Orientador: Danilo Domingues Millen / Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a classificação das baias com base no consumo logo nas semanas iniciais do confinamento de machos castrados e novilhas, sobre o desempenho, e desenvolver modelos de predição da ingestão de matéria seca (IMS), procurando melhorar sua acurácia por meio da inclusão da fase de confinamento em que os animais se encontram. Isso possibilitaria a identificação de “baias problemas”, ou de desempenho superior, facilitando a tomada de decisão na gestão. Para isso foram utilizados dados de 3.650 baias de confinamentos comerciais dos USA (2.256 de machos castrados e 1.394 de novilhas), os quais foram confinados entre os anos de 2009 a 2014. Os dados de IMS e de energia líquida de ganho (ELg) médios do período de terminação foram ajustados de acordo com o peso vivo inicial e dias em alimentação (DEA) pelo PROC NLIN do SAS (2009) separadamente para machos castrados e novilhas. Tanto a IMS como a ingestão de ELg médias ajustadas do período de terminação foram correlacionados com a ingestão das semanas de 5 a 12 pelo PROC CORR, e de acordo com a semana de maior correlação as baias foram classificadas em quartis: Superior ¼, Alta ¼, Média ¼ e Baixa ¼ do maior para o menor consumo e avaliado o desempenho pelo PROC MIXED. Para o desenvolvimento dos modelos foi utilizado o PROC CORR para identificar a correlação de cada variável (PVI, IMS de 8 a 28 dias, sexo, IMS da semana anterior) com a IMS e ordenar a inclusão delas no modelo, e por meio do PROC MIXED foi t... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Mestre

Student Number : 0100677A - PhD thesis - School of Civil and Environmental Engineering - Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment / This thesis presents the findings on empirical study of dry-stack masonry. Dry-stack masonry refers to a method of building masonry walls, where most of the masonry units are laid without mortar in the joints. Of late (since mid eighties) in modern construction, dry-stacking or mortarless technology is increasingly becoming popular because of its advantages. The construction industry is acknowledging the need to accelerate the masonry construction process, as the traditional method is labour intensive and hence slower due to the presence of a large number of mortar joints. Early attempts were made to increase the size of masonry units (block instead of brick), thereby reducing the number of mortar joints, wherein the use of bedding mortar imposed constraints on the number of courses to be constructed in a day. Elimination of bedding mortar accelerates construction; thereby reducing cost, variation due to workmanship and generally small pool of skilled labour is required in dry stacking. Dry-stack masonry is a relatively new technology not yet regulated in the code of practice and therefore very limited information on the structural behaviour of the masonry is available. This project is based on the investigation of the HYDRAFORM dry-stack system, which utilises compressed soil-cement interlocking, blocks. The system is now widely used in Africa, Asia and South America. The main objective of the project was to establish through physical testing the capacity of the system to resist lateral load (e.g. wind load), vertical load and dynamic load such as earthquake loading. In the first phase of the project investigations were conducted under static loading where series of full-scale wall panels were constructed in the laboratory and tested under lateral loading, and others were tested under vertical loading to establish the mode of failure and load capacity of the system. Series of control tests were also conducted by testing series of wallettes to establish failure mechanism of the units and to establish the flexural strength of the system. Finally the test results were used for modelling, where load prediction models for the system under vertical loading and under lateral loading were developed. The theoretical load prediction models were tested against the test results and show good agreement. After the load capacity was established the next step in the study was to further improve the system for increased capacity particularly under dynamic loading. The normal Hydraform system was modified by introducing a conduit, which allows introduction of reinforcements. Series of dry-stack seismic systems were constructed and initially tested under static lateral loading to establish the lateral load capacity. The second Phase of the project was to investigate the structural behaviour and performance of the Hydraform system under seismic loading. A shaking table of 20 tonnes payload, (4m x 4m) in plan was designed and fabricated. A full-scale plain dry-stack masonry house was constructed on the shaking table and subjected to seismic base motions. The shaking table test was performed using sine wave signals excitations starting from low to very severe intensity. A conventional masonry test structure of similar parameters was also constructed on the table and tested in a similar manner for comparison. The tests were conducted using a frequency range of 1Hz to 12Hz and the specimens were monitored for peak accelerations and displacements. For both specimens the initial base motion was 0.05g. The study established the mode of failure of the system; the structural weak points of unreinforced dry-stack masonry, the general structural response of the system under seismic condition and the failure load. The plain dry-stack masonry failed at 0.3g and the conventional masonry failed at 0.6g. Finally recommendations for further strengthening of system to improve its lateral capacity were proposed.

