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Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Neem Leaf and Ginger Rhizome on Growth Performance and Haematological Parameters of Pure and Crossbred Chickens
No full textNeem leaf and ginger rhizome contain numerous chemical components that are biologically active and are widely utilized in medications to treat various illnesses. The purpose of the current study was to assess the effect of aqueous neem leaf and ginger rhizome extracts on the growth performance and hematological parameters in the three breeds of chicken. A total of 360 one-day-old chicks from 3 genetic groups consisting of 120 Noiler chicks, 120 Heavy Ecotype chicks, and 120 main cross chicks were considered for this study. Each breed of chickens was randomly distributed into four groups, with three replications per group. Each replication consisted of eight females and two males, raised in a deep litter system. A 3×4 factorial arrangement was employed, involving four levels of plant extracts: a control group receiving the basal diet without any extract, a group receiving 200 ml of neem extract (NE200), a group receiving 200 ml of ginger extract (GE200), and a group receiving 100 ml of neem + 100 ml of ginger extract (NE100+GE100). The chickens were evaluated for growth parameters such as initial weight (IW), final weight (FW), average daily gain (ADG), average feed intake (AFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) as well as some haematological parameters such as haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), platelet (P), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Noiler chickens receiving NE100+GE100 and GE200 showed the highest final body weight and daily weight gain. The results of the haematological indices revealed that the interaction effect of genotype and plant extracts on all the treatment groups were significantly different for haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC), and platelet (P). Some haematological indices such as Hb, PCV, WBC, and platelet were better for chickens receiving GE200 and NE100+GE100 compared to NE200 and control groups. In conclusion, the interaction of GE200 and NE100+GE100 with Noiler and main cross chickens was beneficial, with no adverse effects on the physiological traits and health status of the chickens 16 weeks of age
Heritability and Genetic Correlations of Carcass and Meat Quality Traits in White and Brown Strains of Japanese Quail
No full textSuccessful breeding programs for Japanese quails rely on accurately estimating genetic parameters linked to economically important traits such as body weight, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. The objective of the present study was to evaluate body weight (BW) characteristics, carcass attributes, and their genetic correlations with select meat quality traits in two strains of Japanese quail (white and brown). A total of 530 quail chicks, with 265 from each strain, were included in the analysis. At six weeks of age, the quails were slaughtered, and carcass traits as well as amino acid profiles were measured. For BW traits, the heritability (h2) estimates ranged from 0.27 at d 1 to 0.36 at d 42. The h2 estimated for carcass traits ranged from 0.19 for liver weight, to 0.42 for carcass yield (CY). The h2 estimated for drip loss (DL) of meat quality was 0.21, and the h2 estimate was 0.35 for the meat's ultimate Ph (Phu). White quail quails recorded the heaviest weight of all carcass traits. Also, white quails had the highest water-holding capacity (WHC), yellowness (b*), and lightness (L*) with the lowest level of DL, cooking losses (CL), and redness (a*) in muscles compared with brown quails. A high genetic correlation of 0.32 was noted between CW carcass weight (CW) and b*. For the pHU, a negative correlation of -0.11 was exhibited with BW. In contrast, L* appeared to have a positive but smaller relationship with CW and CY. High negative correlations were noted for b* with BW and CY -0.24 and -0.27, respectively. The CW showed a moderate relationship (0.19) with CL. In conclusion, the current study revealed that the white quail strain had high BW, as well as the finest carcass traits and meat quality. Therefore, white plumage Japanese quail might be preferred as a meat-producing strain
Effects of Nano-Liquid Extracts of Andrographis paniculata and Moringa oleifera on The Performance and Carcass Quality of Broiler Chickens.
