This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary tryptophan supplementation on growth performance, skin lesions, and blood parameters in weaned piglets. A total of 144 piglets (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc; initial BW: 6.63±0.21 kg) were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments, with six replicates of eight pigs each for 28 days. The treatments included a control diet (CON), a diet supplemented with 0.10 % tryptophan (T1), and a diet with 0.20% tryptophan (T2). Growth performance was assessed by measuring average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed efficiency (G:F). Skin lesions were scored on days 14 and 28, and blood samples were collected at the end of each phase for analysis of growth hormone, cortisol, and serotonin levels. Results indicated that tryptophan supplementation improved ADG and G:F compared with the control, particularly in the T2 group. Skin lesion scores were lower in the tryptophan supplemented groups, suggesting reduced aggression. Furthermore, blood serotonin levels tended to increase and cortisol levels showed a decreasing trend in tryptophan-supplemented groups, suggesting potential stress mitigation. These findings suggest that dietary tryptophan supplementation can enhance performance and welfare in weaned piglets under stress.

A total of 225, 3 weeks old weaned pigs of the Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc breeds with initial average body weight (BW) of 6.25±0.6 kg were randomly assigned to 3 different treatments based on their BW, with each having 5 replicates. Each replicate contained 15 pigs, resulting in 75 pigs per treatment group. The treatment included a basal diet (CON), CON + allicin and cinnamaldehyde mixture 500 ppm (ALI), CON + Bacillus-based probiotics 500 ppm (PRO) tested for 42 days in a 3-phase feeding program (0–14 as phase 1, days 15–28 as phase 2, and days 29–42 as phase 3). Result shows final BW (6.3%) and average daily gain (9.0%) in the overall phase were higher (p<0.05) in PRO compared with CON. At d 14, the level of Escherichia coli was lower (p<0.05) in ALI (12.0%) and PRO (13.2%) over CON. At days 28 (14.6%) and 42 (12.8%), the level of Escherichia coli was lower (p<0.05) in PRO compared with CON. The level of tumor necrosis factor-α was lower (p<0.05) in PRO over CON (15.0%). Superoxide dismutase (9.2%) and immunoglobulin A (19.4%) were higher (p<0.05) in PRO over CON. We concluded that dietary PRO at 500 ppm showed better performance in piglets by enhancing their growth performance and health.

This study sought to improve the accuracy of estimating national emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from consumer solvent products (CSPs) by updating emission factors and category-specific activity data. The classification of the CSPs, which was originally proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, was reorganized to reflect domestic consumption patterns in Korea. VOC contents, product sales, and atmospheric evaporation rates of the CSPs were analyzed for subcategories including personal care products, household products, and automotive aftermarket products to update their emission factors. Additionally, the category-specific activity data, previously based on only population statistics, were newly applied to count the characteristics of each classification, such as the number of households and the number of registered automobiles. The updated emission factors were calculated to be 1.90 kg/capita·yr for personal care products, 4.37 kg/household·yr for household products, and 2.36 kg/car·yr for automotive products. An evaluation of uncertainties revealed the limitation in the product classification, the shortage of sales data, and the lack of information on VOC contents depending on the product forms (liquid, solid, and aerosol). This study highlighted the necessity of developing detailed classification systems and standardized VOC content measurement methods, ultimately contributing to more accurate and practical assessments of VOC emissions from the CSPs.

The precast concrete (PC) method allows for simple assembly and disassembly of structures; however, ensuring airtight connections is crucial to prevent energy loss and maintain optimal building performance. This study focuses on the analytical investigation of the shear capacity of precast ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) ribs combined with standard concrete PC cladding walls. Five specimens were tested under static loading conditions to evaluate their structural performance and the thermal behavior of the UHPC rib shear keys. Test results indicated that the specimens exhibited remarkable structural performance, with shear capacity approximately three times greater than that of standard concrete. Numerical models were subsequently developed to predict the shear capacity of the shear keys under various loading conditions. A comparison between the experimental results and finite element (FE) models showed a maximum strength difference of less than 10% and a rib displacement error of up to 1.76 mm. These findings demonstrated the efficiency of the FE model for the simulation of the behavior of structures.

