Tailorable ITO thin films for tunable microwave photonic applications.

Tunability is a fundamental prerequisite for functional devices and forms the backbone of reconfigurable microwave photonic (MWP) signal processors. In this paper, we explore the use of indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films, notable for their combination of optical transparency and electrical conductivity, to provide tunability for integrated MWP devices. We study the impacts of post-thermal annealing on the structural, electrical, and optical properties of ITO films. The annealed ITO microheater maintains a low total insertion loss of just 0.1 dB while facilitating the tunability of the microring across the entire free spectral range (FSR) using less than half the voltage required by its non-annealed counterpart. Furthermore, the post-annealed ITO film exhibits a 30% improvement in response time, enhancing its performance as an active voltage-controlled microheater. Leveraging this advantage, we employed the post-annealed device to demonstrate continuous tunable radio frequency (RF) phase shifts from 0-330° across a frequency range spanning 15 GHz to 40 GHz with only 5.58 mW of power. The flexibility in modifying the ITO thin film properties effectively bridges the gap between achieving low-loss and high-speed thermo-optic based microheaters.

On-chip simultaneous measurement of humidity and temperature using cascaded photonic crystal microring resonators with error correction.

We present the design, fabrication, and characterization of cascaded silicon-on-insulator photonic crystal microring resonators (PhCMRRs) for dual-parameter sensing based on a multiple resonances multiple modes (MRMM) technique. Benefitting from the slow-light effect, the engineered PhCMRRs exhibit unique optical field distributions with different sensitivities via the excitation of dielectric and air modes. The multiple resonances of two distinct modes offer new possibilities for enriching the sensing receptors with additional information about environmental changes while preserving all essential properties of traditional microring resonator based sensors. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate the feasibility of extracting humidity and temperature responses simultaneously with a single spectrum measurement by employing polymethyl methacrylate as the hydrophilic coating, obtaining a relative humidity (RH) sensitivity of 3.36 pm/%RH, 5.57 pm/%RH and a temperature sensitivity of 85.9 pm/°C, 67.1 pm/°C for selected dielectric mode and air mode, respectively. Moreover, the MRMM enriched data further forges the capability to perform mutual cancellation of the measurement error, which improves the sensing performance reflected by the coefficient of determination (R2-value), calculated as 0.97 and 0.99 for RH and temperature sensing results, respectively.

Optical bi-stability in cubic silicon carbide microring resonators.

We measure the photothermal nonlinear response in suspended cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC) and 3C-SiC-on-insulator (SiCOI) microring resonators. Bi-stability and thermo-optic hysteresis is observed in both types of resonators, with the suspended resonators showing a stronger response. A photothermal nonlinear index of 4.02×10-15 m2/W is determined for the suspended resonators, while the SiCOI resonators demonstrate one order of magnitude lower photothermal nonlinear index of 4.32×10-16 m2/W. Cavity absorption and temperature analysis suggest that the differences in thermal bi-stability are due to variations in waveguide absorption, likely from crystal defect density differences throughout the epitaxially grown layers. Furthermore, coupled mode theory model shows that the strength of the optical bi-stability, in suspended and SiCOI resonators can be engineered for high power or nonlinear applications.

Bound states in the continuum supported by silicon oligomer metasurfaces.

Oligomer metasurfaces have attracted a lot of attention in recent years because of their ability to drive strong resonance effects. In this work, by perturbing the symmetry of the structure, we find that there are a large number of resonance modes in the oligomer metasurfaces associated with the optical bound states in the continuum (BICs) near the communication wavelength. When the positions of two nanodisks of the hexamer oligomers are moved along the x- or y-directions at the same time, the mirror symmetry is broken, and an electric quadrupole BIC and three magnetic dipole BICs are excited. The results of near-field distribution of three-dimensional nanodisks and far-field scattering of multiple dipoles in each quasi-BIC reveal that the four BICs present different optical characteristics. It is noted that the method of symmetry breaking by moving the position of nanodisks can accurately control the asymmetric parameter of symmetry-protected BICs, which provides a route for the realization of ultrahigh quality (Q)-factor oligomer metasurfaces in experiment.

