Effects of music stimulus on behavior response,cortisol level,and horizontal immunity of growing pigs

An enriched environment is widely used to improve domestic animals’ welfare and promote their natural behaviors. Music can reduce abnormal behavior in humans, nonhuman primates, and rodents. However, little is known about the effects of music on pigs. This study aims to explore the effects of repeated music stimulation on the behavior, physiology, and immunity of growing pigs. A total of 72 hybrid piglets (Large White × Duroc × Minpig) were randomly divided into three groups, including music (Mozart K.448, 60 to 70 dB), noise (recorded mechanical noise, 80 to 85 dB), and control (natural background sound, <40 dB), and 6 h sound stimulation was given per day (1000 to 1600 hours) from 40 to 100 d of age. The behavioral activities of the pigs were observed during the music stimulation, and their serum cortisol, salivary cortisol, and serum immune indices were also measured. Compared with the control group, the music group and noise group increased activity but decreased lying of pigs (P < 0.05). A significant increase in tail-wagging, playing, and exploring behaviors of pigs was found in the music group (P < 0.05), and the noise significantly increased the aggressive behavior of the pigs (P < 0.05). Tail-wagging, playing, exploring, manipulating, and aggressive behaviors decreased over time. Short-term (8 d) music stimulus had a lower cortisol level than that of the noise and control groups (P < 0.05), whereas long-term (60 d) music stimulus increased immunoglobulin G (IgG), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels (P < 0.05) and decreased interleukin-4 (IL-4) level (P < 0.05). Long-term noise stimulus significantly reduced the level of IgG (P < 0.05) but did not affect the level of IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ levels (P > 0.05). In conclusion, short-term music stimulus (8 d) reduced the stress response, whereas long-term music stimulus (60 d) enhanced the immune responses. In addition, the noise increased the aggressive behavior, and long-term noise reduced the immunity of the growing pigs.     

财税激励政策助推食用菌企业转型升级

针对食用菌产业中出现的菌种选取不精,产量过剩,加工发展缓慢和环境污染以及技术创新力度不足等问题,政府相关部门应出台一系列的财税激励政策,重点推进食用菌产业全面的转型升级,切实提高食用菌产业的经济效益。通过分析食用菌产业发展的市场状况,总结食用菌产业转型升级的限制因素,为加快企业转型升级提出相应的财税激励政策建议,以推动食用菌产业的创新发展。     

Phenological and physiological evaluation of first and second cropping periods of sorghum and maize crops

Environmental conditions influence phenology and physiological processes of plants. It is common for maize and sorghum to be sown at two different periods: the first cropping (spring/summer) and the second cropping (autumn/winter). The phenological cycle of these crops varies greatly according to the planting season, and it is necessary to characterize the growth and development to facilitate the selection of the species best adapted to the environment. The aim of this study was to characterize phenological phases and physiological parameters in sorghum and maize plants as a function of environmental conditions from the first cropping and second cropping periods. Two parallel experiments were conducted with both crops. The phenological characterization was based on growth analyses (plant height, leaf area and photoassimilate partitioning) and gas exchange evaluations (net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration and water-use efficiency). It was found that the vegetative stage (VS) for sorghum and maize plants was 7 and 21 days, respectively, longer when cultivated during the second cropping. In the first cropping, the plants were taller than in the second cropping, regardless of the crop. The stomatal conductance of sorghum plants fluctuated in the second cropping during the development period, while maize plants showed decreasing linear behaviour. Water-use efficiency in sorghum plants was higher during the second cropping compared with the first cropping. In maize plants, in the second cropping, the water-use efficiency showed a slight variation in relation to the first cropping. It was concluded that the environmental conditions as degree-days, temperature, photoperiod and pluvial precipitation influence the phenology and physiology of both crops during the first and the second cropping periods, specifically cycle duration, plant height, leaf area, net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and water-use efficiency, indicating that both crops respond differentially to environmental changes during the growing season.     

不利气象条件对果业生产的影响及果园管理建议

针对近年来不利气象条件频发情况,分析了不利气象条件对果业生产的影响,提出减轻不利气象条件对果树影响的建议和不利气象发生后果园的管理要点。     

畜牧养殖污染现状及综合治理对策

畜牧养殖业污染问题是畜牧养殖生产过程中的常见问题,对于养殖业也有一定的影响,直接影响畜牧产品质量及动物疫病防治工作。该文针对畜牧养殖业污染现状进行分析研究,阐述畜牧养殖污染问题现状,并综合新疆地区的畜牧养殖业发展状态,提出畜牧养殖污染问题综合治理的有效对策。     

粤北地区食用菌产业及其循环经济发展概述

从食用菌种类及其分布、产值、食用菌企业、食用菌产业循环经济发展情况等方面介绍了粤北地区食用菌产业发展现状,总结食用菌产业发展中存在的问题,如菌种问题突出,品牌意识缺乏;食用菌产业标准化落后;产品质量参差不齐,食品质量安全无保障;资源浪费严重;精深加工不足等,并提出相应的对策。     

我国花椰菜种业发展现状、市场需求及研究热点综述

综述了我国花椰菜产业情况及主栽品种区域分布现状,结合市场需求,指出如今研究的热点品类,如松花菜、西兰花及其各种类型用途的品种,最后总结出花椰菜种业存在的基本问题,如种质资源缺失,多抗品种短缺,加工型品种缺乏,种子生产技术落后、产量低、制种成本高等。     

中国肉牛业现状和发展对策

本文介绍了中国肉牛业的现状，分析了中国肉牛业生产中存在的3个方面的问题，提出了中国肉牛业发展的5个对策，即继续开展肉牛改良，加快肉牛良种培育和扩繁；提高肉牛饲养管理水平，促进优质肉牛生产；提高牛肉产品质量；实现产业化生产；实施牛肉品牌战略。     

论工业废料在地基处理工程中的应用

本文着重论述了工业废料在建筑工程及地基基础处理方面的应用及施工方法,并在造价方面与其它方法进行比较,从而论证了工业废料在建筑工程方面的实用性。     

工厂化代料栽培花菇技术研究初报

本文主要研究工厂化代料栽培花菇技术，根据花菇成因及香菇菌丝生长、原基分化、花菇形成三个阶段所要求的生态条件不同，分别按三个阶段设计了培养室、催蕾室、催化室，利用设施人工调控工艺条件，进行菌丝培养、催蕾和催花管理，使花菇产量和质量大大提高，小试获得了８０％的花菇率，比室外高棚层架方式提高近１倍。