Comparative study on dietary protein requirements for juvenile and pre‐adult gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio var. CAS III)

Two 8‐week growth trials were conducted in indoor recirculation system to evaluate the protein requirements for juvenile (3.70 ± 0.20 g) and pre‐adult (85.2 ± 0.70 g) gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio var. CAS III. Six isoenergetic diets were formulated for each trial using fish meal and casein as protein sources, and protein level was 250–450 g kg^?1 in Trial 1 and 200–450 g kg^?1 in Trial 2. With the increasing dietary protein, feeding rate (FR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Weight gain (WG) increased first and then reached a plateau in 330–450 g kg^?1 in Trial 1 (P > 0.05), while decreased after the maximum value in 350 g kg^?1 in Trial 2 (P < 0.05). Productive protein values (PPVs) were lower in 370–450 g kg^?1 in Trial 1 and 400–450 g kg^?1 in Trial 2 (P < 0.05). Increasing dietary protein level increased protein content and decreased lipid content in whole fish body and white muscle (P < 0.05). Apparent digestibility coefficient of dry matters (ADC_d) decreased, while apparent digestibility coefficient of protein (ADC_p) increased in 370–450 g kg^?1 in Trial 1 and 250–450 g kg^?1 in Trial 2 (P < 0.05). Trypsin activity significantly increased in 370–450 g kg^?1 in Trial 1 (P < 0.05) and was not affected in Trial 2 (P > 0.05). Hepatic alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities in both trials increased when dietary protein was above 400 g kg^?1 (P < 0.05). Based on quadratic regression of WG, it was estimated that dietary protein requirement for maximum growth was 414 g kg^?1 (digestible protein of 376 g kg^?1) and 365 g kg^?1 (digestible protein of 324 g kg^?1) for juvenile (3.70 g) and pre‐adult gibel carp (85.2 g).     

Technical efficiency of different farm sizes for tilapia farming in China

China is the world's largest tilapia producer. This study uses the stochastic frontier function in the Cobb–Douglas model to evaluate a production frontier for tilapia aquaculture and analyses the relationship between farm size and production efficiency in China. A random sample of 300 tilapia farmers was surveyed in the main tilapia‐producing areas to study their economic efficiencies. The percentage distribution of tilapia farm technical efficiency was determined, with an average efficiency of 79%, which showed that the sample tilapia farmers operate at 21% below the production frontier and hence that they still have a chance to achieve targeted yields. The technical efficiencies of two categories (≤1 ha and >1 ha) were 78.82% and 79.27% respectively. A second‐stage analysis investigated the relationship between farm size and technical efficiency and showed a positive relationship between farm size and production efficiency based on the ordinary least‐squares model. The optimal farm size was found to be 7.50 ha. This study proposes strategies such as enlarging the farming scale moderately, thereby achieving the advantage of economies of scale, and enhancing the competitiveness of the tilapia industry in China.     

Physico‐chemical characterization and in vitro digestibility of commercial feeds used in weaning of marine fish

Six different commercial feeds used in weaning and postweaning of marine fish were analysed from the perspective of some of their main physico‐chemical features and in vitro digestibility. While the range of particle sizes in dry state closely agreed to those claimed by the producing companies, dramatic changes were observed after suspension in water. Sedimentation rates measured in some of the feeds with higher particle sizes may be too high to ensure intake by young fish. The label claims of the products overestimate the amount of total protein but underestimate that of lipids. The analysis of amino acid profiles evidenced important differences in total amino acid composition between feeds of the same company but a great similitude in the profile of free amino acids (FAA). The evaluation of leaching evidenced that the fraction of FAA, which represented <2% of dry matter of the feeds, is quickly released in water, acting mainly as attractants. The in vitro digestibility assay evidenced significant differences in the bioaccessibility of the nitrogen fraction in some of the feeds by the digestive proteases of the sea bream (Sparus aurata).     

