Different dietary starch sources alter the carcass traits, meat quality, and the profile of muscle amino acid and fatty acid in finishing pigs

Background: With increasing health awareness among consumers, the demand for healthier, tastier, higher quality and nutritional value pork is increasing. It has been shown that different dietary starch sources can alter the carcass traits and meat quality. However, research on the effects of different starch sources with clear different amylose/amylopectin ratio on the amino acid and fatty acid composition in Longissimus thoracis(L. thoracis) muscle of pigs is limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different dietary starch sources on carcass traits, meat quality, muscle amino acid and fatty acid composition, and the mRNA expression levels of genes involved in lipid metabolism and muscle fiber characteristics in finishing pigs. A total of 72 Duroc × Landrace × Large White barrows were randomly allocated to 3 different dietary treatment groups with 8 replicate pens/group and 3 pigs per pen.Tapioca starch(TS), corn starch(CS), and pea starch(PS), with amylose/amylopectin ratio of 0.11, 0.25, and 0.44,respectively, were used as their dietary starch sources for 40 days.Results: Results showed that the PS diet significantly increased(P < 0.05) the final body weight, average daily gain,loin-eye area, and fat-free lean index compared with the TS diet, but significantly decreased(P < 0.05) the feed to gain ratio and backfat thickness. Compared with the TS diet, PS diet also increased(P < 0.05) the pH45 min, marbling scores, the content of intramuscular fat and inosine monophosphate in the L. thoracis, and decreased(P < 0.05) the drip loss and shear force. In addition, compared with the TS diet, PS diet increased(P < 0.05) the proportions of flavor amino acids, DHA, EPA, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid(PUFA) in the L. thoracis compared with TS diet,but decreased(P < 0.05) the ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFA. Furthermore, compared with the TS diet, PS diet also upregulated(P < 0.05) the lipogenic genes(FAS, LPL, SCD, ACCα) and myosin heavy-chain(MyHC)-IIa mRNA expression levels compared with the TS diet, but downregulated(P < 0.05) the CPT1 B and MyHC-IIb mRNA levels.Conclusions: In conclusion, these results provided compelling evidence that the different dietary starch source altered the carcass traits, meat flavor and quality in finishing pigs, and consumption of a diet with higher amylose/amylopectin ratio results in the production of a healthy, higher quality, and nutritional value pork.

Tube Model Predictive Control Based Cyber-attack-resilient Optimal Voltage Control Strategy in Wind Farms

Optimal voltage controls have been widely applied in wind farms to maintain voltage stability of power grids.In order to achieve optimal voltage operation,authentic grid information is widely needed in the sensing and actuating processes.However,this may induce system vulnerable to malicious cyber-attacks.To this end,a tube model predictive control-based cyber-attack-resilient optimal voltage control method is proposed to achieve voltage stability against malicious cyber-attacks.The proposed method consists of two cascaded model predictive controllers(MPC),which outperform other peer control methods in effective alleviation of adverse effects from cyber-attacks on actuators and sensors of the system.Finally,efficiency of the proposed method is evaluated in sensor and actuator cyber-attack cases based on a modified IEEE 14 buses system and IEEE 118 buses system.Index Terms-Attack-resilient control,optimal voltage control,tube-based model predictive control,wind farm-connected power system.

Hermetia illucens larvae as a potential dietary protein source altered the microbiota and modulated mucosal immune status in the colon of finishing pigs

