Effect of pellet size and pellet quality on pig performance

An experiment involving 1360 growing finishing pigs was undertaken to examine the effect of pellet size and pellet quality, as measured by the Holmen pellet durability test, on pig performance. A barley and soya bean meal diet was used and pellets were of two sizes, 5 and 10 mm diameter. Pellet quality was varied to give two types of pellet by steam conditioning and screening procedure during the pelleting process. The mean difference obtained in pellet durability was 11%.

Pig performance between 30 and 80 kg liveweight was not affected by either pellet size or pellet quality. There were small non-significant trends in favour of both the smaller pellets and the lower quality pellets. These trends, of the order of 1% or less, followed the same pattern as the dry matter content of the diets. The smaller diameter pellets were dried more efficiently in the cooling process and the low durability pellets had less steam added during the manufacturing process, which was reflected in the dry matter content of the finished diets.     

Towards an integrated view of monocarpic plant senescence

After the flowering of an annual plant, the whole plant will senesce and die. For the process to go to completion, this monocarpic senescence must include three coordinated processes, which have not previously been considered as a total syndrome: (1) the arrest of growth and senescence of the shoot apical meristem; (2) senescence of the leaves; and (3) the suppression of axillary bud growth. Concurrently there is a shift in resource allocation from continued vegetative growth to reproductive growth, combined with a withdrawal of nutrients, especially nitrogen compounds, from the leaves and the transfer of these nutrients to the developing seeds. The start of the senescence process is caused by a shift, almost certainly in gene expression, very early in the reproductive phase. Continuation of the resource transfer and senescence of the vegetative plant involves hormonal regulation and continued changes in gene expression. Each of these processes is examined, especially with reference to the transfer of resources from vegetative to reproductive growth.     

A physical map of human chromosome 10 and a comparison with an existing genetic map.

A physical map for 13 loci on chromosome 10 was developed by determining the dosage of the corresponding DNA sequences in cell lines with unbalanced chromosome 10 rearrangements. Nine of the sequences were assigned to a smaller segment of the chromosome than previously and four sublocalizations were confirmed. The physical map covers most of chromosome 10, from 10p13 to 10q23. The linear order of loci within the physical map agrees with existing linkage maps of chromosome 10. A comparison between the physical map and existing genetic maps indicate an uneven distribution of recombination for chromosome 10. There appear to be hot spots of recombination in the regions defined by q21.1 and q22-q23. In addition, there is a suppression of recombination in the pericentromeric region in males which is not evident in females.     

Image analysis of pellet size for a control system in industrial feed production

When producing aquaculture fish feed pellets, the size of the output product is of immense importance. As the production method cannot produce pellets of constant and uniform size using constant machine settings, there is a demand for size control. Fish fed with feed pellets of improper size are prone to not grow as expected, which is undesirable to the aquaculture industry. In this paper an image analysis method is proposed for automatic size-monitoring of pellets. This is called granulometry and the method used here is based on the mathematical morphological opening operation. In the proposed method, no image object segmentation is needed. The results show that it is possible to extract a general size distribution from an image of piled disordered pellets representing both length and diameter of the pellets in combination as an area.     

Plant neurobiology: an integrated view of plant signaling

Plant neurobiology is a newly focused field of plant biology research that aims to understand how plants process the information they obtain from their environment to develop, prosper and reproduce optimally. The behavior plants exhibit is coordinated across the whole organism by some form of integrated signaling, communication and response system. This system includes long-distance electrical signals, vesicle-mediated transport of auxin in specialized vascular tissues, and production of chemicals known to be neuronal in animals. Here we review how plant neurobiology is being directed toward discovering the mechanisms of signaling in whole plants, as well as among plants and their neighbors.     

Selecting predictors for discriminant analysis of species performance: an example from an amphibious softwater plant

Selecting an appropriate variable subset in linear multivariate methods is an important methodological issue for ecologists. Interest often exists in obtaining general predictive capacity or in finding causal inferences from predictor variables. Because of a lack of solid knowledge on a studied phenomenon, scientists explore predictor variables in order to find the most meaningful (i.e. discriminating) ones. As an example, we modelled the response of the amphibious softwater plant Eleocharis multicaulis using canonical discriminant function analysis. We asked how variables can be selected through comparison of several methods: univariate Pearson chi-square screening, principal components analysis (PCA) and step-wise analysis, as well as combinations of some methods. We expected PCA to perform best. The selected methods were evaluated through fit and stability of the resulting discriminant functions and through correlations between these functions and the predictor variables. The chi-square subset, at P < 0.05, followed by a step-wise sub-selection, gave the best results. In contrast to expectations, PCA performed poorly, as so did step-wise analysis. The different chi-square subset methods all yielded ecologically meaningful variables, while probable noise variables were also selected by PCA and step-wise analysis. We advise against the simple use of PCA or step-wise discriminant analysis to obtain an ecologically meaningful variable subset; the former because it does not take into account the response variable, the latter because noise variables are likely to be selected. We suggest that univariate screening techniques are a worthwhile alternative for variable selection in ecology.     

