Search

Context: No consensus has yet been formed on project development in lake-water conservancy on aspects such as lake quality, ecological environment, rural economy, social culture, leisure living environment and leisure aspirations due to the current lack of comprehensive discussion. Aims: This study mainly uses the case of Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan to verify the impact of lake-tourism optimisation and water-conservancy projects on the rural economy, water quality, ecology and sustainable development of tourism for local young people in the area around the lake. Methods: We employed open-sampling questionnaires and semistructured interviews to collect data and conducted multivariate analysis. Key results: The study investigated the hypothesis that optimising water-conservancy projects for lake tourism creates a stable leisure and tourism environment in rural areas, enhances visibility, and increases emotional exchanges and the preservation of historic sites. However, problems such as excessive tourism waste and a lack of public facilities negatively affect local young consumers' willingness to engage in tourism activities. Conclusions: Improving problems in the villages, ecology and natural environment surrounding lakes that are being conserved can increase young local individuals' willingness to engage in and share experiences of tourism activities. Implications: If the local government can improve the issues of protected villages, ecology and the natural environment around the lake, it can increase the willingness of local young people to participate in and share their experiences in tourism activities. Lake tourism-optimisation water-conservancy projects are indeed conducive to creating a safe leisure and tourism environment, thereby enhancing human interaction, historical monument protection and local visibility. However, problems such as shortage of basic public facilities and excessive tourism waste will still affect people's perception of the local environment and willingness to consume. This article belongs to the collection Ecological Monitoring and Assessment of Freshwater Ecosystems: New Trends and Future Challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compact radio sources exhibit scintillation, an interference pattern arising from propagation through inhomogeneous plasma, where scintillation patterns encode the relative distances and velocities of the source, scattering material, and Earth. In previous work, we showed that the scintillation velocity of the repeating fast radio burst (FRB) FRB20201124A could be measured by correlating burst spectrum pairs, with low values of the scintillation velocity and scattering time-scale suggesting scattering nearby the Earth at $\sim$ 0.4 kpc. In this work, we have measured the scintillation velocity at 10 epochs spanning 1 yr, observing an annual variation that strongly implies the screen is within the Milky Way. Modelling the annual variation with a 1D anisotropic or 2D isotropic screen results in a screen distance $d_{\mathrm{ l}} = 0.40\pm 0.04$ or $0.46\pm 0.06\,$ pc from the Earth, respectively, possibly associated with material outside of the Local Bubble or the edge of the Orion–Eridanus superbubble. Additional measurements particularly at times of low effective velocity will help probe changes in screen properties, and distinguish between screen models. Where scintillation of an FRB originates in its host galaxy or local environment, these techniques could be used to detect orbital motion, and probe the FRB's local ionized environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On Cu(111) surface and in interaction with a single hexa-tert-butylphenylbenzene molecule-gear, the rotation of a graphene nanodisk was studied using the large-scale atomic/molecular massively parallel simulator molecular dynamics simulator. To ensure a transmission of rotation to the molecule-gear, the graphene nanodisk is functionalized on its circumference by tert -butylphenyl chemical groups. The rotational motion can be categorized underdriving, driving and overdriving regimes calculating the locking coefficient of this mechanical machinery as a function of external torque applied to the nanodisk. The rotational friction with the surface of both the phononic and electronic contributions is investigated. For small size graphene nanodisks, the phononic friction is the main contribution. Electronic friction dominates for the larger disks putting constrains on the experimental way of achieving the transfer of rotation from a graphene nanodisk to a single