Health diagnosis of ultrahigh arch dam performance using heterogeneous spatial panel vector model

Currently,more than ten ultrahigh arch dams have been constructed or are being constructed in China.Safety control is essential to long-term operation of these dams.This study employed the flexibility coefficient and plastic complementary energy norm to assess the structural safety of arch dams.A comprehensive analysis was conducted,focusing on differences among conventional methods in characterizing the structural behavior of the Xiaowan arch dam in China.Subsequently,the spatiotemporal characteristics of the measured performance of the Xiaowan dam were explored,including periodicity,convergence,and time-effect characteristics.These findings revealed the governing mechanism of main factors.Furthermore,a heterogeneous spatial panel vector model was developed,considering both common factors and specific factors affecting the safety and performance of arch dams.This model aims to comprehensively illustrate spatial heterogeneity between the entire structure and local regions,introducing a specific effect quantity to characterize local deformation differences.Ultimately,the proposed model was applied to the Xiaowan arch dam,accurately quantifying the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of dam performance.Additionally,the spatiotemporal distri-bution characteristics of environmental load effects on different parts of the dam were reasonably interpreted.Validation of the model prediction enhances its credibility,leading to the formulation of health diagnosis criteria for future long-term operation of the Xiaowan dam.The findings not only enhance the predictive ability and timely control of ultrahigh arch dams'performance but also provide a crucial basis for assessing the effectiveness of engineering treatment measures.

Jet Behavior and Metallurgical Performance of Innovated Double-Parameter Oxygen Lance in BOF

A double-parameter oxygen lance used in a 300 t converter was designed to improve the metallurgical performance. A small-scale measurement of the jet behavior was done using a computer controlled scanning system. The experimental data on the velocity distribution at the jet centerline, the contour map of the jet velocity, the deviation of the jet centerline, and the velocity distribution of the axial section were compiled. According to the results of the small-scale measurement, the double-parameter lance was also employed for a BOF experiment. The metallurgy inde- xes show that the metallurgical performance was highly promoted by use of the double-parameter lance.

Development and validation of a self-management behavior questionnaire for Chinese enterostomy patients

Objectives:This study aimed to develop a self-management behavior questionnaire for Chinese enter-ostomy patients and examine its reliability and validity.Methods:Guided by the theory of self-management,an initial questionnaire was generated through literature review,group meetings,and two rounds of an expert consultation.Finally,the reliability and validity of the questionnaire were validated through a questionnaire survey of 200 enterostomy patients were selected from the Affiliated Hospital of Medical University from June 2016 to March 2017.Results:The content validity index was 0.80e1.00.The exploratory factor analysis yielded a five-factor(dietary behavior,psychosocial behavior,symptom management behavior,medical compliance behavior,information management behavior),consisting of 40 items.The cumulative variance contri-bution rate was 65.42%.The Cronbach’s a coefficient for the total questionnaire was 0.972,and for the five factors ranged from 0.797 to 0.939,indicating a good internal consistency.The test-retest reliability was 0.867(P<0.01).The self-management behavior questionnaire score was negatively related to the Ostomy Skin Tool score(r=-0.800,P<0.01).Conclusions:The self-management behavior questionnaire developed in this study showed good reli-ability and validity and can be used to assess the self-management behavior of Chinese enterostomy patients.

The status quo and influence of self-management behaviors in convalescent stroke patients

Objective： The aims of this study were to investigate the status quo of self-management behaviors in stroke patients at the recovery stage and to explore its influencing factors.Methods： A total of 440 hospitalized convalescent stroke patients were recruited and investigated using the Basic Situation Questionnaire, Self-management Behavior Scale of Stroke, Stroke Prevention Knowledge Questionnaire and Social Support Rating Scale.Results： The mean self-management behavior score was （151.95±23.58）, and dimensions in descending order were as follows： dietary management, drug safety management, social function and interpersonal relationships, life management, emotion management, rehabilitation exercise management and disease management. Five regional self-management behavior scores were statistically significant, and the scores from Minnan and Minzhong of the Fujian province, China, were higher than the others. Gender, age, family income and self-management behavior were significantly correlated （P〈0.05）; educational level, stroke knowledge level, social support level and self-management behavior were positively correlated, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.01）. Conclusions： The overall self-management level of convalescent stroke patients should be improved to strengthen health education; focus on the educational level, which is relatively low; strengthen the social support system of patients; stimulate the enthusiasm and initiative of self-management disease patients to promote disease rehabilitation and improve the quality of life.