Background: Insects, such as Hermetia illucens larvae, are rich in chitin and proteins, and represent a suitable feed ingredient replacement for animals. However, little is known about the effect of administering H. illucens larvae on intestinal microbiota, bacterial metabolite profiles, and mucosal immune status in animals. This study aimed to investigate the effects of administering H. illucens larvae on colonic microbiota and bacterial metabolites production in finishing pigs. Seventy-two crossbred(Duroc × Landrace × Large White) female pigs(initial body weight, 76.0 ± 0.52 kg) were randomly allocated to three different dietary treatments: a control diet(Control group) and two diets corresponding to 4%(H1 group) and 8%(H2 group) H. illucens larvae inclusion levels, respectively. Each treatment consisted of eight pens(replicates), with three pigs per pen. After 46 days of feeding, eight pigs per treatment(n =8) were slaughtered, and the colonic digesta and mucosa were collected for microbial composition and microbial fermentation products, and genes expression analyses.Results: The results showed that the H1 diet significantly increased the abundance of Lactobacillus,Pseudobutyrivibrio, Roseburia, and Faecalibacterium compared with those in the control group(P < 0.05), with a decrease in the abundance of Streptococcus. The numbers of Lactobacillus, Roseburia, and Clostridium cluster XIVa were significantly greater in the H1 group than in the control group(P < 0.05). Meanwhile, H2 diet increased the number of Clostridium cluster XIVa compared with the control group(P < 0.05). For colonic metabolites, total short chain fatty acids, butyrate, and isobutyrate concentrations were significantly higher in the H1 group than those in the control group(P < 0.05);the H1 treatment caused a striking decrease in protein fermentation compared with the control group, as the concentrations of total amines, cadaverine, tryptamine, phenol, p-cresol, and skatole were significantly lower(P < 0.05). Additionally, H2 diet also increased butyrate concentration compared with control group(P < 0.05), while decreased the concentrations of phenol, p-cresol, and skatole(P < 0.05). Pigs in the H1 group down-regulated the expression of TLR-4 and pro-inflammatory cytokines(IFN-γ) compared with pigs in the control group(P < 0.05), and up-regulated anti-inflammatory cytokine(IL-10) and intestinal barrier genes(ZO-1, occludin, and mucin-1). H2 diet up-regulated the expression of ZO-1 compared with control group(P < 0.05). Furthermore, the changes in the colonic mucosal gene expression were associated with changes in the bacterial composition and their metabolites.Conclusions: Collectively, dietary inclusion of Hermetia illucens larvae may enhance mucosal immune homeostasis of pigs via altering bacterial composition and their metabolites. These findings provide a new perspective on insect meal as a sustainable protein source rich in nutrient ingredients for swine.

Two-stage ADMM-based distributed optimal reactive power control method for wind farms considering wake effects

Since the connection of small-scale wind farms to distribution networks,power grid voltage stability has been reduced with increasing wind penetration in recent years,owing to the variable reactive power consumption of wind generators.In this study,a two-stage reactive power optimization method based on the alternating direction method of multipliers(ADMM)algorithm is proposed for achieving optimal reactive power dispatch in wind farm-integrated distribution systems.Unlike existing optimal reactive power control methods,the proposed method enables distributed reactive power flow optimization with a two-stage optimization structure.Furthermore,under the partition concept,the consensus protocol is not needed to solve the optimization problems.In this method,the influence of the wake effect of each wind turbine is also considered in the control design.Simulation results for a mid-voltage distribution system based on MATLAB verified the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Fatigue characteristics of sand-cast AZ91D magnesium alloy

The fatigue characteristics of the AZ91D-T6 alloy samples taken from engine blocks have been investigated at 20℃ and elevated temperature(150℃).The fatigue strength and cyclic stress amplitude of the alloy significantly decrease with the increase of the test temperature,although cyclic hardening occurs continuously until failure for both temperatures.With the increase of the temperature,the decreased fatigue life of the alloy tested at the same stress amplitude is mainly attributed to the decreased matrix strength and the increased hysteresis energies.Fatigue failure of the engine blocks made of AZ91D-T6 alloy is mainly controlled by casting defects.For the defect-free specimens,the crack initiation behavior is determined by the single-slip(20℃)and by environment-assisted cyclic slip(150℃)during fatigue,respectively.The low-cycle fatigue lives of the alloy can be predicted using the Coffin-Manson relation and Basquin laws,the three-parameter equation and the energy-based concepts,while the high-cycle fatigue lives of the alloy fitted well with the developed long crack life model and MSF life models.