A alveolite é uma complicação pós-operatória de natureza inflamatória que ocorre alguns dias após a exodontia que interfere negativamente com o processo de reparação do alvéolo. As opções de tratamento geralmente são dirigidas a cuidados paliativos e não existe consenso quanto a sua etiopatogenia. Na presente pesquisa foram avaliadas e comparadas às características histológicas e histomorfométricas da reparação alveolar de ratos, induzidos ou não ao processo de alveolite, tratados por óleo de girassol ozonizado ou Alveoliten®. Sob anestesia geral, pela aplicação via intramuscular de 0,8mg/kg cloridrato de cetamina (Dopalen® - Vetbrands) e 0,3mg/kg cloridrato de xilazina (Rompum® - Bayer SA), foram realizadas exodontias do incisivo superior direito em 84 animais. Em 72 ratas foi induzida condição de isquemia alveolar pela aplicação de adrenalina (1:100.000) por cinco minutos Os animais foram divididos em grupos: I: alveolite, tratada por óleo de girassol (n=20); II: alveolite, tratada por óleo de girassol ozonizado (87,3 mEq/Kg de peróxido e 0,4 acidez) (n=20); III: alveolite, tratada por Alveoliten® (n=20); grupo IV alveolite sem tratamento(n=12) e V: exodontia sem alveolite (n=12). Os animais foram eutanasiados em câmara de dióxido de carbono (CO2) nos períodos de 2, 7,14 e 21 dias pós-tratamento. A maxila direita foi separada da esquerda, acompanhando-se a sutura intermaxilar, posteriormente a hemi-maxila foi cortada coronalmente com tesoura de ponta reta, posterior à face distal dos molares, o que permitiu a obtenção de uma peça cirúrgica com o alvéolo dental direito. Os espécimes foram processados para avaliação histomorfológica e histomorfométrica. Os dados da avaliação histomorfométrica foram submetidos à análise estatística não paramétrica pelo Teste de Kruskal-Wallis e Conover para determinar diferenças entre pares de tratamento.,Os resultados histomorfológicos mostraram presença de infiltrado inflamatório que se prolongou após quatorze dias e uma maior neoformação óssea nos alvéolos tratados por Alveoliten® depois do sétimo dia de tratamento. Houve diferenças significativas quanto a neoformação óssea após sete (p=0.0010), quatorze (p=0.0320) e vinte e um (p=0.0222). O óleo ozonizado provocou um processo inflamatório intenso nos primeiros períodos de estudo, mas, promoveu um processo osteogênico. A reparação óssea nos casos de alveolite, sob os parâmetros utilizados, foi melhor com o uso do Alveoliten®. / Dry socket is an inflammatory postoperative complication, following teeth extraction. Treatment generally includes palliative care and its etiology is controversial. The present study, proposes to evaluate histological and histomorphemetrical aspects of alveolar healing in rats submitted to dry socket condition and treatment by ozonized sunflower oil and Alveoliten®. Under general anesthesia by intramuscular application of 0,8mg/kg ketamine hydrochloride (Dopalen® - Vetbrands) and 0,3mg/kg xylazine chloridrate (Rompum® - Bayer SA), 84 female Wistar rats were submitted to upper right incisor.. 72 of those animals were submitted to dry socket isquemic condition by adrenalin (1:100.000) intra alveolar insertion for five minutes. Groups were divided as follow: group I: dry socket treated with sunflower oil (n=20); group II: dry socket treated with ozonated oil (peroxide 87,3 mEq/Kg and 0,4 of acidity) (n=20); group III: dry socket treated by Alveoliten® (n=20); group IV dry socket without treatment (n=12); and group V: dental extraction without dry socket induction (n=12). Rats were euthanized in a carbon dioxide (CO2) chamber . after 2, 7,14 e 21 subsequent treatment. Right maxilla was split following the intermaxilary suture, later it was coronal sliced distally to molar teeth. Specimens were processed for histological and histomorphemetrical analyses. Histomorphometric data were statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Conover non parametric tests to establish differences between treatments. Histological findings showed inflammatory infiltrate even 14 days after treatment. It was seen also expressive new bone formation when Alveoliten® was employed. There were significant differences between treatments after seven (p=0.0010), fourteen (p=0.0320) twenty one days (p=0.0222). Ozonated sunflower oil was able to induce intense inflammatory infiltrate during the first period of observation but it promoted bone growth on the following periods . Under controlled conditions of this study; alveolar bone healing was superior when Alveoliten® was applied.

