bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation Research on Safety Management Capability at Construction Sites of Construction projects
Authors: Yu Cong , Li Ailin
Published: April 2022

As a pillar industry in China, the construction industry is developing rapidly. However, casualties occur frequently due to such problems as unclear division of safety responsibilities, inadequate safety management at construction sites, insufficient safety education, and insufficient supporting safety resources. Considering the constraints of safety management capability at the construction sites of construction projects. Recommendations for improvement of safety management capability are made in this paper based on the results of evaluation of actual cases and analysis of causes according to actual situations of the projects by building a model using the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method, multiplicative synthesis and combination weight method. And entropy method on the basis of the indicator system for evaluation of safety management capability at the construction sites under the three-level indicator system established.
Study on ecological environment change of water source area of the middle route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project in the past 20 years
Authors: Cheng Kuo , Mo Ziyang
Published: April 2022

The South-to-North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP), which began operation in 2013, is an important step in China’s water resources development, and the middle route of SNWDP is one of the most important parts. However, this project has caused a certain negative impact on the ecological environment of Danjiangkou reservoir, the water source area of this project. This study uses DEM data and Landsat data for different years to analyze land-use changes in QGIS software and discusses the causes and impacts of the middle route of SNWDP. The results show that the present area of water and vegetation increased significantly, while the cultivated land and human area (including urban, rural and other areas of human activity) decreased obviously compared with 1999. The reasons for this change include natural conditions, engineering construction and policies, but policies such as raising the Danjiangkou dam and returning farmland to forests have played a bigger role. The impacts of SNWDP include water quality deterioration, soil erosion, changes in vegetation area, changes in biodiversity and changes in the lives of residents in the area. These impacts have positive reference significance for the construction of water conservancy undertakings in China in the future.
Impacts of Ethiopia Dam on Vegetation and Water and Ecological Countermeasures
Authors: Chen Pengyu , Liang Tengyuan , Wu Zibin
Published: April 2022

Ethiopia is one of the highest lying countries in Africa, known as the “Roof of Africa”. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is established to solve the problem of electricity shortage, storing and supplying water. This study analyzes the impacts of the Renaissance Dam in Ethiopia on vegetation and water through random forest model and index map via semi-automatic classification module of QGIS’s plugin. Results show that area of vegetation around the dam decreases and the water area increases during dam construction. Based on previous studies, the dam has variable impacts on surrounding vegetation, water quality and level. Renaissance dam has had a negative impact on the surrounding vegetation and water level for decades of construction, but a positive impact on the water quality. Considering the ecological system and sustainable development as the ultimate goal, it needs to make full use of environmental assessment and establish the ecological operation mode of dam for achieving better results.
Comprehensive evaluation method for site selection of LNG bunkering stations in Bohai Rim ports
Authors: Zhao Xinzhe , Ding Wentao , Su Mengchao , Peng Yun , Song Xiangqun
Published: April 2022

With the introduction of emission peak and carbon neutrality strategy, green shipping has already become an urgent need for the development of water transportation industry. Using liquified natural gas (LNG)-powered ships is an effective way to deal with carbon emission, and more and more shipping companies are willing to choose it as the main ship type in the future. As the open cooperation portal to the Asia-Pacific region, the Bohai Rim region occupies an important position in China national shipping system. Focusing on the bunkering needs of LNG-powered ships in the future, ports in the Bohai Rim region should add LNG bunkering stations with reasonable layout and complete facilities. This paper constructs a comprehensive evaluation system for the site selection of LNG bunkering stations in coastal ports from five aspects: natural factors, infrastructure factors, economic factors, safety factors and policy factors, and conducts the evaluation on the alternative port areas. After comprehensive analysis, the Caofeidian Port Area of Tangshan Port is recommended as the location of LNG bunkering station.
Researches on Ecological Solidification and Melioration Effects of Plants on Silty Soft Soil
Authors: Wang Tao , Zhu Qi , Bi Shiming , Wang Jing , Fu Pin
Published: April 2022

Dredged soil from river and lake is a typical silty soft soil, which has a high potential for farmland utilization. However, the newly dredged soil generally has high water content and poor engineering properties, therefore, it must be dehydrated and solidified before utilization. The traditional dehydration and solidification methods have disadvantages such as high energy consumption and secondary pollution risk. A method of soil solidification and amelioration by using plants is explored in this research. Four species of Pennisetum hydridum, Sorghum bicolor × Sorghum sudanense, Typha angustifolia, and Zea mays, were used as the research objects, planted in silty soft soil. The solidification and amelioration effects of different plants were studied by observing the changes in soil mechanics and physicochemical properties before and after the experiment. The results showed that: all the four tested species showed soil solidification effects in different degrees, the Pennisetum hydridum with 0.5m planting distance showed the best effect. The four tested species increased the soil organic matter content in varying degrees, among which the mix-planting of Pennisetum hydridum and Typha angustifolia showed the best effect. Pennisetum hydridum can increase the soil alkaline hydrolyzable nitrogen(AH-N) content, Typha angustifolia can simultaneously increase the soil available phosphorus and available potassium content. In addition, the four tested species showed varying degrees of amelioration effects on physical properties. The Pennisetum hydridum shows the best amelioration effect, followed by Sorghum bicolor × Sorghum sudanense. In summary, it is feasible to use plants to solidify and ameliorate silt soft soil, which is beneficial to realize the resource utilization of dredged soil, especially suitable for agricultural land use.
Influence of Climate Change On Marine Species and Its Solutions
Authors: Wang Zhengjie
Published: April 2022

