Canola fibre-protein and can-sugar are the two by-products arising from a process for separating high quality protein fractions from canola meal. In the first trial chemical characteristics of fibre-protein and can-sugar were examined in comparison with commercial canola and soy meal. In the second trial in situ rumen degradability and kinetics of test feed was studied. Based on the findings of those two trials, available energy values were estimated based on NRC (2001) while protein contents potentially absorbable at small intestine were predicted using both NRC (2001) and DVE/OEB models. Subsequently a mixture of fibre-protein and can-sugar was used as an additive to dehydrated alfalfa pellet and two dairy cow trials were conducted to determine the palatability and examine effect on lactation performances of blended alfalfa pellet feeding in comparison with standard alfalfa pellet. Palatability difference was evaluated by Paterson -two choice alternating access method through a 7 day experimental period using 6 lactating Holstein cows. In the lactating performance trial, 6 cows were randomly assigned into two groups and two treatments were allocated over three experimental periods in a switchback design. <p>Can-sugar consisted of water soluble components (CP 15.6 %DM; SCP 96.2 %CP; NFC 99.9 %CHO) with non-protein nitrogen as the main CP fraction (NPN 96.2 %CP). Fibre-protein was a highly fibrous material (NDF: 55.6%; ADF: 46.3%; ADL: 24.1%) comparing to canola meal (NDF: 25.4%, ADF: 21.2%, ADL: 9.0%) due to presence of higher level of seed hulls in fibre-protein. Comparing to canola meal, fibre-protein contained 9% less CP and 1/4 of that consisted of undegradable ADIP. Rumen degradability of can-sugar was assumed as immediate and total as it was water soluble. Most of the ruminally undegradable nutrient components present in canola meal appeared to be concentrated into fibre protein during the manufacturing process and as a result fibre-protein has shown a consistently lower effective degradability of DM, OM, CP NDF and ADF comparing to both canola and soy meal. Available energy content in can-sugar was marginally higher than that of canola meal while fibre-protein contained only 2/3 that of canola meal. The predicted absorbable protein content at small intestine was about 1/2 that of canola meal. These results indicate that fibre-protein can be considered as a secondary source of protein in ruminant feed and a mixture of fibre-protein and can-sugar would nutritionally complement each other to formulate into a cheaper ingredient in ruminant ration. In the palatability study, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in intake preference or finish time between the blended and standard alfalfa pellets. The results from the lactation study showed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in milk yield, dairy efficiency or milk composition between the blended and standard alfalfa pellets. The results from the two studies indicated that fibre-protein and can-sugar fractions could be used as an additive to alfalfa dehydrated pellet at 15% inclusion rate without compromising its palatability or the performance of dairy cows. <p>For future studies it is proposed to conduct feeding trials with varying levels of inclusions to alfalfa pellet to know the nutritional effect of fibre-protein and can-sugar while ascertain optimum inclusion rate.

Canola fibre-protein and can-sugar are the two by-products arising from a process for separating high quality protein fractions from canola meal. In the first trial chemical characteristics of fibre-protein and can-sugar were examined in comparison with commercial canola and soy meal. In the second trial in situ rumen degradability and kinetics of test feed was studied. Based on the findings of those two trials, available energy values were estimated based on NRC (2001) while protein contents potentially absorbable at small intestine were predicted using both NRC (2001) and DVE/OEB models. Subsequently a mixture of fibre-protein and can-sugar was used as an additive to dehydrated alfalfa pellet and two dairy cow trials were conducted to determine the palatability and examine effect on lactation performances of blended alfalfa pellet feeding in comparison with standard alfalfa pellet. Palatability difference was evaluated by Paterson -two choice alternating access method through a 7 day experimental period using 6 lactating Holstein cows. In the lactating performance trial, 6 cows were randomly assigned into two groups and two treatments were allocated over three experimental periods in a switchback design. <p>Can-sugar consisted of water soluble components (CP 15.6 %DM; SCP 96.2 %CP; NFC 99.9 %CHO) with non-protein nitrogen as the main CP fraction (NPN 96.2 %CP). Fibre-protein was a highly fibrous material (NDF: 55.6%; ADF: 46.3%; ADL: 24.1%) comparing to canola meal (NDF: 25.4%, ADF: 21.2%, ADL: 9.0%) due to presence of higher level of seed hulls in fibre-protein. Comparing to canola meal, fibre-protein contained 9% less CP and 1/4 of that consisted of undegradable ADIP. Rumen degradability of can-sugar was assumed as immediate and total as it was water soluble. Most of the ruminally undegradable nutrient components present in canola meal appeared to be concentrated into fibre protein during the manufacturing process and as a result fibre-protein has shown a consistently lower effective degradability of DM, OM, CP NDF and ADF comparing to both canola and soy meal. Available energy content in can-sugar was marginally higher than that of canola meal while fibre-protein contained only 2/3 that of canola meal. The predicted absorbable protein content at small intestine was about 1/2 that of canola meal. These results indicate that fibre-protein can be considered as a secondary source of protein in ruminant feed and a mixture of fibre-protein and can-sugar would nutritionally complement each other to formulate into a cheaper ingredient in ruminant ration. In the palatability study, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in intake preference or finish time between the blended and standard alfalfa pellets. The results from the lactation study showed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in milk yield, dairy efficiency or milk composition between the blended and standard alfalfa pellets. The results from the two studies indicated that fibre-protein and can-sugar fractions could be used as an additive to alfalfa dehydrated pellet at 15% inclusion rate without compromising its palatability or the performance of dairy cows. <p>For future studies it is proposed to conduct feeding trials with varying levels of inclusions to alfalfa pellet to know the nutritional effect of fibre-protein and can-sugar while ascertain optimum inclusion rate.

