Effects of Combining Feed Grade Urea and a Slow-release Urea Product on Performance, Dietary Energetics and Carcass Characteristics of Feedlot Lambs Fed Finishing Diets with Different Starch to Acid Detergent Fiber Ratios

Estrada-Angulo, A.,Lopez-Soto, M.A.,Rivera-Mendez, C.R.,Castro, B.I.,Rios, F.G.,Davila-Ramos, H.,Barreras, A.,Urias-Estrada, J.D.,Zinn, R.A.,Plascencia, A. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2016 Animal Bioscience Vol.29 No.12

Recent findings have shown that microbial nitrogen flow and digestible energy of diets are increased when urea is combined with a slow-release urea (SRU) in diets with a starch to acid detergent fibre ratio (S:F) 4:1. This affect is attributable to enhanced synchrony between ruminal N availability for microbial growth and carbohydrate degradation. To verify the magnitude of this effects on lamb performance, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of combining urea and a SRU in diets containing S:F ratios of 3:1, 4:1, or 5:1 on performance, dietary energetics and carcass characteristics of finishing lambs. For that, 40 Pelibuey${\times}$Katahdin lambs ($36.65{\pm}3kg$) were assigned to one of five weight groupings in 20 pens (5 repetition/treatments). The S:F ratio in the diet was manipulated by partially replacing the corn grain and dried distiller's grain with solubles by forage (wheat straw) and soybean meal to reach S:F ratios of 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1. An additional treatment of 4:1 S:F ratio with 0.8% urea as the sole source of non-protein nitrogen was used as a reference for comparing the effect of urea combination vs. conventional urea at the same S:F ratio. There were no treatment effects on dry matter intake (DMI). Compared the urea combination vs urea at the same S:F ratio, urea combination increased (p<0.01) average daily gain (ADG, 18.3%), gain for feed (G:F, 9.5%), and apparent energy retention per unit DMI (8.2%). Irrespective of the S:F ratio, the urea combination improved the observed-to-expected dietary ratio and apparent retention per unit DMI was maximal (quadratic effect, $p{\leq}0.03$) at an S:F ratio of 4:1, while the conventional urea treatment did not modify the observed-to-expected net energy ratio nor the apparent retention per unit DMI at 4:1 S:F ratio. Urea combination group tended (3.8%, p = 0.08) to have heavier carcasses with no effects on the rest of carcass characteristics. As S:F ratio increased, ADG, G:F, dietary net energy, carcass weight, dressing percentage and longissimus thoracis (LM) area increased linearly ($p{\leq}0.02$). Combining urea and a slow-release urea product results in positive effects on growth performance and dietary energetics, but the best responses are apparently observed when there is a certain proportion (S:F ratio = 4:1) of starch to acid detergent fibre in the diet.

AN ASSESSMENT OF FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY OF DAIRY FARMS IN FIJI

Kerr, D.V.,Fell, R.F.,Murray, A.J.,Chaseling, J. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1995 Animal Bioscience Vol.8 No.5

A survey of physical inputs was conducted on the total population of dairy farms supplying milk to the Rewa cooperative dairy company in Fiji. The critical inputs associated with total farm milk production were determined using multiple regression, with analyses being conducted for each of the three identified supplier groups, bulk milk, canned milk and cream. Mean annual milk production per cow averaged 1460 (s.d. = 319), 889 (s.d. = 321) and 800 (s.d. = 451) litres for the bulk milk, canned milk and cream suppliers respectively. Stocking rate averaged 1.37 (s.d. = 1.18) cows per hectare over all farms. Inputs to pasture were universally low and Navua sedge (Cyperus aromaticus) was identified as a major weed. The average amount of supplement fed annually on a grain equivalent basis was 700 (s.d. = 984) kg per cow for bulk milk, 84 (s.d. = 198) kg per cow for canned milk and 146 (s.d. = 542) kg per cow for cream suppliers. The analysis of data from a small group of farms using nitrogen fertiliser indicated that their production levels were higher than the general population. This suggests that there is potential for the Fijian dairy industry to increase milk production through the use of higher inputs to cows and pastures. The regression models relating annual milk production from farms to the two key inputs of number of cows milked and the amount of supplement fed were all significant (p < 0.001). The coefficients of determination for these models ranged from 56.9 to 89.4 percent.