Marine species are the major components of living organisms on the Earth that have dominated nearly 90 percent of the habitat of Earth. Climate changes have changed the distribution of the marine species among the world and causing extinctions and eventually greatly impacts the whole marine ecosystem. This paper is going to discuss the impacts of climate change on marine species and what humans could do to protect the marine species under the change of the climate. This paper first introduces the global background about the climate change and how does it affects marine species. Then evaluates the whole systems to three smaller parts: fish industry, coral reefs and seagrass. The protection of coral reef and seagrass habitats are necessary to maintain the marine ecosystem. Finally the paper proposals several solutions to minimize the impacts of climate change on marine species. The advanced technology, government support and volunteer works would be essential to save the marine species from the undergoing life threatening situation. From now on, humans should stand together to protect our common habitat and save other species who share the Earth with humans. This paper is important because it evaluates the recent conditions of marine species under the climate change and it explores the potential solutions to solve the ongoing issues.
Impinging hollow droplet of glycerin in spray coating influence of mutable obstacle and dynamic contact angle
Authors: Sayyari Hossein , Peiravi Mohammad Mohsen , Alinejad Javad
Published: April 2022

In this study, droplet impact on a solid surface with obstacles occurring in many technological processes was numerically analyzed. The simulation of the hollow droplet impact on to solid surface used the volume of fluid method. A hollow droplet consists of a liquid shell enclosing an air cavity. The hollow droplet impact onto the surface has an obstacle with a different ratio of D/h and diameter of obstacle at three different speeds. It is found that the obstacle made dual jet in some cases. The length of the counter jet decreased with increased the dimension of the obstacle that the maximum and minimum length of the jet is been in case 1 at impact velocity 10 m s−1 and case 3 in V = 5 m s−1. Spread factor (f) increased 34.61% and 44.31% when impact velocity changed 1 m s−1–5 m s−1 and 10 m s−1 respectively.
Self-made transparent optoacoustic detector for measurement of skin lesion thickness in vivo
Authors: Fedorov Kukk Anatoly , Blumenröther Elias , Roth Bernhard
Published: April 2022

In skin cancer diagnosis and treatment, one of the key factors is tumor depth, which is connected to the severity and the required excision depth. Optoacoustical (OA) imaging is a relatively popular technique that provides information based on the optical absorption of the sample. Although often demonstrated with ex vivo measurements or in vivo imaging on parts of small animals, in vivo measurements on humans are more challenging. This is presumably because it is too time consuming and the required excitation pulse energies and their number exceed the allowed maximum permissible exposure (MPE). Here, we demonstrate thickness measurements with a transparent optoacoustical detector of different suspicious skin lesions in vivo on patients. We develop the signal processing technique to automatically convert the raw signal into thickness via deconvolution with the impulse response function. The transparency of the detector allows optical excitation with the pulsed laser to be performed perpendicularly on the lesion, in contrast to the conventional illumination from the side. For validation, the measured results were compared to the histological thickness determined after excision. We show that this simple transparent detector allows to determine the thickness of a lesion and thus, aid the dermatologist to estimate the excision depth in the future.
Finite element analysis of a hybrid corrugated hip implant for stability and loading during gait phases
Authors: Gupta Vivek , Chanda Arnab
Published: April 2022

Implants used in total hip replacements (THR) exhibit high failure rates and up to a decade of operational life. These surgical failures could be mainly attributed to the improper positioning, post-surgical stability and loading, of the implants during different phases of the gait. Typically, revised surgeries are suggested within a few years of hip implantation, which requires multiple femoral drilling operations to remove an existing implant, and to install a new implant. The pain and trauma associated with such procedures are also challenging with the existing hip implants. In this work, we designed a novel corrugated hip implant with innovative dimensioning as per ASTM standards, and grooves for directed insertion and removal (using a single femoral drilling and positioning operation). Biocompatible titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) was chosen as the implant material, and the novel implant was placed into a femur model through a virtual surgery to study its stability and loading during a dynamic gait cycle. A detailed mesh convergence study was conducted to select a computationally accurate finite element (FE) mesh. Tight fit and frictional fit attachment conditions were simulated, and the gait induced displacements and stresses on the implant, cortical and cancellous bone sections were characterized. During walking, the implant encountered the maximum von-Mises stress of 254.97 MPa at the femoral head. The analyses indicated low micro-motions (i.e., approximately 7 μm) between the femur and implant, low stresses at the implant and bone within elastic limits, and uniform stress distribution, which unlike existing hip implants, would be indispensable for bone growth and implant stability enhancement, and also for reducing implant wear.
Anatomical analysis of the aortic arch and feasibility study of double and triple branched thoracic endografts in the treatment of isolated arch pathologies
Authors: Benfor Bright , Prendes Carlota F , Peterss Sven , Stavroulakis Konstantinos , Stana Jan , Pichlmaier Maximilian , Tsilimparis Nikolaos
Published: April 2022

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of patients undergoing open arch repair who would be anatomically suitable for multi-branched endovascular arch repair.

