bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PSX-16 Appetitive and consummatory sexual behavior of Dorper rams of high or low social hierarchy
Authors: Contreras-Villarreal Viridiana , Gonzalez-Tavizon Andrea , Meza-Herrera Cesar , Ordoñez-Morales Julieta 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine a possible difference in sexual behavior of Dorper rams of either high or low social hierarchy in northern Mexico (26°N). The male′s social status was quantified through a competitive behavioral test in 36 males; the aggressive interactions and their consequences were registered to calculate the success index (SI), where low hierarchy (LH) rams had a SI of 0 to 0.33, and high hierarchy (HH) had a SI of 0.67 to 1.Then, 4-LH-rams (BW:76.5±4.25 and BCS:3.62±0.21) and 4-HH-rams (BW:76.5±2.25 and BW:3.62±0.09), were selected. Thereafter, each male was subjected to a sexual behavior test by exposing each male to one estrus female during 15 min. The appetitive (ASB, anogenital sniffing, approaching, kicking, vocalizations) and consummatory (CSB: unsheathing, mount attempt, full mount, mount with unsheathing and mount with ejaculation) sexual behaviors were registered. The ASB and CSB frequencies between groups were compared with a χ2 test (SYSTAT 12). The HHG showed a higher frequency for both ASB and CSB than the LHG (4225 and 369 vs 3414 and 250, respectively; P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, high hierarchy Dorper rams displayed more appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviors than low hierarchy ram, without differences regarding body weight and body condition score between experimental groups. Such information non-dependent upon BW or BCS, should be important to further define a possible male-social hierarchy effect to stimulate sexual behavior in anestrous females.
PSX-13 Correlation between superficial body temperatures measured with an infrared thermometer in alpacas
Authors: Vilela jorge L , Ascue Jorge , Callan Milagros , Goycochea Gianella , Jauregui Andrea , Miranda Almendra , Montalvo Pamela , Serna Alisson , Sandoval Aranza , Solis Enrique , Veramendi Frank 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The temperature measurement is essential during the physical examination since it helps to detect abnormalities on animal health. In addition, it should be done in the shortest possible time to avoid stress. The objective of this research is to calculate the correlation between rectal temperature and the superficial body temperature by means of a digital infrared thermometer. Ten alpacas huacaya from the center of development Alpaquero (CEDAT-DESCOSUR), located in Arequipa region at 4,365 m.a.s.l, and eight alpacas huacaya of the zootechnical and technological unit (UZYT) of the Universidad Cientifica del Sur, located in Lima at 0 m.a.s.l., were used. Rectal temperature measurement (RECTAL) was done with a veterinary clinical thermometer for one minute. Superficial body temperature measurement was conducted with infrared thermometer model CENTER 350®, at a distance of between 20 to 25 cm. Six measuring points were established by infrared thermometer: the outer zone of the nose (ON), the inner zone of the nose (IN), the extreme zone of ear (EE), middle zone of ear (ME), lower zone of the ear (LE) and the belly of the animal (BE). Rectal temperatures were measured at the same time as superficial body temperatures. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and graphs were calculated using an R software package called “CORRGRAM.” The results are presented in Table 1. Mean and deviation standard for rectal temperature from CEDAT-DESCOSUR and UZYT were 38.03 ± 0.37 and 37.46 ± 0.35 ° C, respectively. The results showed that there is a major correlation between rectal temperature and the temperature of the middle of the ear and the outer zone of the nose. In conclusion, there is a highly significant correlation between rectal temperature and superficial body temperature in some areas of the body, being an alternative option for the prediction of temperature in alpacas.