Bakgrund: Återhämtning och nutrition är viktiga aspekter för att minimera risken för skador hos idrottare. Ett för lågt energiintag kan leda till flera negativa fysiologiska effekter då kroppens energibehov inte tillgodoses. Hos kvinnor är menstruationsdysfunktion (MD) ett vanligt symptom på långvarig låg energitillgänglighet och hög förekomst har främst rapporterats hos kvinnliga idrottare inom viktkänsliga idrotter såsom uthållighetsidrott. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie var därför att beskriva skadebilden hos svenska och danska kvinnliga landslagsidrottare på seniornivå samt undersöka eventuella samband mellan förekomst av skador och menstruation. Metod: Alla danska och svenska kvinnliga landslagsidrottare blev kontaktade per mejl och tillfrågade om deltagande via online-enkät där frågor om skador det senaste året och menstruation ingick. Deltagare blev klassificerade att ha MD om de uppgav att de aldrig haft menstruation, ingen menstruation de senaste tre månaderna, menstruationscykler med längre intervall än 35 dagar eller &lt;9 menstruationscykler de senaste 12 månaderna. Alla deltagare blev klassificerade som antingen icke-viktkänsliga (t.ex. bollsport) eller viktkänslig idrottare (t.ex. uthålligsidrott). Resultat: Totalt svarade 634 (25%) idrottare på enkäten. Den rapporterade skadeprevalensen under de senaste 12 månaderna för samtliga inkluderade deltagare var 57%. 30% av deltagarna blev klassificerade att ha MD med en högre förekomst i viktkänsliga idrotter (39% vs 24%; P = &lt;0,001). Deltagare med MD rapporterade fler skador under de senaste 12 månaderna (P = 0,004) och hade en högre risk för skada (OR = 1,52; 95% CI = 1,06–2,19; P = 0,024) samt högre risk för att ha varit långvarigt skadad (&gt;22 dagar) (OR = 1,87; 95% CI = 1,23–2,55; P = 0,003) jämfört med deltagare med regelbunden menstruation. Deltagare från viktkänsliga idrotter hade en högre risk för skada (OR = 1,50; 95% CI = 1,02–2,21; P = 0,039) och högre risk för att ha varit långvarigt skadad (OR = 2,11; 95% CI = 1,38–3,24; P = &lt;0,001) jämfört med deltagare från icke-viktkänsliga idrotter. Konklusion: Resultaten indikerar att kvinnliga landslagsidrottare med självrapporterad MD har en ökad skaderisk, speciellt inom viktkänsliga idrotter som uthållighetsidrott. Menstruationsdysfunktion bör därför tas i beaktning då det har negativ inverkan på idrottares hälsa och prestation. Vidare finns det ett stort behov av mer kunskap för att implementera effektiva kön- och idrottsspecifika preventionsåtgärder. / Background: Recovery and nutrition are important aspects in order to minimize injury risk in athletes. Multiple negative physiological impairments have been recognized in athletes due to low energy intake. One common symptom of prolonged low energy availability in females is menstrual dysfunction (MD) and high prevalence has been reported mostly in female athletes in weight-sensitive sports like endurance sports. Aim: The aim of the present study was to describe injuries among Swedish and Danish female national team athletes and to investigate potential connections between injury prevalence and menstruation. Method: All Swedish and Danish national team athletes were invited via e-mail to complete an anonymous online survey, which held questions about injuries the past year and menstruation. Participants were classified with MD if they stated that they never had menstruation, no menstruation the last three months, menstruation cycles with longer intervals than 35 days or &lt;9 menstruation cycles the last 12 months. The participants were also divided in groups of non-weight sensitive athletes (e.g. ball game) or weight sensitive athletes (e.g. endurance sport). Results: A total of 634 (25%) athletes completed the survey. Among all participants an injury prevalence of 57% was observed and 30% were classified with MD. Higher prevalence of MD was reported in weight-sensitive sports (39% vs. 24%; P = &lt;0,001). Athletes with MD sustained more injuries (P = 0,004), reported higher risk of injury (OR = 1,52; 95% CI = 1,06–2,19; P = 0,024) and to be long-term injured (&gt;22 days) (OR = 1,87; 95% CI = 1,23–2,55; P = 0,003) compared to athletes with regular menstruation. In athletes from weight-sensitive sports a higher risk of injury was observed (OR = 1,50; 95% CI = 1,02–2,21; P = 0,039) and also to be long-term injured (OR = 2,11; 95% CI = 1,38–3,24; P = &lt;0,001) compared to athletes from non weight-sensitive sports. Conclusion: The result indicates that female national team athletes with self-reported MD have increased injury risk, especially in weight-sensitive sports like endurance sports. Menstrual dysfunction has a negative impact on both health and performance, and therefore athletes and coaches need to pay attention to menstrual function. More research is needed to implement effective sex and sport-specific preventive measures.

