Average Daily Efficiency Research Articles

A two-stage cascaded ionizer for boosting PM charging in electrostatic filtration: Principles, design, and long-term performance

In fibrous filtration for airborne particulate matter (PM), the triple wins among efficiency, resistance, and lifetime are hard to achieve owing to the filters’ intrinsic geometry. Although charging the PM has been extensively exploited, it is still far from satisfactory for practice, with drawbacks including electrode fouling, ozone, and durability. Herein, based on low-efficiency coarse filters with ultralow pressure drop and potential large dust holding capacity, we bridge this divide by introducing two-stage cascaded ionizers to boost their performance. Enabled by the separated structure for successive ion generation and transport, theoretical design and experimental results demonstrated that the ionizers could efficiently charge the PM and promote filtration efficiencies. The lab-scale prototype composed of the prepared ionizer arrays and polyester (PET) filters stably performed in 25 days, with average daily efficiency of 95.4% for 0.3–0.5 μm particles, 77.0 g/m2 PM10 accumulating amounts with 4.9 Pa pressure drop, and 56.2 W/m2 power consumption at 1.4 m/s filtration velocity. As the “efficiency boosters” for filters, the ionizers are meanwhile free of PM contamination and possess ultralow ozone generation. We anticipate that our approach will be an efficient, durable, and energy-effective solution in the air filtration community in ventilation systems for clean and sustainable built environments.

Effects of β-glucan with vitamin E supplementation on the growth performance, blood profiles, immune response, pork quality, pork flavor, and economic benefit in growing and finishing pigs.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of β-glucan with vitamin E supplementation on the growth performance, blood profiles, immune response, pork quality, pork flavor, and economic benefit in growing and finishing pigs. A total of 140 growing pigs ([Yorkshire×Landrace]×Duroc) were assigned to five treatments considering sex and initial body weight (BW) in 4 replications with 7 pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design. The experimental diets included a corn-soybean meal-based basal diet with or without 0.05% or 0.1% β-glucan and 0.02% vitamin E. The pigs were fed the diets for 12 weeks (phase I, 0 to 3; phase II, 3 to 6; phase III, 6 to 9; phase IV, 9 to 12). The BW and feed intake were measured at the end of each phase. Blood samples were collected at the end of each phase. Four pigs from each treatment were selected and slaughtered for meat quality. Economic benefit was calculated considering the total feed intake and feed price. Pork flavor was analyzed through inosine monophosphate analysis. The average daily gain and feed efficiency were improved compared to the control when β-glucan or vitamin E was added. Supplementing 0.05% β-glucan significantly increased the lymphocyte concentration compared to the addition of 0.1% β-glucan and the content of vitamin E in the blood increased when 0.02% vitamin E was added. The treatment with 0.1% β-glucan and 0.02% vitamin E showed the most economic effect because it had the shortest days to market weight and the lowest total feed cost. The addition of β-glucan or vitamin E had a positive role in improving the flavor of pork when considering that the content of inosine monophosphate was increased. However, carcass traits and meat quality were not affected by β-glucan or vitamin E. The addition of 0.1% β-glucan with 0.02% vitamin E in growing and finishing pig diets showed great growth performance and economic effects by supplying vitamin E efficiently and by improving the health condition of pigs due to β-glucan.

Optimizing amla (Phyllanthus emblica) fruit powder supplementation in liquid feed fed to Holstein dairy calves: Insights from growth performance and health events

