Quadratic Response Research Articles

Feeding behavior of post-weaned crossbred steers supplemented in the dry season of the year.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feeding behavior of grazing steers supplemented in the dry season of the year. Thirty-two castrated crossbred (½ Holstein-Zebu) steers with an average initial weight of 378 ± 7.54kg, aged 14months, were distributed into four treatment groups in a completely randomized design with eight replicates. The animals were managed in an area covered with a pasture of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, in a rotational grazing system. The supplement was formulated so that the animals in the different treatment groups would ingest the same amount of crude protein (CP) daily. Thus, the treatments consisted of increasing levels of supplementation, based on the animals' body weight (BW), as the protein content of the supplement was reduced. The following treatments (dry matter basis) were tested: T2, supplement at 0.2% BW, with 50% CP; T4, supplement at 0.4% BW, with 25% CP; T6, supplement at 0.6% BW, with 16.67% CP; and T8, supplement at 0.8% BW, with 12.5% CP. Forage dry matter intake decreased linearly (P < 0.05), characterizing a substitution effect. The increasing supplementation levels influenced the animals' feeding behavior, especially grazing time, total feeding time, number of grazing bouts, and number of bites per day, which showed a positive quadratic response (P < 0.05), and rumination time, number of rumination bouts, number of cuds ruminated per day, and number of chews per ruminated cud, which exhibited a negative quadratic behavior (P < 0.05). Dry matter and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) feed efficiencies and dry matter and NDF rumination efficiencies responded quadratically (P < 0.05). In conclusion, concentrate supplementation at up to 0.8% BW improves the feeding behavior of grazing steers in terms of the intake of concentrate supplement and forage as well as the feed and rumination efficiencies.

High Yield Synthesis and Quadratic Nonlinearities of Gold Nanoprisms in Solution: The Role of Corner Sharpness

AbstractSize and shape of noble metal nanoparticles have a major influence on their linear and second order nonlinear properties. Among these nanostructures, acentric objects are expected to display high quadratic nonlinear responses. In this work, a single – step growth of gold nanoprisms (GNPs) was achieved by seedless growth. Their second harmonic response has been investigated experimentally and theoretically with edge length ranging from 40 to 116 nm and for different curvature radii at corners. Their first hyperpolarizabilities β have been measured by Harmonic Light Scattering at 1064 nm. Their calculated and experimental β values are found to display, not only a linear dependence with the surface area as reported for other metallic nanoparticle shapes, but also a strong influence of their corner sharpness on the corresponding nonlinearities. Such high experimental and theoretical β values of GNPs are mainly assigned to the sharpness of tips.

Nutritional value of Tifton 85 grass haylage under different layers of polyethylene film and storage times

Forage conservation processes are fundamentally aimed at maintaining the nutritional quality of forages so that they can overcome the low availability and quality of roughage feed in unfavorable times. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of the number of layers of polyethylene film and storage time on the nutritional value of haylage of Tifton 85 grass (Cynodon spp cv. Tifton 85). Four and six layers of milky white polyethylene film were used in the wrapping of silage bales with a capacity of 400 kg (100 and 150 μm in total thickness, respectively), for four different storage times (at baling and 30, 60, and 90 days). The experiment was laid out in a randomized-block design with four replicates, in a split-plot arrangement in time, in which the number of layers of polyethylene film that wrapped the haylage bales constituted the plots and the storage times the sub-plots. Neutral detergent insoluble protein (NDIP) levels were higher in the haylage wrapped with four layers of polyethylene film (35.8 g kg-1 CP). Storage time affected the neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), mineral matter (MM), NDIP, and lignin contents and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). The ADF and lignin contents increased linearly, whereas IVDMD decreased linearly. Mineral matter showed a negative quadratic response. The NDIP and NDF contents exhibited a positive quadratic response. Storage time did not influence the dry matter (550.3 g kg-1), crude protein (102.3 g kg-1 DM), or acid detergent insoluble protein (28.9 g kg-1 CP) contents or in vitro NDF digestibility (582.1 g kg-1 DM). In conclusion, the number of layers of polyethylene film does not influence the nutritional value of Tifton 85 grass haylage. Storage for 90 days reduces the nutritional value of Tifton 85 grass haylage.

Influence of a Polyherbal Choline Source in Dogs: Body Weight Changes, Blood Metabolites, and Gene Expression.