PSX-12 Comparison of transcervical and intracervical artificial insemination techniques for fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) in the goat
Authors: Foxworth William B , Horner Scott , Ho-Watson Alphina , Gilmore Islyn , Gutierrez Katherine , Lewis Shaye , Newton Gary 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The efficacy of transcervical (TC) and intracervical (IC) semen deposition was evaluated for pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) in a fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) program in the goat. Three breeds (Alpine, n = 50, Boer, n = 17 and Spanish n = 20) were synchronized by a Co-synch program and then inseminated by TCAI (n = 52) or a commercial ICAI (RamGo, TecnoGen) technique (n = 35). On d0, the goats received a CIDR insert and a single injection of GnRH. On d12, CIDRs were removed and a single injection of PGF2α was administered, followed seventeen hours by an injection of GnRH. On d14, 49–50 hours post CIDR removal, the does were inseminated with fresh, cooled (4OC) semen. For TCAI, the external os cervix was visualized and the insemination gun inserted. Following manipulation through the cervical rings, semen was deposited in the uterine body. For ICAI, the straw was loaded into a RamGo intracervical catheter (ICC) and mixed with media to increase the volume. The doe was held at 60–70 degrees (head down). The external os cervix was visualized, the tip of the ICC placed in the os cervix and manipulated into the first cervical ring. Semen was deposited intracervically. Pregnancy status was determined on day 30–35 via transrectal ultrasound. No difference in P/AI was noted between the TC or IC technique (45.7 and 30.8 %, respectively). Additionally, no interactive effect on P/AI was found between insemination method and breed. The timing of FTAI did present a significant difference in the P/AI among the breeds. Spanish does demonstrated a lower P/AI than the Boer and Alpine does (10 vs 41.2 and 46 %, respectively). In summary, ICAI requires less technical proficiency and is a practical technique for FTAI in the goat. The P/AI results further demonstrate a need for continued evaluation of the optimal timing of insemination between breeds.
PSX-2 Growth and lactating performance of ewes fed with different energy levels
Authors: Santos Fernanda F , Brochine Luciano , Junior Vanderlei Benetel , Coelho Maria Laura R , Gameiro Augusto H , Balieiro Júlio C , Gallo Sarita B , Tedeschi Luis O 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the milk production, body weight, and body condition score (BCS) of ewes fed with different energy levels. Seventy-one ewes were used and distributed in three treatments according to the metabolizable energy (ME, Mcal/kg) levels in the diet: CTL = according to the NRC (2007) recommendation for each stage (gestation and lactation); PLUS = CTL plus 10% of ME per kilogram of dry matter; LESS = CTL less 10% ME per kilogram of dry matter. Body weight and body condition score were evaluated a week before the expected date of parturition, a week after giving birth, and at weaning (60 days). Dairy production was evaluated at 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days after giving birth by the indirect method of the two weighing. The experimental design was analyzed as randomized complete blocks. There were no differences on milk production during almost all the lactation curve. Only on day 50 (P = 0.051), CTL was still at peak, while LESS and PLUS had already decreased their production. However, at 60 days, all treatments were already with low production, justifying weaning in this period. Results of weight and BCS showed a significant difference in all periods evaluates. Ewes in the PLUS diet had greater BW and BCS. The BCS before giving birth is expected to be over 3.5 and treatment LESS was the only one that did not achieve this score (2.66, 3.37, 3.83 for LESS, CTL, and PLUS, respectively). At weaning, ewes fed PLUS and CTL had BCS of 3.51 and 2.92, respectively, but treatment LESS had only 1.82. That is prejudicial for the next mating seasonal and this animal. We concluded that LESS diet interfered with the body reserves of sheep.
PSX-3 The impact of energy nutrition planes of ewes on the productive and reproductive performance of their offspring
Authors: Santos Fernanda F , Oliveira Mariluce C , Moreira Flávia M , Buzzato Lucas Péricles A , Santos Tamires S , Gameiro Augusto H , Gallo Sarita B , Tedeschi Luis O 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate different levels of metabolizable energy (ME) intake of late-gestating ewes on the productive and reproductive performance of their female offspring. Seventy-one crossbred ewes were distributed in three treatments: CTL = ME level according to recommendations of the NRC (2007); LESS = CTL less 10% ME per kilogram of dry matter (DM); and PLUS = CTRL plus 10% ME per kilogram of DM. Ewes were synchronized with hormonal protocol, controlled natural mating, and confirmed pregnancy using ultrasonographic imaging. The diets were given at the end of gestation (50 days) through weaning (60 days). The female progeny, from birth to the first mating season, received the same nutrition and sanitary management as their dams. They were weighed every 15 days from birth to the eighth month of age (first mating season), and the mortality rate was measured. The mating season lasted 34 days. The confirmation of pregnancy was performed with 30 and 60 days. The chi-square test was used to compare mortality and pregnancy rates, all with a 5% probability. Ewes in the LESS diet presented lower birth weight up to 8 months of age when compared to CTL and PLUS diets (P &lt; 0.005), which were not different from each other (P &gt; 0.005). Mortality was influenced by the maternal diet (P = 0.0017), with values of 57.1, 20, and 7.41% for the LESS, CTL, and PLUS groups, respectively. The pregnancy rate was 21.4, 70 and 55.6% for the LESS, CTL, and PLUS groups, respectively, with a difference between them (P = 0.0390). We concluded that the supply of low energy diets for dams caused losses in the performance and reproduction indexes of replacement ewes.
