Feeding Index Research Articles

Evaluating CAP wildflower strips: High‐quality seed mixtures significantly improve plant diversity and related pollen and nectar resources

Abstract Flower strips are a fundamental part of agri‐environment schemes (AESs) introduced by the European Union to counteract the loss of biodiversity and related ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes. Although vegetation composition of the strips is essential for most fauna groups, comprehensive studies analysing vegetation development and influencing factors are rare. From 2017 to 2019, we investigated the vegetation composition of 40 perennial wildflower strips (WFSs) implemented in 2015 or 2016, and 20 cereal fields without WFS across Saxony‐Anhalt, Germany. We analysed environmental factors on plot (cover of grasses, shading, soil fertility) and four landscape‐scale levels (habitat diversity, proportion of WFS and open habitats). The provision of nectar and pollen resources was estimated by the newly developed Pollinator Feeding Index (PFI). All strips had been implemented by farmers as AES with species‐rich seed mixtures comprising 30 native forbs. In all study years, forb species richness, cover and related nectar and pollen supply were much higher on WFSs than on controls, confirming the effectiveness of this AES. Although sown native forbs contributed the most to the high PFI values, spontaneously established forbs expanded the total range of species considerably, especially in winter and spring. While sown forb communities remained similar over time, spontaneous forbs showed a higher species turnover. Altogether, shading and grass cover had the greatest negative effect on the performance of the sown forbs. Landscape variables had only minor effects and were inconsistent in their importance across scale levels and years. Synthesis and applications. Successfully established perennial wildflower strips (WFSs) sown with species‐rich native seed mixtures provided a forb‐rich and diverse vegetation throughout the AES funding period of 5 years. By supplying feeding resources for pollinators under various landscape situations, WFSs have significant potential to promote farmland biodiversity and related ecosystem services. We recommend the mandatory use of species‐rich wildflower mixtures for perennial flower strips and to avoid their creation in heavily shaded field edges. Advisory services for farmers are necessary to prevent failures in WFS implementation and management and to improve their ecological effectiveness.

The Effects of Host Availability and Fitness on Aedes albopictus Blood Feeding Patterns in New York.

Aedes albopictus is a competent vector of numerous pathogens, representing a range of transmission cycles involving unique hosts. Despite the important status of this vector, variation in its feeding patterns is poorly understood. We examined the feeding patterns of Ae. albopictus utilizing resting collections in Long Island, NY, and contextualized blood meal sources with host availability measured by household interviews and camera traps. We identified 90 blood meals, including 29 humans, 22 cats, 16 horses, 12 opossums, 5 dogs, 2 goats, and 1 each of rabbit, rat, squirrel, and raccoon. This is only the third study of Ae. albopictus blood feeding biology that quantitatively assessed domestic host availability and is the first to do so with wild animals. Host feeding indices showed that cats and dogs were fed upon disproportionately often compared with humans. Forage ratios suggested a tendency to feed on cats and opossums and to avoid raccoons, squirrels, and birds. This feeding pattern was different from another published study from Baltimore, where Ae. albopictus fed more often on rats than humans. To understand whether these differences were because of host availability or mosquito population variation, we compared the fitness of New York and Baltimore Ae. albopictus after feeding on rat and human blood. In addition, we examined fitness within the New York population after feeding on human, rat, cat, horse, and opossum blood. Together, our results do not indicate major mosquito fitness differences by blood hosts, suggesting that fitness benefits do not drive Northeastern Ae. albopictus feeding patterns.

China's Crude oil futures forecasting with search engine data

In this paper, we used the Baidu feed index to quantify the valuable information from the search engine, and proposed a China's crude oil futures price forecasting model with feed index. The empirical analysis confirms that the feed index, which characterizes the investor attention of participants in China's crude oil futures market, provides valuable information for internet concerns and investor sentiment, and has significant impact on China's crude oil futures price forecasting. We found that the time lag between the search query results and the crude oil futures price changes, which mostly lies within the shorter time range. The forecasting model with the search engine data would produce forecasts with superior performance.

