Efficiency Ratio Research Articles

Impact of Binder Selection on Functional Properties of Polymer Nanocomposite Featured with Metal Oxide Nanoparticle

The effectiveness of nanocomposite materials depends on the accuracy of the binder selection process. This process is crucial for ensuring compatibility, better adhesive behaviour, and stability during the synthesis of polymer composites with metal nanoparticles. An investigation was conducted to analyze the accuracy and efficiency of binder materials on metal nanoparticle (oxide) featured polymer composites. The investigation utilized Advanced Spectroscopic Computational Optimization Analysis (ASCOA) and high-throughput experimental methods to identify and optimize binders using computational modelling (ACM). The processes driving binder-nanoparticle interactions were unravelled by combining advanced characterization methods such as Transition Metal Oxide-based Materials (TMO-M), non-hydrolyzable sialic acid (N-HSIA), and oxygen reduction reaction process (ORR) investigations. In-depth simulation analyses were performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed methods and gain further understanding. These simulations investigated alternative binding arrangements to maximize material performance while considering sustainability and economic factors. The results demonstrated how binder choice affects material properties, which can be valuable for designing better nanocomposite materials for specific purposes. Additionally, the ASCOA and ACM analyses revealed an accuracy ratio of more than 90% and efficiency ratios of 86% and 84% for ASCOA and ACM, respectively.

Integrated crop management for long-term sustainability of maize-wheat rotation focusing on productivity, energy and carbon footprints

Modern agriculture, driven by diesel-fed machinery, is both energy and carbon-intensive, primarily due to the improper use of inputs. Designing a production module with lower carbon emissions, greater productivity, and enhanced energy use efficiency is crucial for achieving the environmental sustainability. Conservation agriculture based integrated crop management (ICMs) practices have shown promise in improving the productivity, energy-use, and reducing the carbon emissions. In our extensive long-term field study, we explored the crop yields, energy use, and carbon linkages of a maize-wheat rotation under different ICMs practices. Eight ICMs were evaluated over the course of nine consecutive years, which included ICM1&2: conventional (CT) flat-bed maize and wheat, ICM3&4: CT raised bed maize fb wheat without residues, ICM5&6: conservation agriculture (CA)-based double zero tilled (ZT) maize fb ZT wheat with residues and ICM7&8: CA-based triple ZT maize and wheat with residues and green manures. Our results indicated that the system productivity under CA-based ICMs was 16.5–22.9% greater than that under the CT-based ICM1-4. CA based ICM5-8 (125.2–131.5 × 103 MJ ha−1) needed higher energy input than CT-based ICM1-4 (32.7–39 × 103 MJ ha−1), with 76–80% shared by renewable crop residues. Furthermore, the CA-based ICMs recorded significantly higher levels of specific energy, human energy profitability, non-renewable energy use efficiency, and nutrient energy use efficiencies compared to CT-based. Likewise, the CA-based ICMs produced 12.5% more total output energy than the CT-based ICMs. In contrast, the CT based ICMs demonstrated, energy productivity, higher net energy returns and energy profitability. Compared to conventional ICMs, CA-based ICMs produced a 23–36% reduction in spatial carbon emissions and a 31–44 % reduction in yield-scale emissions. Nevertheless, the CA-based practices recorded the higher C- output, C- sustainability and C- efficiency ratio. Greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) was 33.3–76.2% greater with the ICM1-4 practices than with the ICM5-8 practises. Thus, the present study proposed that adopting the integrated crop management practices based on the conservation agriculture could prove to be productive, as well as carbon and energy-use efficient approach for the maize-wheat rotation. This approach is envisioned to make substantial contributions to both food security and environmental sustainability.

Development of mKate3/HaloTag7 (JFX650) and CFP/YFP Dual-Fluorescence (or Förster) Resonance Energy Transfer Pairs for Visualizing Dual-Molecular Activity.

