• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.8_spc
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• pp.1266-1274
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• 2019

This paper presents a review of dairy goat production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) from 2010- 2017, its current state, constraints and prospects for research and development. Since the introduction of dairy goats in SSA in pre-colonial times, their populations have continued to increase due to declining land size as a result of land fragmentation and increasing demand for goat milk. The current goat population in SSA is 372,716,040 head of which only 15.98% used for milk production. Populations in the Eastern and Western regions of SSA have shown an increasing trend from 2010 to 2017. The Southern Africa goat population is on the decline at an annual rate of about 1.77% whereas Central Africa has had a constant goat population within the same period. Eastern Africa reported the highest increase in the population of goats used for milk production. Milk production was highest in Eastern Africa and lowest in Southern Africa. However, dairy goat productivity remained constant in the Eastern region throughout the review period. Dairy goats are mainly raised under smallholder mixed crop-livestock systems. To enhance the development of the dairy goat, concerted efforts should be made to alleviate the constraints that stifle its growth. These constraints can be categorized into nutrition and feeding, breeding and reproduction, diseases, parasites, climate change, and underdeveloped dairy goat products market. Effective management of dairy goats requires a holistic approach and there is the need to expand the markets by further sensitization on the nutritional and medicinal advantages of dairy goat products. In order to achieve rapid development in the dairy goat sub sector, research and development initiatives should be directed towards alleviating the hurdles in nutrition and feeding, breeding, animal health and resilience as well as dairy goat markets.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.53-63
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• 2019

Background: As neutron fields are always accompanied by gamma rays, it is essential to distinguish neutrons from gamma rays in the detection of neutrons. Neutrons and gamma rays can be separated by pulse shape discrimination (PSD) methods. Recently, we performed characterization of a stilbene scintillator detector and an EJ-301 liquid scintillator detector with a high-speed digitizer DT5730 and investigated optimized PSD variables for both detectors. This study is for providing a basis for developing fast neutron/gamma-ray dual-particle imager. Materials and Methods: We conducted PSD experiments using stilbene scintillator and EJ-301 liquid scintillator and evaluated neutron and gamma ray discriminability of each PSD method with a $^{137}Cs$ gamma source and a $^{252}Cf$ neutron source. We implemented digital signal processing techniques to apply two PSD methods - the charge comparison (CC) method and the constant time discrimination (CTD) method - to distinguish neutrons from gamma rays. We tried to find optimized PSD variables giving the best discriminability in a given experimental condition. Results and Discussion: For the stilbene scintillator detector, the charge comparison method and the constant time discrimination method both delivered the PSD FOM values of 1.7. For the EJ-301 liquid scintillator detector, both PSD methods delivered the PSD FOM values of 1.79. With the same PSD variables, PSD performance was excellent in $300{\pm}100keVee$, $500{\pm}100keVee$, and $700{\pm}100keVee$ energy regions. This result shows that we can achieve an effective discrimination of neutrons from gamma rays using these scintillator detector systems. Conclusion: We applied both PSD methods to a stilbene and a liquid scintillator and optimized the PSD performance represented by FOM values. We observed a good separation performance of both scintillators combined with a high-speed digitizer and digital PSD. These results will provide reference values for the dual-particle imager we are developing, which can image both fast neutrons and gamma rays simultaneously.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.80-87
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• 2021

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)-related hand lesions are one of the complications following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR). This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of patients with CRPS-related hand lesions following ARCR. Methods: Altogether, 103 patients with ARCR were included in this study (mean age, 63.6±8.2 years; 66 males and 37 females; follow-up period, preoperative to 12 months postoperative). Clinical assessment included the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score, Constant score, 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) score, and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) score from preoperative to 12 months postoperatively. The patients were either assigned to the CRPS group or non-CRPS group depending on CRPS diagnosis until the final follow-up, and clinical outcomes were then compared between the groups. Results: Of 103 patients, 20 (19.4%) had CRPS-related hand lesions that developed entirely within 2 months postoperatively. Both groups showed significant improvement in JOA, UCLA, and Constant scores preoperatively to 12 months postoperatively (p<001). Comparisons between the two groups were not significantly different, except for SF-36 "general health perception" (p<0.05) at 12 months postoperatively. At final follow-up, three patients had residual CRPS-related hand lesions with limited range of motion and finger edema. Conclusions: CRPS-related hand lesions developed in 19.4% of patients following ARCR. Shoulder or upper-limb function improved in most cases at 12 months, with satisfactory SF-36 patient-based evaluation results. Patients with residual CRPS-related hand lesions at the last follow-up require long-term follow-up.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.492-497
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• 2023