METHODS

This study was a single-centre review of patients undergoing open arch repair between 2000 and 2020. Anatomical feasibility was determined by comparing arch measurements to the anatomical criteria of the Zenith® double and triple inner branched-arch endografts (Cook Medical) and the Relay® double arch branched device (Terumo-Aortic).

RESULTS

Ninety (90) patients were included in this study, with 43/90 presenting degenerative aneurysm. The distance between the sinotubular junction and the brachiocephalic trunk measured 114 ± 30 mm on the outer curvature, and the maximum diameter of the proximal landing zone (PLZ) was 41 ± 11mm. A total of 42/90 patients (47%) were anatomically suitable for at least 1 stent graft and 29/90 patients (32%) were eligible for a triple-branched endograft. The most important determinant factors of anatomical suitability were the PLZ diameter (Cramer’s V = 0.743, P < 0.001) and length (Cramer’s V = 0.777, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that the proportion of patients who may be anatomically suitable for branched-arch repair remains limited. The PLZ dimensions tend to be the most important anatomical limitations and should receive more emphasis in the development of branched-arch devices.
Breeding an underutilized fruit crop: a long-term program for Hylocereus
Authors: Tel-Zur Noemi
Published: April 2022

This review describes three decades of introduction, agro-technology development, breeding and selection of Hylocereus species, known as pitaya or dragon fruit, as an example of a holistic program aimed to develop the horticultural potential of a perennial underutilized fruit crop. Interspecific homoploid and interploid crosses and embryo rescue procedures produced improved hybrids, some of which have been released to farmers. Molecular tools and morphological and phenological comparisons between the parental species and the resulting hybrids provided valuable information on dominant/recessive traits and on genetic relationships that could be exploited for further hybridizations. In addition, Hylocereus were crossed with species of the closely related genus Selenicereus, producing valuable intergeneric hybrids. In situ chromosome doubling resulted in the production of autopolyploid lines, from which an understanding of the effect of increased ploidy on fruit traits and metabolomic profiles was obtained. Gamete-derived lines were produced, adding to our biobank homozygote lines that were subsequently used for further hybridization. Spontaneous chromosome doubling occurred in haploid gamete-derived Hylocereus monacanthus lines and in interspecific interploid Hylocereus megalanthus × H. undatus hybrids obtained from an embryo rescue procedure, resulting in plants with double the expected ploidy. Challenging technical problems were addressed by the development of protocols for DNA isolation, flow cytometry, in situ chromosome doubling, androgenesis, gynogenesis and embryo rescue following interspecific and interploidy crosses. Current research leading to the development of genomics and molecular tools, including a draft genome of H. undatus, is also presented. Perspectives for further development of Hylocereus species and hybrids are discussed.
103 Effect of Floor Feeding Creep Feed on the Growth Performance and Morbidity and Mortality of Pigs After Weaning
Authors: Wensley Madie R , Tokach Mike D , Goodband Robert D , Gebhardt Jordan T , Woodworth Jason C , DeRouchey Joel M , Allerson Matt W , Menegat Mariana
Published: April 2022

A total of 264 litters corresponding to 2,497 nursery pigs were used in a 40-d trial to determine the effect of floor feeding pelleted creep feed or lactation feed on the growth performance and morbidity and mortality of pigs after weaning. Treatments were applied in the farrowing house for 4-d prior to weaning and consisted of a control (no creep), standard (0.32 cm) creep pellet, large (1.27 cm) creep pellet, or sow lactation feed in meal form. For each treatment, approximately 227 g of creep feed per day equally divided into 2 feedings was provided on the mat in farrowing stalls. At weaning, pigs were transported to the nursery facility and randomized to pen within creep feeding treatment. A total of 96 pens (48 feeders) were used, with one barrow pen and one gilt pen per feeder. Thus, feeder (2 pens) was the experimental unit. There were 26 pigs per pen and 12 replications per treatment. During week 1 post-weaning, pigs fed standard or large pellet creep feed had increased (P < 0.001) ADG compared with pigs fed sow lactation feed or no creep feed. This was not driven by improved ADFI but rather G:F (P < 0.001). No differences in growth performance were observed throughout the remainder of the nursery period. Overall, on a per pig placed basis, pigs fed large pellet creep feed had increased ADG (P < 0.05) and improved G:F (P < 0.05) compared with pigs fed sow lactation feed, with the other 2 treatments intermediate. This response was a direct reflection of decreased (P < 0.05) total mortality and removals for pigs fed large pellet creep feed. In summary, floor feeding large pellet creep feed starting 4-d preweaning improved nursery pig growth performance and fallout rates compared with creep feeding sow lactation feed, with standard pellet creep feed or no creep feed having an intermediate effect.
130 Effect of Lactylate and Bacillus Subtilis on Growth Performance, Peripheral Blood Cell Profile, and Gut Microbiota of Nursery Pigs
Authors: Tsai Tsungcheng Cheng , Wang Xiaofan , Zuo Bin , Maxwell Charles V , Wei Xiaoyuan , Davis Ellen , Hernandez Samantha , Jochems Evelien , Rehberger Tom G , Zhao Jiangchao
Published: April 2022