A meta‐analysis of the effects of dietary marine oil replacement with vegetable oils on growth,feed conversion and muscle fatty acid composition of fish species

The effects of the replacement of marine oils (MO) with canola oil (CO), linseed oil (LO) and soybean oil (SO) on growth, feed conversion and major muscle fatty acid (FA) classes were quantified using a meta‐analysis of published results. There was an absence of relationships between levels of MO replaced and effect sizes for all outcomes. High heterogeneity when combining effects sizes according to fixed effects models imposed the stratification of values in MO replacement categories and the use of random effect models to calculate the summary statistics. Limited values at 50% and 60% hampered clear tendencies when compared to 100% MO replacement. A medium mean effect size (?0.3773, 95% confidence intervals = ?0.7325 to ?0.0222, n = 22) for growth was obtained when replacing all MO with CO, whereas LO (?1.5609, 95% confidence intervals = ?2.3584 to ?0.7633, n = 19) and SO (?1.0589, 95% confidence intervals = ?1.7197 to ?0.3980, n = 22) resulted in high negative effect sizes. This study quantified the extent of differences in production parameters caused by dietary MO replacement with VO and could serve as reference for future experimental studies.     

How much variation in tree mortality is predicted by soil and topography in Central Amazonia?

Tree mortality in Amazonia has been related to regional variation in soil, topography and climatic disturbances, but the magnitude of the effect of these factors on tree mortality at local and mesoscales remains poorly determined. We investigated tree mortality in 72 1-ha permanent plots spanning 64 km² of tropical moist forest in Reserva Ducke, Manaus, Brazil. Plots were censused three times (2000-2003, 2003-2005, and 2005-2008), resulting in two census intervals. The relationships of soil and topography to tree mortality were dependent on tree size. Small- and medium-sized trees (1 ? dbh < 30 cm) had similar relationships of mortality with soil and topography, while large trees (dbh ? 30 cm) showed different (or no) relationships. The effects of soil and topography on tree mortality also varied temporally. In the second census interval after storms, soil and topography explained about one-fourth of the spatial variation in mortality of small- and medium-sized trees (<30 cm dbh), whereas no effects were detected in the first census interval. In particular, soil fertility was the most important predictor of tree mortality in the study area. Topography alone (altitude and slope) was associated with only 12% of the spatial variation in tree mortality and the magnitude of the effect of soil and topography on tree mortality also increased after storms. In general, plots on more fertile soils, on steep slopes and sandy soils in valleys showed greater tree mortality than those on plateau with well-drained clayey soils. Therefore, disturbance history and tree size should be included when scaling up tree mortality from local to regional scales. As much variation remains unexplained, other landscape features, such as watershed morphology and wind exposure, may be necessary to make more precise predictions on patterns of tree mortality in Central Amazonia.     

陇东绒山羊生后期生长发育规律的观测及分析

试验测定了陇东绒山羊生长发育规律。结果表明：陇东绒山羊在哺乳期生长发育快,日增重高,6月龄公母羊体质量分别为14．37kg和13．23kg,是出生时的6．3倍和5．8倍,日增重分别为67．05g和60．83g,公羊生长发育速度快于母羊,差异不显著（P〉0．05）;周岁公母羊体质量分别为18．52kg和17．94kg,日增重分别为23．06g和26．17g,母羊生长发育速度快于公羊,差异不显著（P〉0．05）;2岁公母羊体质量分别为29．45kg和23．84kg,日增重分别为29．95g和16．16g,公羊生长速度快于母羊,差异显著（P〈0．05）;成年公母羊体质量分别为33．77kg和24．01kg,日增重分别为11．58g和0．47g,公羊生长速度快于母羊,差异极显著（P〈0．01）;成年以后,公母羊体尺体质量指标均有所下降。因此,应抓好各年龄阶段特别是哺乳期及育成期的饲养管理,以保证和充分发挥绒山羊的生产性能。     

Effects of fractions of coal-derived humic substances on seed germination and growth of seedlings (Lactuga sativa and Lycopersicum esculentum)

