Determination of Direct and Indirect Effects on Milk Yield of Anatolian Buffaloes Using Path Analysis

This study aimed to determine the direct and indirect effects of the independent variables presented by the lactation length (LL), age of calving (CAGE), and daily milk yield (DMY) on the dependent variable of lactation milk yield (LMY) in Anatolian buffaloes. In this study, 3761 LMY records of the 834 Anatolian buffaloes calving between 2012 and 2017 in Tokat province and around were used as the research material. In the study, the simple correlation coefficients between the dependent variable of LMY and independent variables were determined to be positive and significant (P[removed

Golden cut-oriented q-rung orthopair fuzzy decision-making approach to evaluation of renewable energy alternatives for microgeneration system investments

This study aims to find an appropriate system for microgeneration energy investments and identify optimal renewable energy alternatives for the effectiveness of these projects. In this context, a model is constructed by multi stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis (M-SWARA) and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) with q-rung orthopair fuzzy sets (q-ROFSs) and golden cut. At the first stage, five different systems are weighted for the effectiveness of the microgeneration energy investments. Secondly, four different renewable energy alternatives are ranked regarding the performance of these projects. In addition, a comparative analysis is also implemented with intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs) and Pythagorean fuzzy sets (PFSs). The findings are the same in all different fuzzy sets that demonstrates the reliability of the findings. It is determined that grid-connected with battery backup is the most important system choice. On the other hand, solar energy is the most appropriate alternative for microgeneration system investments. Grid-connected system should be implemented for the performance of the microgeneration projects. Hence, providing a sustainable access to the electricity can be possible. Sufficient amount of electricity may not be obtained from wind and solar energy because of the climate changes. In this process, grid-connected system can handle this problem effectively

Fatty acid and conjugated linoleic acid content of Anatolian buffaloes at different muscle types and slaughter weight

This research was performed to detect tissue fatty acid (FA) composition and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content in Anatolian buffaloes at different muscle types (MTs) and slaughter weights (SWs). The research was carried out on a private commercial livestock farm in Tokat. The research's animal material comprised 20 Anatolian buffalo calves with approximately 100 kg body weights, weaned at about 150 days of age. Before the experiment started, the calves were randomly divided into two slaughter groups (SW) as low weight (LW=225 kg) and high weight (HW=325 kg). Ten calves from each of the two experimental groups, which were intensively fed, were slaughtered in two different weights. After the slaughtering, FA composition and CLA content of the Semimembranosus (SM), Semitendinosus (ST), and Triceps brachii (TB) muscle tissues of the animals were examined. The study determined that palmitoleic acid (C16:1) and stearic acid (C18:0) were affected by MTs and oleic acid (C18:1) and alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3) were affected by SW (P 0.05). With the increase of SW (in LW and HW groups), n-6/n3 (SM: 7.783 and 6.533; ST: 8.115 and 7.859; TB: 8.416 and 8.215) (P > 0.05) and PUFA ratio decreased (P 0.05). Again, with the increase in SW, AI and TI values increased in SM and ST muscles, while the same index values decreased in TB muscle (P> 0.05). In conclusion, when considering the PUFA/SFA ratio and the beneficial effects of CLAs on human health, ST in the MT and LW groups in SW, and thus ST and LW in MT and SW were prominent in Anatolian buffaloes

Response surface modeling of a small crossflow hydro turbine rotor

This paper presents the progress made in works aiming to design a modular low cost cross-flow turbine runner that is compatible with mass production. In an earlier study, stress and weight optimization analyses had been presented for a common runner design. This work includes analyses on segmented modular runner design iteration. Obtaining a closed form analytical formulation for complex mechanical structures such as turbine rotors with multiple blade assemblies can be very problematic. Building a prototype without optimizing the structural stress levels may result in unnecessary hardware costs. In this work, mathematical models for highest stress or lowest factor of safety on critical components of a small modular cross-flow hydro turbine rotor have been explored for various design options through a response surface analysis. The response surface model is obtained based on finite element analysis results following design of simulated experiments. Rotor design parameters have been investigated to optimize factor of safety on critical components without violating the specified weight limits. Box-Behnken data tables have been used to obtain the response surface model. The attained response model yields the maximum stress and lowest factor of safety for critical rotor components for various combinations of design parameters. Verification runs indicate that response model successfully predicts factor of safety levels close to finite element calculations

Fatty acid profilies and some meat quality traits at different slaughter weights of Brown Swiss bulls

This research was done to detect some meat quality traits and tissue fatty acid combination of the longissimus dorsi thoracis (LT) muscle of Brown Swiss bulls at the different slaughter weights (SW). The animal material of the study comprised 20 Brown Swiss bulls. In the study, Brown Swiss bulls were divided into two groups according to their SW as low (LSW (n = 10); 431–503 kg) and high (HSW (n = 10); 504–583 kg). In the study, the LSW group showed the lowest final pH value (pHF) (5.44) (P 0.05). In the research, the differences observed between the SW groups considering a* (redness) and C (chroma) values were found significant (P 0.05). Freeze–thaw loss (FL) and ether extract (PEE) were found 4.35% and 1.01% higher, respectively, in the HSW group than the LSW group (P 0.05) in the LT muscle decreased with the increase of SW. As a result, when LSW and HSW slaughter weight groups were evaluated considering the water losses causing financial losses in meat and fatty acids having beneficial effects on human health, it was seen that the LSW group came to the fore. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V