Although several imaging strategies for dual fluorescence (or Förster) resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensors have been reported, their implementation is challenging because of the limited performance of fluorescent proteins and the spectral overlap of FRET biosensors. These processes often require additional data calibration to eliminate artifacts. Many CFP/YFP FRET biosensors have been developed. In this study, we introduced the mKate3/HT7(JFX650) FRET pair, which effectively formed two pairs of FRET pairs for dual-FRET imaging when combined with the CFP/YFP FRET pair. The FRET donor mKate3 exhibited higher brightness than its predecessor mKate. The FRET acceptor, HT7(JFX650), is a HaloTag7 protein covalently conjugated with a far-red JFX650-THL ligand. The pair comprising mKate3 and HT7(JFX650) represents an excellent FRET dyad, exhibiting a high FRET efficiency ratio. To use the FRET pair for dual FRET biosensor imaging, we constructed PKA and K+ biosensors based on the mKate3/HT7(JFX650) FRET pair. These biosensors can be used along with CFP/YFP biosensors to simultaneously detect the responses of intracellular PKA/Src, PKA/Ca2+, and K+/Ca2+ under different stimuli. The findings revealed that dual FRET biosensors, which are based on the combination of CFP/YFP and mKate3/HT7 (JFX650), exhibit adequate compatibility and can be used to visualize multiple molecular activities in a live cell.

Zero Produced Water Discharge Innovation in Production Fluid Management for Sustainability and Financial Efficiency

This paper will present the sustainability initiatives of PHI Tanjung Field obtained from the evaluation of existing oil and gas production activities. Through the Plan-Do-Check Action (PDCA) approach, based on the results of life cycle assessment and focus group discussions from managers and engineers in Tanjung Field, the identification of priority problems is related to the management of production fluid generated from outside the existing production facility process. Through a fishbone diagram approach to find out the root of the problem followed by Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA) including Pareto diagrams and risk map analysis to get priority risk problems in the form of production fluid processing methods. Furthermore, through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach, the alternative solution taken is to modify the production fluid processing with CSSR (Contain, Sediment, Separate, Recovery) innovation. The results of this CSSR innovation are no more produced water is discharged into the environment so that the Tanjung Field Manager’s policy of moving towards zero produced water discharge is achieved. With this innovation, the processing efficiency of the production fluid in 2nd year (prediction) after innovation is 97.5%, up from 66.6% in initial year before innovation. By optimizing the use of produced water, the need for clean water for the injection program can be minimized. The reduction of clean water usage from Initial year to 2nd year (prediction) is 83.1%. The efficiency ratio of this innovation is 11.10 > 1 indicates that the program generates more savings and revenue than its cost, making it a worthwhile investment. In energy reduction, the effectiveness of this innovation from Initial year to 2nd year (prediction) is reducing energy by 94.96%. In emission reduction, the reduction of CO2 emission load from Initial year to 2nd year (prediction) is 95%. This innovation contributes to the 6th Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) “Clean Water and Sanitation,” the 7th SDGs “Clean and Affordable Energy,” the 12th SDGs “Responsible Consumption and Production,” 13th SDGs “Handling Climate Change,” and the 14th SDGs “Ocean Ecosystems.”

Integrated optical probing scheme enabled by localized-interference metasurface for chip-scale atomic magnetometer

Abstract Emerging miniaturized atomic sensors such as optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) have attracted widespread interest due to their application in high-spatial-resolution biomagnetism imaging. While optical probing systems in conventional OPMs require bulk optical devices including linear polarizers and lenses for polarization conversion and wavefront shaping, which are challenging for chip-scale integration. In this study, an integrated optical probing scheme based on localized-interference metasurface for chip-scale OPM is developed. Our monolithic metasurface allows tailorable linear polarization conversion and wavefront manipulation. Two silicon-based metasurfaces namely meta-polarizer and meta-polarizer-lens are fabricated and characterized, with maximum transmission efficiency and extinction ratio (ER) of 86.29 % and 14.2 dB for the meta-polarizer as well as focusing efficiency and ER of 72.79 % and 6.4 dB for the meta-polarizer-lens, respectively. A miniaturized vapor cell with 4 × 4 × 4 mm3 dimension containing 87Rb and N2 is combined with the meta-polarizer to construct a compact zero-field resonance OPM for proof of concept. The sensitivity of this sensor reaches approximately 9 fT/Hz1/2 with a dynamic range near zero magnetic field of about ±2.3 nT. This study provides a promising solution for chip-scale optical probing, which holds potential for the development of chip-integrated OPMs as well as other advanced atomic devices where the integration of optical probing system is expected.