Despite efforts at improvement, calf diarrhea remains one of the main problems in calf rearing. Amla (Phyllanthus emblica) fruit could be a good candidate to improve gut health due to its antimicrobial, gastro-protective, and immunomodulatory effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of amla fruit powder supplementation on frequency of diarrhea and growth performance of dairy calves. One hundred male Holstein calves [2-days (d)-old; 42.6 ± 1.7 kg body weight (BW)] were randomly assigned into five treatments, CON, PEF5, PEF10, PEF20, and PEF40, with 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 g/d amla fruit powder (PEF) supplementation, respectively, and housed in individual hutches (n = 20 calves per treatment). The experiment lasted from 2 to 75 d of age (weaning) and calves were fed milk (2–7 d), milk replacer (8–75 d), and calf starter (2–75 d). The PEF supplementations were fed in two meals a day, equal amount each time, by mixing into milk or milk replacer. Feed intake and fecal score data were collected daily; BW and body frame measurements at 2, 14, 28, 42, and 75 d; and rumen fluid samples at 14, 28, 42, and 75 d. Starter and total dry matter intakes (DMI) differed among treatments during 22–75 with the highest in CON and linearly decreased with increasing PEF doses. Liquid feed DMI tended to decrease with increasing PEF doses. PEF supplementation had quadratic effect on body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency, body length, heart girth, and withers height. The BW and ADG differed among treatments during 29–75 and 15–75 d, respectively, with the highest in PEF5 followed by CON and lowest in PEF40. However, PEF did not improve BW and ADG compared to the CON. The overall feed efficiency in PEF5 was higher than in PEF20 and PEF40. PEF5 decreased the frequency of fecal score “3” (P = 0.02) while PEF5 (P < 0.01) and PEF10 (P = 0.03) increased the frequency of fecal score “1”, compared to the CON. Frequency of diarrhea in the PEF5 group (7.9%) was lower (P < 0.05) than all groups (11.1%, 14.3%, 22.6%, and 24.2% for PEF10, PEF20, and PEF40, respectively). Rumen fermentation (pH, ammonia-N, and volatile fatty acids) was not affected by PEF supplementation. However, ammonia-N showed a decreasing trend with increasing PEF levels. The results suggested that PEF could be fed at 5 g/d to reduce diarrhea in preweaning dairy calves.

A Simple Assay to Assess Salmonella Typhimurium Impact on Performance and Immune Status of Growing Pigs after Different Inoculation Doses.

Salmonella Typhimurium is the most frequent serovar in pigs and causes infections in humans. However, the dosage used for experimentation is not well defined. The present study aimed to evaluate a dosage for oral inoculation with Salmonella Typhimurium to assess immunological and growth performance alterations in pigs. Gilts were randomly allocated into one of three experimental treatments: no Salmonella Typhimurium inoculation (Basal), or oral inoculation of 1 × 108 or 1.5 × 108 colony-forming units of Salmonella Typhimurium. Growth rate, rectal temperature, and fecal Salmonella shedding were recorded. Blood samples were taken. Inoculated pigs shed the bacteria for up to 7 days, but no differences were observed between the groups. No differences were observed in rectal temperature, body weight, or average daily feed intake. However, reductions in average daily gain (-17 and -22%) and feed efficiency (-14 and -20%) were observed in pigs inoculated with 1 × 108 and 1.5 × 108 colony-forming units, respectively. The hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations increased in challenged pigs compared to Basal pigs. The oral dosage of 1.5 × 108 colony-forming units of Salmonella Typhimurium is suitable for activating the immune system of pigs and assessing the impact of Salmonella on pig performance.

Regenerative effect of pyramid solar still with incorporation of nickel oxide particles in the basin

AbstractA study has been conducted with a square pyramid solar still with an introduction of 5 wt% of nickel oxide nanoparticles in the basin water of depth 0.02 m. The ratio of condensing to evaporating surface has been fixed as 3.5 to increase the temperature difference for faster evaporation. In addition, regenerative effect for the system has been carried out by arranging to flow the water over the condensing surface with a rate of 1.5 × 10−3 kg/s to reduce the temperature of the condensing surface. The combined regenerative effect and increase in condensing to evaporative surface increases the productivity of 45% greater than the ordinary square pyramid solar still. It is found that, the daily average efficiency of 39.8916% with distillate yield of 5.6 L/m2 day has been obtained for the proposed system. Numerical results of the thermal are intact with the experimental observations and model is recommended for simulation of the system in the locations having similar climatic condition and for the optimization of design parameters of the still.

CFD modeling and performance evaluation of an open-aperture partially evacuated receiver with internal twisted inserts in solar PTCs: energy and exergy analysis.

