The value of incorporating carcass trait phenotypes in terminal sire selection indexes to improve carcass weight and quality of heavy lambs

Genetic selection for carcass traits is paramount to maximize the profitability and long‐term sustainability of any meat‐producing livestock species. The main objectives of this research were to evaluate the efficiency of indicator traits for the genetic improvement of lamb carcass traits and to determine the value of including carcass traits into terminal sire selection indexes for the Canadian sheep industry. The carcass traits included hot carcass weight (HCW), fat depth at the GR site (FATGR) and average carcass conformation score (AVGCONF), and were measured on heavy lambs (slaughter age less than 365 days and HCW greater than 16.3 kg) in commercial abattoirs. Growth traits were found to be moderately efficient indicator traits for the genetic improvement of HCW but selection on ultrasound traits was necessary to substantially improve the carcass quality traits (FATGR and AVGCONF). Economic selection indexes were designed by adding various combinations of carcass traits into the Canadian Sheep Genetic Evaluation System terminal indexes. Records measured on individuals and progeny were assumed to be the sources of information for live animal and carcass traits, respectively. The changes in index accuracy, efficiency and expected correlated response were used to assess the value of their inclusion. HCW was found to have a large economic value, and its inclusion into terminal selection indexes was expected to substantially increase their accuracy (0.08–0.12 points) and efficiency (20%–30%). However, further including FATGR (measured 110 mm from the carcass midline over the 12th rib) and AVGCONF had little impact on the accuracy (≤0.03) and efficiency (1%–7%) of the proposed indexes. Thus, the inclusion of carcass traits into the existing terminal selection indexes could be beneficial for the genetic improvement of HCW, but further research is needed to determine optimal methods of increasing carcass fatness and muscularity.     

Effects of Dietary Crude Protein Levels on Growth Performance,Digestion and Metabolism,and Serum Biochemical Indexes of Super Merino Lamb

The experiment aimed to find out the effects of dietary crude protein levels on growth performance, digestion and metabolism and serum biochemical indexes of Super Merino lamb after weaning.According to the dietary crude protein level, 64 Super Merino weaned lambs were divided into four groups, which the crude protein levels were 13.25%(group Ⅰ), 14.33%(group Ⅱ), 15.53%(group Ⅲ) and 16.60%(group Ⅳ), respectively.The experiment lasted for 60 days, 30 days for the early stage and 30 days for the later stage;And on the 30th and 60th day, blood samples were collected from one head sheep chosen from each replication, and at the end of the feeding test, 3 lambs were randomly selected from each experiment group for a 15 days digestion and metabolism experiment.The results showed that ADFI and ADG in the early and total trial period were significant differences(P<0.05), ADFI and ADG of group Ⅲ were higher than others.The apparent digestibility of nutrients and ME/DE were not significantly changed(P>0.05).In the detection of serum biochemical indexes, there was no significant difference in the earlier stage(P>0.05);At the end of the test, PK and CK showed significant difference between groups(P<0.05).PK presented a rising trend as the protein level improved, CK of group Ⅰ was higher than other groups.In Super Merino lamb early weaning diet, 15.53% protein level in the diet could significantly improve ADG, the apparent digestibility of nutrients, metabolic energy digestibility.At the end of the test, PK and CK were affected by dietary crude protein level significantly.     

Assessment of the hip reduction angle for predicting osteoarthritis of the hip in the Labrador Retriever

Hip palpation has been used to provide semiquantitative information regarding passive joint laxity and susceptibility to hip dysplasia. The purpose of this study was to: (1) evaluate the intra- and inter-examiner repeatability of the hip reduction angle measured at 4 months of age by three examiners using manual goniometry and an electromagnetic tracking system; (2) compare the hip reduction angle measured with manual goniometry to the hip reduction angle measured with the electromagnetic tracking system; and (3) evaluate the hip reduction angle, distraction index and Ortolani manoeuvre at 4 months of age as predictors of the development of hip osteoarthritis at 12 months of age in 11 Labrador Retriever dogs. Intra- and inter-examiner repeatability was demonstrated for both the manual and electromagnetic goniometric measurement of the hip reduction angle (coefficient of variation < 4.3% and < 6.1%; and P = 0.163 and P = 0.836 respectively). The hip reduction angle measured by manual goniometry was moderately correlated to the hip reduction angle measured by the electromagnetic tracking system (r = 0.603, P < 0.0000). The hip reduction angle measured by manual and electromagnetic goniometry was a poor predictor of osteoarthritis at 12 months of age (r = 0.231, P < 0.062, and r = 0.321, P < 0.01). The distraction index was moderately correlated with the development of osteoarthritis by 12 months of age (r = 0.493, P < 0.0000). The Ortolani sign was sensitive (100%) but not specific (41%) for the development of osteoarthritis at 12 months of age. The hip reduction angle did not further quantify the Ortolani manoeuvre as a predictor of osteoarthritis in Labrador Retrievers.     