molecule-gear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the observations of the highly active FRB20201124A with the upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) at 550–750 MHz. These observations in the incoherent array mode simultaneously provided an arcsecond localization of bursts from FRB20201124A, the discovery of persistent radio emission associated with the host galaxy, and the detection of 48 bursts. Using the brightest burst in the sample (F  = 108 Jy ms), we find a structure-maximizing dispersion measure of 410.8 ± 0.5 pc cm−3. We find that our observations are complete down to a fluence level of 10 Jy ms, above which the cumulative burst rate scales as a power law |$R(\gt \!F) = 10~{\rm h}^{-1} \left(F/10\mathrm{\, Jy\, ms}\right)^{\gamma }$|⁠ , with γ  = −1.2 ± 0.2. We find that the bursts are, on average, wider than those reported for other repeating fast radio bursts (FRBs). We find that the waiting time between bursts is well approximated by an exponential distribution with a mean of ∼2.9 min during our observations. We searched for periodicities using both a standard Fourier domain method and the fast folding algorithm, but found no significant candidates. We measure bulk spectro-temporal drift rates between −0.75 and −20 MHz ms−1. Finally, we use the brightest burst to set an upper limit to the scattering time of 11.1 ms at 550 MHz. The localization of FRB20201124A adds strength to the proof-of-concept method described in our earlier work and serves as a potential model for future localizations and follow-up of repeating FRBs with the uGMRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate whether the sky rate of fast radio bursts (FRBs) depends on Galactic latitude using the first catalog of FRBs detected by the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment Fast Radio Burst (CHIME/FRB) Project. We first select CHIME/FRB events above a specified sensitivity threshold in consideration of the radiometer equation, and then we compare these detections with the expected cumulative time-weighted exposure using Andersonâ€"Darling and Kolmogorovâ€"Smirnov tests. These tests are consistent with the null hypothesis that FRBs are distributed without Galactic latitude dependence (p -values distributed from 0.05 to 0.99, depending on completeness threshold). Additionally, we compare rates in intermediate latitudes (∣ b ∣ < 15°) with high latitudes using a Bayesian framework, treating the question as a biased coin-flipping experimentâ€"again for a range of completeness thresholds. In these tests the isotropic model is significantly favored (Bayes factors ranging from 3.3 to 14.2). Our results are consistent with FRBs originating from an isotropic population of extragalactic sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study compared the catechin composition of different tea byproducts and investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with green tea byproducts on the accumulation of abdominal fat, the modulation of lipid metabolism, and the inflammatory response in red feather native chickens. Methods: Bioactive compounds were detected, and in vitro antiobesity capacity analyzed via 3T3L1 preadipocytes. In animal experiments, 320 onedayold red feather native chickens were divided into 4 treatment groups: control, basal diet supplemented with 0.5% Jinxuan byproduct (JBP), basal diet supplemented with 1% JBP, or basal diet supplemented with 5x106 colonyforming unit (CFU)/kg Bacillus amyloliquefaciens+5x106 CFU/kg Saccharomyces cerevisiae (BA+SC). Growth performance, serum characteristics, carcass characteristics, and the mRNA expression of selected genes were measured. Results: This study compared several cultivars of tea, but Jinxuan showed the highest levels of the antiobesity compound epigallocatechin gallate. 3T3L1 preadipocytes treated with Jinxuan extract significantly reduced lipid accumulation. There were no significant differences in growth performance, serum characteristics, or carcass characteristics among the groups. However, in the 0.5% JBP group, mRNA expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetylCoA carboxylase (ACC) were significantly decreased. In the 1% JBP group, FAS, ACC and peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor γ levels were significantly decreased. Moreover, inflammationrelated mRNA expression levels were decreased by the addition of JBP. Conclusion: JBP contained abundant catechins and related bioactive compounds, which reduced lipid accumulation in 3T3L1 preadipocytes, however there was no significant reduction in abdominal fat. This may be due to a lack