Impact of extracorporeal blood pump gap sizes on the performance and hemocompatibility under off-design operation.

Hemocompatibility remains the dominant challenge in rotary blood pumps, and more information on the relationship between individual pump design features, hemodynamics, and blood trauma in various operation conditions is necessary. The study evaluated the variation of gap sizes in extracorporeal blood pumps concerning their influence on blood compatibility, particularly during off-design conditions. We developed a parametric generic blood pump framework for in-silico and in-vitro design feature analysis. Thirty-six designs with varying axial and radial gap sizes between 0.5 mm and 3 mm were generated. CFD was applied to calculate and compare device hemodynamics and evaluate the performance and hemocompatibility during off-design and target operation conditions. The following quantities were analyzed: pressure difference, hemolysis potential, residence times, hydraulic efficiency, and recirculation ratio. The in-vitro prototype showed excellent agreement with in-silico predictions regarding hydraulic performance (R2 = 0.996 with a RMSE = 2.07). Our results show a modest impact of gap size variations ±10% on key metrics. Domain-resolved analyses revealed a significant contribution of the gap regions to the device's overall hemolytic performance, with an increasing contribution for off-design flow rates. Overall elevated hemolysis levels were identified if at least one gap size was held minimal. We introduced and showed the feasibility of a parametric rotary blood pump framework to systematically investigate design feature impact. Results suggest, larger and uniformly sized gaps being overall beneficial regarding hemocompatibility.

An optimal configuration strategy of multi-chiller system based on overlap analysis and improved GA

For design of the multi-chiller system, the configuration can be optimized that the system is high efficiency when it is operated under frequent load and operation condition in one year. Base on this idea, the paper presents a novel strategy of optimal configuration of multi-chiller system. The high hour-density range of annual load distribution and the high-efficiency region of combination of chillers are presented respectively, and their obtaining methods are developed. The overlap index is defined to evaluate the overlap between the high-efficiency region and high hour-density range, and it is maximized for the proposed optimal configuration strategy. GA is improved and employed for optimization. The proposed optimal configuration strategy is validated in a real multi-chiller system. The results show that the optimal configuration configured by the proposed strategy can improve annual Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) about 5 % comparing with the original configuration of the real system. The configurations using equivalent strategy and typical non-equivalent strategy are compared, and the results show that both of hourly COP and annual EER of the configuration of the proposed strategy are better than them. 50 random configurations enumerated from chiller candidates are also compared. The results show that the overlap index is strongly correlated to annual EER, and it can be taken as optimization object for optimal configuration. Improved GA is compared with original GA, and the results show that of computation time cost can be reduced more than 60 % by use of Improved GA. The validation results show that the proposed strategy can obtain the optimal configuration of multi-chiller system directly from chiller candidates.

World energy futures market efficiency and its determinants; evidence from white noise test based on block-wise wild bootstrap approach

ABSTRACT The study examines the time-varying efficiency of nine energy futures traded across different exchanges with varied trade settlement methods and pricing currency using the novel white noise test based on block-wsie wild bootstrap approach. The advantage of using this approach is that it relaxes the assumption of serial independence and the martingale difference sequence. Time-varying efficiency is observed for all nine energy futures consistent with the Adoptive Market Hypothesis (AMH). The three most (least) efficient energy futures based on efficiency ratio are Coal, Gasoline and NaturalGas (WTI, Brent and OmanCrude). Quantile regression analysis shows that the higher the level of illiquidity furthers the level of efficiency towards inefficiency (high level of efficiency) in the case of a less (more) efficient market. A mixed impact of volatility is observed across energy futures. No differential impact is found due to exchange, method of settlement and pricing currency. The robustness of the results is investigated, policy implications are discussed, and further research is recommended.