Real-time controller hardware-in-the-loop co-simulation testbed for cooperative control strategy for cyber-physical power system

Various distributed cooperative control schemes have been widely utilized for cyber-physical power system(CPPS),which only require local communications among geographic neighbors to fulfill certain goals.However,the process of evaluating the performance of an algorithm for a CPPS can be affected by the physical target characteristics and real communication conditions.To address this potential problem,a testbed with controller hardware-in-the-loop(CHIL)is proposed in this paper.On the basis of a power grid simulation conducted using the real-time simulator RT-LAB developed by the company OPAL-RT,along with a communication network simulation developed with OPNET,multiple distributed controllers were developed with hardware devices to directly collect the real-time operating data of the power system model in RT-LAB and provide local control.Furthermore,the communication between neighboring controllers was realized using the cyber system modelin OPNET with an Ethernet interface.The hardware controllers produced a real-world control behavior instead of a digital simulation,and precisely simulated the dynamic features of a CPPS with high speed.A classic cooperative control case for active power output was studied to explain the integrated simulation process and validate the effectiveness of the co-simulation testbed.

Nanomechanical Characteristics of Interfacial Transition Zone in Nano-Engineered Concrete

This study investigates the effects of nanofillers on the interfacial transition zone(ITZ)between aggregate and cement paste by using nanoindentation and statistical nanoindentation techniques.Moreover,the underlying mechanisms are revealed through micromechanical modeling.The nanoindentation results indicate that incorporating nanofillers increases the degree of hydration in the ITZ,reduces the content of micropores and low-density calcium silicate hydrate(LD C-S-H),and increases the content of highdensity C-S-H(HD C-S-H)and ultra high-density C-S-H(UHD C-S-H).In particular,a new phase,namely nano-core-induced low-density C-S-H(NCILD C-S-H),with a superior hardness of 2.50 GPa and an indentation modulus similar to those of HD C-S-H or UHD C-S-H was identified in this study.The modeling results revealed that the presence of nanofillers increased the packing density of LD CS-H and significantly enhanced the interaction(adhesion and friction)among the basic building blocks of C-S-H gels owing to the formation of nano-core-shell elements,thereby facilitating the formation of NCILD C-S-H and further improving the performance of the ITZ.This study provides insight into the effects of nano fillers on the ITZ in concrete at the nanoscale.

长江源区高寒草甸生长季载畜量对模拟增温的响应

青藏高原高寒草甸是中国重要畜牧业基地,也是气候变化敏感区和生态脆弱带。为探究气候变暖对长江源区高寒草甸生长季载畜量的影响,以长江源区北麓河流域典型高寒草甸为研究对象,开展了模拟增温试验。测定了高寒草甸植物地上生物量和牧草品质,确定了高寒草甸的数量载畜量和营养载畜量,以期为制定合理的高寒草甸载畜量提供科学依据。结果表明:(1)增温(150 W·m^(-2))增加了高寒草甸5、30 cm深土壤年均温度,降低了0~10 cm土层的年均含水量,但增加了20~40 cm土层的水分。(2)增温使2017、2018年的6月(生长季前期)群落地上生物量分别显著增加了78.55、79.74 g·m^(-2),但对生长季后期(2017、2018年的9月)无显著影响;杂类草和禾本科植物占群落地上生物量的比重增加,但莎草科植物比重降低。(3)增温使群落和杂类草植物中的粗蛋白和粗脂肪含量降低,牧草品质下降。(4)增温处理下每公顷数量载畜量、可消化蛋白载畜量、代谢能载畜量在2017年6月分别增加了2.37±0.22、6.72±0.41、3.89±0.32羊单位,在2018年6月分别增加了2.41±0.30、6.29±0.25、3.95±0.17羊单位;但生长季后期无显著变化。根据研究区实际,在气温上升背景下,长江源区高寒草甸生长季前期以数量载畜量安排放牧为宜,生长季后期应以代谢能载畜量安排放牧为宜。

Tensile Properties and Deformation Behaviors of a New Aluminum Alloy for High Pressure Die Casting