of active antiobesity compounds or because the major changes in fat metabolism were not in the abdomen. Nonetheless, lipogenesisrelated and inflammationrelated mRNA expression were reduced in the 1% JBP group. In addition, dietary supplementation with tea byproducts could reduce the massive amount of byproducts created during tea production and modulate lipid metabolism and the inflammatory response in chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the findings of an upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) observing campaign for FRB 180916.J0158+65, which was recently found to show a 16.35-d periodicity of its active cycle. We observed the source at 550–750 MHz for ∼2 h during each of three successive cycles at the peak of its expected active period. We find 0, 12 and 3 bursts, respectively, implying a highly variable bursting rate even within the active phase. We consistently detect faint bursts with spectral energies only an order of magnitude higher than the Galactic burst source SGR 1935+2154. The times of arrival of the detected bursts rule out many possible aliased solutions, strengthening the findings of the 16.35-d periodicity. A periodicity search over a short time-scale returned no highly significant candidates. Two of the beamformer-detected bursts were bright enough to be clearly detected in the imaging data, achieving subarcsec localization, and proving to be a proof-of-concept for FRB imaging with the GMRT. We provide a 3σ upper limit of the persistent radio flux density at 650 MHz of 66 μJy, which, combined with the European VLBI Network and Very Large Array limits at 1.6 GHz, further constrains any potential radio counterpart. These results demonstrate the power of the uGMRT for providing targeted observations to detect and localize known repeating FRBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural asymmetry of the vertically stacked channels results in the junction temperature difference in nanosheet channels which is dependent on pitch, nanosheet width, channel number, and input power. The Vt difference induced by the self-heating becomes worse with the process imperfections, such as the interface trap density. PFET has higher Vt difference due to the higher thermal resistance and stronger temperature dependence of Vt than nFET (22mV vs 6.5mV for 15nm pitch, 35nm nanosheet width, 3 channels, and DC input). The Vt difference increases with the increasing channel number and nanosheet width. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Modelling Annual Scintillation Velocity Variations of FRB 20201124A" published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters. The correction addresses a typo in the published abstract, where "pc" should be replaced by "kpc." The corrected abstract discusses the measurement of scintillation velocity at 10 epochs over a year, indicating that the screen is within the Milky Way. The modeling of the annual variation suggests a screen distance of 0.40±0.04 kpc or 0.46±0.06 kpc from Earth, potentially associated with material outside of the Local Bubble or the edge of the Orion-Eridanus Superbubble. The authors of the article are R A Main, S Bethapudi, V R Marthi, M L Bause, D Z Li, H-H Lin, L G Spitler, and R S Wharton. [Extracted from the article]

High device density and high power density intensify the self-heating effect in scaled FinFET circuits to degrade both device and back-end-of-line (BEOL) reliability. The boundary scattering in nanostructure, alloy scattering in SiGe, and interfacial thermal resistance (ITR) between different materials even worsen the self-heating. A modularized FinFET SPICE model consisting of distributed ${R} _{\textsf {th}}$ – ${C} _{\textsf {th}}$ network is used to provide a transient thermal response. A two-step pseudo isothermal plane model is proposed to characterize the thermal behavior of BEOL. Both BEOL and FinFET SPICE model are verified by TCAD simulation with dc and ac inputs. The ITR significantly raises the junction temperature of the FinFETs ($\Delta {T}_{\textsf {j}}\sim \textsf {42}~^{\circ }\text{C}$). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metal‐supported solid oxide fuel cell (MS‐SOFC) consisting of a porous Ni‐Mo as metal‐support, a La0.75Sr0.25Cr0.5Mn0.5O3–δ (LSCM) as diffusion barrier layer, a nano‐structured Ce0.55La0.45O3–δ (LDC)‐Ni as anode layer, a LDC as anode interlayer, a La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3–δ (LSGM) as electrolyte, a Sm0.15Ce0.85O3–δ (SDC) as cathode interlayer, a 50 wt.% SDC–50 wt.% Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3–δ (SSC) as composite cathode interlayer and a 25 wt.