Determining the existence of bunk preference in an automated individual intake system and the effects of increased roughage late in the finishing period on feedlot steer performance, intake, and efficiency

The objective of the first experiment was to determine the existence of bunk preference and if access to a preferred bunk affects performance, intake, and efficiency of feedlot steers. Angus steers (n = 123; initial BW = 293 ± 33.8 kg), blocked by BW and sire, were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 pens, with unrestricted access to any automated bunk within the pen. Steers consumed a common finishing diet ad libitum. The preferred bunk was defined as the bunk from which the most feed was consumed. In any week, 80% of steers consumed ≤ 29% of the week's total feed intake from the preferred bunk, with a maximum of 57% of weekly feed intake consumed from the preferred bunk. Percentage of total intake from the preferred bunk did not affect ADG, feed intake, or G:F (P > 0.64). Researchers may design experiments, at a stocking density ≤ 5 steers per bunk, without altering performance or intake. The objective of the second experiment was to evaluate effects of increased roughage late in the finishing period on growth performance, carcass traits, and ruminal and fecal characteristics of feedlot steers. Diets contained prairie hay, Sweet Bran, rolled corn, dry supplement, urea, and a liquid supplement. Dietary treatments included control (CON; 6% roughage), intermediate (INT; 12% roughage), and high (HGH; 18% roughage) roughage by adjusting prairie hay and rolled corn in the diet. Crossbred steers (n = 59; BW = 289 ± 35.6 kg) were assigned to treatments the final 58 d (4 pens of INT and HGH, 5 pens of CON; 4 steers per pen). High roughage steers had increased DMI the last 30 days on feed (P = 0.001) and a decreased final fecal pH (P = 0.04). Steers fed the HGH diet tended to have an increased overall DMI and REA (P ≥ 0.06). No other differences in carcass characteristics, performance, or ruminal pH were observed between treatments (P ≥ 0.11). Increasing roughage late in the finishing period did not negatively impact growth performance or carcass characteristics, but may alter ruminal fermentation and post-ruminal digestion

Localizing transcripts to single cells suggests an important role of uncultured deltaproteobacteria in the termite gut hydrogen economy

Identifying microbes responsible for particular environmental functions is challenging, given that most environments contain an uncultivated microbial diversity. Here we combined approaches to identify bacteria expressing genes relevant to catabolite flow and to locate these genes within their environment, in this case the gut of a “lower,” wood-feeding termite. First, environmental transcriptomics revealed that 2 of the 23 formate dehydrogenase (FDH) genes known in the system accounted for slightly more than one-half of environmental transcripts. FDH is an essential enzyme of H_2 metabolism that is ultimately important for the assimilation of lignocellulose-derived energy by the insect. Second, single-cell PCR analysis revealed that two different bacterial types expressed these two transcripts. The most commonly transcribed FDH in situ is encoded by a previously unappreciated deltaproteobacterium, whereas the other FDH is spirochetal. Third, PCR analysis of fractionated gut contents demonstrated that these bacteria reside in different spatial niches; the spirochete is free-swimming, whereas the deltaproteobacterium associates with particulates. Fourth, the deltaproteobacteria expressing FDH were localized to protozoa via hybridization chain reaction-FISH, an approach for multiplexed, spatial mapping of mRNA and rRNA targets. These results underscore the importance of making direct vs. inference-based gene– species associations, and have implications in higher termites, the most successful termite lineage, in which protozoa have been lost from the gut community. Contrary to expectations, in higher termites, FDH genes related to those from the protozoan symbiont dominate, whereas most others were absent, suggesting that a successful gene variant can persist and flourish after a gut perturbation alters a major environmental niche

The Place Matters Podcast Series: Local Boyz

A podcast series for WR 222: Argumentation composed and edited by undergraduates that considers a specific place in our community and argues why that place is important using interviews and narration.This narrative-style podcast focuses on local Hawaiian restaurant Local Boyz. Using narration and interviews, undergraduates argue for why the quad is an important place in our community

Disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 in a large US city.

COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted individuals depending on where they live and work, and based on their race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Studies have documented catastrophic disparities at critical points throughout the pandemic, but have not yet systematically tracked their severity through time. Using anonymized hospitalization data from March 11, 2020 to June 1, 2021 and fine-grain infection hospitalization rates, we estimate the time-varying burden of COVID-19 by age group and ZIP code in Austin, Texas. During this 15-month period, we estimate an overall 23.7% (95% CrI: 22.5-24.8%) infection rate and 29.4% (95% CrI: 28.0-31.0%) case reporting rate. Individuals over 65 were less likely to be infected than younger age groups (11.2% [95% CrI: 10.3-12.0%] vs 25.1% [95% CrI: 23.7-26.4%]), but more likely to be hospitalized (1,965 per 100,000 vs 376 per 100,000) and have their infections reported (53% [95% CrI: 49-57%] vs 28% [95% CrI: 27-30%]). We used a mixed effect poisson regression model to estimate disparities in infection and reporting rates as a function of social vulnerability. We compared ZIP codes ranking in the 75th percentile of vulnerability to those in the 25th percentile, and found that the more vulnerable communities had 2.5 (95% CrI: 2.0-3.0) times the infection rate and only 70% (95% CrI: 60%-82%) the reporting rate compared to the less vulnerable communities. Inequality persisted but declined significantly over the 15-month study period. Our results suggest that further public health efforts are needed to mitigate local COVID-19 disparities and that the CDC's social vulnerability index may serve as a reliable predictor of risk on a local scale when surveillance data are limited

Documenting the Establishment, Spread, and Severity of Phyllachora maydis on Corn, in the United States

Tar spot on corn, caused by the fungus (Phyllachora maydis Maubl. [Phyllachorales: Phyllachoraceae]), is an emerging disease in the United States. In 2018 and 2019, significant but localized epidemics of tar spot occurred across the major corn producing region of the Midwest. After being first detected in 2015, tar spot was detected in 135 and 139 counties where the disease was not previously detected in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and is now established across 310 counties across the United Sates. Foliage with signs (stromata) of P. maydis and symptoms of tar spot were collected from 128 fields in 2018 and 191 fields in 2019, across seven states. Samples were assessed for severity of fungal stromata (percent leaf area covered with stromata) on foliage and the incidence of fisheye lesions (proportion of lesions with fisheye symptoms) associated with fungal stromata. Stromatal severity on samples in 2018 ranged from 0.5 to 67% and incidence of fisheye lesions ranged from 0 to 12%, whereas in 2019, stromatal severity ranged from 0.1 to 35% and incidence of fisheye lesions ranged from 0 to 80%, with 95% of samples presenting less than 6% incidence of fisheye lesions. Tar spot has spread substantially from where it was first reported in the United States. Collaborative efforts to monitor the spread and educate clientele on management are essential as this disease spreads into new areas.This article is published as Kleczewski, Nathan M., Diane E. Plewa, Kaitlyn M. Bissonnette, Norman D. Bowman, Jan M. Byrne, Joseph LaForest, Felipe Dalla-Lana et al. "Documenting the establishment, spread, and severity of Phyllachora maydis on corn, in the United States." Journal of Integrated Pest Management 11, no. 1 (2020): 14. doi:10.1093/jipm/pmaa012. </p

ALSUntangled #73: Lion's Mane

Lion's Mane ( has historically been used as traditional medicine in Asia and Europe for its potential benefits in fighting infection and cancer. It has gained interest in the neurodegenerative disease field because of its mechanisms of action; these include anti-inflammation, neuroprotection, and promoting neurite growth demonstrated in various cell and animal models. A very small, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with mild cognitive impairment showed a temporary improvement in cognitive function; this finding has yet to be replicated. However, there have been no studies in ALS cell or animal models or in humans with ALS. Lion's Mane appears safe and inexpensive when consumed in powder or capsule, but one anaphylactic case was reported after a patient consumed fresh Lion's Mane mushroom. Currently, we do not have enough information to support the use of Lion's Mane for treating ALS. We support further research in ALS disease models and clinical trials to study its efficacy

ALSUntangled #68: ozone therapy

ALSUntangled reviews alternative and off-label treatments for people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PALS). Here we review ozone therapy. Ozone therapy has possible mechanisms for slowing ALS progression based on its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and mitochondrial effects. A non-peer-reviewed report suggests that ozone treatment may slow progression in a mTDP-43 mouse model of ALS. One verified "ALS reversal" occurred on a cocktail of alternative treatments including ozone. There are no ALS trials using ozone to treat PALS. There can be potentially serious side effects associated with ozone therapy, depending on the dose. Based on the above information, we support an investigation of ozone therapy in ALS cell or animal models but cannot yet recommend it as a treatment in PALS