Beef quality traits of heifer in comparison with steer,bull and cow at various feeding environments

The present review has been focused largely on the sex type differences in beef quality among heifers, cows, steers and bulls in various feeding environments. Genetic groups, feeding systems and gender are the major factors that change carcass characteristics and fatty acid profiles of cattle. Studies identified that heifer beef has super characteristics in eating quality and a better healthy composition in fatty acids than steer, cow and bull. Diet influences the variation of fatty acid profile; particularly the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) interacts with breed and sex. Animals finished in pasture systems were reported to show better ratios of PUFA/ saturated fatty acids and n‐6/n‐3. Carcasses of roughage‐fed beef are lighter and have less marbling and lower quality grades but have higher cutability than carcasses of grain‐fed bulls. Heifers and cows are reported to deposit more fat than steers and bulls. Among males, lower production of testosterone by steers favors more fat thickness compared with bulls. Marbling greatly varies among cattle belonging to different sexes, and particularly, females have genetic makeup that efficiently controls deposition. The current review identified that heifers can be a premium beef brand, while steer beef currently take a large part of market share across the world.     

养殖模式对冬季商品肉鸭舍温湿指数的影响

选择1日龄健康樱桃谷SM3系商品代肉鸭18 490羽,随机分为网上(N组)和发酵床上(B组)2组进行饲养,监测冬季一个完全生长周期内(42d)鸭舍温度(T)、相对湿度(RH)及温湿指数(THI)变化,探讨不同养殖模式对商品肉鸭舍温湿指数的影响。结果表明:N组和B组舍内平均温度均明显高于平均气温;N组舍内温度全部高于B组,N组平均温度比B组高8.32℃,差异显著(P0.05)。N组和B组舍内相对湿度均明显高于室外;N组舍内平均相对湿度比B组高2.47%,无显著性差异(P0.05)。试验期N组有16d处于热应激状态,B组有6d处于冷应激状态。结果提示,在北方寒冷气候下网上供暖养殖模式能为商品肉鸭提供更舒适的温湿度条件。     

Interaction effect of whole wheat feeding and mannanoligosaccharides supplementation on growth performance,haematological indices and caecal microbiota of cockerel chicks

The interaction effect of whole wheat feeding and mannanoligosaccharides supplementation on growth performance, haematological indices and caecal microbiota of cockerel chicks were investigated using 250‐day‐old cockerel chicks previously reared for 7 days pre‐experimental period. Birds were fed with commercial chick mash during the pre‐experimental period. At the expiration of this period, 192 chicks were selected on weight equalization basis and assigned into 24 pens. Each treatment consisted of six pens, while each pen housed eight birds. Four wheat–soya bean‐based experimental diets were formulated in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of diets having two wheat forms (ground and whole wheat grain) each supplemented or not with 1 g/kg MOS/kg feed. Whole wheat feeding (irrespective of MOS supplementation) showed reduced (p < 0.05) feed intake. Birds fed whole wheat diet supplemented with MOS recorded the highest (p < 0.01) final live weight, weight gain and the best (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio. Haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and red blood cell count of the chicks were not affected (p > 0.05) by dietary treatment. However, dietary supplementation with MOS resulted in increased (p < 0.05) WBC counts. The caecum content of chicks fed with MOS‐supplemented whole wheat diets recorded the least (p < 0.01) salmonella counts. In conclusion, combination of whole wheat feeding and MOS supplementation showed improved growth performance, gut microbiota and indications of improved health status of cockerel chicks.     

影响猪采食行为的肠道微生物种类鉴别

动物主要通过采食来获取能量和所需营养物质,探索肠道菌群对猪采食行为的影响并研究其潜在的作用机制,可以为后续通过调控肠道菌群来改善猪采食提供理论基础。以210头商业杜洛克猪为研究对象,使用自动喂料器记录包括平均日采食时间(ADET)、平均日采食次数(ADEV)、平均日采食量(ADFI)等采食行为指标。140日龄时于肛门处收集粪便样品,通过16S rRNA基因V3-V4区测序获得试验猪肠道微生物结构与组成概况,采用Two-part模型以及共丰度组(CAGs)鉴别与猪采食行为相关的肠道微生物种类。结果显示：1)表型间相关性分析结果表明,ADET分别与ADEV(r=0.41,P<0.05)、RFI(r=0.32,P<0.05)呈显著正相关,ADFI分别与RFI(r=0.56,P<0.05)、平均日增重(ADG)(r=0.63,P<0.05)呈显著正相关,另外,RFI与背膘厚呈显著正相关(r=0.16,P<0.05)。2)CAGs分析中,主要包括瘤胃球菌科(Ruminococcaceae)、拟杆菌目(Bacteroidales)以及颤螺菌属(Oscillospira...     