Dietary Chlorella vulgaris and Saccharomyces cerevisiae enhanced the growth performance, blood biomarkers, and antioxidative capacity of common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Chlorella vulgaris (CV) has been investigated in aquaculture and shown as a potential functional feed additive. Therefore, this study tested the effects of dietary CV and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) on the growth performance, blood biomarkers, and antioxidative capacity of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Fish were allocated in four groups in triplicates, where each glass aquaria was stocked with 15 fish with 4.25±0.11 g/fish. Fish offered four test diets for 84 days: control (free from CV or/and SC), CV-supplemented diet (5 %), SC-supplemented diet (0.05 %; (10 × 109 CFU/g), and a mixture of CV and SC-supplemented diet (5 % CV+ 0.05 % SC), respectively. The results indicated that fish-fed CV or SC revealed enhanced growth performance (final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate) and protein efficiency ratio, while the feed conversion ratio was reduced compared to the control. Fish-fed dietary SC or CV and SC mixture revealed higher villi length than the control. Besides, villi width and muscular thickness enhanced significantly in carps-fed CV and SC compared to the control. Fish-fed dietary CV and/or SC revealed lower moisture content and higher crude protein and total lipids than the control. The results indicated that fish-fed CV or SC revealed higher serum total protein than the control. On the other hand, the total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were markedly reduced in carps-fed dietary CV and/or SC compared to the control. The results indicated that fish-fed CV and/or SC revealed higher lysozyme activity, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase than the control. The superoxide dismutase of fish-fed CV or SC is higher than that of the control or CV and SC mixture. Additionally, the malondialdehyde levels (MDA) were markedly reduced in carp-fed dietary CV and/or SC compared to the control group. In conclusion, dietary C. vulgaris and/or S. cerevisiae can enhance growth performance and feed utilization in common carp. Besides, the biochemical blood markers and activated antioxidative capacity indicated that common carp fed C. vulgaris and/or S. cerevisiae revealed stable health status.

Neuropsychological impact of Sanda training on athlete attention performance.

Sanda, a martial art that primarily involves punching, kicking, and throwing techniques, requires athletes to maintain high levels of concentration during combat. Sanda principally involves striking the opponent to secure victory, with trauma frequently occurring to the head; however, it remains unclear whether prolonged training enhances or impairs the athletes' attentional capacities. This study aimed to investigate the impact of Sanda training on athletes' attention by employing attention network tests. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 37 professional Sanda athletes from a certain sports academy; 38 college students from the same institution majoring in physical education were recruited as the control group. Control participants had no prior experience in Sanda training, and the Sanda and control groups were matched in terms of sex, age, and education level. The Attention Network Test (ANT) was administered to both groups to compare differences in efficiency across the alerting, orienting, and executive control networks. Compared to the control group, the Sanda athletes exhibited significantly higher executive control network efficiency values and executive control network efficiency ratios (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the Sanda group and the control group regarding the efficiency values of the alerting and orienting networks (P > 0.05). Additionally, total accuracy and total reaction time between the Sanda athletes and control participants showed no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). Sanda practice has detrimental effects on attention, including a decrease in the efficiency of the executive control network and a prolongation of the total reaction time. Therefore, athletes should improve attention training and use head protection to prevent frequent head impacts during training.

Long-term operational characteristics of subway source heat pump system under various tunnel internal heat source intensities