Clinico-laboratory profile and treatment outcome of persistent diarrhea in under 5-year children of a tertiary care hospital in North India

Persistent diarrhea (PD) accounts for a third of all deaths due to diar-rhea in under 5 children. Its etiology and treatment are poorly under-stood. So, we aimed to study various host and environmental risk fac-tors, clinical profile and treatment outcome of PD in children below 5 years of age. 60 children having PD who came to our institute were studied. History taking, clinical examination and investigations were done. Relevant data was collected in form of socio-demographic pro-file, infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indices, anthropometry, in-fections, micronutrient deficiency and secondary lactose intolerance (SLI). The treatment protocol consisted of stepwise diet plan along with supportive measures. All patients were started with diet plan A (low lactose diet), which was prepared by cheap and locally available items. Those who did not respond, were shifted to diet plan B (lactose free diet) and then to diet plan C (monosaccharide-based diet). Successful outcome was defined as decrease in stool frequency along with ade-quate food intake and weight gain. The risk factors associated with PD were found to be age < 2 years, malnutrition, SLI, micronutrient defi-ciency and previous history of infections. Out of total children (n=60), severe acute malnutrition, prior history of diarrhea/pneumonia in past 2 months and anemia were found in 58.3%, 60% and 52% of the PD children respectively. Concomitant enteric and systemic infections were found in 30% and 28.3% of PD children. SLI was observed in 61% of cases and most of the children (75%) improved on diet A only. Proper rehydration, screening and treatment of infections and enteral nutrition-al rehabilitation (both macro and micronutrient) are critical in manage-ment of children with PD.

Performance evaluation of tractor drawn onion seed planter

The existing onion seed planter was tested in lab of SVCAET&RS, IGKV Raipur and the seed rate, quality of feed index, multiple index, miss index, seed to seed spacing and theoretical seeding rate was found to be 9.67 kg ha-1 at 3 km h-1 with 18 plate grooves, 88.80% at 3 km h-1 with 30 plate grooves, 5.24% at 3 km h-1 with 18 plate grooves, 5.09% at 3 km h-1 with 30 plate grooves, 7.49 cm at 3 km h-1 with 18 plate grooves and 8,88,888 seeds/ha. After lab testing best combination of speed of operation (3 km h-1) and plate size (18 plate grooves) was selected. The field test of existing onion seed planter was performed in instructional farm of IGKV. The theoretical field capacity, effective field capacity, field efficiency, speed of operation and plant population per hectare was found to be 0.585 ha h-1, 0.462 ha h-1, 78.97%, 3 km h-1, and 755039 respectively. The total input energy required for onion cultivation was calculated as 13810.77 MJ ha-1. The cost economics of existing onion seed planter was found to be 1312.14 Rs ha-1.

Length-Weight and Feeding Indices of Formulated Diet Supplemented with Millet Base and Combined with Commercial Probiotics Used as Feed for Cultivable Freshwater Fish, Labeo rohita

The nutritional indices of agro based millet feed conversion was determined based on improved nutrient content with commercial probiotic raised in the semi-intensive method which was formulated by four isonitrogenic diets and given as a trail feed to Indian major carp, Labeo rohita. The fish were fed on groundnut oil cake, pearl millet, finger millet as base feed and a combination of pearl, finger and foxtail millet. The experimental period was 90 days. Nutritional and protein values indices values have improved and proved to be remarkable in the experimental fish and suggesting that this feed may be a better alternative feed for fish reared during aquaculture practices.

Development and Laboratory Evaluation of Picker Wheel type Metering Mechanism for Tuberose and Gladiolus Corms

Manual planting of Tuberose bulbs and Gladiolus corms is very tedious and labour intensive operation demanding for development of a suitable metering mechanism for planting of both the crops. Considering the need, a picker wheel type metering mechanism was developed and evaluated for planting of both the crops in linear soil bin for three levels of nominal spacing (15, 20 and 25 cm) and four levels of forward speed (1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 km/h). The experimental results indicated highest Quality of Feed Index (QFI) as 91.5 and 91.6% at forward speed of 1.5 km/h for Tuberose bulbs and Gladiolus corms respectively. The quality of feed index, coefficient of uniformity and CP3 values decreased whereas missing index and precision values increased with respect to increase in forward speed of the metering unit for all the three nominal spacings. Maximum visible damage was observed at higher levels of forward speeds for lower nominal spacings. The overall performance of the metering unit was found satisfactory for higher nominal spacings and at lower levels of forward speed.