Objective: The objectives were to demonstrate that the nitrogen and energy in pig urine supplemented with hydrochloric acid (HCl) are not volatilized and to determine the minimum amount of HCl required for nitrogen preservation from pig urine. Methods: In Exp. 1, urine samples of 3.0 L each with 5 different nitrogen concentrations were divided into 2 groups: 1.5 L of urine added with i) 100 mL of distilled water or ii) 100 mL of 6 N HCl. The urine in open plastic containers was placed on a laboratory table at room temperature for 10 d. The weight, nitrogen concentration, and gross energy concentration of the urine samples were determined every 2 d. In Exp. 2, three urine samples with different nitrogen concentrations were added with different amounts of 6 N HCl to obtain varying pH values. All urine samples were placed on a laboratory table for 5 d followed by nitrogen analysis. Results: Nitrogen amounts in urine supplemented with distilled water decreased linearly with time, whereas those supplemented with 6 N HCl remained constant. Based on the linear broken-line analysis, nitrogen was not volatilized at a pH below 5.12 (standard error = 0.71 and p<0.01). In Exp. 3, an equation for determining the amount of 6 N HCl to preserve nitrogen in pig urine was developed: additional 6 N HCl (mL) to 100 mL of urine = 3.83×nitrogen in urine (g/100 mL)+0.71 with R² = 0.96 and p<0.01. If 62.7 g/d of nitrogen is excreted, at least 240 mL of 6 N HCl should be added to the urine collection container. Conclusion: Nitrogen in pig urine is not volatilized at a pH below 5.12 at room temperature and the amount of 6 N HCl required for nitrogen preservation may be up to 240 mL per day for a 110-kg pig depending on urinary nitrogen excretion.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.667-673
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• 2009

Ninety six intact male sheep (12 months old with mean live weight of about 35 kg) were used to assess the effects of restricted feeding on intake, digestion, nitrogen balance and metabolizable energy (ME). The animals were selected from two known Iranian small and large body size breeds: 48 Sangsari (S) and 48 Afshari (A), and were divided into two equal groups: restricted (R) and a control (C). Each group had 48 sheep (24 each breed). The experiment had a duration of 15 and 75 days adaptation and treatment periods, respectively. The animals were individually placed in metabolism cages and fed a diet based on pelleted concentrate mixture consisting of alfalfa, barley grain, cottonseed meal and barley straw. The animals in group C were fed ad libitum, while animals in group R were fed at maintenance level and maintained a relatively constant live weight. During the experiment, the average daily weight gain (ADG) of S and A animals in R group was 0.34 and -0.25 g/d (0.02 and -0.02 $g/kg^{0.75}/d$), respectively. While that of S and A animals in C group was 174.4 and 194.4 g/d (10.16 and 11.48 $g/kg^{0.75}/d$), respectively. Nitrogen (N) was determined by both measured and regression methods. Animals of R group stayed at about zero N balance (0.01 and -0.00 g $N/kg^{0.75}/d$ for S and A animals, respectively). The N retention of animals of both S and A breeds in C group were similar (0.45 and 0.46 g $N/kg^{0.75}/d$, respectively). Digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) and ME requirement for maintenance (MEm) were measured by both constant weight technique and regression method by regressing N balance on DOMI and ME intake on ADG. The measured DOMI during constant weight was 24.61 and 24.27 g $DOMI/kg^{0.75}/d$ and the calculated DOMI from regression equation was 24.24 and 24.22 g $DOMI/kg^{0.75}/d$, for S and A animals, respectively. The measured MEm was 402 and 401 kJ $ME/kg^{0.75}/d$ and the calculated MEm from regression analysis was 398 and 400 kJ $ME/kg^{0.75}/d$ for S and A breeds, respectively. There were no significant differences between both measured and regression techniques. There was no significant difference between S and A breeds for DOMI, N retention, MEm, digestibility and metabolizability values. Digestibility values for OM, GE and CP and metabolizability were significantly (p<0.05) higher in restricted feeding sheep compared with that of sheep fed ad libitum.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.723-730
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• 2011

Soybean oil used to fry French fries, chicken nuggets, and donuts was exposed to high temperature at $180^{\circ}C$ for 72 h. The effects of frying foods on the thermooxidative stability of soybean oil were evaluated by determining the contents of free fatty acids, peroxides, total polar compounds, and conjugated dienoic acids, and by analyzing dielectric constant, refractive index, iodine value, smoke point, and fatty acid composition. The contents of free fatty acids, total polar compounds, conjugated dienoic acids, dielectric constant, and refractive index increased, whereas iodine value, smoke point, and U/S ratio of fatty acids composition decreased with frying time. All samples of frying oils after 72 h presented free fatty acid contents of below 2.0% and total polar compounds of below 25%, which were within the legal limits. However, peroxide values of frying oils were not directly correlated with frying time. The type of fried food affected the thermooxidative stability of the frying oils, with chicken nuggets being more stable in thermooxidation than French fries and donust. Among physiochemical indicators of frying oil quality, a rapid method including dielectric constant and refractive index can be used in quantity food production.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.245-251
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• 2000