Evaluation of mango saponin in broilers: effects on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and plasma biochemical indices

Y.N. Zhang,J. Wang,B. Qi,S.G. Wu,H.R. Chen,H.Y. Luo,D.J. Yin,F.J. Lu,H.J. Zhang,G.H. Qi 아세아·태평양축산학회 2017 Animal Bioscience Vol.30 No.8

Objective: The objective of the present study was to determine whether mango saponin (MS) could be used as a feed additive in broiler chicks by evaluating growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and plasma biochemical indices. Methods: A total of 216 1-d-old Arbor Acres male broiler chicks were randomly assigned into three dietary treatments supplemented with 0 (control), 0.14% (MS 0.14%), or 0.28% (MS 0.28%) MS. Each treatment had six replicates (cages) with 12 chicks each. The feeding trial lasted for six weeks. Results: Compared with the control, dietary supplemented with 0.14% or 0.28% MS increased average daily weight gain of chicks in the grower (22 to 42 d) and the whole (1 to 42 d) phases, and the final body weight of chicks on d 42 was higher in MS supplemented groups (p<0.05). Lower L45 min* (lightness) and L24 h* values, lower b24 h* (yellowness) value, and higher a45 min* (redness) and a24 h* values of the breast muscle were observed in chicks fed with 0.28% MS on d 42 (p<0.05). The total antioxidant capacity in plasma increased in MS 0.14% group on d 21 (p<0.001). Lower contents of plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride were observed in chicks fed with 0.28% MS on d 21 and d 42, whereas the group supplemented with 0.14% MS only decreased plasma triglyceride content on d 21 (p<0.05). The glucose content in plasma decreased in MS 0.28% group on d 42 (p<0.001). Conclusion: Overall, MS could be used as a feed additive in broiler chicks, and the supplemental level of 0.28% MS in diet could improve growth performance, meat quality, and plasma lipid metabolism in broiler chicks.

The influence of foreign vs. North American emissions on surface ozone in the US

Reidmiller, D. R.,Fiore, A. M.,Jaffe, D. A.,Bergmann, D.,Cuvelier, C.,Dentener, F. J.,Duncan, B. N.,Folberth, G.,Gauss, M.,Gong, S.,Hess, P.,Jonson, J. E.,Keating, T.,Lupu, A.,Marmer, E.,Park, R.,Schu Copernicus GmbH 2009 Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Vol.9 No.14

<P>Abstract. As part of the Hemispheric Transport of Air Pollution (HTAP; http:// www.htap.org) project, we analyze results from 15 global and 1 hemispheric chemical transport models and compare these to Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNet) observations in the United States (US) for 2001. Using the policy-relevant maximum daily 8-h average ozone (MDA8 O3) statistic, the multi-model ensemble represents the observations well (mean r2=0.57, ensemble bias = +4.1 ppbv for all US regions and all seasons) despite a wide range in the individual model results. Correlations are strongest in the northeastern US during spring and fall (r2=0.68); and weakest in the midwestern US in summer (r2=0.46). However, large positive mean biases exist during summer for all eastern US regions, ranging from 10-20 ppbv, and a smaller negative bias is present in the western US during spring (~3 ppbv). In nearly all other regions and seasons, the biases of the model ensemble simulations are ≤5 ppbv. Sensitivity simulations in which anthropogenic O3-precursor emissions (NOx + NMVOC + CO + aerosols) were decreased by 20% in four source regions: East Asia (EA), South Asia (SA), Europe (EU) and North America (NA) show that the greatest response of MDA8 O3 to the summed foreign emissions reductions occurs during spring in the West (0.9 ppbv reduction due to 20% emissions reductions from EA + SA + EU). East Asia is the largest contributor to MDA8 O3 at all ranges of the O3 distribution for most regions (typically ~0.45 ppbv) followed closely by Europe. The exception is in the northeastern US where emissions reductions in EU had a slightly greater influence than EA emissions, particularly in the middle of the MDA8 O3 distribution (response of ~0.35 ppbv between 35-55 ppbv). EA and EU influences are both far greater (about 4x) than that from SA in all regions and seasons. In all regions and seasons O3-precursor emissions reductions of 20% in the NA source region decrease MDA8 O3 the most - by a factor of 2 to nearly 10 relative to foreign emissions reductions. The O3 response to anthropogenic NA emissions is greatest in the eastern US during summer at the high end of the O3 distribution (5-6 ppbv for 20% reductions). While the impact of foreign emissions on surface O3 in the US is not negligible - and is of increasing concern given the recent growth in Asian emissions - domestic emissions reductions remain a far more effective means of decreasing MDA8 O3 values, particularly those above 75 ppb (the current US standard). </P>