% SDC–75 wt.% SSC as cathode current collector are prepared by atmospheric plasma spraying (APS). The 25 cm2 cell delivers maximum power densities of 962 and 1,119 mW cm−2 at 700 and 750 °C. The durability, thermal cycling and redox cycling tests of this cell show the cell have good durability, thermal cycle stability and redox stability. The assembled single cell stack of 100 cm2 cell shows electric output powers of 39 W (481 mW cm−2) and 27.4 W (338 mW cm−2) at 750 °C and 700 °C. The long‐term stability test of this single cell stack shows a degradation rate of about 0.77% k−1 h−1 over 1,770 h at 400 mA cm−2 and 700 °C. Furthermore, a 25‐cell MS‐SOFC stack is assembled to evaluate the power performance and it shows a stack power of 829.8 W at 19.85 V and 740 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The murine maternal immune activation (MIA) offspring model enables longitudinal studies to explore aberrant social behaviors similar to those observed in humans. High levels of cytokines, chemokines and cell adhesion molecules (CAM) have been found in the plasma and/or brains of psychiatric patients. We hypothesized that upregulation of the systemic or brain immune response has an augmenting effect by potentially increasing the interplay between the neuronal and immune systems during the growth of the MIA offspring. In this study, a C57BL/6j MIA female offspring model exhibiting social deficits was established. The expression of fetal interferon (IFN)‐stimulated (gbp3, irgm1, ifi44), adolescent immunodevelopmental transcription factor (eg, r2, tfap2b), hormone (pomc, hcrt), adult selectin (sell, selp) and neuroligin (nlgn2) genes was altered. Systemic upregulation of endogenous IL‐10 occurred at the adult stage, while both IL‐1β and IL‐6 were increased and persisted in the sera throughout the growth of the MIA offspring. The cerebral IL‐6 levels were endogenously upregulated, but both MCP‐1 (macrophage inflammatory protein‐1) and L‐selectin levels were downregulated at the adolescent and/or adult stages. However, the MIA offspring were susceptible to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. After reinjecting the MIA offspring with LPS in adulthood, a variety of sera and cerebral cytokines, chemokines and CAMs were increased. Particularly, both MCP‐1 and L‐selectin showed relatively high expression in the brain compared with the expression levels in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS)‐treated offspring injected with LPS. Potentially, MCP‐1 was attracted to the L‐selectin‐mediated immune cells due to augmentation of the immune response following stimulation in MIA female offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous literature indicates that both light and photoreceptors may play key roles in host susceptibility to viruses. Studies have already suggested that phytochrome B is essential for the defence strategies of Nicotiana tabacum against Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Here, further investigations are made into the roles of phytochromes in N. tabacum against CMV. The recombinant vector pRNAi‐LIC‐PHYA/PHYB was used to produce tobacco phyA, phyB and phyAphyB mutants via the Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation method. The results suggest that both phyA and phyB deficiency increase the susceptibility of N. tabacum to CMV infection. Mutant plants showed more obvious CMV‐induced symptoms and higher transcriptional levels of the CMV coat protein gene than wild type plants, and the effect was clearly synergistic in the phyAphyB double mutant. Furthermore, the data show that mutations in phyA/phyB up‐regulate the sensitivity of N. tabacum to CMV by repressing the salicylic acid (SA)‐mediated defence pathway in tobacco plants. Additionally, the results indicate that phytochrome signalling strongly modulates the response of N. tabacum to endogenous SA but not to endogenous jasmonic acid. Taken together, these results reinforce the idea that intact phytochrome signalling plays a positive role in the ability of N. tabacum to resist CMV and is required for the induction and development of SA‐mediated defence responses in CMV‐inoculated N. tabacum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Q fever (QF) is a worldwide zoonosis associated with outbreaks. Only a few nationwide studies regarding the surveillance and epidemiology of human QF have been reported. Although QF is endemic in Taiwan, a nationwide database investigation of the epidemiology and characteristics of QF and its associations with scrub typhus (ST), murine typhus (MT) and leptospirosis (LS) has never been reported. We analysed nationwide databases of suspected QF, ST, MT and LS cases from October 2007 to December 2014 obtained from the Centers for Disease Control, Taiwan. A total of 468 (4.2%) QF cases were identified among 11 109 suspected QF cases. QF cases were mainly distributed in the southern and Kaohsiung-Pingtung regions but rarely in the eastern region. Compared to non-QF cases, QF cases had significantly higher percentages of males (88.7 versus 66.2%) and high-risk occupations (farming, animal husbandry or veterinary medicine) (16.2 versus 10.5%). But the percentages of specific animal contact, including cattle (0.6 versus 0.8%) and goats (0.9 versus 1.0%), were low in both. The majority of suspected QF cases (89.4%) were simultaneously suspected with ST, MT or LS, and the combinations of suspected diseases differed between regions. The number of suspected QF cases from the eastern region decreased since 2009, which was not observed in other regions. A total of 1420 (12.8%) cases had confirmed diseases, including QF (453, 4.1%), QF+ST (7, 0.06%), QF+MT (4, 0.04%), QF+LS (4, 0.04%), MT (186, 1.7%), ST (545, 4.9%), ST+LS (11, 0.1%) and LS (210, 1.9%). Compared to cases of unknown disease, QF cases had larger percentages of high-risk occupations (16.2 versus 9.6%) but similar histories of animal contact (29.8 versus 25.1%). QF is an endemic disease in southern Taiwan. It is difficult to differentiate QF from ST, MT or LS only by high-risk occupations and history of animal contact, and co-infection of QF with these diseases should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autophagy is a catabolic process that has been shown to have a role in many cellular processes including the removal of excessive or damaged proteins and protein aggregates. The salivary glands play a critical role in oral health, and their secretory capacity may be critically intertwined with the autophagic process. This review describes the role of autophagy activation in normal salivary gland homeostasis and during the glandular stress responses of therapeutic radiation, ductal ligation, autoimmunity, and salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to explore the alleviation of hair loss syndrome (HLS) by adding mineral supplements to the diet of captive Formosan sambar deer. The experiment was performed in two deer farms, A (without HLS) and B (with HLS). The feeding situation was investigated the crude protein and mineral content intake. Deers were provided with commercial concentrate (control group). The treatment group was additionally given mineral supplements. The results showed that the amount of crude protein and minerals are given in farm A is higher than in farm B. Although there were some significant differences in serum mineral concentrations between the control and the treatment group, both were within the normal range. At the time of sampling, the deer hairs were uniform and glossy. In the hair of the control group, the Ca, P, Na, and Cu content of the hair of farm A was significantly higher than that of farm B (P < 0.05) ; but the treatment group only the Na content of farm A was significantly higher than that of farm B (P < 0.05). The results show that the concentration of minerals in the serum tends to be constant, but the hair mineral content can reflect the supply of minerals for long-term feeding. Nutritional deficiencies may cause hair loss, and additional mineral supplementation should reduce its incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total of 240 one-day-old Ross commercial broilers were randomly assigned to three treatments with different supplementation of Citrus depressa 0% (control), 0.2% and 0.4% group, respectively. Each treatment had three pens and each pen raised 20 chicks. Feed and water were provided ad libitum during the experimental period till 35 days old, and the ammonia concentrations from chicken litter were measured 29, 31 and 35 days old. Results showed that no significant difference was found on the average daily gain (54, 53, 52 and 54 g/d), average daily feed intake (70, 71, 72 and 70 g/d), feed efficiency (0.76, 0.74, 0.72 and 0.77) (P > 0.05). The ammonia concentrations of 0.2% group were reduced about 5% ~ 19% than other groups. In conclusion, the broiler fed with 0.2% Citrus depressa diet can reduce ammonia concentrations from chicken litter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hand-held infrared thermal imaging sensor was used to measure the body temperature of deer. The measurement farm was located in Yunlin County. The eyes of 6 male deer