Search Results (20)

Parasitic infection is a major cause of infertility in small ruminants. This study aimed to assess the association between bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) measurements, testicular morphometrics, and sperm quality in parasitized goats. Thirty-eight intact mature Spanish bucks were allowed to graze on a naturally parasitically infected pasture for 3 months. Nineteen bucks were dewormed regularly (healthy group), while the other 19 bucks did not receive any anthelmintics (parasitized group). Fecal and blood samples were collected weekly to assess fecal egg count (FEC) and packed cell volume (PCV), respectively. Based on the size and morphology of the parasite eggs, they were presumptively identified as Haemonchus contortus. At the end of the grazing period, bucks were slaughtered, and testicles and epididymis were collected for analysis. In addition, BIA was applied to each testicle to measure series resistance (Rs) and reactance (Xc). Epididymal spermatozoa were retrieved and evaluated for motility, viability, morphology, and membrane and acrosome integrities. Data was analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U and Pearson Correlation Coefficient tests. The results showed that Rs (169.41 ± 1.76 Ω vs. 235.21 ± 20.21 Ω), Xc (37.55 ± 0.48 Ω vs. 52.08 ± 4.68 Ω), testicular and epididymis weights and lengths, sperm motility, viability, and membrane and acrosome integrities were lower (p < 0.0001) in parasitized than in healthy goats. Strong correlations (p < 0.001) were observed between Rs, sperm viability (r = 0.20), membrane integrity (r = 0.15), and acrosome integrity (r = 0.14), as well as between Xc and the same sperm parameters (r = 0.21, 0.18, and 0.16, respectively). In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that parasitic infection is associated with testicular health and subsequent epididymal sperm quality of goats. BIA can be utilized as an efficient tool to predict the impact of parasitic infection on testicular function in goats. Full article

This study presents the development of a buck–boost converter for application in unmanned guided vehicles (UGVs). The converter was designed with its input connected to a lithium iron phosphate battery pack and its output connected to an inverter. This configuration enabled the inverter, which powered the drive motor, to receive a stable DC voltage, thereby mitigating the effects of battery voltage fluctuations and enhancing the overall system stability. A pulse-width modulation (PWM) controller was employed to regulate the developed buck–boost converter. During the transition from buck mode to buck–boost mode, both power MOSFETs were simultaneously turned on; however, the datasheet of the PWM controller did not provide operational details or characteristic curve analysis for this mode. Therefore, this study derived the relationship between voltage gain and duty cycle ratio for the transition mode. To analyze the input voltage versus duty cycle characteristics, the linear equation was employed. This analytical model was adjusted to meet different converter specifications developed for experimental validation. Furthermore, the external-connect test capacitor method was used to extract the equivalent parasitic inductance and capacitance present in the practical circuit of the buck–boost converter. Based on these parameters, a snubber circuit was designed and connected across the drain–source terminals of the power MOSFETs to suppress voltage spikes occurring at the junctions. Finally, the developed buck–boost converter prototype was installed on an unmanned guided vehicle to convert the power from the lithium battery pack into the input power required by two inverters. A computer host was used to control the motor speed. By measuring the output voltage and current of the buck–boost converter, its electrical functionality and performance specifications were verified. The dimensions of the developed UGV chassis prototype were 40 cm in length, 45 cm in width, and 18.3 cm in height. Full article