Simple SummaryIn pet foods, choline is supplied as choline chloride. This salt is hygroscopic and makes food processing difficult. This has led to its replacement, in livestock farms, by chemically stable herbal additives rich in phosphatidylcholine. The herbal composition and the contribution of secondary metabolites give the additive nutraceutical properties that could benefit the animal’s health. In this sense, increased levels of a polyherbal additive were supplied in dog diets, and their effects were compared to diets with choline chloride and without extra choline. The results showed that the animal response was the same with the two sources of choline. However, the herbal additive at the gene level demonstrated properties to prevent cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, cancer prevention, inflammatory and immune response, and behavior and cognitive processes in dogs.Choline chloride is used to provide choline in dog foods; however, in other domestic species, it has been replaced with a polyherbal containing phosphatidylcholine. A polyherbal containing Achyrantes aspera, Trachyspermum ammi, Citrullus colocynthis, Andrographis paniculata, and Azadirachta indica was evaluated in adult dogs through body weight changes, subcutaneous fat thickness, blood metabolites, and gene expression. Forty dogs (4.6 ± 1.6 years old) who were individually housed in concrete kennels were randomly assigned to the following treatments: unsupplemented diet (377 mg choline/kg), choline chloride (3850 mg/kg equivalent to 2000 mg choline/kg diet), and polyherbal (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg) for 60 days. Blood samples were collected on day 59 for biochemistry, biometry, and gene expression analysis through microarray assays. Intake, final body weight, and weight changes were similar for the two choline sources. Feed intake variation among dogs (p = 0.01) and dorsal fat (p = 0.03) showed a quadratic response to herbal choline. Dogs that received the polyherbal diet had reduced blood cholesterol levels (Quadratic, p = 0.02). The gene ontology analysis indicated that 15 biological processes were modified (p ≤ 0.05) with implications for preventing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, cancer prevention, inflammatory and immune response, and behavior and cognitive process. According to these results that were observed in a 60 day trial, the polyherbal form could replace choline chloride in dog diets at a concentration of 400 mg/kg.

Evaluation of Chlorogenic Acid Supplementation in Koi (Cyprinus carpio) Diet: Growth Performance, Body Color, Antioxidant Activity, Serum Biochemical Parameters, and Immune Response

A ten-week feeding trial was performed to evaluate the effects of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on the growth, body color, antioxidant activity, serum biochemical parameters, and immune response of koi. Five diets were formulated to contain 0 (control), 200 (CGA-2), 400 (CGA-4), 600 (CGA-6), and 800 (CGA-8) mg/kg CGA for the rearing of experimental fish. By means of an analysis by polynomial orthogonal contrasts, it was determined that dietary supplementation with CGA had no significant effects on the growth performance of koi ( P &gt; 0.05 ), while body color indices (redness, yellowness, and lightness) showed a linear order polynomial ( P &lt; 0.05 ). A quadratic response was found for the relationship between total carotenoid in scale of koi and dietary CGA levels, with an optimum level of 381.84 mg/kg. Dietary CGA levels and lysozyme activity showed a cubic relationship polynomial model, with an optimum level of 383.89-975.73 mg/kg. TGF-β expression in the head-kidney of koi was obviously improved by 600 mg/kg CGA diet ( P &lt; 0.05 ). And in regards to effect in serum, SOD and CAT activities was best explicated by a linear order polynomial, while the quadratic and cubic relationship polynomial models represented the GSH and GSH-Px activities, which the optimal supplementation level of CGA was estimated at 550.78 and 231.74-782.66 mg/kg, respectively. The relationship between ALT activity and CGA supplementation was best explicated by quadratic relationship polynomial, with an optimum level of 522.78 mg/kg. Based on the model observed, 522.78-600 mg/kg CGA was the recommended supplementation in diet that improved the body color, antioxidant activity, biochemical parameters, and immune response of koi.