No full textFeed was crucial for achieving optimal productivity in broiler chickens, which required ongoing monitoring of its quantity and quality. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of nanoliquid extracts from Andrographis paniculata and Moringa oleifera used as photobiotic on the performance and carcass quality of broiler chickens. The research involved 128 broiler chickens, which were divided into four treatment groups, each with four replications of eight broiler chickens. The treatments included a control group (T0), a 0.25% nano liquid extract mixture of Andrographis paniculata and Moringa oleifera (T1), a 0.50% nanoliquid extract mixture (T2), and a 0.75% nanoliquid extract mixture (T3). The study utilized an in vivo method and analysed the data using a completely randomized design. The optimal level of nano liquid extract was determined based on chicken performance (feed consumption, body weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), income-over-feed cost (IOFC)) and carcass quality (carcass percentage, cooking loss, meat color, water-holding capacity, and texture). The findings indicated that the addition of combined Andrographis paniculata and Moringa oleifera (1:1, w/w) nano-liquid extract in the chickens’ feed significantly influenced body weight, FCR, and IOFC. However, there was no significant effect on feed consumption. Furthermore, the use of Andrographis paniculata and Moringa oleifera combination had a significant impact on all carcass quality parameters beyond *b carcass color. It was concluded that the addition of 0.25% of combined Andrographis paniculata and Moringa oleifera nano liquid extract yielded the most favorable outcomes for the performance and carcass quality of broiler chickens
Designing Ergonomic Safety Boots for Sustainable Construction in Botswana: A Case Study of Worker Foot Health
No full textThe most essential asset in every construction work is the workers. In this regard, sustainability in construction must include and be centred on this vital resource. However, research indicates that civil engineers and construction workers often advocate for sustainability in infrastructural developments. This critical asset in construction often needs more consideration when people are engaged in construction work despite the many ergonomics challenges widely reported in the industry. This leads to workers in this industry being grossly afflicted by injuries such as musculoskeletal disorders, particularly of the foot. In addition, changes in global temperatures, attributed to global warming, situate civil engineers and construction workers, as they often work in open and challenging terrains, at risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat hyperpyrexia and heat exhaustion, which may also aggravate these musculoskeletal disorders conditions. However, it is pretty disturbing to notice that such illnesses are less investigated, particularly musculoskeletal disorders of the feet, which may be exasperated by the dire heat conditions noticeable in Botswana. This is because there is often a need for more knowledge and understanding of the risks associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Furthermore, expertise in ergonomics is limited to assisting in the design of work as well as its conditions. This bequeaths both civil engineers and construction workers to operate under very challenging conditions despite pursuance of sustainability. Therefore, this case study investigated the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders of the feet in the construction industry in Botswana with the purpose of designing a safety boot that matches the anthropometric measurements of the construction workers' feet. The research culminates in the design of a safety boot that is based on the workers' anthropometric measurements to prevent the occurrence of MSDs. The results of the study indicate that workers in this industry suffer from toe bunions, cons, toe deformities, smelly feet, etc. The study additionally indicates foot size differences across Botswana’s tribes. These differences may have severe implications for the use of safety boots and the development of ergonomics illnesses, mainly since the current safety boots used are imported from elsewhere with no modification to address the anthropometric feet measurements of Batswana. It is anticipated that the research will provide the necessary awareness that can help civil engineers explore sustainability not only from the context of infrastructural development (objects) but also from the perspective of workers (humans). This underscores the need for further research and action in this critical area
Enhancing Water Level Prediction through a Hybrid Feature Selection Approach