Creep aging behavior and performance of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys under different parameters in retrogression aging treatment

A study was conducted to better understand how different parameters, namely, regression aging time and regression aging temperature, affect the creep aging properties, i.e., the creep deformation and performance of Al-Zn-MgCu alloy during regressive reaging. The corresponding creep strain and mechanical properties of samples were studied by conducting creep tests and uniaxial tensile tests. The electrical conductivity was measured using an eddy-current conductivity meter. The microstructures were observed by transmission electron microscopy(TEM). With the increase in regression aging time, the steady creep strain first increased and then decreased, and reached the maximum at 45 min.The steady creep strain increased with the increase in regression aging temperature, and reached the maximum at 200 ℃.The level of steady creep strain was determined by precipitation and dislocation recovery. Creep aging strengthens 7B50-RRA treated with regression aging time at 190 ℃ for 10 min, and the difference in the mechanical properties of alloy becomes smaller. The diffusion of solute atoms reduces the scattering of electrons, leading to a significant improvement in electrical conductivity and stress corrosion cracking(SCC) resistance after creep aging. The findings of this study could help in the application of creep aging forming(CAF) technology in Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy under RRA treatment.

Effects of Reduced Nocturnal Temperature on Performance and Behavior of Nursery Pigs

Previous studies suggested that pigs prefer lower environmental temperatures during nighttime compared to daytime. So reducing nocturnal temperature in nursery barns may not jeopardize performance or welfare of pigs, but can save energy for heating the barn. A study was conducted to investigate growth performance and behavioral response of nursery pigs to reduced nocturnal temperature. This study was conducted in four replicates, each utilizing 270 newly weaned pigs and lasting for 5 wk. Temperature setpoint in the control room （CON） was started at 30℃ and decreased by 2℃ per week. In the treatment room （RNT）, temperature setpoint was maintained same as in CON between 7：00 h and 19：00 h, and reduced by 8~C between 19：00 h and 7：00 h starting from d 5. Growth performance （15 pens/room, 9 pigs/pen, BW=（6.3±0.61） kg） was monitored for 5 wk, and behaviors in 6 pens in each room were video-recorded for 24 h 3 d after being exposed to the experimental temperature. Instantaneous scan sampling was performed to determine time budgets for standing, sitting, eating, drinking, belly nosing, three postures of lying, and huddling. Two focal pigs were continuously viewed to record duration and occurrence of eating and drinking. Reduced nocturnal temperature did not affect the growth performance of the pigs, time spent standing, sitting, total lying and eating or duration and frequencies of eating and drinking （all P〉0.10）. However, RNT increased time spent lying sternal （83 vs. 72%, P〈0.001） and number of pigs that were huddling （70 vs. 50% of lying pigs, P〈0.001）, and decreased time spent lying laterally （0.8 vs. 4.6%, P〈0.001）, lying half laterally （5.3 vs. 11.0%, P〈0.001）, and belly nosing （0.9 vs. 1.7%, P=0.01） during nighttime. These results indicate that nursery pigs adopted the posture of lying sternal and huddled together to reduce heat loss from their body surface to maintain thermal balance and growth performance in RNT. Such mild reduction in nocturnal temperature in the nursery barn can save energy for heating the barn without negative effects on performance and behavior of nursery pigs.

Effects of different feeding methods and space allowance on the growth performance, individual and social behaviors of Holstein calves

The importance of nutrient provisions and weaning methods for calves has been well established over the past few years,while as increasing interest has focused on contribution of animal behavior and their overall performance in production regimes.The present study investigated the effects of feeding methods and space allowance on growth performance,individual and social behaviors in Holstein calves.Twenty-four Chinese Holstein male and female calves were allocated to either an individual or group of 6 and fed either with a bucket or a teat.Milk replacer,calf starter,and Chinese wildrye were offered during the experiment.A fecal index used in the present study was defined as the total fecal scores/total number of calves in each treatment.The results showed that there was no significant difference among the 4 treatments in terms of feed intake,body weight,average daily gain,and fecal index.For the feeding behaviors,the ingesting milk time and ingesting milk rate were significantly affected by space allowance,while the feeding methods showed a significant influence on the bunting behavior of the calves.There was no significant difference among the 4 treatments in terms of licking fixtures,self-grooming,and lying down behaviors,irrespective of the feeding method or space allowance.However,sucking an empty bucket or the teat was significantly affected by the feeding method.Several selected group behaviors were examined in the present study,and similar values for sniffing the other calves,social grooming,and cross-sucking behaviors were observed.Overall,the present study demonstrated that different feeding methods and space allowances had a significant effect on the feeding behavior of calves,while the feed intake,growth performance,health condition,individual and group social behaviors were not significantly influenced.Furthermore,under intensified production systems,Holstein calves raised in a group may obtain a similar production performance,thus reducing management input and profitability compared with those kept individually.However,there may be competition during the feeding period.

