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A study was conducted to understand the relationship among dietary branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) on the performance of Ross 344 × 708 male broilers. A total of 2,592 d-old male chicks were randomly placed into 144-floor pens according to a 2

Exogenous enzymatic supplementation of poultry feeds, including α-galactosidase and xylanase, has been shown to increase metabolically available energy, although little information has been published on the impact on amino acid digestibility. An experiment was conducted to investigate a multicarbohydrase containing α-galactosidase and xylanase on amino acid digestibility, ileal digestible energy (IDE), and CP in male broiler chicks. The experiment was a 2 × 2 (diet × enzyme) factorial arrangement with 15 replicates of 8 male broilers per replicate raised for 21 d in a battery setting. The 2 dietary treatments included a positive control (PC) and a negative control (NC) diet formulated to contain 2.5% less calculated AME and digestible amino acids. Each of these diets was fed with and without enzyme. Broilers were fed a starter diet from 0-14 d (crumble) and a grower from 14-21 d (pellet). Birds were sampled on day 21 to determine ileal amino acid digestibility, IDE, and CP digestibility. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) was used as an indigestible marker for the determination of digestibility coefficients. Total ileal amino acid digestibility was increased (P = 0.008) by 3.80% with the inclusion of enzyme. Methionine and lysine digestibility was improved (P < 0.05) with the inclusion of enzyme by 3.37% and 2.61%, respectively. Enzyme inclusion increased (P = 0.001) cysteine digestibility by 9.3%. Diet-influenced ileal amino acid digestibility with tryptophan, threonine, isoleucine, and valine digestibility being increased (P < 0.05) in the PC when compared to the NC. IDE was decreased (P = 0.037) in broilers fed the NC diet by 100 kcal/kg feed when compared to broilers fed the PC diet. Enzyme inclusion increased (P = 0.047) IDE value by 90 kcal/kg. Crude protein digestibility was not influenced by diet; however, similar improvements in CP digestibility with enzyme inclusion were observed as with energy. These data support the benefits of a multicarbohydrase containing α-galactosidase and xylanase inclusion to improve nutrient and ileal amino acid digestibility across multiple dietary nutrient profiles.

Reverse electrowetting-on-dielectric (REWOD) is a novel energy harvesting technology with a significant advantage over other energy harvesting technologies due to its effective performance at a low-frequency range and not requiring resonance frequency of solid structures. However, REWOD energy harvesting based on planar electrodes has a limited surface area and therefore a lower power output. In this work, we present a novel approach for enhancing power output from a REWOD energy harvester by significantly increasing the total available surface area using perforated silicon wafer electrodes. Without applying any external bias voltage, maximum current and voltage densities per unit planar area were measured to be 3.77 μA/cm2 and 1.05 V/cm2, respectively, for a 38 μm pore-size electrode at 5 Hz modulation frequency. RMS power density output was 4.8 μW/cm2, which is ∼23 times higher than that from our prior work on planar electrodes showing the significance of porous electrodes in REWOD energy harvesting. A simple capacitive theoretical model validating experimental results was developed and justified. The novelty of this work lies in the combination of a bias-free approach to REWOD energy harvesting coupled with significant enhancement in electrode surface area per planar area to increase the output power density.

SUMMARY Continuous genetic improvement of high yielding broiler strains necessitates reevaluation of amino acid requirements. The objective of this study was to evaluate the dIle requirement of Ross 708 x Ross YP male broilers from d 0 to 18. Experimental diets were created from a common deficient corn and soybean meal-based diet providing a dIle:dLys of 52%; after manufacturing, half was retained for the creation of the summit diet (82% dIle:dLys). The remaining 5 experimental diets ranged from 57 to 77% dIle:dLys and were blended proportions of deficient and summit dIle diets. A practical control diet (PRAC-CON; 67% dIle:dLys) was manufactured separately for verification of the blended control diet (50 deficient:50 summit blend; BLEND-CON; 67% dIle:dLys); all diets were subsequently pelleted/crumbled. On d of hatch, 2,400 male chicks were equally allocated to 96 pens (12 replications/treatment). All dIle:dLys ratios were estimated using quadratic regression (QR; 95% of the asymptote), as well as linear and quadratic broken line models (LBL; QBL). Performance data demonstrated that feeding higher than starter breed nutrient specifications, for broilers, at the time of this study (67% dIle:dLys) improved broiler performance from 0 to 18 d. After considering the estimated requirements produced by the multiple regression models for all measured variables (BW, BW gain, FCR, and CV of ending BW), these data suggest that the optimum starter dIle:dLys ratio for male Ross 708 × Ross YP broilers from 0 to 18 d, ranged from 63 to 74% dIle:dLys. Further research should evaluate dIle:dLys requirements of male Ross 708 × Ross YP broilers during the remaining grow-out phases.

