scholarly journals Effects of Differences in Fibre Composition and Maturity of Forage-Based Diets on the Microbial Ecosystem and Its Activity in Equine Caecum and Colon Digesta and Faeces

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2337
Author(s):  
Sara Muhonen ◽  
Sophie Sadet-Bourgeteau ◽  
Véronique Julliand
Keyword(s):  
Latin Square ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Plant Cell Walls ◽  
Cellulolytic Bacteria ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Microbial Ecosystem ◽  
Fibre Composition ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Total Bacteria ◽  
Acetate Butyrate

Fibrous feeds are essential for horses. When developing feeding regimens promoting health and performance, we need to understand the digestion of plant cell walls and the functioning of the hindgut microbial ecosystem. Our objective was to investigate the effect of grass fibre maturity and legume forage on the hindgut microbiota and its activity. Six caecum and colon fistulated geldings were fed three diets differing in fibre composition: concentrate and late harvested grass haylage (35:65 energy ratio) (C); early and late harvested grass haylage (80:20) (G); lucerne and late harvested grass haylage (80:20) (L) for 28 days in a Latin-square design. No differences were measured in total bacteria concentrations, fungi and protozoa numbers nor in cellulolytic bacteria concentrations between the diets. Short-chain fatty acid concentrations did not differ between diets, but a lower (acetate + butyrate)/propionate ratio when the horses were fed Diet C, compared to G and L, was observed, suggesting lower fibrolytic and higher amylolytic activity. The pH increased when the horses were fed Diet L and decreased when fed C and G from caecum to faeces. The buffering capacity (BC) of hindgut digesta was five to fifteen-fold higher than that of the feeds, suggesting a decreased effect of feed BC as digesta travelled through the digestive tract. In conclusion, an early harvested forage opens up the possibility for forage-only diets, providing high energy without the negative effects of concentrate.

scholarly journals Effect of Two Different Biochars as a Component of Compound Feed on Nutrient Digestibility and Performance Parameters in Growing Pigs

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana Carina Schubert ◽  
Bussarakam Chuppava ◽  
Franziska Witte ◽  
Nino Terjung ◽  
Christian Visscher
Keyword(s):  
Control Diet ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Crude Fiber ◽  
Bet Surface Area ◽  
Performance Parameters ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Homogeneous Groups ◽  
And Performance

The objective of this study was to examine two different biochars as a component of compound feed regarding their effects on nutrient digestibility and performance parameters in growing pigs. A total of 18 male, intact piglets (N = 18) with 26 days of age and an initial bodyweight of 6.88 kg were divided into three homogeneous groups of six animals each (n = 6). Treatments were control (CON, no addition of biochar), 2% biochar 1 (BC 1, diet containing 2% biochar 1), and 2% biochar 2 (BC 2, diet containing 2% biochar 2). Before the start of the trials, the biochars were characterized regarding Brunnauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) surface area, surface energy, humidity, and ash content. During the first trial (weeks 1–6) a 3 × 3 Latin square was used to determine the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of all three feed in each animal (N = 54, n = 18). By start of the second trial on day 42, three new homogenous groups were formed with two animals from each of the previous groups. Each group received one of the three diets for 4 weeks. In the first trial, the ATTD of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, crude fiber, and N-free extract was higher (p < 0.05) in pigs fed the biochar diets (BC1 and BC2) than in those animals fed the control diet. The greatest difference was found for ATTD of crude fiber, which was increased by 19.8 and 23.8%, respectively (CON: 30.8b ± 13.4%; BC 1: 38.4a ± 8.2%; BC 2: 40.4a ± 12.2%). ATTD of crude protein was only higher in BC 2 compared to CON (CON: 81.0b ± 4.1%; BC 1: 82.4ab ± 3.6%; BC 2: 84.2a ± 3.4%). In both trials, the different treatments revealed no effects on ADFI, ADWG or G:F (p > 0.05). The results indicate that no negative effects can be expected when 2% biochar is included in the feed for growing pigs.

scholarly journals Chewing activity, metabolic profile and performance of high- producing dairy cows fed conventional forages, wheat straw or rice straw

1970 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 342-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Omidi-Mirzaee ◽  
E. Ghasemi ◽  
G. R. Ghorbani ◽  
M. Khorvash
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Dietary Sodium ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Partial Inclusion ◽  
Alkaline Conditions ◽  
And Performance

