Feeding Device Research Articles

Nano-extrusion: A promising tool for continuous manufacturing of solid nano-formulations

Since more than 40% of today’s drugs have low stability, poor solubility and/or limited ability to cross certain biological barriers, new platform technologies are required to address these challenges. This paper describes a novel continuous process that converts a stabilized aqueous nano-suspension into a solid oral formulation in a single step (i.e., the NANEX process) in order to improve the solubility of a model drug (phenytoin). Phenytoin nano-suspensions were prepared via media milling using different stabilizers. A stable nano-suspension was obtained using Tween® 80 as a stabilizer. The matrix material (Soluplus®) was gravimetrically fed into the hot melt extruder. The suspension was introduced through a side feeding device and mixed with the molten polymer to immediately devolatilize the water in the nano-suspension. Phenytoin nano-crystals were dispersed and embedded in the molten polymer. Investigation of the nano-extrudates via transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy showed that the nano-crystals were embedded de-aggregated in the extrudates. Furthermore, no changes in the crystallinity (due to the mechanical and thermal stress) occurred. The dissolution studies confirmed that the prepared nano-extrudates increased the solubility of nano-crystalline phenytoin, regardless of the polymer. Our work demonstrates that NANEX represents a promising new platform technology in the design of novel drug delivery systems to improve drug performance.

Early enteral nutrition in puppies with parvovirus enteritis

Canine parvovirus (CPV) enteritis is an important cause of severe, often fatal enteritis in dogs. Survival rates can be as high as 90% when puppies receive intensive treatment at tertiary veterinary facilities. No disease-specific therapies exist and treatment consists of supportive therapies. These therapies include intensive fluid therapy, antibiotic therapy, antiemetic therapy and analgesic therapy. Anthelminthic therapy is added to eliminate possible concurrent verminosis. One supportive measure which was found to be associated with more rapid clinical improvement in canine parvovirus enteritis is the early implementation of enteral nutrition. This article reviews the research findings in various aspects of early enteral nutrition in both human and animal critical care. Different naso-enteric feeding devices are compared and various feeding methods for the various clinical scenarios encountered with canine parvovirus enteritis are briefly discussed. The concept of gastric residual volume and its potential role in early enteral nutrition is evaluated. The authors' view on how these research findings can be practically applied to treat puppies with canine parvovirus enteritis is presented. A detailed description is given on the decision-making process in early enteral nutrition in a tertiary facility treating puppies with canine parvovirus enteritis.

INVESTIGATE A PROTOTYPE FOR TOMATOES PRECISION SEEDER

The objective of this research was to design, construct and test a prototype for seeding tomatoes seeds in tray. The fundamental basic of the prototype depending on, using air vacuum to catch single seed from seed tank and put it inside tray cells. The air suction was supplied from a suction pump, whereas the seeds are forced to move from the seed tank towards the seed tube. Three electronically control units were used to send consequence electronic signals. These signals were adapted to put on and cut off air suction, to move the tray belt, and to operate the air pump. The evaluation of the developed unit was carried out in 2012-2014 seasons in soil pen Lab- Agric. Eng. Dept., Mansoura University. The effect of some engineering parameters included four feeding device height, four different levels of orifice positions, four orifice diameters on seeding tube and three air suction pressure on seed catching, doubling and skipping seeds in tray cells. The results indicated that the best feeding device height that fulfill catching one seed per orifice was h =2.2mm at suction tube orifice diameter of 0.5mm and air suction pressure of 33.44mbar. Increasing the orifice diameter to 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5 mm the best (h) were 2.9, 3.2 and 3.9mm respectively. At these operating parameters the results recorded no seeds skipping, and low doubling.

A Design of Pyrolysis Test System Based on the Co-Processing of Municipal Waste with Rotary Klin

A novel and improved waste pyrolysis test system is developed by process design, pyrolysis host type design and the corresponding counterpart type design. It contains the design of waste pyrolysis pretreatment device, the sealing feeding device, the pyrolysis slag cooling device, the high temperature pyrolysis gas dust removal device and the pyrolysis gas desulfurization dust removal device. This study proposes a good testing model and a production validation on waste combustion under the oxygen-free and high-temperature condition. Thus it offers an effective technical support and guidance on improving the utilization of waste calorific value and preventing the generation of dioxin.