Exogenous enzyme supplementation is a valid strategy to improve nutrient availability and growth performance in broilers. Traditional carbohydrases, such as xylanase and β-glucanase, are well-researched solutions to increase the nutritional value of cereal grains, whilst reducing any negative impact of associated viscous polysaccharides. The feeding value of soybean meal and other protein rich oilcakes may not be fully exploited with traditional enzymes, as structures such as galacto-oligosaccharides and pectins require specific α-galactosidase, mannanase and other hemicellulolytic enzymes. This study aimed to summarize, in a meta-analysis, the results from independently run randomized controlled studies in various global locations that evaluated the effect of two distinct multicarbohydrase formulations, in which an α-galactosidase was combined with either xylanase (AGX) or β-glucanase (AGB). Through meta-regression analysis, the mean difference effects of AGX and AGB supplementation on broiler final body weight (BW), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEN) were calculated for each relevant study. Fixed and random-effects models were used to compute the standardized mean difference (SMD) and confidence intervals, with corrective actions taken to ensure compliance with publication bias and heterogeneity by the Egger test and the Cochran Q test. Adjusted models showed that the AGX supplementation increased broiler BW (SMD=+30 g; 95 % CI: 0.08_0.48; P = 0.006) and improved FCR (SMD=−0.01 g/g; 95 % CI: -0.51_-0.11; P = 0.002). A composite evaluation of independent studies showed increased AMEN in broilers supplemented with AGX (SMD=+58 kcal/kg; 95 % CI: 0.45_1.10; P

Let X be a real reflexive Banach space with X ⁎ its dual space and G be a nonempty and open subset of X. Let A : X ⊇ D ( A ) → 2 X ⁎ be a strongly quasibounded maximal monotone operator and T : X ⊇ D ( T ) → 2 X ⁎ be an operator of class A G ( S + ) introduced by Kittila. We develop a topological degree theory for the operator A + T . The theory generalizes the Browder degree theory for operators of type ( S + ) and extends the Kittila degree theory for operators of class A G ( S + ) . New existence results are established. The existence results give generalizations of similar known results for operators of type ( S + ) . Applications to strongly nonlinear problems are included.

Cor triatriatum sinister is a rare congenital lesion encountered in children. It consists of a fibromuscular membrane that separates the left atrium into two chambers resulting in a triatrial heart and often occurs with other structural cardiac anomalies. The acquired form is uncommon and has only been reported after orthotopic heart transplantation or as a complication of infective endocarditis in adults. These cases were mostly because of hypertrophied atrial tissue or suture lines and torsion of the atrium. We describe the first case of acquired cor triatriatum late after the Fontan procedure with successful surgical resection in a child.

In this work, the capabilities of a pilot-scale reciprocating biomass conversion reactor (RBCR) are assessed by modeling. The RBCR is a novel means to produce bio-oil by fast-pyrolysis whose core is a re-purposed 4-cycle internal combustion engine. Inert gas and a small volume-fraction of pulverized biomass are input into the RBCR intake, and the crankshaft is cycled by an external energy source to supply the process heat. The biomass is converted during the compression stroke, and then the bio-products are exhausted. The cycle is: intake, compression/heating, expansion, and exhaust. A control-volume energy balance to assess the steady-state flow of mass and energy through the RBCR is presented. The RBCR calculations are quantitatively compared to experimental results from the state of the art considered to be a lab-scale fluidized-bed reactor (FBR) found in the literature. This FBR is chosen for comparison because the RBCR and FBR have nearly the same size/footprint and, thus, by crude assumption, similar capital costs. Relative to the state-of-the-art (SOA), calculations predict that the RBCR will increase the biomass throughput, decrease the mass-specific energy requirement to thermochemically convert biomass to bio-oil, bio-char, and bio-gas by fast-pyrolysis. Moreover, calculations predict that at bench scale, the RBCR process results in a bio-oil product with a heating value approximately 6.8 times higher than the energy required to drive the cycle (there is a 6.8 times “return on energy investment”).