PSXIII-17 Impact of Ambitine® Feed Additive on late finishing pig growth performance: A meta-analysis
Authors: Bass Benjamin , Crowder Stacie , Rao Murali Raghavendra 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Ambitine Feed Additive (AMB), a proprietary blend of phytogenics and acidifiers (PMI, Arden Hills, MN), is formulated to help mitigate late finishing stress in pigs. Several studies using AMB in the late finishing period resulted in improved pig performance. A meta-analytic method used 13 studies (3 studies with ractopamine and 10 studies without) to determine the overall impact of AMB on average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion. The combined data were considered a randomized complete block design. Analysis of variance was completed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (9.4; Cary, NC) and least squares means were compared using Fisher’s least significant difference (P &lt; 0.05). In the analysis of 10 studies with no added ractopamine (73 pens/treatment of 5 to 10 pigs/pen and 48 pens/treatment of 17 to 20 pigs/pen), pigs provided AMB had higher average daily gain (0.90 vs 0.86 kg/d; P &lt; 0.05), increased average daily feed intake (2.99 vs 2.94 kg/d; P &lt; 0.05), and improved feed efficiency (0.30 vs 0.29 kg gain/kg feed intake; P &lt; 0.05) compared to pigs fed control diets. Additionally, when pigs were provided AMB in addition to ractopamine (3 studies; 33 pens/treatment of 18 to 22 pigs/pen), average daily gain was increased 4.7% (1.206 vs 1.152 kg/d; P &lt; 0.05) and feed efficiency was improved 5.3% (0.40 vs 0.38 kg gain/kg feed intake; P &lt; 0.05) compared to pigs provided only ractopamine, with no difference in feed intake. Pigs provided AMB in addition to ractopamine had increased hot carcass weight and dressing percentage (P &lt; 0.05) compared to those provided ractopamine alone. In conclusion, providing AMB to pigs in late finishing improved ADG and feed efficiency and the improvement was maintained when ractopamine was included in the diets.
PSXIII-24 Effect of wet versus dry feeding on digestibility, growing performance, carcass composition, and meat eating quality of finishing pigs
Authors: Vazquez Nestor Arce , Brenner Estela Garza 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding finishing pigs either dry (DF) feed (sorghum-soybean meal based diet; 16% CP, 3200 kcal ME/kg) or wet (WF; 1water:1DF) on digestibility, growing performance, carcass composition, and meat eating quality. Sixteen (Yorkshire-Landrace x Duroc) crossbred pigs (68.4 ± 2.4 kg initial BW) were individually housed and randomly assigned (4 barrows and 4 gilts) to the dietary treatments (n = 8) for five weeks. Feed was offered daily in two portions at 0800 and 1500 h. BW and feed intake were measured weekly to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Digestibility was measured on week 5 after quantitatively collecting fresh feces during 24 h. After slaughtering, carcass measurements were recorded, and chemical composition and eating quality was analyzed in samples of loin taken at 10th to 12th rib. Results were statistically analyzed with SPSS for a completely randomized design with 2 treatments and mean comparisons were performed using Tukey. Digestibility of DM, OM, and energy was greater (P &lt; 0.05) for DF than WF. Final BW (108.4 vs 101.9 kg) and ADG (1.043 vs. 0. 990 kg/d, respectively) was higher (P &lt; 0.05) for WF than DF. DF-fed pigs ate less at week 5 and had less G:F at week 3 than WF-fed pigs (P &lt; 0.05). Hot and cold carcasses and ham were heavier (P &lt; 0.05) in WF-fed pigs. Loin, rib, and shoulder weights were similar between treatments. Dietary treatment had no effect (P &gt; 0.05) on the protein, ash, and carbon content, water retention, and pH of meat. Values of hardness, and chewiness in the meat were lower (P &lt; 0.05) for pigs fed WF. In conclusion, finishing pigs fed WF had better growth performance, and heavier carcasses, but similar meat characteristics relative to pigs fed DF.