Tailoring Photoinduced Nonequilibrium Magnetizations in In2Se3 Bilayers

AbstractMagnetization generation and accumulation in intrinsically nonmagnetic materials is one of the key routes to various exotic applications, especially realizing fast information storage and memory devices. Among the various approaches for magnetization injection, light irradiation is advantageous for its noncontacting and non‐invasive nature, and has been receiving great attention during the past few decades. In the current work, a quadratic response theory and first‐principles calculations are applied to reveal photoinduced magnetization in recently discovered 2D In2Se3 bilayers. The ferroelectric In2Se3 bilayers can be (meta‐) stabilized in versatile stacking patterns, exhibiting largely tunable electronic band structure, and optical feature. Hence, it is suggested that under circularly polarized light illumination, the system can show different photoinduced magnetization responses with large contrast in different stacking patterns. The magnetizations are composed by both spin and orbital angular momentum contributions, which can reach as large as 1μB under a laser with intermediate intensity (≈109 W cm–2). This magnitude can be easily observed and furthermore manipulated in the state‐of‐the‐art experimental techniques. The proposal suggests a candidate material platform to explore the interplay among spintronics, orbitronics, nonlinear optics, and ferroelectrics in a single platform.

Estimation of the Economic Optimum Rates of Nitrogen Fertilizer for Maize Grown in a Calcareous Soil in Combination with Organic Manure Applications

ABSTRACT Non-optimal nitrogen (N) fertilizer application is frequently caused by a producer’s uncertainty in projecting the N rate that ensures maximum economic return. In order to determine the optimal N rates for maximum and economical yields, the response of maize (Zea mays L.) grain yields to N fertilizer at different rates of compost were evaluated in a calcareous soil. The treatments comprised four compost levels of 0, 20, 40, and 60 m3 ha−1. The N rates were 0, 70, 140, 210, 280, and 350 kg N ha−1 in three equal split doses. Quadratic response functions were observed when maize grain yields were plotted against N fertilizer rates. According to derivative analysis of the functions averaged across the two seasons, grain yield plateaued at 8189 kg ha−1 with an N fertilizer rate of 282 kg ha−1. When the N fertilizer cost to grain price ratio was taken into account, the average economic grain yield was 8077 kg ha−1 by N fertilizer rate of 248 kg ha−1. Numerous future scenarios of fertilizer cost to grain price ratios were assumed in order to determine the economically optimal N rates. The scenario of increasing N fertilizer cost by 40% resulted in a decrease in economic optimal N rate by an average of 15.8 kg N ha−1. However, a 40% increase in grain price resulted in an increase in the economic optimal N rate by 9.4 kg N ha−1. Due to the high N losses in calcareous soils, increasing the N fertilizer cost scenario is beneficial since it decreases the economically optimal rates, which increases N use efficiency while also decreasing reactive N losses and protecting the environment.

Influence of age and dietary cellulose levels on ileal endogenous energy losses in broiler chickens

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of age and dietary cellulose levels on the ileal endogenous energy losses (IEEL) in broiler chickens. In experiment 1, a glucose-based purified diet was used to determine the IEEL. Titanium dioxide (5.0 g/kg) was added to the diet as an indigestible marker. Six groups of broiler chickens aged 1 to 7, 8 to 14, 15 to 21, 22 to 28, 29 to 35 or 36 to 42 d posthatch, were utilized. With the exception of 1-7 d, the birds were fed a starter (d 1–21) and/or a finisher (d 22–35) diet before the experimental diet was introduced. The diet was randomly allocated to 6 replicate cages, and the number of birds per cage was 12 (d 1–7), 10 (d 8–14), and 8 (d 15–42). The ileal digesta were collected at the last day of each week (d 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42). Bird age had no effect (P > 0.05) on the IEEL estimates. The IEEL estimates ranged from 263 to 316 kcal/kg dry matter intake (DMI) during weeks 1 to 6. In Experiment 2, 4 glucose-based purified diets were developed using 0, 25, 50 and 75 g/kg cellulose. Titanium dioxide (5.0 g/kg) was added to the diets as an indigestible marker. The diets were randomly allocated to 6 replicate cages (8 birds per cage) and fed from 18 to 21 d posthatch and, ileal digesta were collected on d 21. The IEEL estimates of broiler chickens at 21 d of age showed a quadratic response (P < 0.05) to increasing cellulose contents. The lowest IEEL (88 kcal/kg DMI) was recorded for the diet without cellulose and the highest IEEL (430 kcal/kg DMI) was observed for the diet with 75 g/kg cellulose. Overall, the present findings confirmed that the IEEL in broiler chickens can be quantified by feeding a glucose-based purified diet. Broiler age had no influence on the IEEL estimates. The IEEL increased with increasing dietary cellulose contents and the IEEL determined using a purified diet without cellulose represents a better estimate of IEEL.

