Microstructural Phase Evolution In Laser Deposited Compositionally Graded Titanium Chromium Alloys

A compositionally graded Ti-xCr (10≤x≤30 wt%) alloy has been fabricated using Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENSTM) to study the microstructural phase evolution along a compositional gradient in both as-deposited and heat treated conditions (1000°C followed by furnace cooling or air cooling). The alloys were characterized by SEM BSE imaging, XRD, EBSD, TEM and micro-hardness measurements to determine processing-structure-property relations. For the as-deposited alloy, α-Ti, β-Ti, and TiCr2 (C15 Laves) phases exist in varying phase fractions, which were influential in determining hardness values. With the furnace cooled alloy, there was more homogeneous nucleation of α phase throughout the sample with a larger phase fraction of TiCr2 resulting in increased hardness values. When compared to the air cooled alloy, there was absence of wide scale nucleation of α phase and formation of ω phase within the β phase due to the quicker cooling from elevated temperature. At lower concentrations of Cr, the kinetics resulted in a diffusionless phase transformation of ω phase with increased hardness and a lower phase fraction of TiCr2. In contrast at higher Cr concentrations, α phase separation reaction occurs where the β phase is spinodally decomposed to Cr solute-lean β1 and solute-rich β2 resulting in reduced hardness

The amount of ghrelin-immunoreactive cells in the abomasum and intestines of 13-14-week-old calves supplemented with Jerusalem artichoke flour alone or in combination with Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast

Funding Information: This study was supported by the National Research Program, Agricultural Resources for Sustainable Production of Qualitative and Healthy Foods in Latvia (AgroBioRes) (2014-2018), Project No. 3 LIVESTOCK (VPP29-3P). Funding Information: This study was supported by the National Publisher Copyright: Jonova, et al.Background and Aim: The use of antibiotics in animals for disease prevention and productivity has been banned in the European Union since 2006. Possible alternatives can be used prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics. These compounds can improve feed digestion and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract with identical nutrient uptake, while imparting the feeling of satiety, which reduces the activity of ghrelin-immunoreactive (IR) cells. The number of studies performed on the activity of ghrelin-IR cells in ruminants is insufficient. In particular, there are few such studies in calves during the transition period from being a relatively monogastric animal to a ruminant. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Jerusalem artichoke flour (containing ∼50% prebiotic inulin) and a new, commercially unavailable synbiotic (combination of Jerusalem artichoke flour and Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain 1026) on the amount of ghrelin-IR cells in the abomasum and intestines of 13-14-week-old calves. Materials and Methods: Fifteen crossbreed, Holstein Friesian and Red Holstein calves (Bos taurus) (32±4 days, 72.1±11.34 kg) were used. Calves were allocated into three groups: Control group (CoG, n=5) received the standard diet, prebiotic group (PreG, n=5) received 12 g of flour of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) per head containing 6 g of prebiotic inulin in addition to the standard diet, and synbiotic group (SynG, n=5) received a synbiotic in addition to the standard diet which consisted of two different products: 12 g of flour of Jerusalem artichoke per head containing 6 g of prebiotic inulin and probiotic 5 g of a yeast S. cerevisiae strain 1026. Feed additives were added to the concentrate once a day for 56 days. On days 1, 28, and 56, the live weight of the calves was determined. On day 56 of the experiment, three calves from each group were slaughtered. Histological samples were collected from the two parts of each calf abomasum: Pars pylorica and pars fundalis and the middle part of the duodenum and jejunum. Immunohistochemical tissue staining methods were used to detect ghrelin-IR cells. Results: The live weight of the slaughtered calves on day 56 was 115.3±21.73 kg in CoG, 130.0±17.32 kg in PreG, and 119.0±7.94 kg in SynG. Ghrelin-IR cells were more abundantly localized in the cytoplasm of the abomasum muscle gland cells in pars fundalis and pars pylorica, and to a lesser extent in the duodenum and jejunum. The number of ghrelin-IR cells in the abomasal fundic gland area was significantly higher in the CoG, than in the PreG and SynG (p=0.0001), while the difference between the PreG and SynG was not significant (p=0.700). Conclusion: The addition of Jerusalem artichoke flour and its combination with the yeast S.cerevisiae stain 1026 in calves resulted in a lower number of ghrelin-IR cells in the abomasum, duodenum, and jejunum and, although insignificantly, increased live weight (p=0.491), suggesting that calves in these groups with the same feed intake as the CoG had a better breakdown of nutrients, thus having a longer feeling of satiety.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Microstructural Characterization and Mechanical Property Assessment of a Neutron Irradiated Uranium-Zirconium Nuclear Fuel and HT9 Cladding

