Ground Wheat Grain for Midlactation Cows: Challenging a Common Wisdom

The objective was to determine the effects of ground wheat grain (GW) inclusion rate, grinding extent (GE), and their interaction on lactating cow performance. Eight midlactation cows in 3 × 4 m individual boxes were used in a 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design study with 4 21 d periods. GW was fed at either 10% or 20% of diet dry matter (DM), as either finer or coarser particles. DM intake increased and net energy for lactation (NEL) intake tended to increase when GW was fed at 10% instead of 20% of diet DM. Milk energy yield, milk solids content and yield, and urine pH were unaffected. Fecal pH tended to increase at 20% versus 10% GW. Total tract apparent NDF, but not DM, digestibility tended to be greater for coarsely than finely GW and tended to be greater at 10% versus 20% GW. GW at 10% versus 20% of diet DM decreased blood BHBA and increased blood concentrations of total proteins and albumin. Data provide novel evidence that both finely and coarsely ground WG can be safely fed up to 20% midlactation cows. Commercial accessibility and cost will determine feeding preference of wheat grain to dairy cows

The effects of different levels of sodium caseinate on rumen fermentation pattern, digestibility and microbial protein synthesis of Holstein dairy cows

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of peptide supplementation on rumen fermentation pattern, digestibility and microbial protein synthesis. Three rumen-cannulated Holstein dairy cows were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square experiment within 21 days period. The ruminal infusion of sodium caseinate (CN) was 0 (control), 50 and 100 g/d. Dry matter intake, milk yield and composition , total tract apparent digestibility of nutrient, rumen parameters and purine derivatives inurine of cows were measured. Results showed that dairy cows received sodium caseinate, had significantly increased microbial protein synthesis, milk fat yield, acetate and branched chain fatty acids concentrations in rumen fluid and fiber digestibility compared with the control treatment (P <0.05). CN significantly affected the concentrations of rumen ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), rumen peptide nitrogen (Pep-N) and the ratio of rumen ammonia nitrogen/ rumen peptide nitrogen (P < 0.05) and consequently blood urea nitrogen, milk urea nitrogen and urinary urea nitrogen concentrations. However digestibility of dry matter and crude protein did not differ among treatments. In conclusion, if the optimum level of NH3-N/Pep-N was the best compromise among the need for rumen fermentation, microbial protein synthesis and nitrogen excretion through urine in animal, the recommended level from this study would be 0.86 in rumen fluid

Crashworthiness analysis of bio-inspired thin-walled tubes based on Morpho wings microstructures

This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Mechanics Based Design of Structures and Machines on 23/09/2020, available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/15397734.2020.1822184 The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.© 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Innovative thin-walled structures, bio-inspired by the microstructure of Morpho wings, were proposed as energy absorbing devices in this study. A finite element model, experimentally validated, was used to investigate the crush responses and deformation modes of 18 multi-layered tubes with different geometrical configurations. The crashworthiness parameters were determined for the bio-inspired structures and compared with the traditional structures. Furthermore, a multi-criteria decision-making method was employed in order to identify the best crashworthiness design. It was found that the multi-layered bio-inspired tube with square cross sections and reinforcement walls outperformed all other designs and exhibited the best energy absorption capability.Published versio

Crashworthiness design and optimisation of windowed tubes under axial impact loading

© 2019 Elsevier Ltd Thin-walled structures are frequently used as energy absorbers in the automotive, railway and aviation industries. This paper addresses the crashworthiness performance of thin-walled windowed tubes under dynamic impact loading. Different shapes of cut-outs were introduced to thin-walled tubes with different cross-sectional shapes to create windowed tubes. Explicit finite element code, LS-DYNA, was used to simulate the crushing behaviour of the windowed tubes under axial impact loading. The Finite Element (FE)model was validated by conducting experimental tests and showing that the numerical and experimental responses are comparable. The crashworthiness responses of the different windowed tubes were compared and the best performing tube was identified using a multi-criteria decision-making method known as Technique of Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). It was found that a circular tube with a square window shape outperforms all other sections and exhibits the best energy absorption characteristics. Subsequently, a multi-objective optimisation analysis was performed to find the optimal configuration of the best tube. Response Surface Methodology (RSM)was used to develop models for the energy absorption responses of the tube. The design variables were selected to describe size, number, and distributions of the windows, while specific energy absorption (SEA)and peak crush force (PCF)were set as design responses. Parametric analysis was conducted to understand the effects of the design variables on the crashworthiness behaviour and the optimal configuration was identified.Accepted versio

Развитие ионизационного монитора поперечного сечения протонного пучка линейного ускорителя ИЯИ РАН