Effects of natural aging and test temperature on the tensile behaviors have been studied for a highperformance cast aluminum alloy Al–10Si–1.2Cu–0.7Mn. Based on self-strengthening mechanism and spheroidization microstructures, the alloy tested at room temperature（RT） exhibits higher 0.2% proof stress（YS） of 206 MPa, ultimate tensile strength（UTS） of 331 MPa and elongation of 10%. Increasing aging time improves the YS and UTS and reduces the ductility of the alloy. Further increasing aging time beyond72 h does not signi？cantly increase the tensile strengths. Increasing test temperature significantly decreases the tensile strengths and increases the ductility of the alloy. The UTS of the alloy can be estimated by using the hardness. The Portevin–Le Chatelier effect occurs at RT due to the interactions between solid solution atoms and dislocations. Similar behaviors occurring at 250℃ are attributed to dynamic strain aging mechanism. Increasing aging time leads to decrease in the strain-hardening exponent（n） value and increase in the strain-hardening coeficient（k） value. Increasing test temperature apparently decreases the n and k values. Eutectic phase particles cracking and debonding determine the fracture mechanism of the alloy. Final failure of the alloy mainly depends on the global instability（high temperature, necking） and local instability（RT, shearing）. Different tensile behaviors of the alloy are mainly attributed to different matrix strengths, phase particle strengths and damage rate.

Comparison of dilution effects of R134a and nitrogen on flammable hydrofluorocarbons

An experimental apparatus has been built to measure the flammability limits of combustible gases based on Chinesenational standard GB/T 12474-90. The flammability limits of four binary mixtures of R161/R134a,R152a/R134a, R161/N2 and R152a/N2 were measured with this apparatus at atmospheric pressure and ambienttemperature. The fuel inertization points (FIP) of these mixtures can be found from the envelopes. Comparisonswere made with the literature data; good agreement for most measurements was obtained. R134a was found tohave a better dilution effect than nitrogen in reducing the flammability of hydrofluorocarbons.

Effect of heat treatment on strain–controlled fatigue behavior of cast Mg–Nd–Zn–Zr alloy

The influence of heat treatment on the strain-controlled fatigue behavior of cast NZ30 K alloy was investigated. Compared with the as-cast and solutionized（T4） alloys, the peak-aged（T6） and over-aged（T7）counterparts have a higher cyclic stress and a lower plastic strain value due to the precipitation strengthening. The as-cast and T4-treated alloys have a higher fatigue strength/yield strength ratio than the aged alloys, which is mainly attributed to their higher cyclic hardening. Under stress-controlled loading,the aged alloys show lower hysteresis energies than the as-cast and T4-treated counterparts, leading to longer fatigue lifetimes. For the T4-treated alloy, the cyclic hardening and fatigue failure are controlled by the dislocations-slip and twinning, while for both the as-cast and T6-treated counterparts, they are controlled by the dislocation-slip. For the T7-treated alloy, cyclic deformation and failure behavior are mainly dependent on dislocations-slip and grain boundary sliding.

Distributed Event-triggered Control for Frequency Restoration in Islanded Microgrids with Reduced Trigger Condition Checking

For islanded microgrids(MGs),distributed control is regarded as a preferred alternative to centralized control for the frequency restoration of MGs.However,distributed control with successive communication restricts the efficiency and resilience of the control system.To address this issue,this paper proposes a distributed event-triggered control strategy for the frequency secondary control in islanded MGs.The proposed event-triggered control is Zeno behavior free and enables each DG to update and propagate its state to neighboring DGs only when a specific“event”occurs,which significantly reduces the communication burden.Compared with the existing event-triggered control,a trigger condition checking period of the proposed event-triggered control is provided to reduce the computation burden when checking the trigger condition.Furthermore,using the aperiodicity and intermittent properties of the communication,a simple detection principle is proposed to detect and isolate the compromised communication links in a timely and economic fashion,which improves the resilience of the system against FDI attacks.Finally,the control effectiveness of the proposed control scheme is validated by the simulation results of the tests on an MG with 4 DGs.