To evaluate the effects of lactylate and Bacillus subtilis on growth performance, complete blood cell count, and microbial changes, 264 weaning pigs were assigned to 4 treatments (1) control (Con) basal diets that met the nutrient requirement for each phase, (2) 0.2% lactylate (LA), (3) 0.05% Bacillus subtilis strains mixtures (BM) providing 2 x 105 CFU/g of complete feed, or (4) the combination of LA and BM (LA+BM) added to the control basal diet at their respective inclusion rates in each of the 3 phases. Dietary lactylate tended to increase weight gain, significantly increased feed intake, and reduced fecal total E. coli and enterotoxigenic E. coli counts during Phase 1. Pigs fed Bacillus subtilis had a greater gain to feed ratio (G:F) during Phases 1 and 2. Pigs fed lactylate had an increased peripheral absolute neutrophil count on D14 but a decreased eosinophil percentage. Pigs fed Bacillus subtilis had an elevated peripheral total white blood cell count at study completion. The addition of lactylate increased microbiota richness, reduced E. coli, and increased Prevotella, Christensenellaceae, and Succinivibrio. Bacillus subtilis supplementation-enriched f_Ruminococcaceae_unclassified and S24-7_ unclassified had positive relationships with feed efficiency. Collectively, these findings suggested that lactylate can be added to diets to balance gut microbiota and improve growth performance during the early postweaning period. The combination of lactylate and Bacillus subtilis strains exerted a synergic effect on the growth performance of nursery pigs.
140 Effects of Calcium Carbonate Level on Weanling Pig Growth Performance and Fecal Dry Matter
Authors: Warner Alan J , DeRouchey Joel M , Tokach Mike D , Woodworth Jason C , Goodband Robert D , Gebhardt Jordan T
Published: April 2022

A total of 695 barrows (DNA 200×400; initially 5.9 ± 0.02 kg) were used in 2 groups in a 28-d study to evaluate the effects of dietary calcium carbonate level on nursery pig growth performance and fecal dry matter. Upon arrival to the research facility, pigs were randomly assigned to pens with 5 pigs/pen, and pens were allotted to 1 of 5 dietary treatments with 27 or 28 pens/treatment. Dietary treatments were formulated to provide 0, 0.45, 0.90, 1.35, and 1.80% calcium carbonate added at the expense of corn, which resulted in total Ca of 0.49, 0.66, 0.84, 1.01 and 1.18%, respectively. All diets were formulated to contain 0.68% total P and 0.59% STTD P. Diets were fed in 2 phases with treatment diets fed from d 0 to 14 and a common diet fed from d 14 to 28. Treatment diets were fed in meal (group 1) and pellet (group 2) form. Feces were collected from 3 pigs/pen and dried to calculate fecal dry matter. There was no evidence for a treatment×group interaction and thus, groups were combined. From d 0 to 14 (treatment period), ADG (P = 0.010), d 14 BW (P = 0.006), and G:F (P = 0.010) decreased linearly as calcium carbonate increased. There was no evidence for a difference in ADFI (P > 0.10) between treatments. For fecal dry matter, there was a tendency for a quadratic response (P = 0.091) with the highest and lowest calcium carbonate diets having the greatest dry matter. Subsequent performance from d 14 to 28 was not influenced by previous treatment (P > 0.10). In summary, increasing dietary calcium carbonate from 0 to 1.80% decreased ADG and G:F in pigs the first 14-d after weaning.
164 Awardee Talk: Influence of Ingredient Quality and Diet Formulation on Amino Acid Digestibility and Growth Performance of Poultry and Swine
Authors: Dunmire Kara M , Stark Charles R , Paulk Chad B
Published: April 2022

Ingredient varieties and heat processing can influence nutrient utilization for monogastric species. Objective 1 determined the influence of SBM quality on AA digestibility and growth performance of broilers. Treatments consisted of 1 of 4 soybean sources varying in CP content and processed into SBM; 2 sources from a similar region were either commercially or experimentally solvent extracted. Broilers fed commercially processed SBM had improved (P < 0.05) AA digestibility compared with experimentally processed SBM from a similar region. Increasing CP content increased AA digestibility. Broiler d18 BW improved (P<0.05) in broilers fed conventionally processed SBM compared with experimentally processed SBM. Feed intake improved (P < 0.05) when broilers were fed conventionally processed SBM compared with experimentally processed SBM with experimentally processed SBM from a similar source intermediate. Objective 2 determined the effects of diet formulation and pelleting on AA digestibility and growth performance of swine. Diets were fed in mash or pelleted form and formulated with low or high crystalline AA and low or high RS (reducing sugars; DDGS and bakery meal). There was no feed form × crystalline AA × RS interaction observed for SID of AA. For main effects of feed form, the SID of total AA, CP, and indispensable AA increased (P < 0.042) in pigs fed pelleted diets compared with mash diets. Average daily feed intake decreased (P = 0.001) and G:F and caloric efficiency improved (P = 0.001) in pigs fed pelleted diets compared with mash diets. Pigs fed diets with high crystalline AA had increased (P < 0.024) ADFI compared with those fed diets with low crystalline AA. Pigs fed high RS diets had decreased (P <0.041) ADG, ADFI, G:F, and caloric efficiency compared with those fed low RS. Results concluded that pelleting diets with increased crystalline AA or RS did not lead to a reduction in AA digestibility or affect the pigs’ response to pelleting.
208 Nutrient Restriction During Late Gestation Alters Beef Heifer Colostrum Composition
Authors: Meyer Allison M , Redifer Colby A , Wichman Lindsey G , Rathert-Williams Abigail R
Published: April 2022