Effect of Extreme Light Regime on Production and Characteristics of Egg in Laying Geese

Wang, S.D.,Wang, C.M.,Fan, Y.K.,Jan, D.F.,Chen, L.R. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2002 Animal Bioscience Vol.15 No.8

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of long light regime (20 h light and 4 h dark, 20L:4D) and short light regime (4 h light and 20 h dark, 4L:20D) on egg production and egg characteristics of laying geese. Thirty-six laying birds, 4 replicates of 3 birds per treatment were allotted to three light regimes, i.e., 20L:4D, 4L:20D, and natural light (NAT) from March 7 to June 20. Results showed that the geese in 20L:4D consumed 54 g less feed per goose daily and laid 17.5 less eggs per goose (p<0.05) comparing to those in 4L:20D. The number of days from initiation of light treatment till cease of laying was 22 days shorter (p<0.05) in 20L:4D comparing to that in NAT. Five geese (41.7%) in 4L:20D kept laying by the end of applying light regime. Weight and surface area of the eggs in 4L:20D were greater (p<0.05) comparing to those in the other two light regimes. It is concluded that the period of egg production in goose could be manipulated by light regime in the ways such as using short light regime of 4 h light daily to prolong egg production through summer and using long light regime of 20 h light daily to induce cease of egg production.

Survey of heating and current drive for K-DEMO

Mikkelsen, D.R.,Kessel, C.E.,Poli, F.M.,Bertelli, N.,Kim, K. International Atomic Energy Agency 2018 Nuclear fusion Vol.58 No.3