充投种角度对复合气吸式排种器作业性能的影响规律

In this paper, taking compound air-suction seed metering device as the subject, the effect rule of seed filling angle and seed releasing angle on the performance of seed filling and seed metering is studied. An indoor test was conducted with a JPS-12 metering test bench and a high-speed camera system. The starting and ending angles of the air chamber were changed by adjusting the regulating plate, that is, the angles of seed filling and seed releasing, and the filling and seed metering performance was taken as evaluation indexes. The test results show that: the seed filling angle has significant effect on the seed filling effect, and the miss fill index decreases with the increase of the quality of fill index. When the seed filling angle exceeds 50°, they will stabilize gradually ending at the multiple fill index of 0%. The negative pressure and operating speed are interactive and have a significant effect on filling performance. The seed releasing angle has significant effect on the metering performance. With the increase of the angle, the quality of feed index increases firstly and then decreases. The multiple index and miss index are opposite to the quality of feed index which is the max at the seed releasing angle of 39.5°. The negative pressure and forward speed are interactive and have a significant effect on metering performance. The quality of feed index under the same condition is lower than that of fill index.

蔬菜株间火焰除草机器人工作空间分析与丙烷燃烧数值模拟

In order to improve the seed filling performance of mechanical hole type seed metering device with high speed, a vertical disc metering device was designed with seed agitator to improve the seed filling probability. Discrete element simulation method and physical prototype bench tests were used to simulate and analyse the seed metering process. The structure parameters of the seed agitators were optimized by the quadratic orthogonal rotation central composite design test. The results showed that: 1) the addition of seed agitator had a significant influence on the MIS (miss index), among which the concave type had the lowest MIS, and it was the highest without agitator; 2) for concave type agitator, the optimal value of depth and angle were 3.1 mm and 60.5°, respectively; 3) the physical prototype tests showed that the QFI (quality of feed index) was more than 95% under the speed of 2-10 km/h, and the MIS was less than 1%, which meets the requirements of precision sowing.

Habitat quality and surrounding landscape structures influence wild bee occurrence in perennial wildflower strips

Perennial wildflower strips (WFS) are known to have positive effects on wild bees in intensively used agricultural landscapes. Little knowledge exists, however, about the drivers of wild bee occurrence and if Red List species also profit from this agri-environmental scheme (AES). Therefore, we studied wild bees on transects along 20 four- to five-year-old WFS and in 10 cereal fields without AES (CONTROL sites) in differently structured landscapes across Saxony-Anhalt (Germany). In addition to local site parameters, we measured parameters of landscape structure in a 1 km radius of the WFS and CONTROL sites. The overall species richness of wild bees (125 species in total, 23 on average), including numerous specialist and Red List species, indicates a high attractiveness of perennial WFS sown with 30 native forbs. In CONTROL fields, 11 bee species (on average only one) were found.The species richness and abundance of wild bees were positively affected by local site conditions of the WFS and CONTROL sites, such as the overall number of sown and spontaneous forbs, the amount of flower rewards of sown forbs available to pollinators (Pollinator Feeding Index), and negatively by the cover of grasses. Therefore, seed mixtures of future AES should comprise a high diversity of wildflower species relevant as pollen sources for wild bees. The share of Red List wild bee species was strongly influenced by the landscape context and increased e.g. with Shannon landscape diversity and the availability of non-forest woody habitats and water bodies in the 1 km surroundings. These results suggest that besides the establishment of high-diversity WFS, semi-natural habitat structures have to be promoted to preserve rare wild bees especially in structurally simple agricultural landscapes.