We hypothesized that late gestational nutrient restriction of beef heifers would decrease nutrient partitioning to the mammary gland, resulting in less colostrum nutrient availability for neonatal calves. Fall-calving Hereford-SimAngus heifers (single-sired; BW: 451 ± 28 [SD] kg; BCS: 5.4 ± 0.7) bred to a single sire were individually fed 100% (control; n = 12) or 70% (nutrient restricted; NR; n = 13) of NASEM net energy and metabolizable protein requirements for maintenance, pregnancy, and growth from d 160 of gestation to calving. Diets were based on chopped sorghum sudan hay (1.74 Mcal ME, 6.66% CP, 72.0% NDF; DM basis) supplemented to meet targeted nutritional planes. Calving was observed for all females, and total colostrum from one rear quarter was collected pre-suckling (50.5 ± 17 min [SD] postpartum). Colostrum nutrient composition was determined by colorimetric assays run on a UV-visible light microplate reader. Data were analyzed with treatment, calving date, and calf sex (when P < 0.25) as fixed effects. We have previously reported that single-quarter colostrum weight and volume were 40% less (P = 0.04) in NR compared with control heifers. Colostrum lactose concentration was not affected (P = 0.32) by treatment, but yield differences resulted in 46% less (P = 0.03) total single-quarter colostrum lactose in NR than control. Colostrum from NR heifers had 36% greater (P = 0.004) protein concentration than control, but greater colostrum yield of control heifers allowed for total protein to be unaffected (P = 0.57) by treatment. Nutrient restricted heifers had 23% less (P = 0.04) colostrum urea N concentration and 60% less (P = 0.01) total colostrum urea N than control. Late gestational nutrient restriction (P ≥ 0.59) did not affect colostrum triglyceride concentration or total. In summary, energy and protein restriction had disparate effects on nutrient partitioning to colostrum in primiparous beef females.
PSIII-15 Effect of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Boulardii CNCM I-1079 Supplementation to Sows on Colostrum igG Concentration
Authors: de Laguna Fernando Bravo , Zuluaga Carlos Mario , Saornil David , Bernal Eduardo , Shields Michael , Chevaux Eric
Published: April 2022

The transmission of passive immunity from the sow to the neonate piglets through colostrum is crucial for their future development. The aim of this experiment was to demonstrate that feeding the live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 (SCB) increases the immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration in colostrum. In total, 620 colostrum samples were taken from mixed-parity sows (1-9) in 11 farms in Colombia. There were 2 treatments: control (CON; standard feed in gestation and lactation), and SCB (CON + 1 × 109 colony forming units (CFU)/kg, fed from 3 weeks before the expected farrowing date). The samples were taken within the first 4 hours after the birth of the first piglet, from both sides of the teats of the sow, and immediately analyzed with a MA871 refractometer to obtain a °Brix value. Furthermore, each value was attributed to 1 of the 4 following categories regarding IgG concentration: Very good, Adequate, Limited, and Poor. Data were analyzed with SPSS Statistics 26.0 (IBM) and submitted to an analysis of variance with farm as random effect, parity rank and treatment as fixed effects, and their interactions. However, no interaction was found between any of the variables studied. Colostrum from sows in the SCB treatment displayed a higher °Brix value (P < 0.001) than the 1 from sows in the CON treatment. Additionally, the percentage of sows fitting the categories Very good and Adequate was greater in the SCB treatment than in the CON, and the one fitting the categories Limited and Poor was greater in the CON treatment than in the SCB. It is concluded that supplementing sows with Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 from 3 weeks before farrowing increases IgG concentration in colostrum, helping the neonate piglets to acquire the passive immunity necessary to improve later performance.
PSIV-11 Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Quillaja Saponin or Fructooligosaccharide and a Mixture of Both on the Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Fecal Microbial, and Gas Emissions in Growing Pigs
Authors: Lim Chai Bin , Muniyappan Madesh , Sanshui Goa , Kim Inho
Published: April 2022

