A split spectrum processing of noise-contaminated wave signals for damage identification

Miao, X.T.,Ye, Lin,Li, F.C.,Sun, X.W.,Peng, H.K.,Lu, Ye,Meng, Guang Techno-Press 2012 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.10 No.3

A split spectrum processing (SSP) method is proposed to accurately determine the time-of-flight (ToF) of damage-scattered waves by comparing the instantaneous amplitude variation degree (IAVD) of a wave signal captured from a damage case with that from the benchmark. The fundamental symmetrical ($S_0$) mode in aluminum plates without and with a notch is assessed. The efficiency of the proposed SSP method and Hilbert transform in determining the ToF of damage-scattered $S_0$ mode is evaluated for damage identification when the wave signals are severely contaminated by noise. Broadband noise can overwhelm damage-scattered wave signals in the time domain, and the Hilbert transform is only competent for determining the ToF of damage-scattered $S_0$ mode in a noise-free condition. However, the calibrated IAVD of the captured wave signal is minimally affected by noise, and the proposed SSP method is capable of determining the ToF of damage-scattered $S_0$ mode accurately even though the captured wave signal is severely contaminated by broadband noise, leading to the successful identification of damage (within an error on the order of the damage size) using a triangulation algorithm.

Effects of Increasing Level of Dietary Rice Straw on Chewing Activity, Ruminal Fermentation and Fibrolytic Enzyme Activity in Growing Goats

Wanga, M.,Zhaoa, X.G.,Tan, Z.L.,Tang, S.X.,Zhou, C.S.,Sun, Z.H.,Han, X.F.,Wang, C.W. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2010 Animal Bioscience Vol.23 No.8

Effects of increasing dietary rice straw on chewing activity, ruminal fermentation, and fibrolytic enzyme activity in growing goats were investigated in a $4{\times}4$ Latin Square experiment. The goats were offered four diets with an increasing proportion of rice straw (i.e. 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20, respectively, on dry matter basis). Increasing level of rice straw increased ($P_{linear\;effect}$ <0.05) the time spent on eating, ruminating, and chewing. The ruminal pH and acetate: propionate ratio were increased ($P_{linear\;effect}$ <0.05), while the $NH_3$-N concentration was decreased ($P_{linear\;effect}$ <0.01). Increasing level of rice straw in the diet increased ($P_{linear\;effect}{\leq}0.01$) molar proportion of acetate and isovalerate, and decreased ($P_{linear\;effect}$ <0.01) molar proportion of propionate. The CMCase, xylanase and cellobiase activities in the rumen were decreased ($P_{linear\;effect}$ <0.05) with increasing level of dietary rice straw, whereas the avicelase activity was increased ($P_{linear\;effect}$ <0.01). In summary, increased level of rice straw elevated the dietary neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content in the diet and had a great impact on chewing activity and ruminal fermentation.

Activated Carbon-Catalyzed Hydrogen Transfer to &agr;,&ohgr;-Diarylalkanes

Sun, L.-B.,Zong, Z.-M.,Kou, J.-H.,Liu, G.-F.,Sun, X.,Wei, X.-Y.,Zhou, G.-J.,Lee, C. W. American Chemical Society 2005 Energy & fuels Vol.19 No.1

Nitrogen-corrected True Metabolizable Energy and Amino Acid Digestibility of Chinese Corn Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles in Adult Cecectomized Roosters

Li, F.,Liu, Y.,Yin, R.Q.,Yang, X.J.,Yao, J.H.,Sun, F.F.,Li, G.J.,Liu, Y.R.,Sun, Y.J. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2013 Animal Bioscience Vol.26 No.6

