scholarly journals Production, properties and processing of American bison (Bison bison) wool grown in southern Australia

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 431 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. McGregor

American bison grow a thick coat of fibres which assists them to withstand severe climatic conditions. Bison fibre was traditionally used in textiles by native North Americans. This study aimed to quantify the production, fibre attributes and dehairing processing of bison fibre produced from bison grazed in north-eastern Victoria. Three age/sex classes were sampled (n = 16) at seven body positions in spring. The fibre growing area was measured. Fibre was tested for diameter distribution, clean washing yield, proportion of fine fibres <36 µm and fine fibre length, and processed by cashmere dehairing. Bison were 1–2 years of age, liveweights 160–450 kg and had mean fibre growing area of 1.4 m2. They produced an average 1184 g (range 530–1640 g) of fine fibre with mean fibre diameter 18.5 µm, clean washing yield 76.5%, wax content 9.8%, suint content 14.5%, clean fine fibre yield 56.4%, fine fibre length 37 mm and fibre curvature was 93°/mm. Mid-side fibre had a crimp frequency of 6.5/cm and mean resistance to compression of 6.6 kPa. Fibre had a tenacity of 8.7 cN/tex and an extension of 39.3%. Restricted maximum likelihood mixed model analysis showed age/sex class and sampling site significantly affected all fibre attributes. Finer and longer fibre was produced in anterior sites and in younger bison. Fibre curvature declined 5.3°/mm for each 1-µm increase in mean fibre diameter. Dehaired fibre had a mean fibre diameter of 17.8 µm and mid-length of 28 mm, suitable for woollen spinning. The production by bison of coats containing significant amounts of fibre indicates that careful harvesting of fibre could form an important source of income in bison enterprises.

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 568
Author(s):  
B. A. McGregor ◽  
J. F. Graham

Cattle grow and shed fibre which assists them adapt to seasonal changes in the environment. In the absence of cattle fibre production data for southern Australia, Angus, Hereford, Simmental and Limousin cows and crosses between these breeds grazing perennial pastures at Hamilton, Victoria were sampled in late winter. The fibre-growing area on the sides of cattle was measured, fibre sampled at the mid-side site and the sampling area determined. Fibre was tested for fibre diameter distribution, clean washing yield and fibre length measured. Cows were 3–7 years of age, liveweights were 412–712 kg and the mean fibre-growing area was 2.2 m2. This produced an average 682 g of total fibre (range 346–1175 g). The mean fibre diameter of all fibres was 51.7 µm (range 43–62 µm) and 18% of fibres were <36 µm (range 6–39%). The clean washing yield was 92.4% (range 87.4–95.8%). Fibre length averaged 21 mm. Increasing the age, liveweight and condition score of cows and increasing weight of clean fibre were associated with significant increases in mean fibre diameter. Breed of cattle did not affect fibre production (P > 0.1) but did affect mean fibre diameter (P < 0.05). The quantity of fibre production indicates potential for low value textile production. The high level of total fibre production, twice that of an earlier report, and fibre shedding from cattle suggests that white fibre-producing animals such as Merino sheep, Angora and cashmere goats and alpaca should avoid using cattle-handling facilities, particularly in the month before shearing.


Author(s):  
Miriam Romero-López ◽  
María Carmen Pichardo ◽  
Ana Justicia-Arráez ◽  
Judit Bembibre-Serrano

The objective of this study is to measure the effectiveness of a program on improving inhibitory and emotional control among children. In addition, it is assessed whether the improvement of these skills has an effect on the reduction of aggressive behavior in pre-school children. The participants were 100 children, 50 belonging to the control group and 50 to the experimental group, aged between 5 and 6 years. Pre-intervention and post-intervention measures of inhibitory and emotional control (BRIEF-P) and aggression (BASC) were taken. A Generalized Linear Mixed Model analysis (GLMM) was performed and found that children in the experimental group scored higher on inhibitory and emotional control compared to their peers in the control group. In addition, these improvements have an effect on the decrease in aggressiveness. In conclusion, preventive research should have among its priorities the design of such program given their implications for psychosocial development.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 459-460
Author(s):  
Frank W Abrahamsen ◽  
Nar Gurung ◽  
Woubit Abdela ◽  
Gopal Reddy ◽  
Kim Mullenix

