Traditional Traits Research Articles

Genomics‐based plant disease resistance prediction using machine learning

AbstractPlant disease outbreaks continuously challenge food security and sustainability. Traditional chemical methods used to treat diseases have environmental and health concerns, raising the need to enhance inherent plant disease resistance mechanisms. Traits, including disease resistance, can be linked to specific loci in the genome and identifying these markers facilitates targeted breeding approaches. Several methods, including genome‐wide association studies and genomic selection, have been used to identify important markers and select varieties with desirable traits. However, these traditional approaches may not fully capture the non‐linear characteristics of the effect of genomic variation on traits. Machine learning, known for its data‐mining abilities, offers an opportunity to enhance the accuracy of the existing trait association approaches. It has found applications in predicting various agronomic traits across several species. However, its use in disease resistance prediction remains limited. This review highlights the potential of machine learning as a complementary tool for predicting the genetic loci contributing to pathogen resistance. We provide an overview of traditional trait prediction methods, summarize machine‐learning applications, and address the challenges and opportunities associated with machine learning‐based crop disease resistance prediction.

Growth ranking of hybrid aspen genotypes and its linkage to leaf gas exchange

BackgroundAfforestation of non-forestland is a new measure by the European Union to enhance climate mitigation and biodiversity. Hybrid aspen (Populus tremula L. × P. tremuloides Michx.) is among the suitable tree species for afforestation to produce woody biomass. However, the best performing genotypic material for intensive biomass production and its physiological adaptation capacity is still unclear. We compared 22 hybrid aspen genotypes growth and leaf physiological characteristics (stomatal conductance, net photosynthesis, intrinsic water-use efficiency) according to their geographical north- or southward transfer (European P. tremula parent from 51° to 60° N and North American P. tremuloides parent from 45° to 54° N) to hemiboreal Estonia (58° N) in a completely randomized design progeny trial. We tested whether the growth ranking of genotypes of different geographical origin has changed from young (3-year-old) to mid-rotation age (13-year-old). The gas exchange parameters were measured in excised shoots in 2021 summer, which was characterised with warmer (+ 4 °C) and drier (17% precipitation from normal) June and July than the long-term average.ResultsWe found that the northward transfer of hybrid aspen genotypes resulted in a significant gain in growth (two-fold greater diameter at breast height) in comparison with the southward transfer. The early selection of genotypes was generally in good accordance with the middle-aged genotype ranking, while some of the northward transferred genotypes showed improved growth at the middle-age period in comparison with their ranking during the early phase. The genotypes of southward transfer demonstrated higher stomatal conductance, which resulted in higher net photosynthesis, and lower intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) compared with northward transfer genotypes. However, higher photosynthesis did not translate into higher growth rate. The higher physiological activity of southern transferred genotypes was likely related to a better water supply of smaller and consequently more shaded trees under drought. Leaf nitrogen concentration did not have any significant relation with tree growth.ConclusionsWe conclude that the final selection of hybrid aspen genotypes for commercial use should be done in 10–15 years after planting. Physiological traits acquired during periods of droughty conditions may not fully capture the growth potential. Nonetheless, we advocate for a broader integration of physiological measurements alongside traditional traits (such as height and diameter) in genotype field testing to facilitate the selection of climate-adapted planting material for resilient forests.

Spatio‐temporal integrated Bayesian species distribution models reveal lack of broad relationships between traits and range shifts

AbstractAimClimate change and habitat loss or degradation are some of the greatest threats that species face today, often resulting in range shifts. Species traits have been discussed as important predictors of range shifts, with the identification of general trends being of great interest to conservation efforts. However, studies reviewing relationships between traits and range shifts have questioned the existence of such generalized trends, due to mixed results and weak correlations, as well as analytical shortcomings. The aim of this study was to test this relationship empirically, using analytical approaches that account for common sources of bias when assessing range trends.LocationTanzania, East Africa.Time period1980–1999 and 2000–2020.Major taxa studied57 savannah specialist birds found in Tanzania, belonging to 26 families and 11 orders.MethodsWe applied recently developed integrated spatio‐temporal species distribution models in R‐INLA, combining citizen science and bird Atlas data to estimate ranges of species, quantify range shifts, and test the predictive power of traditional trait groups, as well as exposure‐related and sensitivity traits. We based our study on 40 years of bird observations in East African savannahs, a biome that has experienced increasing climatic and non‐climatic pressures over recent decades. We correlated patterns of change with species traits using linear regression models.ResultsWe find indications of relationships identified by previous research, but low average explanatory power of traits from an ecological perspective, confirming the lack of meaningful general associations. However, our analysis finds compelling species‐specific results.Main conclusionsWe highlight the importance of individual assessments while demonstrating the usefulness of our analytical approach for analyses of range shifts.