The solar flux distribution on the walls of the receivers in solar parabolic and circular collectors (PTCs and CTCs) is highly non-uniform. To prevent major problems caused by flux non-uniformity in such devices, a partially open aperture evacuated receiver (OAER) with an internal twisted insert is introduced, and its performance is compared to that of conventional evacuated receivers (CERs). A comprehensive computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model is developed for the receivers. The simulation results show that the proposed receiver has a more uniform solar flux distribution, and consequently greater energy and exergy efficiencies compared to CERs. The proposed OAER acts as a fluid turbulator, absorbs solar energy more efficiently, distributes the temperature gradient inside the absorber more uniformly, shifts the maximum temperature on the exterior surface of the CERs to the interior surface, and reduces radiative losses. The enhancement in total heat absorbed by OAER with 10 blades (OAER_10) compared to the CER_0 is 7.69%. The simulation results reveal that the average daily exergy efficiency of an OAER_10 is about 27.8% higher than a CER_0. The average daily exergy efficiency of a CER_0 is obtained to be about 7.55%, while it decreases to 7.42% for a CER_6 due to larger exergy destruction caused by air pressure drop. The introduced design offers a higher potential for efficient absorption of solar energy (proper sensible heat storage device) and provides a more useful contact area.

An active solar desalination system integrated with collective condenser heat pipe solar evacuated tube collector: a thermoeconomic analysis.

An experimental investigation was executed on the solar evacuated tube collector containing a collective condenser unit of heat pipe arrangement attached to a single slope solar desalination system. The brackish water preheating was done by the unique solar collector before entering the still. Performance analysis of the system was carried out with 0.001, 0.002 and 0.003kg/s brackish water flow rate in the collector and 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03m of brine water depth in a single-slope solar desalination system. The feasibility of the proposed system was evaluated by thermodynamic analysis, embodied energy, CO2 mitigation and economic analysis. Active desalination system with collective condenser heat pipe evacuated tube collector at 0.001kg/s brackish water flow rate and 0.01m water depth produced maximum freshwater yield, average daily thermal and exergy efficiency of 3.085l/m2day, 30.25% and 3.17% respectively. An increase of maximum freshwater yield of 37.11% and average daily thermal efficiency of 43.5% respectively were achieved at a brackish water flow rate of 0.001kg/s and 0.01m of basin water depth in comparison with a traditional single slope solar desalination system. The embodied energy of the system was estimated as 630.77 kWh, and 0.001kg/s and 0.01m of water depth resulted in the highest earned carbon credit of 16,954.48 INR. The minimum payback period of 2.19years was achieved at the lower brackish water flow rate and basin water depth of 0.001kg/s and 0.01m respectively.

Increased dietary Trp, Thr, and Met supplementation improves growth performance and protein deposition of salmonella-challenged growing pigs under poor housing conditions.

Highly intensified rearing conditions and precarious sanitary management predispose pigs to immune system activation, altered amino acid (AA) metabolism, and decreased growth performance. Thus, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increased dietary tryptophan (Trp), threonine (Thr), and methionine + cysteine (Met + Cys) supplementation on performance, body composition, metabolism, and immune responses of group-housed growing pigs under challenging sanitary conditions. A hundred and twenty pigs (25.4 ± 3.7 kg) were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, consisting of two sanitary conditions (SC, good [GOOD] or salmonella-challenge and poor housing condition [Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) + POOR]) and two diets, control (CN) or supplemented with AA (Trp, Thr, and Met + Cys:Lys ratios 20% higher than those of the CN diet [AA>+]). Pigs were followed during the growing phase (25-50 kg) and the trial lasted 28 d. The ST + POOR SC pigs were challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium and raised in a poor housing condition. The ST + POOR SC increased rectal temperature, fecal score, serum haptoglobin, and urea concentration (P < 0.05) and decreased serum albumin concentration (P < 0.05) compared with GOOD SC. Body weight, average daily feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (G:F), and protein deposition (PD) were greater in GOOD SC than in ST + POOR SC (P < 0.01). However, pigs housed in ST + POOR SC fed with AA+ diet had lower body temperature (P < 0.05), increased ADG (P < 0.05) and nitrogen efficiency (P < 0.05), and a tendency for improved PD and G:F (P < 0.10) compared with CN diet fed pigs. Regardless of the SC, pigs fed AA+ diet had lower serum albumin (P < 0.05) and tended to decrease serum urea levels (P < 0.10) compared with CN diet. The results of this study suggest that the ratio of Trp, Thr, and Met + Cys to Lys for pigs are modified by sanitary conditions. Furthermore, supplementation of diets with a blend of Trp, Thr, and Met + Cys improves performance, especially under salmonella-challenge and poor housing conditions. Dietary tryptophan, threonine, and methionine supplementation can modulate immune status and influence resilience to sanitary challenges.

