The cost of running uphill: linking organismal and muscle energy use in guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

Understanding the mechanical determinants of the energy cost of limb swing is crucial for refining our models of locomotor energetics, as well as improving treatments for those suffering from impaired limb-swing mechanics. In this study, we use guinea fowl ( Numida meleagris) as a model to explore whether mechanical work at the joints explains limb-swing energy use by combining inverse dynamic modeling and muscle-specific energetics from blood flow measurements. We found that the overall efficiencies of the limb swing increased markedly from walking (3%) to fast running (17%) and are well below the usually accepted maximum efficiency of muscle, except at the fastest speeds recorded. The estimated efficiency of a single muscle used during ankle flexion (tibialis cranialis) parallels that of the total limb-swing efficiency (3% walking, 15% fast running). Taken together, these findings do not support the hypothesis that joint work is the major determinant of limb-swing energy use across the animal's speed range and warn against making simple predictions of energy use based on joint mechanical work. To understand limb-swing energy use, mechanical functions other than accelerating the limb segments need to be explored, including isometric force production and muscle work arising from active and passive antagonist muscle forces.

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Resolving Shifting Patterns of Muscle Energy Use in Swimming Fish

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0106030 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. e106030 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Shannon P. Gerry ◽

David J. Ellerby

Keyword(s):

Energy Use ◽

Muscle Energy ◽

Muscle Energy Use

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The meat quality of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris L., 1766) and its variation under refrigeration storage

Agricultural science Euro-North-East ◽

10.30766/2072-9081.2014.43.6.58-62 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 43 (6) ◽

pp. 58-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

V.A. Zabiiakin ◽

◽

T.V. Zabiiakina ◽

A.L. Kropotova ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Meat Quality ◽

Guinea Fowl ◽

Numida Meleagris ◽

Refrigeration Storage

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Genomic analyses unveil helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) domestication in West Africa

Genome Biology and Evolution ◽

10.1093/gbe/evab090 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Quan-Kuan Shen ◽

Min-Sheng Peng ◽

Adeniyi C Adeola ◽

Ling Kui ◽

Shengchang Duan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

West Africa ◽

De Novo ◽

Guinea Fowl ◽

Chromatin Interaction ◽

De Novo Genome Assembly ◽

Numida Meleagris ◽

Whole Genomes ◽

Genomic Analyses ◽

Related Wild Species ◽

Wild Progenitors

Abstract Domestication of the helmeted guinea fowl (HGF; Numida meleagris) in Africa remains elusive. Here we report a high-quality de novo genome assembly for domestic HGF generated by long and short-reads sequencing together with optical and chromatin interaction mapping. Using this assembly as the reference, we performed population genomic analyses for newly sequenced whole-genomes for 129 birds from Africa, Asia, and Europe, including domestic animals (n = 89), wild progenitors (n = 34), and their closely related wild species (n = 6). Our results reveal domestication of HGF in West Africa around 1,300-5,500 years ago. Scanning for selective signals characterized the functional genes in behavior and locomotion changes involved in domestication of HGF. The pleiotropy and linkage in genes affecting plumage color and fertility were revealed in the recent breeding of Italian domestic HGF. In addition to presenting a missing piece to the jigsaw puzzle of domestication in poultry, our study provides valuable genetic resources for researchers and breeders to improve production in this species.

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Studies on Eimeria grenieri in the guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182000047338 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 76 (1) ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

P. L. Long ◽

B. J. Millard

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Body Weight ◽

Small Intestine ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

Chorioallantoic Membrane ◽

Severe Depression ◽

Guinea Fowl ◽

Third Generation ◽

Numida Meleagris ◽

Pathogenic Effects

SummaryEimeria grenieri was isolated from intensively reared guinea fowl in Britain. The oocysts had average dimensions of 21·09 × 15·48 μm and a small micropyle. Three generations of schizonts were found in the small intestine. The first mature schizonts were found in the upper intestine 30 h after inoculation. Second-generation schizonts were seen 48–80 h and third-generation schizonts were present 80–96 h after inoculation. These schizonts were found in the middle and lower small intestine. It was confirmed that gametogony of this species occurs only in the caeca. The pre-patent time was 112 h and the reproductive index from a dose of 6 × 102 oocysts was 8 × 104. Doses of between 1 × 104 and 1 × 106 caused severe depression of body weight gain. Immunity to re-infection developed rapidly. Sulphaquinoxaline at a dose of 0·04% in the drinking water given after inoculation was effective in reducing the pathogenic effects of the disease. Robenidine given in the food at a concentration of 16·5 ppm (50% of the recommended concentration for chickens) was effective in preventing disease caused by E. grenieri.The endogenous life-cycle of E. grenieri was completed in the chorioallantoic membrane of developing chicken embryos.

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Cost Optimization of Net-Zero Energy House

ASME 2007 Energy Sustainability Conference ◽

10.1115/es2007-36077 ◽

2007 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

George A. Mertz ◽

Gregory S. Raffio ◽

Kelly Kissock

Keyword(s):

Energy Use ◽

Cost Optimization ◽

Building Design ◽

Building Energy ◽

Zero Energy ◽

Resource Limitations ◽

Net Zero Energy ◽

Net Zero ◽

Building Energy Use ◽

The Cost

Environmental and resource limitations provide increased motivation for design of net-zero energy or net-zero CO2 buildings. The optimum building design will have the lowest lifecycle cost. This paper describes a method of performing and comparing lifecycle costs for standard, CO2-neutral and net-zero energy buildings. Costs of source energy are calculated based on the cost of photovoltaic systems, tradable renewable certificates, CO2 credits and conventional energy. Building energy simulation is used to determine building energy use. A case study is conducted on a proposed net-zero energy house. The paper identifies the least-cost net-zero energy house, the least-cost CO2 neutral house, and the overall least-cost house. The methodology can be generalized to different climates and buildings. The method and results may be of interest to builders, developers, city planners, or organizations managing multiple buildings.

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Comfort within Budget: Assessing the Cost-Effectiveness of Envelope Improvements in Single-Family Affordable Housing

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13063054 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 3054

Author(s):

Renata Tubelo ◽

Lucelia Rodrigues ◽

Mark Gillott ◽

May Zune

Keyword(s):

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Affordable Housing ◽

Energy Use ◽

Thermal Conditions ◽

Building Envelope ◽

Single Family ◽

Design Strategies ◽

Housing Type ◽

The Cost ◽

The Impact

In Brazil, the delivery of homes for low-inc ome households is dictated by costs rather than performance. Issues such as the impact of climate change, affordability of operational energy use, and lack of energy security are not taken into account, even though they can severely impact the occupants. In this work, the authors evaluated the thermal performance of two affordable houses as-built and after the integration of envelope improvements. A new replicable method to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of these improvements was proposed. The case study houses comprise the most common affordable housing type delivered widely across Brazil and a proposition of a better affordable housing solution, built in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil, integrating passive design strategies to increase thermal comfort. The findings reveal a potential for improving indoor thermal conditions by up to 76% and 73%, respectively, if costs are not a concern, and 40% and 45% with a cost increase of 12% and 9% if a comfort criterion of 20–25 °C was considered. Equations to estimate costs of improvements in affordable housing were developed. The authors concluded that there is a great scope for building envelope optimisation, and that this is still possible without significant impact on budget.

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