Bakgrund: Relative energy deficiency in sports (RED-S) är ett syndrom som förekommer inom många idrotter och olika idrottsliga nivåer. Konsekvenserna av detta syndrom är mångfacetterad, det kan påverka prestationen långsiktigt och kan orsaka skador och avslut på idrottskarriären. I forskningen är idrotter såsom löpning, estetiska idrotter och friidrottare de som är överrepresenterade i förhållande till RED-S. Kvinnor är generellt en underrepresenterad grupp inom idrottsmedicinsk forskning och detta motiverar till att studera just denna grupp.  Syfte: Syftet med denna undersökning var att undersöka i vilken utsträckning respondenterna hört talats om RED-S, samt att identifiera riskgrupper utifrån träningsmängd och idrottsutförande hos idrottande kvinnor inom fotboll, innebandy, friidrott och ridning, oavsett idrottslig nivå. Metod: Data insamlades med hjälp av en digitalbaserad enkät som besvarades av 44 deltagare. Enkäten bestod av 35 frågor och distribuerades i en sluten grupp som bestod av 16 000 + medlemmar samt en öppen grupp med 3 000 medlemmar och även via egna sociala medier. Resultat: Av totalt 44 deltagare fick 24 deltagare en poäng ≥8 utifrån frågeformuläret Low Energy availability in females questionnaire (LEAF-Q), enligt enkätens poängssystem indikerar detta en förhöjd risk att utveckla RED-S. Den överrepresenterade idrotten var ridsporten med 22 deltagare. Den ojämna fördelningen gjorde det svårt att generalisera några resultat för träningsmängd och idrottskategori. Av totalt 44 deltagare var det endast sex deltagare som tidigare hade hört talats om RED-S i utbildningssyfte.  Diskussion: Mer än 50% av deltagarna hade en LEAF-Q poäng högre ≥8 och majoriteten var användare av någon form av preventivmedel vilket påverkade det slutgiltiga resultatet.  Konklusion: Av cirka 19 000 potentiella deltagare var det 44 svaranden, bortfallet var högt vilket innebär att resultatet blev missvisande. Det tenderar att finnas ett kunskapsglapp bland kvinnliga idrottare vad gäller kännedom om syndromet RED-S. Trots att resultatet av denna undersökning inte går att generalisera på en större population så finns det andra studier som indikerar liknande resultat. / Background: Relative energy deficiency in sports (RED-S) is a syndrome that occurs in many sports and different sports levels. The consequences of this syndrome are multifaceted, it can affect performance in the long term and can cause injuries and the end of the sports career. In the research, sports such as running, aesthetic sports and track and field athletes are those that are overrepresented in relation to RED-S. Women are generally an underrepresented group in sports medicine research and this motivates to study this particular group. Purpose: The purpose of this survey was to investigate the extent to which the respondents had heard about RED-S, and to identify risk groups based on the amount of training and sports performance of female athletes in football, floorball, athletics and horse riding, regardless of the level of sport. Method: Data were collected using a digital-based questionnaire that was answered by 44 participants. The survey consisted of 35 questions and was distributed in a closed group consisting of 16,000+ members as well as an open group with 3,000 members and via own social media. Results: Out of a total of 44 participants, 24 participants received a score ≥8 based on the Low Energy availability in females questionnaire (LEAF-Q), according to the questionnaire's scoring system, this indicates an increased risk of developing RED-S. The over-represented sport was equestrian with 22 participants. The uneven distribution made it difficult to generalize any results for training amount and sport category. Out of a total of 44 participants, only six participants had previously heard of RED-S for educational purposes. Discussion: More than 50% of the participants had a LEAF-Q score higher than ≥8 and the majority were users of some form of contraception, which affected the result. Conclusion: Out of approximately 19,000 potential participants, there were 44 respondents, the dropout rate was high, which means that the results were misleading. There tends to be a knowledge gap among female athletes in terms of awareness of RED-S syndrome. Although the results of this study cannot be generalized to a larger population, there are other studies that indicate similar results.