In a closed population with a limited population size, mating of related animals is unavoidable. In this study, the genealogy data of a synthetic maternal rabbit breed called Pannon Ka were used to calculate different inbreeding coefficients. The evaluated animals were born between 1995 and 2020, and the pedigree consisted of 5819 animals that originated from 4205 rabbit does and from 1314 rabbit bucks. The pedigree was further extended with 16,013 dummy progeny records in order to calculate litter inbreeding coefficients. Besides the conventional Wright inbreeding coefficients, the so-called ancestral and new inbreeding coefficients were also calculated using the gene dropping method. By the end of the evaluated period, the litter inbreeding increased to almost 11 and 60% for Wright and Ballou inbreeding, while the Kalinowski and the Kalinowski new inbreeding coefficients were 9.25 and 16.67%, respectively. Correlation coefficients were calculated for the does and for the litters. Finally, the effects of pedigree length and completeness were also taken into account using the complete generation equivalents in a partial correlation analysis. Based on the results, it could be seen that the different ancestral inbreeding coefficients had high correlation. Similarly, the conventional Wright inbreeding coefficients showed strong correlation with the new inbreeding coefficients. On the contrary, the correlation between ancestral and new inbreeding coefficients was low. Taking the complete generation equivalent into account did not give unambiguous results. It could be concluded that the different inbreeding coefficients are based on different concepts, and they are clearly different population parameters. Full article

In this study, the mechanical properties of SSM-ADC12 aluminum alloy specimens with a ZnAl4Cu3 zinc alloy interlayer were observed after Transient Liquid Phase Diffusion Bonding (TLPDB), a welding process conducted in a semi-solid state. The purpose of the experiment was to study how the following parameters—bonding temperature (400, 430, 460, 490, and 520 °C), bonding time (60, 90, and 120 min), and thickness of the ZnAl4Cu3 zinc alloy (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mm)—affect the mechanical properties and the types of defects that formed. The results show that the bonding strength varied significantly with different parameters following the TLPDB process. A maximum bonding strength of 32.21 MPa was achieved at a bonding temperature of 490 °C, with 20 min of bonding and a ZnAl4Cu3 zinc alloy layer that was 2.0 mm thick. Conversely, changing the welding parameters influenced the bonding strength. A minimum bonding strength of 2.73 MPa was achieved at a bonding temperature of 400 °C, with a bonding time of 90 min and a ZnAl4Cu3 zinc alloy interlayer that was 2.0 mm thick. The Vickers microhardness results showed that the bonded zone had a lower hardness value compared to the base materials (BMs) of the SSM-ADC12 aluminum alloy (86.60 HV) and the ZnAl4Cu3 zinc alloy (129.37 HV). The maximum hardness was 83.27 HV, which resulted from a bonding temperature of 520 °C, a bonding time of 90 min, and a ZnAl4Cu3 zinc alloy that was 2.0 mm thick. However, in the near interface, the hardness value increased because of the formation of MgZn₂ intermetallic compounds (IMCs). The fatigue results showed that the stress amplitude was 31.21 MPa in the BMs of the SSM-ADC12 aluminum alloy and 20.92 MPa in the material that results from this TLPDB process (TLPDB Material) when the limit of cyclic loading exceeded 10⁶ cycles. Microstructural examination revealed that transformation from a β-eutectic Si IMC recrystallization structure to η(Zn–Al–Cu) and β(Al₂Mg₃Zn₃) IMCs occurred. A size reduction to a width of 6–11 µm and a length of 16–44 µm was observed via SEM. Finally, voids or porosity and bucking defects were found in this experiment. Full article

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of non-genetic factors on the growth and development performance of Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats (Erlanghan type), such as birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), 6-month weight (6 WT), 12-month weight (12 WT), body height (BH), and body length (BL), and wool production performance, such as cashmere fineness (CF), cashmere thickness (CT), and cashmere yield (CY). The research objects were 4654 kids produced by 45 buck goats and 2269 doe goats in the Erlang Mountain Ranch of Beiping Textile Co., Ltd., Inner Mongolia, from 2020 to 2023. Based on the generalized linear model, ANOVA was used to analyze the effects of non-genetic factors, such as birth year (Y), birth month (M), sex (S), birth type (T), birth herd (H), assay flock (F), age at measurement (MA), and the age of doe goats at lambing (DLA), on growth and development traits and cashmere traits. The results show that the birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), 6-month weight (6 WT), 12-month weight (12 WT), body length (BL), body height (BH), chest depth (CD), chest width (CW), chest circumference (CC), cannon circumference (CNC), wool length (WL), and cashmere yield (CY) of buck goats were significantly higher than those of doe goats (p < 0.01), and the fineness of the cashmere produced by doe goats was significantly finer than that produced by buck goats (p < 0.01). The birth weight, weaning weight, and 6-month weight of single kids were significantly higher than those of multiple kids (p < 0.01), but the effect on the 12-month weight was not significant (p > 0.05). The age of doe goats at lambing had significant effects on birth weight, weaning weight, and 6-month weight (p < 0.01). Assay flock and age at measurement had significant effects on cashmere fineness, cashmere thickness, and cashmere yield (p < 0.01). This study will provide a basis for the scientific breeding and management of cashmere goats and lay a foundation for the setting of fixed effects in the genetic evaluation model of Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats (Erlangshan type). Full article

Dynamic prices and markets create value for contractors who can readily evaluate the gross and net income differences for alternative merchandizing systems. The majority of the southern U.S.A. relies on tree-length merchandizing, with occasional identification and merchandizing of logs for a specific market or specific tree dimensions or qualities. Cut-to-length (CTL) merchandizing has generated more value when compared to tree-length (TL) marketing, but these comparisons have been limited to specific stands and markets (specifications and prices). The study objective was to demonstrate a process for evaluating cut-to-length and tree-length merchandizing systems in their production of gross value by applying a dynamic programming stem-level optimum bucking approach that maximizes the stem value given specific market conditions. TL merchandizing resulted in a better volume recovery for both regions, but the value recovery was better for CTL merchandizing. Observing the value recovery by diameter class, DSH classes of up to 100 mm had a similar value in both merchandizing systems, but CTL merchandizing yielded a greater or similar value per cubic meter across the range for larger tree sizes. Access to tree data and merchandizing tools needs to be addressed so wood suppliers and landowners may benefit from stem optimization and sensor technology being embedded into modern harvesters and processors. Full article

In the 21st century, researchers have been exploring different designs, performance characteristics, charging–discharging regions, and regenerative braking aspects of electric vehicles. However, there has been a major gap in the multimodal analysis of the accelerating pedal drive for electric vehicles; therefore, herein, a novel analytical model of a mimicked foot pedaling control of an electric vehicle is developed by cascading five sub-models (i.e., foot pedal, resistive potentiometer, 555 timer, buck converter, and the permanent magnet DC motor) to synthesize the overall third-order transfer function of the system. MATLAB is utilized to comprehensively analyze the transient and steady-state characteristics of the developed model by considering the pedaling force, four different materials (i.e., aluminum, brass, carbon fiber, and polyamide 6), the potentiometer’s resistance, and the mechanical and electrical attributes of the motor. The results highlight that the linear pedaling drive is possible by considering the polyamide 6 material’s pedaling properties of 0.25 kg mass and 2.679 Ns/m damping coefficient. Furthermore, at a lesser potentiometer track length (around 10 cm) and equivalent inertia of 5 Kgm², the motor generates the regulated angular velocity, thereby minimizing the transient characteristics of the accelerating pedal. Full article

The purpose of the present research was to define ovarian follicular dynamics and plasma endocrine profiles in response to a single PGF_2α injection, administered indiscriminately during the breeding season of Barbari goats. Ovarian dynamics were observed at every 12 h interval by using B mode ultrasonography, blood samples for hormonal analysis such as estradiol 17β and progesterone were collected at every 12 h interval, and bucks with aprons were used to identify standing estrus at every 6 h interval. Relative to PGF_2α, the start of standing estrus and ovulation differ (p < 0.05) between early- (n = 7), intermediate- (n = 6), and late-responding (n = 6) goats. The highest plasma level of estradiol 17β was detected 12 h prior to ovulation. The average diameter of the ovulatory follicle and length of standing estrus were comparable (p > 0.05) between the goats. The corpus luteum degenerated more quickly (p < 0.05) in early- than intermediate- and late-responding goats. Dominant follicle diameter and estradiol 17β concentration also differ (p < 0.05) among groups. Although the plasma level of progesterone did not vary (p = 0.065), the variation in progesterone concentration with time differed (p < 0.05) amongst the goats. As a result, this research indirectly reveals that the beginning of standing estrus, end of estrus, and ovulation after PGF_2α might fluctuate in Barbari goats because of follicular and hormonal dynamics during the luteal phase. Full article

In a 70-day study, 36 Jabbali and Sahrawi bucks, aged 11 months, were utilized to evaluate the effects of different levels of spirulina dietary supplement (SP) on carcass characteristics, fatty acid profile, and meat quality traits in Omani goat breeds. The goats were put into six groups of six bucks, each at random. The diet consisted of a conventional concentrate feed ration (CFR) without spirulina (CON), and the CFR diet supplemented with spirulina at the levels of 2 g/head daily (T1) and 4 g/head daily (T2). In general, Sahrawi bucks showed a highly significant response to SP feeding compared with Jabbali bucks. The treatment groups, especially T1, showed a significant increase in average daily gain and carcass traits (body length, leg length, and the rack weight) compared with the CON group of Sahrawi bucks. The weights of omental and kidney fat were also significantly higher in T1 compared with CON and T2 groups of Sahrawi goats, while they were significantly higher in T2 compared with CON and T1 groups of Jabbali goats. Carcass profile and meat quality, including ultimate ph and meat color lightness (L*) were increased significantly with dietary spirulina in both LD and SM muscles of Sahrawi goats. Most of the Sfa, Mufa, Pufa, Pufa n-6, Pufa n-3, and n-6/n-3 ratios of the LD showed significant differences in diets supplemented with SP compared with CON for Sahrawi bucks, while some of them were significant in Jabbali bucks. The LD muscle of Sahrawi goats fed diets supplemented with SP of the T1 group significantly decreased in the amounts of pentadecanoic and margaric acids compared with the T2 and CON groups. The study concluded that incorporating SP (2 g and 4 g/head daily) into the diet of Omani goats, especially Sahrawi goats, can increase growth performance, as well as improve fatty acid composition and meat quality. Full article

Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) is a common technique used for testing in power electronics. It draws upon FPGAs (field-programmable gate arrays) because they allow for reaching real-time simulation for mid-high switching frequencies. FPGA area and delay are keys to reaching a compromise between performance and accuracy. To minimize area and delay, signal word length (WL) is critical. Furthermore, the input and output’s WL should be carefully chosen because these signals come from ADCs (analog-to-digital converters) or go to DACs (digital-to-analog converters). In other words, the role of ADCs and DACs is the boundary condition when assigning all the signal WLs in an HIL model. This research presents an automatic method for computing the signal WLs in the corresponding model by considering input/output boundary conditions. This automatic method needs a single simulation to decide both the integer and fractional width of every signal. Our method accelerates the process, showing an advantage over manual methods and those requiring multiple simulations. The proposed method is applied to create all the WL assignments to the signals involved in a fixed-point coded buck converter model, which shows its feasibility. Full article

Operating at high efficiency is one of the prerequisites of sustainable forest operations. Typically, harvesters are designed to operate in tree felling and processing operations under the cut-to-length method. However, reasons such as limited business opportunities during the year may negatively affect the machine utilization rate. Coupled with high ownership costs, this results in economic sustainability problems. With this in mind, some practitioners have started to replace the traditional bucking operations conducted motor-manually at the landing with full mechanization using harvesters. This study evaluates the productive performance, fuel consumption, cost, and recovery rate in bucking wood at the landing by a single-grip harvester. A total of 27 bunches were taken into study, containing a total of 232 stems and stem parts, which were processed in 913 logs. A processing work cycle averaged 1.5 min but varied widely between 0.3 and 7 min. Dominant in the productive time were elements such as swinging to grab the stems, swinging to process, and piling the logs, which accounted for 86% of the productive time. Fuel consumption was estimated at 21 L/h and 0.78 L/m³, respectively. Efficiency was estimated at 0.047 PMH/m³, and productivity was estimated at 21.41 m³/PMH; the global recovery rate was 95%, and costs were in the range of 10 to 11 €/m³. Although there were attempts to develop dependence models of time consumption, efficiency, productivity, and recovery rate as functions of stem length, input volume, and the number of processed logs, this worked only for efficiency and productivity. The best-fitted models explained efficiency and productivity by power and linear equations, taking the input volume as a predictor. In addition to their practical application, the results of this study may be important for the planning and control of operations, for comparison to other ways of implementing the landing operations, or for optimizing larger systems. Full article

In this study, the authors provide a direct comparison made between whole tree-harvesting (WTH) and cut-to length (CTL) methods, which was conducted in two sites in the Slovak Republic and applied to poplar plantations. Both systems, WTH and CTL, have been employed at the highest mechanization level in two sites: “Nivky” and “Skalica”. Two different strategies, namely, “mass handling” and “small-scale mechanization”, have been used for WTH and CTL, respectively. The study results showed that the level of productivity (ODT SMH⁻¹) in the felling operation was almost double for WTH than for the CTL method in Nivky (+84%) and more than double in Skalica (+113%). The extraction operation under WTH showed a productivity increase from one fifth (+20%) to more than double (104%) that of the CTL method in the Nivky and Skalica sites, respectively. Regarding cost-efficiency (EUR ODT⁻¹), the WTH system offers a similar trend except with respect to extraction in Nivky (higher productivity site), in which the CTL extraction was 4.5% less expensive than the WTH extraction. The study results show that the mass-handling technique deployed in the WTH system offers very good performance in poorer plantations since the very small tree size and low-growing stock challenge the CTL system more than the WTH system. The total operation (felling, bucking, and extraction) costs (EUR ODT⁻¹) recorded by the study in commercial conditions (as contractors perform for revenue purposes) were 32.50 and 45.80 EUR ODT⁻¹ for CTL and 43.30 and 53.60 EUR ODT⁻¹ for WTH for the higher-yield site (Nivky) and lower-yield site (Skalica), respectively. Regarding the WTH System, the researchers found that the drop in efficiency (and the consequent rise in the costs-per-ton of product) depends largely on the bucking phase conducted using the harvester at the landing of the stacked piles of interlocked trees. The main results of this study demonstrate the promising strategy of mass handling associated with the WTH system in medium rotation coppice (MRC) harvesting and shows that bucking is the weaker phase. Future efforts must be made to ensure feasibility of the “mass handling” strategy alongside the entire workflow by means of finding suitable mobile machinery that can delimb, debark, and crosscut tree bunches instead of single trees. Full article

Various meat quality characteristics of six muscles (Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL), Semimembranosus (SM), Biceps femoris (BF), Supraspinatus (SS), Infraspinatus (IS), Semitendinosus (ST)) from large-frame Boer Goats (BG) and Indigenous Veld Goats (IVG: Cape Speckled and the Cape Lob Ear) were studied. Weaner male BG (n = 18; 10 bucks and 8 wethers) and IVG (n = 19; 9 bucks and 10 wethers) were raised on hay and natural grass, and on a commercial pelleted diet to a live weight of 30–35 kg. All goats were slaughtered at a commercial abattoir and the dressed carcasses were chilled at 4 °C within 1 h post mortem. The muscles were dissected from both sides 24 h post mortem and aged for 1 d and 4 d. Variations in meat characteristics such as ultimate pH, water holding capacity (WHC), % purge, myofibril fragment length (MFL), intramuscular fat (IMF), connective tissue characteristics, and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) were recorded across muscles. Bucks had higher lightness (L*) and hue-angle values, whereas wethers had increased redness (a*) and chroma values. The muscle baseline data will allow informed decisions to support muscle-specific marketing strategies, which may be used to improve consumer acceptability of chevon. Full article

