Life Sciences Commons^™

Modelling Emergent Patterns Of Dynamic Desert Ecosystems, J. Stewart, A. J. Parson, J. Wainwright, G. S. Okin, B. T. Bestelmeyer, E. L. Frederickson, W. H. Schlesinger

Ed L. Frederickson

In many desert ecosystems vegetation is both patchy and dynamic: vegetated areas are interspersed with patches of bare ground, and both the positioning and the species composition of the vegetated areas exhibit change through time. These characteristics lead to the emergence of multi-scale patterns in vegetation that arise from complex relationships between plants, soils and transport processes. Previous attempts to probe the causes of spatial complexity and predict responses of desert ecosystems tend to be limited in their focus: models of dynamics have been developed with no consideration of the inherent patchiness in the vegetation, or else models have been …

Genetic Character Of Cyb5 Gene Among Different Pig Breeds.Pdf, Ying Bai, Jibin Zhang, Meiying Fang

Jibin Zhang

Anexdb: An Integrated Animal Annotation And Microarray Expression Database, Oliver Couture, Keith Callenberg, Neeraj Koul, Sushain Pandit, Remy Younes, Zhi-Liang Hu, Jack C.M. Dekkers, James M. Reecy, Vasant G. Honavar, Christopher K. Tuggle

Sushain Pandit

All publicly available porcine expressed sequences were assembled to create longer, fuller transcripts for annotation purposes. The longer sequences were then used as queries in sequence alignment and comparison software to transfer functional annotation from their homologues in other species. In addition to transferred annotation, sequence variation was also predicted from the assembly. This information can then be used with expression data from high through-put expression measures, such as microarrays, to more fully understand the underlying mechanisms of biological processes. Both kinds of data, expression and annotation, are housed together and available at www.anexdb.org.

Effects Of Deterioration Parameters On Storage Of Maize: A Review, Rashid A. Suleiman

RASHID A SULEIMAN

Maize (Zea mays L), commonly known as corn in the United States, is the third most important cereal grain worldwide, after wheat and rice. It is a basic staple grain for large groups of people in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. In tropical countries, a large proportion of the maize is harvested and stored under humid and warm climatic conditions, which subsequently results in rapid deterioration of the grains, mainly because of growth of molds and pests. This study reviewed the main factors that lead to deterioration of maize in tropical countries and suggests ways of preventing the identified causes. …

Beef Cattle Breeding Project Progress Report: Growth-Trait Epds For 1998- And 1999-Born Calves, Abebe T. Hassen, Doyle E. Wilson, Gene H. Rouse, Richard G. Tait Jr.

Richard G. Tait Jr.

The Iowa State University beef cattle breeding project was designed to develop two selection lines of beef cattle for use as a research base to answer questions that influence genetic improvement. The project was started in 1996 and is being conducted at the Rhodes (central Iowa) and McNay (southern Iowa) research and demonstration farms.

Comparison Of Ultrasound And Carcass Measures To Predict The Percentage Of Lean Beef From Four Primal Cuts – A Progress Report, Richard G. Tait Jr., Gene H. Rouse, Doyle E. Wilson

Richard G. Tait Jr.

The objective of this study was to determine how real-time ultrasound (RTU) measurements would compare with carcass measurements to predict the percentage of lean from the four primals (PERL4P). Data were collected on market ready cattle (n=490). Traditional carcass measures collected were: (1) hot carcass weight (HCW); (2) 12–13th rib fat thickness (CFAT); (3) 12–13th rib ribeye area (CREA); and (4) percentage of kidney, pelvic, and heart fat (KPH).

Beef Cattle Breeding Project Progress Report: Body Composition Epds Determined From Ultrasound Measures, Doyle E. Wilson, Abebe T. Hassen, Gene H. Rouse, Richard G. Tait Jr.

Richard G. Tait Jr.

The Iowa State University beef cattle breeding project was initiated in 1996, and is being conducted at the Rhodes and McNay Research and Demonstration Farms. The project uses the field data of the American Angus Association (AAA) along with the research resource cattle of the farms to study questions that will enhance the genetic investigations using the field data.