This study was conducted to evaluate chemical composition, nitrogen-corrected true metabolizable energy (TMEn) and true amino acids digestibility of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) produced in China. Twenty five sources of corn DDGS was collected from 8 provinces of China. A precision-fed rooster assay was used to determine TMEn and amino acids digestibility with 35 adult cecectomized roosters, in which each DDGS sample was tube fed (30 g). The average content of ash, crude protein, total amino acid, ether extract, crude fiber and neutral detergent fiber were 4.81, 27.91, 22.51, 15.22, 6.35 and 37.58%, respectively. TMEn of DDGS ranged from 1,779 to 3,071 kcal/kg and averaged 2,517 kcal/kg. Coefficient of variation for non-amino acid crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber and TMEn were 55.0, 15.7, 15.9 and 17.1%, respectively. The average true amino acid digestibility was 77.32%. Stepwise regression analysis obtained the following equation: TMEn, kcal/kg = -2,995.6+0.88${\times}$gross energy+$49.63{\times}a^*$ (BIC = 248.8; RMSE = 190.8; p<0.01). Removing gross energy from the model obtained the following equation: TMEn, kcal/kg = 57.88${\times}$ether extracts+$87.62{\times}a^*$ (BIC = 254.3, RMSE = 223.5; p<0.01). No correlation was found between color scores and lysine true digestibility (p>0.05). These results suggest that corn DDGS produced in China has a large variation in chemical composition, and gross energy and $a^*$ value can be used to generate TMEn predict equation.

Effects of Replacement of Soybean Meal by Fermented Cottonseed Meal on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Parameters and Immune Function of Yellow-feathered Broilers

Tang, J.W.,Sun, H.,Yao, X.H.,Wu, Y.F.,Wang, X.,Feng, J. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2012 Animal Bioscience Vol.25 No.3

The study was conducted to examine the effects of partially replacing soybean meal (SBM) by solid-state fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters and immune function of broilers. After inoculated with Bacillus subtilis BJ-1 for 48 h, the content of free gossypol in cottonseed meal was decreased from 0.82 to 0.21 g/kg. A total of 600, day-old male yellow-feathered broilers were randomly divided into four groups with three replicates of 50 chicks each. A corn-SBM based control diet was formulated and the experimental diets included 4, 8 or 12% FCSM, replacing SBM. Throughout the experiment, broilers fed 8% FCSM had higher (p<0.05) body weight gain than those fed 0, 4 and 12% FCSM. The feed intake in 8% FCSM group was superior (p<0.05) to other treatments from d 21 to 42. On d 21, the concentration of serum immunoglobin M in the 4% and 8% FCSM groups, as well as the content of complements (C3, C4) in 8% FCSM group were greater (p<0.05) than those in the SBM group. Besides, birds fed 8% FCSM had increased (p<0.05) serum immunoglobin M, immunoglobulin G and complement C4 levels on d 42 compared with bird fed control diet. No differences (p>0.05) were found between treatments regarding the serum biochemical parameters and the relative weights of immune organs. In conclusion, FCSM can be used in broiler diets at up to 12% of the total diet and an appropriate replacement of SBM with FCSM may improve growth performance and immunity in broilers.

Effects of Sown Season and Maturity Stage on In vitro Fermentation and In sacco Degradation Characteristics of New Variety Maize Stover

Tang, S.X.,Li, F.W.,Gan, J.,Wang, M.,Zhou, C.S.,Sun, Z.H.,Han, X.F.,Tan, Z.L. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2011 Animal Bioscience Vol.24 No.6

The effects of seedtime and maturity stage on nutritive value of five maize stover varieties, including conventional maize (Kexiangyu 11, CM), fodder maize (Huqing 1, FM), high oil maize (Gaoyou 115, HOM), sweet maize (Kexiangtianyu 1, SM) and waxy maize (Kexiangluoyu 1, WM), were examined based on chemical composition, in vitro gas production and in situ incubation techniques. Maize stover was sampled at d 17 and d 30 after tasseling, and designated as maturity stage 1 and stage 2, respectively. The average dry matter (DM) organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and fiber contents were the greatest for HOM, SM and FM, respectively. CM had the highest in vitro organic matter disappearance (IVOMD) and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration. The highest ammonia nitrogen ($NH_3$-N) concentration in the incubation solution, and effective degradability of DM ($ED_{DM}$) and neutral detergent fiber ($ED_{NDF}$) were observed in SM. Advanced maturity stage increased (p<0.05) DM content, $ED_{DM}$ and $ED_{NDF}$, but decreased (p<0.05) OM and CP contents, and decreased (p<0.05) b and a+b values, IVOMD and molar proportion of valerate in the incubation solution for maize stover. Maize sown in summer had greater (p<0.05) OM content, but lower DM, CP, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) content compared with maize sown in spring. Maize sown in summer had greater (p<0.001) IVOMD, $NH_3$-N concentration in the incubation solution and $ED_{NDF}$, but lower (p<0.01) ratio of acetate to propionate compared to maize sown in spring. The interaction effect of variety${\times}$seedtime was observed running through almost all chemical composition, in vitro gas production parameters and in situ DM and NDF degradability. The overall results suggested that SM had the highest nutrient quality, and also indicated the possibility of selecting maize variety and seedtime for the utilization of maize stover in ruminants.

Optical Arrays: Graphene/Carbon Nanotube Hybrid‐Based Transparent 2D Optical Array (Adv. Mater. 33/2011)

Kim, Un Jeong,Lee, IL Ha,Bae, Jung Jun,Lee, Sangjin,Han, Gang Hee,Chae, Seung Jin,Gü,ne&#x15f,, Fethullah,Choi, Jun Hee,Baik, Chan Wook,Kim, Sun Il,Kim, Jong Min,Lee, Young Hee WILEY‐VCH Verlag 2011 ADVANCED MATERIALS Vol.23 No.33

<P>Direct integration of vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNTs) patterns on a graphene layer combined with a liquid crystal cell can be utilized as an optical array. The hybrid structures have high transparency and conductivity and, as reported by Sun IL Kim, Jong Min Kim, Young Hee Lee, and co‐workers, clear diffraction patterns are obtained by modulating an external electric field. </P>

Effects of Rice Straw Particle Size on Chewing Activity, Feed Intake, Rumen Fermentation and Digestion in Goats

Zhao, X.G.,Wang, M.,Tan, Z.L.,Tang, S.X.,Sun, Z.H.,Zhou, C.S.,Han, X.F. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2009 Animal Bioscience Vol.22 No.9

Effects of particle size and physical effective fibre (peNDF) of rice straw in diets on chewing activities, feed intake, flow, site and extent of digestion and rumen fermentation in goats were investigated. A 4${\times}$4 Latin square design was employed using 4 mature Liuyang black goats fitted with permanent ruminal, duodenal, and terminal ileal fistulae. During each of the 4 periods, goats were offered 1 of 4 diets that were similar in nutritional content but varied in particle sizes and peNDF through alteration of the theoretical cut length of rice straw (10, 20, 40, and 80 mm, respectively). Dietary peNDF contents were determined using a sieve for particle separation above 8 mm, and were 17.4, 20.9, 22.5 and 25.4%, respectively. Results showed that increasing the particle size and peNDF significantly (p<0.05) increased the time spent on rumination and chewing activities, duodenal starch digestibility and ruminal pH, and decreased ruminal starch digestibility and $NH_{3}$-N concentration. Intake and total tract digestibility of nutrients (i.e. dry matter, organic matter, and starch) and ruminal fermentation were not affected by the dietary particle size and peNDF. Increased particle size and peNDF did not affect ruminal fibre digestibility, but had a great impact on the intestinal and total tract fibre digestibility. The study suggested that rice straw particle size or dietary peNDF was the important influential factor for chewing activity, intestinal fibre and starch digestibility, and ruminal pH, but had minimal impact on feed intake, duodenal and ileal flow, ruminal and total tract digestibility, and ruminal fermentation.

