Predicting the patterns, perceptions and causes of human–carnivore conflict in and around Machiara National Park, Pakistan

Human–carnivore conflict is considered to be a major conservation and rural livelihood issue because many carnivore species have been heavily persecuted due to elevated conflict levels with communities. To mitigate such conflicts requires a firm understanding of their underlying patterns. This situation is epitomized in Pakistan, where carnivore populations have been greatly reduced, but where no research has investigated the conflict patterns of large carnivore guilds with humans. Focusing in and around Machiara National Park (MNP), Azad Jammu and Kashmir region, we conducted the first such scientific study in Pakistan. From January 2004 to May 2007, 148 people lost their livestock to four carnivore species. Leopard was responsible for the majority (90.6%) of the 363 livestock killed, mainly goats (57.3%) and sheep (27.8%). Information-theoretic evaluation of a candidate set of regression models found that leopard kills inside villages were significantly higher for areas without electricity, while leopard kills outside villages were higher for pastoralists with larger herds that were further from MNP, with no effect from several guarding strategies used. Temporal leopard attacks were significantly and positively related to temperature, but not to rainfall, for goat kills, but not for other livestock kills. While leopard kills caused the greatest overall financial loss (19.8%) amongst carnivores, which negatively affected local tolerance towards leopard, disease caused greater livestock losses (72.7%). To improve both large carnivore and local livelihood prospects around MNP and across rural Pakistan, conservation and development projects should install village electricity supplies and vaccinate livestock, while the cost-effectiveness of different conflict mitigation strategies should be trialed.     

Relaxant effect of aqueous extract of Cistus ladaniferus on rodent intestinal contractions

The effects of the aqueous extract of Cistus ladaniferus leaves and stems were studied on the rodent isolated jejunum. The extract produced a reversible concentration dose-dependent (0.1-3 mg/ml) inhibition of the spontaneous motility of the rabbit jejunum. The inhibitory effects of the extract were not affected by pretreatment with the inhibitors of the alpha and beta adrenergic receptors yohimbine, prazosin or propranolol. The extract also inhibited K(+)-induced contractions in rabbit and rat jejunum at a similar concentration range. This result suggests that the antispasmodic action of the extract is mediated through calcium channel blockade. The results confirm the traditional use of C. ladaniferus in treating intestinal ache.     

Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Ulva fasciata on Red Hybrid Tilapia Growth and Carcass Composition

Five different levels (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 g kg^?1) of algal (Ulva fasciata) meal were added to red tilapia feeds to examine its effect on growth and carcass biochemical content. Addition of ulva meal significantly improved growth performance, feed utilization, total crude protein content, and percentage of highly unsaturated fatty acids. Fish fed 75 g kg^?1 or 100 g kg^?1 of U. fasciata performed better than others.     

3个不同类型甜菜栽培品种的产量和品质

【目的】比较鉴别3个不同类型甜菜品种的产量和品质,以期为在农业产业中的应用提供参考。【方法】分别于2008～2009、2009～2010年度,在埃及Kafer El-Sheikh省（北三角洲）Sakha试验站对分属于3种不同形态分化类型E（Ertrag）、Z（Zucker）和N（Normal）的每4个甜菜栽培品种进行两个田间试验。【结果】E类型甜菜的平均块根重和块根产量显著高于Z和N类型的,但Z类型的转光度（蔗糖分）、出糖率（可榨出糖百分比）、回收率最高,而杂质和糖蜜糖最低。此外,糖产量是产量和品质两方面结合的结果,在3个甜菜类型中,糖产量以Farida最高、Lp11最低。此外,在2个年度的试验中,3个类型的每费丹（4200m。）糖产量均以Farida（E类型）、Glereos（Z类型）和Kawemira（N类型）3个品种最高。【结论】在所有甜菜类型中,N类型甜菜品种的块根产量和糖含量在所有类型表现居中,种植此类型甜菜品种,可使农民和糖厂都获得较大的利益。     

Enhancing Wheat Production Under Arid Climate Stresses Using Bio-Elicitors

Arid climate has contributed to crops yield production decrement in many regions due to water shortage and soil salinization. The main target of this research is to enhance wheat production under arid climate stresses by utilizing bio-elicitors. Two common wheat assortments i.?e. cv. Gemmiza 10 and Sakha 93 accomplished tolerant to these stresses utilizing bio elicitors include Acremonium coenophiulum, Streptomyces griseus, Trichoderma harzanium, T. viride, Rhodotorula glutinis, Paenibacillus polymyxa, Bacillus subtilis, B. megaterium, Pseudomonas putida, P. fluorescens compared with natural elicitors as methyl jasmonate (MJ), chitosan (CHI), ascorbic acid and putrescein (PUT). Varieties were planted in two progressive seasons in recently reclaimed lands, where two fields were selected the first is located in North Sinai while the second is situated to the south of Behira Governorate. Bio elicitors reduced abiotic stress and enhance physiological characteristic expressed as Proline, soluble carbohydrates %, Chl.a, Chl.b, Chl.a + b; Chl.a/Chl.b; Carotenoids and increased the concentration of Crude protein, N, P and total soluble carbohydrates in wheat grains. Using P. fluorescens exhibted increment in grain yield of wheat plants, cv sakha 93 amounted by 68.3% in Sinai region, while in Behira region the increement reached (45.5%) with P. polymyxa treatment. The response of Gemmiza 10 variety to the Bio-elicitors was less compared to Sakha 93 variety in both regions, where the highest increments due to P. putida treatment were18.9 and 19.7% in Sinai and beheirwa regions, respectively, compared to the control in each region. A remarkable increments of wheat growth, development and extended survival under salt and water limiting and restricting conditions. These findings demonstrate that wheat plants can display improved stress tolerance through bio-elicitors, and recommend that innovation may be useful in reducing effects of climate change and environmental stress on other crops and expanding agricultural production onto marginal lands.     

