Influence of Weedy Maize Silage on Digestibility and Health of Ruminants

Vytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij

Chemical Composition and Feed Value for Ruminants of Weedy Maize Silage

Santr. lietBibliogr.: p. 92 (10 pavad.)Vytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij

Influence of cyanobacteria Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis biomass additives towards the body condition of lactation cows and biochemical milk indexes

The objective of the research was to estimate the influence of cyanobacteria Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis biomass additive on cows' body condition, milk productivity and biochemical indexes at the beginning of lactation. Two parallel groups of Lithuanian black and white cows in their early lactation period were used for the experiment. During the 90-day experimental period, they were fed on almost the same ration: the experimental group received 200 g of cyanobacteria Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis additives daily, mixed with the combined feed. The body condition of cows was scored according to a 5-point scale system in their dry period, after calving, and after the first, second or third month of lactation. Their productivity, milk composition and quality indexes were estimated during control milking: milk yields - on the farm and rates of composition and quality - in the laboratory of SE 'Pieno tyrimai'. The experiment showed that the cows of the experimental group which received 200 g of cyanobacteria Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis daily during the experimental period became 8.5-11 percent fatter (P < 0.01). Each gave on average 34 kg milk per day in the beginning of their lactation, or 6 kg more than those from the controlled group (P < 0.05). Throughout the 90-day experiment, the average income from the milk of one cow from the experimental group was 378 Lt, or 21% more than from the controlled group. The use of cyanobacteria additives was economically effective, because 1 Lt costs for 'Spirulina platensis' increased income from the milk by 8.4 LtVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij

Investigation of sound absorption properties of nonwoven webs produced from chicken feather fibers

© The Author(s) 2018.As a consequence of modern life and technology, noise causes many negative side effects, especially with regard to health. Today, the presence of acoustic problems in transport vehicles such as airplanes, cars and train wagons has become one of the major problems of modern life. Many methods and materials have been developed to provide acoustic comfort in indoor spaces. One of them is the development and application of sound-absorbing materials. Nonwoven webs, which are considered to be the most ideal materials for sound insulation, have micron-sized pores as well as large surface areas. Among these materials, materials with double-layered porosity have greater effect. In recent years, researchers are increasingly turning to the development of sound-absorbing materials from production waste and natural materials that are easily decomposed in the environment. In this study, the sound-absorbing properties of nonwoven webs produced from chicken feather fibers, a by-product in chicken production and a significant amount of waste, were investigated. For this purpose, nonwoven web samples with different parameters were produced by using different binding materials by using thermal bonding method. The sound absorption coefficient and sound transmission loss values of the samples were measured and evaluated. As a result of the analyses, the influence parameters such as thickness, bulk density and porosity on the sound insulation properties of the produced samples was revealed. The assumptions concerning the mechanism of sound insulation of nonwoven webs produced from chicken feather fibers are detailed. Studies have shown that nonwoven webs from chicken feather fibers can be used as soundproof materials because of their good sound-absorbing properties