Complex fuzzy assessment of green flight activity investments for sustainable aviation

The aviation industry harms the environment mainly via the creation of carbon emissions. Hence, action needs to be taken to ensure the environmental sustainability of the aviation industry such as the recycling of waste products, effective waste management and the introduction of energy efficiency measures. However, at the same time, the implementation of improvements to remediate such problems leads to the creation of additional costs for aviation companies. Companies thus need to conduct comprehensive priority analyses regarding the optimum strategy for the sustainability of the aviation industry. However, there is a very limited number of studies in the literature that focused on which approach should be prioritized. Accordingly, this study aimed at the assessment of the viability of investing in so-called green flight measures in the aviation industry, for which a completely original decision-making model was created. Firstly, the various strategic priorities were weighted and the impact-relation directions between them illustrated aimed at the identification of potential influences by means of a multi stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis (M-SWARA) methodology that incorporates bipolar q-rung orthopair fuzzy sets (q-ROFSs) and golden cut. Secondly, the various flight activities are ranked, and the potential impacts of these activities determined in terms of the strategic priorities of a sustainable aviation industry employing q-ROF as the elimination and choice translating reality (ELECTRE) technique. All the calculations were also computed with intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs) and Pythagorean fuzzy sets (PFSs) aimed at verifying the validity of the findings. The analysis concluded that while energy efficiency comprises the most important factor in terms of strategic priority investment for the circular economy-based aviation industry, emergency response makes up the most crucial activity in the industry. Operational efficiency must be prioritized to decrease the amount of fuel consumed, in connection with which flight routes should be planned according to current weather conditions, which would serve to shorten flight times and, thus, help to increase energy efficiency. Such an approach would make a positive contribution to minimizing carbon emissions aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the aviation industry

Investigation of Some Fertility and Growth Traits of Akkaraman Sheep under Breeder Condition in Altunhisar District of Niğde Province

The aim of this study was to determine some reproductive and growth characteristics and was to analyses some environmental factors the growth and survival performance of lambs between 2017 and 2020 reared within the framework of the National Small Ruminant Project in Altunhisar district of Nigde. The data of the study were collected from 24000 heads ewes and 24869 male and female lambs raised in 25 different farms. The average of infertility, fertility, fecundity, litter size, single and twining rates of Akkaraman ewes were found to be 7.90, 92.10, 1.04, 1.13, 87.49 and 12.51%, respectively. The effects of year of birth, type of birth, age of dam and gender on birth, 60th day and 120th day live weights of Akkaraman lambs were found to be statistically significant (P<0.001). It was also determined that the effect of type of lambing, gender, year of birth and dams age on the survival of lambs at 60th and 120th days was significant (P<0.01). The average survival rate of lambs at 60th and 120th day was 96.2 and 95.3.%, respectively. As a result, it was concluded that while the reproductive characteristics of Akkaraman ewes were in accordance with the literature reports, the effects of the environmental factors on the live weights and survival of lambs were significant and these factors were partially affected by slower growth

Evaluation of Some Reproductive Performance of Ewes, Livability and Growth Traits of Lambs of Akkaraman in Breeder Flocks in Niğde/Bor Province

Conducted within the National Sheep and Goat Breeding “subproject: Akkaraman Sheep Breeding Project under farmer conditions in Nigde’s Bor district” between 2018 and 2022, the current study evaluated the reproductive characteristics of ewes as well as the livability and growth traits of lambs. This study investigated some ‘reproductive traits’ of an average of 6000 ewes per year and ‘growth performance and ‘survival traits’ of a total of 30051 head lambs. The birth weight (LBW), 60th-day body weight (BW60), 120th-day body weight (BW120), and 120th-day body weight gain (BWG120) of Akkaraman lambs during the study periods were 4.14±0.19 kg, 18.58±0.03 kg, 31.31±0.02 kg, and 246±2.23 g/lamb/day, respectively. In the study, among the factors affecting the growth characteristics of Akkaraman lambs, only the effect of gender on BWG120 and birth type on BW120 was found to be insignificant. In contrast, the other factors were found to be found to be statistically significant. In the study, it was determined that the number of lambs per Akkaraman ewe giving birth between 2018-2022 varied between 1.03-1.10. The highest livability in Akkaraman lambs was determined in 2018 (96.61%) and the lowest in 2020 (83.21%). As a result, it was found that liveability in Akkaraman lambs was dependent on birth year, the age of the ewe, gender, and birth type

Analysis of solar module alternatives for efficiency-based energy investments with hybrid 2-tuple IVIF modeling

The purpose of this study is to examine optimal solar module investments. Firstly, key determinants of the performance of solar energy investments are evaluated by DEMATEL method with the 2-tuple IVIF sets. Moreover, the cell material alternatives for solar module investments are also ranked. For this purpose, an evaluation has been made by 2-tuple IVIF TOPSIS. The contributions of the paper are performing a priority analysis to understand the most significant factors to increase solar energy projects and creating an original model by the integration of DEMATEL and TOPSIS with the 2-tuple IVIF sets. The findings denote that crystalline silicon is the optimal solar panel module to increase the performance of these projects. In the short term, government subsidies can provide cost advantages to solar energy investors. It is not a very continuous practice to try to increase these projects only with government supports. The costs of solar energy projects should be reduced to solve this problem permanently. Owing to new technological developments, high cost problem of solar energy investments can be handled more successfully.European Commission ; Russian Science Foundatio