Energy is central to economic development. It has been established that there is a clear correlation between energy consumption and living standards. Nigeria is a country of very industrious and enterprising people. However, due to non availability of adequate energy in the country, especially in the remote, off grid locations, the entrepreneurial inclination of the average Nigerian living in these locations has been largely stunted. Over the years, successive governments in the country, in realisation of the pivotal role of energy in national development, have explored various options to improve energy supply and availability, but the situation has not experienced any remarkable improvement. This has forced many businesses and households to resort to self provision through generators, often at exorbitant costs. This research work addresses the challenge of energy in remote, off grid locations by appraising the techno economic potential of renewable energy, using Obudu Ranch as a case study. This ranch is the foremost tourism resort in Nigeria, and has played host to a number of international events over the years. Presently, electricity is being generated through the use of diesel powered generating sets. The adjoining communities are currently without electricity, although a few of the residents have acquired generators for self provision, mostly for their domestic use. Aside the high cost associated with this, the discharge of noxious contaminants into the atmosphere is undesirable. The research entailed a working collaboration with some notable Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that have done extensive ground work in the area for access to some secondary data, as well as a number of corporate and governmental agencies that are relevant to the study. Further, the ranch was visited to establish hands-on, the existing renewable energy sources. A trade-off of these sources was carried out with reference to a number of relevant evaluation parameters to identify the most suited option for addressing the energy challenge. A comparative analysis of this selected source was then made to establish its techno economic potential against the existing source of power generation- diesel powered generating sets, which currently costs R1.5 million annually in running expenses. The findings from this research have established that a Renewable Energy source (mini hydro) is a more cost effective option than the diesel powered gen set, providing a 43% reduction in cost of energy generation, and a 42% reduction in the life cycle cost over the five year of analysis, compared to the status quo. In addition, it is also more environmentally friendly. Conclusively, the findings and recommendations of this research effort, if well implemented, will be beneficial to the ranch, the adjoining communities and other relevant stakeholders. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Energy is central to economic development. It has been established that there is a clear correlation between energy consumption and living standards. Nigeria is a country of very industrious and enterprising people. However, due to non availability of adequate energy in the country, especially in the remote, off grid locations, the entrepreneurial inclination of the average Nigerian living in these locations has been largely stunted. Over the years, successive governments in the country, in realisation of the pivotal role of energy in national development, have explored various options to improve energy supply and availability, but the situation has not experienced any remarkable improvement. This has forced many businesses and households to resort to self provision through generators, often at exorbitant costs. This research work addresses the challenge of energy in remote, off grid locations by appraising the techno economic potential of renewable energy, using Obudu Ranch as a case study. This ranch is the foremost tourism resort in Nigeria, and has played host to a number of international events over the years. Presently, electricity is being generated through the use of diesel powered generating sets. The adjoining communities are currently without electricity, although a few of the residents have acquired generators for self provision, mostly for their domestic use. Aside the high cost associated with this, the discharge of noxious contaminants into the atmosphere is undesirable. The research entailed a working collaboration with some notable Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that have done extensive ground work in the area for access to some secondary data, as well as a number of corporate and governmental agencies that are relevant to the study. Further, the ranch was visited to establish hands-on, the existing renewable energy sources. A trade-off of these sources was carried out with reference to a number of relevant evaluation parameters to identify the most suited option for addressing the energy challenge. A comparative analysis of this selected source was then made to establish its techno economic potential against the existing source of power generation- diesel powered generating sets, which currently costs R1.5 million annually in running expenses. The findings from this research have established that a Renewable Energy source (mini hydro) is a more cost effective option than the diesel powered gen set, providing a 43% reduction in cost of energy generation, and a 42% reduction in the life cycle cost over the five year of analysis, compared to the status quo. In addition, it is also more environmentally friendly. Conclusively, the findings and recommendations of this research effort, if well implemented, will be beneficial to the ranch, the adjoining communities and other relevant stakeholders. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Development and Management Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.