Energy Performance Improvement of a Solar Still System Using Date and Olive Kernels: Experimental Study

AbstractCurrently, solar distillation systems are used to contribute to solving the fresh water supply deficiency problem in some desert and rural areas. The present outdoor experimental work aims to improve the energy performance of a solar still installed in a semi‐arid region. Experiments are performed using three solar distillers (a reference system, a distiller with date kernels, and one with olive kernels). The integration effect of two kernel types date and olive with different concentrations in the range of 300–600 g kernels per 5 L on the hourly and cumulus water production, and thermal and exergy efficiencies are analyzed. The results show that, for the same kernel mass concentration, the system with olive kernel is more effective than that with date kernels; moreover, compared to the reference system, cumulus water production of these systems at a mass concentration of 500 g kernels per 5 L is higher by ≈226% and 176%, respectively. At a concentration of 500 g kernels per 5 L, the average daily thermal efficiency of the solar still with olive kernels and that with date kernels is 38.01% and 30.7%, respectively, and their daily average exergy efficiency is 8.4% and 3.1%, respectively.

Effect of different levels of physically effective neutral detergent fibre from forage in whole corn grain-based diets for feedlot lambs

Context The minimum requirements of physically effective neutral detergent fibre of forage (peNDF-F) in finishing diets for feedlot lambs has not been consolidated. Aims The present study evaluated the effect of increasing levels of peNDF-F on growth performance, blood metabolites, carcass characteristics, and ingestive behaviour of feedlot lambs fed a whole corn grain-based diet. Methods Forty-five Dorper × Santa Inês rams, with an initial bodyweight (BW) of 22.6 ± 5.3 kg (mean ± s.d.) and 88 ± 10 days old (mean ± s.d.), were used. The experimental design was a randomised complete block (five treatments and nine blocks), defined by the initial BW and age at the beginning of the experiment. The experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. The experimental diets were as follows: ground corn-based diet with 72 g/kg of peNDF-F from coastcross (Cynodon sp.) hay (CONT, positive control); whole corn grain-based diet without coastcross (Cynodon sp.) hay (0peNDF-F); whole corn grain-based diet with 36 g/kg of peNDF-F from coastcross (Cynodon sp.) hay (36peNDF-F); whole corn grain-based diet with 72 g/kg of peNDF-F from coastcross (Cynodon sp.) hay (72peNDF-F); whole corn grain-based diet with 108 g/kg of peNDF-F from coastcross (Cynodon sp.) hay (108peNDF-F) (DM basis). Key results The increasing concentrations of peNDF-F in whole corn-based diets reduced the dry-matter intake (P &lt; 0.0001), average daily gain, feed efficiency, final BW, carcass characteristics (P &lt; 0.05), AST (P = 0.01), and glucose concentration (P ≤ 0.03). Additionally, the increasing concentrations of peNDF-F decreased the area (P ≤ 0.02) and the length of ruminal papillae (P = 0.008). The rumination and chewing times (min/day) showed a quadratic response; a longer rumination time (P = 0.001) was observed with 72peNDF-F and the longer chewing time (P = 0.006) with 108peNDF-F. Conclusions Whole corn grain-based diets can be used without the addition of peNDF-F for lambs. Implications Thus, utilisation of whole corn grain diet can be a strategy to successfully feed and fatten lambs to slaughter.