miR-434 and miR-242 have a potential role in heat stress response in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are being extensively studied as they function as key metabolic regulators which play a role in the heat stress response. However, the role of miRNAs in heat stress remains uncertain and many new miRNAs have not yet been discovered. In a previous study, we performed high-throughput sequencing of differentially expressed miRNAs identified on exposing rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to heat stress (18 vs. 24°C), which led to the identification of two novel miRNAs, temporarily named novel miR-434 and -242. The differential expression level of these miRNAs was extremely significant (P < 0.01); we analysed target gene mRNA transcripts by bioinformatics software (miRanda). We found novel miR-434 and -242 were predicted to regulate the transcripts of heat shock 70-kDa protein 4-like (HSPA4L) and calreticulin (CRT), respectively, by bioinformatics software. Here our core objective was to validate if HSPA4L and CRT are indeed the target genes of novel miR-434 and -242, respectively, and for this purpose we used the dual-luciferase reporter assay system. Target gene sequences were synthesized and cloned into a dual-luciferase vector. To better understand the function of the target genes, we combined the previous sequencing results of Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. We found that novel miR-434 regulated HSPA4L expression by binding to a putative binding site in the 3'-UTR of HSPA4L, and luciferase activity inhibition was observed. In contrast, novel miR-242 was not involved in regulating CRT expression. To conclude, we believe our results should serve as a foundation for future studies aiming to comprehensively understand the mechanisms used by rainbow trout to cope with heat stress.

High-throughput sequencing reveals microRNAs in response to heat stress in the head kidney of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Recently, the research of animal microRNAs (miRNAs) has attracted wide attention for its regulatory effect in the development process and the response to abiotic stresses. Rainbow trout is a commercially and cold water fish species, and usually encounters heat stress, which affects its growth and leads to a huge economic loss. But there were few investigations about the roles of miRNAs in heat stress in rainbow trout. In this study, miRNAs of rainbow trout which were involved in heat stress were identified by high-throughput sequencing of six small RNA libraries from head kidney tissues under control (18 °C) and heat-treated (24 °C) conditions. A total of 392 conserved miRNAs and 989 novel miRNAs were identified, of which 78 miRNAs were expressed in different response to heat stress. Ten of these miRNAs were further validated by quantitative real-time PCR. In addition to, including 393 negative correlation miRNA-target gene pairs, several important regulatory pathways were involved in heat stress of the potential target genes, including protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, and phagosome. Our data significantly advance understanding of heat stress regulatory mechanism of miRNA in the head kidney of rainbow trout, which provide a useful resource for the cultivation of rainbow trout.

Ruminal metagenomic analyses of goat data reveals potential functional microbiota by supplementation with essential oil-cobalt complexes.

BACKGROUND: Essential Oils (EO) are complex mixtures of plant secondary metabolites that have been proposed as promising feed additives for mitigating methane and ammonia emissions. We have previously demonstrated that Essential Oil-Cobalt (EOC) supplementation resulted in increased average daily gain and improved phenotypes (cashmere fiber traits, carcass weight, and meat quality) when cashmere goats received supplementation at approximately 2 mg/kg of body weight. However, the ruminal microbiological effects of EO remain poorly understood with regard to the extent to which ruminal populations can adapt to EO presence as feed ingredients. The effects of varying levels of EO require additional study. RESULTS: In this study, we conducted metagenomic analyses using ruminal fluid samples from three groups (addition of 0, 52, and 91 mg) to evaluate the influence of dietary EOC supplementation on goat rumen bacterial community dynamics. EOC addition resulted in changes of ruminal fermentation types and the EOC dose strongly impacted the stability of ruminal microbiota. The Bacteroides sp. and Succinivibrio sp. type bacterial community was positively associated with improved volatile fatty acid production when the diet was supplemented with EOC. CONCLUSIONS: A clear pattern was found that reflected rapid fermentative improvement in the rumen, subsequent to butyrate metabolism and EOC based feed additives may affect rumen microbes to further improve feed conversion. This observation indicates that EOC can be safely used to enhance animal productivity and to reduce ammonia and waste gas emissions, thus positively impacting the environment.

Evaluation of reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR analysis of messenger RNAs and microRNAs in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss under heat stress.