Ontogenetic diet shifts and feeding dynamics of Trichiurus japonicus Temminck & Schlegel, 1844, off Guishan Island, Southern East China Sea

Trichiurus japonicus Temminck & Schlegel, 1844, is one of the most ecologically and economically important fish species in the waters of southern East China Sea. Species caught by trawlers operating in the surrounding waters of Guishan Island, southern East China Sea were collected regularly from March 2018 to February 2019. The stomachs of 434 hairtails ranging in total length (TL) from 100 to 1090 mm were analyzed to study their feeding habits. Diet composition and seasonal changes in prey items were analyzed over 12 months (2018–2019) to detect any feeding shifts in prey items. Feeding indices, namely Index of Relative Importance (%IRI), Gastro-somatic Index (GaSI), Empty Stomach Ratio (ESR), and Stomach Fullness Index (SFI), were calculated to determine the feeding habits, seasonal changes, and ontogenetic shifts in prey items. ESR values differed significantly across hairtail size groups. However, no significant variations were found in ESR values between the sexes and season. The diet of T. japonicus comprised fish (80.07%), shrimps (13.89%), cephalopods (0.61%), and miscellaneous items (5.43%). Benthosema pterotum was the most common prey item during the research period, followed by Myctophidae spp and Sergia lucens. The vacuity index (VI) of T. japonicus was 29.26 percent, indicating that it is a carnivore with a relatively edacious. An unidentified teleost, as well as shrimp remains, was observed in the form and was grouped as miscellaneous items. Juveniles of Trichiurus sp. were noticed occasionally in the gut, indicating the cannibalistic behavior of T. japonicus.

Optimization of Operational Parameters of a Vacuum Single-Seed Planter for Sowing of Maize

The objective of the study was to evaluate the performance of a vacuum single-seed planter in field conditions to optimize some operating parameters in maize production. Three forward speed of the tractor (4.0, 5.4 and 7.9 km h-1) and five target seed spacing (102, 147, 195, 247 and 309 mm) were evaluated by examining the mean seed spacing, coefficient of precision in spacing, miss index, multiple index, quality of feed index, sowing depth, deviation from the row (inter-row spacing), mean emergence time, emergence rate index and percentage emergence. The point dropped in a furrow of seed, depth of seed placement, emergence rate and three indices of uniformity in seed spacing and precision coefficients of sowing quality were determined. The planter performed the best performance at the lowest forward speed and the highest target seed spacing. However, the deviation of seeds from the intended point in intra-row spacing was significantly affected only by the forward speed (P<0.001). Improvement in the larger seed spacing was due to the lower variation. Increasing the forward speed resulted in a shallower sowing depth. The desired planting depth was also obtained at 4.0 km h-1 in all plots. Increasing target seed spacing increased the emergence percent by about 35% while increasing forward speed decreased the emergence percent by 10%. Sowing at 4.0 km h-1 resulted in the lowest miss, multiple and precision indices (5.1% 2.9%, and 15.3%, respectively), and a quality of feed index as high as 92% was obtained in similar conditions. The results indicated that, with single-seed planters, success may be achieved in a conventional tillage maize production system at a target seed spacing of more than 102 mm and tractor forward speeds of less than 7.9 km h-1, and thus satisfying farmers who carry out maize sowing by conventional tillage.

The effect of physical and biological variables upon condition of Merluccius hubbsi (age-0+) of the northern stock (argentine shelf, SW Atlantic Ocean)

Argentine hake Merluccius hubbsi is one of the most important fishery resources in the Argentinean Continental Shelf (ACS; SW Atlantic Ocean). In the last decades, the Northern stock (34°30′-41°S) has supported a drastic biomass decreasing due to overexploitation. Since the strength of a year class is highly influenced by the survival of age-0+ individuals, studies on their nutritional condition are essential. Age-0+ northern hake nurse in a highly complex oceanographic and ecological system, where environmentally-driven changes upon their physiological status are expected. Hence, several condition (relative condition factor, hepatosomatic index, liver lipid content) and feeding (prey intake) indices were combined with physical (temperature, salinity) and biological (chlorophyll- a concentration, prey abundance) variables to determine spatial variations in age-0+ hake nutritional status. Better conditioned individuals inhabited areas of the study region where chlorophyll- a concentration and zooplanktonic prey abundance exhibited their maximum. A bottom-up control of age-0+ hake physiological status is suggested, mediated by the consumption of the herbivorous euphausiid Euphausia lucens , which was the preferred prey. These lipid-rich prey would be beneficial with respect to other available options in the environment, such as hyperid amphipods. Results complement previous observations upon individuals of the Patagonian stock, and provide a thorough insight into age-0+ Northern hake nutritional status, significantly contributing to M. hubbsi recruitment studies and management in the ACS. • Nutritional condition of age-0+ Merluccius hubbsi was studied between 34°-41°S. • Morphometric and liver-based indices were determined. • Spatial differences in condition were related to physical and biological variables. • Condition was bottom-up mediated by the consumption of herbivorous prey. • Data are relevant in the context of hake recruitment studies.