Effect of yttrium and calcium additions on electrochemical behaviors and discharge performance of AZ80 anodes for Mg-air battery

The effects of yttrium(Y)and yttrium+calcium(Y+Ca)additions on the electrochemical properties and discharge performance of the as-extruded Mg−8Al−0.5Zn−0.2Mn(AZ80)anodes for Mg−air batteries were investigated.The results show that the addition of 0.2 wt.%Y increased the corrosion resistance and discharge activity of AZ80 anode.This was attributed to the fine and sphericalβ-Mg_17)Al_(12) phases dispersing evenly in AZ80+0.2Y alloy,which suppressed the localized corrosion and severe“chunk effect”,and facilitated the rapid activation ofα-Mg.Combinative addition of 0.2 wt.%Y and 0.15 wt.%Ca generated grain refinement and a reduction of theβ-Mg_17)Al_(12) phase,resulting in a further enhancement in discharge voltage.However,the incorporation of Ca in Mg_17)Al_(12) and Al_(2)Y compounds compromised the corrosion resistance and anodic efficiency of AZ80+0.2Y+0.15Ca anode.Consequently,AZ80+0.2Y anode exhibited excellent overall discharge performance,with the peak discharge capacity and anodic efficiency of 1525 mA·h·g^(−1) and 67%at 80 mA/cm^(2),13%and 14%higher than those of AZ80 anode,respectively.

Influence of bismuth on microstructure,thermal properties,mechanical performance,and interfacial behavior of SAC305−xBiCu solder joints

This research sought to improve the properties of SAC305 solder joints by the addition of 1 and 2 wt.%Bi.The effects of bismuth doping on the microstructure,thermal properties,and mechanical performance of the SAC305−xBiCu solder joints were investigated.Bi-doping modified the microstructure of the solder joints by refining the primaryβ-Sn and eutectic phases.Bi-doping below 2 wt.%dissolved in theβ-Sn matrix and formed a solid solution,whereas Bi additions equal to or greater than 2 wt.%formed Bi precipitates in theβ-Sn matrix.Solid solution strengthening and precipitation strengthening mechanisms in theβ-Sn matrix increased the ultimate tensile strength and microhardness of the alloy from 35.7 MPa and 12.6 HV to 55.3 MPa and 20.8 HV,respectively,but elongation decreased from 24.6%to 16.1%.The fracture surface of a solder joint containing 2 wt.%Bi was typical of a brittle failure rather than a ductile failure.The interfacial layer of all solder joints comprised two parallel IMC layers:a layer of Cu6Sn5 and a layer of Cu3Sn.The interfacial layer was thinner and the shear strength was greater in SAC305−xBiCu joints than in SAC305Cu solder joints.Therefore,small addition of Bi refined microstructure,reduced melting temperature and improved the mechanical performance of SAC305Cu solder joints.

Awareness, self-management behaviors, health literacy and kidney function relationships in specialty practice