We assessed the expression stability of several messenger (m)RNAs and micro (mi)RNAs from liver and head kidney of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss using high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and miRNA-seq data. Additionally, four commonly used reference genes and one small non-coding RNA (u6) were also selected to identify ideal reference mRNAs and miRNAs for quantitative real-time (qrt)-PCR analysis of heat stress responses. GeNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and comparative ΔCt were employed for analysis of qrt-PCR data to systematically assess the expression stability of candidate mRNAs and miRNAs and stability was ranked using geometric means. ß-actin and ef1-α were the most stably expressed reference mRNAs in liver and head kidney, respectively and ssa-mir-26a-5p and ssa-mir-462b-5p were the most stably expressed miRNAs in these tissues. This is the first identification of appropriate reference mRNAs and miRNAs for qrt-PCR analysis of O. mykiss under heat stress.

Transcriptomic responses to heat stress in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss head kidney.

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are widely cultured throughout the word for commercial aquaculture. However, as a cold-water species, rainbow trout are highly susceptible to heat stress, which may cause pathological signs or diseases by alleviating the immune roles and then lead to mass mortality. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that occur in the rainbow trout in response to heat stress will be useful to decrease heat stress-related morbidity and mortality in trout aquaculture. In the present study, we conducted transcriptome analysis of head kidney tissue in rainbow trout under heat-stress (24 °C) and control (18 °C) conditions, to identify heat stress-induced genes and pathways. More than 281 million clean reads were generated from six head kidney libraries. Using an adjusted P-value of P < 0.05 as the threshold, a total of 443 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including members of the HSP90, HSP70, HSP60, and HSP40 family and several cofactors or cochaperones. The RNA-seq results were confirmed by RT-qPCR. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis of DEGs were performed. Many genes involved in maintaining homeostasis or adapting to stress and stimuli were highly induced in response to high temperature. The most significantly enriched pathway was "Protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum (ER)", a quality control system that ensures correct protein folding or degradation of misfolded polypeptides by ER-associated degradation. Other signaling pathways involved in regulation of immune system and post-transcriptional regulation of spliceosome were also critical for thermal adaptation. These findings improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of heat stress responses and are useful to develop strategies for the improvement of rainbow trout survival rate during summer high-temperature period.

The Value of Older Donors' Klotho Level in Predicting Recipients' Short-Term Renal Function.

BACKGROUND The present organ shortage has led to increased use of kidneys from expanded-criteria donors, but the prognosis is disappointing due to poor graft quality. As a promising kidney protector, the Klotho gene's role in predicting short-term prognosis has not been assessed. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed data from 41 recipients and 25 donors. Multiple clinical variables were compared between different subgroups of donors or their corresponding recipients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the distinguishing ability. Dynamic changes in serum Klotho, FGF-23, and urinary NGAL were assessed. RESULTS Serum Klotho level was significantly lower in donors age ≥50 years (p=0.017), and there was a moderate negative correlation between serum Klotho expression and age (r=-0.464, p=0.019). Moreover, detection of Klotho mRNA and immunohistochemical analysis in kidneys revealed the same trend as in serum. Furthermore, for older donors (age ≥50 years), serum Klotho level had a strong negative correlation with recipient eGFR 1 month post-transplant (r=-0.686, p=0.007), which was proved to be a good predictor for estimating graft function by ROC analysis. Additionally, during the post-transplant follow-up, serum Klotho levels increased slightly after a temporary decline, while serum FGF-23 and urinary NGAL decreased significantly and then stayed low thereafter. CONCLUSIONS Klotho level, which decreases with age, may be a potential predictor of short-term renal function, especially for grafts from older donors.

Effects of heat stress on respiratory burst, oxidative damage and SERPINH1 (HSP47) mRNA expression in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss.

For rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, high temperature is a major abiotic stress that limits its growth and productivity. In this study, spleen macrophage respiratory burst (RB), serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and mRNA expression of the SERPINH1 (HSP47) gene in different tissues (liver, spleen, head kidney and heart) were measured in unstressed (18 °C) and heat-stressed (25 °C) fish. Spleen macrophage RB activity, serum SOD activity and MDA content all increased significantly (P < 0.05) during heat shock, and peaked at 8, 12 and 4 h, respectively. SERPINH1 mRNA expression responded in a time- and tissue-specific manner to heat stress, which was mainly reflected in the significant up-regulation in all tissues (P < 0.05) and greater expression in the liver than the other tissues (P < 0.05). During the heat-shock recovery period, the MDA content returned to the unstressed level. These results indicate that heat shock causes cell injury, induces oxidative damage and promotes SERPINH1 mRNA expression, which plays an important protective function during heat stress in O. mykiss. In practice, close attention should be given to temperature changes in O. mykiss production to reduce the effects of high temperature.

Effect of Puerarin on Expression of ICAM-1 and TNF-α in Kidneys of Diabetic Rats.

BACKGROUND: As an important factor causing end-stage renal disease, diabetic nephropathy is correlated with low-grade chronic inflammation and immune system activation. This study aimed to investigate the protective function of puerarin on the kidneys of diabetic rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cohort of healthy male SD rats (7 weeks old) were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, and a puerarin treatment group with high (H), moderate (M), and low (L) dosage. After streptozotocin induction, puerarin was applied via intragastric administration for 8 consecutive weeks with dosages of 0.25, 0. 5 and 1.0 mg/(kg·d) for L, M, and H groups, respectively. Fasting blood glucose (BG), creatinine (Scr), urea nitrogen (BUN), and urine albumin excretion rate (UAER) were measured, along with morphological observation of renal cells. The expression of intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) was determined using immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, while renal cortex cell apoptosis was assayed by in situ end-labeling method. RESULTS: Model rats had significantly elevated levels of BG, Scr, BUN, and UAER compared to controls (p<0.05). All these increases were partially but significantly suppressed by puerarin (p<0.05), which also caused marked improvement of histopathological damages. Puerarin at each dosage significantly eliminated elevations of ICAM-1 and TNF-α levels in model rats (p<0.05), and decreased apoptotic indexes of renal cortex cells (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Early-stage renal damages can be significantly improved by puerarin, possibly via its suppression of ICAM-1 and TNF-α expression in diabetic rat kidneys.

[Use of visible and near infrared reflectance spectroscopy to identify the cashmere and wool].

The wool and cashmere samples (n = 130) from different areas of Gansu province were identified by visible and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (Vis/NIRs). The result shows that principal component-mahalanobis distance pattern can identify the wool and cashmere, and the boundary between two categories was clear; The calibration set samples were used to establish calibration qualitative model using PCR combined with the best pretreatment of the spectra and math, including multivariate scattering correction (MSC), first derivative, eight for the best principal component factor, one for uncertainty factor, this calibration model of the predicted was the best, and the result of the external validation was correct completely. Results from this experiment indicate that Vis/NIRs can be utilized to identify the wool and cashmere.

Genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism data and mitochondrial hypervariable region 1 nucleotide sequence reveal the origin of the Akhal-Teke horse.

OBJECTIVE: The study investigated the origin of the Akhal-Teke horse using genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data and mitochondrial hypervariable region 1 (HVR-1) nucleotide sequences. METHODS: Genome-wide SNP data from 22 breeds (481 horses) and mitochondrial HVR-1 sequences from 24 breeds (544 sequences) worldwide to examine the origin of the Akhal- Teke horse. The data were analyzed using principal component analysis, linkage disequilibrium analysis, neighbor-joining dendrograms, and ancestry inference to determine the population relationships, ancestral source, genetic structure, and relationships with other varieties. RESULTS: A close genetic relationship between the Akhal-Teke horse and horses from the Middle East was found. Analysis of mitochondrial HVR-1 sequences showed that there were no shared haplotypes between the Akhal-Teke and Tarpan horses, and the mitochondrial data indicated that the Akhal-Teke horse has not historically expanded its group. Ancestral inference suggested that Arabian and Caspian horses were the likely ancestors of the Akhal- Teke horse. CONCLUSION: The Akhal-Teke horse originated in the Middle East.

Metagenomic and metabolomic analysis of changes in intestinal contents of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) infected with infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus at different culture water temperatures.