Effects of post-hatch feeding time and pre-starter feeds on growth performance and relative weight of visceral organs in slow-growing chickens

The objective of the experiment was to evaluate effects of post-hatch feeding time and two different pre-starter diets on growth performance and relative weight of visceral organs and yolk sac in slow-growing chickens. A total of 480 one-day-old chicks (Luong Phuong breed) were randomly assigned into 4 treatment groups in a completely randomized design of 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with 10 chicks per pen. The two factors consisted of post-hatch feeding time (immediate access to feed after hatching (0 h) and delayed access to feed for 30 h after hatching) and pre-starters (Vi-start and Commercial 1). Birds were fed 2 different pre-starter diets from 0 to 7 days of age, and then all birds were fed the same commercial diets from 8 to 56 days of age. The results showed that during 0 - 7 days of age, chicks that were not fed for 30 h after hatch were significantly lower in body weight, average daily feed intake, average daily gain and feed efficiency (FE) than those fed immediately right after hatch (P &lt; 0.05). In this period, chicks fed Vi-start had better growth performance and FE than those fed Commercial 1. Over a 56-d study, there were no main effects of post-hatch feeding time or pre-starter feed on growth performance of chickens (P &gt; 0.05). However, the post-hatch feeding time × pre-starter feed interaction was significant for final BW at 56 days of age (P = 0.01), suggesting that within commercial feed, delayed access to feed for 30 h increased the final BW of chickens as compared with immediate access to feed after hatch. In brief, Vi-start fed to chicks improved the growth performance of chicks during the first week after hatch. Feeding pre-starter feeds to chicks immediately right after hatch would be beneficial.

Effects of dietary addition of wormwood on growth performance, blood characteristics and meat quality in growing-fattening pigs

This study investigated the effects of the dietary addition of wormwood (Artemisia montana Pampan) on growth performance, blood characteristics, carcass traits, and meat quality in growing-fattening pigs. One hundred eighty crossed pigs (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc), weighing approximately 70 kg, were divided into four groups of 15 head (eight barrows and seven gilts) per pen, and the experiment was replicated thrice. The basal diet (C) was supplemented with 0.5% (T1), 1.0% (T2), and 1.5% (T3) of dried powdered wormwood, and the pigs were fed an experimental diet for six weeks. The average daily weight gain and feed efficiency were significantly higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in treatments than in C. On the contrary, the total cholesterol concentration was significantly lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in treatments than in C. Additionally, the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration was significantly higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05), and the carcass grade was better (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in the treatments than in C. The ether extract content of the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle was lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in T2 and T3 than that in C. In contrast, the unsaturated fatty acid (USFA) composition in LD muscle was higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in the treatments than in C. Additionally, the marbling and flavour of cooked meat were better (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in the treatments than in C. The dietary addition of wormwood increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) lightness and yellowness of the surface meat colour and decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) juiciness of the LD sensory evaluation. Therefore, the dietary addition of wormwood improved growth performance, feed efficiency, carcass grade, USFA composition, and oxidation of protein and lipids in the LD muscle of growing-fattening pigs.

Technical and economic performance study on winter heating system of air source heat pump assisted solar evacuated tube water heater

Winter heating with clean energy is very important for coal substitution in rural areas of China. In Northwestern China, winter weather is usually below zero and winter heating lasts at least 5 months, which is a big expense for rural residents. It is well known that solar energy, air source heat pump and other energy-saving technologies could effectively cut down the expenditure. However, it is difficult to consider the economics and stability of winter heating with free solar energy alone, and the cost of winter heating with heat pump alone is too high for locals to afford. Therefore, the concept of air source heat pump assisted solar energy was proposed and a solar evacuated tube water heater -air source heat pump system was built in Lvhua Village, Lanzhou City. Experiment and simulation studies were carried out to discover the technical and economic performances when the system operates in three modes, namely, heating by solar water heater, air source heat pump and solar water heat pump (heat pump used hot water from solar collector as heat). Simulation results were verified and highly consistent with experimental results on December 20th, 2021. The results show that in whole heating season, air source heat pump assisted solar energy system greatly improves technical and economic performance in comparison with heating by solar water heater and air source heat pump. The average daily collector efficiency in the heating season is 45.5 %, and the average daily effective solar heat collection is 43.6 kWh. During the heating season, the effective solar heat collection is 6587.1 kWh, the electricity consumption is 5229.7 kWh, the heat supply is 16392.2 kWh, the solar fraction is about 40.2 %, the energy efficiency ratio is 3.1, the average COP of solar water heat pump is 3.5, and the average COP of air source heat pump is 3.0. The primary energy saving rate of the system is 66.4 %, the dynamic investment pay-back period is 6.5 years, and the CO2 emission reduction is 10960.7 kg. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the winter heating system of air source heat pump assisted solar evacuated tube water heater, which provides a new way for the heating of rural single buildings in cold areas.