Confucian ideal personality traits (Junzi personality) and leadership effectiveness: Why leaders with traditional traits can achieve career success in modern China

SummaryThe assumption of Confucian traditions being a handicap for East Asians when adapting to a modernizing world has been subject to challenge because of the rapid development of East Asian societies, which has prompted researchers to seek a culturally compatible perspective for understanding the foundations of East Asian modernization. This paper built a hypothetical model for indigenous theoretical resources. In The Analects, Confucius offered propositions on the links between leaders' Junzi personality (i.e., Confucian ideal personality traits) and leadership effectiveness, as well as the mediating roles of leadership styles. To test our hypotheses, we conducted two studies involving 513 supervisor–subordinate dyads in China. Study 1 indicated that Junzi personality had a significantly positive effect on leadership effectiveness and that such significance remained even after controlling for the Big Five personality traits. It also examined the incremental value and relative importance. Study 2 showed that ethical and transformational leadership mediated the effect of Junzi personality on leadership effectiveness measured two months later. In both datasets, leaders with higher Junzi personality scores assigned higher self‐ratings on performance, and their subordinates perceived higher leadership effectiveness, felt higher job satisfaction, and displayed lower turnover intentions.

Concert ouverture “In the South (Alassio)” by Edward Elgar: summation of own experience and foreshadowing of upcoming innovations

Statement of the problem. Creativity of many composers includes the works proving crucial for understanding evolution of the artist’s individual style. Usually, the scholars’ attention is drawn to the works that become a result of stylistic evolution and that become popularity amongst the audience and the performers. At the same time, it is of no less importance to study the works that became milestones on a path to upcoming achievements, especially if there are heritage lines leading to them from the previous works. This is a situation with E. Elgar’s concert ouverture “In the South (Alassio)”: on the one hand, it summarizes composer’s achievements in this genre, on the other, it is the last composer’s step before creating his First Symphony. Apart from this ambivalence of the status, the work demonstrates the process of mediation of extremities, that can be traced on the levels of genre, structure, harmonic means and approach to extramusical. Objectives, methods, and novelty of the research. In the studies devoted to E. Elgar’s creativity as a whole or his symphonic compositions, the role of the Ouverture in the indicated evolutionary aspect is not considered, which determines the scientific novelty and relevance of the presented research. The purpose of the study is to reveal intersection points between concert ouverture “In the South (Alassio)” with the composer’s past and future creative achievements. Based on a historical-biographical approach, the history of the Ouverture’s origin is highlighted in view of its place in the artist’s creative evolution; a comparative method was used to juxtapose “Alassio” with other works of the composer; structural-compositional, genre and stylistic, intonation types of analysis were applied to examine the sheet music text of E. Elgar’s composition in detail. Results and conclusion. The study concludes that this concert ouverture is tightly integrated both in the context of development of E. Elgar’s symphonic style and into late-Romantic symphonysm as such. This work becomes the last composer’s preparatory step prior to his First Symphony as it contains germs of its multiple innovations: in harmony, structure and orchestration. Connection between “In the South” and general symphonic context is seen at multiple levels: genre attribution (the work defined by the author as “concert ouverture” has the features of symphonic poem, genre much more relevant for that time); harmonic language (freedom of tonal structure and modulations, juxtaposition of far chords; passages whose key cannot be defined etc.); specifics of themes and thematic development (multi-thematicism, inclusion of “picturesque” episode, intonation links between the themes). But originality of “Alassio” does not allow to regard is as an epigone imitation of late-Romantic symphonic style, but makes us understand it as a new step of this instrumental tradition. At the same time, it is possible to define more traditional traits at each of these levels: despite all the diversions from the sonata-form it is not fair to conclude that it is changed by another structure or is combined with it; three out of four themes of principal part, except for “Nobilmente”, are purely diatonic both in melody and harmony; programmatic approach does not lead to a large number of illustrative episodes, as it was done later by R. Strauss in “Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks” or “Don Quixote”, or later by E. Elgar himself in “Falstaff”.