Avaliação do efeito da substituição de silagem de milho por ração extrusada de fibra de cana em ovinos

The objective was to evaluate food digestibility, dry matter intake, ingestive behavior and metabolic profile of ewes fed with extruded roughage instead silage. Twenty animals were used, with an average 54.5kg. The treatments consisted: 80%F:20%S; 60%F:40%S; 40%F:60%S; 20%F:80%S; and 100%S. Food, leavings, feces, urine, ingestive behavior and blood metabolites were evaluated. The variables DMI%BW and DMI(BW0.75) showed a negative linear response. There was positive linear response for RUM and CHEWING, negative linear response for IDLENESS, ERUM, EING and ECHEW and quadratic response for ING. Uric acid showed a statistical difference between treatments. It is concluded that the replacement corn silage by Foragge® extruded roughage can be done in up to 80%.

Density Functional Theory Perspective on the Nonlinear Response of Correlated Electrons across Temperature Regimes.

We explore a new formalism to study the nonlinear electronic density response based on Kohn–Sham density functional theory (KS-DFT) at partially and strongly quantum degenerate regimes. It is demonstrated that the KS-DFT calculations are able to accurately reproduce the available path integral Monte Carlo simulation results at temperatures relevant for warm dense matter research. The existing analytical results for the quadratic and cubic response functions are rigorously tested. It is demonstrated that the analytical results for the quadratic response function closely agree with the KS-DFT data. Furthermore, the performed analysis reveals that currently available analytical formulas for the cubic response function are not able to describe simulation results, neither qualitatively nor quantitatively, at small wavenumbers q < 2qF, with qF being the Fermi wavenumber. The results show that KS-DFT can be used to describe warm dense matter that is strongly perturbed by an external field with remarkable accuracy. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that KS-DFT constitutes a valuable tool to guide the development of the nonlinear response theory of correlated quantum electrons from ambient to extreme conditions. This opens up new avenues to study nonlinear effects in a gamut of different contexts at conditions that cannot be accessed with previously used path integral Monte Carlo methods.

A hybrid of surrogate model and MIGA method for optimization and compensation of steady-state flow force on water hydraulic HSV

In this research, a hybrid of surrogate model and Multi-island genetic algorithm (MIGA) is proposed for optimization and compensation of steady-state flow force on water hydraulic high-speed on-off valve (HSV) driven by voice coil motor. Firstly, a dynamic model on the spool of HSV is established, and the effects of spool displacement, spool half-cone angle, valve stem diameter and inlet pressure on the steady-state flow force of HSV are analyzed through the CFD simulation. Secondly, a quadratic response surface model is set up based on design of experiment (DOE) to analyze interactions of key parameters on steady-state flow force. MIGA is proposed to optimise the structural parameters of HSV, and the optimization results are analyzed and verified by CFD simulations. Simulation results demonstrate that the steady-state flow force is reduced significantly. Finally, the steady-state flow force in the optimized structure of HSV is also verified experimentally. The experiment results exhibit that the optimized spool can compensate about 71% for the steady-state flow force, then reduce about 15% the energy consumption of HSV. This research will provide the guide for the design and engineering application of HSV.

Productivity and profitability of maize as affected by nitrogen sources and rates

The use of nitrogen (N) sources that reduce N losses may be an interesting management strategy to increase the economic and environmental sustainability of maize crops. This study aimed to assess the effects of different N sources and rates on maize grain yield and crop profitability. The experiment was conducted in the field on a Red Nitisol of clay texture during two growing seasons. The experimental design was a randomized block with split plots. Four sources of N were applied to the main plots: conventional urea, protected urea, urea treated with nitrification inhibitor, and urea treated with urease inhibitor. Split plots were treated with four N rates: 0, 140, 280, or 420 kg N ha−1. The four N fertilizer sources produced no differences in grain yield, which ranged from 3.2 to 15.9 Mg ha−1. This parameter showed a quadratic response to increasing N rates, regardless of N source. Theoretical N rates for optimal grain yield were estimated at 407 and 411 kg N ha−1 in 2016/2017 and 2017/2018, respectively. The highest profitability indices were obtained by applying 378 kg N ha−1 from conventional urea in 2016/2017 and 278 kg N ha−1 from urea treated with urease inhibitor in 2017/2018.