Beef Cattle Breeding Project Progress Report: Growth Trait Epds For 1998-, 1999-, And 2000-Born Calves, Abebe T. Hassen, D. E. Wilson, Gene H. Rouse, Richard G. Tait Jr.

Richard G. Tait Jr.

The Iowa State University beef cattle breeding project was designed to develop two selection lines of beef cattle for use as a research base to answer questions that influence genetic improvement. The project was started in 1996 and is being conducted at Rhodes (central Iowa) and McNay (southern Iowa) research and demonstration farms.

Beef Cattle Breeding Project Progress Report: Body Composition Epd Determined From Ultrasound Measures, D. E. Wilson, Abebe T. Hassen, Gene H. Rouse, Richard G. Tait Jr.

Richard G. Tait Jr.

The Iowa State University beef cattle breeding project was initiated in 1996 and is being conducted at the Rhodes and McNay research and demonstration farms. The project uses the field data of the American Angus Association (AAA) along with the research resource cattle of the farms to study questions that will enhance the genetic investigations using the field data.

Urbanization And Pattern Of Urban Food Consumption In Ashanti Region, Ghana: Implications For Food Security, Stephen Frimpong

Stephen Frimpong

The study assesses the influence of rapid urbanization on urban consumption pattern and food security of the urban dweller using primary data collected from urban households in Ashanti region of Ghana. The food security index was estimated based on a minimum daily calorie requirement of 2900Kcal. The consumption pattern indicates that yam, cassava and rice are gaining importance in urban household diet in the region. The expenditure share also shows that food constitutes 74.6% of urban household budget. The estimated food security index of the region is 0.66, implying that on average urban households in the region are food insecure. …

Effect Of Bio Field Treatment On The Physical And Thermal Characteristics Of Silicon, Tin And Lead Powders., Mahendra Kumar Trivedi

Mahendra Kumar Trivedi

Silicon, tin and lead powders belong to group IV in periodic table and exhibit decreasing semi conducting nature towards the bottom of the group. These are very useful in producing non ferrous powder metallurgy components.

In the present investigation silicon, tin and lead powders are exposed to bio field. Both the exposed and unexposed powders are later characterized by various techniques. The average particle size, after an initial decrease is found to increase with increase in number of days after treatment although the size is lee than that exhibited by untreated powder, suggesting the operation of competing mechanisms fracture and …

Effect Of Variability In Rainfall Characteristics On Maize Yield In Gboko, Nigeria, Emmanuel Msughter Adamgbe, Fanan Ujoh Ph.D

Dr. Fanan Ujoh

The study examines the impact of variability in rainfall characteristics on maize yield in a tropical setting. The study design involves the collection and analyses of data on rainfall characteristics and maize yield at Gboko LGA in Benue State, Nigeria. The methodology adopted is the use of archival data on rainfall and maize yield for 30 years, collected from the Agro-Meteorological Unit and Farm Department of Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture, Yandev (AOCAY). The data was analyzed using mean, correlation and regression analysis to establish cause and effect relationship be- tween rainfall characteristics and maize yield at the study area. …

Food, Fibre And The Future : Report On Surveys Of Students’ And Teachers’ Knowledge And Understanding Of Primary Industries, Kylie Hillman, Sarah Buckley

Dr Sarah Buckley

Primary Industry plays a vital role in Australian’s economy and society, but the gap between rural and urban communities is growing, contributing to a lack of understanding of where food and other basic necessities of life come from. The goal of the Primary Industries Education Foundation (PIEF) is to provide a source of information on primary industries for educators, to better equip students with not only knowledge about what goes into their food and fibres but also what career opportunities exist in primary industries. In 2010, PIEF contracted the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to design and conduct a …

Miscanthus Establishment And Overwintering In The Midwest Usa: A Regional Modeling Study Of Crop Residue Management On Critical Minimum Soil Temperatures, Christopher J. Kucharik, Andy Vanloocke, John D. Lenters, Melissa M. Motew

Andy VanLoocke

Within-Plant Distribution Of Volatile Compounds On The Leaf Surface Of Flourensia Cernua, Rick Estell, Darren James, Ed Frederickson, Dean Anderson

Ed L. Frederickson

We are using Flourensia cernua as a shrub model to study how terpenes affect livestock herbivory. Two experiments were conducted to examine distribution of volatile chemicals within a plant in an effort to minimize sample variability. In Experiment 1, leaves (current year's growth) were collected from 20 tarbush plants. Two leaders were sampled from each of three positions (outer canopy, subcanopy, and basal) in all four quadrants (based on ordinal direction). In Experiment 2, 10 leaders of current year's growth were removed from another 20 plants. Leaders were collected from the outer canopy of each quadrant and separated into thirds …

Current State Of Food Security: Research, Education And Outreach In Burkina Universities, Mamoudou H. Dicko Prof.

Pr. Mamoudou H. DICKO, PhD

Burkina Faso is a Sahelian West African country. Current population is about 16 millions and 43.9 % live below the poverty line. Burkina Faso is classified as both a least developed country and a low-income, food-deficit country. The nutritional quality is poor (1830 against 2000 Kcal/person/day). Food insecurity affects 50 % of households, and is increasing in the urban areas. However, Burkina Faso is one of the country that respect the 2003 Maputo’s declaration’s call to invest at least 10 percent of the budget in agriculture, in order to increase agricultural production and attain food self-sufficiency. Several training programs dealing …

Pulling The Wool Under Your Eyes: Preserving A Wool Lab And Library At The University Of Wyoming, David Kruger

David Delbert Kruger

Since 1909, the University of Wyoming boasted a Wool Department and one of the few wool laboratories, libraries, and scouring plants in the United States. With the decommissioning of the wool laboratory and library in 2012, University of Wyoming Libraries is working to preserve its vast contents including wool samples, book and scrapbook collections, and the process of wool research itself. University of Wyoming Libraries has partnered with UW Extension and the College of Agriculture to help preserve the history of wool research.

Body Composition Changes In Bulls From Weaning To Yearling Part I — Muscle, Waste Fat And Taste Fat Deposition, Gene H. Rouse, Doyle E. Wilson, Richard G. Tait Jr., Mike Anderson, Abebe T. Hassen

Richard G. Tait Jr.

These results suggest how muscle, subcutaneous fat and intramuscular fat are deposited from weaning to yearling. How might these results be explained?

• Tissue maturity —muscle matures earlier than fat in the growth process and has nutrient priority over fat when muscle is making maximum growth. Cattle normally make maximum growth, rate/day, when muscle is being deposited at the maximum rate. Why? Muscle has a much higher water content than fat, therefore, it requires less nutrients to deposit a pound of muscle then a pound of fat.
• 10-1 Concept—during the fattening process, 10 pounds of waste fat (subcutaneous, seam and internal …

Genetic Parameters For Concentrations Of Minerals In Longissimus Muscle And Their Associations With Palatability Traits In Angus Cattle, R. G. Mateescu, A. J. Garmyn, Richard G. Tait Jr., Qing Duan, Q. Liu, Mary S. Mayes, Dorian J. Garrick, A. L. Van Eenennaam, D. L. Vanoverbeke, G. G. Hilton, Donald C. Beitz, James M. Reecy

Richard G. Tait Jr.

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for concentrations of minerals in LM and to evaluate their associations with beef palatability traits. Samples of LM from 2,285 Angus cattle were obtained and fabricated into steaks for analysis of mineral concentrations and for trained sensory panel assessments. Nine minerals, including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc, were quantified. Restricted maximum likelihood procedures were used to obtain estimates of variance and covariance components under a multiple-trait animal model. Estimates of heritability for mineral concentrations in LM varied from 0.01 to 0.54. Iron and sodium were …

Estimation Of Relationships Between Mineral Concentration And Fatty Acid Composition Of Longissimus Muscle And Beef Palatability Traits, A. J. Garmyn, G. G. Hilton, R. G. Mateescu, J. B. Morgan, James M. Reecy, Richard G. Tait Jr., Donald C. Beitz, Qing Duan, Jon P. Schoonmaker, Mary S. Mayes, Mary E. Drewnoski, Q. Liu, D. L. Vanoverbeke

Richard G. Tait Jr.