Infectious hematopoietic necrosis (IHN) is a major disease that limits the culture of rainbow trout. In practical production, it has been found that the temperature of the culture water is a crucial factor affecting its mortality. Currently, little is known about how temperature affects the immune response of rainbow trout gut microbiota and metabolites to IHNV. In this study, our main objective is to analyze the changes in gut microorganisms of rainbow trout (juvenile fish with a consistent genetic background) after 14 days of infection with IHNV (5 × 105 pfu/fish) at 12-13°C (C: injected with saline, A: injected with IHNV) and 16-17°C (D: injected with saline, B: injected with IHNV) using metagenomic and metabolomic analyses, and to screen for probiotics that are effective against IHNV. The results showed that infection with IHNV at 12-13°C caused Eukaryote loss. Compared to Group C, Group A showed a significant increase in harmful pathogens, such as Yersiniaceae, and a significant alteration of 4,087 gut metabolites. Compared to group D, group B showed a significant increase in the abundance of Streptococcaceae and Lactococcus lactis, along with significant changes in 4,259 intestinal metabolites. Compared with their respective groups, the levels of two immune-related metabolites, 1-Octadecanoyl-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine and L-Glutamate, were significantly upregulated in groups A and B. Compared to group B, Group A showed significantly higher pathogenic bacteria including Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, and Yersiniaceae, while group B showed a significant increase in Streptococcaceae and Lactococcus lactis. Additionally, there were 4,018 significantly different metabolites between the two groups. Interestingly, 1-Octadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine and L-Glutamate were significantly higher in group A than in group B. Some of the different metabolites in C vs. A are correlated with Fomitopsis pinicola, while in D vs. B they were correlated with Lactococcus raffinolactis, and in A vs. B they were correlated with Hypsizygus marmoreus. This study exposed how rainbow trout gut microbiota and metabolites respond to IHNV at different temperatures, and screens beneficial bacteria with potential resistance to IHN, providing new insights and scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of IHN.

Integrated silicon carbide electro-optic modulator.

Owing to its attractive optical and electronic properties, silicon carbide is an emerging platform for integrated photonics. However an integral component of the platform is missing-an electro-optic modulator, a device which encodes electrical signals onto light. As a non-centrosymmetric crystal, silicon carbide exhibits the Pockels effect, yet a modulator has not been realized since the discovery of this effect more than three decades ago. Here we design, fabricate, and demonstrate a Pockels modulator in silicon carbide. Specifically, we realize a waveguide-integrated, small form-factor, gigahertz-bandwidth modulator that operates using complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-level voltages on a thin film of silicon carbide on insulator. Our device is fabricated using a CMOS foundry compatible fabrication process and features no signal degradation, no presence of photorefractive effects, and stable operation at high optical intensities (913 kW/mm2), allowing for high optical signal-to-noise ratios for modern communications. Our work unites Pockels electro-optics with a CMOS foundry compatible platform in silicon carbide.

Rapid lateral flow tests for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies.

Background: Rapid Lateral Flow Test (LFT) has been broadly utilized in detection or diagnosis of numerous disease-related antigens and antibodies. It is the most popular format of point-of-care test (POCT) and quickest and easiest way to detect a targeted molecule. In the combat against COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of POCTs have been developed and are commercially available now. They are designed to detect either a SARS-CoV-2 viral antigen or IgG and IgM antibodies binding to it. Among the binding antibodies, a special type of functional antibodies that block the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 virus and its human receptor, neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), are of particular interest to public as well as in vaccination management. However as of today, POCTs for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 NAbs remain under late stage of development.Scope and method:In this review, we first summarize the importance of awareness and monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 NAbs in the combat against COVID-19 pandemic. Secondly, we compare the available methods for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 NAbs. Next, we describe challenges in the development of a rapid lateral flow test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 NAbs. Finally, we outline its product formats and applications in research and in disease management. Conclusion:Vaccine effectiveness is unknown for an individual unless measured. NAb level is the most viable measurement for vaccine effectiveness or immunity. A broadly accessible NAb POCT is urgently needed.