State Emotional Clarity Is an Indicator of Fluid Emotional Intelligence Ability.

Emotional clarity is one facet of emotional intelligence that refers to one's meta-understanding of and ability to identify and describe feelings. The existing research has largely focused on trait emotional clarity and its benefits for greater psychological well-being, more successful emotion regulation/coping, and diminished psychopathology. Researchers have begun to examine state or momentary emotional clarity in daily life. In this paper, we situate emotional clarity within the larger literature on emotional intelligence abilities. Then, we argue that state clarity relies on the ability to incorporate information from the dynamic contexts that emotions unfold in and should more closely reflect one's emotional intelligence ability relative to traditional trait measures. In addition, we review and make recommendations for measuring state emotional clarity in daily life and propose future research directions, focusing on how state emotional clarity could inform the study of emotion regulation, decision making, and goal pursuit in daily life.

Investigating the genetic basis of maize ear characteristics: a comprehensive genome-wide study utilizing high-throughput phenotypic measurement method and system.

The morphology of maize ears plays a critical role in the breeding of new varieties and increasing yield. However, the study of traditional ear-related traits alone can no longer meet the requirements of breeding. In this study, 20 ear-related traits, including size, shape, number, and color, were obtained in 407 maize inbred lines at two sites using a high-throughput phenotypic measurement method and system. Significant correlations were found among these traits, particularly the novel trait ear shape (ES), which was correlated with traditional traits: kernel number per row and kernel number per ear. Pairwise comparison tests revealed that the inbred lines of tropical-subtropical were significantly different from other subpopulations in row numbers per ear, kernel numbers per ear, and ear color. A genome-wide association study identified 275, 434, and 362 Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for Beijing, Sanya, and best linear unbiased prediction scenarios, respectively, explaining 3.78% to 24.17% of the phenotypic variance. Furthermore, 58 candidate genes with detailed functional descriptions common to more than two scenarios were discovered, with 40 genes being associated with color traits on chromosome 1. After analysis of haplotypes, gene expression, and annotated information, several candidate genes with high reliability were identified, including Zm00001d051328 for ear perimeter and width, zma-MIR159f for ear shape, Zm00001d053080 for kernel width and row number per ear, and Zm00001d048373 for the blue color channel of maize kernels in the red-green-blue color model. This study emphasizes the importance of researching novel phenotypic traits in maize by utilizing high-throughput phenotypic measurements. The identified genetic loci enrich the existing genetic studies related to maize ears.

Caste and Masculinity: The Complexity of Gender Dynamics among Different Communities in Tamil Karisal Literature

The conceptualisation of masculinity in the traditional sense has been viewed as a complex mix of attitudes, behaviours, and abilities (powers) possessed by diverse groups of individuals. It is supposed that neither these sets nor the individuals who compose them have remained consistent across time and among societies. In this paper, I will be exploring the varying degrees of masculinity that is exhibited by men of different communities portrayed in Tamil Karisal literature. Gender relations are also defined along the lines of Caste and status. ‘Karisal’ meaning ‘black soil’ encompasses the arid regions of Southern Tamil Nadu and Karisal literature depicts the lives of the people living in such regions. Traditional traits of masculinity such as being valiant, dominant, and knowledgeable is more expected from the upper caste men whereas such traits are not encouraged among men belonging to the marginalised sections of the rural Karisal landscape. This paper will also look at how gender relations exist between the men and women of both dominant and lower castes in the Karisal region. It can also be noted how virtues associated with femineity such as chastity, subordination and obedience are expected from upper caste women who do not cross household boundaries but Dalit women, out of economic necessities, are made to work as agricultural labourers in the fields and are prone to being harassed by men of all castes. For this study, the texts for analysis are short stories from Along with the Sun (2020) compiled by Ki. Rajanarayanan and the novel Koogai (2015) written by Cho Dharman.

