001). In Midwest City, taller trees were better controlled by fire and averaged 60% of green canopy, while the shorter trees averaged 69% (P = 0.021) with no significant differences due to height of tree in Langston and Mannford or when data from all three locations were analyzed together. The presence of fuel around the trees can potentiate the fire and give a better control of recedar. However, burning was not a very effective method to control redcedar.
PSX-21 Diet and preslaughter stress effects on gut microbial populations and meat quality characteristics in goats
Authors: Batchu Phaneendra , Hazard Tony , Pulsifer Chelsea , Terrill Thomas H , Kouakou Brou , Lee Jung , Kannan Govind
Published: December 2019

Feeding condensed tannin (CT)-containing diets and minimizing preslaughter stress have been reported to improve meat quality and food safety in small ruminants. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of feeding sericea lespedeza (SL), a high-CT legume, and transportation stress on gut microbial counts and meat quality in goats. In a completely randomized design with split-plot, thirty-six uncastrated male Spanish goats (Age = 8 mo; BW = 26.0 ± 0.48 kg) were assigned to one of 3 dietary treatments (n = 12): ground ‘Serala’ SL hay (SER), bermudagrass hay (BG), or bermudagrass hay - dewormed goats (BG-DW) at 75% of intake, with a corn-based supplement (25%) for 8 weeks. At the end of the trial, goats were either transported for 90 min to impose stress or held in pens before slaughtering in two replicates. Hot and cold carcass weights were lowest in SER, highest in BG-DW, and intermediate in BG group (P < 0.01). Longissimus muscle initial pH was not affected by diet or stress; however, the L* values were lower in SER compared with BG or BG-DW (P < 0.01). Diet or stress treatment did not have a significant effect on rumen and rectal pH values or E. coli and coliform counts. Rumen E. coli counts were 0.32, 0.35, and 0.32 (SEM = 0.088) log10CFU/g, respectively, in SER, BG, and BG-DW groups. The SER group had the lowest aerobic plate counts (APC) in both rumen and rectum (P < 0.01). Rumen APC were 4.74, 6.74, and 6.95 (SEM = 0.420) log10CFU/g, respectively, in SER, BG, and BG-DW groups. The results indicate that diet and stress did not notably influence meat quality characteristics studied or gut E. coli counts in goats, although there is evidence that APC in rumen and feces can be reduced by feeding SL for 8 weeks.
Ethanedinitrile as a Fumigant for Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae), and Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae): Toxicity and Mode of Action
Authors: Ramadan Gomaa R M , Zhu Kun Yan , Abdelgaleil Samir A M , Shawir Mohamed S , El-Bakary Ahmed S , Edde Peter A , Phillips Thomas W
Published: December 2019

This study evaluated the fumigant ethanedinitrile (EDN) against the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne, and phosphine-resistant and susceptible lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica, life stages under laboratory conditions. Eggs of both species were the most susceptible stage to EDN. EDN is, therefore, a promising alternative because eggs are generally tolerant to most common fumigants. Lasioderma serricorne eggs were the most susceptible with an LC50 estimated of 50.4 ppm, followed by adults, pupae and larvae with LC50 values of 160.2, 192.5, and 446.6 ppm, respectively, after 24-h exposure at 25°C. Eggs of phosphine-susceptible (LC50 = 11.2 ppm) and resistant (LC50 = 12.0 ppm) R. dominica strains were more susceptible to EDN than were adults of both strains, with LC50 values of 27.7 and 36.0 ppm, respectively. Lasioderma serricorne mixed life stage cultures were completely controlled at concentrations ≥2,000 ppm at 24 h. Fumigation with 600 ppm was enough to suppress adult emergence in the case of the phosphine-susceptible R. dominica strain (USDA), while an average of only 4.0 adults emerged from the phosphine-resistant R. dominica strain (Belle Glade) compared with 514.3 adults in the control. Lasioderma serricorne was more tolerant to EDN than both R. dominica strains. EDN caused 61.8 and 68.2 % inhibition of R. dominica (USDA) cytochrome c oxidase activity at concentrations of 0.0038 and 0.0076 mM in vitro, respectively, and it did not inhibit its activity in the case of an in vivo assay. These results suggest that cytochrome c oxidase may not be the main target for EDN toxicity.
Foraging egg parasitoids, Trissolcus vassilievi (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae), respond to host density and conspecific competitors in a patchy laboratory environment
Authors: Iranipour Shahzad , BenaMoleai Parisa , Asgari Shahriar , Michaud J P
Published: December 2019