Design of Aquaculture System based on Wireless Monitoring and its Testing

Aiming at the Chinese aquaculture’s status quo that the automation degree is low and the management is backward, this paper designed a set of wireless aquaculture monitoring system that can not only monitor the pond’s parameters of temperature, level, dissolved oxygen and pH value etc. in real time, but also monitor the fish condition through wireless camera in real time. This system consists of three parts of information acquisition module, control module and wireless communication module. The testing result shows that the independently designed feeding device can realize automatic feeding with the feeding area up to 24m2. This system can realize 24h monitoring of fish growth condition through image capture, accurate detection of residual amount of feed and wireless control of water temperature, level, water quality and feeding device and monitoring distance is up to 1000m. This system avoids low efficiency of artificial culture and untimely control to water quality and fish diseases and it has features of easy operation, accurate control and high economic benefit, so its applicability is wide.

Experimental and Numerical Modeling of a New Tribo-Electrostatic Separation Process for Granular Plastics Mixtures

The paper aims at optimizing the operation of a free-fall electrostatic separator equipped with a novel tribo-charging device for the processing of granular plastic mixtures. Experiments were performed with a mixture of polycarbonate and polyamide granules (cylinders of 1.5 mm in diameter and 3 mm in length). The samples of granules to be charged were introduced in the gap between the two co-axial cylinders of the tribo-charging device, and were put into turbulent motion for 30 s by two oppositely oriented air jets (pressure: 2 bar). Then, the charged particles were left to fall freely between the vertical plate electrodes of an electrostatic separator. A composite experimental design enabled the modeling and optimization of the tribo-electrostatic separation process as a function of the following control factors: applied high voltage, inter-electrode distance, and the inclination angle of the feeding device. Under optimal conditions, the purity obtained is close to 99%. A numerical model of particle trajectories confirms the conclusions of the experimental study. The simulations point out the effect of each control variable on the outcome of the separation process.

Medication Safety

Medication Safety

A food-supply device for maintaining Cotesia vestalis, a larval parasitoid of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella, in greenhouses

The limited availability of sugar sources (e.g., flowers) in greenhouses may affect biological pest control by parasitoid wasps. However, few studies have focused on feeding devices to provide parasitoids with sugar foods. We investigated the accessibility of a yellow-colored bottle-type feeding device to adult Cotesia vestalis (Halliday), a larval endoparasitoid of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (L.). All parasitoids died within four days in a room with no sugar source, whereas 66.7 % of individuals survived if a bottle-type feeding device providing honey solution was installed. We also investigated female longevity in response to different sugar solutions presented in a bottle-type feeding device. Honey and sugar mixtures (glucose and fructose) improved female longevity (38.4 and 39.2 days, respectively) much more than water (3.1 days), indicating these feeding devices containing sugar foods to be potentially useful for maintaining C. vestalis in greenhouses where natural food sources are limited.

Mechanical Design and Simulation Analysis of Finned Tube Winding Machine for Assembly

With the increasing of market demand for finned tube and fin tube processing equipment in China continued to deepen, the problems of the inefficient study design a new type of finned tube winding machine in order to solve the traditional winding machine problem such as low efficiency and the unstable quality. Using a design method for assembly , complete design parameters to calculate the main structure of the feeding and winding device and implementing the device on three dimensional Assembly based on CATIA modeling process. Finally, to verify the overall structural design rationality, we have created a virtual prototype of finned tubes and motion simulation and the collision detection also be done.