Metallic uranium-10 weight percent zirconium (U-10wt.%Zr) nuclear fuels are classified as potential fuels for fast breeder reactors as they possess a high fissile density and have increased compatibility with sodium, a frequently used reactor coolant. Despite their advantages when exposed to neutron irradiation in reactors, the fuels are subject to damage cascades and microstructural alterations. Fuel constituent re-distribution, phase transformation, fuel swelling, and fuel cladding chemical interactions (FCCI) are a few of the major interdependent microstructural alterations that occur in these fuels at the onset of neutron irradiation. The primary objective of this research is to understand the above-mentioned microstructural alterations in different regions of a neutron irradiated U-10wt.%Zr fuel and HT9 cladding that has achieved a cross-sectional burnup of 5.7 atomic percent (at%.). Additionally, this study also aims to provide a relationship between the microstructural alterations and local mechanical property changes exhibited at different regions of the HT9 cladding as a consequence of neutron irradiation, FCCI, and fission product migration. To achieve this goal, a coordinated group of experiments was performed on the neutron irradiated U-10wt.%Zr/HT9 (fuel/cladding) at the nanoscale, microscale, and mesoscale, respectively. The experimental techniques used for microstructural analysis included the following: (1) transmission electron microscopy of focused ion beam (FIB) lamellas for nanoscale assessments, (2) serial sectioning of FIB cuboids for microscale assessments, and (3) synchrotron micro-computed tomography of FIB obelisks for mesoscale assessment. Following the microstructural assessments, nano-indentation experiments were performed on the neutron irradiated HT9 cladding to determine the changes in mechanical properties as a function of distance from cladding edge to FCCI locality, and the changes in mechanical properties as a consequence of several microstructural alterations. Furthermore, the results produced from the various experiments in this study were compared and correlated to existing literature (both in-reactor and out-of-reactor experiments), and new theories to explain the reason for the observed changes were established. This research also revealed several novel observations such as probable radiation induced segregation in fuels, localized fuel swelling and porosity distribution at different regions in the fuel, crystal structure of phases present at different regions in the fuel and their influence on pore morphologies, and nano mechanical properties of a neutron irradiated HT9 cladding

The Impact of Inulin and a Novel Synbiotic (Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strain 1026 and Inulin) on the Development and Functional State of the Gastrointestinal Canal of Calves

Successful management of the dairy industry is closely related to rearing healthy calves. The proper development of the gastrointestinal canal is crucial to reach this goal. One of the strategies to promote this development is the addition of feed additives to the diet. This research aimed to determine the impact of prebiotic inulin and a new, not commercially available synbiotic (mix of prebiotic inulin and probiotic S. cerevisiae strain 1026) on the development of the gastrointestinal canal of calves by comparing the weight of the stomach, its relative ratio to body weight and evaluating pH, and histological changes in different parts of the gastrointestinal canal and assess whether or not the addition of inulin to the yeast S. cerevisiae improves the abovementioned parameters. We used prebiotic inulin (6 g) and a synbiotic (prebiotic inulin 6 g and probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain 1026, 5 g). The 56-day long research was conducted with fifteen crossbreed calves (32 ± 6 days old) organized in the control group (CoG), the prebiotic group (PreG), and the synbiotic group (SynG). We determined pH, morphological parameters of different parts of the digestive canal, and morphometric parameters of the stomach. The addition of prebiotic inulin to calves’ diet causes the increase of pH in rumen, abomasum, and intestines but when inulin was added to S. cerevisiae, pH decreased and was even lower than in the control group. Prebiotic inulin and its synbiotic with yeast S. cerevisiae positively impact the development of almost all morphological structures of rumen saccus dorsalis, rumen saccus ventralis, and intestine; moreover, calves from the synbiotic group showed better results in virtually all parameters. However, both inulin and synbiotic did not affect the weight and relative weight of different parts of the stomach. Tested synbiotic has the potential to promote the development of the rumen and other parts of the digestive canal of calves

Impact of inulin and yeast containing synbiotic on calves' productivity and greenhouse gas production

Aim: The research aimed to determine the impact of synbiotic: 6 g of prebiotic inulin and 5 g of probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain 1026 on calves' productivity and greenhouse gas (GHG) production. Materials and Methods: The research was conducted with 10 Holstein Friesian and Red Holstein (Bos taurus L.) crossbreed calves of mean age 33±6 days and initial body weight 73.4±12.75 kg. We added the synbiotic into the diet of five dairy crossbreed calves (SynG) and five calves in control group (CoG) received non-supplemented diet. The duration of the experiment was 56 days. The weight of calves and amount of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the rumen were determined on day 1, 28, and 56. On day 56, three calves from each group were slaughtered. Meat samples were assessed for some indicators of meat quality. The main methanogens were detected in the rumen fluid and feces. Results: The weight gain during the whole experiment period of 56 days was higher in the SynG (62.6±13.75 kg) compared to CoG (36.8±7.98 kg) calves (p<0.01). There were no significant differences in the levels of protein (%), fat (unsaturated and saturated – %), and cholesterol (mg/100 g) in meat samples from both groups. At the end of the experiment, the amount of CH4 in calves' rumen in CoG was higher (Me=792.06 mg/m3, interquartile range [IQR] 755.06-873.59) compared to SynG (Me=675.41 mg/m3, IQR 653.46-700.50) group (p<0.01). The values for CO2 were also increased in CoG (Me=4251.28 mg/m3, IQR 4045.58-4426.25) compared to SynG (Me=3266.06 mg/m3, IQR 1358.98-4584.91) group (p=0.001). There were no significant differences in the calves' weight and certain methanogen species in rumen liquid and feces on the 56th day of the experiment. Significantly higher results in the parameter total prokaryotes (V3) (bacteria+archaea) in rumen fluid were in SynG, whereas significantly higher results in the parameter total methanogens Met630/803 in rumen fluid were in CoG, p<0.05. Conclusion: The main results showed that the synbiotic can increase the daily weight gain in calves and decrease the amount of GHG in rumen but does not impact different methanogen species in rumen liquid and feces and meat protein, fat, and cholesterol levels

