Self-powered Flexible piezoelectric Senorbased on PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 nanofibers for impact force monitoring and Rubber Mat Aging Assessment

In this work, a flexible piezoelectric sensor was fabricated based on PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3(PZT) nanofibers composite, and its potential applications in impact force monitoring and rubber mat aging assessment were reported. The PZT piezoelectric nanofibers with diameters of 150–260nm were prepared via electrospinning technique, showing a high piezoelectric coefficient (d33~92.5 pm/V) for piezoelectric fibers. The PZT nanofibers and carbon nanotubes(CNTs) were dispersed in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to fabricate a highly stretchable and flexible impact sensor (PZT/CNTs/PDMS piezoelectric nanocomposite sensor), which showed excellent low frequency sensitivity(as low as 0.01Hz), high bending deformation sensitivity (as low as 0.192cm-1 curvature deformation with 6.64V/cm-1 sensitivity) and cycle stability under external impact force. Besides, it is the first attempt to assess railway tracks rubber mat aging based on piezoelectric nanocomposite impact sensor, and the static stiffness relative error reaches a low value of 6.91% .

Eye temperature, an indicator for stress levels in young buffalo bulls – A case study of micro-environment modification

The present study was undertaken with an objective to determine diurnal changes of the eye temperature of buffalo young bulls under different shelter management to determine the effect of heat stress. Twenty four buffalo bulls were randomly divided into two groups, each group comprising of 12 animals based on age (16–18 months) and body weight (Control = 301 ± 8.24 kg and Treatment = 311.45 ± 6.24 kg). The control group was housed under normal management practices followed, and the height of the shed was 10 ft. and width was 12 ft. with concrete floor. Whereas, the treatment group was housed in shed having 15 ft. height and 25 ft. width along with rubber mat as flooring and the total area provided for each animal in both the groups was 45.96 sq. feet. They were also provided with dairy fans and mist cooling in day time to ameliorate the heat stress. The thermal humidity index (THI), floor and roof temperature variation of the shed was recorded. The eye temperature of bulls was measured to evaluate the effect of different housing on the animals’ thermal status under hot dry summer conditions.Results revealed that the THI of treatment shed was significantly (P< 0.01) lower than the control at different times. The floor and roof surface temperature of the treatment shed was significantly (P<0.05) lower than the control shed. Diurnal patterns of eye temperature measured in both the groups showed increased eye temperature in control group bulls compared to treatment group. The eye temperature at 7.00 hrs was similar in both groups, whereas it was highly significant (P<0.01) at 13.00 and 19.00 hrs. The heat stress in the buffalo bulls was exhibited by increased eye temperature. Thus, the variation in the eye temperature can be effectively used as an indicator of heat stress and the dairy fans and mist cooling along with rubber mat flooring can be utilized to ameliorate the heat stress in the buffalo bulls.

Insights Into The Effect of Shelter Modification On Key Biochemical Aspects vis-a-vis the Performance of Sahiwal Zebu Cows Reared in Hot Arid Ambience

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of shelter modifications in the form of floor alteration and heat stress amelioration aids on the biochemical aspects and productive performance of Sahiwal zebu cows. 24 healthy Sahiwal cows in their second or third parity were randomly assigned to four groups (G1, G2, G3, and G4) having 6 cows each and were studied for duration of 150 days from June to November. G1 acted as control without any shelter modification, while G2 cows were housed in stalls with rubber mat covered floors, G3 cows were provided with cooling fans along with water sprinkling twice a day, and G4 cows were housed in stalls combining rubber mat floors with cooling fans and water sprinkling twice a day. This study revealed a significant (p<0.05) effect of shelter modification on milk yield, though no significant effect on milk composition was found. Among blood biochemical parameters, serum cholesterol and cortisol levels registered a significant (p<0.05) effect of shelter modification. The use of heat amelioration aids with, and without rubber mat floors positively influenced the productive and biochemical aspects of Sahiwal cows. Such strategies can be utilized to reduce stress on animals and help in maintaining their production.

