• Title/Summary/Keyword: Production efficiency

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Effect of Different Rates of Ethanol Additive on Fermentation Quality of Napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum)

  • Zhang, Lei;Yu, C.Q.;Shimojo, M.;Shao, T.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.24 no.5
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    • pp.636-642
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    • 2011
  • The effect of different rates of ethanol additive on fermentation quality of napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum) and residual water soluble carbohydrate were studied in the experiment. The addition rate of ethanol was 0%, 1.5%, 2.5%, 3.5%, 4.5% on fresh weight of napiergrass. The laboratory silos were kept in the room, then were opened on 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 30 days after ensiling and the changes of silage quality were analyzed, respectively. There was a fast and large reduction in pH from the 5th day of ensiling to below 4.2 except for the 4.5% treatment. After five days the pH of silage decreased slowly and the pH of the ethanol additions was lower than the control. Lactic acid content of ethanol treatments increased significantly (p<0.05) from the 5th day of ensiling, reaching the highest value on either the 7th day or 14th day. The ethanol additive inhibited the break down of silage protein and the ammonia nitrogen content of ethanol addition silage was significantly (p<0.05) lower than the control after 30 days of ensiling. Within the initial first day of ensiling the water soluble carbohydrate content declined quickly. The efficiency of water soluble carbohydrate usage was higher in silage with ethanol than in the control. The acetic acid of ethanol treatment was significantly (p<0.05) lower than control on first and 14th day, but there was no significant (p>0.05) difference among the ethanol addition silages. The volatile fatty acids content of silage increased gradually from the first day of ensiling and reached the peak on 14th day or 30th day and the content of ethanol addition treatment was significantly (p<0.05) lower than the control. The experimental results indicated that adding ethanol inhibited the use of protein and water soluble carbohydrate of aerobic bacteria and reduced the silage losses during the early stage of ensiling and thus supplied more fermentation substrate for lactic acid bacteria and improved the fermentation quality of napiergrass.

Behavioral Aspects of Captive Alpine Musk Deer during Non-mating Season: Gender Differences and Monthly Patterns

  • Meng, Xiuxiang;Zhao, Changjie;Hui, Cenyi;Luan, Xiaofeng
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.24 no.5
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    • pp.707-712
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    • 2011
  • The objective of the present study was to determine gender-related and month-related behavioral differences in captive alpine musk deer. The study was conducted at Xinglongshan Musk Deer Farm (XMDF) of Xinglongshan National Nature Reserve in Gansu Province of western China. The integrated method of focal sampling and all occurrence recording was utilized to quantify the behavioural patterns of 45 captive alpine musk deer (Moschus sifanicus) during non-mating season (from August $1^{st}$ to October $25^{th}$), and the behavioural durations of 12 behavioural patterns such as standing-gazing were recorded. The behavioural modes were compared to explore the potential differences between females and males, and the monthly behavioural modes for males and females were analyzed. Our results showed that the captive female deer in XMDF could compensate the energy lost in pregnancy, parturition and lactation through improving its ingestive efficiency. In order to be more sensitive to the changing environment, females expressed more standing-gazing (SG: $67.38{\pm}12.69\;s$) and moving (MO; $27.41{\pm}5.02\;s$), but less bedding (BE: $42.32{\pm}11.35\;s$) than male deer (SG: $56.43{\pm}9.19\;s$; MO: $19.23{\pm}4.64\;s$; BE: $96.14{\pm}15.71\;s$). Furthermore, females perform more affinitive interaction (AI: $7.89{\pm}4.81\;s$) but less ano-genital sniffing (AS: $0.24{\pm}0.13\;s$) and agonistic behaviour (CI: $0.57{\pm}0.26\;s$) than males (AI: $1.45{\pm}1.09\;s$; AS: $0.45{\pm}0.29\;s$; CI: $1.42{\pm}0.67\;s$). The females expressed ingestion more in October ($132.31{\pm}27.47\;s$) than in August ($28.80{\pm}18.44\;s$) and September ($45.1{\pm}10.84\;s$), and the males performed Ano-genital sniffing (AS: $1.79{\pm}1.14\;s$) and self-directed behaviour (SD: $12.61{\pm}5.03\;s$) significantly more in October than in August (AS: 0 s; SD: $0.62{\pm}0.17\;s$) and September (AS: $0.02{\pm}0.01\;s$; SD: $0.17{\pm}0.15\;s$). Moreover, male musk deer increased the intension of ano-genital sniffing, agonistic behaviour and tail rubbing behaviour, which were related to sexual activities.

Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality of Korean Native Ducks and Commercial Meat-type Ducks Raised under Same Feeding and Rearing Conditions

  • Kwon, H.J.;Choo, Y.K.;Choi, Y.I.;Kim, E.J.;Kim, H.K.;Heo, K.N.;Choi, H.C.;Lee, S.K.;Kim, C.J.;Kim, B.G.;Kang, C.W.;An, B.K.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.27 no.11
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    • pp.1638-1643
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    • 2014
  • This study was conducted to compare carcass characteristics and physico-chemical meat quality in two different genotype ducks raised under identical feeding and rearing conditions. A total of ninety 1-d-old Korean native ducks (KND, n = 45) and commercial meat-type ducks (Grimaud, n = 45) were fed same experimental diets during 56 d and 42 d, respectively to obtain similar slaughter weights. The experimental diet for starter period contained 20% crude protein (CP) and 2,900 kcal nitrogen corrected true metabolizable energy (TMEn)/kg of diet and that for grower period contained 17% CP and 3,050 TMEn/kg of diet. Average daily gain and feed efficiency of KND were inferior to those of commercial meat-type ducks (p<0.05). Carcass weight was not different between two genetically different ducks, but carcass yield of KND was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of commercial meat-type ducks. There were no significant differences in cooking loss and pH of breast meat between two genetically different ducks, but water holding capacity of KND was significantly higher than that of commercial meat-type ducks. The linoleic acid and total polyunsaturated fatty acid of breast meat from KND were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the corresponding part from commercial meat-type ducks. Significant differences were detected in water holding capacity and the content of linoleic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid, which were significantly higher in KND, whereas growth performance tended to be superior in commercial ducks. At the market weight, the meat from KND was judged to have better qualities with regard to higher water holding capacity and greater content of polyunsaturated fatty acid compare with meat from commercial meat-type duck.

Empirical Selection of Informative Microsatellite Markers within Co-ancestry Pig Populations Is Required for Improving the Individual Assignment Efficiency

  • Lia, Y.H.;Chu, H.P.;Jiang, Y.N.;Lin, C.Y.;Li, S.H.;Li, K.T.;Weng, G.J.;Cheng, C.C.;Lu, D.J.;Ju, Y.T.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.27 no.5
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    • pp.616-627
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    • 2014
  • The Lanyu is a miniature pig breed indigenous to Lanyu Island, Taiwan. It is distantly related to Asian and European pig breeds. It has been inbred to generate two breeds and crossed with Landrace and Duroc to produce two hybrids for laboratory use. Selecting sets of informative genetic markers to track the genetic qualities of laboratory animals and stud stock is an important function of genetic databases. For more than two decades, Lanyu derived breeds of common ancestry and crossbreeds have been used to examine the effectiveness of genetic marker selection and optimal approaches for individual assignment. In this paper, these pigs and the following breeds: Berkshire, Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire, Meishan and Taoyuan, TLRI Black Pig No. 1, and Kaohsiung Animal Propagation Station Black pig are studied to build a genetic reference database. Nineteen microsatellite markers (loci) provide information on genetic variation and differentiation among studied breeds. High differentiation index ($F_{ST}$) and Cavalli-Sforza chord distances give genetic differentiation among breeds, including Lanyu's inbred populations. Inbreeding values ($F_{IS}$) show that Lanyu and its derived inbred breeds have significant loss of heterozygosity. Individual assignment testing of 352 animals was done with different numbers of microsatellite markers in this study. The testing assigned 99% of the animals successfully into their correct reference populations based on 9 to 14 markers ranking D-scores, allelic number, expected heterozygosity ($H_E$) or $F_{ST}$, respectively. All miss-assigned individuals came from close lineage Lanyu breeds. To improve individual assignment among close lineage breeds, microsatellite markers selected from Lanyu populations with high polymorphic, heterozygosity, $F_{ST}$ and D-scores were used. Only 6 to 8 markers ranking $H_E$, $F_{ST}$ or allelic number were required to obtain 99% assignment accuracy. This result suggests empirical examination of assignment-error rates is required if discernible levels of co-ancestry exist. In the reference group, optimum assignment accuracy was achievable achieved through a combination of different markers by ranking the heterozygosity, $F_{ST}$ and allelic number of close lineage populations.

Acidification of pig slurry effects on ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions, nitrate leaching, and perennial ryegrass regrowth as estimated by 15N-urea flux

