Energy and protein requirements of guinea keets (Numida meleagris) as meat bird in a hot humid climate

Energy and protein requirements of guinea keets (Numida meleagris) in a hot humid climate were determined involving one day‐old keets of three varieties: Pearls, Lavender and White. Nine dietary treatments combining three levels of metabolisable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) were offered during each growth phase (0–4, 5–8 and 9–12 weeks of age). Crude protein levels were P₁ , 220, 200 and 180; P₂ , 200, 180 and 160; and P ₃ , 180, 160 and 140 g kg⁻¹ dry mash for respective phases, while ME levels were E₁, 12.13 and 12.55; E₂ , 11.72 and 12.13; and E₃ , 11.30 and 11.72 MJ kg⁻¹ dry matter for 0–4 and 5–12 weeks of age, respectively. The live weight gain during 0–12 weeks of age at different energy levels (E₁ , 751; E₂ , 775 and E₃ , 755) were comparable, but those at different protein levels (P₁ , 847; P₂ , 804 and P₃ , 633) were different (P<0.01). Keets fed either 180 g or 160 g CP kg⁻¹ during 9–12 weeks of age had similar gains. Feed conversion ratios (FCR) during 0–12 weeks on E₁P₁ (3.50), E₂P₁ (3.47) and E₃P₁ (3.47) did not differ significantly. At 4 weeks of age, FCR on the three energy levels were similar but the cumulative FCR on E ₁ (3.67) and E₂ (3.65), although similar, were improved (P<0.05) compared to that on E₃ (3.87). Thus, the requirements of ME are 11.30 and 12.13 MJ kg⁻¹ dry mash during, 0–4 and 5–12 weeks of age with 220, 200 and 160 g CP kg ⁻¹ during 0–4, 5–8 and 9–12 weeks of age, respectively. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of hBN and Y2O3 Addition on Mechanical and Tribological Behavior of SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites Prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering

Silicon - The objective of the present work is to study the mechanical and tribological properties of SiC-hBN such as hardness, density, fracture toughness, friction and wear behavior with and...     

Aluminum Yttrium Oxide Metal Matrix Composite Synthesized by Microwave Hybrid Sintering: Processing,Microstructure and Mechanical Response

The current study is focused on the microstructure, phase transition, and mechanical properties of the aluminum yttrium oxide (Al–Y₂O₃) composite material. Microwave hybrid sintering using Y₂O₃ nanoparticles as reinforcement at various (i.e., 0.5, 2, 3.5 and 5) wt% was used. Simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) and X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy (XPS) were used to investigate the chemical interaction between Al and Y₂O₃. This research will aid in gaining a better knowledge of the changes in thermal characteristics and compositional changes that occur throughout the microwave hybrid sintering process. The insight into material properties reveals that intermetallic Al₃Y and Al₂O₃ are generated during the synthesis process, which was substantiated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. The Al–Y₂O₃ composite material has a well-consolidated microstructure and improved mechanical characteristics. To further understand material behaviour, a robust and non-destructive depth sensing nano-indentation technology was being used. With the addition of 5 wt% Y₂O₃, the microhardness of composite material is enhanced by 1.62 times. Furthermore, with 5 wt% Y₂O₃, the produced composite's nano hardness and elastic modulus augmented by 2.43 and 1.8 times, respectively. It is caused by the presence of intermetallic in the composite material, as well as the prevalence of uniform reinforcement distribution.