Enhancing the Utility of Dietary Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal for Sustainable Jumbo quail (Coturnix sp.) Production

The effect of pre-treating Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) with different levels of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the growth performance, serum biochemistry, hematology, and meat quality parameters of Jumbo quail was evaluated. Two-week-old quail chicks (n = 432; 239.6 ± 6.48 g live-weight) were randomly allocated to six diets formulated by incorporating (10% w/w) untreated MOLP (PEG0) or MOLP pre-treated with PEG at 2.5% (PEG25), 5% (PEG50), 7.5% (PEG75), and 10% (PEG100) (w/w) into a standard grower diet (CON). Overall feed intake linearly increased with PEG levels. At week 4, significant quadratic trends were recorded for weight gain and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) but, at week 5, FCE linearly declined as PEG levels increased. Hemoglobin, phosphorus, and albumin showed quadratic trends, while calcium and chroma (1 h post-mortem) linearly declined in response to PEG levels. Diet PEG50 promoted a higher shear force value (2.41) than diets PEG0 and PEG25. The PEG50 diet promoted a similar (p &gt; 0.05) shear force as diet CON. Based on the quadratic response for weight gain, the optimal PEG pre-treatment level was calculated to be 5.9%. It was concluded that MOLP condensed tannins negatively affect growth performance and should be ameliorated to enhance the utility of this nutraceutical source for Jumbo quail.

Vibration simulation and experiment of three open-center shape olive trees

Appropriate vibration parameters can improve the efficiency of vibration harvesting, so the selection of vibration harvesting parameters is very important. In this paper, the stress of olive fruit is analyzed, and the vibration of olive tree is tested and simulated. Design-Expert 12.0 is used for experimental design, The diameter, height and angle of main branches were selected as the test factors, and the optimal vibration frequency and force were selected as the evaluation indexes. determines the optimal vibration frequency through modal analysis; the optimum vibration force is determined by harmonic response analysis and test. The quadratic polynomial response regression model of optimal vibration frequency and optimal vibration force is obtained. The research results can provide reference for the design of Vibrating harvester.

Use of mesoporous BiOI microspheres for sonocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride

Self-assembled mesoporous BiOI microsphere with nanosheets were prepared by a solvothermal method and used as sonocatalysts. The sonocatalytic performances of the BiOI microspheres were evaluated in terms of the degradation rate of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) as a model pollutant. We designed three comparative experiments to explore the degradation of TCH solution under natural light, namely with sonication, with BiOI alone, and with ultrasound (US)/BiOI synergy. The degradation rate of TCH with US/BiOI synergy was 227 times higher than that achieved with sonication and 83 times higher than that achieved with BiOI alone. The maximum TCH degradation rate was 93.0%. The synergistic effect was therefore significant, and the synergy factor was estimated to be 61. Many factors such as the ultrasonic duty cycle, applied power, catalyst concentration, and initial TCH dye concentration may affect the ultrasonic degradation efficiency. Box–Behnken design of the response surface method were used to optimize the parameters and to study the effects of the catalyst concentration, ultrasonic duty cycle, and applied power. Analysis of variance confirmed that the quadratic response surface model for predicting the sonocatalytic efficiency was good for the corresponding parameters (R2 = 0.9936 and adjusted R2 = 0.9854). The optimization results were verified by replicate experiments. The high TCH degradation rate may be related to the generation of reactive oxygen species at the end of cavitation bubble collapse, which can improve the chemical yields.

Linear and Nonlinear Optical Properties from TDOMP2 Theory

We present a derivation of real-time (RT) time-dependent orbital-optimized Møller–Plesset (TDOMP2) theory and its biorthogonal companion, time-dependent non-orthogonal OMP2 theory, starting from the time-dependent bivariational principle and a parametrization based on the exponential orbital-rotation operator formulation commonly used in the time-independent molecular electronic structure theory. We apply the TDOMP2 method to extract absorption spectra and frequency-dependent polarizabilities and first hyperpolarizabilities from RT simulations, comparing the results with those obtained from conventional time-dependent coupled-cluster singles and doubles (TDCCSD) simulations and from its second-order approximation, TDCC2. We also compare our results with those from CCSD and CC2 linear and quadratic response theories. Our results indicate that while TDOMP2 absorption spectra are of the same quality as TDCC2 spectra, including core excitations where optimized orbitals might be particularly important, frequency-dependent polarizabilities and hyperpolarizabilities from TDOMP2 simulations are significantly closer to TDCCSD results than those from TDCC2 simulations.