In this study, production and physiological responses of high-producing dairy cows fed wheat (WS) or rice (RS) straw, as a partial forage replacement for the conventional forages lucerne hay (LH) and maize silage (MS ), were investigated. The straws were treated under dry alkaline conditions, adjusted pH (pH ~12), and then ensiled. Twelve lactating Holstein cows were used in a replicated (n = 4) 3 × 3 Latin square design experiment with three periods of 21 days. Cows were offered one of three diets that differed in their forage sources: 1) 20% LH and 20% MS (control); 2) 12.8% LH, 12.8% MS; and 12.8% WS; and 3) 12.8% LH, 12.8% MS and 12.8% RS. Diet 1 had 60% concentrate, and diets 2 and 3 had 61.6% concentrate. Diets were iso-nitrogenous and iso-energetic. Supplemental buffer (NaHCO3) was omitted from the straw diets. However, straw diets contained greater sodium and dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) compared with the control diet. Cows fed the WS had significantly greater apparent dry matter (DM) (69.7 versus 63.9%) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (55.4 versus 42.4%) digestibility than cows fed the control. Additionally, feeding either WS or RS significantly increased dry matter intake (DMI) (27.5 versus 25.6 kg/d ) and milk production (48.4 versus 45.6 kg/d) compared with control, but milk components were unaffected by treatments. Plasma minerals and metabolites concentrations and ruminal, urinary and faecal pH were similar across treatments. Feeding WS and RS resulted in lower time spent chewing per kg DMI compared with the control ( P = 0.01 ). Although there were no significant differences in performance between WS and RS, nutrient digestibility (DM, OM, and CP) was significantly higher while total chewing was lower for the WS diet than the RS diet. Partial inclusion of dry treated straw in lactating diets (12.8% DM basis) led to increases in sodium and DCAD levels and improved digestibility, DMI and milk yield without negative effects. Keywords: Cation and anion difference, cereal straw dietary sodium, lactating [email protected]

Undesirable Effects of Goal Setting on Perceived Fairness, Commitment, and Unethical Behavior

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Keith
Keyword(s):  
Goal Setting ◽  
Unethical Behavior ◽  
The United States ◽  
Goal Commitment ◽  
Management Technique ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Perceived Fairness ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
And Performance

Abstract. The positive effects of goal setting on motivation and performance are among the most established findings of industrial–organizational psychology. Accordingly, goal setting is a common management technique. Lately, however, potential negative effects of goal-setting, for example, on unethical behavior, are increasingly being discussed. This research replicates and extends a laboratory experiment conducted in the United States. In one of three goal conditions (do-your-best goals, consistently high goals, increasingly high goals), 101 participants worked on a search task in five rounds. Half of them (transparency yes/no) were informed at the outset about goal development. We did not find the expected effects on unethical behavior but medium-to-large effects on subjective variables: Perceived fairness of goals and goal commitment were least favorable in the increasing-goal condition, particularly in later goal rounds. Results indicate that when designing goal-setting interventions, organizations may consider potential undesirable long-term effects.

Current progress and performance improvement of Pt/C catalysts for fuel cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (46) ◽  
pp. 24284-24306
Author(s):  
Xuefeng Ren ◽  
Yiran Wang ◽  
Anmin Liu ◽  
Zhihong Zhang ◽  
Qianyuan Lv ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Electric Energy ◽  
Energy Conversion Efficiency ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Carnot Cycle ◽  
High Energy Conversion Efficiency ◽  
And Performance

Fuel cell is an electrochemical device, which can directly convert the chemical energy of fuel into electric energy, without heat process, not limited by Carnot cycle, high energy conversion efficiency, no noise and pollution.

Energy Intakes of Ultraendurance Cyclists During Competition, an Observational Study

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine E. Black ◽  
Paula M.L. Skidmore ◽  
Rachel C. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Energy Requirement ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Computer Software ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Energy Deficit ◽  
Food Diary ◽  
Food And Drink ◽  
And Performance

Endurance events >10 hr are becoming increasingly popular but provide numerous physiological challenges, several of which can be attenuated with optimal nutritional intakes. Previous studies in ultraendurance races have reported large energy deficits during events. The authors therefore aimed to assess nutritional intakes in relation to performance among ultraendurance cyclists. This observational study included 18 cyclists in a 384-km cycle race. At race registration each cyclist’s support crew was provided with a food diary for their cyclist. On completion of the race, cyclists were asked to recall their race food and drink intakes. All food and fluids were analyzed using a computer software package. Mean (SD) time to complete the race was 16 hr 21 min (2 hr 2 min). Mean (SD) energy intake was 18.7 (8.6) MJ, compared with an estimated energy requirement for the race of 25.5 (7.4) MJ. There was a significant negative relationship between energy intake and time taken to complete the race (p = .023, r2 = −.283). Mean (SD) carbohydrate, fat, and protein intakes were 52 (27), 15.84 (56.43), and 2.94 (7.25) g/hr, respectively. Only carbohydrate (p = .015, r2 = −.563) and fat intake (p = .037, r2 = −.494) were associated with time taken to complete the race. This study demonstrates the difficulties in meeting the high energy demands of ultraendurance cycling. The relationship between energy intake and performance suggests that reducing the energy deficit may be advantageous. Given the high carbohydrate intakes of these athletes, increasing energy intake from fat should be investigated as a means of decreasing energy deficits.