The structure, electrical and magnetic transport properties of cobalt nanoparticles having core–shell structure are presented. The nanoparticles were prepared by a borohydride reduction method followed by heat treatments. X-ray diffraction shows that the as-prepared samples are amorphous while annealed samples are crystalline having a majority of fcc-Co along with metastable Co 3 B. The particles are spherical in shape and the average grain size increases with increasing anneal temperature. The core–shell structure is confirmed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The structural study reveals that the cores of the as-prepared and the annealed samples are of fcc-Co, while there is a profound microstructural change of the shells with annealing. A large change in the resistivity is observed between the as-prepared and annealed samples. The electrical transport properties at low temperature are interpreted in terms of tunneling between ferromagnetic cobalt cores through the non-magnetic shell. Improvements of the magnetic and the transport properties of the nanoparticles with annealing are observed with microstructural changes of the core–shell structure. The saturation magnetization ( M s =40 emu/g) at room temperature suggests that air annealed (500 °C) samples are protected from oxidation due to the formation of a B 2 O 3 protective layer. These results suggest that this kind of nanocomposite systems might have significant potentiality in recording media and in medical diagnostic or therapy applications.

Background Alcohol use is a pervasive phenomenon among female sex workers and their clients. It affects their physical health and promotes high-risk behavior and consequently, sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Hence, we designed a study to find the factors associated with alcohol use among the female sex workers of Eastern Nepal. The prevalence of HIV high-risk behavior and STIs among sex workers was also recorded. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted in three commercial districts namely Sunsari, Morang and Jhapa of Eastern Nepal. All the FSWs who had been involved in commercial sex activity in the past six months were included in the study. Face-to-face interviews with 168-restaurant based and 42-street based female sex workers, who were identified through snowball sampling. Bivariate analyses were conducted using Chi–Square tests for categorical variables. Multivariate models were used to identify significant factors associated with alcohol use in the sex trade. Results Logistic regression analyses revealed that sex with intravenous drug user (IDUs) (AOR 2.275, 95% CI 1.266, 16.898), oral sex (AOR 3.261, 95% CI 1.166–9.121) and pregnancy (AOR 5.826, 95% CI 2.009, 16.898) were strongly associated with sexual encounter after consumption of alcohol. More than three fourths of the women were involved in at least one HIV high-risk behavior and more than 80% females had suffered from symptoms (past and present) of STIs. Conclusion HIV prevention efforts should focus on alcohol abuse, which can make the FSWs vulnerable to oral sex, accidental pregnancies, sexual encounters with IDUs.

Quantifying mechanical properties of native vegetation for streambank stability is a critical need of the Lower Colorado riparian revegetation effort. In the present study we estimated root cohesion for four representative native desert shrub species: Artiplex lentiformis (Torr.) S. Watson, Lycium andersonii A. Gray, Larrea tridentata (DC.) Coville, and Allenrolfea occidentalis (S. Watson) Kuntze to understand their suitability in streambank stabilization in the framework of a revegetation campaign. Field experiments were conducted to measure root length, root length density, root area ratio, and root tensile strength. Finally, the root cohesion values were assessed using a simple perpendicular model. Root area ratio estimates showed that on average plant roots occupy 0.46% of the area under the crown of the selected species. The root tensile strength (Tr) was greatest for L. tridentata (62.23 MPa) followed by L. andersonii (53.53 MPa), A. lentiformis (49.17 MPa), and A. occidentalis (35.03 MPa). The root cohesion values could be used to rank the species according to their potential for shallow bank slope stabilization in riparian ecosystems of a desert environment. The maximum root cohesion in the present study was estimated for A. lentiformis (97.6 kPa) followed by L. andersonii (89.3 kPa), L. tridentata (35.6 kPa), and A. occidentalis (34.8 kPa). Root cohesion values were also estimated using Fiber bundle model (FBM) and compared to the perpendicular root model of Wu et al. (1979) . The comparative root cohesion values for root diameter (>0.5 mm) suggest that Wu's model estimates are greater than those of the FBM by a reduction factor ranges between 0.35 and 0.56 for our studied species.