Replacing corn with full-fat corn germ in a basal diet containing cactus (Opuntia stricta) cladodes and sugarcane as forage sources induces milk fat depression associated with the trans-10 shift in dairy cows

Recent evidence indicates that associating cactus Opuntia cladodes with plant oils represents a promising strategy to increase the nutritional value of milk fat. This study aimed to investigate the effects of full-fat corn germ (FFCG), as an alternative to plant oils, on production variables, blood metabolites, and milk fatty acid (FA) composition of dairy cows fed a basal diet containing cactus (Opuntia stricta) cladodes and sugarcane as forages. Ten multiparous Holstein cows with 90 ± 10 d of lactation and yielding 24.2 ± 3.5 kg milk/d were assigned to dietary treatments consisting of 0, 4 (low level; LL), 8 (moderate level; ML), 12 (high level; HL), and 16% (very high level; VHL) of FFCG (DM basis) in a replicated 5 × 5 Latin square design with 21-d periods. DM intake decreased linearly from 18.9 to 16.4 kg/d, whereas a quadratic response was observed for milk yield, which increased 1.7 kg/d from control to ML, and decreased to a similar extent as FFCG further increased in the diet, resulting in a quadratic increase in gross feed efficiency (GFE). Milk protein and lactose contents were unaltered, but milk fat content gradually dropped from 3.49% to 2.23%, which was accompanied by a progressive decrease in milk fat yield and fat-corrected milk yield. Serum cholesterol levels markedly increased from 756 to 1480 mg/L, but other blood metabolites were unaltered. Except for trans-16:1 isomers, proportions of short and medium-chain FA in milk fat decreased in a linear or quadratic fashion as FFCG increased in the diet, whereas the opposite was observed for 18:0 and of 18:1/18:2 isomers, including those with conjugated double bonds. In particular, a trans-11 to trans-10 shift occurred with moderate to higher FFCG levels, resulting in a quadratic change in trans-11 18:1 and cis-9, trans-11 CLA, and a linear increase in trans-10 18:1, trans-10, cis-12 CLA and trans-9, cis-11 CLA. The n-6:n-3 ratio in milk nearly doubled with increasing FFCG, mostly due to a pronounced increase in 18:2 n-6. Proportions of odd-linear and branched-chain FA in milk fat decreased in a quadratic and linear fashion, respectively, with increasing FFCG. These results indicate that FFCG can be an effective source of PUFA for increasing rumen outflow of biohydrogenation intermediates in cows fed cactus Opuntia cladodes as a partial substitute for sugarcane. The marked milk fat depression induced by FFCG suggests that the basal diet was unable to maintain a healthy rumen environment.

225 Effect of Increasing Doses of Encapsulated Butyric Acid and Zinc on Beef Feedlot Steer Growth Performance, Dietary Net Energy Utilization, and Carcass Characteristics

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effects that increasing doses of encapsulated butyric acid and zinc (BPZ) have on beef feedlot steer growth performance, dietary net energy utilization, and carcass characteristics. Steers (n = 272; shrunk BW = 360 kg ± 74 kg) were assigned to dietary treatment [0 (CON), 1, 2, or 3 g BPZ/kg diet DM] in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with pen (n = 32) as experimental unit. Cattle were fed until visually assessed to have 1.27 cm rib-fat and were shipped for harvest at a commercial beef abattoir. Carcass and liver health data was recorded. Feedlot performance data was calculated on a carcass-adjusted basis (HCW/0.625). Data were analyzed as a RCBD with fixed effects of BPZ inclusion level and block was considered a random effect; pre-planned contrasts for CON vs. BPZ, plus linear, and quadratic responses were tested. No differences (P ≥ 0.14) were observed for final BW, DMI, ADG, feed conversion efficiency, observed dietary NEm and NEg, observed-to-expected dietary NEm and NEg, HCW, REA, rib-fat thickness, marbling score, estimated EBF, or distribution of USDA YG 1, 3, 4, 5, and USDA quality grade among treatments. A tendency (P = 0.10) was observed for CON vs. BPZ for calculated YG. Tendencies were detected for USDA YG 2 carcass distribution (linear; P = 0.07) and for normal and abscessed liver prevalence (quadratic; P = 0.08). Dressed yield tended to be greater (P = 0.08) for BPZ vs. Con and increased with dose (linear; P = 0.05). Supplementation of BPZ in finishing cattle diets does not appreciably influence growth performance, but increases dressed yield. Data from this study suggests that the addition of BPZ to feedlot finishing diets for decreasing the prevalence of abscessed livers should be further investigated.

