Moisture content monitoring in industrial-scale composting systems using low-cost sensor-based machine learning techniques.

Moisture is a key aspect for proper composting, allowing greater efficiency and lower environmental impact. Low-cost real-time moisture determination methods are still a challenge in industrial composting processes. The aim of this study was to design a model of hardware and software that would allow self-adjustment of a low-cost capacitive moisture sensor. Samples of organic composts with distinct waste composition and from different composting stages were used. Machine learning techniques were applied for self-adjustment of the sensor. To validate the model, results obtained in a laboratory by the gravimetric method were used. The proposed model proved to be efficient and reliable in measuring moisture in compost, reaching a correlation coefficient of 0.9939 between the moisture content verified by gravimetric analysis and the prediction obtained by the Sensor Node.

Toxicity and physicochemical parameters of composts including distinct residues from agribusiness and slaughterhouse sludge.

Composting is useful for treatment of residues from agribusiness, but the potential toxicity of the final compost should be evaluated before its agricultural destination. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics and the toxicity of agribusiness residues using onion seeds as bioindicators. All tested treatments were composed by sludge from a swine slaughterhouse and sawdust. Besides the control, which included no additional materials, the other treatments included aviary bedding, rice husk and residue from tobacco industries as structuring materials. After 120 days of composting, for all treatments, the temperature inside the composting piles approached the environmental temperature, the physicochemical parameters indicated that the composts were stabilized and, except for the treatment including tobacco residues, that could be used for agriculture without impairing plant germination. Although the treatments including tobacco residues and rice husk showed evidence of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity at the beginning of the composting period, that was not observed for the treatment including aviary bedding. Such potential toxicity was not observed at the end of composting for any of the tested treatments.

Effects of canola oil and antioxidants on performance, serum parameters, carcass traits, and rumen fermentation patterns of Nellore cattle.

Several nutritional strategies have been used in beef cattle production in order to increase animal performance and profitability. However, in the past two decades, the increase of consumer preference for functional foods has driven the investigation for improving food via adding functional substances to animal diets. We evaluated the effect of canola oil supplementation associated with vitamin E and selenium on performance, rumen metabolism, carcass traits, meat tenderness, and serum, liver, and meat status of antioxidants in finishing Nellore males. Animals were fed for 106 days in a feedlot and were randomly distributed in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: two levels of oil in the diet (no inclusion and 3% canola oil, defined as diet without oil inclusion (NO) and effect of oil (OIL), respectively) and two levels of antioxidants in the diet (no inclusion and 2.5 mg of Se/kg of DM + 500 UI of vitamin E/kg of DM, defined as diet without antioxidant inclusion (NA) and effect of the antioxidants (ANT), respectively). DM intake (kg/day) was evaluated daily; performance and serum were analysed at the beginning of the feedlot and every 28 days. Animals were slaughtered and hot carcass weight (kg) was recorded; ruminal fluid and liver samples were collected. At 24 h postmortem, carcass pH was recorded and the Longissimus thoracis was sampled. There was no significant effect of the OIL*ANT interaction (P > 0.05) for any trait evaluated. Bulls fed OIL presented greater final BW (P < 0.01), average daily gain (kg/day; P < 0.01), feed efficiency (P < 0.01), rump fat thickness (P8RF; P < 0.05), and greater tenderness; the ANT diet increased P8RF (P < 0.05). The levels of selenium and vitamin E in serum, liver, and meat were increased (P < 0.01) with the inclusion of ANT. ANT did not change triiodothyronine (T3, ng/mL) and thyroxine (T4, µg/gL) serum concentrations but decreased serum glucose levels. The treatments did not affect (P > 0.05) ruminal parameters or the protozoa population. Our results showed that the inclusion of 3% canola oil in the diet DM increased performance, feed efficiency, carcass fat deposition, and tenderness, with no effect on rumen fermentation and protozoa population of Nellore cattle in a feedlot system. The inclusion of ANT in the cattle diet did not affect performance or rumen parameters. However, the levels of ANT were increased in the serum, liver, and meat, enriching the final product with these compounds.

Taro flour (Colocasia esculenta) increases testosterone levels and gametogenic epithelium of Wistar rats.

This study evaluated the effects of diet containing taro flour on hormone levels and the seminiferous tubules morphology of rats. After weaning, the male rats were divided into two groups (n=12 each): control group (CG) treated with control diet and taro group (TG), fed with 25% taro flour for 90 days. Food, caloric intake, mass and body length were evaluated at experiment end. Testis followed the standard histological processing. Immunostaining was performed using an anti-vimentin antibody to identify Sertoli cells. In histomorphometry, total diameter, total area, epithelial height, luminal height and luminal area were analyzed. The testosterone levels were performed using the radioimmunoassay method. Group TG presented (P<0.05): increase in mass, body length, testicular weight, histomorphometric parameters and hormonal levels. Food intake, calorie and Sertoli cells not presented statistical differences. The taro promoted increase in the testicles parameters and hormones.

Effects of transgenic soybean and organic soybean on rat penis morphology during the aging process / Efectos de los frijoles de soja transgénica y de soja orgánica en la morfología del pene de rata durante el proceso de envejecimiento

The contents of soybean can modify the structure of the reproductive system, especially, when consumed for prolonged periods. In this study, we evaluated the effects of the consumption of transgenic soybean on rat penis morphology after prolonged use. Wistar rats (n = 30) were divided into three groups according to diet: Transgenic Soybean (TS) group, Organic Soybean (OS) group and Control (C) group. After 455 days of intake, the rats were sacrificed and the penises were excised and fixed in formalin for subsequent histological processing. The samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Weigert’s resorcin-fuchsin stain, and picrosirius red with polarization. The images were scanned for the histomorphometric analyses of the corpora cavernosa, corpus spongiosum, erectile tissue, and tunica albuginea as well as the measurement of the thickness of the tunica albuginea. The diameter and areas of the penile arteries with the intima and media tunica were also measured. The elastic fibers of the tunica albuginea, corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum were quantified using stereological methods. No significant differences were observed in the collagen and elastic components among the groups. We concluded that no statistically significant differences were found among the groups, demonstrating that the prolonged consumption of OS and TS does not affect the penile structure.

El contenido de frijoles de soja puede modificar la estructura del sistema reproductivo, especialmente, cuando se consume durante períodos prolongados. En este estudio, se evaluaron los efectos del consumo de frijoles de soja transgénica en la morfología del pene de rata después de un uso prolongado. Las ratas Wistar (n = 30) se dividieron en tres grupos según la dieta: grupo de frijoles de soja transgénica (TS), grupo de frijoles de soja orgánica (OS) y grupo control (C). Después de 455 días de ingesta, se sacrificaron las ratas y se extirparon los penes y se fijaron en formalina para posterior procesamiento histológico. Las muestras se tiñeron con hematoxilina y eosina, tinción de resorcina-fucsina de Weigert y rojo de picrosirius con polarización. Las imágenes fueron escaneadas para análisis histomorfométrico de los cuerpos cavernosos, cuerpo esponjoso, tejido eréctil y túnica albugínea, así como para la medición del espesor de la túnica albugínea. También se midieron el diámetro y las áreas de las arterias penianas con las túnicas íntima y media. Se cuantificaron las fibras elásticas de la túnica albugínea, cuerpos cavernosos y cuerpos esponjosos utilizando métodos estereológicos. No se observaron diferencias significativas en los componentes colágenos y elásticos entre los grupos. Se concluyó que no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos, lo que demuestra que el consumo prolongado de OS y TS no afecta a la estructura del pene.

Phytotoxicity as an indicator of stability of broiler production residues.

Beddings used for successive broiler lots act as substrate to absorb water and feed from the excreta and may be subsequently used as agricultural fertilizers. This study evaluated the physicochemical characteristics and the phytotoxicity of beddings used to raise five consecutive broiler lots in five aviaries. Samples were collected for beddings not used yet and for beddings used at each of the five broiler lots. Lettuce and cucumber seeds were considered as phytotoxicity bioindicators. As beddings were used for greater number of lots, N, Ca, K, Mg and P contents generally increased, but the C content decreased, the pH alkalinized and humidity was reduced (P < 0.05). The germination index for lettuce and cucumber seeds was reduced with increased bedding (P < 0.05). Beddings used for at least five broiler lots presented decreased C:N ratio and would not recommended for agricultural use due to its toxicity for both tested seeds.

Efeito da suplementação de cobre e selênio na dieta de novilhos Brangus sobre o desempenho e fermentação ruminal / The effects of copper and selenium supplementation in the diet of Brangus steers on performance and rumen fermentation

Vinte e oito bovinos Brangus foram usados para determinar o efeito da suplementação de cobre e selênio no desempenho e na fermentação ruminal. Os animais foram divididos em: 1) C(Controle) - sem a suplementação de cobre e selênio; 2) Se - 2mg Se/kg de matéria seca na forma de selenito de sódio; 3) Cu - 40mg Cu/kg de matéria seca na forma de sulfato de cobre; 4) Se/Cu - 2mg Se/kg de matéria seca na forma de selenito de sódio e 40mg Cu/kg de matéria seca na forma de sulfato de cobre. As pesagens dos animais foram feitas em intervalos de 28 dias, após jejum completo de 18 horas. Foram colhidas amostras de líquido ruminal para análises de ácidos graxos voláteis e pH. O ganho de peso diário aumentou com a suplementação de Se (P<0,05). A ingestão de matéria seca não foi alterada pelos tratamentos (P>0,05). Os animais submetidos à suplementação com Cu apresentaram menor pH ruminal quando comparado com a suplementação Se/Cu (P<0,05). Os animais suplementados com Se/Cu apresentaram maior proporção de ácido acético quando comparado com o controle (P<0,05). Para o ácido propiônico e butírico, não houve diferenças significativas (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos. Apesar do pouco efeito na fermentação ruminal, as suplementações de selênio, cobre e selênio/cobre proporcionaram uma melhor eficiência alimentar.

Twenty-eight Brangus cattle were used to determine the effect of copper and selenium supplementation on performance and rumen fermentation. The animals were divided in: 1) (Control) - without supplementation of copper and selenium; 2) Se - 2mg Se/kg of dry matter as sodium selenite; 3) Cu - 40mg Cu/kg of dry matter as copper sulphate; 4) Se/Cu - 2mg Se/kg of dry matter as sodium selenite and 40mg Cu/kg of dry matter as copper sulphate. Animal weighing was performed in 28 day intervals, after 18 hours of fasting. Samples of rumen liquid were collected for analysis of volatile fatty acid and pH. The daily weight gain increased with selenium supplementation (P<0.05). The dry matter intake was not altered by treatments (P>0.05). The animals that received copper supplementation had lower pH rumen compared with selenium/copper supplementation (P<0.05). The animals supplemented with selenium/copper had a high proportion of acetic acid when compared to control (P<0.05). For propionic and butyric acid, there was no difference (P>0.05) among treatments. Despite the little effect on rumen fermentation, the supplementations of selenium, copper and selenium/copper provided better feed efficiency.

Efeito da suplementação de cobre e selênio na dieta de novilhos Brangus sobre o desempenho e fermentação ruminal / The effects of copper and selenium supplementation in the diet of Brangus steers on performance and rumen fermentation

Vinte e oito bovinos Brangus foram usados para determinar o efeito da suplementação de cobre e selênio no desempenho e na fermentação ruminal. Os animais foram divididos em: 1) C(Controle) - sem a suplementação de cobre e selênio; 2) Se - 2mg Se/kg de matéria seca na forma de selenito de sódio; 3) Cu - 40mg Cu/kg de matéria seca na forma de sulfato de cobre; 4) Se/Cu - 2mg Se/kg de matéria seca na forma de selenito de sódio e 40mg Cu/kg de matéria seca na forma de sulfato de cobre. As pesagens dos animais foram feitas em intervalos de 28 dias, após jejum completo de 18 horas. Foram colhidas amostras de líquido ruminal para análises de ácidos graxos voláteis e pH. O ganho de peso diário aumentou com a suplementação de Se (P<0,05). A ingestão de matéria seca não foi alterada pelos tratamentos (P>0,05). Os animais submetidos à suplementação com Cu apresentaram menor pH ruminal quando comparado com a suplementação Se/Cu (P<0,05). Os animais suplementados com Se/Cu apresentaram maior proporção de ácido acético quando comparado com o controle (P<0,05). Para o ácido propiônico e butírico, não houve diferenças significativas (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos. Apesar do pouco efeito na fermentação ruminal, as suplementações de selênio, cobre e selênio/cobre proporcionaram uma melhor eficiência alimentar.(AU)

Twenty-eight Brangus cattle were used to determine the effect of copper and selenium supplementation on performance and rumen fermentation. The animals were divided in: 1) (Control) - without supplementation of copper and selenium; 2) Se - 2mg Se/kg of dry matter as sodium selenite; 3) Cu - 40mg Cu/kg of dry matter as copper sulphate; 4) Se/Cu - 2mg Se/kg of dry matter as sodium selenite and 40mg Cu/kg of dry matter as copper sulphate. Animal weighing was performed in 28 day intervals, after 18 hours of fasting. Samples of rumen liquid were collected for analysis of volatile fatty acid and pH. The daily weight gain increased with selenium supplementation (P<0.05). The dry matter intake was not altered by treatments (P>0.05). The animals that received copper supplementation had lower pH rumen compared with selenium/copper supplementation (P<0.05). The animals supplemented with selenium/copper had a high proportion of acetic acid when compared to control (P<0.05). For propionic and butyric acid, there was no difference (P>0.05) among treatments. Despite the little effect on rumen fermentation, the supplementations of selenium, copper and selenium/copper provided better feed efficiency.(AU)

Addition of Bacillus sp. inoculums in bedding for swine on a pilot scale: effect on microbial population and bedding temperature.

Thermal and microbiological characteristics of beddings for swine were compared according to their depth and of addition of inoculums. Bedding was added to boxes at 0.25 (25D) and 0.50 m (50D), with three treatments: control (no inoculums); T1, with 250 g of Bacillus cereus var. toyoii at 8.4 × 10(7) CFU; and T2, with 250 g of a pool of B. subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus polymyxa at 8.4 × 10(7) CFU (250 g for 25D and 500 g for 50D). Mean temperatures were 28.5 ± 3.9 at the surface and 35.2 ± 8.9 inside the beddings. The most probable number (MPN) of thermophilic bacteria was higher for T1 and T2 than for the control (P<0.05). The MPN of thermophilic bacteria and fungi was greater for D50 than for D25 (P<0.05). The use of 25D without inoculums is recommended due to the reduction of thermophilic microbiota.

Resposta em parâmetros sanguíneos e urinários de vacas leiteiras ao aumento no balanço cátion-aniônico da dieta / Response in blood and urinary parameters of dairy cows to the increase in dietary cation-anion balance

Estudou-se efeito de quatro níveis de dietas catiônicas sobre os parâmetros ácido-base do sangue e o pH urinário de vacas em lactação. Para a manipulação dos níveis do balanço cátion-amônico da dieta (BCAD), foram adicionadas diferentes concentrações de bicarbonato de sódio às dietas, obtendo-se os seguintes tratamentos: +150, +250, +400 e +500mEq/kg de matéria seca. O experimento foi realizado durante o verão, por um período total de 72 dias, utilizando-se oito vacas da raça Holandesa após o pico de lactação, distribuídas em quadrado latino (4x4), replicado, em que cada período teve duração de 18 dias. O pH urinário e o bicarbonato, o pH, o CO2 total e a pCO2 do sangue aumentaram linearmente (P<0,01) com o aumento do BCAD. As concentrações de sódio e potássio do sangue não foram modificadas (P>0,05) pelo BCAD. A concentração de cloro no sangue diminuiu linearmente (P<0,01) com o aumento do BCAD. O aumento do BCAD afetou o equilíbrio ácido-base das vacas, promovendo efeito alcalinogênico, o que poderia levar a diferenças significativas no desempenho do animal.

The effect of four levels of cationic diets on acid-basic parameters of blood and the urinary pH were studied in dairy cattle. In order tomanage the dietary cation-anion balance (DCAB) different concentrations of sodium bicarbonate were added to diets, obtaining the following treatments: +150, +250, +400, and +500mEq/kg dry matter. The experiment was performed during the summer, totalizing 72 days, using eight Holstein cows after the lactating peak, distributed in 4 x 4 replicated latin square, with 18 days in each period. The urinary pH and the blood parameters (bicarbonate, pH, total CO2, and pCO2) linearly increased (P<0.01) with the DCAB increase. The sodium and potassium concentrations in blood were not modified (P>0.05) by DCAB. The chloride concentration in blood linearly decreased (P<0.01) with the DCAB increase. The DCAB increase affected the acid-base status of cows, promoting an alkalinogenic effect, what could lead to significant differences on animal performance.

Resposta em parâmetros sanguíneos e urinários de vacas leiteiras ao aumento no balanço cátion-aniônico da dieta / Response in blood and urinary parameters of dairy cows to the increase in dietary cation-anion balance

Estudou-se efeito de quatro níveis de dietas catiônicas sobre os parâmetros ácido-base do sangue e o pH urinário de vacas em lactação. Para a manipulação dos níveis do balanço cátion-amônico da dieta (BCAD), foram adicionadas diferentes concentrações de bicarbonato de sódio às dietas, obtendo-se os seguintes tratamentos: +150, +250, +400 e +500mEq/kg de matéria seca. O experimento foi realizado durante o verão, por um período total de 72 dias, utilizando-se oito vacas da raça Holandesa após o pico de lactação, distribuídas em quadrado latino (4x4), replicado, em que cada período teve duração de 18 dias. O pH urinário e o bicarbonato, o pH, o CO2 total e a pCO2 do sangue aumentaram linearmente (P<0,01) com o aumento do BCAD. As concentrações de sódio e potássio do sangue não foram modificadas (P>0,05) pelo BCAD. A concentração de cloro no sangue diminuiu linearmente (P<0,01) com o aumento do BCAD. O aumento do BCAD afetou o equilíbrio ácido-base das vacas, promovendo efeito alcalinogênico, o que poderia levar a diferenças significativas no desempenho do animal.(AU)

The effect of four levels of cationic diets on acid-basic parameters of blood and the urinary pH were studied in dairy cattle. In order tomanage the dietary cation-anion balance (DCAB) different concentrations of sodium bicarbonate were added to diets, obtaining the following treatments: +150, +250, +400, and +500mEq/kg dry matter. The experiment was performed during the summer, totalizing 72 days, using eight Holstein cows after the lactating peak, distributed in 4 x 4 replicated latin square, with 18 days in each period. The urinary pH and the blood parameters (bicarbonate, pH, total CO2, and pCO2) linearly increased (P<0.01) with the DCAB increase. The sodium and potassium concentrations in blood were not modified (P>0.05) by DCAB. The chloride concentration in blood linearly decreased (P<0.01) with the DCAB increase. The DCAB increase affected the acid-base status of cows, promoting an alkalinogenic effect, what could lead to significant differences on animal performance.(AU)

Influência do balanco cátion-aniônico da dieta no rúmen e no desempenho de ovinos / Influence of dietary cation-anion balance on rumen and performance variables in sheep

Estudou-se o efeito do balanco cátion-aniônico da dieta (BCAD) no desempenho animal e na fermentacão ruminal, utilizando-se 25 carneiros machos, da raca Santa Inês, durante 75 dias. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos. Para a manipulacão do BCAD, foram adicionados sulfato de amônio e bicarbonato de sódio, obtendo-se os seguintes tratamentos: -160, -40, 140, 250 e 500 mEq/kg de matéria seca. O aumento do BCAD resultou em aumentos da ingestão de matéria seca, do ganho diário, da eficiência alimentar e do pH ruminal (P<0,05). O perfil de ácidos graxos ruminais não foi afetado pelo BCAD.

Influência do balanco cátion-aniônico da dieta no rúmen e no desempenho de ovinos / Influence of dietary cation-anion balance on rumen and performance variables in sheep

Estudou-se o efeito do balanço cátion-aniônico da dieta (BCAD) no desempenho animal e na fermentação ruminal, utilizando-se 25 carneiros machos, da raça Santa Inês, durante 75 dias. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos. Para a manipulação do BCAD, foram adicionados sulfato de amônio e bicarbonato de sódio, obtendo-se os seguintes tratamentos: -160, -40, 140, 250 e 500 mEq/kg de matéria seca. O aumento do BCAD resultou em aumentos da ingestão de matéria seca, do ganho diário, da eficiência alimentar e do pH ruminal (P<0,05). O perfil de ácidos graxos ruminais não foi afetado pelo BCAD.(AU)

The effect of dietary cation-anion balance (DCAB) on dry matter intake, daily weight gain, feed conversion efficiency, rumen pH and rumen volatile fatty acid profile in Santa Ines sheep was studied. Dietary treatments were formulated combining sodium sulphate and sodium bicarbonate in appropriate ratios to achieve DCAB balance of –160, -40, 140, 250 and 500 mEq/kg dry matter. Twenty five male lambs were assigned to the five treatments in a randomized block design for a 75-day feeding trial. Increasing DCAB was associated with increasing voluntary dry matter intake, daily weight gain, feed conversion efficiency and rumen pH (P<0.05); but DCAB did not affect the volatile fatty acid profile in the rumen.(AU)