This paper defines structural and dynamic analysis of a crane used for electric passenger vehicle fire scenarios. The crane model used in the study has a working radius of 9 meters, and under extreme conditions measured with real-world usage in mind, the load at the boom tip is 24.5kN. The boom is assumed to be made of ATOS80, and the pads are assumed to be made of Monomer Casting Nylon. Structural analysis was conducted based on the crane's materials and configuration, and dynamic analysis was performed by dividing the grab method into gripper and hinge types. In the structural analysis, the maximum stress increased as the telescopic boom faced upwards. In the dynamic analysis, the gripper type facing downward showed more stable stress. For the model with an added badge, the structural analysis showed an increase in maximum stress, but the value was negligible, and the maximum stress of the telescopic boom decreased in the dynamic analysis. Based on the analysis results, the suitable materials for the crane are ATOS80 for the lower articulated boom and the telescopic boom, and DOMEX1300 for the upper articulated boom. The gripper type grab method is more stable than the hinge type.

We compared the reproductive performance, non-productive performance, and milk composition performance of two groups of lactating cows that were either rice straw or tall fescue. We also compared and analyzed these parameters after the first parturition during the breeding period. The calving interval, artificial insemination, and duration from calving to conception were longer in the rice straw group than in the tall fescue group. The 305-day and peak milk yields were significantly higher in the tall fescue group than in the rice straw group (p<0.01). Milk fat content was significantly higher in the tall fescue group than in the rice straw group (p<0.001), but milk protein content was the same between the feeding groups. The difference in raw milk sales income between rice straw and tall fescue groups tended to increase as the number of lactations increased, but there was no effect of reduced feed costs. Analysis of the milk production and raw milk sales income of the surveyed farms revealed that the average milk production per head was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the tall fescue group than in the rice straw group, and raw milk sales income showed a similar tendency. Overall, these results provide important details to be considered when selecting feed as a way to reduce milk production and heifer raising costs. However, there remains a need for future follow-up studies exploring the relationship between feed choice and the management of heifers.

Supplementing feed components is becoming increasingly difficult for various reasons, including increased shipping costs, decreased capture efficiency, and global warming. For this reason, much research has been conducted globally to find alternative protein sources. The black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens) is an important feed item for nutritional accumulation and has environmental consequences. Few studies have been conducted to determine the nutritional level of the substrate, but most of these studies have involved modifying the substrate material. The aim of this study was to determine the ideal crude protein(CP) content of a substrate for BSF rearing. The experimental treatment was separated into three CP levels (low, 13.5%; medium, 20%; high, 26.5%) in the substrate. The results showed that the BSF weight (6.46%) and protein conversion ratio (1.13%) increased as the substrate CP level increased (p<0.05). In addition, protein (14.38%) and lipid (13.12%) yields were significantly increased (p<0.05). The BSF CP level increased as the substrate CP level increased (p<0.05). CP levels in the substrate upregulated the levels of certain fatty acids, essential amino acids, and non-essential amino acids (p<0.05). In conclusion, the potential values of BSF as feed were improved as the CP level of the substrate increased; However, no difference was found between medium and high CP levels in the rearing substrate. These results suggested that the substrate CP level should be at the medium level for optimal product quality. In conclusion, BSF quality is influenced by substrate nutrient levels, necessitating the development of specialized substrates for effective rearing.

For sustainable livestock industry, black soldier fly as eco-friendly animal protein source is spotlighted for swine and poultry. However, most of black soldier fly is reared in dirty condition like food waste. In this study, we investigated the effects of fiber level on the growth performance and nutrient composition of black soldier fly reared in specific substrate. Treatments were divided in two as Low (fiber level: 7.1%), and High (fiber level: 14.2%) with a total of 50,000 eggs each. The rearing box had a dimension with 1064 × 507 × 320 cm (length × width × height). Black soldier fly survival rate (72.24 vs. 76.48) and substrate consumption (77.43 vs. 80.37) were greater in High than Low. However, bioconversion (10.59 vs. 9.80) and protein conversion (8.97 vs. 8.00) were increased in Low than High. Gross energy was higher in High compared with Low (4,133 vs. 4,208). Some of essential amino acid (Isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan) were significantly higher in High compared with Low, and non-essential amino acid (alanine, aspartate, glycine, proline, serine, tyrosine) were higher in High compared with Low. Acids such as C12:0, C14:0, C15:0, and C20:1 were higher in High compared with Low, while C18:4 was higher in Low compared with High. As a result, black soldier fly reared in high fiber substrate might be a preferred option for rearing and producing a reliable animal protein source for monogastric animal.