Horizontally mounted compressors offer the advantage of reduced height in central air-conditioning units but prove difficult to produce economically due to costs associated with the manufacture of acceptable lubrication systems for the compressors. This study develops an effective, affordable oil pump for use on a horizontal compressor. Concepts are proven through testing of prototype assemblies. Test results drive modifications for future prototypes, and prototypes demonstrating adequate performance are modified for ease of manufacture. Research in this study proves that the most suitable design results from a modification of a rotating vane pump. The pump’s modifications enable it to pump oil in the same direction, regardless of the direction of shaft rotation and to prime itself when totally dry of oil. However, extensive use of horizontal compressors hinges upon the development of a satisfactory suspension system.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Agriculture)) --University of Limpopo, 2018 / Dry bean is one of the most important cash crops and source of protein for small holder farmers. Low yields of dry bean are often reported to be associated with lack of inoculation (Arbuscular mycorrihizal fungi) of seeds prior to planting. Soil phosphorus (P) unavailability is one of the major factors limiting yield of dry bean. Field and Greenhouse experiments were conducted to investigate the response of dry bean cultivars to inoculation and phosphorus application under dry land farming conditions at the Syferkuil experimental farm of University of Limpopo. Both greenhouse and field experiments were carried out as a split-split plot arrangement in randomised complete block design with four replications. Main plot treatment comprised of two dry bean cultivars VIZ, red speckled bean and small white haricot. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation levels (inoculated and uninoculated) were assigned in the sub-plot whilst the sub-sub plot was applied with five phosphorus rates at 0, 20; 40; 60 and 80 kg/ ha using single superphosphate (10.5 % P). The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using statistical software (ANOVA) STATISTIX 10.0.Dry bean cultivars (red speckled bean and small white haricot bean) were evaluated in a field experiment for their growth, nodulation and yield responses to AM fungi inoculation and different rates of P fertiliser. The results revealed that the red speckled bean had higher number of nodules (45 %), stem diameter 26.96 cm and higher leaf area of 21.05 cm2 as compared to small white haricot bean. The application of P at the rate of 40 kg/ha produced higher grain yield of 743.47 kg/ha as compared to small white haricot bean with 572 kg/ha. The growth parameters such as yield, soil chemical and biological properties did not significantly respond to inoculation (P≤0.05). Red speckled bean and small white haricot bean were evaluated in greenhouse experiment for their growth and nodulation on inoculation and phosphorus fertilizer treatment In the greenhouse experiment phosphorus fertilizer rate showed significant effect on chlorophyll content, leaf fresh and dry weight. The dry bean cultivars were found to be significant to number of nodules, plant vigour and root dry weight. The red speckled bean showed higher growth parameters as compared to small white haricot bean. The application of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM fungi) at varying rates did not have any significant influence on all parameters measured in the experiment on both trials. The study needs to be repeated after 4 to 5 years. The findings of this study concluded that P should be applied at the rate of 40 kg P/ha in order to improve the production of dry bean. / NRF (National Research Foundation)

Pasture-based dairies have become more prevalent in recent years due to a higher proportion of organic milk demand and production. Organic certification requires that animals must graze at least 120 days in each growing season. However, dry matter intake is often limited when dairy animals receive most of their herbage from pasture, resulting in lower animal performance and milk production. The purpose of this study was to analyze the complimentary effect of high energy grasses with birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) tannins to improve intake of dairy heifers. Jersey heifers were rotationally grazed for 105 days in 2017 and 2018 on eight different pasture treatments, which included monocultures of perennial ryegrass (PR), orchardgrass (OG), meadow bromegrass (MB), and tall fescue (TF), with each respective grass also planted in mixture with BFT. Intake was measured by sampling herbage before and after each seven-day grazing period and was from greatest to least as follows: MB+BFT, OG+BFT, OG, MB, PR+BFT, TF+BFT, PR, TF. Physical characteristics such as pasture bulk density, herbage height, herbage allowance, leaf pubescence, leaf softness, and birdsfoot trefoil content as well as nutritional properties such as fat, non-fibrous carbohydrates, fiber, and energy were all associated with intake. Crude protein and ash were also associated with intake. While PR+BFT did not have the greatest overall intake, it was the only treatment that consistently had greater intake than its respective grass monoculture (PR). Since it had more energy and tannins than all other grasses, a complimentary effect between energy and tannins to increase intake was likely. The fact that both physical and chemical herbage characteristics were associated with intake shows the importance of planting the right species in pasture as well as making proper management decisions to maximize nutritive value and herbage intake.