Expression of hLAMP‐1‐Positive Particles During Early Heart Development in the Chick

Heart development requires coordinated activity of various factors, the disturbance of which can lead to congenital heart defects. Heart lectin‐associated matrix protein‐1 (hLAMP‐1) is a matrix protein expressed within Hensen's node at Hamburger–Hamilton (HH) stage 4, in the lateral mesoderm by HH stages 5–6 and enhanced within the left pre‐cardiac field at HH stage 7. At HH stages 15–16, hLAMP‐1 expression is observed in the atrioventricular canal and the outflow tract. Also, the role of hLAMP‐1 in induction of mesenchyme formation in chick heart has been well documented. To further elucidate the role of this molecule in heart development, we examined its expression patterns during HH stages 8–14 in the chick. In this regard, we immunostained sections of the heart during HH stages 8–14 with antibodies specific to hLAMP‐1. Our results showed prominent expression of hLAMP‐1‐positive particles in the extracellular matrix associated with the pre‐cardiac mesoderm, the endoderm, ectoderm as well as neuroectoderm at HH stages 8–9. After formation of the linear heart tube at HH stage 10, the expression of hLAMP‐1‐stained particles disappears in those regions of original contact between the endoderm and heart forming fields due to rupture of the dorsal mesocardium while their expression becomes confined to the arterial and venous poles of the heart tube. This expression pattern is maintained until HH stage 14. This expression pattern suggests that hLAMP‐1 may be involved in the formation of the endocardial tube.     

Combined effect of deficit irrigation and potassium fertilizer on physiological response,plant water status and yield of soybean in calcareous soil

A 2-year field experiment (2013 and 2014) was conducted in calcareous soil (CaCO₃ 19.2%), on soybean grown under three irrigation regimes 100%, 85% and 70% of crop evapotranspiration combined with three potassium (K₂O) levels (90, 120 and 150 kg ha^?1). The objective was to investigate the complementary properties of potassium fertilizer in improving soybean physiological response under water deficit. Plant water status (relative water content RWC, chlorophyll fluorescence F_v/F₀ and F_v/F_m), had been significantly affected by irrigation or/and potassium application. Potassium improved growth characteristics (i.e. shoot length, number, leaf area and dry weight of leaves) as well as physiochemical attributes (total soluble sugars, free proline and contents of N, P, K, Ca and Na). Yield and yield water use efficiency (Y-WUE) were significantly affected by irrigation and potassium treatments. Results indicated that potassium application of 150 and 120 kg ha^?1 significantly increased seed yield by 29.6% and 13.89%, respectively, compared with 90 kg ha^?1 as average for two seasons. It was concluded that application of higher levels of potassium fertilizer in arid environment improves plant water status as well as growth and yield of soybean under water stress.     

Efficacy of dog-appeasing pheromone (DAP) for ameliorating separation-related behavioral signs in hospitalized dogs

Dogs hospitalized in veterinary clinics are likely to show signs of separation-induced anxiety from hospitalization. The study assessed the effect of dog-appeasing pheromone (DAP) on 10 typical separation-related behavioral signs in hospitalized dogs. A DAP treated group (n = 24) was compared with a placebo control group (n = 19). There was overall amelioration of the signs without ‘vigilance’ and ‘anorexia’ in the DAP-treated dogs; marked decreases were noted in elimination (P = 0.038), excessive licking (P = 0.005), and pacing (P = 0.017). The results suggest that the use of DAP could decrease separation-induced anxiety, distress, and fear in inpatients, and possibly facilitate recovery in hospitalized dogs.     

Desmotomy of the Accessory Ligament of the Deep Digital Flexor Tendon in Horses: An Update

Desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon is advocated to allow for lengthening of the deep digital flexor musculotendinous unit and axial realignment of the bones of the digit. This procedure has several indications. It can be performed using either the open or the minimally invasive surgical approach. This article describes both surgical approaches. Corrective shoeing before surgery contributes to success in both surgical approaches. The cosmetic results obtained after the minimally invasive procedure are much better as compared with those after the open surgical procedure. The minimally invasive approach compares favorably with results reported after using an open surgical approach and offers the advantages of minimally invasive surgery including reduced incision length, reduced morbidity, and improved cosmetic outcome. The minimally invasive approach may be also performed on the standing sedated horse.     

On-farm evaluation of measures to monitor and control soybean pod-borer Etiella zinckenella in East Java,Indonesia

The incidence levels of moths and larvae of Etiella zinckenella were studied in the reproductive stage of soybean at eight farmers' field sites. A positive relationship was found between moths, caught by sweeping during flowering and pod-formation, and seed damage. Hence, rough predictions of damage can be made based on moth catches. Damage incidence was recorded in unsprayed plots and in plots sprayed with deltamethrin during flowering and pod-formation. Spraying did not affect the densities of moths and larvae or damage to pods and seeds. Larvae of H. armigera, Spodoptera litura and Plusiinae were not affected by spraying, but the pod-sucking bug Riptorus linearis, and two groups of predators, spiders and coccinellids, were reduced.