The egg parasitoid Trissolcus vassilievi (Mayr) is a key natural enemy of sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps Puton (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae). This laboratory study examined how the aggregation of parasitoids varied in response to host density and numbers of foraging conspecifics. Five host densities (1, 2, 4, 8, and 15 clutches of E. integriceps eggs), were offered simultaneously to 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 female wasps in a standardized arena (30 cm diameter) and patch residence times were recorded. Patch residence time was strongly correlated with parasitism, and increased as the number of host clutches increased up to eight, but declined when more clutches were offered. Wasps displayed low mobility and tended to remain in the patch initially encountered, even when it contained few egg masses. At higher wasp densities, patches were occupied more quickly, host exploitation began sooner, and per capita handling time was reduced. However, total patch residence times were similar across all densities. Thus, females responded to conspecifics with increased movement, which increased dispersal and resulted in a more homogeneous distribution of wasps among patches. Pseudo-interference, resulting from wasps remaining in some patches and neglecting others, had greater impact on final levels of host exploitation than did actual interference (patch abandonment following conspecific encounters). These phenomena resulted in decreased parasitoid searching rates and a 2-fold increase in host survival at higher wasp densities.
Species Radiations in the Sea: What the Flock?
Authors: Bowen Brian W , Forsman Zac H , Whitney Jonathan L , Faucci Anuschka , Hoban Mykle , Canfield Sean J , Johnston Erika C , Coleman Richard R , Copus Joshua M , Vicente Jan , Toonen Robert J
Published: December 2019

Species flocks are proliferations of closely-related species, usually after colonization of depauperate habitat. These radiations are abundant on oceanic islands and in ancient freshwater lakes, but rare in marine habitats. This contrast is well documented in the Hawaiian Archipelago, where terrestrial examples include the speciose silverswords (sunflower family Asteraceae), Drosophila fruit flies, and honeycreepers (passerine birds), all derived from one or a few ancestral lineages. The marine fauna of Hawaiʻi is also the product of rare colonization events, but these colonizations usually yield only one species. Dispersal ability is key to understanding this evolutionary inequity. While terrestrial fauna rarely colonize between oceanic islands, marine fauna with pelagic larvae can make this leap in every generation. An informative exception is the marine fauna that lack a pelagic larval stage. These low-dispersal species emulate a “terrestrial” mode of reproduction (brooding, viviparity, crawl-away larvae), yielding marine species flocks in scattered locations around the world. Elsewhere, aquatic species flocks are concentrated in specific geographic settings, including the ancient lakes of Baikal (Siberia) and Tanganyika (eastern Africa), and Antarctica. These locations host multiple species flocks across a broad taxonomic spectrum, indicating a unifying evolutionary phenomenon. Hence marine species flocks can be singular cases that arise due to restricted dispersal or other intrinsic features, or they can be geographically clustered, promoted by extrinsic ecological circumstances. Here, we review and contrast intrinsic cases of species flocks in individual taxa, and extrinsic cases of geological/ecological opportunity, to elucidate the processes of species radiations.
Continuing Contracts
Authors: Halonen-Akatwijuka Maija , Hart Oliver
Published: December 2019

Parties often regulate their relationships through “continuing” contracts that are not fixed term but roll over: employment is a leading example. Our premise is that parties apply fairness when they revise a continuing contract and that prior terms, together with market information, will be a reference point. A continuing contract can reduce (re)negotiation costs relative to a short-term or long-term contract. However, fair bargaining makes adjusting to outside options difficult and may cause inefficient outcomes. An implicit promise of a long-term relationship, as in employment, can improve matters. (JEL D23, D86, K12).
Plurality in Buriat and Structurally Constrained Alternatives
Authors: Bylinina Lisa , Podobryaev Alexander
Published: December 2019

We offer a solution to a puzzle in the number interpretation of nominals in Buriat. Buriat has a two-way number opposition in morphology (unmarked vs. plural), but semantically, both forms may be number neutral. We show that even though the number neutrality of unmarked nominals is heavily restricted, it does not boil down to (pseudo-)incorporation. Our proposal is that unmarked nominals can be either singular (projecting a NumP) or numberless (lacking a NumP). In case they are singular, they are semantically strictly atomic, but when there are numberless they are truly number neutral, just like the plurals. The plurality inferences of plurals and the consistent number neutrality of numberless nouns are accounted for in a Katzirian system with structurally defined alternatives.
Cross-Border Removal and Retention of a Child – Croatian Practice and European Expectation
Authors: Župan Mirela , Drventić Martina , Kruger Thalia
Published: December 2019