170 Effects of Dietary Phytogenic Supplementation to a Finishing Diet on Intake, Digestibility, Nitrogen Balance and Carcass Measures

Dietary manipulations to include tannins can change the proportion and amount of nitrogen (N) excreted in the urine and feces as well as improve N-use efficiency in ruminants. Our objective was to determine the effects of different levels of phytogenic supplementation (Actifor®) on intake, digestibility, carcass measures, and N balance of lambs offered a corn-based finishing diet. Twenty-six lambs (31.5 ± 5.39 kg BW) were allocated randomly to 1 of 3 corn-based finishing diets (85% concentrate) that were offered for ad libitum consumption. Lambs were housed individually in 1 × 1.5-m pens with plastic-coated grate flooring (n = 18; 6/trt) or 1.5 × 4.3-m pens with rubber mat flooring (n = 8; 2 or 3/trt). Diets were not supplemented or supplemented with 4 or 8 g/d of Actifor® (n = 8, 9, and 9 lambs/trt, respectively). A 7-d total fecal and urine collection period (n = 6 lambs/trt) began on d 43. On d 50, rumen samples were taken at 0800, 1100, and 1400 h for measurement of pH and VFA concentrations. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS, and orthogonal linear and quadratic contrasts were used to assess phytogenic supplementation level effects. Intake and digestibility of DM and OM were not different across treatments (P ≥ 0.32). Average fecal N and lamb shrink before slaughter increased linearly (P ≤ 0.05) with increasing levels of phytogenic supplementation. Propionate and acetate:propionate decreased (P ≤ 0.05) and acetate, valerate, and pH tended to increase quadratically (P ≤ 0.08) with increasing phytogenic inclusion. Back-fat and yield grade tended (P = 0.06) to decrease linearly and dressing percentage tended (P = 0.06) to decrease quadratically with increasing phytogenic inclusion. Phytogenic supplementation increased average fecal N and improved some carcass measures, but did not affect diet digestibility.

Use of Rubber Mat to Improve Deformation Behaviors of Ballastless Tracks Laid on Bridges

The deformation behaviors of ballastless tracks have an important influence on their service performance. In this work, rubber mats commonly used in metro traffic were employed in ballastless tracks laid on bridges to improve their deformation behaviors. In order to research the effect of rubber mat for deformation behaviors, a series of static loading tests were carried out based on two full-scale ballastless tracks with different types of isolation layers. Main conclusion include that, for ballastless track with geotextile isolation layers, gaps and voids are formed at interlayers with the increasing static load. However, for ballastless track with rubber mat isolation layer, the maximum tensile deformation in the thickness direction unexceeds the precompression of rubber mat under the deadweight of its upper structures. Interlayer gaps and voids can be eliminated due to the precompression of rubber mat. Besides, the rubber mat isolation layer is still in the linear elasticity stage under the routine service condition, and the interlayer behaviors of the ballastless tracks perform well. It is a feasible way to use a rubber mat isolation layer to improve the deformation behaviors of ballastless tracks laid on bridges.

The effect of rubber mats on lesions and lameness in gilts housed in gestation stalls

Rubber mats have not yet been widely established in pig production. However, studies mostly focusing on lesions, lameness and behaviours of lactating and group-housed pregnant sows have reported favourable results. To the best of our knowledge, lesions and lameness in sows or gilts housed individually in rubber floor gestation stalls have not been previously investigated. This study was carried out on a commercial pigbreeding farm service unit during a 28-day production cycle in all seasons. Twentyeight gilts were divided into two equal groups, control and experimental groups, and observed for each cycle. The control group was housed in standard gestation stalls with concrete slatted floor, which in the experimental group was covered with an adjusted rubber mat. During each cycle, lesions were scored on days 1, 8, 15 and 28, and lameness on day 1 and upon gilt transfer from the service unit on day 29. Gilts in rubber floor stalls showed significant reduction (P&lt;0.05) in lesions during the cooler period. Conversely, mats had no impact on lameness score in any season. No significant correlations were found between lesions and the percentage of gilts with a particular lameness score. Accordingly, rubber flooring may improve the welfare of gilts in gestation stalls through lower lesion incidence; however, ambient temperature should be taken into consideration when available.

Welfare Status and Type of Floor Associated with Hock Lesions in Dairy Cattle of University, Research and Private Farm of Chitwan District

This research is an investigation of the prevalence of, and factors associated with, hock lesions on dairy cattle of University, Research and Private farm of Chitwan district. Cemented floor (n = 141), Muddy floor (27), Floor with Mat (35) and brick paved floored animals (n = 33) were visited. Cows were scored for hock (tarsus) lesions on a 3 point scale combining the attributes ofhair loss, broken skin, and swelling. Type of farm (University, Research and Private) and type of floor measures were taken which were hypothesized to be risk factors for lesions. On university (AFU), research (NARC) and private farms the mean level prevalence of hock lesions was 1.827±0.384, 1.4±0.4905 and 1.465±0.68 respectively. On cemented floor, muddy floor, floor with rubber mat and brick paved floor, the mean prevalence of hock lesions was 1.63±0.489, 1.0165±0.577, 1.343±0.481 and 1.83±0.44 respectively. In conclusion muddy floor was associated with reduced hock lesions scoring compared to cemented, brick and rubber mat.