Control System of Fish Feeding Devices in Actual Pond

The main objective of this project is to identify the development of PLC and movement control system providers to eat in wireless cable. Further the second objective is to develop a conveyor system for delivery of food to the system cable feed providers and the final objective is to develop a PLC system and a wireless control system. Components required in this project can be divided into two groups which are electrical components and mechanical components. For this research, some components are required and divided into two groups which the electrical components and mechanical components. The total average weight of pallet conveyors operate to fall during the first 5 minutes is a 286.67 grams, followed by 10 minutes is a 467.78 grams, 15 minutes is a 665.56 grams, last 20 minutes is a 860 grams and the last 25 minutes is a 964.45 grams. The average an increase was due to the time factor and heavy pallet that fell during the process. Then the average results for each test height of the cable before and after process run is taken and graphs drawn. For test average before the process run at station 1 and station 4 is 0.2371 meters followed by station 2, 3, 5 and station 6 is 0.1863 meters. After that, the test run average after the process for station 1 and station 4 is 1177 meters followed station 2, 3, 5 and station 6 is 1.1269 meters. The graph decrease machine because food distribution heavy and less strong pillars to hold cable the support and supports the machine. To increases graphs was due to the bad weather and weight factors distribution of food machine. In summary, the control system of the fish food provider can be developed even more to advance the fishing industry particular in Malaysia and general in the world.

Planters performance during a very Short Rotation Coppice planting

Very Short Rotation Coppice (vSRC) cultivation can become a good economy source for farmers, in addition to producing substantial amount of wood and benefits to society. Over the years, improved cropping and harvesting systems have been developed, which offer a good energy balance and acceptable economic results. Little research has been done in planting operations, where the mechanization is again at experimental level. The goal of the study is to evaluate the working rate and the working quality of 6 planters used for vSRC planting with different forestry species (poplar, willow and black locust). The results showed that, the working rate of the planters is low (about 0.6 ha h−1) independently by the planter type used, and forestry species chosen. Furthermore, it was highlighted the necessity of setting up a specific planting machine equipped with automatic feed devices and a large surface for propagation material storages, in order to increase the working rate of vSRC planting operations.

Performance Analysis of Feeding Device of Port Pneumatic Grain Unloader in CFD

Feeding noozle of port pneumatic grain unloader is vital to the whole system, CFD is used to simulate the flow field and optimize the geometry of the vacuum nozzle. The Euler two-phase flow model is taken in the modeling. Secondary air parameter play an important part in the remodeling. Through the adjustment of secondary air , including the relative area and height of the inlet as well as adjustment of the nozzle geometry , the distribution of the concentration of solid particles is improved and the the pressure loss is reduced, thus exert the transport efficiency and energy consumption with a positive effect.

Tu2016 Establishment of a Novel Automated Method to Assess the Food Intake Microstructure in Rats

Background: Food intake is a parameter frequently assessed in rodent models. The classical approach is to measure food intake manually after defined time intervals. Although this technique is easy to learn and use, it holds several disadvantages: the animals are disturbed by the investigator, a real assessment of dark phase feeding is not possible, the measurement is rather rough as short-lasting effects may be missed and lastly, there is no information on the underlying feeding microstructure. Therefore, several approaches have been undertaken in order to assess this feeding microstructure including the use of liquid, powder or micropelleted food, which, however, does not represent the physiological solid food of rats. Aim: To evaluate an automated method to assess the physiological feeding microstructure in rats. Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were used and food intake was monitored manually and in an automated fashion using an automated episodic feeding monitoring system recently established for the use in mice (BioDAQ, Research Diets). In a separate experiment, intracerebroventricularly (ICV) cannulated rats were compared to naive rats (n=8/group). Results: Rats showed a linear daily body weight gain when housed in groups (3.1±1.5g) which did not significantly change directly after separation into single housing cages with feeding from the cage top (3.6±1.3g) or from the hopper of the automated monitoring device (2.7±0.1g, P=0.81). Also, the nighttime food intake, the period of the maximum food intake in rodents, was similar when assessed by the automated system on day 1 and 5 after starting the measurement (17.7±0.8 vs. 19.1±0.7g, P=0.24), indicating a rapid accommodation to this feeding device. In addition, daily food intake did not differ when assessed manually or in an automated fashion (21.9±0.4 vs. 21.1±0.2g, P=0.17), indicating a good concordance between both methods. The automated assessment allowed the measurement of parameters of the food intake microstructure, namely latency to first meal, inter-meal interval, meal size, duration and frequency, eating rate and the satiety ratio. The investigators observed the satiety sequence of rats in the automated feeding cages with a decrease in dark phase feeding behavior and an increase in grooming, exploration and resting indicating a physiological behavior. Lastly, in cages with an enlarged opening of the cage mount, ICV cannulated rats showed a similar dark phase food intake as naive rats (16.6±0.6 vs. 16.4±0.5g, P=0.86), indicating that the system can also be used in head device-bearing rats. Conclusions: The automated feeding monitoring device allows a detailed assessment of the food intake microstructure in undisturbed rats housed in regular cages and fed physiological rat chow. Therefore, this device will be a valuable tool in behavioral studies investigating food intake.