This research relates to the collection, processing, and analysis of incoming child abduction proceedings of the four biggest municipal courts (of Zagreb, Osijek, Split, and Rijeka) in Croatia. The research focused on proceedings initiated between 1 July 2013 and 1 July 2017. The collected decisions (all unpublished) were critically evaluated with the help of a number of variables. The results are comparable to other national and international studies. The most interesting studies relate to the duration of certain procedures, voluntary return of the child and achievement of an amicable agreement, the hearing of children, the different causes of abduction, the decisions in return proceedings, and the relevance of the social welfare report to a return decision. This research allows us to evaluate the Croatian practices against the requirements of European and international legal frameworks. The results have already led to law reform in Croatia.
Antifungal susceptibility, genotyping, resistance mechanism, and clinical profile of Candida tropicalis blood isolates
Authors: Arastehfar Amir , Daneshnia Farnaz , Hafez Ahmed , Khodavaisy Sadegh , Najafzadeh Mohammad-Javad , Charsizadeh Arezoo , Zarrinfar Hossein , Salehi Mohammadreza , Shahrabadi Zahra Zare , Sasani Elahe , Zomorodian Kamiar , Pan Weihua , Hagen Ferry , Ilkit Macit , Kostrzewa Markus , Boekhout Teun
Published: December 2019

Candida tropicalis is one of the major candidaemia agents, associated with the highest mortality rates among Candida species, and developing resistance to azoles. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms of azole resistance, genotypic diversity, and the clinical background of C. tropicalis infections. Consequently, this study was designed to address those questions. Sixty-four C. tropicalis bloodstream isolates from 62 patients from three cities in Iran (2014–2019) were analyzed. Strain identification, antifungal susceptibility testing, and genotypic diversity analysis were performed by MALDI-TOF MS, CLSI-M27 A3/S4 protocol, and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting, respectively. Genes related to drug resistance (ERG11, MRR1, TAC1, UPC2, and FKS1 hotspot9s) were sequenced. The overall mortality rate was 59.6% (37/62). Strains were resistant to micafungin [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≥1 μg/ml, 2/64], itraconazole (MIC > 0.5 μg/ml, 2/64), fluconazole (FLZ; MIC ≥ 8 μg/ml, 4/64), and voriconazole (MIC ≥ 1 μg/ml, 7/64). Pan-azole and FLZ + VRZ resistance were observed in one and two isolates, respectively, while none of the patients were exposed to azoles. MRR1 (T255P, 647S), TAC1 (N164I, R47Q), and UPC2 (T241A, Q340H, T381S) mutations were exclusively identified in FLZ-resistant isolates. AFLP fingerprinting revealed five major and seven minor genotypes; genotype G4 was predominant in all centers. The increasing number of FLZ-R C. tropicalis blood isolates and acquiring FLZ-R in FLZ-naive patients limit the efficiency of FLZ, especially in developing countries. The high mortality rate warrants reaching a consensus regarding the nosocomial mode of C. tropicalis transmission.
Calibration and 21-cm power spectrum estimation in the presence of antenna beam variations
Authors: Joseph Ronniy C , Trott C M , Wayth R B , Nasirudin A
Published: December 2019

Detecting a signal from the Epoch of Reionization (EoR) requires an exquisite understanding of Galactic and extragalactic foregrounds, low-frequency radio instruments, instrumental calibration, and data analysis pipelines. In this work, we build upon existing work that aims to understand the impact of calibration errors on 21-cm power spectrum (PS) measurements. It is well established that calibration errors have the potential to inhibit EoR detections by introducing additional spectral features that mimic the structure of EoR signals. We present a straightforward way to estimate the impact of a wide variety of modelling residuals in EoR PS estimation. We apply this framework to the specific case of broken dipoles in Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) to understand its effect and estimate its impact on PS estimation. Combining an estimate of the percentage of MWA tiles that have at least one broken dipole (15–40 per cent) with an analytic description of beam errors induced by such dipoles, we compute the residuals of the foregrounds after calibration and source subtraction. We find that that incorrect beam modelling introduces bias in the 2D-PS on the order of $\sim 10^3\, \mathrm{mK}^2 \, h^{-3}\, \mathrm{Mpc}^{3}$. Although this is three orders of magnitude lower than current lowest limits, it is two orders of magnitude higher than the expected signal. Determining the accuracy of both current beam models and direction-dependent calibration pipelines is therefore crucial in our search for an EoR signal.
Hint at an axion-like particle from the redshift dependence of blazar spectra
Authors: Galanti G , Roncadelli M , De Angelis A , Bignami G F
Published: December 2019