<P>We present calculations of heating and current drive by neutral injection and by electromagnetic waves in the ion cyclotron, helicon, lower hybrid, and electron cyclotron frequency ranges for the steady state burn conditions in a K-DEMO configuration with <img ALIGN='MIDDLE' ALT='$I_{\rm p}=12.3$ ' SRC='http://ej.iop.org/images/0029-5515/58/3/036014/nfaaa4d2ieqn001.gif'/> MA, <I>a</I>  =  2.1 m, <img ALIGN='MIDDLE' ALT='$R_{\rm o}=6.8$ ' SRC='http://ej.iop.org/images/0029-5515/58/3/036014/nfaaa4d2ieqn002.gif'/> m, <img ALIGN='MIDDLE' ALT='$B_{\rm o}=7.4$ ' SRC='http://ej.iop.org/images/0029-5515/58/3/036014/nfaaa4d2ieqn003.gif'/> T, <img ALIGN='MIDDLE' ALT='$ \newcommand{\nebar}{{\overline{n}_{\rm e}}} \nebar=1.1 \times 10^{20}$ ' SRC='http://ej.iop.org/images/0029-5515/58/3/036014/nfaaa4d2ieqn004.gif'/> m<SUP>−3</SUP>, <img ALIGN='MIDDLE' ALT='$T(0)=40$ ' SRC='http://ej.iop.org/images/0029-5515/58/3/036014/nfaaa4d2ieqn005.gif'/> keV, and <img ALIGN='MIDDLE' ALT='$Z_{\rm eff}=1.5$ ' SRC='http://ej.iop.org/images/0029-5515/58/3/036014/nfaaa4d2ieqn006.gif'/>. Lower hybrid wave current drive calculations comprise a 2D scan over poloidal launcher location and launched <img ALIGN='MIDDLE' ALT='$ \newcommand{\Nparallel}{{n_{\Vert}}} \Nparallel$ ' SRC='http://ej.iop.org/images/0029-5515/58/3/036014/nfaaa4d2ieqn007.gif'/>, at a fixed frequency of 5 GHz. An ICRF frequency scan over 50–100 MHz is based on an ITER-like ICRF midplane antenna; the absorption calculation includes thermal D, T, He, Ar, and W as well as suprathermal beam ions and alphas. Helicon fast wave performance is surveyed by varying frequency over 0.6–2.5 GHz, launched <img ALIGN='MIDDLE' ALT='$ \newcommand{\Nparallel}{{n_{\Vert}}} \Nparallel$ ' SRC='http://ej.iop.org/images/0029-5515/58/3/036014/nfaaa4d2ieqn008.gif'/> from  −1.6 to  −3, and launcher position from top to bottom on the low-field side. An ITER-like 1 MeV neutral beam system with quasi-tangential geometry is scanned over elevation to vary the targeted minor radius. The electron cyclotron survey varies the frequency (190–300 GHz), launcher poloidal location, and the poloidal and toroidal direction of the launched waves. We report for each system the range of minor radius in which current is driven, the current drive efficiency, the optimal system parameters, and typical profiles of driven current. Electron and ion heating profiles are reported for the ICRF and NBI systems.</P>

3D reconstruction of two-phase random heterogeneous material from 2D sections: An approach via genetic algorithms

Pizzocri, D.,Genoni, R.,Antonello, F.,Barani, T.,Cappia, F. Korean Nuclear Society 2021 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.53 No.9

This paper introduces a method to reconstruct the three-dimensional (3D) microstructure of two-phase materials, e.g., porous materials such as highly irradiated nuclear fuel, from two-dimensional (2D) sections via a multi-objective optimization genetic algorithm. The optimization is based on the comparison between the reference and reconstructed 2D sections on specific target properties, i.e., 2D pore number, and mean value and standard deviation of the pore-size distribution. This represents a multi-objective fitness function subject to weaker hypotheses compared to state-of-the-art methods based on n-points correlations, allowing for a broader range of application. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated on synthetic data and compared with state-of-the-art methods adopting a fitness based on 2D correlations. The method here developed can be used as a cost-effective tool to reconstruct the pore structure in highly irradiated materials using 2D experimental data.

An Instrumentation System Applied to Formation Flight

Williamson, Walton R.,Abdel-Hafez, Mamoun F.,Rhee, Ihnseok,Song, Eun-Jung,Wolfe, Jonathan D.,Chichka, David F.,Speyer, Jason L. IEEE 2007 IEEE transactions on control systems technology Vol.15 No.1

<P>As part of a NASA dryden autonomous formation flight program for improved drag reduction of multiple F/A-18 aircraft, a new instrument, the formation flight instrumentation system (FFIS), for the precise estimation of the relative position, velocity, and attitude between two moving aircraft without the aid of ground-based instruments, was developed. The FFIS uses a global position system (GPS) receiver and an inertial navigation sensor (INS) instrumentation package on each aircraft combined with a wireless communication system for sharing measurements between vehicles. An extended Kalman filter structure blends the outputs of each GPS/INS in a distributed manner so as to maximize the accuracy of the relative state estimates. Differential carrier phase GPS measurements are used to provide high accuracy relative range measurements to the filtering algorithm. A multiple hypothesis Wald test for estimating the integer ambiguity between the two moving vehicles was developed as part of this project. The FFIS was tested in a hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HIL Sim) before being tested in actual F-18 flight tests. Test results validated the FFIS performance. Flight test results showed that the Wald test accurately estimates the integer ambiguity and that relative range estimates using least squares provide accurate position estimates with a mean of approximately 7 cm and a standard deviation of 13 cm</P>