Effect of hydroponic wheat fodder supplementation on dry matter intake and growth performances of piglets

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of hydroponic wheat (HPW) fodder as a supplement on the growth performance of weaned piglets. A 12-week randomized complete study was conducted using 30 weaned crossbreed (Pietrain × Landrace) piglets [60 ± 2 d of age, and body weight (BW) of 17.61± 1.63 kg (mean ± SD)]. Treatments were 0%, 15%, and 30% HPW on a dry matter (DM) basis, and diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Dry matter intake (DMI) was recorded daily while BW was measured every two weeks. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (Gain: feed) were calculated. Data were subjected to the analysis of variance (ANOVA) using RStudio., 3.4.1. Results showed that BW, ADG, DMI, and feed efficiency differed among treatments (P = 0.002; P = 0.01; P = 0.002 and P = 0.002 respectively) and were greater in piglets fed 0% HPW compared to the rest of the groups. The final average BW of piglets were 50.5; 43.9 and 39.1 kg for 0%, 15% and 30% HPW, respectively. The average daily gains were 0.66, 0.59 and 0.54 kg/day for 0%, 15% and 30% HPW, respectively. Dry matter intake was 1.88; 1.71 and 1.63 kg/d for 0%, 15% and 30% HPW respectively. Feed efficiency (Gain: feed) was 0.27; 0.08 and 0.06 for piglets fed 0%, 15% and 30% HPW respectively. In the present study, piglets that were fed diets containing different levels of HPW had lower growth performances compared to piglets fed the control diet. Hence, the inclusion of HPW in piglets’ diets should be limited.

Effects of increasing soybean meal in corn-based diets on the growth performance of late finishing pigs.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of increasing soybean meal (SBM) levels by replacing feed-grade amino acids (AA) in corn, corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), and corn-wheat midds-based diets on growth performance of late finishing pigs (n = 4,406) raised in commercial facilities. Across all experiments, pens of pigs were blocked by initial bodyweight (BW) and randomly assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments. All diets were formulated to contain 0.70% standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys and varying amounts of feed-grade AA. All diets were formulated to meet or exceed minimum essential AA requirement estimates as a ratio to Lys. In Exp. 1, 1,793 pigs (initially 104.9 ± 4.9 kg) were fed corn-based diets and pens of pigs were assigned treatments with increasing SBM from 5% to 20%. Overall, average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (G:F) improved (linear and cubic, P ≤ 0.02) as dietary SBM increased, with the greatest improvement observed as SBM increased from 5% to 8.75% and little improvement thereafter. In Exp. 2, 1,827 pigs (initially 97.9 ± 4.3 kg) were fed diets containing 25% DDGS with SBM levels increasing from 0% to 16%. Overall, feed efficiency marginally improved (linear, P ≤ 0.10) as SBM increased, with the greatest performance observed when diets contained 8% SBM and similar performance thereafter with 12 or 16% dietary SBM. In Exp. 3, 786 pigs (initially 96.7 ± 3.2 kg) were fed diets that contained 30% wheat midds and dietary SBM from 0% to 16%. Final BW of pigs increased (linear, P < 0.05) and overall ADG and G:F improved (linear and cubic, P < 0.05) as SBM increased. The combined results of the three experiments suggest that inclusion of at least 4% to 8% dietary SBM at the expense of feed-grade amino acids in corn-based diets with or without grain coproducts can improve growth performance of late-finishing (greater than 100 kg) pigs.

Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Culture Promotes the Performance of Fattening Sheep by Enhancing Nutrients Digestibility and Rumen Development

Paraprobiotics are potential agents for improving animal health and performance. This experiment investigated the effect of dietary supplementation of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) culture (YC) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, rumen development and microbiome of fattening sheep. Ninety male Hu sheep weighed 38 ± 1.47 kg were randomly assigned to three treatments: CON diet (basal diet), LYC diet (basal diet supplied with 10 and 20 g/d yeast culture at the early and late stages, respectively), and HYC diet (basal diet supplied with 20 and 40 g/d yeast culture at the early and late stages, respectively). Treatments (LYC or HYC) were sprinkled on the feed surface according to the required dosage before feeding the basal diet to each sheep throughout the trial. The trial included early (60 days) and later (30 days) fattening periods. The results showed that average daily gain and feed efficiency were higher (p &lt; 0.05) in the LYC group compared with CON in later and whole stages. Digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NDF and ADF were higher (p &lt; 0.05) in LYC and HYC compared with CON. The retained N, the utilization efficiency of N and the biological value of N were higher (p &lt; 0.05) in LYC compared with CON and HYC. Rumen NH3-N was higher (p &lt; 0.05) in LYC and HYC. The papillary height of the rumen was higher (p &lt; 0.05) in LYC when compared with CON and HYC, whereas rumen wall thickness and muscular layer thickness were higher (p &lt; 0.05) in HYC compared with CON and LYC. The dressing percentage of LYC and HYC was higher (p &lt; 0.05) compared with CON. The diversity, richness and structure of rumen microbiota showed no significant difference (p &gt; 0.05); however, still observed remarkable increases in the relative abundance of several specific genera including Succiniclasticum and Fibrobacter with increasing doses of yeast culture. In addition, at the ASV level, ASV83, ASV123 (Succiniclasticum), and ASV148, ASV250 (Fibrobacter) were increased in YC groups. In conclusion, we confirmed that the supplementation of YC in diet could improve the growth and slaughter performance of fattening Hu sheep through improving nutrient digestion, especially nitrogen utilization, rumen microbial environment and the development of rumen epithelium, which proves the benefits of paraprobiotics in animal production.

Intake, digestibility, growth performance and blood profile of rams fed sugarcane bagasse or rice husk treated with Trichoderma viride and effective microorganisms

Sugarcane bagasse and rice husk are lignocellulose rich agricultural by-products designated as an alternative feed for ruminant. However, their nutritive value is relatively low due to low digestibility, high fiber content, low protein content and low palatability. Therefore, the nutritional value of these by-products can be improved with biological treatments. The objective of this study to evaluate the feed intake, digestibility, growth performance and blood profile of Hararghe highland sheep fed biologically treated rice husk (RH) or sugarcane bagasse (SCB) in concentrate mixtures. Thirty six rams with an average age of 10 months and an average initial weight of 18 ± 1.8kg were assigned in randomized complete block design (RCBD) in 2 × 3 factorial arrangements, with two feeds (SCB and RH) and three treatment groups (Control, Trichoderma viride and effective microorganism (EM)). 5% EM1 was used to prepare the activated EM solution and 5% Trichoderma viride (Tv) solution was used to prepare inaculant. Sheep were fed ad libitum for 90 days at 20% refusal rate followed by10 days of digestibility trial. Nutrient intake and digestibility of sheep were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the interaction. Sheep fed either treated or untreated rice husk based diets had significantly higher dry matter (DM g/d), organic matter (OM g/d), crude protein (CP g/d) and metabolizable energy (ME MJ/d) intake than a diet based on untreated sugarcane bagasse or treated with Trichoderma viride. Sheep fed diets containing either treated or untreated rice husks had a higher average daily weight gain (ADG) and feed conversion efficiency than sugarcane bagasse containing diets. Sheep fed diets containing biologically treated roughages had significantly higher (p < 0.05) average daily weight gain and feed conversion efficiency. Conversely, no significant differences were observed between rams fed diets containing EM and Trichoderma viride (Tv) treated rice husk or sugarcane bagasse in average daily weight gain (ADG) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE). Values of some blood hematology (red blood cell, haemoglobin and packed cell volume) and total protein, urea, glucose and cholesterol of serum metabolites were significantly (p < 0.05) higher for rams fed diet containing rice husk. In conclusion, the results show that the biological treatment of feed with the effective microorganism or Trichoderma viride improved nutrient utilization and average daily gain in the sheep fattening diet.