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of beef LM nutrient components on beef palatability traits and evaluate the impact of USDA quality grade on beef palatability. Longissimus muscle samples from related Angus cattle (n = 1,737) were obtained and fabricated into steaks for trained sensory panel, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), lipid oxidation measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), fatty acid, and mineral composition analysis. Pearson phenotypic correlations were obtained by the correlation procedure of SAS. Beef palatability data were analyzed by the GLM procedure of SAS with USDA quality grade as the main effect. Specific …

Evaluation Of Fixed Sources Of Variation And Estimation Of Genetic Parameters For Incidence Of Bovine Respiratory Disease In Preweaned Calves And Feedlot Cattle, M. J. Schneider, Richard G. Tait Jr., Marshall V. Ruble, W. Darrell Busby, James M. Reecy

Richard G. Tait Jr.

The primary objective of this study was to estimate variance components and heritability of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) incidence in beef calves before weaning and during the finishing phase. The second objective was to investigate the impact of BRD incidence and treatment frequency on performance and carcass traits. Bovine respiratory disease is the biggest and most costly health challenge facing the cattle industry. The 2 populations used consisted of 1,519 preweaned calves and 3,277 head of feedlot cattle. The incidence rate of BRD in preweaned calves was 11.39%, and among treated cattle, 82.1% were treated once, 13.9% were treated twice, …

Genetic Parameters For Carnitine, Creatine, Creatinine, Carnosine, And Anserine Concentration In Longissimus Muscle And Their Association With Palatability Traits In Angus Cattle, R. G. Mateescu, A. J. Garmyn, M. A. O'Neil, Richard G. Tait Jr., Almass A. Abuzaid, Mary S. Mayes, Dorian J. Garrick, A. L. Van Eenennaam, D. L. Vanoverbeke, G. G. Hilton, Donald C. Beitz, James M. Reecy

Richard G. Tait Jr.

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for carnitine, creatine, creatinine, carnosine, and anserine concentration in LM and to evaluate their associations with Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and beef palatability traits. Longissimus muscle samples from 2,285 Angus cattle were obtained and fabricated into steaks for analysis of carnitine, creatine, creatinine, carnosine, anserine, and other nutrients, and for trained sensory panel and WBSF assessments. Restricted maximum likelihood procedures were used to obtain estimates of variance and covariance components under a multiple-trait animal model. Estimates of heritability for carnitine, creatine, creatinine, carnosine, and anserine concentrations in LM from Angus …

Genome-Wide Association Study Of Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis In Angus Cattle, Kadir Kizilkaya, Richard G. Tait Jr., Dorian J. Garrick, Rohan L. Fernando, James M. Reecy

Richard G. Tait Jr.

Background Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) in beef cattle, commonly known as pinkeye, is a bacterial disease caused by Moraxella bovis. IBK is characterized by excessive tearing and ulceration of the cornea. Perforation of the cornea may also occur in severe cases. IBK is considered the most important ocular disease in cattle production, due to the decreased growth performance of infected individuals and its subsequent economic effects. IBK is an economically important, lowly heritable categorical disease trait. Mass selection of unaffected animals has not been successful at reducing disease incidence. Genome-wide studies can determine chromosomal regions associated with IBK susceptibility. The …

Body Composition Changes In Bulls From Weaning Age To Yearling Age: Muscle Fat Deposition, Gene H. Rouse, Richard G. Tait Jr., M. Anderson, Abebe Hassen

Richard G. Tait Jr.

With the advent of real-time ultrasound, repeated measures of body composition changes, such as fat cover, rib eye area, and percentage intramuscular fat have greatly added to our understanding of beef cattle growth and development.

Comparison Of Ultrasound And Carcass Measures To Predict Percentage Of Beef Retail Product From Four Primal Cuts—Final Report, Richard G. Tait Jr., Gene H. Rouse, Doyle E. Wilson

Richard G. Tait Jr.