Tu2019 Role of Vitamin D in the Inflammatory Response of Morbidly Obese Patients With Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Background: Food intake is a parameter frequently assessed in rodent models. The classical approach is to measure food intake manually after defined time intervals. Although this technique is easy to learn and use, it holds several disadvantages: the animals are disturbed by the investigator, a real assessment of dark phase feeding is not possible, the measurement is rather rough as short-lasting effects may be missed and lastly, there is no information on the underlying feeding microstructure. Therefore, several approaches have been undertaken in order to assess this feeding microstructure including the use of liquid, powder or micropelleted food, which, however, does not represent the physiological solid food of rats. Aim: To evaluate an automated method to assess the physiological feeding microstructure in rats. Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were used and food intake was monitored manually and in an automated fashion using an automated episodic feeding monitoring system recently established for the use in mice (BioDAQ, Research Diets). In a separate experiment, intracerebroventricularly (ICV) cannulated rats were compared to naive rats (n=8/group). Results: Rats showed a linear daily body weight gain when housed in groups (3.1±1.5g) which did not significantly change directly after separation into single housing cages with feeding from the cage top (3.6±1.3g) or from the hopper of the automated monitoring device (2.7±0.1g, P=0.81). Also, the nighttime food intake, the period of the maximum food intake in rodents, was similar when assessed by the automated system on day 1 and 5 after starting the measurement (17.7±0.8 vs. 19.1±0.7g, P=0.24), indicating a rapid accommodation to this feeding device. In addition, daily food intake did not differ when assessed manually or in an automated fashion (21.9±0.4 vs. 21.1±0.2g, P=0.17), indicating a good concordance between both methods. The automated assessment allowed the measurement of parameters of the food intake microstructure, namely latency to first meal, inter-meal interval, meal size, duration and frequency, eating rate and the satiety ratio. The investigators observed the satiety sequence of rats in the automated feeding cages with a decrease in dark phase feeding behavior and an increase in grooming, exploration and resting indicating a physiological behavior. Lastly, in cages with an enlarged opening of the cage mount, ICV cannulated rats showed a similar dark phase food intake as naive rats (16.6±0.6 vs. 16.4±0.5g, P=0.86), indicating that the system can also be used in head device-bearing rats. Conclusions: The automated feeding monitoring device allows a detailed assessment of the food intake microstructure in undisturbed rats housed in regular cages and fed physiological rat chow. Therefore, this device will be a valuable tool in behavioral studies investigating food intake.

Endoscopic approaches to enteral feeding and nutrition core curriculum

Endoscopic approaches to enteral feeding and nutrition core curriculum

Induced Lactation by Adoptive Mothers: A Case Study

Induced lactation is a method of stimulating breast milk, carried out by non-pregnant women. It is an alternative for women who are unable to have children naturally but wish to experience motherhood by adopting. In Islamic laws, breastfeeding by a woman of another person’s child will turn their relationship into that of a mother and her own child. The permissibility in Islamic law of breastfeeding another person’s child has been taken as an alternative way for adoptive Muslim mothers to “mahram”ise (a male/female who is forbidden permanently, forever) (or familiarize) the relationship with that adopted child. The objective of this study is to explore the experience of adoptive mothers who have breastfed their adopted children through the method of induced lactation. This study focuses on the technical aspects, on how an adoptive mother stimulates the production of breast milk despite not having gone through the process of pregnancy. This study uses the qualitative study method. This study interviewed 12 respondents comprising of Muslim females who had successfully nursed their adopted children before the age of two and fulfilled the requirement to nurse the child until he is fully satisfied for five sessions. The semi structured interview technique was carried out over a 6 months period between the years 2012 to 2013. Data analysis discovered that two methods of induced lactation were performed, i.e., hormone simulation and breast stimulation. This study also found two devices used in the process of breast stimulation, which are Supplemental Feeding Device and Breast pump. In summary, the process of induced lactation to nurse an adopted child can be a success with the right method, technique and equipment.