Impact of the flour of Jerusalem artichoke on the production of methane and carbon dioxide and growth performance in calves

Aim: The aim of the research was to evaluate the growth performance, to measure the amount of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in calves' rumen, and to compare the obtained results between the control group (CoG) and the experimental group (Pre12) which received the additional supplement of the prebiotic inulin. Materials and Methods: The research was conducted with ten Holstein Friesian (Bos taurus L.) crossbreed calves with an average age of 33±6 days. Calves were split into two groups: 5 calves that were fed with the control non-supplemented diet (CoG) and 5 calves that were fed with the same diet further supplemented with 12 g of flour of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) containing 6 g of prebiotic inulin per 0.5 kg of barley flour diet (Pre12). The duration of the experiment was 56 days. CH4 and CO2 were measured using cavity ringdown spectroscopy device Picarro G2508. The weight and samples from calves' rumen were evaluated 3 times during the experimental period - on the 1st, 28th, and 56th days. Samples were obtained by puncturing the calf rumen. Results: The weight gain (kg) during the whole experimental period was higher in the Pre12 (65.8±6.57) compared to CoG (36.8±7.98) calves (p0.05). Conclusion: The main results showed that the prebiotic inulin can promote weight gain in calves, without affecting the mean concentration of CH4 and CO2 in calves' rumen

INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS CONCENTRATIONS OF SYNBIOTIC FEEDING ON THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CALVES DURING THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENT

The use of antibiotics for growth promotion and for disease prevention in production animals has been banned in countries of European Union since the 1st of January, year 2006. Alternative feed additives were needed to achieve the same or even better results in animal husbandry. As one of the possible antibiotic alternatives, prebiotics are the one that can prevent diseases and provide good health. We know that prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics have a positive effect on monogastric animal organisms, but their effects on multi-chamber stomach animals have not been sufficiently studied. The studies were carried out to determine the effect of feed on calves at the age of 4-12 weeks, feeding the flour concentrate of Jerusalem artichoke which was produced in Latvia (contains prebiotics - inulin 48.5% -50.1%) and probiotic Enterococcus faecium (1 g (2 * 109 CFU / g) that were added to milk. The study was carried out on 40 calves of average age 23 ± 5 days. Three doses of synbiotics were tested. Once a day was performed a general health check of each calf, with special emphasis on fecal mass consistency and body measurements were performed once a week. The study lasted for 56 days. We found that the calves of the synbiotic group had less cases of alimentary diarrhea than animals of the control group and the average body weight gain in the synbiotic group was significantly higher (p <0.05) than in the control group. The study was carried out within the AGROBIORES State Research Program

Defect and satellite characteristics of additive manufacturing metal powders

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) requires high-quality metal powders to three-dimensionally (3D) print metallic components with complex and customizable geometries. The lack of quantification of AM metal powders creates quality control challenges for 3D printed components, increases the uncertainty of printing reliability and net cost of inspected and certified printed components, and reduces the recyclability of used powders. However, critical characteristics of AM metal powders that are decisive factors for the 3D printing process, such as internal porosity, contamination, and satellite feature, remain ambiguous. In this work, we developed a novel approach to 3D quantify key characteristics of AM metal powders down to individual particles by using high-resolution synchrotron x-ray computed tomography. Empowered by the penetrative capability of high-energy x-ray, internal porosity and contamination within as-atomized metal powders from high-entropy alloys to nickel-based superalloys were evaluated. Additionally, the newly-developed dispersion method enables the homogeneous separation of individual particles, and consequently, results in the implementation of 3D particle shape analysis. To resolve a major challenge of identification and quantification of satellite-feature particles in as-atomized AM metal powders, the satellite features were quantitated by modeling and analyzing the shape parameter of local thickness variance. Furthermore, the 3D analytical methods of particle assessment in this study can be applied to other materials systems like rock, food, and pharmaceutical particles, and provide insights for process optimization across powder metallurgy, concrete, food and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and AM industries.This is a manuscript of an article published as Xiong, Lianghua, Andrew Chihpin Chuang, Jonova Thomas, Timothy Prost, Emma White, Iver Anderson, and Dileep Singh. "Defect and satellite characteristics of additive manufacturing metal powders." Advanced Powder Technology 33, no. 3 (2022): 103486. DOI: 10.1016/j.apt.2022.103486. Copyright 2022 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Posted with permission. DOE Contract Number(s): AC02-06CH11357; AC02-07CH11358