Dielectric properties, piezoelectric properties and mechanical properties of NiO-doped Pb($(Ni_{1/3}Nb_{2/3})O_3-PbTiO_3-PbZrO_3$ ceramics were investigated. Powders, prepared by columbite precursor method, were cold pressed and sintered at temperature ranging from $1100^{\circ}C$ to $1250^{\circ}C$. Dielectric constant and piezoelectric constant increased with amount of NiO up to 1 mol% and then decreased with further addition of NiO. It seems that NiO acts as a sintering aid at the sintering temperatures of $1150^{\circ}C$. When the samples were sintered at temperature above $1200^{\circ}C$, however, both dielectric constant and electromechanical coupling factor decreased and mechanical quality coefficient increased with addition of NiO. Hardness and fracture toughness of PNN-PT-PZ increased with addition of NiO up to 1 mol%, and then decreased slightly with further addition of NiO. These results showed that dielectric properties, piezoelectric properties and mechanical properties of PNN-PT-PZ system seemed to be closely related with microstructural factors such as grain size, bulk density and the amount of second phase.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.600-608
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• 1996

Specific structural properties of Li intercalation reaction into the spinel relatedmanganese dioxide, $Li_{x}Mn_{2}O_{4}(0.2{\leq}x{\leq}2.0)$, are investigated by X-ray diffractional and electrochemical studies of Li/1M $LiClO_{4}$-propylene carbonate solution/$Li_{x}Mn_{2}O_{4}$ cell. The effect of the chemical composition and the reaction temperature on electrochemical parameter of $Li_{x}Mn_{2}O_{4}$ are studied by the phenomena of phase-transition, analysis of crystal lattice, fine structure, and thermal analysis. Treatment of the spinel $Li_{x}Mn_{2}O_{4}$ with aqueous acid was found to result in conversiton of $Li_{x}Mn_{2}O_{4}$ to nearly pure $MnO_{2}$, as evidenced by a reduction in the lattice constant $a_{c}$ from 8.255 to $8.031\;{\AA}$. At a composition range of $0.2{\leq}x{\leq}0.6$ in $Li_{x}Mn_{2}O_{4}$ the reduction proceeded in a homogeneous phase, which was characterized by a constant voltage of 3.9~3.7 V together with a lattice constant of $8.255\;{\AA}$.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.41-54
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• 1991

This paper aimed to analyse dose sensitivity to the controllable parameters of indoor radon $(^{222}Rn)$ and its decay products (Rn-D) by applying the input~output linear system theory. Physical behaviors of $^{222}Rn\;&\;Rn-D$ were analyzed in terms of $(^{222}Rn)$ gas -generation, -migation and -infiltration to indoor environments, and the performance output-function, i. e. mean dose equivalent to Tracho-Bronchial (TB) lung region, was assessed to the following extented ranges of the controllable paramenters; a) the ventilation rate $constant({\lambda}_v)\;:\;0{\sim}50[h^{-l}].\;b)$ the attachment rate $constant({\lambda}_a)\;:\;0{\sim}500[h^{-l}].\;c)$ the unattached-deposition rate constant (${\lambda}^u_d)\;:\;0-50[h-l]$. A linear input-output model was reconstructed from the original models in literatures, as follows, which was modified into the matrices consisting of 111 nodal equations; a) indoor $^{222}Rn\;&\;Rn-D$ Behaviour; Jacobi-Porstendoerfer-Bruno model.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.218-227
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• 2021

A thick film NTC thermistor for low temperature co-firing was manufactured by printing and sintering a paste prepared using NTC powder of Mn_1.5Ni_0.4Co_0.9Cu_0.4O₄ composition, lead free frit, and RuO₂ on a 96 % alumina substrate. The effect of frit and RuO₂ on the electrical properties of thick film NTC thermistor was studied. The resistance of the thick film NTC thermistor was higher than that of the bulk phase sintered at the same temperature, but it was found that the negative resistance temperature characteristic appeared more clearly and linearly in the resistance - temperature characteristic. On the other hand, the area resistance decreased as the sintering temperature increased, and the area resistance increased as the amount of frit added increased. The B constant of the thick film NTC thermistor was 3000 K or higher. Among them, it was found that the B constant of the thick film NTC thermistor made of paste with 5 wt% of frit added and sintered at 900℃ showed the highest B constant. Also, it can be seen that the area resistance decreased with the addition of RuO₂, and the change in the area resistance decrease of the thick film NTC thermistor obtained by sintering the paste containing 5 wt% of RuO₂ at 900℃ is the most obvious.