scholarly journals Effects of the Community Cats Program on Population Control, Migration and Welfare Status of Free-Roaming Cats in Tokyo, Japan

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kana Mitsui ◽  
Shusuke Sato ◽  
Yoshie Kakuma

The community cats program (CCP), which includes trap–neuter–return activities, has been promoted in Japan to reduce the population of free-roaming cats without harmful effects on their welfare. To ascertain the effects of the CCP, a two-year route census of free-roaming cats was conducted in an area with CCP and the other area without CCP in urban Tokyo, Japan. The estimated number of cats was lower in the CCP area than the non-CCP area, but there was no difference in the rate of decline in cat populations between areas. More cats emigrated or disappeared rather than immigrated in both areas in the second year and more males tended to immigrate into the CCP area. There was no difference in the behavior of cats between areas and among seasons. The proportion of cats with poor health was lower in the CCP area than the non-CCP area. These results suggest that the CCP may improve the welfare of free-roaming cats. As the effect of CCP was restrictive in reducing the population of free-roaming cats, the further promotion of neutering of cats may be necessary to reduce the population density of cats.

2018 ◽  
Vol 487 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan H. Treagus ◽  
Peter J. Hudleston

AbstractIn 1967, the publication of John Ramsay's book, Folding and Fracturing of Rocks, was a landmark event that affected both of us, inspiring us into careers in structural geology. At that time, one of us was a postgraduate student at Imperial College, London, the other a second-year undergraduate at Manchester University. It is hard to convey, 50 years on, how precious this book was then. The true and lasting value is how this book has changed individuals, and influenced the teaching and research in structural geology, in Britain and around the world. In our view, Folding and Fracturing of Rocks marks the birth of modern structural geology.


Author(s):  
Derek Raine

Projects are a familiar feature of physics curricula and many courses include one or more group projects as a way of developing group work skills, if not for teaching physics. Problem-based learning on the other hand, which is designed primarily to teach physics while enhancing group work skills, is not so familiar. In this article we shall show how project work can be developed rather simply into problem-based learning by contextualising the project in terms of a problem and a viewpoint. The examples given will be based on developments of first and second year courses at Leicester to integrate practical, computational and theoretical work within the programme of specialist options. The benefits to staff and students will be discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-201
Author(s):  
Lidiia Khuda ◽  
Larysa Cheban ◽  
Oleksii Khudyi

We studied the possibility of using low frequency laser emission to improve production properties of feed hydrobionts, in particular microalgae Desmodesmus armatus and Daphnia magna, which are highly applied in aquaculture. It was shown that low-frequency laser emission with the wavelength 650 nm has a positive influence on production properties of both phyto- and zooplankton. In 24 hours the biomass of irradiated D. armatus was 25% larger than non-irradiated one. Meanwhile, application λ 420 and 530 nm did not show credible accumulation of microalgae biomass. If it comes to daphnia, positive dynamic in population density enlarging was observed only since 5-7th day of cultivation, depending on emission exposition. Differences in low-frequency laser emission with λ 420 and 530 efficacy on D. magna production properties were observed while using different exposition. Thus, maximal culture density was observed when λ 420 nm for 90 s and λ 650 nm for 60 s were applied. Longer irradiation with red laser did not have positive effect. It was established that in daphnia tissues, which were influenced by λ 420 nm laser emission, TBA-active products were accumulating more. Meanwhile, for daphnias, which were irradiated with red laser, TBA amount was not different from the control group one. Catalase activity increased while applying λ 650 nm laser emission. On the other hand, λ 420 nm did not cause credible increasing of catalase activity in comparison with control group. Taking received results about photobiological effects of low-frequency laser emission on D. armatus and D. magna into consideration, both biomasses enlargement during co-cultivation can be obtained if wavelength 650 nm is used.


1963 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 298-308
Author(s):  
Herman A. Hamilton ◽  
J. R. Lessard

A virgin Grey Wooded soil was subjected to different tillage treatments receiving various rates of nitrogen, phosphorus and lime. In a 5-year rotation of oats followed by 4 years of hay, oat forage yields with 24-inch plowing appeared to be less than those obtained with shallower tillage treatments, but the subsequent first- and second-year hay yields were substantially higher. Nitrogen and phosphorus significantly increased oat forage yields irrespective of tillage treatment. Increases in first-year hay yields due to residual phosphorus were highly significant with 12-inch and 24-inch plowing. Second-year hay yields were significantly increased by residual phosphorus on all tillage treatments with increases being in the order 12-inch plowing and disking greater than 6-inch and 24-inch plowing. Irrespective of tillage treatment, lowest hay yields were obtained in the first year of harvest. Despite the greater saturation of the sub-surface soil with bases, lime significantly increased hay yields on plots plowed to 24 inches. Whereas the legume component of the hay mixture was initially high on plots plowed to 24 inches, in the succeeding years the percentage decreased considerably. On the other hand, legume percentage, which was initially low, increased for plots that were disked or plowed to 6 inches. Plowing to a depth of 12 inches appeared to be the most satisfactory procedure in maintaining the best hay yields with a high percentage of legumes.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (SI 2 - 6th Conf EFPP 2002) ◽  
pp. 642-644
Author(s):  
G. Kaup ◽  
K. Janowicz ◽  
K. Paruch

The studies were carried out in a greenhouse of the Agricultural University of Szczecin, during two growing seasons. The aim of this study was determine the effect of the product obtained from radiational SO<sub>2</sub> and NO<sub>x</sub> removal from combustion gases on the populations of Globodera rostochiensis nematodes — one of the most common quarantine organisms. The analysis of the effect of the applied product on the population of nematodes demonstrated their varied character of response. In the combination with the product of radiational purification of combustion gases, also significantly lower population density (number of eggs and larvae in 1 g of soil) and lower fecundity of Globodera rostochiensis females were observed compared to the control combination. And in the second year of the experiment, the number of cysts in the combination with the product of SO<sub>2</sub> and NO<sub>x</sub> removal from combustion gases was significantly lower compared to the control, and was less than half of the quantity of the previous year.


2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 1463-1472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Carlos Mainardes da Silva ◽  
Luís Guilherme Sachs ◽  
Inês Cristina Batista Fonseca and ◽  
João Tavares Filho

ABSTRACT Perennial forage crops used in crop-livestock integration (CLI) are able to accumulate large amounts of straw on the soil surface in no-tillage system (NTS). In addition, they can potentially produce large amounts of soluble organic compounds that help improving the efficiency of liming in the subsurface, which favors root growth, thus reducing the risks of loss in yield during dry spells and the harmful effects of “overliming”. The aim of this study was to test the effects of liming on two models of agricultural production, with and without crop-livestock integration, for 2 years. Thus, an experiment was conducted in a Latossolo Vermelho (Oxisol) with a very clayey texture located in an agricultural area under the NTS in Bandeirantes, PR, Brazil. Liming was performed to increase base saturation (V) to 65, 75, and 90 % while one plot per block was maintained without the application of lime (control). A randomized block experimental design was adopted arranged in split-plots and four plots/block, with four replications. The soil properties evaluated were: pH in CaCl2, soil organic matter (SOM), Ca, Mg, K, Al, and P. The effects of liming were observed to a greater depth and for a long period through mobilization of ions in the soil, leading to a reduction in SOM and Al concentration and an increase in pH and the levels of Ca and Mg. In the first crop year, adoption of CLI led to an increase in the levels of K and Mg and a reduction in the levels of SOM; however, in the second crop year, the rate of decline of SOM decreased compared to the decline observed in the first crop year, and the level of K increased, whereas that of P decreased. The extent of the effects of liming in terms of depth and improvement in the root environment from the treatments were observed only partially from the changes observed in the chemical properties studied.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 200579
Author(s):  
Yuichi Yokoyama ◽  
Yoshihiro Nakashima ◽  
Gota Yajima ◽  
Tadashi Miyashita

Analyses of life history and population dynamics are essential for effective population control of wild mammals. We developed a model for the simultaneous estimation of seasonal changes in three parameters—population density, habitat preference and trap catchability of target animals—based on camera-trapping data and harvest records. The random encounter and staying time model, with no need for individual recognition, is the core component of the model—by combining this model with the catch-effort model, we estimated density at broad spatial scales and catchability by traps. Here, the wild boar population in central Japan was evaluated as a target population. We found that the estimated population density increased after the birth period and then decreased until the next birth period, mainly due to harvesting. Habitat preference changed seasonally, but forests having abandoned fields nearby were generally preferred throughout the season. These patterns can be explained by patterns of food availability and resting or nesting sites. Catchability by traps also changed seasonally, with relatively high values in the winter, which probably reflected changes in the attractiveness of the trap bait due to activity changes in response to food scarcity. Based on these results, we proposed an effective trapping strategy for wild boars, and discussed the applicability of our model to more general conservation and management issues.


1975 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 1013-1016
Author(s):  
D. L. CRAIG

Strawberry cv. Bounty was grown for 2 yr in matted rows with plant spacings of two, four and six plants per 0.093 m2, and noncontrolled spacing. In the 1st fruiting yr, yields were lowest from two plants per 0.093 m2 and yields of other spacings did not differ significantly. Second-year yields from the same plots were lowest from the noncontrolled spacing and did not differ significantly for other spacings. The percentage of the marketable crop weighing 7 g or more per fruit ranged from 84.3% from the noncontrolled stand to 93% for two plants per 0.093 m2. Seasonal mean fruit weight was not affected by treatments in 1973. In 1974, fruit from the noncontrolled spacing was significantly smaller than fruit from the other spacings. The data show that optimum marketable yields of 46,629 kg/ha and a seasonal mean weight per fruit of 12 g can be produced by cv. Bounty from a plant stand of six plants per 0.093 m2.


1961 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 615-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Johnston

The influence of grazing on the vegetative cover of fescue grassland in southwestern Alberta was assessed by studying two adjoining sites, one lightly grazed, the other ungrazed. Percentage basal area, yield, water-intake rate, soil temperature, soil moisture, and amount of root material were compared on a paired plot basis.The data showed that light grazing resulted in the development of a richer flora dominated by Danthonia parryi. Protection from grazing appeared to simplify the flora with a trend toward a cover consisting largely of Festuca scabrella. There was little evidence of difference in productivity between the two sites. Cooler and moister conditions prevailed in the upper 12 inches of the soil profile of the ungrazed site as a result of heavy accumulation of mulch. Considerably more root material to a depth of 54 inches was present on the lightly grazed site. The harmful effects of herbage removal, shown by clipping studies, were not apparent in the field study under a light rate of grazing.


2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-98
Author(s):  
Charles Larratt-Smith

ABSTRACTDespite the recent surge of scholarship on the role that civic organizations play in armed conflicts and postconflict settings, there is little consensus on how they interact with armed nonstate actors. This article examines how disparate armed nonstate actors can co-opt and manage preexisting civic organizations, and even create new ones, to embed themselves in civilian communities and perform governance functions while simultaneously advancing their ideological agendas. Employing a comparative historical analysis between two armed nonstate units in Colombia, one from a Marxist insurgent group and the other from a counterinsurgent paramilitary organization, the study demonstrates that regardless of their different ideological motivations, regional settings, and repertoires of violence, these actors could navigate formal processes related to legal economies, electoral contests, and bureaucratic-administrative institutions, and informal processes tied to illicit rackets and territorial and population control, more efficiently through their skilled management of local civic organizations.


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