  • Park, Sang Hyun;Lee, Bok Rye;Jung, Kwang Hwa;Kim, Tae Hwan
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.31 no.3
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    • pp.457-466
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    • 2018
  • Objective: The present study aimed to assess the nitrogen (N) use efficiency of acidified pig slurry for regrowth yield and its environmental impacts on perennial ryegrass swards. Methods: The pH of digested pig slurry was adjusted to 5.0 or 7.0 by the addition of sulfuric acid and untreated as a control. The pig slurry urea of each treatment was labeled with $^{15}N$ urea and applied at a rate of 200 kg N/ha immediately after cutting. Soil and herbage samples were collected at 7, 14, and 56 d of regrowth. The flux of pig slurry-N to regrowth yield and soil N mineralization were analyzed, and N losses via $NH_3$, $N_2O$ emission and $NO_3{^-}$ leaching were also estimated. Results: The pH level of the applied slurry did not have a significant effect on herbage yield or N content of herbage at the end of regrowth, whereas the amount of N derived from pig slurry urea (NdfSU) was higher in both herbage and soils in pH-controlled plots. The $NH_4{^+}-N$ content and the amount of N derived from slurry urea into soil $NH_4{^+}$ fraction ($NdfSU-NH_4{^+}$) was significantly higher in in the pH 5 plot, whereas $NO_3{^-}$ and $NdfSU-NO_3{^-}$ were lower than in control plots over the entire regrowth period. Nitrification of $NH_4{^+}-N$ was delayed in soil amended with acidified slurry. Compared to non-pH-controlled pig slurry (i.e. control plots), application of acidified slurry reduced $NH_3$ emissions by 78.1%, $N_2O$ emissions by 78.9% and $NO_3{^-}$ leaching by 17.81% over the course of the experiment. Conclusion: Our results suggest that pig slurry acidification may represent an effective means of minimizing hazardous environmental impacts without depressing regrowth yield.

Battery Level Calculation and Failure Prediction Algorithm for ESS Optimization and Stable Operation (ESS 최적화 및 안정적인 운영을 위한 배터리 잔량 산출 및 고장 예측 알고리즘)

  • Joo, Jong-Yul;Lee, Young-Jae;Park, Kyoung-Wook;Oh, Jae-Chul
    • The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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    • v.15 no.1
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    • pp.71-78
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    • 2020
  • In the case of power generation using renewable energy, power production may not be smooth due to the influence of the weather. The energy storage system (ESS) is used to increase the efficiency of solar and wind power generation. ESS has been continuously fired due to a lack of battery protection systems, operation management, and control system, or careless installation, leading to very big casualties and economic losses. ESS stability and battery protection system operation management technology is indispensable. In this paper, we present a battery level calculation algorithm and a failure prediction algorithm for ESS optimization and stable operation. The proposed algorithm calculates the correct battery level by accumulating the current amount in real-time when the battery is charged and discharged, and calculates the battery failure by using the voltage imbalance between battery cells. The proposed algorithms can predict the exact battery level and failure required to operate the ESS optimally. Therefore, accurate status information on ESS battery can be measured and reliably monitored to prevent large accidents.

A Study on Matching Method of Hull Blocks Based on Point Clouds for Error Prediction (선박 블록 정합을 위한 포인트 클라우드 기반의 오차예측 방법에 대한 연구)

  • Li, Runqi;Lee, Kyung-Ho;Lee, Jung-Min;Nam, Byeong-Wook;Kim, Dae-Seok
    • Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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    • v.29 no.2
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    • pp.123-130
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    • 2016
  • With the development of fast construction mode in shipbuilding market, the demand on accuracy management of hull is becoming higher and higher in shipbuilding industry. In order to enhance production efficiency and reduce manufacturing cycle time in shipbuilding industry, it is important for shipyards to have the accuracy of ship components evaluated efficiently during the whole manufacturing cycle time. In accurate shipbuilding process, block accuracy is the key part, which has significant meaning in shortening the period of shipbuilding process, decreasing cost and improving the quality of ship. The key of block accuracy control is to create a integrate block accuracy controlling system, which makes great sense in implementing comprehensive accuracy controlling, increasing block accuracy, standardization of proceeding of accuracy controlling, realizing "zero-defect transferring" and advancing non-allowance shipbuilding. Generally, managers of accuracy control measure the vital points at section surface of block by using the heavy total station, which is inconvenient and time-consuming for measurement of vital points. In this paper, a new measurement method based on point clouds technique has been proposed. This method is to measure the 3D coordinates values of vital points at section surface of block by using 3D scanner, and then compare the measured point with design point based on ICP algorithm which has an allowable error check process that makes sure that whether or not the error between design point and measured point is within the margin of error.

Effectiveness of Microsatellite Markers for Parentage Analysis of Giant Grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) Broodstock (Microsatellite 마커를 이용한 대왕바리(Epinephelus lanceolatus) 친어 집단의 가계도 분석 효율)