PSVI-1 Effect of Dietary Sodium and Pharmacological Zinc Levels on Growth Performance of Nursery Pigs

Abstract A total of 360 pigs (initially 5.7±0.2 kg) were used to determine the effect of pharmacological levels of Zn and dietary Na concentration on nursey pig growth performance. The experiment compared NRC (2012) and European CVB (2020) Na estimates for this weight range (0.35% and 0.24%, respectively), with or without added Zn from ZnO. At weaning, pigs were randomly allotted to pens (6 pigs/pen) and fed a common diet for 7 d. On d-7 after weaning (d-0 of trial), pigs were assigned to 6 dietary treatments with 10 replications/treatment. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2×3 factorial with main effects of Zn (0 or 2,000 ppm from ZnO) and Na (0.13, 0.24, or 0.35% from salt). All diets contained 110 ppm of Zn from the trace mineral premix. Following a 14-d experimental period, pigs were fed a common phase 3 diet for 21-d. There were no Zn×Na interactions for ADG or ADFI (P &amp;gt;0.05). From d 0-14, adding dietary ZnO or increasing Na increased (linear, P &amp;lt; 0.05) ADG and ADFI. An interaction for G:F (linear, P = 0.019) was observed where increasing Na up to 0.35% improved G:F when pharmacological levels of Zn were fed, but pigs fed diets without ZnO had a quadratic response (P =0.024) with maximum G:F at 0.24% dietary Na. From d 14-35 and overall, an interaction was observed (linear, P &amp;lt; 0.05) for G:F. Within the interaction, pigs previously fed diets without ZnO observed a linear decrease in G:F as Na level increased (linear, P =0.001), but pigs previously fed diets with ZnO observed no difference in G:F with increasing Na. In summary, increasing dietary Na and the addition of 2,000 ppm Zn from ZnO independently improved daily gain and feed intake in nursery pigs, but an improvement in G:F from increasing Na up to 0.35% was only observed when pharmacological ZnO was present.

198 Effects of Corn Processing and Silage Inclusion Levels in Feedlot Diets on Steer Performance

Abstract Feedlot steers (n = 480, initial BW = 389 kg ± 17 kg) were used to test the interaction between corn processing and silage inclusion on the performance and carcass characteristics. Treatments were designed as a 2 × 4 factorial design experiment with factors as 2 corn processing methods (dry-rolled corn, DRC, and steam-flaked corn, SFC) and 4 inclusions of silage (0, 15, 30, 45% of diet DM). Diets also contained 10% MDGS and 5% supplement. Steers were blocked by BW, assigned randomly to pens, and data analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS with block fixed and pen (n = 48) as the experimental unit. Steers were fed the same days for all treatments (125 d). No significant interactions were observed between corn processing and silage inclusion for performance or carcass characteristics (P &amp;gt; 0.12), therefore, main effects will be presented. As silage inclusion increased, intake (DMI), gain (ADG), and feed efficiency (G:F) changed quadratically (P &amp;lt; 0.03). Gains were greater for cattle fed 15 or 30% silage and lower diets with 0 or 45% silage. Feed efficiency was greatest for steers fed 0% silage (0.168) and decreased to 0.161 and 0.152 as silage inclusion increased to 15 and 30% inclusion. The quadratic response is due to decreased G:F for steers fed 45% silage (0.139). Carcass characteristics responded similar to ADG quadratic (P &amp;lt; 0.01) impacts on fat depth and marbling. Feeding SFC in comparison to DRC led to increased DMI, ADG, G:F, and fat depth (P &amp;lt; 0.04). Gains were greater for cattle fed SFC than cattle fed DRC, which led to increased G:F (SFC = 0.160, DRC = 0.151) across all silage inclusions. Increasing silage inclusion resulted in greater ADG, marbling, and fat depth with 15 and 30% compared with 0 and 45%. Feeding SFC improved performance compared with DRC.