The effect of remifentanil infusion on sevoflurane minimum alveolar concentration–no movement (MACNM) and bispectral index in dogs

ObjectiveTo determine the effect of remifentanil infusion on the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane preventing movement (SEVOMAC_NM) and bispectral index (BIS) in dogs.Study designProspective, unmasked study.AnimalsA total of 10 adult Beagle dogs weighing 9.0 ± 1.1 kg.MethodsDogs were anesthetized with sevoflurane and baseline SEVOMAC_NM was determined. Remifentanil was infused at 5, 10 and 20 μg kg^–1 hour^–1, in sequence, with 20 minutes washout between infusions. Variables monitored throughout anesthesia included heart rate (HR), oscillometric blood pressure, end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide, end-tidal sevoflurane concentration (Fe′Sevo) and BIS. SEVOMAC_NM after remifentanil infusion (SEVOMAC_NM-REMI) determination started 20 minutes after the start of each infusion. Venous blood samples were collected for plasma remifentanil concentration determination at baseline, SEVOMAC_NM-REMI determination time points, and 20 minutes after each infusion was stopped. A mixed model analysis was used to determine the effect of remifentanil infusion on response variables. The relationships between BIS and Fe′Sevo, plasma remifentanil concentrations and the percentage decrease in baseline SEVOMAC_NM were evaluated (p < 0.05).ResultsThe overall SEVOMAC_NM at baseline was 2.47 ± 0.11%. Addition of remifentanil at all infusion rates significantly decreased SEVOMAC_NM, but the medium and high doses resulted in significantly greater decreases in SEVOMAC_NM than the lower dose. There was no difference in SEVOMAC_NM percentage change between infusions 10 and 20 μg kg^–1 hour^–1. Plasma remifentanil concentrations were significantly different in all infusion rates. Baseline BIS value was 70 ± 1 and was lower than the BIS values recorded during all remifentanil infusions. BIS values were not significantly different among infusion rates. HR was lower and mean arterial pressure was higher during remifentanil infusions than at baseline.Conclusions and clinical relevanceAll remifentanil infusions decreased SEVOMAC_NM in dogs. Remifentanil infusion at any rate studied did not reduce BIS values.     

Safeguarding Capability Index System of Regional Sustainable Development

According to the new requirement of sustainable development in the new stage, this paper puts forward the definition of the safeguarding capacity of regional sustainable development and uses some statistical methods of frequency statistics and principal component analysis to construct the index system of safeguarding capacity. Then it takes the data of the Three Gorges reservoir area for example to make empirical analysis, and provides efficient measurement tools to further measure the regional sustainability together with its safeguarding capacity, and therefore helps the government and the relevant organizations to establish more scientific policies of sustainable development.     

Real Estate Brand Evaluation

At present, in the evaluation process of the real estate value the material form is mainly concentrated on, while the value brought by the real estate brand are usually neglected. In this paper, considering the particularity of the real estate brand evaluation, the method of network analysis is adopted. In the evaluation process, the evaluation method of excess income law are developed by leading the thoughts and methods of the fuzzy set theory, and a systematic assess model is found. Then, an example is given as illustration. At last, the appraise about the application of the model is made.     

Analysis of Social Appraisal Index System in Public Project

The social evaluation theories of public project still have not been standardization today, and have effects on the process of the construction to city. One of the main reasons lays in that the index system, about the social evaluation theories of public project, connects with many fields, has many non-economic index and difficult in measuring the every index. This article is to mark off the main factors involved in social evaluation effectually, to set up index system of social evaluation practically, and to settle firm ground for methodology and theory of public project.     

Matter-element Evaluation Model on the Personal Credit of University Students Loan and It''s Application

This paper analyzes the current situation of university students' credit evaluation and set up an evaluation index system of university students' credit to compensate a loan.Based on this index system,this paper sets up a matter-element evaluation model on the individual credit of university students loan by means of extensible engineering method.The grade of individual credit and the index for evaluating the level of individual credit are made as matter-element,meanwhile,the classical field,the segment field,the weight coefficient are obtained.Dependence function is established based on the grade of individual credit and then the grade is judged by calculating the synthetic dependence degree.Finally,this paper presents the evaluation method by giving an example.This method is simple in calculation,reasonable in evaluation with high applicability.     

玉米免耕破茬室内试验装置的研究设计

通过对国内外玉米免耕播种机破茬防堵部件的对比研究,确定采用滚动式破茬犁刀研制出本试验装置,并进行了室内土槽中的实验。该装置测量准确、方便,为研制出适合我国北方垄作玉米免耕破茬防堵部件提供了技术数据。     

南方涝渍地综合整治开发效果的评价研究

以 2个示范区作为实例构建了一套对南方涝渍地实施以农业工程技术为基础的综合整治与建设后的效果进行评价的评价体系。该体系由工程效果、农业综合开发效果和综合效益等 3部分构成。在工程效果评价中 ,重点对工程实施后的抗灾减灾效果和代表经过改良后农田物理构架改变的“农田综合生产力指数 (IPI)”等二方面进行了分析。研究表明 ,该评价体系能比较全面、有重点地对涝渍地综合改良的实效做出评价。由于该体系实现了评价的数量化 ,使用该评价体系既利于对同一地区改良前后的效果做出对比分析、找出存在的问题 ,也利于对邻近不同地区的改良效果做出比较评价。对 2个示范区进行实际评价的结果表明 ,该地区的涝渍地综合整治开发效果良好 ,其第一期工程取得成功。