We have investigated the mechanical and magneto-transport properties of electron beam evaporated Co film on p-Si(1 0 0) substrate. Real time intrinsic stress measurement of the Co film, measured using a cantilever beam technique, shows the evolution of a large tensile stress with the growth of the film on the Si substrate. The analysis of stress reveals a columnar type Volmer–Weber growth which is also confirmed by the atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. The Co-film shows high positive (negative) magnetoresistance at all temperatures (below 10 K) on application of out-of-plane (in-plane) magnetic field.

Let X be an infinite dimensional real reflexive Banach space with dual space X ∗ and G ⊂ X , open and bounded. Assume that X and X ∗ are locally uniformly convex. Let T : X ⊃ D ( T ) → 2 X ∗ be maximal monotone and strongly quasibounded, S : X ⊃ D ( S ) → X ∗ maximal monotone, and C : X ⊃ D ( C ) → X ∗ strongly quasibounded w.r.t. S and such that it satisfies a generalized ( S + ) -condition w.r.t. S . Assume that D ( S ) = L ⊂ D ( T ) ∩ D ( C ) , where L is a dense subspace of X , and 0 ∈ T ( 0 ) , S ( 0 ) = 0 . A new topological degree theory is introduced for the sum T + S + C , with degree mapping d ( T + S + C , G , 0 ) . The reason for this development is the creation of a useful tool for the study of a class of time-dependent problems involving three operators. This degree theory is based on a degree theory that was recently developed by Kartsatos and Skrypnik just for the single-valued sum S + C , as above.

Gd-doped SnO2 nanoparticles were chemically prepared doping 0–12.5% Gd into SnO2 and calcined at 600 °C. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy measurements show the formation of single phase of Sn1−xGdxO2 up to x=0.0625 while at x=0.125, an additional secondary phase of tetragonal GdO2 (not cubic Gd2O3) is detected. The transmission electron microscopy studies show that the individual particles are single crystalline with an average size in the range of 10–12 nm. Magnetization measurements show the absence of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic ordering in all samples; however surface spin effects and enhanced Gd–O–Gd interactions are proposed to account for the observed magnetic properties of the samples.

An attempt has been made in this paper to experimentally investigate the estimation of rock properties like compressive strength and abrasivity using sound levels produced during drilling. The investigation was carried out on a laboratory scale using small portable pneumatic drilling equipment used in hard rock drilling. For this purpose, a pneumatic drill setup was fabricated for drilling vertical holes. The compressive strength and the abrasivity of various rock samples collected from the field were determined in the laboratory. A set of test conditions were defined for measurement of sound level of the pneumatic drill. Also, with the help of the experimental setup, vertical drilling was carried out on the rock samples for varying thrust and air pressure values and the corresponding A-weighted equivalent continuous sound levels were measured. Results of this study indicate that sound level can be a promising tool in estimating rock properties during drilling.

Let X be a real reflexive Banach space with dual X ∗ . Let L : X ⊃ D ( L ) → X ∗ be densely defined, linear and maximal monotone. Let T : X ⊃ D ( T ) → 2 X ∗ , with 0 ∈ D ( T ) and 0 ∈ T ( 0 ) , be strongly quasibounded and maximal monotone, and C : X ⊃ D ( C ) → X ∗ bounded, demicontinuous and of type ( S + ) w.r.t. D ( L ) . A new topological degree theory has been developed for the sum L + T + C . This degree theory is an extension of the Berkovits–Mustonen theory (for T = 0 ) and an improvement of the work of Addou and Mermri (for T : X → 2 X ∗ bounded). Unbounded maximal monotone operators with 0 ∈ D ˚ ( T ) are strongly quasibounded and may be used with the new degree theory.

Let X be a real Banach space and G 1 , G 2 two nonempty, open and bounded subsets of X such that 0 ∈ G 2 and G 2 ¯ ⊂ G 1 . The problem ( ∗ ) T x + C x = 0 is considered, where T : X ⊃ D ( T ) → X (or X ∗ ) is an accretive (or monotone) operator with 0 ∈ D ( T ) and T ( 0 ) = 0 , while C : X ⊃ D ( C ) → X (or X ∗ ) can be, e.g. one of the following types: (a) compact; (b) continuous and bounded with the resolvents of T compact; (c) demicontinuous, bounded and of type ( S + ) with T positively homogeneous of degree one; (d) quasi-bounded and satisfying a generalized ( S + ) -condition w.r.t. the operator T , while T is positively homogeneous of degree one. Solutions are sought for the problem (∗) lying in the set D ( T + C ) ∩ ( G 1 ∖ G 2 ) . These solutions are nontrivial even when C ( 0 ) = 0 . The degree theories of Leray and Schauder, Browder, and Skrypnik are used, as well as the degree theory by Kartsatos and Skrypnik for densely defined operators T , C . The last three degree theories do not assume any compactness conditions. The excision and additivity properties of these degree theories are employed, and the main results are significant extensions or generalizations of previous results by Krasnoselskii, Guo, Ding and Kartsatos, and other authors, involving the relaxation of compactness conditions and/or conditions on the boundedness of the operator T . An application in the field of partial differential equations is also included.