No full textAccurate prediction of water levels (WL) is essential for various applications, from flood management to environmental monitoring. In this study, an enhanced approach to feature selection tailored for water level prediction models is presented. Our method integrates Mutual Information and Recursive Feature Elimination with Cross-Validation (RFECV), augmented by the Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II), to systematically evaluate and refine subsets of features. Mutual Information facilitates the identification of relevant feature dependencies, while RFECV iteratively eliminates less informative features to optimize predictive accuracy. The inclusion of NSGA-II further enhances the selection process by considering multiple conflicting objectives simultaneously, such as maximizing R2 score and minimizing the number of selected features, RMSE, and MAE. Through extensive experimentation and validation on real-world datasets, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our hybrid feature selection approach in capturing intricate relationships within the data, leading to significantly improved predictive performance in water level prediction models
Flexural Behaviour of Concrete Beams Reinforced With Major Steel Bars under Normal and Corrosive Operational Conditions
No full textQuality assurance of construction materials is very fundamental for structural safety, reliability, serviceability, and durability of constructed civil infrastructure. Inflow of defective or substandard building and construction materials into the industry, particularly reinforcing steel bars, is responsible for many structurally deficient constructed facilities which often lead to failure or ultimate collapse of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Characterization of steel rebars from two major manufacturers into Botswana construction industry, designated herein as M1 and M2, were conducted as a basis for the evaluation of the quality assurance and control of the products. The flexural behaviour of their respective RC beams, designated herein as B-M1 and B-M2, of dimension 150 × 200 × 3000 mm and subject to four-point loading tests were determined under normal and artificially induced corrosion conditions to assess the influence of steel rebars M1 and M2 on the stiffness and load-carrying capacity. The average yield strengths of steel reinforcing bars were 427 N/mm2 for M1 and 459 N/mm2 for M2. The moduli of elasticity for M1 and M2 were 203 GPa and 205 GPa, respectively. The percentage elongation was found to be 7.93% for M1 and 7.24% for M2. The flexural strength of beams reinforced with M1 was 7% and 16.5% lower than RC beam with M2 under normal and accelerated corrosion of 5% of NaCl solution for 60 hours condition, respectively. The flexural behaviour of RC beams reinforced with B-M1 had a lower flexural strength under both normal and corrosive environmental conditions as compared to B-M2. The flexural strength of B-M1 had reduced from 48.5 N/mm2 to 41.0 N/mm2, while B-M2 reduced from 52.2 N/mm2 to 49.2 N/mm2. This represented loss of load-carrying capacity of 15.4% and 5.8% for B-M1 and B-M2 respectively due to exposure to corrosive environment. The findings revealed disparity in bending capacity due to the low interfacial bonding due to reduced relative rib areas. A more intensive quality control of imported steel should be ensured at the ports of entry by relevant regulatory agencies
Contribution of Cytochrome P450s to Development of Insecticide Resistance in Musca domestica L.: A Review
No full textMusca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) is recognized as one of the most prevalent fly species globally, playing a significant role in the transmission of infections and pathogens that are important in both veterinary and medical contexts. This includes the dissemination of eggs from intestinal helminths, as well as ectoparasites, endoparasites, and protozoan cysts. Several approaches to combating insect pests include biological, physical, chemical, and agrotechnical methods. Chemical methods remain the main strategy for controlling the population of insect pests; however, excessive use, increased dosages, and frequency of treatments have led to the development of resistance. To date, numerous documented cases of resistance to insecticides have been registered in natural populations. A significant mechanism for resistance development is the detoxification of xenobiotics by enzymes of the cytochrome system. This study aimed to summarize the current knowledge on the role of P450 monooxygenase in developing insecticide resistance in houseflies. This overview focuses on the diversity of Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases in Musca domestica that contribute to resistance against the most popular classes of insecticides and their location in the genome. Throughout this work, the main P450 candidate genes associated with insecticide resistance were identified and described. The authors also summarized and systematized recent research results in this area
Incidence of Hepatitis Hydropericardium Syndrome in Broiler Chickens Caused by a New Fowl Adenovirus Strain in Iraq
