Effects of Acclimate™ on the frequency and duration of aggressive sequence and growth performance in co-mingled, weaned pigs

Co-mingling weaned pigs often results in aggressive behavior which can result in injury and reduced performance. This experiment examined the effect of Acclimate™, a product reported to reduce equine aggression, on weaned pig aggression and growth performance. Weanling pigs (n=214, avg. wt.=5.93 kg) were blocked by weight, sex and litter (n=25) and randomly assigned to either Acclimate™ treatment or a control group. Acclimate™ treated pigs were marked on the nose, face and neck. Pigs were individually identified and videotaped to determine frequency of aggressive sequence (FAS) and duration of aggression (DOA) on an individual pig basis. Pig weights and feed consumption were used to determine feed intake, total weight gain (TWG), average daily gain (ADG) and feed to gain ratio (F/G). Differences between litter, sex and treatment for FAS, DOA, F/G and ADG were tested using GLM, SAS. Neither Acclimate™ treatment or sex had a significant effect on FAS, TWG or F/G. However, there was a trend towards reduced duration and intensity of aggression in Acclimate™ treated pigs (p=0.1). There was a significant effect of litter (p<0.01) and TWG (p<0.001) on FAS at both 1 and 3 weeks. Acclimate™ treatment of weaned pigs does not decrease FAS, but may decrease the intensity and duration of aggression without negatively effecting growth.     

The Biology of the Larger Grain Borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

After about 25 years of intensive research a substantial moment of information has accumulated on the basic biology of Prostephanus truncatus in stored products. This article reviews the literature on the geographical distribution, biotypes, symbiotic associations, mating and flight behaviour, oviposition, and development on both agricultural and non-agricultural hosts. The current knowledge about the nutritional biology (including the role of symbionts) and host finding behaviour (including the inter-linked roles of plant chemicals and the insect's own pheronones) are highlighted as research areas which deserve future attention. In addition, few studies have been conducted to determine the extent to which the biology of P. truncatus permits it to survive and reproduce in non-agricultural environments. These areas of study should be pursued as possible routes to providing more effective integrated pest managements strategies for the larger grain borer.     

Predicting effective doses for the joint action of two fungicide applications

A function was derived to predict fungicide efficacy when more than one application of a single active ingredient is made to a crop, given parameters describing the dose–response curves of the component single-spray applications. In the function, a second application is considered to act on that proportion of the total pathogen population which was uncontrollable at the time of the first application (represented by the lower asymptote of the dose–response curve for the first treatment), plus any additional part of the population which survived the first application as a result of a finite dose being applied. Data to estimate the single-spray dose–response curve parameters and validate predictions of two-spray programme efficacy were obtained from separate subsets of treatments in four field experiments. A systemic fungicide spray was applied to wheat at a range of doses, at one or both of two times (t₁ and t₂), in all dose combinations. Observed values of the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) for septoria leaf blotch (Mycosphaerella graminicola) were used to construct response surfaces of dose at t₁ by dose at t₂ for each culm leaf layer. Parameters were estimated from single-spray and zero-dose treatment data only. The model predicted a high proportion (R² = 71–95%) of the variation in efficacy of the two-spray programmes. AUDPC isobols showed that the dose required at t₂ was inversely related to the dose at t₁, but the slope of the relationship varied with the relative timings of t₁ and t₂ in relation to culm leaf emergence. Isobols were curved, so the effective dose – the total dose required to achieve a given level of disease suppression – was lower when administered as two applications.     

Functional analysis of the 3′ end of avrBs3/pthA genes from two Xanthomonas species

The phytopathogens Xanthomonas oryzae pathovar (pv.) oryzae and Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri each contain several avrBs3/pthA family genes. Structural features of these genes important for avirulence and/or virulence functions include a central region of multiple direct repeats and three nuclear localization signals (NLSs) and an acidic activation domain (AAD) at the 3′ end. To identify other regions critical to function in the 3′ ends of these genes, we constructed several chimeras using apl1 and apl2 from X. axonopodis pv. citri and avrXa10 and avrXa7 from X. oryzae pv. oryzae and evaluated their functions by inoculation to citrus and rice. The apl1 and avrXa7 genes are major virulence determinants in citrus and rice, respectively, while the contributions of apl2 and avrXa10 to virulence are negligible or not measurable. Constructs that contained a 417 bp HincII-SphI fragment from the 3′ end of apl1 in combination with the repeats from avrXa7, avrXa10, and apl1 caused a canker phenotype on citrus. Interchange of the HincII-SphI fragment between avrXa7 and avrXa10 abolishes avrXa7 avirulence function and reduces its virulence but it does not affect avrXa10 avirulence function in rice. avrXa7 caused a hypersensitive response (HR) in citrus and replacement of it's 3′ end with that of apl1 resulted in loss of canker and induction of HR. Thus, the HincII-SphI fragment of the avrBs3/pthA gene family is important for avirulence and virulence functions in two different plant species, Oryza sativa and Citrus natsudaidai HAYATA.     