UAV Image-Based Crop Growth Analysis of 3D-Reconstructed Crop Canopies.

Plant growth rate is an essential phenotypic parameter for quantifying potential crop productivity. Under field conditions, manual measurement of plant growth rate is less accurate in most cases. Image-based high-throughput platforms offer great potential for rapid, non-destructive, and objective estimation of plant growth parameters. The aim of this study was to assess the potential for quantifying plant growth rate using UAV-based (unoccupied aerial vehicle) imagery collected multiple times throughout the growing season. In this study, six diverse lines of lentils were grown in three replicates of 1 m2 microplots with six biomass collection time-points throughout the growing season over five site-years. Aerial imagery was collected simultaneously with each manual measurement of the above-ground biomass time-point and was used to produce two-dimensional orthomosaics and three-dimensional point clouds. Non-linear logistic models were fit to multiple data collection points throughout the growing season. Overall, remotely detected vegetation area and crop volume were found to produce trends comparable to the accumulation of dry weight biomass throughout the growing season. The growth rate and G50 (days to 50% of maximum growth) parameters of the model effectively quantified lentil growth rate indicating significant potential for image-based tools to be used in plant breeding programs. Comparing image-based groundcover and vegetation volume estimates with manually measured above-ground biomass suggested strong correlations. Vegetation area measured from a UAV has utility in quantifying lentil biomass and is indicative of leaf area early in the growing season. For mid- to late-season biomass estimation, plot volume was determined to be a better estimator. Apart from traditional traits, the estimation and analysis of plant parameters not typically collected in traditional breeding programs are possible with image-based methods, and this can create new opportunities to improve breeding efficiency mainly by offering new phenotypes and affecting selection intensity.

Mapping urban linguistic diversity with social media and population register data

Globalization, urbanization and international mobility have led to increasingly diverse urban populations. Compared to traditional traits for measuring urban diversity, such as ethnicity and country of origin, the role of language remains underexplored in understanding diversity, interactions between different groups and socio-spatial segregation. In this article, we analyse language use in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area by combining individual-level register data, socio-economic grid database, mobile phone and social media data to understand spatio-temporal patterns of linguistic diversity better. We measured linguistic diversity using metrics developed in the fields of ecology and information theory, and performed spatial clustering and regression analyses to explore the spatio-temporal patterns of linguistic diversity. We found spatial and temporal differences between register and social media data, show that linguistic diversity is influenced by the physical and socio-economic environment, and identified areas where different linguistic groups are likely to interact. Our results provide insights for urban planning and understanding urban diversity through linguistic information. As global urbanization, international migration and refugee flows and climate change drive diverse populations into cities, understanding urban diversity and its implications for urban planning and sustainability become increasingly important.

Musical Development in the Origin of Language

All living beings with one to six senses come to live on earth with their traditional traits and appearances. At that moment, the Earth, created by the Pancha Bhuthams (five manifestations of ature), becomes a mother and embraces all living beings, providing them with abundant natural resources, doing their duty and guiding them. Apart from that, the earth is also the first teacher who teaches the lessons necessary for life. On the topic of language communication between humans and other living species, the news explaining the language communication that the human race, unable to live alone, has established with animals like chickens, goats, cows, and dogs, and the explanation of music through "Kazhagath Tamil Nadu Agaraathi’ (Association Tamil Dictionary), etc. On the topic of language communication between humans and God, there are historical texts that reveal that the Vedas are the efforts made to communicate with God using language as a tool. News of the discovery of musical instruments has been included under the heading "Musical instruments that make non-verbal music. While explaining the news about the grammar of music, under the topic of "language and music’, places where the seven notes of the diatonic scale are born, volumes, tunnels, swaras (tunes), and the characteristics of notes are highlighted. In the titles Ezhisai (seven tunes) and Navakolgals (nine planets), dealing with the ethics of the nine planets, messages are recorded that were dealt with in ‘Soodamani Nikandu’ are Ezhisaiesar (God of seven tunes), Ezhisai Manangal (Seven flavours of music), and Ezhisai Suvais (seven tastes of music). Among other things, there is a great idea about music that the theme of the superiority of music includes the superiority of music in relation to language and other things.