Quillaja saponin is derived from the soap bark (Quillaja saponaria Molina) tree, contains a triterpenoid (non-steroidal) sapogenin structural component and exhibits a variety of effects when used as a feed additive. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of Quillaja saponin and fructooligosaccharide alone or in combination on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial, and fecal noxious gas emissions in growing pigs. A total of 100 pigs [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire) average body weight (BW) of 23.83 ± 1.95] were randomly allotted into 1 of 4 dietary treatment groups according to initial BW and sex (5 replicate/ treatment, with 3 gilts and 2 barrows per pen) in a 56-d trial. The treatments included a basal diet as negative control (NC), QS diet (QS, NC+ 0.2% QS), a FOS diet (FOS, NC+ 0.10% FOS), and a QS plus FOS diet (QSFOS, NC+ 0.2% QS+ 0.10% FOS). Pigs fed diet supplemented with QS, FOS, and QSFOS resulted in increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain and average daily feed intake during d 28-56 and 0-56, as well as improved the digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen during day 56 compared with NC. On d 28 and 56, there was an increase (P < 0.05) in body weight in the treatment’s groups compared with NC. The fecal Lactobacillus counts was increased and a reduction (P < 0.05) in fecal E. coli counts and HN3 and CO2emission from the feces was observed from pigs fed QS, FOS, and QSFOS supplemented diets. Dietary QS, FOS, and QSFOS supplementation has beneficial effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial, and noxious gas emissions in growing pigs.
PSVI-2 Effect of Increasing the SID Tryptophan:Lysine Ratio and Dietary Energy Level on Growth Performance of Growing-Finishing Pigs
Authors: Yeich Brian P , Ellis Michael , Shull Caleb M , Mendoza Omarh
Published: April 2022

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing the SID Tryptophan:Lysine ratio in growing-finishing and dietary energy level in finishing on growth performance of growing-finishing pigs (43.6 ± 0.85 kg to 131.7 ± 2.09 kg BW). A RCBD was used with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: A) Dietary Energy Level: Low Energy (3,294 kcal/kg ME) vs. High Energy (3,527 kcal/kg ME) and B) SID Tryptophan:Lysine Ratio: Low Try:Lys [16%] vs. High Try:Lys [21%]. Dietary Energy Level treatment was applied from 96 kg BW to end of study and SID Tryptophan:Lysine Ratio treatment was applied throughout the study period. Diets were based on corn-soybean meal and corn coproducts and formulated to meet or exceed the nutrient requirements (NRC, 2012) for each of 4 dietary phases. A total of 1,356 pigs were housed in single-sex groups of 34 pigs (10 replicates) at a floor space of 0.63 m2/pig. Pigs had ad libitum access to feed and water. Pen was the experimental unit and data were analyzed using R version 4.0.2, with the model accounting for the fixed effects of treatment, the interaction, and the random effect of replicate. There were no treatment interactions (P > 0.05). High Try:Lys compared with Low Try:Lys increased (P < 0.05) overall ADG but had no effect (P > 0.05) on ADFI or G:F (Table 1). The High Energy treatment reduced (P < 0.05) overall ADFI and increased (P < 0.05) overall G:F compared with the Low Energy treatment. In summary, pigs fed the elevated SID Tryptophan:Lysine level had increased ADG and feeding a diet with a higher dietary energy level improved feed efficiency.
PSVIII-6 Animal Science’s Challenge and Opportunity
Authors: Ballerstedt Peter J
Published: April 2022

Knowledge of the global epidemic of metabolic syndrome provides animal scientists with an opportunity to improve their health and that of their communities; increase awareness and support of their disciplines and efforts; and support truly sustainable food systems and economic development. This presentation will expand these arguments. Professionals within the disciplines of animal science must push back against those who oppose animal agriculture, particularly by refuting the dietary messaging accusing animal source foods of being health hazards. Official dietary policy for almost half a century has been explicitly anti-animal products, despite a growing body of scientific evidence refuting these recommendations. Animal science undergraduates receive more training in nutrition than medical students. Animal nutrition is a functional scientific discipline. Swine nutritionists have a more advanced understanding of amino acid nutrition in monogastrics than many human nutritionists. Human nutrition has necessarily relied on observational studies, which are widely recognized as being of low scientific quality. Serious conflicts of interests exist within the field of human nutrition. The leadership of the human nutrition community has failed to: acknowledge the weak scientific basis of their dietary guidance; incorporate the highest-quality scientific evidence available into their guidance and policies; and address a global epidemic – metabolic syndrome (hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance). According to the CDC, more than 34% of adults in the Midwestern US region are obese (Body Mass Index ³ 30). Odds are that a significant proportion of our fellow Midwest Section members are afflicted with metabolic syndrome, most of them unaware of their condition and its risks. Likewise in the communities we serve. We have an opportunity, and in light of the failures of human nutrition, a responsibility to: stop accepting their pronouncements; stop citing them in our research; and challenge their legitimacy wherever possible.
PSI-11 Testing a Computer Vision System for Automatically Detecting Piglet Interbirth Interval
Authors: Kittle Olivia J , Leonard Suzanne M
Published: April 2022