Abstract Hempseed meal (HSM) is a byproduct of hemp oil production and is high in crude protein, fiber, and fat, making it a potential feedstuff for ruminants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of HSM supplementation on growth performance, rumen fermentation and blood chemistry profile of growing meat goats. Forty castrated, Boer cross goats were randomly assigned to one of the four treatments (n = 10): control, 10%, 20%, and 30% HSM supplementation. Data collected over a period of a 60-day feeding trial were analyzed utilizing the mixed model analysis function of SYSTAT, version 13. The result revealed total live weight gain decreased with the increasing levels of HSM supplementation 10.75, 9.53, 8.48, and 7.80 kg, for 0, 10, 20, and 30%, respectively. Average daily gain followed the same trend 0.179, 0.159, 0.141, and 0.13 kg, with a significant difference (P &lt; 0.05) observed between the control and 30 % supplementation. Conversely, feed to gain ratio increased with the increasing levels of supplementation 9.0, 10.2, 11.9, 12.2, likewise a significant difference was observed (P &lt; 0.05) between the control and 30% supplementation. Acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, iso-valeric, and iso-butyric acid concentrations as well as the total VFA concentration decreased significantly (P &lt; 0.05) with the increasing level of supplementation. Acetic to propionic acid ratios increased with increasing level of supplementation 3.43, 4.36, 4.52, and 4.59, significant differences (P &lt; 0.05) were observed between control-20% and 30% HSM group. Serum glucose concentration decreased with an increasing rate of HSM supplementation while BUN concentration increased with no significant differences. These findings provide new insights into the feeding value of HSM for meat goats; however, further research needs to be conducted to determine the optimal level of supplementation.


Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Deise Aline Knob ◽  
André Thaler Neto ◽  
Helen Schweizer ◽  
Anna Weigand ◽  
Roberto Kappes ◽  
...  

Depending on the breed or crossbreed line, cows have to cope with a more or less severe negative energy balance during the period of high milk yields in early lactation, which can be detected by beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) in blood. Preventing cows from undergoing a severe negative energy balance by breeding and/or feeding measures is likely to be supported by the public and may help to improve the sustainability of milk production. The aim was to compare BHBA and NEFA concentrations in the blood of Holstein and Simmental cows and their crosses during the prepartum period until the end of lactation. In total, 164 cows formed five genetic groups according to their theoretic proportion of Holstein and Simmental genes as follows: Holstein (100% Holstein; n = 9), R1-Hol (51–99% Holstein; n = 30), F1 crossbreds (50% Holstein, 50% Simmental; n = 17), R1-Sim (1–49% Holstein; n = 81) and Simmental (100% Simmental; n = 27). NEFA and BHBA were evaluated once a week between April 2018 and August 2019. A mixed model analysis with fixed effects breed, week (relative to calving), the interaction of breed and week, parity, calving year, calving season, milking season, and the repeated measure effect on cows was used. Holstein cows had higher NEFAs (0.196 ± 0.013 mmol/L), and Simmental cows had the lowest NEFA concentrations (0.147 ± 0.008 mmol/L, p = 0.03). R1-Sim, F1 and R1-Hol cows had intermediate values (0.166 ± 0.005, 0.165 ± 0.010, 0.162 ± 0.008 mmol/L; respectively). The highest NEFA value was found in the first week after calving (0.49 ± 0.013 mmol/L). BHBA did not differ among genetic groups (p = 0.1007). There was, however, an interaction between the genetic group and week (p = 0.03). While Simmental, R1-Sim and F1 cows had the highest BHBA value, the second week after calving (0.92 ± 0.07 and 1.05 ± 0.04, and 1.10 ± 0.10 mmol/L, respectively), R1-Hol and Holstein cows showed the BHBA peak at the fourth week after calving (1.16 ± 0.07 and 1.36 ± 0.12 mmol/L, respectively). Unexpectedly, Holstein cows had a high BHBA peak again at week 34 after calving (1.68 ± 0.21 mmol/L). The genetic composition of the cows affects NEFA and BHBA. Simmental and R1-Sim cows mobilize fewer body reserves after calving. Therefore, dairy cows with higher degrees of Simmental origin might be more sustainable in comparison with Holstein genetics in the present study.


Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
Stefanie M. P. Kouwenhoven ◽  
Nadja Antl ◽  
Jos W. R. Twisk ◽  
Berthold V. Koletzko ◽  
Martijn J. J. Finken ◽  
...  

Background: Traditionally, fat mass is estimated using anthropometric models. Air-displacement plethysmography (ADP) is a relatively new technique for determining fat mass. There is limited information on the agreement between these methods in infants and young children. Therefore we aimed to longitudinally compare fat mass percentage values predicted from skinfold thicknesses (SFTs) and ADP in healthy infants and young children. Methods: Anthropometry and body composition were determined at the ages of 1, 4, and 6 months and 2 years. We quantified the agreement between the two methods using the Bland–Altman procedure, linear mixed-model analysis, and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Results: During the first 6 months of life, fat mass% predicted with SFT was significantly different from that measured with ADP in healthy, term-born infants (n = 245). ICCs ranged from 0.33 (at 2 years of age) and 0.47 (at 4 months of age). Although the mean difference (bias) between the methods was low, the Bland–Altman plots showed proportional differences at all ages with wide limits of agreement. Conclusions: There is poor agreement between ADP and SFTs for estimating fat mass in infancy or early childhood. The amount of body fat was found to influence the agreement between the methods.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 3119-3126
Author(s):  
Malou A. H. Nuijten ◽  
Valerie M. Monpellier ◽  
Thijs M. H. Eijsvogels ◽  
Ignace M. C. Janssen ◽  
Eric J. Hazebroek ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Fat-free mass (FFM) loss is a concerning aspect of bariatric surgery, but little is known about its time-course and factors related with excessive FFM loss. This study examined (i) the progress of FFM loss up to 3 years post-bariatric surgery and (ii) the prevalence and determinants of excessive FFM loss. Materials and Methods A total of 3596 patients (20% males, 43.5 ± 11.1 years old, BMI = 44.2 ± 5.5 kg/m2) underwent sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed preoperatively and 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months post-surgery. Changes in body composition were assessed by mixed model analysis. Prevalence of excessive FFM loss (based on three different cutoff values: ≥ 25%, ≥ 30% and ≥ 35% FFM loss/weight loss (= %FFML/WL)) was estimated and its determinants were assessed by linear regression analysis. Results Highest rates of FFM loss were found at 3 and 6 months post-surgery, reflecting 57% and 73% of peak FFM loss, respectively. Prevalence of excessive FFM loss ranged from 14 to 46% at 36 months post-surgery, with an older age (β = 0.14, 95%CI = 0.10–0.18, P < .001), being male (β = 3.99, 95%CI = 2.86–5.12, P < .001), higher BMI (β = 0.13, 95%CI = 0.05–0.20, P = .002) and SG (β = 2.56, 95%CI = 1.36–3.76, P < .001) as determinants for a greater %FFML/WL. Conclusion Patients lost most FFM within 3 to 6 months post-surgery. Prevalence of excessive FFM loss was high, emphasizing the need for more vigorous approaches to counteract FFM loss. Furthermore, future studies should assess habitual physical activity and dietary intake shortly after surgery in relation to FFM loss.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 784
Author(s):  
Govindasamy Balasekaran ◽  
Ahmad Arif Bin Ibrahim ◽  
Ng Yew Cheo ◽  
Phua Kia Wang ◽  
Garry Kuan ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of classroom-based Brain Breaks® Physical Activity Solution in Southeast Asia Singaporean primary school students and their attitude towards physical activity (PA) over a ten-week intervention. A total of 113 participants (8–11 years old) were randomly assigned to either an experimental (EG) or a control group (CG), with six classes to each group; the Brain Breaks® group (EG: six classes) and the Control group (CG: six classes). All EG members participated in a Brain Breaks® video intervention (three–five min) during academic classes and the CG continued their lessons as per normal. The student’s attitudes towards PA in both research conditions were evaluated using the self–reported Attitudes toward Physical Activity Scale (APAS), applied before and after intervention. The effects of the intervention on APAS scores were analysed using a mixed model analysis of variance with Time as within-subject and Group as between-subject factors. The analysis revealed evidence in support of the positive effect of classroom video interventions such as Brain Breaks® on student’s attitudes toward benefits, importance, learning, self-efficacy, fun, fitness, and trying to do their personal best in PA. The Brain Breaks® intervention provided a positive significant impact on students in Singapore. This study also revealed that interactive technology tools implemented into the school curriculum benefit students in terms of health and education.


Author(s):  
Surinder Kaur M. S. Pada ◽  
Poh Lishi ◽  
Kim Sim Ng ◽  
Sarathamani Rethenam ◽  
Lilibeth Silagan Alenton ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Computerisation of various processes in hospitals and reliance on electronic devices raises the concern of contamination of these devices from the patient environment. We undertook this study to determine if an attached hand hygiene device that unlocks the screen of a computer on wheels (COW) on usage can be effective in decreasing the microbiological burden on computer keyboards. Methods An electronic hand sanitizer was integrated onto the COW. A prospective cohort study with a crossover design involving 2 control and 2 intervention wards was used. The study end point was the number of colony forming units found on the keyboards. Bacteria were classified into 4 main groups; pathogenic, skin flora, from the environment or those thought to be commensals in healthy individuals. We then used a mixed effects model for the statistical analysis to determine if there were any differences before and after the intervention. Results Thirty-nine keyboards were swabbed at baseline, day 7 and 14, with 234 keyboards cultured, colony forming units (CFUs) counted and organisms isolated. By mixed model analysis, the difference of mean bacteria count between intervention and control for week 1 was 32.74 (− 32.74, CI − 94.29 to 28.75, p = 0.29), for week 2 by 155.86 (− 155.86, CI − 227.45 to − 83.53, p < 0.0001), and after the 2-week period by 157.04 (− 157.04, CI − 231.53 to − 82.67, p < 0.0001). In the sub-analysis, there were significant differences of pathogenic bacteria counts for the Intervention as compared to the Control in contrast with commensal counts. Conclusion A hand hygiene device attached to a COW may be effective in decreasing the microbiological burden on computer keyboards.


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