Neutrino-Less Double Beta Decay Experiment Using Ca <tex> $^{100}$</tex> MoO<tex> $_{4}$</tex> Scintillation Crystals

Kim, H J,Annenkov, A N,Boiko, R S,Buzanov, O A,Chernyak, D M,Cho, J H,Danevich, F A,Dossovitsky, A E,Rooh, Gul,Kang, U K,Kim, M J,Kim, S C,Kim, S K,Kim, Y D,Kobychev, V V,Kornoukhov, V N,Kosmyna, M B IEEE 2010 IEEE transactions on nuclear science Vol.57 No.3

<P>Search for neutrino-less double beta decay of <SUP>100</SUP>Mo is proposed using active method with Ca <SUP>100</SUP>MoO<SUB>4</SUB> scintillation crystals which show the brightest scintillation light among variety of inorganic scintillation materials containing Mo. Study of X-ray luminescence and scintillation properties such as energy response, number of photoelectrons/keV, absolute light yield, decay time, pulse shape discrimination and radioactive contamination of CaMoO<SUB>4</SUB> crystals grown by the Czochralski method with different conditions are presented. Further R&D of resolution optimization, crystal quality improvement and background reduction are underway. Significant improvement of sensitivity to neutrino-less double beta decay can be achieved by using 10 Mo enriched Ca <SUP>100</SUP>MoO<SUB>4</SUB> crystals with good energy resolution and low background. Further reduction of background induced by 48 Ca two neutrino double beta decay can be achieved by using <SUP>48</SUP>Ca depletion. We are planning to install several kilograms of Ca <SUP>100</SUP>MoO<SUB>4</SUB> crystals depleted in <SUP>48</SUP>Ca at underground laboratory for the neutrino-less double beta decay experiment in the near future.</P>

Insights Into Emissions and Exposures From Use of Industrial-Scale Additive Manufacturing Machines

Stefaniak, A.B.,Johnson, A.R.,du Preez, S.,Hammond, D.R.,Wells, J.R.,Ham, J.E.,LeBouf, R.F.,Martin, S.B. Jr.,Duling, M.G.,Bowers, L.N.,Knepp, A.K.,de Beer, D.J.,du Plessis, J.L. Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2019 Safety and health at work Vol.10 No.2

Background: Emerging reports suggest the potential for adverse health effects from exposure to emissions from some additive manufacturing (AM) processes. There is a paucity of real-world data on emissions from AM machines in industrial workplaces and personal exposures among AM operators. Methods: Airborne particle and organic chemical emissions and personal exposures were characterized using real-time and time-integrated sampling techniques in four manufacturing facilities using industrial-scale material extrusion and material jetting AM processes. Results: Using a condensation nuclei counter, number-based particle emission rates (ERs) (number/min) from material extrusion AM machines ranged from $4.1{\times}10^{10}$ (Ultem filament) to $2.2{\times}10^{11}$ [acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polycarbonate filaments). For these same machines, total volatile organic compound ERs (${\mu}g/min$) ranged from $1.9{\times}10^4$ (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polycarbonate) to $9.4{\times}10^4$ (Ultem). For the material jetting machines, the number-based particle ER was higher when the lid was open ($2.3{\times}10^{10}number/min$) than when the lid was closed ($1.5-5.5{\times}10^9number/min$); total volatile organic compound ERs were similar regardless of the lid position. Low levels of acetone, benzene, toluene, and m,p-xylene were common to both AM processes. Carbonyl compounds were detected; however, none were specifically attributed to the AM processes. Personal exposures to metals (aluminum and iron) and eight volatile organic compounds were all below National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-recommended exposure levels. Conclusion: Industrial-scale AM machines using thermoplastics and resins released particles and organic vapors into workplace air. More research is needed to understand factors influencing real-world industrial-scale AM process emissions and exposures.