Для обеспечения прозрачных измерений поперечного сечения и профилей токовых импульсов в широком диапазоне энергий и амплитуд разработан и установлен на ускорителе специальный ионизационный монитор поперечного сечения (ИМПС) на остаточном газе. ИМПС оборудован зеркально-линзовым трактом для транспортировки изображения пучка от детектора до ТВ-камеры и защиты ПЗС-матрицы и электроники ТВ-камеры от бомбардировки нейтронами и γ-квантами. В работе приводится схема и описание датчика, а также некоторые детали программного и аппаратного обеспечения системы съема и обработки изображений. Представлены полученные результаты измерений импульсного тока протонов.Для забезпечення прозорих вимірів поперечного переріза й профілів струмових імпульсів у широкому діапазоні енергій і амплітуд розроблений і встановлений на прискорювачі спеціальний іонізаційний монітор поперечного переріза (ІМПС) на залишковому газі. ІМПС обладнаний дзеркально-лінзовим трактом для транспортування зображення пучка від детектора до ТВ-камери і захисту Пзс-матриці й електроніки ТВ-камеры від бомбардування нейтронами і γ-квантами. У роботі приводиться схема й опис датчика, а також деякі деталі програмного й апаратного забезпечення системи знімання й обробки зображень. Представлено отримані результати вимірів імпульсного струму протонів.To provide non-intercepting measurements of beam pulse transverse section and profile the special residual gas ion transverse section monitor (ITSM) for wide energy and amplitude range is developed and installed on the accelerator. ITSM is provided by lens-mirror line for transport beam image from the detector to TV camera and saving CCD and electronics of TV camera from neutron and γ hitting. The ITSM functioning details and image processing system are described. The available results of beam pulse measurements are presented

Evaluation of crushing and energy absorption characteristics of bio-inspired nested structures

Mimicking anatomical structures like bone can aid in the development of energy absorbing structures that can achieve desirable properties. Accordingly, this study presents the analysis of tubular nested designs inspired by Haversian bone architecture. Based on this design philosophy, a total of 18 nested tube designs with various geometrical configurations were developed. Within each design, the effect of reinforcement walls on the crashworthiness performance is also analysed. A finite element model, validated using quasi-static experimental tests, was used to study the crashworthiness performance and progressive deformation of the nested system. Based on the results, a multi-criteria decision-making method known as Technique of Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was employed to determine the most suitable cross-section that features high energy absorption and low impact force. Consequently, the study identified a nested tube configuration that exhibits superior crashworthiness and high energy absorbing characteristics. The bio-inspired design methodology presented in this study allows the exploitation of variable nested geometries for the development of high-efficiency energy absorbing structures.Accepted versio

The A9 dopamine neuron component in grafts of ventral mesencephalon is an important determinant for recovery of motor function in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease

Grafts of foetal ventral mesencephalon, used in cell replacement therapy for Parkinson’s disease, are known to contain a mix of dopamine neuronal subtypes including the A9 neurons of the substantia nigra and the A10 neurons of the ventral tegmental area. However, the relative importance of these subtypes for functional repair of the brain affected by Parkinson’s disease has not been studied thoroughly. Here, we report results from a series of grafting experiments where the anatomical and functional properties of grafts either selectively lacking in A9 neurons, or with a typical A9/A10 composition were compared. The results show that the A9 component of intrastriatal grafts is of critical importance for recovery in tests on motor performance, in a rodent model of Parkinson’s disease. Analysis at the histological level indicates that this is likely to be due to the unique ability of A9 neurons to innervate and functionally activate their target structure, the dorsolateral region of the host striatum. The findings highlight dopamine neuronal subtype composition as a potentially important parameter to monitor in order to understand the variable nature of functional outcome better in transplantation studies. Furthermore, the results have interesting implications for current efforts in this field to generate well-characterized and standardized preparations of transplantable dopamine neuronal progenitors from stem cells

Study the different levels of protein and energy on production of Indian white shrimp

A factorial experiment containing various protein and energy levels of diets was conducted for 60 days to determine the response of Indian White Shrimp, Penaeus indicus, juvenile whit mean weight of 3.22±0.04 g. Nine diets containing three levels of protein (35, 40 and 45%) and three levels of energy (350, 380 and 410 kcal/100g) were formulated and prepared in this trial. So this study was conducted with 9 treatments and triplicate random groups of 20 shrimps per each 300-liter tanks. Each tank was filled with 200 lit, water and exchanged 50 percent every day. The shrimp were fed their respective diets as a situation with the feed divided into three parts of feeding at 08:00, 14:00 and 20:00 h daily. In this study, D8 (40:410) diet with P/E ratio of 95.7mgp/kcal represent the notable performances for P. indicus. Furthermore, the present study showed that at constant protein levels, growth performances improved with increase in energy levels. The results of study also indicated at constant energy levels, weight gain, SGR, FCR and yield improved with increase in P/E ratio, but PER and NPU demonstrated a negative relationship between protein levels of 35 to 45. The proximate analysis and amino acid profiles of shrimp carcass did not show significant difference among the different diets

Coronavirus, its neurologic manifestations, and complications

Context: We are going to face an epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) virus in our country. The main manifestation of this viral infection is respiratory and cardiovascular; however, up-to-date knowledge of its probable neurologic complications is highly needed. Evidence Acquisition: To provide up-to-date information on neurologic manifestation on coronaviruses, we concisely reviewed the neurologic manifestations and their complications. Using the keywords, coronavirus, corona, human coronaviruses (HCoVs), SARS, Middle East respiratory syndrome-related (MERS), coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), manifestations, complications, and neurologic, all the relevant articles were retrieved from PubMed, reviewed, and critically analyzed. Results: Although the main clinical manifestation of human coronaviruses is respiratory involvement and the main cause of death is acute respiratory failure, extra respiratory manifestations such as neurologic findings have been reported. Fortunately, the neurologic manifestations in COVID-19 have not been reported yet. Conclusions: We need well-designed studies to monitor neurologic manifestations of COVID-19 in adults and children. © 2020, Author(s)