131,297 research outputs found
Effect of different levels of bee pollen on performance and blood profile of New Zealand White bucks and growth performance of their offspring during summer and winter months.
No full textFlatness optimization of micro-injection moulded parts: the case of a PMMA microfluidic component
No full textMicro-injection moulding (µ-IM) has attracted a lot of interest because of its potential for the production of low-cost, miniaturized parts in high-volume. Applications of this technology are, amongst others, microfluidic components for lab-on-a-chip devices and micro-optical components. In both cases, the control of the part flatness is a key aspect to maintaining the component's functionality. The objective of this work is to determine the factors affecting the flatness of a polymer part manufactured by µ-IM and to control the manufacturing process with the aim of minimizing the in-process part deformation. As a case study, a PMMA microfluidic substrate with overall dimensions of 10 mm diameter and 1 mm thickness was investigated by designing a µ-IM experiment having flatness as the experimental response. The part flatness was measured using a micro-coordinate measuring machine. Finite elements analysis was also carried out to study the optimal ejection pin configuration. The results of this work show that the control of the µ-IM process conditions can improve the flatness of the polymer part up to about 15 µm. Part flatness as low as 4 µm can be achieved by modifying the design of the ejection system according to suggested guideline
Reducing ammonia emission by aluminum sulfate addition in litter and its influence on productive, reproductive, and physiological parameters of dual-purpose breeding hens
No full textThis research investigated the impact of aluminum sulfate (AS) as amendment to different types of litter (new, reused, and mixed litters) for reducing ammonia emission and improving productive performance of local dual-purpose breeding hens. A total of 450 hens and 60 cocks from the Inshas strain were randomly assigned to six groups (five replicates each of 15 hens + 2 cocks) raised in pen floor furnished with a wheat straw litter. The groups included: (1) new, (2) reused, (3) mixed (50% new + 50% reused) litter; the other groups (4, 5 and 6) were respectively housed on the same litter as groups 1, 2 and 3 but with the addition of 495 g of AS/m2 litter. The feed conversion ratio was better for layers raised on new litter with or without AS than other groups. Different kinds of litter had different moisture (p < 0.05) and pH (p < 0.05) values. Birds raised on litter types treated with AS significantly (p < 0.05) decreased intestinal pH and decreased total bacterial count compared to the same litter types without AS at the end of the experiment. Birds raised on new litter supplemented with AS had the highest plasma T3, total protein, globulin, Hgb, and PCV% and the lowest levels of uric acid and cholesterol at the end of the experimental period. Therefore, litter amendment with AS, also the mixed or reused one, could be recommended to reduce ammonia and, in turn, increasing plasma T3 and decreasing total bacterial count, leading to increasing bird’s performance
Fabrication of ceramic micro-scale hollow components by micro-powder injection moulding
No full textRapid developments in microsystem technologies demand ceramic microcomponents of
increasing geometrical complexity. State-of-the-art microfabrication routes of
ceramics are either limited in geometrical complexity and/or high volume
capabilities. This paper presents a process route by which ceramic
microcomponents with relatively complex three-dimensional architectures could be
realised by a high-volume technique. The proposed strategy, in which yttria-
stabilised zirconia was implemented, combines the capabilities of insert-
micromoulding, powder micro-overmoulding, catalytic debinding and sintering. The
produced architectures demonstrate the capability of the technique to combine
the high performance of ceramic materials with the dimensional accuracy and mass
manufacturability of powder micromoulding
Comparison of caecal and faeces fermentation characteristics of ostrich by in vitro gas production technique
No full textTo compare caecal and faecal fermentation characteristics, ostrich caecal content (CI) and faeces (FI) were used as inocula for an in vitro gas production trial in which four substrates (dehydrated alfalfa, alfalfa hay, maize and a commercial concentrate) were tested. The fermentation characteristics (degraded organic matter, OMd; potential gas production, A; acetate; branched chain proportion, BCP) were studied by inoculum and substrate. CI and FI showed significant differences for almost all the fermentation parameters, and CI had higher values than FI for OMd (76.83 vs. 72.79%, p<0.01), A (250.3 vs. 229.3 ml/g, p<0.01), acetate (57.91 vs. 53.20 mmol/l, p<0.01) and BCP (0.031 vs. 0.027, p<0.05). CI and FI showed differences in carbohydrates and protein fermentation, but the interaction between the tested effects was not significant. The regression equations to estimate caecal fermentation characteristics from faeces suggest the possibility to use faeces as inoculum alternative to faeces. © 2011 Taylor & Francis