Hydrodynamic and kinetic study of cellulase production by Trichoderma reesei with pellet morphology

Numerical simulations and experimental validation were performed to understand the effects of hydrodynamics on pellet formation and cellulase production by filamentous T. reesei. The constructed model combined a steady-state multiple reference frame (MRF) approach describing mechanical mixing, oxygen mass transfer, and non-Newtonian flow field with a transient sliding mesh approach and kinetics of oxygen consumption, pellet formation, and enzyme production. The model was experimentally validated at various agitation speeds in a two-impeller Rushton turbine fermentor. Results from simulation and experimentation showed that higher agitation speeds led to increases in the pellet diameter and the proportion of pelletized (vs. filamentous) forms of the biomass. It also led to increase in dissolved oxygen mass transfer rate in shear-thinning fluid and cellulase productivity. The extent of these increases varied considerably among agitation speeds. Pellet formation and morphology were presumably affected within a viscosity-dependent shear-rate range. Cellulase activity and cell viability were shown to be sensitive to impeller shear. A maximum cellulase activity of 3.5 IU/mL was obtained at 400 rpm, representing a twofold increase over that at 100 rpm.     

A combined solid-state and submerged cultivation integrated with adsorptive product extraction for production of Monascus red pigments

A process taking advantages of combined solid-state and submerged cultivation of Monascus for red pigment production and integration of a product removal unit was developed. The solid-state cultivation was carried out in a 5 l fermentor, with rice being used not only as the substrate but also the support for Monascus. The inclusion of rice submergence and integration of product separation were achieved by intermittently rinsing the rice with monosodium glutamate (MSG) solutions every 12 h followed by an adsorptive extraction of the red pigment dissolved in the rinsing solution. With this new process, the Monascus red pigment production was increased by 24% as compared with that by the plain fixed-bed cultivation.     

A case study comparison of a sulphuric acid plant with and without on-site low-grade heat recovery and repurposing

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment - Metal ore smelters have significant environmental footprints due to very high energy consumption and the resulting large quantities of waste...     

Understanding plant rooting patterns in semi‐arid systems: an integrated model analysis of climate,soil type and plant biomass

Aim A consistent set of root characteristics for herbaceous plants growing in water‐limited environments has been developed based on compilations of global root databases, but an overall analysis of why these characteristics occur is still missing. The central question in this study is whether an ecohydrological model which assumes that rooting strategies reflect maximization of transpiration can predict the variations in rooting strategies of plants in dry environments. Location Arid ecosystems across the globe. Methods A model was used to explore interactions between plant biomass, root–shoot allocation, root distribution, rainfall, soil type and water use by plants. Results Model analyses showed that the predicted shifts in rooting depth and root–shoot allocation due to changes in rainfall, soil type and plant biomass were quite similar to observed shifts. The model predicted that soil type, annual rainfall and plant biomass each had strong effects on the rooting strategies that optimize transpiration, but also that these factors have strong interactive effects. The process by which plants compete for water availability (soil evaporation or drainage) especially affected the depth distribution of roots in the soil, whereas the availability of rainfall mainly affected the optimal root–shoot allocation strategy. Main conclusions The empirically observed key patterns in rooting characteristics of herbaceous plant species in arid environments could be explained in this theoretical study by using the concept of hydrological optimality, represented here by the maximization of transpiration.     

Phosphorylation-dependent power output of transgenic flies: an integrated study

We examine how the structure and function of indirect flight muscle (IFM) and the entire flight system of Drosophila melanogaster are affected by phosphorylation of the myosin regulatory light chain (MLC2). This integrated study uses site-directed mutagenesis to examine the relationship between removal of the myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) phosphorylation site, in vivo function of the flight system (flight tests, wing kinematics, metabolism, power output), isolated IFM fiber mechanics, MLC2 isoform pattern, and sarcomeric ultrastructure. The MLC2 mutants exhibit graded impairment of flight ability that correlates with a reduction in both IFM and flight system power output and a reduction in the constitutive level of MLC2 phosphorylation. The MLC2 mutants have wild-type IFM sarcomere and cross-bridge structures, ruling out obvious changes in the ultrastructure as the cause of the reduced performance. We describe a viscoelastic model of cross-bridge dynamics based on sinusoidal length perturbation analysis (Nyquist plots) of skinned IFM fibers. The sinusoidal analysis suggests the high power output of Drosophila IFM required for flight results from a phosphorylation-dependent recruitment of power-generating cross-bridges rather than a change in kinetics of the power generating step. The reduction in cross-bridge number appears to affect the way mutant flies generate flight forces of sufficient magnitude to keep them airborne. In two MLC2 mutant strains that exhibit a reduced IFM power output, flies appear to compensate by lowering wingbeat frequency and by elevating wingstroke amplitude (and presumably muscle strain). This behavioral alteration is not seen in another mutant strain in which the power output and estimated number of recruited cross-bridges is similar to that of wild type.     