The first bimonthly resolved, paired δ18O and Sr/Ca time series from the slow-growing, tropical western Atlantic coral, Siderastrea siderea, from the Dry Tortugas, Florida has been generated and used to document that robust proxy climate records can be produced from this heretofore underutilized massive coral. The coral time series contains a 20-year long calibration window (1973-1992) for both δ18O and Sr/Ca and a 73-year long verification window (1900-1972) for Sr/Ca. These time series permits both the quantification of the relationship between coral δ18O-SST and Sr/Ca-SST using an augmented, 1° x 1° gridded SST record and the assessment of the stability of the proxy relationships over time. Both coral geochemical records are highly correlated with the augmented instrumental SST record through the calibration period and Sr/Ca remains highly correlated through the verification period both at the bimonthly (r = -0.97) and annual average level (r = -0.72). Additionally, both coral δ18O and Sr/Ca are highly reproducible within the same core, and Sr/Ca exhibits no extension-related vital effects. Sr/Ca-SST anomalies are also significantly correlated to the augmented SST anomalies, despite the removal of the serial autocorrelation. The skill of this proxy demonstrates its potential as a continuously growing, long-lived recorder of climate variability for the tropical Atlantic and Intra-American Seas. The relatively slow extension rate of the coral (~5 mm yr-1 during the 20th century) also suggests the potential for long records of climate variability (~200 years) of the region to be extracted from even modest-sized colonies (~1 m in height). The results of this study are important because relatively few century-long, sub-annually resolved time series of climate variability from massive Atlantic corals have been published, despite the significance of the tropical Atlantic climate modes of variability.

A challenge study to validate a 5 log10 CFU/g reduction of non-O157 Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in dry fermented sausage (DFS) was performed. A 4.49 ± 0.474 log10 CFU/g was achieved over two trials. The results indicated that the process was not effective in reducing the pathogen to the level required of most pathogens by the USDA. Lactobacillus salivarius L28 (L28) was screened in vitro for the ability to inhibit STEC utilizing the paper disk diffusion method. This strain is a known bacteriocin producer. The results revealed that L28 would be a good candidate for use as a protective culture as large zones of inhibition were noted against the STEC. No zones of inhibition were noted against the commercial starter culture; therefore, it would not adversely impact the quality of the DFS. The supplementary L28 strain was added to a commercial starter culture to provide an additional hurdle in the protection against STEC. The sausage trial showed the additional strain did not offer a significant difference in reduction of the pathogen (p > 0.05). Further study will be required before L28 could be considered for use as a bioprotective culture.

Managing soil hydrophobicity caused by localized dry spots (LDS) on sand based golf greens has become one of the greatest challenges for golf course superintendents and managers, especially as water restrictions intensify. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of thirteen soil surfactants in eliminating LDS and in maximizing root zone soil moisture on a sand based USGA golf green located on the California Central Coast. Potential water repellency of air dried cores (measured utilizing the water droplet penetration time (WDPT) method), phytotoxicity, and climate were analyzed during two experimental trials. Phytotoxicity data was collected for Trial I using visual quality ratings and for Trial II using a chlorophyll meter. Phytotoxicity decreased during Trial I. Differences in phytotoxicity as measured using chlorophyll index were not at all significant during Trial II (p = 1). Ten of the thirteen wetting agent treatments significantly (p < 0.001) decreased soil hydrophobicity compared with the other wetting agent treated plots and the non-treated control. More frequent application of Cascade Plus resulted in a more significant reduction in soil hydrophobicity. Increasing the application rates also resulted in the reduction of soil hydrophobicity. Wetting agent treatment 6-CP(10day) maintained the highest volumetric water content (VWC) but treatment 13-2079337 maintained the highest levels for wetting agents treated monthly.

Interlocking compressed earth blocks (ICEBs) are cement stabilized soil blocks that allow for dry stacked construction. The incomplete understanding of the inelastic performance of ICEB building systems limits widespread acceptance of this structural system in earthquake prone areas. This thesis presents results from an experimental program designed to explore the behavior of ICEB walls, built according to current design practice in Indonesia and Thailand, and subjected to out-of-plane loading. A total of five reinforced and grouted ICEB walls were constructed and tested. Results from experimentation show the current masonry design code, ACI 530, adequately predicts the yield strength of these walls. However, ACI 530 grossly over-predicts the ICEB wall stiffness. All tests showed flexural behavior and failure, except for one wall. A brittle failure was observed in one wall before reaching the predicted flexural strength, prompting a suggested maximum shear tie spacing. The testing results provide useful data for developing analytical models that predicts the seismic behavior of ICEB walls under out-of-plane loading. A moment-curvature relationship was developed that accurately predicts the behavior of these walls in the elastic range as well as the inelastic range. By comparing the data provided by two walls of similar sizes, one including a pilaster and one without a pilaster, insight into stiffener elements was gained. Analysis of these two walls provides a limit on the length and height of ICEB walls without stiffener elements to prevent significant structural damage during a seismic event. In all, conclusions based on experimental data from ICEB out-of-plane loading tests are aimed to provide suggestions for ICEB construction in areas of high-seismicity.