No full textHepatitis Hydropericardium syndrome (HHS) is an acute infectious disease affecting broiler chickens. It is caused by a fowl adenovirus (FAdV) of Group I, serotype 4. This disease is characterized by sudden deaths in broilers as young as three weeks, with mortality rates reaching up to 65%. The current study aimed to evaluate the outbreak of HHS in three broiler farms in southern Iraq. It also sought to identify the specific serotypes of fowl adenovirus (FAdV) responsible for this outbreak, primarily focusing on its genetic characteristics and diversity. Ten liver and heart tissue samples were collected from broiler chickens (Ross 308) that had displayed clinical signs of depression, ruffled feathers, and a tendency to huddle in corners before death. Viral DNA was extracted from liver tissues for further virus detection using PCR and RT-PCR. A post-mortem examination showed a turmeric-yellow discoloration in the dividing lines between the pectoral muscles and the abdominal cavity. The livers of infected chickens were markedly enlarged, and clear, yellow-colored fluid was observed in the pericardial sac. Histopathological analysis of stained liver and heart tissues revealed small multifocal areas of necrosis and mononuclear cell infiltration, including basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in hepatocytes and lymphocytic infiltrates. Conventional PCR analysis of liver tissues confirmed the presence of FAdV serotype 4, identifying all samples as the Melad strain, a novel strain responsible for the ongoing epidemic in Iraq. This study confirmed the presence of FAdV serotype 4 and identified all samples as the Melad strain. This research also addresses the need to investigate FAdV with molecular techniques for a better understanding of the epidemiology of the disease
A Review of Lightweight Concrete in Civil Engineering
No full textLightweight concrete, defined as concrete with a dry density below 2000 kg/m³, has become increasingly prominent in modern advanced concrete technology and constructions due to its low density, superior thermal insulation, and sustainability benefits owing to the use of industrial by-products and waste materials in the process of its production. This study presents a comprehensive overview of lightweight concrete, covering its historical development, material composition, and performance characteristics. The fresh properties, such as workability, slump, and water absorption, are discussed alongside its mechanical properties, including compressive, flexural, and tensile strength; modulus of elasticity; ductility; and fatigue resistance. The durability characteristics, such as water and chemical permeability, freeze-thaw resistance, carbonation, shrinkage behavior, and reinforcement corrosion, are also evaluated. In addition, the microstructural characteristics, including density, porosity, and aggregate-cement matrix interfacial transition zone (ITZ), are examined using SEM, XRD, TGA, and FTIR analyses. The study also considers the environmental performance of lightweight concrete, assessed through life cycle assessment, including the impact of adding waste and recycled aggregates. Various types of natural and synthetic lightweight aggregates, along with mineral admixtures, nanomaterials, and reinforcing fibers, are reviewed to evaluate their impact on the performance of lightweight concrete. Although lightweight concrete typically exhibits lower mechanical strength than normal concrete, its compressive, tensile, and flexural strength, elastic modulus, ductility, and fatigue resistance can be improved under optimized conditions. As reported in various studies, the addition of pozzolanic and nano-admixtures, along with optimized fiber reinforcement, can enhance both the microstructure and overall durability of lightweight concrete. These improvements can be achieved through the integration of industrial by-products such as fly ash, slag, or agricultural waste
Effects of in ovo Injection of Soursop (Annona muricata) Leaf Extract on Blood Profile, Immune Organs, and Intestinal Morphology of Noiler Chicks
No full textPlant extracts in poultry production are widely recognized for their significant benefits in improving productive performance. Specifically, the in ovo administration of soursop leaf extract (SLE) shows promise in improving the health and productivity of Noiler chickens. This study aimed to provide valuable insights into the health of the chicks and evaluate the effectiveness and safety of in ovo SLE in poultry production by examining the blood profile, internal organs, and intestinal morphology of Noiler chickens. For this experiment, 640 hatching eggs were incubated and randomly divided into four experimental groups, including 0.25 µg SLE, 0.5 µg SLE, 0.75 µg SLE, and a non-injected control group. Three treatment groups received a direct injection of 0.2 ml of the respective SLE concentrations into the air cells of the eggs on the 18th day of incubation. After hatching, chickens from each group were divided into five replicates of 15 chicks each and raised using a completely randomized design. At ten days of age, blood samples were collected from two chicks per replicate for hematology and serum analysis. Two chicks per replicate were sacrificed on day 10 to assess the internal organs and intestinal morphology. The results showed no significant changes in hematological parameters, serum biochemistry, and internal organs in all groups. The soursop leaf extract groups had markedly longer villi, deeper crypts, and thicker muscular walls compared to the control group. In conclusion, the in ovo injection of soursop leaf extract at 0.75 µg improved intestinal health by enhancing the intestinal surface structures in Noiler chickens. Open Access: This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. © The Author(s) 202