Enhanced plant nutrient use efficiency with PGPR and AMF in an integrated nutrient management system

A 3 year field study was conducted with field corn from 2005 to 2007 to test the hypothesis that microbial inoculants that increase plant growth and yield can enhance nutrient uptake, and thereby remove more nutrients, especially N, P, and K from the field as part of an integrated nutrient management system. The field trial evaluated microbial inoculants, which include a commercially available plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF), and their combination across 2 tillage systems (no-till and conventional till) and 2 fertilization regimes (poultry litter and ammonium nitrate). Data were collected on plant height, yield (dry mass of ears and silage), and nutrient content of corn grain and silage. In addition, nutrient content of soil was determined, and bioavailability of soil nutrient was measured with plant root simulator probes. Results showed that inoculants promoted plant growth and yield. For example, grain yields (kg.ha(-1)) in 2007 for inoculants were 7717 for AMF, 7260 for PGPR+AMF, 7313 for PGPR, 5725 for the control group, and for fertilizer were 7470 for poultry litter and 6537 for NH4NO3. Nitrogen content per gram of grain tissues was significantly enhanced in 2006 by inoculant, fertilizer, and their interactions. Significantly higher amounts of N, P, and K were removed from the plots with inoculants, based on total nutrient content of grain per plot. These results supported the overall hypothesis and indicate that application of inoculants can lead to reduction in the build up of N, P, and K in agricultural soils. Further studies should be conducted to combine microbial inoculants with reduced rates of fertilizer.     

芦苇与入侵植物互花米草的光合特性比较

以上海崇明东滩湿地外来入侵植物互花米草与本地种芦苇为研究对象,对它们的光合特性进行了比较研究,结果表明:(1)与芦苇相比,互花米草具有更高的表观量子效率(AQY)、CO2羟化效率(CE)和最大净光合速率(pmax);(2)生长季节初期,互花米草午间时段的光合、气孔导度和蒸腾速率均高于芦苇,各指标与光、温的变化基本一致;(3)互花米草的净光合速率曲线呈“单峰”型,测定指标在强光合辐射、高温条件下迅速上升,芦苇则表现出明显的“午休”现象;(4)在生长季节初期(5月份)和活跃期(9月份),互花米草的净光合速率显著高于芦苇,而在生长季节后期(11月份)则低于芦苇。该项研究有利于解释互花米草生长迅速,生产力高,竞争性强的生理生态学特性。     

Microbial production of polyhydroxybutyrate with tailor-made properties: an integrated modelling approach and experimental validation

The microbial production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a complex process in which the final quantity and quality of the PHB depend on a large number of process operating variables. Consequently, the design and optimal dynamic operation of a microbial process for the efficient production of PHB with tailor-made molecular properties is an extremely interesting problem. The present study investigates how key process operating variables (i.e., nutritional and aeration conditions) affect the biomass production rate and the PHB accumulation in the cells and its associated molecular weight distribution. A combined metabolic/polymerization/macroscopic modelling approach, relating the process performance and product quality with the process variables, was developed and validated using an extensive series of experiments and measurements. The model predicts the dynamic evolution of the biomass growth, the polymer accumulation, the consumption of carbon and nitrogen sources and the average molecular weights of the PHB in a bioreactor, under batch and fed-batch operating conditions. The proposed integrated model was used for the model-based optimization of the production of PHB with tailor-made molecular properties in Azohydromonas lata bacteria. The process optimization led to a high intracellular PHB accumulation (up to 95% g of PHB per g of DCW) and the production of different grades (i.e., different molecular weight distributions) of PHB.     

The future of phage biocontrol in integrated plant protection for sustainable crop production

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The high-efficient production of phelligridin LA by Inonotus baumii with an integrated fermentation-separation process

The phelligridin LA was one of the valuable metabolites synthesized by the medicinal fungus Sanghuang in liquid fermentation. In the improvement of PLA productivity by fermentation, we investigated the optimal conditions for the efficient separation of PLA from the fermentation broth with a chromatographic column packed with the macroporous resin ADS-17. Based on the findings, we further developed an integrated bioreactor system that coupled the fermentation and separation of PLA. Fermentation experiments with the bioreactor system testified the performance of our design in fortification of the PLA production: an improvement of PLA production by 2.14 folds was successfully achieved due to the prompt removal of the PLA, while the formation of hyphae biomass was not affected. Also, the integrated system could afford a simultaneous purification of PLA to a purity of 92.95% with a recovery of 84.3%, which was comparable to that of the PLA purified with an additional process (97.53%), at a reasonable recovery. This study provided a feasible approach for the improved production of PLA by fermentation. Besides, the design of the integrated bioreactor system offered a useful reference for the fermentation process development of fungi for the production of diverse valuable metabolites.