We consider the largest observed sample including all intermediate-frequency peaked (IBL) and high-frequency peaked (HBL) flaring blazars above 100 GeV up to redshift z = 0.6. We show that the best-fitting regression line of the emitted spectral indices Γem(z) is a concave parabola decreasing as z increases, thereby implying a statistical correlation between the {Γem(z)} distribution and z. This result contradicts our expectation that such a distribution should be zindependent. We argue that the above correlation does not arise from any selection bias. We show that our expectation naturally emerges provided that axion-like particles (ALPs) are put into the game. Moreover, ALPs can also explain why flat spectrum radio quasars emit up to 400 GeV, in sharp contradiction with conventional physics (CP). So, the combination of the two very different but consistent results – taken at face value – leads to a hint at an ALP with mass $m = {\cal O} (10^{-10} \, {\rm eV})$ and two-photon coupling in the range $2.94 \times 10^{- 12} \, {\rm GeV}^{- 1} \lt g_{a \gamma \gamma } \lt 0.66 \times 10^{- 10} \, {\rm GeV}^{- 1}$. As a bonus, the Universe would become considerably more transparent above energies $E \gtrsim 1 \, {\rm TeV}$ than dictated by CP. Our prediction can be checked not only by the new generation of observatories like CTA, HAWC, GAMMA-400, LHAASO, TAIGA-HiSCORE, and HERD, but also thanks to the planned laboratory experiments ALPS II (upgraded), STAX, IAXO and with other techniques now being developed by Avignone and collaborators.

Dedication: We wish to dedicate the present work to the memory of our dear friend Nanni Bignami.
Cosmological baryon transfer in the simba simulations
Authors: Borrow Josh , Anglés-Alcázar Daniel , Davé Romeel
Published: December 2019

We present a framework for characterizing the large-scale movement of baryons relative to dark matter in cosmological simulations, requiring only the initial conditions and final state of the simulation. This is performed using the spread metric that quantifies the distance in the final conditions between initially neighbouring particles, and by analysing the baryonic content of final haloes relative to that of the initial Lagrangian regions (LRs) defined by their dark matter component. Applying this framework to the simba cosmological simulations, we show that 40 per cent (10 per cent) of cosmological baryons have moved $\gt 1\, h^{-1}\, {\rm Mpc}{}$ ($3\, h^{-1}\, {\rm Mpc}{}$) by z = 0, primarily due to entrainment of gas by jets powered by an active galactic nucleus, with baryons moving up to $12\, h^{-1}\, {\rm Mpc}{}$ away in extreme cases. Baryons decouple from the dynamics of the dark matter component due to hydrodynamic forces, radiative cooling, and feedback processes. As a result, only 60 per cent of the gas content in a given halo at z = 0 originates from its LR, roughly independent of halo mass. A typical halo in the mass range Mvir = 1012–1013 M⊙ only retains 20 per cent of the gas originally contained in its LR. We show that up to 20 per cent of the gas content in a typical Milky Way-mass halo may originate in the region defined by the dark matter of another halo. This inter-Lagrangian baryon transfer may have important implications for the origin of gas and metals in the circumgalactic medium of galaxies, as well as for semi-analytic models of galaxy formation and ‘zoom-in’ simulations.
Cool Jupiters greatly outnumber their toasty siblings: occurrence rates from the Anglo-Australian Planet Search
Authors: Wittenmyer Robert A , Wang Songhu , Horner Jonathan , Butler R P , Tinney C G , Carter B D , Wright D J , Jones H R A , Bailey J , O’Toole S J , Johns Daniel
Published: December 2019