Integrative mRNA-miRNA interaction analysis reveals the molecular mechanism of skin color variation between wild-type and yellow mutant rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is an important economic fish in China. Skin color affects the economic value of trout. However, the molecular mechanism of the skin color variation between wild-type (WR) and yellow mutant rainbow trout (YR) is unclear. We sequenced mRNAs and miRNAs of dorsal skin to identify key color variation-associated mRNAs and miRNAs between WR and YR. Overall, 2060 out of 3625 differentially expressed genes were upregulated in YR, and 196 out of 275 differentially expressed miRNAs were downregulated in WR. We identified three key YR-upregulated genes related to the formation of xanthophores (GCH1, SLC2A11, and SOX10). Interestingly, several genes related to melanogenesis (TYR, TYRP1, TYRP2, MC1R, MITF, PMEL, SLC45A2, and OCA2) were downregulated in WR. Integrated analysis identified five miRNAs that target at least two skin color-related genes (miR-495-y, miR-543-y, miR-665-z, miR-433-y, and miR-382-x). Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses of target genes identified noncoding RNA metabolic process as the most significantly enriched GO term, and several metabolic pathways associated with skin color were enriched significantly, such as tyrosine metabolism, histidine metabolism, and vitamin B6 metabolism. Quantitative real-time PCR of selected mRNAs and miRNAs validated the reliability of the integrated analysis. This study provides in-depth insights into the molecular mechanism of skin color variation between WR and YR, which will accelerate the genetic selection and breeding of rainbow trout with consumer-favored traits.

Effect of additives and filling methods on whole plant corn silage quality, fermentation characteristics and in situ digestibility.

OBJECTIVE: This project aimed to evaluate the effects of both different additives and filling methods on nutritive quality, fermentation profile, and in situ digestibility of whole plant corn silage. METHODS: Whole plant corn forage harvested at 26.72% dry matter (DM) was chopped and treated with two filling methods, i) fill silos at one time (F1), ii) fill silos at three times (F3), packing samples into one/three silo capacity at the first day, another one/three capacity at the second day, then one/three at the third day, three replicates. For each replicate, samples were treated with three additives, i) control (CTRL, no additive), ii) Sila-Max (MAX, Ralco Nutrition Inc., Marshall, MN, USA), and iii) Sila-Mix (MIX, Ralco Nutrition Inc., USA). With three replicates of each secondary treatment, there were nine silos, 54 silos in total. Each silo had a packing density of 137.61 kg of DM/m3. All silos were weighed and stored in lab at ambient temperature. RESULTS: After 60 d of ensiling, all items showed good silage fermentation under MAX filled one time or three times (p<0.01). Higher silage quality for all additives was obtained at filling one time than that filled three times (p<0.01). The highest DM and lowest DM loss rate (DMLR) occurred to MAX treatment at two filling methods (p<0.01); Digestibility of acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and curde protein had the same results as silage quality (p<0.01). Yield of digestible DM and digestible NDF also showed higher value under MAX especially for filling one time (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: All corn silages showed good fermentation attributes (pH<4.0). The forage filled one time had higher silage quality than that filled three times (p<0.01). MAX with homofermentative lactic acid bacteria enhanced the lactic acid fermentation, silage quality and nutrient digestibility, and so improved the digestible nutrient yield.

Modelling and Experimental Investigation on the Settling Rate of Kaolinite Particles in Non-Ideal Sedimentation Stage under Constant Gravity.

We compared the catalytic effects of two polymers (soluble starch and apple pectin) on the flocculation of kaolinite suspension. Moreover, the relationship between the zeta potential value and the time when kaolin particle sedimentation occurred was verified, and the mechanism of flocculation was analyzed. Additionally, a constitutive model was proposed to simulate the non-ideal sedimentation of clay particles in an aqueous system under constant gravity. This model not only considers the inhomogeneity of the solute but also simulates the change in clay concentration with time during the deposition process. This model proposes a decay constant (α) and sedimentation coefficient (s). The model can also be used to calculate the instantaneous sedimentation rate of the clay suspensions at any time and any depth for the settling cylinder. These sedimentary characteristics were simulated by adopting the established deposition model. The results show that the model is capable of predicting the time required for the complete sedimentation of particles in the aqueous system, suggesting the feasibility of engineering wastewater treatment, site dredging, etc.