PSXIII-16 Comparison of models for prediction of pig body weight using features from an autonomous 3D computer vision system
Authors: Fernandes Arthur Francisco Araujo , Dorea João R R , Fitzgerald Robert , Herring William O 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Computer vision systems (CVS) have many applications in livestock, for example, they allow measuring traits of interest without the need for directly handling the animals, avoiding unnecessary animal stress. The objective in the current study was to devise an automated CVS for extraction of variables as body measurements and shape descriptors in pigs using depth images. These features were then tested as potential predictors of live body weight (BW) using a 5-fold cross validation (CV) with different modeling approaches: traditional multiple linear regression (LR), partial least squares (PLS), elastic networks (EL), and artificial neural networks (ANN). The devised CVS could analyze and extract features from a video fed at a rate of 12 frames per second. This resulted in a dataset with more than 32 thousand frames from 655 pigs. However, only the 580 pigs with more than 5 frames recorded were used for the development of the predictive models. From the body measures extracted from the images, body volume, area and length presented the highest correlations with BW, while widths and heights were highly correlated with each other (Figure 1). The results of the CV of the models developed for predictions of BW using a selected set of the more significant variables presented mean absolute errors (MAE) of 3.92, 3.78, 3.72, and 2.57 for PLS, LR, EN, and ANN respectively (Table 1). In conclusion, the CVS developed can automatically extract relevant variables from 3D images and a fully connected ANN with 6 hidden layers presented the overall best predictive results for BW.
Mitochondrial dynamics and interorganellar communication in the development and dysmorphism of mammalian oocytes
Authors: Udagawa Osamu , Ishihara Naotada 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMitochondria play many critical roles in cells, not only by supplying energy, but also by supplying metabolites, buffering Ca2+ levels and regulating apoptosis. During oocyte maturation and subsequent embryo development, mitochondria change their morphology by membrane fusion and fission, and coordinately undergo multiple cellular events with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) closely apposed. Mitochondrial fusion and fission, known as mitochondrial dynamics, are regulated by family members of dynamin GTPases. Oocytes in animal models with these regulators artificially altered exhibit morphological abnormalities in nearby mitochondria and at the ER interface that are reminiscent of major cytoplasmic dysmorphisms in human assisted reproductive technology, in which a portion of mature oocytes retrieved from patients contain cytoplasmic dysmorphisms associated with mitochondria and ER abnormal morphologies. Understanding organelle morpho-homeostasis in oocytes obtained from animal models will contribute to the development of novel methods for determining oocyte health and for how to deal with dysmorphic oocytes.
Biology and Management of Varroa destructor (Mesostigmata: Varroidae) in Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies
Authors: Roth Morgan A , Wilson James M , Tignor Keith R , Gross Aaron D 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Varroa mite (Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman) infestation of European honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies has been a growing cause of international concern among beekeepers throughout the last 50 yr. Varroa destructor spread from the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana Fabricius [Hymenoptera: Apidae]) to A. mellifera populations in Europe in the 1970s, and subsequently traveled to the Americas. In addition to causing damage through feeding upon lipids of larval and adult bees, V. destructor also facilitates the spread of several viruses, with deformed wing virus being most prevalent. Several sampling methods have been developed for estimating infestation levels of A. mellifera colonies, and acaricide treatments have been implemented. However, overuse of synthetic acaricides in the past has led to widespread acaricide resistant V. destructor populations. The application of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques is a more recent development in V. destructor control and is suggested to be more effective than only using pesticides, thereby posing fewer threats to A. mellifera colonies. When using IPM methods, informed management decisions are made based upon sampling, and cultural and mechanical controls are implemented prior to use of acaricide treatments. If acaricides are deemed necessary, they are rotated based on their mode of action, thus avoiding V. destructor resistance development.