In recent years, subway systems have effectively alleviated urban traffic congestions. However, thermal pollution of underground spaces is a prevailing problem, which poses a serious threat to the safe and efficient operation of subways. The subway source heat pump system (SSHPS), equipped with a front-end tunnel lining heat exchanger, is an effective solution to tackle the aforementioned problem. However, the design methodology and operational strategy of the system is not yet established, which necessitates an analysis of its long-term operational characteristics. In this study, an SSHPS simulation model was developed using the TRNSYS simulation tool based on a demonstration project and the model was subsequently validated against measured data. The validated model was used to evaluate the long-term performance and operational characteristics of the subway system under various internal heat source intensities ranging from 0 W/m to 240 W/m. The simulation results showed that the tunnel air temperature steadily increased as the internal heat source intensity increased. When the internal heat source was 0 W/m, the average annual decrease in tunnel air temperature was 0.11 °C. However, the average annual tunnel air temperature did not fall below the minimum subway design specification temperature of 5 °C at any point in time. When the internal heat source was 120, 180, and 240 W/m, the tunnel air temperature exceeded the maximum temperature of 40 °C stipulated in subway design guidelines on multiple occasions. As the internal heat source intensity increased, the performance of both the heat pump unit and SSHPS progressively decreased during the cooling season and gradually increased during the heating season. The runtime of the heat pump unit gradually decreased from 92.72 % to 77.57 % during the cooling season, whereas it increased from 46.92 % to 89.41 % during the heating season. The heat pump unit exhibited an average energy efficiency ratio (EER) of 5.07, 4.95, 4.87, 4.80 and 4.76 whereas the SSHPS demonstrated an average EER of 3.04, 3.01, 3.00, 2.99 and 2.98. Throughout its operational years, the SSHPS consistently maintained stable and cyclically high performance. However, the system did not fully meet the specified cooling and heating loads under all operational conditions, indicating that there was a source–load mismatch issue within the system. Hence, it is recommended to incorporate auxiliary cold and heat sources, thereby establishing a composite heating and cooling system based on subway source heat pump technology, with the aim of enhancing the reliability of energy supply for the system. This study can serve as a valuable reference for formulating high-efficiency and energy-saving operational strategies for SSHPSs.

Comparison and regional suitability evaluation of different backfill source heat pumps using TRNSYS

As global energy demand and carbon emissions continues to rise year by year, the use of renewable energy for heating becomes increasingly urgent. This study employs solar and geothermal energy to supply heat to mining facilities. Initially, three distinct heating systems for mining areas were modeled in TRNSYS: the Backfill Source Heat Pump (BSHP), the Solar Assisted Backfill Source Heat Pump (SABSHP), and the Solar Assisted Backfill Source Heat Pump with Seasonal Heat Storage (SABSHP-SHS). Following a decade of simulation, the optimal system was identified through a comparative analysis that encompassed backfill temperature equilibrium, the inlet and outlet water temperatures for buried pipes, Coefficient of Performance (COP), Partial Load Ratio (PLR), and economic factors. Over the 10-year simulation period, the COP and PLR of the SABSHP-SHS system outperformed both the BSHP and SABSHP systems, showing higher energy efficiency and better heat pump performance. To further assess the regional adaptability of the SABSHP-SHS system, simulations were conducted across four regions with diverse climatic profiles: Shijiazhuang, Yan’an, Xining, and Hegang. The analysis focused on heat collection, efficiency, backfill temperature variation, system energy consumption, and the energy efficiency ratio. The findings indicate that Hegang exhibits the highest solar heat collection efficiency at 89.9% during the non-heating season, while Xining achieves a significantly higher heat collection efficiency of 54.1% during the heating season. These results suggest that the SABSHP-SHS system is particularly effective in regions with pronounced seasonal variations, characterized by extended cold winters and brief, intense summers.

Effects of cinnamon, rosemary and oregano on growth performance, blood biochemistry, liver enzyme activities, excreta microbiota and ileal morphology of Campylobacter jejuni-challenged broiler chickens.

Phytogenic additives would be helpful to mitigate the detrimental impact of Campylobacter jejuni on broiler chickens. The experiment aimed to assess the effects of cinnamon, rosemary and oregano powder on physiological responses of broiler chickens challenged with C. jejuni from 0 to 42 days of age. A total of 192 one-day-old male broiler chickens were divided into 6 treatment groups. The treatments included: negative control (NC; basal diet without additives and no C. jejuni challenge), positive control (PC; basal diet with C. jejuni challenge), PC with cinnamon, rosemary or oregano powder (3g/kg each), and PC with Erythromycin (55mg/kg). Except for the NC group, all chicks were orally challenged with 2×108CFU/mL C. jejuni daily from days 21-25. Feed intake, body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), energy efficiency ratio (EER) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were assessed during the rearing period (0-42 days). On day 42 of age, fresh excreta samples were collected from each pen to determine apparent dry matter digestibility and excreta microbiota. In addition, at the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected to evaluate blood profile and liver enzyme activities. C. jejuni challenge (PC treatment) decreased BWG, EER and PER, while increasing FCR of broiler chickens (p<0.05), whereas rosemary, oregano and Erythromycin improved these performance parameters akin to NC. PC diet showed negative effect in ileal morphology, alleviated by additives except cinnamon (p<0.05). Dietary additives successfully reduced Campylobacter levels and increased Lactobacilli counts in the PC. Rosemary and oregano lowered plasma total cholesterol (p<0.05). Alanine aminotransferase elevation by C. jejuni challenge in the PC group was prevented by rosemary, oregano and Erythromycin (p<0.05). Oregano and rosemary alleviate the impact of C. jejuni challenge.