Production and meat quality attributes of lambs fed varying levels of Acacia mearnsii leaf-meal as replacement for Triticum aestivum bran

The study evaluated the effects of substituting increasing levels of Acacia mearnsii leaf-meal (AMLM) for Triticum aestivum bran in lamb finishing diets on growth, carcass, and meat quality attributes. Forty, 3-months-old lambs with an average live weight of 25.7 ± 1.60 kg were allocated to one of the five dietary inclusion levels of AMLM (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 g/kg DM; n = 8) in a completely randomised design for 42 days. Dry matter intake, average daily gain, feed efficiency, carcass weights, dressing percentage and income over feed costs exhibited quadratic (P ≤ 0.05) responses to the addition of AMLM peaking at 100 g/kg DM inclusion level. Meat ultimate pH, moisture and lightness increased linearly (P ≤ 0.05) while intramuscular fat and shear force declined linearly (P ≤ 0.05) with increasing levels of AMLM. In conclusion, AMLM can replace up to 100 g/kg DM of T. aestivum bran in lamb finisher diets without impairing meat production and quality.

Effects of the Inclusion of Ground Pouteria sapota Kernel on Intake, Digestibility, and Growth Performance in Lambs.

This study determined the effect of replacing ground corn and soybean meal with ground Pouteria sapota kernel (PSSM) in lamb diets on nutrient intake and digestibility, performance, and carcass traits. Twenty-one male hair sheep lambs with an average body weight of 22 ± 3.5 kg were randomly assigned to three treatment diets containing PSSM at 0, 10, and 20% of the total dry matter (DM) inclusion. The study lasted 60 days, which included 15 days for adaption and 45 days for sample collection. The PSSM inclusion did not affect intake or performance (p > 0.05). However, ether extract (EE) digestibility linearly increased (p < 0.0001), while crude protein (CP) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) linearly decreased. Final body weight, total weight gain, average daily weight gain, feeding efficiency, and carcass traits were not affected by PSSM inclusion. In conclusion, these results suggest that PSSM can replace up to 200 g/kg DM of ground corn and soybean meal without affecting intake or animal performance.

Experimental evaluation and thermodynamic Gibbs free energy analysis of a double-slope U-shaped stepped basin solar still using activated carbon with ZnO nanoparticles

Solar distillation methods require expensive energy storage in the basin area to enhance productivity, confirming the cost-effectiveness of natural green dyes as an appealing process. The present study investigated the potential for enhancing productivity of a double-sloped U-shaped stepped basin solar still (DUSS) by covering its sides with matte black paint (BP) mixed with different concentrations of activated carbon nanoparticles (ACNPs). It was prepared from ACNP using Mangifera Indica (M) with Celostia Argentea (C), which consists of carbon powder with doped ZnO nanoparticles (Z) and discussed in the samples. In this case, a U-shaped stepped basin (USB) surface was coated with BP doping with different ratios of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 wt% for the ACNP. The USB coated with BP with ZMC was subjected to a thermodynamic study to calculate the entropy change using Gibbs free energy equation. Silver-colored steel balls (SBs) were used to increase convective heat transfer as they could absorb incident solar radiation and transfer it into the BP-ACNP and affect the thermal performance of the DUSS. It was found that ZMC leads to higher heat transfer with a potential of DUSS containing the BPACNP, resulting in an enrichment increase of 20% by weight and an average water temperature of 25%. The performance enhancement of the DUSS with USB-coated BPACNP integrated with SBs was 16.91% compared to the conventional double U-shaped stepped basin solar still (CDUSS). The proposed new design could increase the water temperature of the DUSS and enhance the performance to 14.92 l/m2day with an average daily efficiency of 38.73%. The results of the water quality analysis indicated that the produced distilled water is suitable for drinking. The theoretical and experimental results obtained for the BPACNP-SB integrated with the DUSS indicated an increased thermal conductivity.