Vegetal resources drive phylogenetic structure of phyllostomid bat assemblages in a Neotropical wetland
Authors: Silveira Maurício , Tomas Walfrido Moraes , Martins Clarissa de Araújo , Fischer Erich 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The consumption of fruits and floral resources, as core or complementary food items, occurs in 75% of phyllostomid species. If phylogenetically related bat species have similar plant species in their diets, then it is expected that vegetal resources composition influences the phylogenetic structure of phyllostomid assemblages. We ask here if the phylogenetic structure of phyllostomid assemblages is associated with vegetation structure and resources. Our results showed that proportions of plant sources consumed by phyllostomids in the Pantanal wetland have phylogenetic signal, and that variation of the available vegetal resources influences the phylogenetic structure of phyllostomid assemblages. Considering the availability of their principal food resources, the two major phyllostomid clades (Phyllostominae and Stenodermatinae) responded in opposite ways to the vegetal resources gradient, formed by plant species with distinct adaptations to inundation. Our results indicate that the use of different habitats based on variation of vegetal resources is the main driver of phylogenetic structure of phyllostomid assemblages in the Pantanal wetland.
O consumo de frutos e de recursos florais como itens principais ou complementares da dieta ocorre em 75% das espécies de filostomídeos. Se morcegos filogeneticamente mais próximos apresentam maior similaridade de espécies de plantas em suas dietas, espera-se que a composição de recursos vegetais influencie a estrutura filogenética das comunidades de filostomídeos. Perguntamos neste estudo se as comunidades de filostomídeos são filogeneticamente estruturadas em resposta à variação da disponibilidade de recursos e da estrutura da vegetação. Os resultados mostraram que a porcentagem de recursos vegetais consumidos pelos filostomídeos no Pantanal apresenta sinal filogenético, e que a variação da composição dos recursos disponíveis influencia a estrutura filogenética das comunidades. Em resposta à disponibilidade de seus principais recursos alimentares, os dois principais clados de filostomídeos (Phyllostominae e Stenodermatinae) respondem de forma oposta ao gradiente de composição de recursos vegetais, formado por espécies de plantas com diferentes adaptações à inundação. Nossos resultados indicam que o uso de diferentes hábitats, baseado na variação dos recursos vegetais, é o principal direcionador da estrutura filogenética das comunidades de filostomídeos no Pantanal.
THE FAILING FIRM DEFENSE—AN EQUITY-BASED APPROACH
Authors: Ayal Adi , Rotem Yaad 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The failing firm defense is used to allow a seemingly anti-competitive merger, when one of the parties is a financially distressed firm. The basic argument is that harm to competition will ensue regardless of the merger, while allowing it provides a preferable alternative, maintaining commercial activity and protecting employment. The problem with the failing firm doctrine lies in antitrust enforcement agencies making highly uncertain predictions regarding future states of competition and broadening their discretion to encompass non-competition-related goals. As a result, enforcement agencies are pushed to extremes, succumbing to either type I errors (enjoining mergers that should have been approved) or type II errors (approving mergers that should have been blocked). Legal history suggests that regulators are excessively risk-averse, rarely accepting the failing firm defense. This paper offers a novel approach which minimizes the costs of both types of errors. We argue that rather than merely approve of, or forbid, the merger, antitrust agencies should also consider a third possibility: approval of the merger under the condition that the Government receive a passive equity stake in the merged entity in proportion to the actual post-merger decrease in market competition. The decrease in competition and the subsequent dilution of incumbent equity holders is to be decided ex post facto by comparing the change in an agreed-upon measure before and after the merger, preferably over several time intervals. This approach transforms the ex ante complex and uncertain regulatory decision to a rather simple ex post measurement problem. The proposed solution also deters firms from post-merger exploitation of market power, while allowing the public to be compensated for any harm to competition caused by the merger. All this, while reducing the costs of administrating the regulatory process. Finally, our approach also allows consideration of various stakeholders’ interests beyond direct consumers, that is, employees and creditors of the financially distressed firm, as well as economy-wide interests and the interest of the public at large.