黑杨萎蔫枝叶对棉铃虫生殖行为的影响

研究了黑杨(Populus nigra)萎蔫枝叶及其气味对棉铃虫成虫的隐藏部位、产卵部位、交配率及产卵量等的影响，并对黑杨萎蔫枝把在田间诱集到的棉铃虫雌蛾进行了解剖观察。结果表明，在田间，黑杨萎蔫枝把诱集到的棉铃虫93．3％已经交配。在气候箱中，放置黑杨萎蔫枝叶的环境中配对饲养的棉铃虫，经过1个暗期和2个暗期后，其交配率与对照环境中的均无显著差异。在光期开始时，有51．5％的成虫隐藏在饲养笼内所设置的黑杨叶子圆片下，对照纱布圆片下仅有16．7％。叶子圆片所在区域的日平均落卵量显著大于对照区。黑杨萎蔫枝叶及其气味对棉铃虫的产卵前期、产卵持续期、成虫寿命和产下50％的卵所用的时间无显著影响，但饲养笼内有黑杨枝把或黑杨叶片气味存在时，棉铃虫的产卵量比模拟枝把和对照显著提高。     

波尔山羊与关中奶山羊发情行为对比观察

本文通过对两个引进品种——波尔山羊与关中奶山羊发情行为比较观察,结果发现,波尔山羊发情期三个阶段,发情初期、发情末期,尤其在发情盛期的行为没有关中奶山羊的明显,发情持续时间为26.00±8.98hr,短于关中奶山羊的40.93±8.39hr(P<0.0.1)。公羊试情结合阴道检查是准确鉴定波尔山羊发情的主要方法。本研究还提出在培育、引进或利用波尔山羊品种时,应兼顾繁殖性能的建议。     

肉仔鸡生长过程中行为与产热的变化

研究肉仔鸡成长过程中行为变化对产热量的影响 ,将 2日龄肉仔鸡 36只分为自由摄食、 50 %摄食和绝食 3组进行观测。立位行为集中在明期 ,特别是摄食 30min前后 ,暗期几乎没有出现立体行为。 2日龄时 ,每天约有 70 0min是立位的 ,其后 ,随着日龄的增加而减少。在自由采食区 ,公雏比母雏摄食时间长。 50 %摄食区较自由采食区的摄食时间少。在绝食区 ,随着日龄的增加 ,公母的立位时间呈现减少倾向。 2 1日龄之前随着日龄的增加其摄食时间也增加 ,其后呈现相反倾向。产热 (HP ,kJ/kg0 75)与摄食时间有相同倾向。在 2 1日龄前公雏的HP比母雏低 ,2 1日龄后母雏比公雏低。 1天中各个区的HP活动规律是摄食后 1h内最高 ,暗期降低 ;限制摄食量后 ,HP降低 ,明期和暗期的HP差也随之减小     

二化螟在茭白上的钻蛀行为及其防治方法

研究了二化螟在茭白植株上的转移、钻蛀和产卵行为以及取食选择性,并根据其行为特性,制订合理的药剂喷施方法.结果表明,二化螟90%以上的卵产在茭白的叶片上,其余部分产在叶鞘上.产卵的主要叶位是心叶、倒一叶和倒二叶.超过50%的卵块集中在叶片距叶枕0～60cm的部位.幼虫孵化后,蚁螟蛀入的部位一般在叶枕以下的叶鞘内侧,多集中于倒四、倒五叶鞘.2龄后开始钻蛀内侧叶鞘,并蛀入茭白茎的内芯,二化螟幼虫在茭白植株上通常从叶片转移到叶鞘进行钻蛀危害.幼虫嗜食茭白茎部,其次为茭白果肉和叶鞘,对叶片几乎不取食.使用叶鞘喷施杀虫可达到对茭白进行全株喷雾同样的防治效果,并可节省40%～50%的用药量,经济和生态效益十分明显.     

棉花调亏灌溉的生理基础研究

以盆栽棉花为材料,通过苗期和现蕾期不同程度的亏水处理(低、中、高三个水平),对调亏灌溉节水效应及生理机制进行了研究。结果表明:适时适度的水分亏缺可使植株旺盛的营养生长得以有效控制,株型和根冠比都更为理想。调亏期间,蒸腾速率和气孔导度都明显下降,而光合速率下降不明显,复水后光合速率和气孔导度明显恢复且接近或高于对照;此外,水分亏缺不仅影响棉桃的数量,而且影响单果重。表明适度的亏水处理可使水分利用效率明显提高,而经济产量接近或高于对照,同时节水20%以上。     

Analysis of blood biochemistry and arterial blood gas of systemic inflammatory response syndrome in the early time after trauma

AIM: To explore the variation of blood biochemistry and arterial blood gas of patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in the early time after trauma and improve the diagnosis and first aid. METHODS: Eighty-eight patients with trauma from August 2003 to February 2004 were divided into two groups by their AIS-ISS90 score. The data of temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, white blood cell counts, Hb, blood glucose and arterial blood gas (PaO₂, PaCO₂, HCO₃^-, AG) were collected and compared with each group by statistic methods. RESULTS: Of the 88 patients, 49 underwent SIRS, 12 in light trauma group (ISS≥16) and 37 in severe trauma group (ISS<16). Compared with light trauma group, the data of pulse, respiratory rate, white blood cell counts, blood glucose, AG and rate of SIRS of severe trauma group were higher, PaO₂ and HCO₃^- were lower and the cases of PaCO₂>45 mmHg or <35 mmHg were more (P<0.01). The data of temperature and Hb had not significant difference between two groups (P>0.05). 13 patients had MODS in severe trauma group and 2 died while none had MODS or died in light trauma group. CONCLUSION: Application of AIS-ISS90 and SIRS-related blood biochemistry and arterial blood gas is beneficial for the diagnosis and treatment of patients in the early time after trauma.