and 3 female deer were measured. The distance between the surroundings and the infrared thermal imaging sensor is about 150 cm. There are 36 points measured. The average value is 38.54 ± 0.68°C. In addition, considering that the average length of the deer stall is about 300 cm, the temperature around the eyes of the doe's eyes is measured at a distance of about 300 cm for 3 deer from the infrared thermal imaging sensor. Total of 5 points are measured, and the average is 37.92 ± 1.40°C. The average rectal temperature of the doe was 38.1°C and the difference was 0.18°C. The temperature around the anus of 4 female deer was measured at 4 points. The average value was 37.85 ± 1.40°C, which was 0.25°C different from the average rectal temperature of 38.1°C. The results showed that the temperature around the eyes and the temperature around the anus are closer to the actual deer's anal temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to examine the effect of the seasonal changes in testosterone levels, scrotal circumference and semen traits in Formosan sika deer. Five sexually matured males were used for sample collection. Results showed that the testosterone levels of the serum in the Formosan Sika deer were higher from September to December (8.1 ± 8.0 ng/mL) than from January to August (1.9 ± 2.8 ng/mL). The scrotal circumference from September to December was also significantly higher than January to August (20.4 ± 1.0 vs. 16.5 ± 2.0 cm, P < 0.05). The semen volume, sperm motility score, sperm concentration, sperm viability and abnormal morphology of stag semen were 0.3 ± 0.2 mL, 4.0 ± 1.2, 17.6 ± 7.5 x 108 sperms/mL, 74.9 ± 20.3% and 12.9 ± 5.6%, respectively. In conclusion, Formosan sika deer testosterone levels and scrotal circumference were consistent with seasonal changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 79 year old man with chronic hepatitis C related cirrhosis found to have multiple ill-defined liver lesions on abdominal ultrasound. In contrast to normal liver parenchyma, biliary hamartoma is usually presented as diffuse tiny or small cystic lesions in the liver without enhancement. [Extracted from the article]

The study aims to evaluate feeding domestic forage in substitute for imported forage on antler growth period in Formosan sambar deer. Fourteen deer were used in the trial and divided into two groups according to the yield of antler, age of deer and the BCS. Imported Bermuda hay, alfalfa cube and concentrate A were used in the control group, and the experimental group was fed with domestic Pangola grass, com silage and concentrate B. The result showed that there was no significant difference in the yield of antler and chy matter intake between two groups and feeding cost were similar. However, due to the small scale of the trial, the cost of domestic forage is slightly higher than the market price; whereas the feeding management is applied in the larger scale commercial farm, the cost could be cut down more. In conclusion, the application of domestic forage on Formosan sam bar deer during the velvet antler growth period can potentially replace the imported forage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 320 one-day-old Arbor Acres commercial broilers were assigned to four treatments with different ratios of Napiergrass, those ruTangements were supplementation of Napiergrass respectively 0% (control, A group), 1.5% (B group), 3.0% (C group) and 4.5% (D group). Feed and water were provided ad libitum during the experimental period from 1 to 35 days of age. The results showed that no significant difference was found on the average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed efficiency (FE) of broilers at 7 days of age. The D group had significantly lower ADG (39.64 g) and FE (0.55) than other groups (ADG of A, B, C respectively 43.70 g, 44.09 g, 42.95 g) (FE respectively 0.62, 0.60, 0.61) (P < 0.05) at 21 days of age. The A group (16.25%) had significant higher mmtality rate than other groups (B, C, D respectively 0%, 3.75%, 7.50%) (P < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the semen quality of crossbred black boars with various proportions of maternal inheritance and genetic background, including crossbred K, DK and KD pigs. The fresh boar semen was diluted with preservation medium to the concentration of 6 x 107/mL, and then cultured in an incubator at 17, 39 and 42ºC (heat treatment), respectively, for 12 or 24 hours. Thereafter, the sperm viability, sperm acrosomal integrity and mitochodrial depolorization were evaluated by Sperm Flow Cytometer. Results showed that boars with material inheritance from Meishan (K and KD) had significantly (P < 0.05) better sperm viability, sperm acrosomal integrity and mitochodrial depolorization than DK boars when semen samples were heat-treated. Based on our analysis on semen quality, boars with maternal inheritance derived from Meishan (K and KD) are more heat resistant than boars with maternal inheritance derived from Duroc (DK). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Formosan sambar (Rusa unicolor swinhoei) is mainly for antler velvet production in Taiwan. Although only bucks produce antler velvet, the reproductive performance of hind is the key issue in farming efficiency. This study aimed to determine the reproductive characteristics of Formosan sam bar hinds in Taiwan. A total of 246 fawning records druing 2007 and 2019 from 43 farmed hinds at deer farm in southern Taiwan were collected. The earliest age at first fawn born alive was 23-month-old with 34.6 months of age in average with 57.5% male born alive. Fawning interval increased as parity increased. The most fettility hind produced 15 patities with 18 years oflife span. There was 0.96 ± 0.45 fawns born alive per hind annually since 18-month-age, which implied hind within herd was capable of producing almost one born alive fawn annually after reaching puberty. Furthetmore, 9,164 g antler velvet produced per male offspring of hind when productivity of male offspring was considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deer Farmers Association R.O.C. encourages deer farmers to cultivate excellent deer species, enhance quality, and increase profits. The antler weight competition has been carried out for 14 years. Deer individuals are not allowed to breed from different deer breeds. The competition was limited to the on-site assessment; judges should present and photographed on the spot. Use the electronic scales that have been calibrated in the current year of the competition to be qualified or labelled on the spot. The weight of the antler's table obtained by weighing the electronic scale should also be photographed. The award-winning deer has only 551 heads and is raised in 14 counties and cities. The antler weight ranges from 145.6 to 485.3 tael units and its average is 229.7 ± 47.8 tael (8.61 ± 1.79 kg). The top 20 velvet weight averages were 248.2 and 317.4 tael in 2012 and 2019 respectively. The annual improvement of Taiwan's Samber antler weight was about 7.7 ( (317.4- 248.2 = 69.2) /7) tael. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to evaluate the effect of replacing imported Bermuda hay with domestic grass-legume mixture forage on the velvet antler production period of Formosan sambar deer. Ten male Formosan sambar deer were randomly divided into two groups according to the yield of velvet antler, age, and body condition score. Deer were fed with grass-legume mixture hay or Bermuda hay ad libitum, respectively. The concentrate was offered equally to forage dry matter intake. Velvet antler was weighed while harvesting. The results showed that the dry matter intake of the grass-legume mixture hay group wad significantly higher (Pᐸ0.05) than thet of the Bermuda hay group. Although there was no signicantl difference in the yield of velvet antler and body condition score, a trend of higher performance was found in the grass-legume mixture hay group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fertility of sperm is related to its structures such as the integrity of sperm membrane, acrosomal membrane, mitochondrial membrane, chromatin and the calcium reservation inside the cytoplasm. Flow cytometer can be used to determine cell structure and the composition of cytoplasm and could be a very useful equipment to determine the semen quality. The purpose of this study was to develop an evaluation system of sperm quality for establishing the database of selection standards for Formosan sambar deer. The semen of each stag was collected and stored at 4ºC and diluted to 0.5 Ø 106 /mL. After mixing with specific dyes, the semen was incubated at 37ºC for couple minutes before analyzing. The results showed that the sperm characteristics of stags: sperm membrane integrity (71.7 ± 15.3%), intact acrosome (59.7 ± 14.3%), depolarized mitochondria (5.2 ± 4.8%), calcium mean level (147.7 ± 16.2), high calcium level sperm (4.0 ± 8.8%), intact chromatin structure (94.9 ± 7.2%), oxidation degree (2.9 ± 2.2%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linked Content This article is linked to Londoño et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13985. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]