Summary Lettuce and tomato seeds were treated in Petri dishes with a humic acid derived from an oxidized coal and with fractions of the same humic acid obtained by ultrafiltration through membranes of known molecular cutoff and by extracting with buffers set at pH 4 and pH 5. The unfractionated humic acid was applied at 40, 100, 1000, and 5000 mg l^-1 whereas the humic fractions were applied at 40, 100, and 200 mg l^-1. Germination parameters such as the number of total germinated seeds, the velocity of seed germination, the fresh weight and dry weight of total seedlings were measured and related to the chemical and physicochemical properties of the humic material. No increase in the germination percentage or the germination rate was observed for either lettuce or tomato seeds. The fresh weight of total seedlings and per seedling increased in treatments with unfractionated humic acid with increasing concentrations for both lettuce and tomato plants without showing signs of growth inhibition up to 5000 mg l^-1. This was attributed to cell elongation and more efficient water uptake. For the lettuce, the fresh weight both of total seedlings and per seedling was enhanced by treating the seeds with fractions of low molecular weight and high content of acidic functions, whereas the dry weight both of total seedlings and per seedling did not change with the humic fraction used. For the tomato seeds in contrast, the dry weight both of total seedlings and per seedling was increased by the use of unfractionated humic acid and by some of the humic fractions. An uptake of humic material by growing tomato seedlings was inferred.     

Variations in Soil Physical Properties in a Cleared Forestland Continuously Cultivated for Seven Years in Eastern Nsukka,Nigeria

In this study, soil physical properties were evaluated in the top 40 cm of cleared forestland that had been subjected to continuous cultivation for 7 years to ascertain selected crop or crop combinations that influenced the soil physical properties the most. There was no significant effect of crop treatment on particle‐size distributions over 6 years of cultivation. In year 7, clay values were significantly (p = 0.05) greater in plots grown with solely cassava (SC) and solely maize (SM) than in the plots grown with solely pigeon pea (SP). The soil depth effects over the 7 years were significant on the clay content. The mean values of bulk density, pore‐size distribution, and hydraulic conductivity obtained from each plot fluctuated over the years. The bulk density values in 1998 ranged from 1.29 to 1.43 g cm³, but from 1999 to 2004, the range was from 1.12 to 1.40 g cm³. Thus, bulk density generally decreased when compared with their respective values in 1998. The greatest decrease of ≈ 22% was in 2000. More than 70% of the macroporosity values were significantly less than their respective values in 1998. The greatest decease of 72% was obtained from SM plots in 2001. All the microporosity were significantly more than the 1998 values. All the increases were >100% of the original values. These increases were reflected in the variations of total and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) values. However, in 2004, Ks values decreased in the plots grown to C + P, SP, and SM. Generally, the C + M + P mixture appeared to be the most consistent in improving micro‐ and total porosities and Ks among the crop treatments.     

北京鸭和樱桃谷鸭填饲条件下脂肪沉积性能比较

试验对相同方式填饲的北京鸭和樱桃谷鸭的脂肪沉积性能进行了比较,结果表明填饲北京鸭的腹脂重极显著大于填饲樱桃谷鸭(P<0.01),皮脂厚和皮脂重略大于樱桃谷鸭,差异不显著。填饲北京鸭的皮脂率、腹脂率均大于樱桃谷鸭达到极显著水平(P<0.01)。填饲条件下,北京鸭的胸肉粗脂肪、总脂肪酸百分含量均高于樱桃谷鸭,差异不显著;北京鸭的脂肪酸C22∶0的百分含量高于樱桃谷鸭达到极显著水平(P<0.01),不饱和脂肪酸C14∶1、C24∶1 C22∶6的百分含量北京鸭显著高于樱桃谷鸭(P<0.05);其余各类脂肪酸含量两品种间差异不显著。     

BiFeO3-SrBi2Nb2O9陶瓷的表征及复阻抗研究

对单相层状钙钛矿结构的xBiFeO3-(1-x)SrBi2Nb2O9(x=0,0.1)陶瓷进行了表征和复阻抗分析。结果表明,BiFeO3的掺入降低了SBN的烧结温度,陶瓷晶粒尺寸减小,致密度提高;在较高温度时,SBFN的电学响应主要来源于晶粒效应,而SBN的电学响应则是晶粒效应、晶界效应和电极与介质界面效应的共同作用。