Numerical and Performance Analysis of R290 Heat Pump Driven Air Conditioning System for Heating and Cooling

The demand for heating and air conditioning is rising due to rapidly changing climatic conditions. The market for heat pumps and air conditioning systems is seeing a steady increase in low global warming potential. There is a growing need to use environment-friendly refrigerants. Contemporary Refrigerants (HCFCs) such as those found in heat pump air conditioning systems have the potential to cause global warming and ozone depletion. Using more environmentally friendly refrigerants, including hydrocarbon and blend refrigerant mixtures, is one way to lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Ozone depletion potential. This study examines the performance of several alternative refrigerants, including R32, R134A, R410A, R22 and R290. To examine the performance of R290, theoretical and simulation results are compared for various refrigerants while taking into account several performance parameters, including the refrigerant energy efficiency ratio, mass flow rate, coefficient of performance, cooling capacity and compressor work for One Ton of Refrigeration (1TR) air conditioners. One player with a very low GWP is R290. However, the only drawback is that it can catch fire and is hazardous to use in split-type commercial heat pump air conditioning applications. The environmental and thermo physical properties of R290 are significantly better than those of other materials, according to theoretical and simulation studies utilising Cool Pack software, hence it is a viable replacement.

A detailed analysis of body composition in relation to cardiopulmonary exercise test indices

A cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is a test assessing an individual’s physiological response during exercise. Results may be affected by body composition, which is best evaluated through imaging techniques like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim of this study was to assess relationships between body composition and indices obtained from CPET. A total of 234 participants (112 female), all aged 50 years, underwent CPETs and whole-body MRI scans (> 1 million voxels). Voxel-wise statistical analysis of tissue volume and fat content was carried out with a method called Imiomics and related to the CPET indices peak oxygen consumption (V̇O2peak), V̇O2peak scaled by body weight (V̇O2kg) and by total lean mass (V̇O2lean), ventilatory efficiency (V̇E/V̇CO2-slope), work efficiency (ΔV̇O2/ΔWR) and peak exercise respiratory exchange ratio (RERpeak). V̇O2peak showed the highest positive correlation with volume of skeletal muscle. V̇O2kg negatively correlated with tissue volume in subcutaneous fat, particularly gluteal fat. RERpeak negatively correlated with tissue volume in skeletal muscle, subcutaneous fat, visceral fat and liver. Some associations differed between sexes: in females ΔV̇O2/ΔWR correlated positively with tissue volume of subcutaneous fat and V̇E/V̇CO2-slope with tissue volume of visceral fat, and, in males, V̇O2peak correlated positively to lung volume. In conclusion, voxel-based Imiomics provided detailed insights into how CPET indices were related to the tissue volume and fat content of different body structures.

165 Characterizing protein quality with in vitro methodologies

Abstract Nutritional assessment of the quality of a protein source is a complex process with different requirements depending on the jurisdiction being discussed. The Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) is a growth measurement required in Canada, whereas the United States uses the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS), which requires the determination of the amino acid profile and digestibility of the protein source. Notably both PER and PDCAAS are in vivo methods, necessitating the use of animals for measurement of growth and protein digestibility. Understandably there is significant interest from both industry and consumers to reduce reliance on animal experimentation for content claims. It is notable that outside of North America there are multiple examples of in vitro protein quality assessment. In Europe protein content claims are based on whether the protein content contributes &amp;gt;12% of the total energy, and in Australia content claims begin at 5 g of protein per serving. As the use of in vitro techniques for protein quality assessment has not led to indices of protein malnutrition in Europe and Australia, should be possible to use in vitro techniques in methods such as PER and PDCAAS thereby removing the reliance on animal use for quality assessment in North America. This can be accomplished by using in vitro methods in the assessment of protein digestibility and relying on recent changes by Health Canada to allow for calculation of PER from PDCAAS values. This presentation will introduce how protein quality is calculated via PER/PDCAAS, and subsequently discuss modifications of these methods to incorporate in vitro techniques to generate values indicating their nutritional quality with positive correlations to in vivo data.

