Comparison of some blood parameters, serum vitamin E and mineral concentrations of Arabian and English thoroughbred race horses

The aim of this study was to determine some blood parameters, serum vitamin E and mineral concentrations of Arabian and English thoroughbred racehorses fed the same diets. The diet was formulated to provide 2.31 Mcal DE/kg, and 10.96% crude protein. Total protein, lactate, calcium, phosphorus, potassium copper, cobalt and zinc were determined in serum obtained from 40 Arabian and 40 English healthy racing thoroughbred horses aged 2-3. The copper, cobalt and zinc concentrations were determined by atomic absorption, vitamin E by HPLC and the other biochemical parameters by a spectrophotometer. Mean values were 6.77 and 6.86 g/dl for total protein, 1.88 and 2.16 mg/dl for lactate 13.18 and 12.80 mg/dl for calcium, 4.35 and 4.39 mmol/l for phosphorus, 2.64 and 3.14 mmol/l for potassium, 129 and 166 μg/dl for copper, 36 and 44 μg/dl for cobalt and, 160 and 58 μg/dl for zinc in Arabian and English horses respectively, and Mean serum vitamin E levels were 2.65 and 2.81 μg/ml respectively. This study did not demonstrate a significant effect of breed on serum total protein, lactate, calcium, phosphorus, copper, cobalt and vitamin E. However, breed may have an effect on potassium and zinc concentration in Arabian and English thoroughbred racehorses (p<0.05)

Optimization of the composite brick composed of expanded polystyrene and pumice blocks

EPS (Expanded Polystyrene Foam) and pumice due to their both high thermal barrier and low density properties are highly preferred in making lightweight insulation blocks in the last decade. These insulation blocks are composed of EPS having different density values and lightweight concrete containing pumice aggregate. However, the sizes of a block should be optimized in terms of having both a good thermal insulation and reasonable compressive strength value and a lighter block. In this study, thicknesses of EPS and pumice blocks composing insulation bricks currently produced in Bartin/Turkey are optimized using FEA methods for the compressive strength and the heat transfer analysis. Also, results achieved by simulation studies are compared with the results obtained by means of experimental study. It is found that the optimum thickness values that make both heat transfer minimum and compressive strength maximum are 40 mm and 20 mm for the EPS and pumice blocks, respectively. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved