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Estimating The Digestibility Of Herbage By Means Of An In Vitro Technique Based On Cellulase, Kurt Nehring

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A rapid method based on cellulase was devised to estimate the digestibility of feeds. The method is easily applicable and readily reproducible; the standard error of the values is small. The digestibility coefficients established by means of cellulase (DCceBJ were found to be somewhat lower than the in vivo values; the differences go up as the vegetation advances. As the lagging behind of the DC reveals a marked dependence on the crude fibre content, it should be possible to translate to the animal the results obtained by means of the cellulase method. On account of its rapidity and sensibility this …

On The Estimation Of Digestibility And Net Energy In Green Forage And Roughage By Means Of A Cellulase Method, R J. Kellner, M Kirchgessner

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In vitro methods using rumen liquor for the determination of the digestibility of forages have the disadvantage of difficult use and restricted reproducibility. Therefore, the cel­lulolytic properties of the rumen inoculum were replaced by a commercial cellulase in order to get a simpler and more reproducible procedure. The values of in vivo digestibilities are reached if the cellulase digestion of feed samples is pretreated with dlilute hydrochloric acid and is followed by pepsin digestion. This cellulase digestibility alone or in combination with the contents of several crude nutrients can serve as parameter to estimate the energy value of feeds. The …

Forage And Feedstuff Analysis With Infrared Reflectance Spectro/Computer System1, J S. Shenk, K H. Norris, R F. Barnes, G W. Fissel

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

An infrared reflectance spectro/computer sys­tem (IRSCS) has been established at The Pennsylvania State University to evaluate the nutritional quality of forage and feedstuffs. Studies with alfalfa forage clearly show that the reflectance spectral curve of the forage is a composite curve consisting of various chemical constituents in the forage such as water, protein and cellulose. Chemical constituents are not measured directly by IRSCS but calibration prediction equations are developed from sam­ples with known chemical constituents and animal response data. After this is completed, forage samples can be analyzed for multiple chemical constituents and animal responses in less than 2 minutes. …

Quantitative Recording Of Roughages, Ingrid Marx

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

As site-adapted concentration and specializa­tion of production proceed and certain farms gradually specialize in forage production, roughages must be looked upon as commodi­ties. In accordance with the character of com­modity production, roughages must therefore be planned and accounted also in terms of quan­tity, quality, costs, and returns. In the paper, several methods of quantitative recording are described for the following rough­age groups: pasture grass, green forage, silages, hay, and dried green crop. They allow an exact control over roughage production in the crop production enterprises.

The Application Of The Gdr Feed Evaluation System In The Velgast Inter-Farm Cooperative Crop Production Divi­Sion (Kap), Wolfgang Weidlich, Fritz Luddecke, Manfred Beyer, Werner Jentsch

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Experience is reported regarding the applica­tion of the GDR Feed Evaluation System in managing and planning the forage production along industrial lines in the Velgast KAP. The following priorities of application are dis­cussed:

(1) Determining the feed supply and balancing it against the feed requirements of the ani­mals to be fed, for the purpose of planning the forage production and analyzing the performance reached in forage production;

(2) Utilization of the results of energy and nu­trient yield assessment over several years, and of feed planning in order to derive op­timum cropping patterns;

(3) Implementation of exact assessment of feed quantity …

Planning And Balancing Of Feed Requirements And Feed Production According To Standards Of The Energy And Protein Requirements Specified In The Gdr Feed Evalua­Tion System, Arthur Chudy

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

"Feed planning and balancing according to standards of the energy and protein require­ments" has been elaborated as an integral part of the GDR Feed Evaluation System to ensure that feed supply can be planned according to actual requirements, and has, by using com­puter techniques, been introduced in the GDR for planning activities at enterprise level as well as for national planning at territorial levels. The standards characterize the feed require­ments encountered under average production conditions for large livestock populations and longer spans of time. They have been derived for all animal species and production objectives from the requirement standards for …

Roughage Quality Estimation In The Gdr Feed Evaluation System, Bernd Hoffmann

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The quality of a feed is defined as the sum of the properties characterizing the feed in terms of its employment for animal production pur­poses. It unites parameters for the energy con­centration, contents of specific nutrients, die­tary characteristics, and properties· affecting feed intake. To facilitate roughage quality esti­mation, feed testing and attestation documents have been elaborated in connection with the introduction of the GDR Feed Evaluation Sys­tem. These documents include attestation tables for determining major feed value parameters (energy concentration, protein concentration, energy digestibility), the classification frames for assessing the roughage according to its content of specific nutrients, dietary chara1:­teristics …

How A Drying Plant Influences Intensification In The Development Of Forage Production Along Industrial Lines, Josef Pohl, Manfred Fechner

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Since the opening of the Selbelang drying plant, essential changes have occurred in the roughage patterns of the socialist farms in this territory. This development has been charac­terized by a strong decline in hay production, the latter depending strongly on weather con­ditions and involving heavy losses, in favour of the processing and use of dried green crop. Drying of whole plants and straw pelleting have been introduced. Furthermore, the quality of dried roughage has been essentially improved and winter-feeding rations have been stabilized through the use of high-quality dry feeds. Losses from preservation declined. Applying these measures of intensification it …

The Evaluation Of Roughages Under The Gdr Feed Evalua­Tion System, Reinhard Schiemann

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The purpose and content of the GDR Feed Evaluation System are discussed in the form of a summary report. The GDR Feed Eval­uation System incorporates, in a form suitable for practical application, the following:

Parameters and methods for the complex evaluation of feeds with particular refer­ence to energy and protein (including amino acids), prepared in the form of detailed feed tables for feeding and planning pur­poses [9, 10];

Parameters and methods for determining daily feed requirements and application rates, in the fonn of energy and nutrient • requirement standards for composing op­timum rations according to animal species and performance (9, …

Bird Habitat Selection In A Mosaic Restoration, Sykora Smith, Claire Newton, Myah Sierens, Mark C. Myers

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

Birds are known to specialize in habitats based on vegetation characteristics like litter and bare ground cover, vegetation stature, and density (Fisher and Davis 2010). On a global scale, birds reside in certain regions where the vegetation suits their needs. Habitat selection by species is influenced by many factors, including food and resource availability and vegetation structure (Gumede et al. 2022). In restored tallgrass prairie habitats, plots of different ages and management histories may have varied vegetation characteristics, resulting in a mosaic of heterogeneous patches that may influence bird habitat use and maintain grassland bird species diversity (Hovick et al. …

Compositional Shifts Of Sown And Unsown Flowering Species In Cp-42 Habitats, Greyson Brandt, Alayna Whitson, Grant Van Nieuwenhuyzen, Ai Wen

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

The Pollinator Habitat Enhancement Conservation Reserve Program Practice (CP-42), is designed to provide pollinators a diverse and season-long variety of blooming flora. Although CP-42 plantings include specific, florally rich, prescribed seed mixes, the communities that develop over time can differ from what was originally sown. Understanding how sown and unsown flowering species shift in abundance and composition is critical for evaluating the prairie quality, pollinator support, and long-term ecological outcomes.

Analyzing The Effect Of Physical And Chemical Properties On Spectral Absorption Of Hemoglobin, Anna N. Gregorsok, Carl L. Thurman

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

Hemoglobin oxygen affinity is influenced by intracellular pH through the Bohr effect, making pH an important regulator of oxygen delivery throughout the body. Before oxygen-binding affinity can be quantified, the optical properties of hemoglobin under different pH conditions must first be characterized. In this study, free hemoglobin was analyzed at five physiologically relevant pH values (6.72, 7.00, 7.33, 7.63, and 7.92), representing conditions ranging from acidosis to alkalosis. Human red blood cells were lysed in hypotonic phosphate solutions, and absorbance spectra were collected using a scanning spectrophotometer. The resulting spectra establish baseline optical characteristics of hemoglobin across physiologically relevant pH …

Revised Restriction-Site Associated Dna Sequencing Protocol And Bioinformatic Analysis, Halle Hoefing, Michael Mellett, Ai Wen

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) created habitat across the US to decrease erosion and increase wildlife populations in agricultural landscapes. Its utility for wildlife is the subject of ongoing research, both the restoration and incoming habitants. We investigated the population genetic diversity of the brown-belted bumble bees in CRP sites within the agricultural landscapes in Northeastern Iowa. We generated Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) data using Restriction-site Associated DNA sequencing (RADSeq) and compared fixation indices and heterozygosity across four common SNP filtering levels. Due to sudden inadequacy of the RADSeq protocol, the final product was not resulting in usable concentrations of …

Seasonal Morphological Growth Patterns Of Cattail Taxa (Typha Spp.), Grant P. Van Nieuwenhuyzen, Greyson A. Brandt, Alayna G. Whitson, Kenneth J. Elgersma

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

While considerable research has focused on cattail ecology and invasion dynamics, less attention has been given to seasonal changes in morphology during early growth. Consequently, the extent to which morphological characteristics stabilize and can be used for accurate species identification throughout the growing season remains poorly understood. Based on our current state of knowledge, it's expected that early in the summer season, a spike in growth will occur for all morphological characteristics. These traits may eventually plateau in the later months, providing a time period of morphological stability.

Evaluating Floral Species Richness As A Predictor For Pollinator Diversity Across Crp Sites, Alayna Whitson, Ai Wen, Kenneth Elgersma, Morgan Sullivan, Greyson Brandt, Grant Van Nieuwenhuyzen

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

The Conservation Reservation Program (CRP) is the nation's largest management effort to preserve and protect fragile landscapes that have been eroded due to excessive agricultural practices.

A major consequence of vast agricultural usage includes an extreme decline in pollinators due to substantial habitat loss. In response to this crisis, a CRP incentive called CP- 42 was introduced to target habitat reconstruction through seed mixes that support these pollinators' nutritional needs. The seed mixes are made up of floral cocktails that provide an ongoing nutrient safety net from spring to fall to create a bloom cycle.

Opportunistic plants (unsown, invasive species) …

Comparison Of Passive Acoustic Monitoring And Visual Surveys On Birds At Irvine Prairie, Claire Newton, Sykora Smith, Myah Sierens, Mark Myers

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

Traditional visual bird surveys performed by human surveyors include point count methods and strip transect surveys. The developing technologies of acoustic recording units are a tool for surveying bird communities by sound, reducing the hours researchers spend in the field for long-term monitoring. Passive acoustic monitoring of birds in Iowa has proven to be a valuable method of detecting species of conservation concern as well as general species richness (Dixon et al 2023; McGovern et al 2024). There is continued debate on the performance of human surveyors compared to the quickly advancing technologies for sound identification (Goodman et al 2025). …

Re-Examining Endemic Smoky Dace As An Indicator Species In The Upper Little Tennessee River Index Of Biological Integrity, Tayton C. Alvis, William O. Mclarney, Radmila Petric, Jason P. Love

Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings

Fish communities can be used to evaluate water quality and stream ecosystem health, helping resource managers understand the effects of anthropogenic disturbance. Fish species inform indexes of biological integrity through their ecological traits and tolerance to stressors (e.g. tolerant of disturbance, intolerant of disturbance), but these designations are difficult to determine without localized, species-specific information. The Upper Little Tennessee River watershed is subject to long-term aquatic biomonitoring, applying an index of biological integrity tailored to the region. In this index, the undescribed endemic Smoky Dace (Clinostomus sp.) is classified as intolerant based on a previous designation for the Rosyside Dace …

Pharmaceuticals Acetaminophen, Cephalexin And Levofloxacin: Elimination And Toxicity Study Via Carbon Nitride-Based Photocatalyst, Faisal Al Marzouqi, Bunsho Ohtani, Hlengilizwe Nyoni, Fahad Al Shidi, Alex T. Kuvarega, Bhekie B Mamba, Rengaraj Selvaraj

Sultan Qaboos University Journal For Science

In recent times, investigators have conducted extensive studies on carbon nitride-based photocatalytic materials. Earlier research mainly concentrated on the poly-condensation technique and the uses of the produced materials, whereas less attention was given to the starting precursors, which were broadly classified as nitrogen-rich. This research offers a complete examination of the appropriate precursors, highlighting their large-scale, economical, and safe production for carbon nitride-based materials. Safety evaluations of the precursors were examined, and a cost analysis was conducted to refine the choice of accessible precursors. Afterward, the surface area, photophysical, SEM, and electrochemical properties of the materials were characterized. The differences …

Green Synthesis Of Nanomaterials For Carbon Capture And Clean Energy Applications, Ranjana Rayaraddi, Sathyabama Balaji, Blessy Babukutty, Mahendra Kolya, Sunil Meti, Sabu Thomas

Sultan Qaboos University Journal For Science

The rapid increase in anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and the growing global energy demand have intensified the search for sustainable carbon mitigation and clean energy solutions. Nanomaterials have emerged as promising candidates for carbon capture, energy conversion, and storage technologies due to their high surface area, tunable physicochemical properties, and superior catalytic performance. However, conventional nanomaterial synthesis routes often involve toxic chemicals, harsh reaction conditions, and high energy consumption, limiting their environmental sustainability. In this context, green synthesis of nanomaterials has gained significant attention as an eco-friendly alternative that aligns with the principles of green chemistry. This review presents …

Development And Evaluation Of Electrospun Pva/Lemongrass Nanofibers As Potential Pest Control Applications, Manjula Ramamoorthy, Sheeja Rajiv, B. Hamsini

Sultan Qaboos University Journal For Science

The growing demand for safe and controlled application of medicines in biological field has led to the development of using synthetic polymers. Essential oils have been used as green insecticides due to their non-toxic and eco-friendly nature. In this study, a green alternative insecticide based on PVA polymeric nanofibers and lemongrass was successfully prepared using electrospinning technique and was characterised by SEM, FTIR, XRD and TGA measurements. The developed lemongrass loaded PVA mat exhibited strong insecticidal action directed at the test insect saw tooth beetle. These findings demonstrated that the prepared electrospun blend mat might provide a protective atmosphere around …

Assessing Amino Acids And Peptide Adsorption On Pristine Graphene In Aqueous Solution: Nmr Spectroscopy, Budoor S. Al Umairi, Rahma Al Busaidi, Walaa Sameer Aburayan

Sultan Qaboos University Journal For Science

Graphene offers tremendous potential for applications in biomedical and pharmaceutical areas, ranging from molecular diagnostics, biosensors, and prosthetics to implants and drug delivery. However, realising the full potential of graphene is blocked by a limited understanding of the nature and detail of its noncovalent interactions with biological molecules in aqueous dispersion, where such applications can be used. Here, we studied the adsorption of amino acids and peptide on graphene in water utilising Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy by observing 1H signals of individual biomolecules when exposed to graphene. The peptide-graphene interactions appeared to be driven by the binding affinity of individual …

Synthesis Of Nio/Coo Photocatalyst For Enhanced Visible Light Assisted Photodegradation Of Congo Red Dye – A Comparative Study, Mohamed Siddiq, Akash Rajasekhar, Rajeswari Alagar, Mangalaraja Ramalinga Viswanathan, Sambandam Anandan

Sultan Qaboos University Journal For Science

Serious health issues, including cancer, redness, skin irritation, and allergic reactions, have been linked to factories releasing Congo red dye into water supplies. Therefore, this study focused on the simple production of NiO/CoO (NCO) metal oxide nanocomposites using the reflux-assisted chemical precipitation method. Subsequently, these metal oxide nanocomposites were employed for effective photocatalytic degradation of Congo red dye. The crystalline structure and phase purity of the synthesized materials were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, confirming the formation of highly crystalline cubic phases of NiO, CoO, and NCO nanocomposite. Morphological studies showed that the NCO composite exhibited a mixed spherical and square-shaped …

Biobloom Tio2: Green Synthesis Of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Using Clitoria Ternatea Flower Extract For Bioremediation Of Textile Dyes, Nijasritha Jayaprakash, Kishore Parthasarathy, Varshana Prabhu, Sowparnika Lakshmidass, Koyeli Girigoswami

Sultan Qaboos University Journal For Science

Nanotechnology is essential in many scientific disciplines, particularly materials science, where titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles are widely studied for their stability and high photocatalytic performance in environmental applications. This study reports the green synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using Clitoria ternatea (butterfly pea) flower extract as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent. Phytochemicals, such as alkaloids, glycosides, and coumarins, facilitate nanoparticle formation and stabilization. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by ultraviolet (UV)–vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), zeta potential analysis, DLS, FTIR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and EDX, confirming their structural, morphological, and surface properties. Biocompatibility was evaluated using MTT, hemolysis, and …

Sustainable Microwave-Assisted Casting Route For Orthopedic Plate Implant Fabrication: A Review Of Current Status And Future Prospects, Ashish Kumar, Ashok Kumar Bagha, Sumit Sharma

Sultan Qaboos University Journal For Science

Rising need for quality orthopedic plate implants requires more efficient and sustainable manufacturing techniques. Traditional manufacturing routes for these implants includes gravity casting, forging, and powder metallurgy. Such methods often suffer from limitations such as non-uniform microstructures, high energy consumption, prolonged processing times, and environmental concern. Microwave-assisted casting using the microwave hybrid heating (MHH) approach offers a promising alternative with rapid, uniform, and volumetric heating. Microwave-assisted casting of biomaterials has recently attracted research interest for producing cost-effective, high-quality biomedical implants. This review critically evaluates the current status of microwave-based processing and casting routes for biomedical implant fabrication. It provides a …

Phytochemical Analysis And Safety Assessment Of Watercress Nasturtium Officinale: Antioxidant Capacity, Heavy Metal Profiling, And Toxicity Using Brine Shrimp Model, Qurrota A’Yunin, Chamini Kasun Hemachandra, Muhaimin Rifa’I, Yoga Dwi Jatmiko, Maftuch Maftuch, Rizky Fadilla Agustin Rangkuti, Cucun Herlina, Zulfa Mahdiatur Rasyida, Moh Dliyauddin

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Medicinal plants have attracted growing attention as sources of natural bioactive compounds for sustainable aquaculture and health. This study evaluated the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, heavy metal profile, and acute toxicity of watercress (Nasturtium officinale W.T. Aiton) methanol extract using maceration, qualitative and quantitative (TPC, TFC, antioxidant DPPH) phytochemical assay, XRF, and BSLA. Phytochemical screening of plant extracts showed the existence of flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, tannins, triterpenoids, and saponins, but not steroidal. The TPC and TFC were 20.6 mg GAE/g and 10.8 mg QE/g, respectively. The extract displayed significant antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 64.78 µg/mL in DPPH assay). …

Estimated Prebiotic Intake And Depression In Us Adults: Repeated Cross-Sectional Analyses Of Nhanes 2015–2018 And 2021–2023, Cassandra Boyd, John Gieng

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Prebiotics are selectively utilised dietary substrates that may influence depression through gut microbiota-related pathways, but population-level estimates of intake and associations with depression are limited. This repeated cross-sectional study estimated intake of International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP)-recognised prebiotics and examined associations with depression among US adults using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015–2018 and NHANES August 2021–August 2023, analysed as independent survey periods. Estimated intakes of galactooligosaccharides and inulin-type fructans were assigned to foods using published source-food values, Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies food codes, and ingredient-level information for mixed dishes. Depression was …

Unlocking The Past: Chemical Cleaning And Xrf Analysis In The Restoration Of A Renowned Work Of Art, Crisencio M. Paner

DLSU Arts Congress Conference Proceedings

This study presents the conservation and scientific analysis of a painting by Ang Kiukok, a prominent Filipino National Artist. The project emphasized preventive and restorative conservation, focusing on cleaning methods and pigment identification using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis. The findings provide valuable insights for developing effective preservation strategies and enhance our understanding of the artist’s materials and techniques, thereby contributing significantly to the documentation and advancement of Philippine art history. Conservation trainees, under expert supervision, followed a structured restoration process. For initial cleaning, three standard materials were used: Vulpex (a non-acidic liquid soap), Artist’s Picture Cleaner, and purified beeswax. These …

Ole Miss Mortar Board Chapter Honored For Service, Overall Excellence, Mitchell Diggs

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi chapter of Mortar Board national honor society has earned its fifth consecutive Gold Torch Award, along with several other honors, for its continuing work to promote leadership and make a difference in the community.

Payment For Forest Environmental Services For Sustainable Coffee Production: Engaging Stakeholders’ Perspectives, Quyen Nguyen Thi Ngoc, Vung Nguyen Xuan, Nam Vu Hai, Cuong Nguyen Thuy, Nghi Tran Huu, Thang Tran, Thuy Phan Thi

ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement

Engaging the community becomes crucial for environmental payment mechanisms as their implementation depends on the participation and coordination of beneficiaries, businesses, public agencies, and local resource users. Departing from this belief, this study examines the potential for expanding Vietnam’s Payment for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) program to the coffee sector, with a focus on sustainable production. Using a mixed-method approach, the study assessed consumers’ perceptions of forest environmental services and their willingness to pay for PFES-supported coffee, while also examining stakeholder perspectives on a potential implementation mechanism. Data were collected from a survey of 457 customers in Dak Lak province …

Thermoclock:A Novel Automated Temperature Regulation Device That Can Model Circadian Entrainment And Disruption In 2d And 3d In Vitro Models, Kaiyin Kelly Zhang, Cathryn A. Cutia, Chanelle A. Moise, Bhavna Kalyanaraman, Kaitlyn Chhe, Jiexin Wang, Michelle E. Farkas, Ilia N. Karatsoreos, Mary Harrington, Meghan E. Huber, Cathal J. Kearney

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Circadian rhythms are critical for maintaining homeostasis and regulating physiological functions, and consequentially impact disease progression; yet, they remain largely overlooked in in vitro models used in preclinical research. One major barrier to rigorously testing the role of circadian rhythms in these models is the lack of accessible tools that seamlessly integrate into standard culture setups and are capable of sustainably delivering time cues to cells and tissues in long term experiments. Here, we present the ThermoClock, a low-cost, Arduino-based automated temperature control system capable of delivering independent temperature programs to multiple cultures simultaneously. Using circadian reporter U2OS cell lines …