scholarly journals Bacillus subtilis-Based Probiotic Improves Skeletal Health and Immunity in Broiler Chickens Exposed to Heat Stress

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1494
Author(s):  
Sha Jiang ◽  
Fei-Fei Yan ◽  
Jia-Ying Hu ◽  
Ahmed Mohammed ◽  
Heng-Wei Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
Stress Sensitivity ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Skeletal Health ◽  
Welfare Issue ◽  
And Performance

The elevation of ambient temperature beyond the thermoneutral zone leads to heat stress, which is a growing health and welfare issue for homeothermic animals aiming to maintain relatively constant reproducibility and survivability. Particularly, global warming over the past decades has resulted in more hot days with more intense, frequent, and long-lasting heat waves, resulting in a global surge in animals suffering from heat stress. Heat stress causes pathophysiological changes in animals, increasing stress sensitivity and immunosuppression, consequently leading to increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut) and related neuroinflammation. Probiotics, as well as prebiotics and synbiotics, have been used to prevent or reduce stress-induced negative effects on physiological and behavioral homeostasis in humans and various animals. The current data indicate dietary supplementation with a Bacillus subtilis-based probiotic has similar functions in poultry. This review highlights the recent findings on the effects of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis on skeletal health of broiler chickens exposed to heat stress. It provides insights to aid in the development of practical strategies for improving health and performance in poultry.

Tensegrity Structures in the Design of Flexible Structures for Offshore Aquaculture

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
O̸sten Jensen ◽  
Anders Sunde Wroldsen ◽  
Pa˚l Furset Lader ◽  
Arne Fredheim ◽  
Mats Heide ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flexible Structures ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Open Ocean ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Tensegrity Structures ◽  
Stiffness Properties ◽  
Offshore Aquaculture ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Open Ocean Aquaculture

Aquaculture is the fastest growing food producing sector in the world. Considerable interest exists in developing open ocean aquaculture in response to a shortage of suitable, sheltered inshore locations. The harsh weather conditions experienced offshore lead to a focus on new structure concepts, remote monitoring and a higher degree of automation in order to keep the cost of structures and operations within an economically viable range. This paper proposes tensegrity structures in the design of flexible structures for offshore aquaculture. The finite element analysis program ABAQUS™ has been used to investigate stiffness properties and performance of tensegrity structures when subjected to various forced deformations and hydrodynamic load conditions. The suggested concept, the tensegrity beam, shows promising stiffness properties in tension, compression and bending, which are relevant for development of open ocean aquaculture construction for high energy environments. When designing a tensegrity beam, both pre-stress and spring stiffness should be considered to ensure the desired structural properties. A large strength to mass ratio and promising properties with respect to control of geometry, stiffness and vibration could make tensegrity an enabling technology for future developments.

scholarly journals A Ten-Year Review of Primary School Flexible Learning Environments: Interior Design and IEQ Performance

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 183
Author(s):  
Diksha Vijapur ◽  
Christhina Candido ◽  
Özgür Göçer ◽  
Shirley Wyver
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Interior Design ◽  
High Energy ◽  
The Body ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Flexible Learning ◽  
Physical Infrastructure ◽  
And Performance

Flexible Learning Environments (FLEs) arose as enablers for implementation of student-centric pedagogical approaches. Interior design is the key to the success of FLEs, providing the physical infrastructure needed for students to engage on several learning activities, from individual to group work, which take place in a variety of zones ranging from low to high energy. Therefore, a harmonious synergy between the interior design and subsequent Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) performance of FLEs’ physical configuration and learning activities is needed. The objective of this paper is to systematically review (in accordance with the PRISMA method) existing literature related to FLEs within primary school settings, typically catering to children aged 5–12 years old, to understand the body of work investigating the design and performance of FLEs over the last decade (2010–2020). Key findings suggest that the proximity and acoustic and visual permeability of zones found in FLEs may give rise to inadequate IEQ conditions delivered to students. In addition, it could be inferred from the results of the literature review that interior design and IEQ have not been sufficiently investigated in an integrated manner.

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