Our understanding of planetary systems different to our own has grown dramatically in the past 30 yr. However, our efforts to ascertain the degree to which the Solar system is abnormal or unique have been hindered by the observational biases inherent to the methods that have yielded the greatest exoplanet hauls. On the basis of such surveys, one might consider our planetary system highly unusual – but the reality is that we are only now beginning to uncover the true picture. In this work, we use the full 18-yr archive of data from the Anglo-Australian Planet Search to examine the abundance of ‘cool Jupiters’ – analogues to the Solar system’s giant planets, Jupiter and Saturn. We find that such planets are intrinsically far more common through the cosmos than their siblings, the hot Jupiters. We find that the occurrence rate of such ‘cool Jupiters’ is $6.73^{+2.09}_{-1.13}$ per cent, almost an order of magnitude higher than the occurrence of hot Jupiters (at $0.84^{+0.70}_{-0.20}$ per cent). We also find that the occurrence rate of giant planets is essentially constant beyond orbital distances of ∼1 au. Our results reinforce the importance of legacy radial velocity surveys for the understanding of the Solar system’s place in the cosmos.
Radio observations of supernova remnant G1.9+0.3
Authors: Luken Kieran J , Filipović Miroslav D , Maxted Nigel I , Kothes Roland , Norris Ray P , Allison James R , Blackwell Rebecca , Braiding Catherine , Brose Robert , Burton Michael , De Horta Ain Y , Galvin Tim J , Harvey-Smith Lisa , Hurley-Walker Natasha , Leahy Denis , Ralph Nicholas O , Roper Quentin , Rowell Gavin , Sushch Iurii , Urošević Dejan , Wong Graeme F
Published: December 2019

We present 1–10 GHz radio continuum flux density, spectral index, polarization, and rotation measure (RM) images of the youngest known Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) G1.9+0.3, using observations from the Australia Telescope Compact Array. We have conducted an expansion study spanning eight epochs between 1984 and 2017, yielding results consistent with previous expansion studies of G1.9+0.3. We find a mean radio continuum expansion rate of (0.78 ± 0.09) per cent yr−1 (or ∼8900 km s−1 at an assumed distance of 8.5 kpc), although the expansion rate varies across the SNR perimetre. In the case of the most recent epoch between 2016 and 2017, we observe faster-than-expected expansion of the northern region. We find a global spectral index for G1.9+0.3 of −0.81 ± 0.02 (76 MHz–10 GHz). Towards the northern region, however, the radio spectrum is observed to steepen significantly (∼−1). Towards the two so-called (east and west) ‘ears’ of G1.9+0.3, we find very different RM values of 400–600 and 100–200 rad m2, respectively. The fractional polarization of the radio continuum emission reaches (19 ± 2) per cent, consistent with other, slightly older, SNRs such as Cas A.
Ancestral Hybridization Facilitated Species Diversification in the Lake Malawi Cichlid Fish Adaptive Radiation
Authors: Svardal Hannes , Quah Fu Xiang , Malinsky Milan , Ngatunga Benjamin P , Miska Eric A , Salzburger Walter , Genner Martin J , Turner George F , Durbin Richard
Published: December 2019

The adaptive radiation of cichlid fishes in East African Lake Malawi encompasses over 500 species that are believed to have evolved within the last 800,000 years from a common founder population. It has been proposed that hybridization between ancestral lineages can provide the genetic raw material to fuel such exceptionally high diversification rates, and evidence for this has recently been presented for the Lake Victoria region cichlid superflock. Here, we report that Lake Malawi cichlid genomes also show evidence of hybridization between two lineages that split 3–4 Ma, today represented by Lake Victoria cichlids and the riverine Astatotilapia sp. “ruaha blue.” The two ancestries in Malawi cichlid genomes are present in large blocks of several kilobases, but there is little variation in this pattern between Malawi cichlid species, suggesting that the large-scale mosaic structure of the genomes was largely established prior to the radiation. Nevertheless, tens of thousands of polymorphic variants apparently derived from the hybridization are interspersed in the genomes. These loci show a striking excess of differentiation across ecological subgroups in the Lake Malawi cichlid assemblage, and parental alleles sort differentially into benthic and pelagic Malawi cichlid lineages, consistent with strong differential selection on these loci during species divergence. Furthermore, these loci are enriched for genes involved in immune response and vision, including opsin genes previously identified as important for speciation. Our results reinforce the role of ancestral hybridization in explosive diversification by demonstrating its significance in one of the largest recent vertebrate adaptive radiations.