Spatial disparities in neighborhood public tree coverage: Do modes of transportation matter?

Urban green space has various environmental and ecological benefits, and uneven access to such amenities has drawn substantial attention from policy makers in developing sustainable community planning. In this study, we illustrate the spatial distribution of publicly owned and maintained trees in Edmonton, Canada and assess neighborhoods’ heterogeneous tree availability by using the container approach. Through spatial regression models, we further investigate the association of neighborhood public tree availability with socio-economic status (SES). We contribute to the existing literature by taking resident modes of transportation into consideration, in addition to many other commonly examined SES such as household income and ethnicity. Another unique contribution of this study is that we distinguish trees planted on different location types (i.e., boulevard, park, and buffer areas) when exploring the unequal coverage across neighborhoods and among different SES groups. Key results include: (1) a general examination without differentiating location types can lead to misleading results and thus provide inappropriate policy recommendations; (2) resident modes of transportation is a critical factor associated with a neighborhood’s public tree coverage; and (3) there exists evident spatial dependence on public tree availability between neighborhoods. The results from this study provide important information to better understand the issue and to allocate public resource (such as tree coverage) more efficiently and effectively to support sustainable community development.     

自动化玉米移栽机送苗装置的研究

玉米是我国主要农作物之一,其生产效率与生产质量的好坏,直接关系着我国粮食安全。传统的玉米播种方式,不仅生产效率、作业质量和标准化程度均比较低,无法实现高效率全自动大面积玉米播种或者套种的实际需求。在新时期,随着城镇化进程加快,农村劳动力日益短缺,加上社会经济发展与科学技术的进步,为我国玉米移栽机自动化技术开发设计提供了必要的支撑条件。为此,对我国东北地区玉米试验田进行相关研究,就自动化玉米移栽机及其送苗装置技术的研发、设计进行探究,并重点阐述其基本工作原理。     

昆虫取食和剪叶刺激对油松针叶内部分防御物质的诱导效应

为了研究自然条件下昆虫取食及剪叶刺激对油松诱导抗性的影响,本试验应用香草醛—盐酸法,亚硝酸钠—硝酸铝比色法以及紫外分光光度法,分析了剪叶和不同程度油松毛虫取食处理后,混交林和纯林中油松针叶内部分次生代谢物和蛋白酶抑制剂活性的动态变化。结果表明:剪叶及不同程度油松毛虫取食能够诱导缩合单宁、黄酮含量和胰蛋白酶抑制剂、胰凝乳蛋白酶抑制剂活性增加。与对照相比,胰凝乳蛋白酶抑制剂在混交林中的活性比纯林更为明显。说明剪叶及昆虫取食可诱导增加油松针叶内的缩合单宁和黄酮含量、提高胰蛋白酶抑制剂和胰凝乳蛋白酶抑制剂的活性,进而增强油松的抗虫性,林分类型可在一定程度上影响油松诱导防御物质的变化。     

稻田土壤养分特性对不同耕作方式的生态响应

为深入了解耕作措施对稻田耕层土壤的作用效果,笔者在前人研究结果的基础上综述了免耕、翻耕等不同耕作方式对稻田土壤物理性质包括容重、孔隙度、团聚体、水分、温度,土壤化学性质如氮、磷、钾、有机质和微量元素含量以及土壤生物学特性包括微生物、酶活性的影响,分析了不同稻作措施的优缺点。最后对稻田耕层的合理调控提出因地制宜,依据当地的气候、土壤条件、栽培模式选择合理的耕作方式;合理轮耕,免耕、翻耕和旋耕交替运作;配施绿肥和有机肥;推行节水稻作模式等建议。     

秦岭南麓新分布小太平鸟迁徙期食性初步观察

2011-2013年冬季,作者采用分组全天跟踪的方法,调查小太平鸟迁徙期活动特征和食性。结果证明:小太平鸟冬季由北向南成群迁徙过程中,会在某个生境优良的区域停留取食9~15日、成群活动在树冠上部。小太平鸟在迁徙期停留区域取食植物果实种类有20种,有人工栽培树种果实,也有野生树种果实。今后应持续迁移路线、停歇地、种群动态监测。