Oil Extracted Moringa peregrina Seed Cake as a Feed Ingredient in Poultry: A Chemical Composition and Nutritional Value Study
No full textThe chemical composition, antioxidant activity, tannic acid content, mineral, fatty acid, and amino acid profiles of oil-extracted Moringa peregrina seed meal (OEMPSM) were determined. Apparent (AME) and true (AMEn) metabolizable energy and apparent (AAAU) and true (TAAU) amino acid utilization were evaluated using a precision feeding trial. The protein (CP) quality was evaluated by a total efficiency analysis method. The antioxidant activity, gauged by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), was 237, 353, and 15.2 mg/mL for the water and ethanol extracts, and ascorbic acid, respectively. Tannic acids were 131.4 mg/100 g dry weight. The OEMPSM had 27.2% CP and 22.4, 15.1, and 15.8 MJ/kg of gross energy, AME and AMEn, respectively. The neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and hemicellulose were 40.2, 29.7, and 10.5% DM, respectively. The 15.41% of total fatty acids were saturated and 84.57% unsaturated. The AAAU and TAAU of OEMPSM were 30.92% and 61.06%, respectively. From findings, OEMPSM comprises a valuable level of bioactive substances, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, and energy; it can provide up to 1.12% of the requirements of total amino acids of chickens (1–21 days); however, the quality of its protein was found to be 44.6% less than that of protein of soybean meal
Hybrid Cable Thruster Actuated Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle
No full textThis paper introduces a novel Hybrid Cable Thruster Actuated Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle (HCT-ROV), merging the strengths of ROVs and Cable-Driven Parallel Robots for enhanced underwater capabilities. It presents the world's first HCT-ROV prototype, together with a control law using Quadratic Programming (QP) for efficient operation. Extensive MATLAB simulations and prototype tests demonstrate superior performance in tasks like object transportation. This research work paves the way for advanced underwater exploration and operations, emphasizing the need for further optimization in real-world applications
Development and Internal Validation of a Field-Based Equation for Predicting Half-Squat One-Repetition Maximum in Youth Soccer Players Using Standing Long Jump Performance and Body Mass
No full textPurpose: This study aimed to examine the validity of field-based tests, specifically the 5-Jump Test (5JT) and Standing Long Jump (SLJ), combined with anthropometric measures for predicting one-repetition maximum (1RM) half-squat performance in U-13 male soccer players. Methods: Forty-one male youth soccer players (age: 12.77 +/-.25 years; body-mass (BM): 46.54 +/- 7.86 kg; body-height: 157.70 +/- 9.58 cm) participated in this investigation. Following a one-week familiarization session that included practice trials of all testing procedures and movement pattern instruction, participants completed three testing sessions comprising anthropometric measurements, 1RM half-squat assessment, and field tests (5JT and SLJ). Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to develop prediction equations, with model validation including assessments of normality, homoscedasticity, and multicollinearity. Results: The final prediction model incorporating only BM and SLJ explained 70% of the variance in 1RM half-squat performance (R-2=.696, P<.001). The resulting equation (1RM=-114.503+ 1.953xBM+71.468xSLJ) demonstrated robust statistical properties, with both predictors showing significant contributions (BM: beta=1.953, 95% CI [1.3-2.5], P<.001; SLJ: beta=71.468, 95% CI [45.3-97.6], P<.001). The model satisfied assumptions of normality (Shapiro-Wilk: P=.06) and homoscedasticity (Breusch-Pagan: P=.521), with acceptable multicollinearity indices (VIF<4.0). While initially considered, age, standing height, and 5JT did not significantly improve prediction accuracy. Conclusions: This study validates a practical equation for estimating maximal half-squat strength in youth soccer players using readily available field measures. The combination of SLJ performance and BM provides coaches with a time-efficient, low-risk method for strength assessment in young athletes. This approach provides coaches with an accessible, time-efficient tool for strength monitoring that requires minimal equipment while maintaining scientific validity
Effect of different dietary levels of mangrove (Langucularia racemosa) leaves and spice supplementation on productive performance, egg quality, lipid metabolism and metabolic profiles in laying hens
No full textIn order to study the influence of white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) leaves on
productive performance, egg quality, lipids metabolism and metabolic profiles, 180 Hy-line laying hens
were randomly distributed to 6 dietary treatments each contained 6 replicates of 5 individually caged
hens during the period from 50 to 60 weeks of age.