Effects of dietary fish meal replacement with Yeast (Saccharomyces cervisiae) on growth and feeding indices rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Effects of dietary fish meal replacement with Yeast (Saccharomyces cervisiae) on growth and feeding indices rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Genetic analyses of metabolic body weight, carcass weight and body conformation traits in Nordic dairy cattle

Improving feed efficiency in dairy cattle by animal breeding has started in the Nordic countries. One of the two traits included in the applied Saved feed index is called maintenance and it is based on the breeding values for metabolic BW (MBW). However, BW recording based on heart girth measurements is decreasing and recording based on scales is increasing only slowly, which may weaken the maintenance index in future. Therefore, the benefit of including correlated traits, like carcass weight and conformation traits, is of interest. In this study, we estimated genetic variation and genetic correlations for eight traits describing the energy requirement for maintenance in dairy cattle including: first, second and third parity MBW based on heart girth measurements, carcass weight (CARW) and predicted MBW (pMBW) based on predicted slaughter weight, and first parity conformation traits stature (ST), chest width (CW) and body depth (BD). The data consisted of 21329 records from Finnish Ayrshire and 9780 records from Holstein cows. Heritability estimates were 0.44, 0.53, 0.56, 0.52, 0.54, 0.60, 0.17 and 0.26 for MBW1, MBW2, MBW3, CARW, pMBW, ST, CW and BD, respectively. Estimated genetic correlations among MBW traits were strong (>0.95). Genetic correlations between slaughter traits (CARW and pMBW) and MBW traits were higher (from 0.77 to 0.90) than between conformation and MBW traits (from 0.47 to 0.70). Our results suggest that including information on carcass weight and body conformation as correlated traits into the maintenance index is beneficial when direct BW measurements are not available or are difficult or expensive to obtain.

基于离散元法的垂直圆盘侧充排种器种群结构特性研究

The vertical disc seed metering device was selected to study the influence of the structural characteristics of seed group on the filling performance of seed metering device. The working process of seed metering device was simulated by discrete element software to study the influence of seed quantity and structure characteristics of seed chamber on seed movement and filling results. The seed group was divided into four zones: ascending zone, relative static zone, collapse zone and recirculation zone. The number of seeds and the rotation speed of disk have no effect on the inclination angle of the recirculation zone upper surface, which was always about 35°. But they had a significant effect on the filling performance. When the number of seeds was 500-1500, QFI (quality of feed index) decreased, MIS (miss index) increased and MUL (multiple index) did not change significantly. However, when the number of seeds was 2000, the change trend of filling performance was completely opposite. Inner surface inclination angle and axial width of the seed chamber have significant effects on the filling performance. QFI first increased and then decreased with the increase of inclination angle, reaching the maximum at 20° and MIS showed the opposite trend. QFI increases with the increase of thickness and tends to be stable at 40mm. Similarly, MIS has the opposite trend.

Associations between the infant and young child feeding index and nutritional status.

The infant and child feeding index (ICFI) is a single summary World Health Organization influenced index to assess feeding quality in infants and young children aged 6-36months. This study aimed to demonstrate any associations between ICFI and nutritional status in a single Thai center. The demographic data and feeding practices of healthy infants and children aged 6-36months were collected from questionnaires given to 304 parents/caregivers; anthropometric measurements were taken. Associations between ICFI and weight-for-age Z scores (WAZ), length/height for age Z scores (LAZ/HAZ), weight-for-length/height Z scores (WLZ/WHZ), and body mass index-for-age Z scores (BAZ) were examined. The mean ICFI was 6.14 ± 1.63 and was lowest in the 6-8months age group. Breastfed infants had significantly higher ICFI scores than those not breastfed. Factors influencing ICFI were infant age and milk volume intake. The ICFI was negatively associated with WAZ, WLZ/WHZ, and BAZ (β = -0.13, P = 0.037; β = -0.17, p=0.01; β = -0.15, P = 0.026, respectively). Breastfeeding was also negatively associated with WAZ, LAZ/HAZ, WLZ/WHZ, and BAZ. This study demonstrated a negative association between the ICFI and nutritional status. Breastfeeding may have obscured some positive effects from appropriate feeding practices, while dairy consumption may have hidden negative outcome from inappropriate ones. Despite the ICFI appearing to reflect infant and young child feeding behaviors, using the ICFI alone may not accurately reveal nutritional status.