Robust Speed Control Algorithm of Welding Wire Feed System Based on the State Space Model

In the modern welding technology of metal materials, the welding robot is a very important factor. And the welding wire feeding device is a very important part of the welding robot. The welding wire feed systems stabilization and reliability is essential for the welding quality. The resistance is caused by the draw of welding wire and other factors, which is highly nonlinear and stochastic. The wire feed rate and welding quality will be severely affected by the resistance. This paper investigates the method controlling the system according to the observations of the resistance, speed and other factors. There are the complex environmental factors in the welding process, such as the strong magnetic field and high current field, which are random. So the robust control algorithm based on the state space model is designed to keep the welding wire feed speed stable under disturbances. The robust control method can improve the speed of response and eliminate the effect of wire feed resistance to the wire feed speed. Even when disturbed, the system can quickly reach a stable wire feed speed.

Study on Powder Delivery in Laser Welding of High Strength Galvanized Steel with Powder Filling

Laser welding with powder filling is a highly flexible welding technology due to its effective reduction of the assembly accuracy of workpiece. Based on the correlation between the density of powder distribution and the image gray, the distribution density on the cross section of the powder beam is measured, and the effectiveness of the powder delivery with a self-developed lateral device for powder feeding is analyzed. Furthermore, the welding technological properties and the joint performance in fiber laser welding of high strength galvanized steel with powder filling are studied. The results show that:The powder position is the key factor of the rate of the powder utilization. When filling powder laterally in angle of 45°, the most effective delivery rate can be obtained with the powder position of –1.75 mm. The power would to be fed into the welding pool ineffectively when powder position is too close to or far away from the laser beam. The highest rate of the powder utilization can be realized with the powder position of –4 mm. The copper content on the weld center section decreases linearly with the reduction of the powder feeding speed. Powder filling can significantly improve the performance of the weld surface and refine the grains in the heat-affected zone, as well as the improvement of the weld properties. Laser welding with powder injection is able to improve the weld surface quality, create finer microstructure in the heat affected zone, improve the strength of the weld, as well as increase the gap tolerance and reduce the assemble accuracy of the workpiece.

Radiology of ventilatory, feeding, and circulatory lines and tubes in the critically sick

A variety of supportive ventilatory, feeding and circulatory devices are employed in the management of critically sick patients. The hardware ranges from endotracheal, tracheostomy and chest tubes, nasogastric and nasoenteric feeding tubes, to central venous lines, umbilical venous and arterial catheters, pacers and automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators, intraaortic balloon pumps and ventricular assist devices. The accurate positioning of this hardware is critical to the well being of a patient. However, these devices may not be positioned appropriately. Faults may occur at the time of their insertion, or the hardware may get dislodged while in use. A portable chest radiograph can be extremely useful in identifying such mishaps. This pictorial review captures some of the critical scenarios which must be known to radiologists and the treating intensivists.

Forthcoming smart DC nano-grid for green buildings—A reflective vision

Many small scale renewable generators generate low voltage DC power. AC main networks are supplied from costly and inefficient power convertors. Ultimately, energy produced from renewable resources is delivered to a DC load. The proposed solution in this paper concentrates on omitting the usage of costly and inefficient power converters in feeding DC networks, links, and devices from DC power supplies. The smart home consists of a home area network with a smart meter and intelligent devices. However, Wireless nodes are used to control and manage smart homes through intelligent and efficient algorithms. Such algorithm will be developed to control loads during peak hours, to interconnect smart meters and intelligent devices and power flow of loads. The total load of the building will be categorized and managed. Intelligent devices are connected to each load, monitoring and controlling the power flow individually. These intelligent devices can communicate with the smart meter, so that the load is controlled during peak hours based on the decision made by the algorithms.