130 Meta-analysis of the impact of Quebracho and Chestnut tannin extract supplementation on the growth performance in growing and finishing beef cattle

Abstract Integrating tannin extracts (TE) into the diet of growing and finishing beef cattle has shown promise in optimizing protein utilization while potentially mitigating methane emissions. Despite these potential benefits, there is a notable gap in a comprehensive analysis of the influence of TE on growth rate. This study addressed this gap by collecting data on the supplementation of a blend of condensed (from Schinopsis spp.) and hydrolyzable (from Castanea spp.) tannins, which has about 70% total tannins, and its impact on critical metrics, such as average daily gain (ADG, kg/d), dry matter intake (DMI, kg/d), and feed efficiency ratio (FER, g/kg). Our objective was to conduct meta-regression analyses to understand better the nuanced effects of condensed tannin supplementation on the overall performance of beef cattle during the critical stages of growth and finishing. The dataset was constructed by collecting published studies that reported in vivo experimental data on growing and finishing beef cattle supplemented with different levels of TE. It contained 132 observations from 35 publications. The meta-analysis was conducted by linear regression with a mixed-effects model fitted by the restricted maximum likelihood method using the nlme package of R software (ver. 4.3.1). Studies were assumed as random variables, and their interaction with the intercept and slope were included in the regression. The number of animals per treatment was used as a study-specific weight. Studies accounted for 32%, 35%, or 27% of the total variance when regressing ADG, DMI, or FER, respectively, on TE (% DM). After adjusting for random effects, the ADG increased (P &amp;lt; 0.001) with increasing levels of dietary TE (P &amp;lt; 0.001): 1.344 (± 0.0071) + 0.240 (±0.0298) × TE (n = 99, r2 = 0.40). It was observed that as the dietary TE level increased, its impact on the ADG tended to decrease from 0.33 kgּ d-1ּ % TE-1 when fed up to 0.5% TE to 0.24 kgּ d-1ּ % TE-1 when fed up to 1.5% TE, suggesting a possible nonlinear relationship between these two variables. Similarly, DMI decreased slightly (P &amp;lt; 0.001) at 0.61 kg/d/% TE, but with a lower precision (n = 115, r2 = 0.14). Consequently, FER increased (P &amp;lt; 0.001) at 17 kgּ d-1ּ % TE-1 (n = 93, r2 = 0.34). Initial findings suggest that incorporating TE into the diet of growing and finishing cattle, up to a concentration of 0.5% DM, positively influences the growth rate and enhances FER while minimally affecting DMI. Subsequent research endeavors should delve into a more intricate examination of optimal TE inclusion levels and explore additional performance indicators for a comprehensive understanding of its impact.

Exergy analysis of hybrid air-conditioning systems with different evaporative-cooling condensers under hot-humid climates

Evaporative cooling (EC) technology can effectively improve the energy efficiency of the mechanical vapor compression (MVC) system by enhancing the heat exchange capacity of its condenser. However, the current evaporative-cooling condenser system is usually only equipped with a single-stage evaporative cooler as the precooling unit, and these designs are mainly suitable for hot-dry conditions. In this study, three hybrid air-conditioning systems with different two-stage evaporative-cooling condenser configurations were proposed, one is single-condenser type and the other two are dual-condenser type, which are used to improve the exergy performance and adaptability of the evaporative condenser system under hot-humid climates. Then, the all systems were modeled via the distributed parametric method and analyzed comparatively based on the exergy method. A suitable exergy reference temperature at air saturation was discussed. Finally, the effect of four key parameters (ambient temperature and relative humidity, outdoor airflow rate and room heat load) was studied. The results showed that under the high temperature, relative humidity or room heat load conditions, the hybrid systems have a low exergy efficiency ratio (EXR) and high exergy efficiency (ηx,OEC). Among them, the newly countercurrent dual-condenser configuration (MVC-TSEC(C)) exhibits the best exergy performance under most hot-humid conditions. Compared to the conventional MVC system, the EXR and ηx,OEC of MVC-TSEC(C) increased by at most 35.0 % and 78.2 %, respectively. Moreover, its components like compressor, condenser and expansion valve have the maximum reduction rates of exergy destruction of 43.5 %, 17.2 % and 55.3 %, respectively.