An index measuring adherence to New Zealand Infant Feeding Guidelines has convergent validity with maternal socio-demographic and health behaviours and with children's body size.

Using data from a nationally generalisable birth cohort, we aimed to: (i) describe the cohort's adherence to national evidence-based dietary guidelines using an Infant Feeding Index (IFI) and (ii) assess the IFI's convergent construct validity, by exploring associations with antenatal maternal socio-demographic and health behaviours and with child overweight/obesity and central adiposity at age 54 months. Data were from the Growing Up in New Zealand cohort (n 6343). The IFI scores ranged from zero to twelve points, with twelve representing full adherence to the guidelines. Overweight/obesity was defined by BMI-for-age (based on the WHO Growth Standards). Central adiposity was defined as waist-to-height ratio > 90th percentile. Associations were tested using multiple linear regression and Poisson regression with robust variance (risk ratios, 95 % CI). Mean IFI score was 8·2 (sd 2·1). Maternal characteristics explained 29·1 % of variation in the IFI score. Maternal age, education and smoking had the strongest independent relationships with IFI scores. Compared with children in the highest IFI tertile, girls in the lowest and middle tertiles were more likely to be overweight/obese (1·46, 1·03, 2·06 and 1·56, 1·09, 2·23, respectively) and boys in the lowest tertile were more likely to have central adiposity (1·53, 1·02, 2·30) at age 54 months. Most infants fell short of meeting national Infant Feeding Guidelines. The associations between IFI score and maternal characteristics, and children's overweight/obesity/central adiposity, were in the expected directions and confirm the IFI's convergent construct validity.

Maternal complementary feeding practices and anthropometric status of children (6-23 months) in Abakaliki Nigeria, a facility based study

Sub-optimal complementary feeding practices among children aged 6-23 months is a major cause of under-nutrition in developing countries. This study was designed to assess the complementary feeding practices and nutritional status of children 6-23 months attending an immunization clinic at Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria. The study was descriptive and cross-sectional in design. A total of 320 children were selected using a two-stage sampling technique. WHO/PAHO/UNICEF recommendations and WHO Child Growth Standard charts were used to categorize their complementary feeding and anthropometric indices, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Complementary feeding indicators such as timely complementary feed introduction (54.1%) and minimum dietary diversity (68.7%) were met by more than half of the respondents. But overall, complementary feeding practices were considerably poor. Low minimum meal frequency, minimum adequate diet and continued breastfeeding at one year were reported. Wasting, stunting and underweight prevalences were 12.5%, 11.3% and 8.3% respectively. Children who continued breastfeeding at one year (AOR = 0.34; CI= 0.15-0.76) or met minimum dietary diversity criteria (AOR = 0.43; CI= 0.17-1.05) were less likely to be stunted. Increased attention towards breastfeeding continuation and dietary diversity improvement using locally available/affordable food stuffs is needed.

DESIGN AND EXPERIMENT OF SEED AGITATOR FOR VERTICAL DISK SEED METERING DEVICE

In order to improve the seed filling performance of mechanical hole type seed metering device with high speed, a vertical disc metering device was designed with seed agitator to improve the seed filling probability. Discrete element simulation method and physical prototype bench tests were used to simulate and analyse the seed metering process. The structure parameters of the seed agitators were optimized by the quadratic orthogonal rotation central composite design test. The results showed that: 1) the addition of seed agitator had a significant influence on the MIS (miss index), among which the concave type had the lowest MIS, and it was the highest without agitator; 2) for concave type agitator, the optimal value of depth and angle were 3.1 mm and 60.5°, respectively; 3) the physical prototype tests showed that the QFI (quality of feed index) was more than 95% under the speed of 2-10 km/h, and the MIS was less than 1%, which meets the requirements of precision sowing.