Evaluation of Nelore, Canchim, Santa Gertrudis, Holstein, Brown Swiss and Caracu as Sire Breeds in Matings with Nelore Cows. Effects on Progeny Growth, Carcass Traits and Crossbred Productivity

Over three calf crops, 1096 exposures of 380 Nelore (a Zebu breed) cows to 6 sire breeds Nelore (N), Canchim (C), Santa Gertrudis (G), Holstein (H), Brown Swiss (S), and Caracu (K), resulted in 644 calves weaned for a 63% calving rate. Sire breed effect was significant for birth weight, weaning weight, 13 mo weight and 18 mo weight. HN and SN calves were the heaviest at all weight periods wile CN, GN, and KN calves were the intermediates. Average daily gain from 18 mo to slaughter age was measured in 125 males finished in feed lot and 116 on pasture. A significant breed of sire × finishing system interaction was observed. Under feed lot, HN and SN had higher daily gain and dry matter intake per kg of metabolic weight than the other ones. HN calves showed the worst feed conversion. The average slaughter age was 788 d for feed lot and 989 d for pasture finished steers. Carcass traits were evaluated in 241 slaughtered animals. CN calves had the highest dressing % and edible portion % under both finishing conditions. Crossbred group productivity (calculated as 18 mo weight times the weaning rate %) was greater for locally adapted breeds of sire

Stress and displacement pattern evaluation using two different palatal expanders in unilateral cleft lip and palate: a three-dimensional finite element analysis

Abstract Background In this finite element (FE) study, the stress distribution and displacement pattern was evaluated in the mid-palatal area and around circum-maxillary sutures exerted by bone-borne palatal expander (BBPE) in comparison with conventional HYRAX rapid palatal expander in unilateral cleft lip and palate. Methods Computed tomography scan images of a patient with unilateral cleft palate was used to create a FE model of the maxillary bone along with circum-maxillary sutures. A three-dimensional model of the conventional HYRAX (Hygienic Rapid Expander) expander and custom-made BBPE was created by laser scanning and programmed into the FE model. Results With the BBPE, the maximum stress was observed at the implant insertion site, whereas with the conventional HYRAX expander, it was at the dentition level. Among the circum-maxillary sutures, the zygomaticomaxillary suture experienced maximum stress followed by the zygomaticotemporal and nasomaxillary sutures. Displacement in the X-axis (transverse) was highest on the cleft side, and in the Y-axis (antero-posterior), it was highest in the posterior region in the BBPE. Conclusions The total displacement was observed maximum in the mid-palatal cleft area in the BBPE, and it produced true skeletal expansion at the alveolar level without any dental tipping when compared with the conventional HYRAX expander