An apparent opportunity for improvement in the swine industry is preweaning piglet mortality. Preweaning piglet mortality results in economic loss, decreasing productivity per sow, and food waste. One aspect of preweaning mortality, stillborn piglets, can be reduced with timely caretaker interventions to reduce interbirth interval. However, a single caretaker is often in charge of managing many farrowing events concurrently. To address this labor need, piglet interbirth interval could be monitored using thermal cameras. In the present study the performance of a custom image capturing and processing system was evaluated for its ability to identify piglet births. Thermal images of 4 sows in farrowing stalls were collected once every 2 seconds to compare the image processing algorithm’s ability to identify piglet interbirth interval with human observations. There were 66 piglets born in total. Piglets born less than 2 minutes apart were classified as one birthing event, resulting in 49 birthing events total. When the algorithm detected piglet birthing events, they were considered correct if they were within 2 minutes of the human timestamp. The algorithm correctly identified 27 out of 49 birthing events. The algorithm resulted in 22 false negatives and 27 false positives. Results show that 55% of birthing events were accurately detected. With further refinement, the algorithm has the potential to increase accuracy of piglet birthing event identification. The present study demonstrates that computer vision systems can be implemented to monitor piglet birthing events in real-time, allowing caretakers to target their efforts on the most at-risk animals in the farrowing room. This continuous monitoring system has the potential to change the view of farrowing in the swine industry.
PSI-2 Effect of Gruel Feeding and Oral Dextrose on the Survivability of Pigs After Weaning
Authors: Boschert Andrew W , Wensley Madie R , Tokach Mike D , Goodband Robert D , Gebhardt Jordan T , Woodworth Jason C , DeRouchey Joel M , Stephenson Ethan
Published: April 2022

Two experiments were conducted using 3,087 (Exp. 1) and 988 (Exp. 2) pigs to determine the effect of gruel feeding (Exp. 1) and oral glucose (Exp. 2) on pig survivability after weaning. Upon arrival to the nursery, the smallest 10% of pigs were selected and randomly placed in designated pens with 61 to 108 pigs/pen. Pens of small pigs were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments in a completely randomized design. Treatment consisted of gruel feeding 2 or 4 times/day for 14-d post-placement. At each gruel feeding, approximately 1.13 kg of solid feed was added to a round Rotecna bowl (Rotecna S.A., Agramunt, Spain) located at the front of the pen. Water was added at a decreasing rate over time. From d 0 to 5, 6 to 10, and 11 to 14 the ratio of water to feed was 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3, respectively. In Exp. 2, every other pig removed from general population or pens of small pigs for welfare considerations received a single 10 mL oral dose of a 50% dextrose solution and were placed in sick/fallback pens. All removed pigs were tagged and blood glucose measured prior to and 30 min after entering sick/fallback pens. Overall, gruel feeding small pigs 2 or 4 times/day for 14-d post-placement did not influence (P > 0.10) mortality from weaning to the end of gruel feeding (3.78 vs 4.25%, respectively). Likewise, dextrose administration did not influence (P > 0.10) pig mortality after removal to approximately d 38 after weaning (21.4 vs 23.4% respectively), even though blood glucose increased (P < 0.001) in those administered dextrose (11.4 vs 19.1 mg/dL). In summary, gruel feeding 4 times/d or providing sick/fallback pigs glucose supplementation does not improve survivability of pigs after weaning. More research is needed using alternative protocols to understand the value of gruel feeding on pig survival post-weaning.
Flares in gamma-ray burst X-ray afterglows as prompt emission from slightly misaligned structured jets
Authors: Duque Raphaël , Beniamini Paz , Daigne Frédéric , Mochkovitch Robert
Published: April 2022

We develop a model to explain the flaring activity in gamma-ray burst X-ray afterglows within the framework of slightly misaligned observers to structured jets. We suggest that flares could be the manifestation of prompt dissipation within the core of the jet, appearing to a misaligned observer in the X-ray band because of less favourable Doppler boosting. These flares appear during the afterglow phase because of core–observer light travel delays. In this picture, the prompt emission recorded by this observer comes from material along their line of sight, in the lateral structure of the jet, outside the jet’s core. We start by laying down the basic analytical framework to determine the flares characteristics as a function of those of the gamma-ray pulse an aligned observer would see. We show that there is viable parameter space to explain flares with typical observing times and luminosities. We then analytically explore this model, showing that it naturally produces flares with small aspect ratios, as observed. We perform fits of our model to two Swift/XRT flares representing two different types of morphology, to show that our model can capture both. The ejection time of the core jet material responsible of the flare is a critical parameter. While it always remains small compared to the observed time of the flare, confirming that our model does not require very late central engine activity, late ejection times are strongly favoured, sometimes larger than the observed duration of the parent gamma-ray burst’s prompt emission as measured by T90.
Effects of sucrose and lactose as partial replacement to corn in lactating dairy cow diets: a review
Authors: Ravelo A D , Vyas D , Ferraretto L F , Faciola A
Published: April 2022