Multi-Trait Genomic Prediction Models Enhance the Predictive Ability of Grain Trace Elements in Rice.

Multi-trait (MT) genomic prediction models enable breeders to save phenotyping resources and increase the prediction accuracy of unobserved target traits by exploiting available information from non-target or auxiliary traits. Our study evaluated different MT models using 250 rice accessions from Asian countries genotyped and phenotyped for grain content of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and cadmium (Cd). The predictive performance of MT models compared to a traditional single trait (ST) model was assessed by 1) applying different cross-validation strategies (CV1, CV2, and CV3) inferring varied phenotyping patterns and budgets; 2) accounting for local epistatic effects along with the main additive effect in MT models; and 3) using a selective marker panel composed of trait-associated SNPs in MT models. MT models were not statistically significantly (p < 0.05) superior to ST model under CV1, where no phenotypic information was available for the accessions in the test set. After including phenotypes from auxiliary traits in both training and test sets (MT-CV2) or simply in the test set (MT-CV3), MT models significantly (p < 0.05) outperformed ST model for all the traits. The highest increases in the predictive ability of MT models relative to ST models were 11.1% (Mn), 11.5 (Cd), 33.3% (Fe), 95.2% (Cu) and 126% (Zn). Accounting for the local epistatic effects using a haplotype-based model further improved the predictive ability of MT models by 4.6% (Cu), 3.8% (Zn), and 3.5% (Cd) relative to MT models with only additive effects. The predictive ability of the haplotype-based model was not improved after optimizing the marker panel by only considering the markers associated with the traits. This study first assessed the local epistatic effects and marker optimization strategies in the MT genomic prediction framework and then illustrated the power of the MT model in predicting trace element traits in rice for the effective use of genetic resources to improve the nutritional quality of rice grain.

Biodiversity Enhancement for Improving the Sustainability of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea vr. italica Plenk) Organic Seed Production

The plant heritage of the Mediterranean basin, with its wide biodiversity, offers the best conditions to pursue the objectives of the EU Green Deal, and among it, we pointed our attention to the Brassica oleracea crops, thanks to the high number of landraces and of its wild relative species widespread both in agro and ecosystems. In the framework of the European project BRESOV H2020 “Breeding for Resilient, Efficient and Sustainable Organic Vegetable Production”, we evaluated different organic growing conditions and plant characteristics to pursue a good yield and high quality of organic seed under different nutrition protocols. We took in attention the two landraces of sprouting broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenk) Sparaceddu and Cavolo Riccio di Messina, which well express the traditional trait of broccoli Sicilian biodiversity that is often unfortunately underestimated. The results showed that the new tools for organic plant nutrition implement the plant characteristics and the related seed yield also by using a lower level of inputs, achieving economically sustainable production by the use of the nutrition protocols evaluated. There is, therefore, a strong need to affirm the concept of “minimum dose” in order to obtain a satisfactory result in terms of production and quality. The research also focused on the characteristics of brassicas crops, highlighting the main factors that render the use of biodiversity possible and profitable.

Delicious Bodies, Beautiful Food, Powerful Pleasure

I am an artist and a scholar. In my work, I adopt an interdisciplinary approach to drawing, feminism and ecology to explore the stereotype of the southern Italian woman, the terrona. In my research, I investigate how the terrona has been represented in media as attractive, buxom and sexualized. I use drawing to visualize and transform the stereotypical characteristics of the southern Italian woman and connect the terrona's traditional traits to the natural resources of the Mediterranean environment.

Empathy across the ages: "I may be older but I'm still feeling it".