A field study to optimize protein and lipid levels in diet for cage-cultured subadult rockfish Sebastes schlegelii

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate growth, body composition, serum biochemistry, digestion and metabolism, and oxidation resistence of S. schlegelii fed 9 diets in a 3×3 factorial design (protein levels: 44 %, 48 %, 52 %; lipid levels: 6 %, 10 %, 14 %), to optimize protein and lipid levels for practical feed formula. Rockfish (114.25 g) were stocked into 27 cages in an offshore system and fed test diets to satiation twice daily for 8 weeks. Growth increased but feed conversion rate decreased with dietary protein increasing. Increasing dietary protein to >48 % led to reduced feeding intake but increased protein efficiency ratio. Lipid efficiency ratio increased with dietary protein increasing but decreased with dietary lipid increasing. Hepatosomatic index decreased coupling with the increases in condition factor and liver lipid content as dietary lipid increased to 14 %. Intraperitoneal fat ratio increased with dietary lipid increasing. Increasing dietary protein to > 48 % significantly elevated serum total protein and glucose concentrations, hepatic glycogen synthase activity. High-protein (52 %) diets elevated serum albumin and urea nitrogen concentrations, hepatic pyruvate kinase and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities but downregulated hepatic growth-hormone (GH) receptor. Activities of trypsin, lipase, serum superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity decreased with the dietary lipid increasing. Increasing dietary lipid to > 10 % reduced serum GH concentration, and high-lipid (14 %) diets significantly enhanced serum triglyceride concentration and hepatic transaminases activities, and resulted in a visual increase of adipocytes in liver. Serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein decreased as dietary protein increased to 48–52 % or dietary lipid >10 %. Hepatic succinate dehydrogenase activity and serum IGF-1 significantly increased while hepatic fatty acid synthetase decreased as dietary protein increased to >48 % or dietary lipid >10 %. High-protein (52 %) diet or high-lipid (14 %) diet elevated serum malonaldehyde concentration. These findings suggested 48 % protein and 10 % lipid were the optimal in diet for subadult S. schlegelii.

Spectrophotometric determination for green hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent-based microextraction of Brilliant Blue FCF (E133) from beverages

In this study, a simple, sensitive, and rapid method called green hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent-based liquid-liquid microextraction was developed to extract Brilliant Blue FCF dye from beverages. This method utilizes hydrophobic DES obtained by forming tetrabutylammonium bromide and 1-octanol in a 1:5 ratio as green extraction solvent. The transition of Brilliant Blue FCF to the DES phase occurred on its own, without the need for any reagents such as added salt or tetrahydrofuran. Several crucial factors were tried to get the best extraction efficiency, including species, DES volume and molar ratio, solution pH, ultrasonication, and centrifugation time. Under optimum conditions, extraction recoveries were achieved in the range of 95.1–101.3 % with the method developed for Brilliant Blue FCF. The detection and determination limits were observed to be 4.1 μg l-1 and 12.1 μg l-1, respectively. In addition, the relative standard deviation values for the method's accuracy were found to be 2.23 % and 3.48 % within and between days, respectively. It has been established that the developed method is highly environmentally friendly thanks to the application of the Analytical GREENness (AGREE) and Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI) tools. This study shows that DES applications can be carried out without the use of emulsifiers and dispersants by prioritizing the use of hydrophobic DES compounds as environmentally friendly and green extraction solvents in food samples.