Purpose:Our hypothesis was that the rupture rate after primary flexor tendon repair in the modified 4-strand core suture technique using the FiberLoop^® (Arthrex, Munich, Germany) is lower than in other suture materials and functional outcome and patient satisfaction are superior compared to the current literature. Patients and methods: A 2-stage retrospective, randomized follow-up study of 143 patients treated with the Arthrex FiberLoop^® after flexor tendon injury in zones 2 or 3 from May 2013 to May 2017 was performed. In the 1^st stage, the rupture rate of all patients was assessed after a follow-up of at least one year by interview to exclude revision surgery. In the 2nd stage, 20% of the patients could be randomly clinically examined. Functional parameters, such as finger and wrist range of motion measured by goniometer, grip strength measured by Jamar dynamometer (Saehan, South Korea), patient satisfaction measured by school grades (1–6), pain levels measured by visual rating scales (0–10) and functional outcome according to the DASH-score were assessed. The Buck-Gramcko and Strickland scores were calculated. The length of sick leave was recorded. Results: A rupture rate of 2.1% was recorded. 29 patients (20%) were followed up at a mean of 34 ± 7.5 months postoperatively. 10.3% of these patients had an incomplete fingertip palm distance. The mean postoperative grip strength was 24 ± 3.1 kg. 93% of the patients were very satisfied with the treatment. No patient complained of pain postoperatively. The mean postoperative DASH score was 6.7 ± 2.8 points. The mean Buck-Gramcko score was 14 ± 0.2 points. 93% of the patients had excellent and 7% good results according to the Strickland score. 67% of patients had a work accident and returned to work at a mean of 4 ± 0.2 months postoperatively. 31% of patients suffered a non-occupational injury and returned to work at a mean of 3 ± 0.4 months postoperatively. Conclusions: Primary flexor tendon repair in the modified 4-strand core suture technique using the Arthrex FiberLoop^® has proven to be a viable treatment option in our series. The rupture rate was lower than in other suture materials. It leads to acceptable pain relief, grip strength and functional outcome. Level of Evidence: IV; therapeutic. Full article

The methodology presented here can assist in making timber markets more efficient when assessing the value of harvestable timber stands and the amounts of timber assortments during the planning of harvesting operations. Information on wood quality and timber assortments is essential for wood valuation and procurement planning as varying wood dimensions and qualities may be utilized and refined in different places, including sawmills, plywood mills, pulp mills, heating plants or combined heat and power plants. We investigate here alternative approaches for generating detailed timber assortments for Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H.Karst.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and birch (Betula spp.) from airborne laser scanning (ALS) data, aerial images, harvester data and field data. For this purpose, we used 665 circular plots, and logging recovery information recorded from 249 clear-cut stands using cut-to-length harvesters. We estimated timber assortment volumes, economic values and wood paying capabilities (WPC) for each stand in different bucking scenarios, and used the resulting timber assortment estimates to assess logging recoveries. The bucking scenarios were (1) bucking-to-value using maximum sawlog and pulpwood volumes excluding quality (theoretical maximum), and (2) bucking-to-value using sawlog lengths at 30 cm intervals for Norway spruce and Scots pine and veneer logs of lengths 4.7 m, 5.0 m, 6.0 m and 6.7 m for birch, either excluding quality (the usual business practice) or including quality (a novel business practice). The results showed that our procedure can assist in locating stands that are likely to be more valuable and have the desired timber assortment distributions. We conclude that the method can estimate WPC with root mean square errors of 28.7%, 66.0% and 45.7% in Norway spruce, Scots pine and birch, respectively, for sawlogs and 19.3%, 63.7% and 29.5% for pulpwood. Full article