  • Kim, Keun-Sik;Noh, Choong Hwan;Sade, Ahemad;Bang, In-Chul
    • Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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    • v.27 no.1
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    • pp.10-15
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    • 2015
  • Giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) is a endangered species considered as a vulnerable grade-organism in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list. As a fundamental baseline study for establishing a giant grouper broodstock management system, the efficiency for parentage analysis was evaluated by using microsatellite makers previously available in this species. The eight microsatellites generated a total 52 alleles from 32 individuals, the mean expected heterozygosity was 0.663, and mean inbreeding coefficient was 0.011, consequently suggesting that the present broodstock has retained the high level of genetic diversity. However, our analysis also recommended the collection of more broodfish for more stable brood line, since the estimated value of the effective population size was proven to be 35. The average probability of identity was $6.85{\times}10^{-11}$. NE-2P and NE-PP of paternity non-exclusion probabilities were 0.00835 and 0.00027, respectively. As the result of principle coordinate analysis, the genotype of broodstock was not overlapped, suggesting that the management system of giant grouper based on eight selected microsatellite markers might be effective, although further validation with extended number of broodfish might also be needed in future. Data of present study could be a useful basis to avoid the unwanted selection of broodfish that possess close genetic relationship with current broodstock, and consequently to establish effective broodstock management system allowing the production of progeny with high genetic diversity.

The Cryoprotective Effect on Frozen-thawed Boar Semen of Egg Yolk Low Density Lipoproteins

  • Hu, Jian-hong;Li, Qing-Wang;Li, Gang;Chen, Xiao-Yu;Hai-Yang, Hai-Yang;Zhang, Shu-Shan;Wang, Li-Qiang
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.19 no.4
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    • pp.486-494
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    • 2006
  • In order to protect the spermatozoa against cold shock, hen egg yolk is widely used as a cryoprotective agent in semen freezing extenders for domestic animals. The protective action of yolk is largely presumed to be due to low density lipoproteins (LDL). The effects of LDL on sperm quality of bull and northern pike (Esox lucius) after freezing-thawing have been reported, but no study has been made to evaluate the effect of LDL on boar sperm motility and other characteristics. The experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of LDL on the freezing of boar sperm in 0.25 ml straws. The aim was to evaluate the quality of boar spermatozoa cryopreserved in the presence of LDL. Motility of semen cryopreserved in LDL was analyzed and compared to semen cryopreserved with Tris-citric acid-glucose (TCG) and Tris-citric acid-fructose (TCF), two basic freezing extenders containing egg yolk. Similarly, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity were also evaluated and compared to semen cryopreserved with TCG and TCF. Analysis of sperm quality after freeze-thaw showed that the motility, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity were improved with LDL in the extender, as compared to the TCG and TCF. The highest post-thaw integrity of acrosome and plasma membrane and motility were obtained with 9% LDL (w/v). Consequently, the optimum LDL concentration in the extender was 9%. It is also suggested that the concentration of LDL addition is important for the effect on boar sperm protection during freezing and thawing. The percentage of motile spermatozoa was significantly higher after freezing in 9% LDL than in TCG and TCF 54.4% versus 30.4% and 30.1% (p<0.05), respectively. The integrity of acrosome and plasma membrane were also significantly higher at 70.3% and 50.5% respectively with semen frozen in 9% LDL extender compared to TCG at 37.8% and 30.3% and TCF at 36.4% and 29.9%, respectively (p<0.05),. In conclusion, we propose that extender containing LDL extracted from hen egg yolk could be used as a cryoprotective media with a better efficiency than TCG and TCF. LDL improved boar semen quality, allowing better spermatozoa motility, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity after the freeze-thaw process. Furthermore, we found out that the extender with 9% LDL concentration significantly enhanced motility, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity of boar sperm after freezing and thawing.

Pyrolysis of Quercus Variabilis in a Bubbling Fluidized Bed Reactor (기포 유동층 반응기에서 굴참나무의 열분해반응 특성 연구)

  • Lim, Dong-Hyeon;Sim, Jae-Wook;Kim, Seung-Soo;Kim, Jinsoo
    • Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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    • v.54 no.5
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    • pp.687-692
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    • 2016
  • Biomass has been concerned as one of the alternative energy resources because it is renewable, abundant worldwide, eco-friendly, and carbon neutral. Quercus variabilis has been studied to understand pyrolysis reaction characteristics, and to evaluate the efficiency of bio-energy production from fast pyrolysis. Quercus variabilis were fast pyrolyzed in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor at various reaction conditions. The effects of pyrolysis temperature between $400^{\circ}C$ and $550^{\circ}C$ on product yields were investigated. The yield of bio-oil was changed between 36.98 wt% and 39.14 wt%, and those of gas yield was 33.40 and 36.96 wt% with increasing reaction temperature. The higher heating value (HHV) of bio-oil at $500^{\circ}C$ ($3.0{\times}U_{mf}$) was 20.18 MJ/kg. The gas compositions were similar for all reaction conditions such as CO, $CO_2$ and $CH_4$, and $CO_2$ selectivity was the highest (37.16~50.94 mol%). The bio-oil has high selectivities for furfural, phenol and their derivatives such as 1-hydroxy-2-propanone, 2-methoxy-phenol, 1,2-benzendiol, 2,6-dimethoxy-phenol.