The overexpression of <i>OsNAC9</i> alters the root architecture of rice plants enhancing drought resistance and grain yield under field conditions

Redillas, Mark C.F.R.,Jeong, Jin S.,Kim, Youn S.,Jung, Harin,Bang, Seung W.,Choi, Yang D.,Ha, Sun&#x2010,Hwa,Reuzeau, Christophe,Kim, Ju&#x2010,Kon Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2012 Plant biotechnology journal Vol.10 No.7

<P><B>Summary</B></P><P>Drought conditions limit agricultural production by preventing crops from reaching their genetically predetermined maximum yields. Here, we present the results of field evaluations of rice overexpressing <I>OsNAC9,</I> a member of the rice NAC domain family. Root‐specific (<I>RCc3</I>) and constitutive (<I>GOS2</I>) promoters were used to overexpress <I>OsNAC9</I> and produced the transgenic <I>RCc3:OsNAC9</I> and <I>GOS2:OsNAC9</I> plants. Field evaluations over two cultivating seasons showed that grain yields of the <I>RCc3:OsNAC9</I> and the <I>GOS2:OsNAC9</I> plants were increased by 13%–18% and 13%–32% under normal conditions, respectively. Under drought conditions, <I>RCc3:OsNAC9</I> plants showed an increased grain yield of 28%–72%, whilst the <I>GOS2:OsNAC9</I> plants remained unchanged. Both transgenic lines exhibited altered root architecture involving an enlarged stele and aerenchyma. The aerenchyma of <I>RCc3:OsNAC9</I> roots was enlarged to a greater extent than those of <I>GOS2:OsNAC9</I> and non‐transgenic (NT) roots, suggesting the importance of this phenotype for enhanced drought resistance. Microarray experiments identified 40 up‐regulated genes by more than threefold (<I>P </I><<I> </I>0.01) in the roots of both transgenic lines. These included <I>9‐cis‐epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase</I>, an ABA biosynthesis gene, <I>calcium‐transporting ATPase</I>, a component of the Ca<SUP>2+</SUP> signalling pathway involved in cortical cell death and aerenchyma formation, <I>cinnamoyl CoA reductase 1</I>, a gene involved in lignin biosynthesis, and <I>wall‐associated kinases¸</I> genes involved in cell elongation and morphogenesis. Interestingly, <I>O‐methyltransferase</I>, a gene necessary for barrier formation, was specifically up‐regulated only in the <I>RCc3:OsNAC9</I> roots. Such up‐regulated genes that are commonly and specifically up‐regulated in <I>OsNAC9</I> transgenic roots may account for the altered root architecture conferring increased drought resistance phenotype.</P>

Insulin Inhibits the Expression of Adiponectin and AdipoR2 mRNA in Cultured Bovine Adipocytes

Sun, Y.G.,Zan, L.S.,Wang, H.B.,Guo, H.F.,Yang, D.P.,Zhao, X.L.,Gui, L.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2009 Animal Bioscience Vol.22 No.10

Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived protein that has a regulatory role in energy homeostasis and influences insulin sensitivity. Its effects on glucose utilization and lipid metabolism are mediated by AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. How insulin affects adiponectin gene expression and secretion is still controversial. This study was conducted to determine the expression of adiponectin, AdipRs and $PPAR-\gamma$ during the differentiation of bovine preadipocytes and the effect of insulin on expression of these genes in bovine adipocytes. The bovine preadipocytes started to accumulate lipids three days after differentiation was induced, with increased expression of adiponectin, AdipoR2 and $PPAR-\gamma$ mRNAs. Insulin decreased the expression of adiponectin mRNA in a dose- and time-dependent fashion, and the inhibition was detectable at insulin concentrations as low as 10 nM and as early as 2 h after addition of 100 nM insulin. Insulin also inhibited the expression of AdipoR2 mRNA at concentrations from 1 to 1,000 nM or 24 h after addition of 100 nM insulin, but did not affect the expression of AdipoR1 in bovine adipocytes. Inhibition of PI3K with LY294002 reversed the inhibition of adiponectin and AdipoR2 mRNA expression by insulin. These results suggest that insulin suppresses the expression of adiponectin and AdipoR2 at least partially via the PI3K signal pathway.