2. Three isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets were formulated to contain 0, 50 and 100 g/kg of sundried
mangrove leaves. Each diet was fed with or without supplementation of 2 g of cardamom, cumin,
hot and black pepper mixture (1:1:1:1)/kg diet.
3. Mangrove leaves at either 50 or 100 g/kg adversely affect laying rate, egg mass and FCR, whilst
increasing water intake and water to feed ratio. Mangrove leaves had no significant effect on dry matter,
protein, lipid, cholesterol and ash content of liver, or on dry matter, protein and ash of yolk.
4. Plasma total protein, total lipids; liver enzymes AST and ALT and mortality rate were not
significantly affected by mangrove leaves. On the other hand, yolk lipid, yolk cholesterol and plasma
cholesterol significantly decreased, while yolk colour significantly increased with inclusion of 50 or
100 g/kg mangrove leaves, and Haugh unit score significantly increased with 100 g/kg mangrove leaves.
5. Spice mixture significantly increased egg weight by 2.2%. Yolk lipid content significantly decreased
by 2.6%, while yolk colour and Haugh unit significantly increased with inclusion of spice mixtures.
6. In conclusion, mangrove leaves at 50 g/kg may be included in the laying hen diets as a means of
decreasing lipid and cholesterol in yolk and plasma cholesterol and increasing yolk colour. Spice
mixture at 2 g of cardamom, cumin, hot and black pepper mixture (1:1:1:1)/kg diet increased laying
rate, egg mass, Haugh unit score and yolk colour while decreasing yolk lipids
Effects of water restriction on growth performance, feed nutrient digestibility, carcass and meat traits of rabbits
No full textThe study investigates the effects of a post-weaning water restriction on performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits and
meat quality of 84-day-old rabbits. A total of 1388 weaned rabbits (35 days) were randomly divided into two groups on the basis
of BW and sex. The two groups were fed the same diets ad libitum both in the post-weaning (35 to 60 days) and fattening (61 to
84 days) periods. In the post-weaning period, one group (AL) also received drinking water ad libitum, whereas the other (WR) had
a water restriction from 35 to 41 days 2 h/day; from 42 to 48 days 2.5 h/day; from 49 to 55 days 3 h/day; and from 56 to 60 days
4 h/day. During the fattening period, both groups had water-free access. Individual live weights and feed intake per cage were
recorded weekly for 32 cages randomly chosen per group (64 rabbits) to calculate the BW gain, feed intake and feed conversion
ratio (FCR). The apparent digestibility values of nutrients were measured using acid-insoluble ash. Carcass data were collected
from 16 rabbits (8 males and 8 females) per group selected for similar final BW in both groups. Mortality from 35 to 60 days was
higher in the AL group (10.1% v. 5.2%, for AL and WR, respectively, P,0.0001). BW gain was higher for the AL group during
both the post-weaning (122.4%, P,0.01) and the entire period (17.5%, P,0.05). Water restriction reduced feed intake both
in the post-weaning (217.4%, P,0.0001) and in the entire period (29.9%, P,0.05). During the fattening period, FCR was
lower for the WR group (5.15 v. 5.75 g/g, for WR and AL, respectively, P,0.05). The apparent digestibilities of dry matter,
organic matter, NDF, ADF and cellulose were greater in the restricted rabbits (14.7%, 14.5%, 110.2%, 118.8% and 112.8%,
P,0.01, P,0.01, P,0.05, P,0.01, P,0.05, respectively). Perirenal and scapular fat percentages were higher in the AL
rabbits (130.7% and 1116.6%, P,0.01 and P,0.001, respectively). Water restriction increased saturated fatty acids (C16:0,
112.9%, P,0.05), lauroleic acid (C12:1, 175.0%, P,0.01), n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (C20:5, 150.0%, P,0.01 and
C22:5, 116.6%, P,0.05) and the n-3/n-6 ratio (128.6%, P,0.05). The applied water restriction between 35 and 60 days
executed during the winter months improved the digestive health of rabbits, with no negative effects on carcass traits, or physical
and chemical meat characteristics. However, from the animal welfare point of view, a water restriction can be criticized as a
method to restrict feed intake
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