METABOLISABLE ENERGY VALUES OF WHOLE PALM KERNEL AND PALM KERNEL OIL SLUDGE USING LAYING HENS AND ADULT BROILER CHICKENS

A series of four experiments were conducted in carried out with cockerels but can also be which 30g DM of whole palm kernel (WPK) performed with broiler chickens and laying hens and of Palm Kernel Oil Sludge (PKOS) were (Johnson and McNab, 1983). Differences force-fed to laying hens and adult broilers between broilers and laying hens (Peterson et chickens. The length of the collection periods `` al., 1976 and adult cockerels) Mollah et al was the same (24, 30, 48 and 60hr) for both 1983) have been reported. These differences ingredients. The ingredients and their faecal may be a result of differences in nitrogen (N) materials were used to determine the apparent balance between the different bird types metabolisable energy (AME) and the true (Askbrant, 1988). metabolisable energy (TME) and their nitrogen (N) corrected forms (AMEn and TMEn). However, a possible deficiency in the rapidTMEn). bioassay for determining TME using adult Results showed that in both ingredients, at the rooster (Sibbald, 1976) is that a portion of the 48 hr collection period, no difference in the teed may be retained, explaining some of the AME and AMEN, TME and TMEn were found differences observed between AME and TME in the bird types. Complete passage of the test values. Extension of the collection period, ingredients was ensured at the 48 hr collection depending on the specific ingredient being period. The AME and AMEn values of WPK tested, was recommended for feeds which with laying hens were: 5.08 and 4.98 Kcal/kg exhibit slow rate of passage, from various DM; while those for the broiler chickens were: studies (Sibbald 1979a, b, c). This suggestion 4.88 and 4.31 Kcal/kg DM; those for PKOS was based on the reasoning that the control bird AME and AMEn with Jaying hens were: 3.14 may be in a state of tissue catabolism which and 2.98Kcal/kg DM,with the broiler chickens could increase the metabolic faecal energy the values were 3.12 and 2.96 Kcal/kg DM (FEM) plus endogenous urinary energy (UEE) respective.y. TME and TMEN values of WPK with extended fasting period (Kessler and with laying hens were 6.42 and 6.11 Kcal/kg Thomas, 1981). Since high fat diets exhibit DM; corresponding values with broiler chickens were: 6.41 and 6.09 Kcal/Kg DM. slow rate of passage (Mateos and Jerty, 1981), TME and TMEn for PKOS with laying hens it becomes necessary to investigate the time were 4.37. 4.12 Kcal/kg DM. 4.36 and 4.13 required for the whole palm kernel meal and its Kcal/kg DM, respectively were the sludge to be completely cleared from the corresponding values for broiler chickens. No alimentary tract of birds while determining their interaction between ingredients and birds was unknown bioavailable energy levels. found but there were interactions among the The purpose of the present study was, therefore bioavailable energy systems and the bird types. to determine the bioavailable energy (AME and TME) of whole palm kernel and palm kernel oil layers, broilers.

Application for Improved Awareness of Cable Geometry During Seismic Survey Operation

Seismic surveys for petroleum exploration employ a number of towed cable streamers of lengths in the order of 3∼12 km. Accurate positioning is important both for navigation and control of the streamer spread and for seismic data processing. In the present study, a numerical streamer model based on a Finite Element Method is implemented both as an Extended Kalman filter and an Ensemble Kalman filter. The streamer model includes features such as tailbuoy, locally estimated sea current introduced at each node, control bird inputs, cable stretch and tension. The filter implementations are intended to blend the streamer model with observations such as acoustic range measurements and satellite navigation positioning. The implementations have been compared and validated employing full scale data for two line changes. The purpose is to investigate the filters’ performance during periods with poor or missing observations.

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF NEUROLOGICAL INJURY IN AN AVIAN MODEL OF PRIMARY GENERALIZED EPILEPSY

Purpose This study was undertaken to determine if the epileptic chicken phenotype exhibited unique physical and chemical neurological changes. Methods Quantitative 1H-MRI/MRS measurements were performed on adult control (Rr) and epileptic (rr) chickens. The metrics included nuclear relaxation rate, diffusion rate and concentration of metabolites associated with neuronal cells. Comparisons were performed using Students t or Mann-Whitney tests according to the data distribution. Results Proton density measurements detected no significant difference in density among the cerebral hemispheres and optic lobes within the control and epi birds, nor between bird phenotypes. Thus, within experimental error it appears that brain tissue density is similar in adult control and epi birds. Volume calculation from images spanning the entire brain confirmed that a consistent feature of the epi genotype was megalencephaly. Nuclear relaxation (T2 ) values obtained for the control bird were within the normal variant range for neuronal tissue. However, T2's of the epi birds were significantly higher than that of the controls ((158 ms versus 123 ms). Similarly, in the diffusion data there was no apparent hemispheric bias. The optic lobes of the control animals exhibited an apparent diffusion coefficient significantly lower than that found for the cerebrum (Table 2). Interestingly, this differential was not apparent in the epi birds. The control birds across all regions of interest exhibited an ADC significantly less than that of the epi birds. Quantitative 1Hspectroscopy using tissue extracts collected immediately after sacrifice revealed phenotypic differences in lactate, glutamate, creatine and NAA but not GABA. A reduction in NAA was detected in the cerebrum of epi birds. This is in agreement with the generally held view that seizure activity causes loss of neurones, thus the loss of N-acetyl aspartate. HPLC data corroborated the spectroscopic NAA findings but also detected an increase in GABA concentration in the epileptic birds. Conclusion The physical changes observed are consistent with dilution of the interstitial fluid by edema or through cellular reordering within the epi brain. The concomitant reduction in excitable neuronal cells and the relative increase in GABA observed in biochemical analysis are consistent with a fundamental change in the cellular population.

Seed dispersal of Solanum thomasiifolium Sendtner (Solanaceae) in the Linhares Forest, Espírito Santo state, Brazil

The aim of this study was to analyse seed dispersal and establishment of Solanum thomasiifolium in an area of "nativo" vegetation in Espirito Santo state on the southeastern Brazilian coast. Ten species of birds, the crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous), and one species of lizard (Tropidurus torquatus) fed on S. thomasiifolium fruits and dispersed viable seeds in their faeces. The proportional contribution of each of these groups to seed dispersal was 77% (birds), 19% (crab-eating fox) and 4% (lizards). Ants also contributed to seed dispersal. More seeds were deposited in vegetation islands than in the surrounding open areas. Germination rates of seeds collected directly from fruit (control), bird droppings, the faeces of crab-eating foxes and lizards were, respectively, 64, 64, 53, and 80 %. Differences among these rates were all significant, except between birds and control. Lizards were important as seed carriers between nearby islands and they expelled a higher proportion of viable seeds. Birds and the crab-eating foxes did not enhance seed germination, but promoted seed dispersal over a wider area. Plant architecture, fruit productivity, fruit characteristics and the diversity of frugivores are important for the success of S. thomasiifolium in habitat colonization.