Empathy is the ability to understand and respond to another person's experience and is an important skill for maintaining good relationships across the lifespan. Past research has predominately relied on self-report measures of trait empathy in examining the impact of ageing on empathy, potentially contributing to the very mixed findings in this area. We aimed to examine the effects of age on state empathic ability. Two-hundred and thirty-one adults aged 17-94 years were administered behavioral measures of cognitive and affective empathy alongside traditional trait measures. We also examined the potential impact of advancing age on inhibition of self-relevant information and the relationship between this and the cognitive, affective and motivational components of empathic ability. Age was not a predictor of either trait cognitive or affective empathy measured using self-report. Further, older adults did not perform worse than younger adults on a state behavioral measure of affective empathy. Older adults did perform less accurately on some behavioral cognitive empathy tasks and also on self-relevant inhibition. Self-relevant inhibition errors and response times were negatively associated with performance on cognitive empathy tasks, though not associated with self-report or behaviorally measured affective empathy scores. Further, mediation analyses suggested the indirect effect from age-inhibition-cognitive empathy was small but significant, implicating inhibition in cognitive empathy ability in older adulthood. The relationship between advancing age and empathic skills is complex, with age possibly conferring both advantages and disadvantages. Inhibition should be examined alongside other general cognitive skills in future studies investigating empathy using behavioural measures. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

(Retest-)Reliable and valid despite low alphas? An example from a typical performance situational judgment test of emotional management

Situational judgments tests (SJTs) offer many advantages over traditional trait questionnaires but often show low internal consistency, presumably due to heterogeneity of the underlying constructs (Lievens et al., 2008; Whetzel & McDaniel, 2009). Some have suggested test-retest-reliability (TRT) as better-suited reliability indicator for SJTs. Here, we analyzed the TRT of the typical-performance emotional management test (TEMT, Freudenthaler & Neubauer, 2005)—an emotional management SJT. We additionally report validity evidence with respect to a maximum-performance emotional management SJT (STEM, MacCann & Roberts, 2008) and the widely-used Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue, Petrides & Furnham, 2003). For a 2 week-interval, we found satisfying TRT for both scales of the TEMT (inter- and intrapersonal emotional management; 0.76 and 0.83, respectively). Intrapersonal ability correlated moderately to highly with all four TEIQue main factors and the total score, whereas interpersonal ability showed low to medium relations. Correlations with the STEM were smaller. Our results support that SJTs can show good reliabilities—when assessed via TRT—and emphasize the importance of distinguishing between typical- and maximum-performance tests of emotional abilities.

The Driving Factors of Public’s Interest in The Use of QRIS to Achieve Cashless Society

The objective of the study is to investigate the public’s interest in the use of QRIS (Quick Response Indonesia Standard) in Oro-Oro Dowo Market, Malang – East Java. The market serves as a traditional market that has been renovated by the local government to transform the traditional system into a modern market without abandoning its traditional traits. The traditional system refers to the well-established buying and selling mechanisms, such as the products’ arrangement and layout. On the other hand, the modern system refers to improved sanitation and payment mechanisms. The payments in traditional markets have been done by using cash, but the modern market system promotes non-cash payments. In this case, the non-cash payments are implemented using a barcode scanning system provided by the Indonesian national bank under the name QRIS. Therefore, an in-depth study was essential to be carried out to understand the public’s interest in the use of QRIS or non-cash for transactions in the Oro-Oro Dowo Market. The research methods used in this study were field research and survey. For the data analysis, several theories were applied, namely Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), Theory of Planned Behaviour, and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Then, the theories were analyzed by utilizing a software called SMART PLS to identify whether there was a correlation and effect of the use of QRIS and the buying interest or transaction rates in the Oro-Oro Dowo Market. The results of this study indicate that the three variables of reliability, construct validity, structural model, and discussions related to complexity, the usefulness of QRIS, time constraints, ease of use, and e-learning self-efficiency show appropriate consistency as most of the respondents used QRIS as an electronic transaction system that allowed them to do a faster transaction due to its efficiency and accessibility

The Influence of Globalization on the Female Gender: The Igbo Example

Gender issues, as contemporary discourse, may be said to be relative according to the understanding of its studies with emphasis on the meaning attached to it by those who study them. Nevertheless, it will be relevant to examine how globalization has effected or influenced the environment in which they exist. For example, gender issues in Europe may or may not be the same as in other countries due to a lot of factors. But looking at the universal nature of globalization and the subject of female gender, differences are bound to occur without disparaging the universal nature of basic human traits that make us ethnic, traditional or tribal men and women; the existence or disappearance of racial differences is paramount to interaction and relationships. This study looks at Igbo female gender and its relationship with proponents in the outside world. It scores the global female environment and the possible barriers faced by some cultural groups and how it helps to form new groups: that make social change positive towards cultural growth. Suggestions are made on how globalization could promote culture and positive governance without sacrificing traditional traits, status or values.