Deuterium solid-state NMR spectroscopy was used to qualitatively study the effects of both 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl- sn -glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (PLiPC) and cholesterol on magnetically aligned phospholipid bilayers (bicelles) as a function of temperature utilizing the chain-perdeuterated probe 1,2-dimyristoyl- sn -glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DMPC- d 54 ) in DMPC/dihexanoylPC (DHPC) phospholipid bilayers. The results demonstrate that polyunsaturated PC and cholesterol were successfully incorporated into DMPC/DHPC phospholipid bilayers, leading to a bicelle that will be useful for investigations of eukaryotic membrane protein–lipid interactions. The data indicate that polyunsaturated PC increases membrane fluidity and decreases the minimum magnetic alignment temperature for DMPC/DHPC bicelles. Conversely, the introduction of cholesterol into aligned DMPC/DHPC bilayers decreases fluidity in the membrane and increases the minimum temperature necessary to magnetically align the phospholipid bilayers. Finally, the addition of Tm 3+ to magnetically aligned DMPC/DMPC- d 54 /PLiPC/DHPC bilayers doubles the quadrupolar splittings, indicating that this unique bicelle system can be aligned with the bilayer normal parallel to the static magnetic field.

A large underground hydroelectric power project (6 x 250 MW) is under construction on the left bank of Satluj River in Himachal Pradesh by Nathpa Jhakri Power Corporation. As a part of this project, four large (525 m long, 16 m wide, 27 m high) underground desilting chambers are being excavated by drilling and blasting. This paper describes the sequence of excavation of the desilting chambers, the geotechnical conditions, blast designs for central top heading, side slashings and horizontal benching. The performance of blast designs is evaluated in terms of pull, overbreak and powder factor and the results achieved are presented. Based on the data generated, the applicability of Rock Mass Quality (Barton et al. 1974) for blasting at various stages of the excavation of the chambers is discussed.

The nonstationarity in wind and its effects on the response of tall buildings are studied from the point of view of developing an adaptive active control scheme. The wavelet analysis of the wind and the structural response shows that the distribution of wind gusts with frequency close to the structural frequency could be one of the causes of nonstationarity in the structural response. It is also observed that the use of a longer averaging time results in a higher average peak factor for response and thus requiring one to develop a more robust control system, whereas a small averaging time may require frequent updating of the control system which is practically undesirable.

The modal damping characteristics of single structural cables are analytically investigated in this paper. An energy-based representation of modal damping in structural cables is first derived in the form of the product of modal strain energy ratio and loss factor. The ratio of the modal strain energy to the total potential energy associated with modal vibration is next calculated numerically for both axial and bending deformation, by applying a finite element method, and the characteristics of each strain energy ratio in each mode of the structural cable is studied. It is deduced from the present analysis that the modal damping in a structural cable is generally very low because of the very large contribution of the initial cable stress to the total potential energy, causing very small modal strain energy ratios. The modal damping of the damping treated structural cable [1] is also estimated by using the same energy-based representation. The performance and the effectiveness of this damping treatment on structural cables is finally discussed, based on the estimated values of the modal damping.

The Ross-Ungar-Kerwin theory of damping treatment in plates/beams is extended to estimate the loss factors of damping treated structural cable, which is made by introducing some viscoelastic material between the strands and the outer cover. The loss factors for axial and bending deformations are analytically investigated. It is concluded that the maximum magnitude of the axial loss factor, as well as the bending loss factor, for the case of a soft outer cover could be of the order of 10-2, because even in the bending deformation mode, the bending-induced axial deformation acts as the main source of damping when a comparatively soft outer cover is chosen. For the case of an extremely stiff outer cover, however, the maximum magnitude of the bending loss factor obtained could be of the order of 0·2.