The objective of this study was to determine how real-time ultrasound (RTU) measurements would compare with carcass measurements to predict the percentage of retail product from the four primals (PRP4P). Data were collected on market ready cattle (n=471). Traditional carcass measures collected were: 1) hot carcass weight (HCW), 2) 12–13th rib fat thickness (CFAT), 3) 12–13th rib ribeye area (CREA), and 4) percentage of kidney, pelvic, and heart fat (CKPH). Live animal ultrasound measures collected were: 1) scan weight (SCANWT), 2) 12–13th rib fat thickness (UFAT), 3) 12–13th rib ribeye area (UREA), 4) subcutaneous fat thickness over the termination of …

Characterizing Overall Response To Two-Shot Vaccination For Bvdv Type 2 In Angus Weanling Calves, Richard Tait, Erika Downey, Mary Mayes, Julia Ridpath, Dorian Garrick, James Reecy

Richard G. Tait Jr.

Vaccination is a management strategy utilized to help reduce prevalence of bovine respiratory disease in feedlots. However, not all animals respond similarly to vaccinations. It is believed that an animal’s genetics control part of the ability to respond to a vaccination protocol. In order to evaluate the genetic control of a new trait such as response to vaccination, it is important to understand the non-genetic factors that affect an animal’s response to vaccination. The objective of this study was to characterize the non-genetic factors affecting overall response to a two-shot vaccination for bovine viral diarrhea virus type 2 (BVDV2) in …

Effects Of Calf Age And Dam Age On Circulating Bvdv Ii Antibody Levels Prior To Vaccination In Angus Weanling Calves, Erika Diane Downey, Richard G. Tait Jr., Mary Sue Mayes, Dorian J. Garrick, Julia Ridpath, James M. Reecy

Richard G. Tait Jr.

Newborn calves passively acquire antibodies from their dams via consumption of colostrum immediately after birth. Colostrum quality and quantity may differ by dam age affecting the amount of circulating maternally derived antibodies. The objective of this study was to evaluate if there are differences in calf titers of maternal antibodies based on age of dam and age of calf. This knowledge is important for determining vaccination strategies because passively acquired antibodies for bovine viral diarrhea virus I and II (BVDV) have been shown to block the ability of calves to develop their own specific immune response to BVDV.

Prediction Of Retail Product And Trimmable Fat In Beef Cattle Using Ultrasound Or Carcass Data, Richard G. Tait Jr.

Richard G. Tait Jr.

The most widely used system to predict percent retail product from the four primals in beef cattle is USDA yield grade. The purpose of this study was to determine if routine ultrasound measurements and additional rump measurements could be used to more accurately predict the percent lean from the four primals than the carcass measurements going into the USDA yield grade equation. This study utilized market cattle (n = 471) consisting of Angus bulls, Angus steers, and crossbred steers. The right side of each carcass was fabricated into retail cuts, lean trim, fat, and bone; weights of each component were …

Correlations Between Carcass Traits And Mineral Concentrations In Angus Beef Raised In Iowa, Richard G. Tait Jr., Qing Duan, Qi Liu, Mary Sue Mayes, Donald C. Beitz, James M. Reecy

Richard G. Tait Jr.

Beef is a nutritious food that is known to have high bioavailability for several minerals such as iron and zinc. Although beef is typically high in these nutrients, there is much animalto-animal variation in mineral contents. The objective of this study is to report the relationship between traditional carcass traits and mineral concentrations within the longissimus dorsi.

Whole Genome Analysis Of Pinkeye Scores In Angus Cattle, Kadir Kizilkaya, Richard G. Tait Jr., Dorian J. Garrick, Rohan L. Fernando, James M. Reecy

Richard G. Tait Jr.

Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), known as pinkeye, is a common infectious disease affecting the eyes of cattle. It is characterized by excessive tearing, inflammation of the conjunctiva, and ulceration of the cornea. Although pinkeye is non-fatal, it has a marked economic impact on the cattle industry, due to the decreased performance of infected individuals. Genetic effects on the susceptibility of IBK have been studied and Hereford, Jersey, and Holstein breeds were found to be more susceptible to IBK than Bos Indicus breeds. The objectives of our study were: 1) to estimate genetic parameters of IBK scored in different categories by …