Carbohydrates are one of the three macronutrients that provides energy in diets and are classified by their structures. Starch is a nonstructural carbohydrate and polysaccharide made of glucose monomers used for storage in plant cells. When starch makes up greater than 30% of the DM in diets there can be adverse effects on NDF digestibility due to decreases in ruminal pH. Sugars are water soluble carbohydrates that consist of monosaccharide and disaccharide units. Sugars ferment faster than starch because microorganisms in the rumen can ferment carbohydrates at different rates depending on their structure; however, this has not been shown to have negative effects on the ruminal pH. Sources of sugars such as molasses (sucrose) or whey (lactose) can be included in the diet as a partial replacement for starch in dairy cow diets. The purpose of replacing starch with sugars in a diet would be to add differing sources of carbohydrates in the diet to allow for continual fermentation of carbohydrates by the microorganisms in the rumen. It has been seen in studies and previous literature that the partial replacement of starch with sugars has the potential to maintain the ruminal environment and milk yield and composition in dairy cows without reducing NDF digestibility. The objective of this review is to evaluate the effects of partially replacing starch with sugars in dairy diets and its implication on ruminal fermentation, nutrient utilization, milk production, and feeding replacement strategy.
Effects of Soil Type, Temperature, and Moisture on Development of Fusarium Root Rot of Soybean by Fusarium solani (FSSC 11) and Fusarium tricinctum
Authors: Yan Hui , Nelson Berlin
Published: April 2022

Fusarium solani FSSC 11 and F. tricinctum are important root rot pathogens of soybean in North Dakota. The roles of soil type, temperature, and moisture in disease development by both species are poorly documented. To assess the effect of soil type on disease, three types of soil (Glyndon sandy loam, La Prairie silt loam, and Fargo clay) that represent soils of the soybean production region in the Red River Valley were examined in greenhouse, microplot, and growth chamber studies. Disease incidence and lesion length on roots were evaluated at growth stages V3 and R6. Soil type significantly affected disease development, with higher severity in the lighter soils of Glyndon sandy loam and La Prairie silt loam compared with Fargo clay. Soil type also interacted with Fusarium species, in which the maximum severity was observed in Glyndon sandy loam for F. solani, and in La Prairie silt loam for F. tricinctum. In addition, the cumulative effects of soil type, temperature, and soil moisture were tested in a growth chamber. Emergence and disease on seedlings were evaluated at growth stage V3. Significant reductions in emergence occurred at 10°C in treatments with F. solani and F. tricinctum, but there was no significant difference among the three soils. Infection was visible at temperatures of 10 to 20°C for F. solani and 15 to 20°C for F. tricinctum. F. solani caused the greatest infection at 20°C in Glyndon sandy loam, while it was at 15°C in La Prairie silt loam for F. tricinctum. The isolates of the two Fusarium species caused root rot in soil moisture ranging from 20 to 100% water holding capacity (WHC). The greatest reduction in emergence caused by the Fusarium spp. was observed at 80% WHC in silt loam and clay soils and 40% WHC in sandy loam soil, when compared with the same WHC in noninfested soils. Ranges of soil moisture causing infection were negatively correlated with temperature. At the lower temperature there was a broader range of soil moistures resulting in infection compared with higher temperatures. At 18°C, most infection occurred at soil moistures of 20 to 80% WHC, while it was 40 to 80% WHC at 28°C. Disease caused by F. solani was favored by a temperature of 18°C with high soil moisture (60 to 80% WHC) or 28°C with low soil moisture (20 to 40% WHC), while F. tricinctum was favored by cooler temperature and lower soil moisture.
Predictors of perioperative blood loss in primary posterior hemivertebra resection for pediatric patients with congenital scoliosis
Authors: Liu Haonan , Li Duoyi , Zhang Xuejun , Qi Xinyu , Guo Dong , Bai Yunsong , Tian Muyang
Published: April 2022

Several studies have elucidated the risk factors of intraoperative bleeding. However, the total blood loss (visible and hidden loss) and related risk factors were seldom reported. In this study, we aimed to identify predictors of massive blood loss in posterior hemivertebra resection for pediatric patients. Clinical records were retrospectively reviewed for 108 pediatric patients who underwent primary posterior hemivertebra resection and spinal fusion for congenital scoliosis from June 2017 to June 2019. Intraoperative blood loss was recorded and hidden blood loss was calculated by deducting the intraoperative loss from the total blood loss calculated using specific formula. Perioperative information was collected for multivariable linear regression analysis to determine the independent risk factors of the blood loss. The mean total blood loss was 575.0 ± 318.0 ml during the perioperative period, accounting for 42.1% of the estimated blood volume. The intraoperative and hidden loss were 337.6 ± 179.5 ml and 237.4 ± 204.8 ml, respectively, accounting for 58.7 and 41.3% of the total loss. Multivariable linear regression indicated that age, preoperative Cobb angle, operative time, and number of fused levels were independent risk factors of the total blood loss. Patients with operative time ≥145 minutes, fused levels ≥4, and preoperative Cobb angle ≥40° have an increased risk of massive blood loss. The perioperative blood loss of surgery for congenital scoliosis was considerable, with a high percentage of hidden blood loss. Patients with severe deformity, more fused levels, and longer operative time had higher risk of massive blood loss.