Effects of Multivalent BRD Vaccine Treatment and Temperament on Performance and Feeding Behavior Responses to a BVDV1b Challenge in Beef Steers.

Simple SummaryBovine respiratory disease (BRD) threatens cattle production and welfare globally. We sought to quantify the effects of vaccine treatments and animal temperament classification on feed intake, feeding behavior and weight responses following challenge with bovine viral diarrhea virus, one of the pathogens associated with bovine respiratory disease. Commercially available respiratory vaccines were utilized, and temperament classification was based on exit velocity. Although overt clinical signs of respiratory disease were not observed following challenge, feed intake, weight gain, feed efficiency, and feed bunk frequency and duration were negatively affected. Animals administered a modified-live vaccine had more desirable feed intake, feed bunk duration, longer meal events and slower eating rates compared with those administered a killed or no vaccine. Temperament affected feeding behavior patterns, where calm steers had a greater duration of feed bunk visits and meal events, and slower eating rates compared with excitable steers. There were greater differences due to vaccine treatments in most feeding behavior traits within calm vs. excitable steers. The modified live vaccine mitigated the negative effects of the viral challenge to a greater extent than the killed vaccine for feed intake and feeding behavior patterns, and corresponded with previously reported findings regarding the effects of these vaccine types on immune responses.This study examined the effects of multivalent respiratory vaccine treatment (VT) and animal temperament classification on feeding behavior traits, feed intake and animal performance in response to a bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) challenge. Nellore–Angus crossbred steers (n = 360; initial body weight (BW) 330 ± 48 kg) were assigned to one of three vaccine treatments: non-vaccinated (NON), modified live (MLV) and killed (KV) regarding respiratory viral pathogens, and inoculated intranasally with the same BVDV1b strain. Cattle temperament categories were based on exit velocity. Overt clinical signs of respiratory disease were not observed, yet the frequency and duration of bunk visit events as well as traditional performance traits decreased (p < 0.01) following BVDV challenge and then rebounded in compensatory fashion. The reduction in dry matter intake (DMI) was less (p < 0.05) for MLV-vaccinated steers, and MLV-vaccinated steers had longer (p < 0.01) durations of bunk visit and meal events and slower (p < 0.01) eating rates compared with KV- and non-vaccinated steers following BVDV challenge. Greater differences in most feeding behavior traits due to VT existed within calm vs. excitable steers. Respiratory vaccination can reduce the sub-clinical feeding behavior and performance effects of BVDV in cattle, and the same impacts may not occur across all temperament categories.

Study on physical properties of Ayabirungaraja Karpam engaged by Traditional and Modern technique

The physical characterization is an authentic proof for the metal and mineral drug formulations used in traditional system of medicine. Now a day quality assurance is a thrust area for the evaluation of traditionally used medicinal plants and herbal formulations. In this research work, author aims to elicit traditional and modern physical characterization of Siddha formulation Ayabirungaraja karpam(ABK). It was prepared as per Siddha reputed text classical method and subjected to physical characterization traditionally such as consistency, lightness, texture, particle size, colour, odour, tactile sensation, irreversible nature and modern parameters like pH value, Loss on drying, Total ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash, Bulk density, Tapped density, Zeta size, Zeta potential and BET analysis for surface area. The results reveal as per traditional trait, ABK is non-adhesive freeness, fineness and lightness which enhance absorption and assimilation of particle in body without producing any irritation to the mucous membrane of gastrointestinal tract. Modern parameter indicate the presence of organic moieties as well as mineral, acidic medium which was not favour for microbial growth , cohesive, low porosity and compaction of drug powder was confirmed. Particle size matches well with colloidal size which attached to human intestine and thus provide large surface area, thereby increase absorption of macro, micronutrients and drug. Therefore, it is concluded the drug is user friendly for human oral administration.