AIM To determine the relationship between chronic kidney disease(CKD) awareness(CKD-A), self-management behaviors(CKD-SMB) knowledge, performance of CKDSMBs, health literacy(HL) and kidney function. METHODS Participants were eligible patients attending an outpatient nephrology clinic. Participants were administered: Newest Vital Sign to measure HL, CKD self-managementknowledge tool(CKD-SMKT) to assess knowledge, past performance of CKD-SMB, CKD-A. Estimated GFR(e GFR) was determined using the MDRD-4 equation. Duration of clinic participation and CKD cause were extracted from medical charts. RESULTS One-hundred-fifty patients participated in the study. e GFRs ranged from 17-152 m L/min per 1.73 m2. Majority(83%) of respondents had stage 3 or 4 CKD, low HL(63%), and were CKD aware(88%). Approximately 40%(10/25) of patients in stages 1 and 2 and 6.4%(8/125) in stages 3 and 4 were unaware of their CKD. CKD-A differed with stage(P < 0.001) but not by HL level, duration of clinic participation, or CKD cause. Majority of respondents(≥ 90%) correctly answered one or more CKD-SMKT items. Knowledge of one behavior, "controlling blood pressure" differed significantly by CKD-A. CKD-A was associated with past performance of two CKD-SMBs, "controlling blood pressure"(P = 0.02), and "keeping healthy body weight"(P = 0.01). Adjusted multivariate analyses between CKD-A and:(1) HL; and(2) CKD-SMB knowledge were nonsignificant. However, there was a significant relationship between CKD-A and kidney function after controlling for demographics, HL, and CKD-SMB(P < 0.05). CONCLUSION CKD-A is not associated with HL, or better CKD-SMBs. CKD-A is significantly associated with kidney function and substantially lower e GFR, suggesting the need for focused patient education in CKD stages 1.

Self-Management Behaviors of Patients with Hypertension in Daily Life

Background: In a rapidly aging Japanese society, the number of patients with hypertension has seen a steady increase. The basic treatments for hypertension are maintaining blood pressure through medication and preventing complications. It is important for patients with hypertension to perform self-management. This improves their lifestyle while controlling their blood pressure to prevent complications and maintain good health. Purpose: This study aimed to examine the actual self-management behavior ability of patients with hypertension and to clarify the factors involved in their self-management behavior. Methods: A total of 150 patients with hypertension were included in this study. The following data were obtained from the patients as background information: sex, age, years with disease, whether they are receiving antihypertensive agents, type of antihypertensive agent, blood test data, heart thoracic ratio, left ventricular ejection fraction, pulse wave, pulse wave velocity, and height. The levels of self-management skills of the patients were also assessed using the “Instrument to Measure the Self-care of patients with Hypertension” developed by Tsuboi et al. Results: The associations among self-management behaviors in daily life, such as diet, exercise, stress, medication, alcohol intake, and smoking, were analyzed in patients with hypertension. The subjects were classified into the following three groups: aged 65 years or below (Group A), early stage elderly individuals (Group B), and late-stage elderly individuals aged 75 years or over (Group C). The results showed that the subjects in Group C had higher self-management scores for diet, exercise, stress, medication, and drinking than the subjects in the other two groups. The scores of smoking and self-management of the subjects in Group A were high but their other self-management scores were low. All the subjects were taking between 1 to 3 types of oral antihypertensive drugs. The rate of achievement of the target blood pressure was 50% or more in all the three groups. However, the pulse wave velocity was high in all the three groups. Conclusion: The results indicate that the risk of developing disorders of the brain and cardiovascular system is high in all the three groups, owing to the high degree of arteriosclerosis. Therefore, increasing the number of nursing interventions is expected to reduce blood pressure, maintain and promote self-management behavior in daily life, and prevent the onset of complications. The results suggest that nursing interventions involving lifestyle guidance for improving the self-management skills of patients are urgently needed by patients under 65 years of age.

Container Networking Performance Analysis for Large-Scale User Behavior Simulation

Accurately simulating large-scale user behavior is important to improve the similarity between the cyber range and the real network environment. The Linux Container provides a method to simulate the behavior of large-scale users under the constraints of limited physical resources. In a container-based virtualization environment, container networking is an important component. To evaluate the impact of different networking methods between the containers on the simulation performance, the typical container networking methods such as none, bridge, macvlan were analyzed, and the performance of different networking methods was evaluated according to the throughput and latency metrics. The experiments show that under the same physical resource constraints, the macvlan networking method has the best network performance, while the bridge method has the worst performance. This result provides a reference for selecting the appropriate networking method in the user behavior simulation process.

Positive correlations between the health locus of control and self-management behaviors in hemodialysis patients in Xiamen

Objective:To investigate the association between the health locus of control and selfmanagement behaviors in patients receiving hemodialysis.Methods:Patients receiving hemodialysis in Xiamen,Fujian province,from December 2014 to March 2015 answered the Chinese version of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scale and the self-management behavior questionnaire.Results:The participants in this study indicated that they believed others exerted more control over their health than themselves or chance.In addition,the majority of participants had a medium to low level of self-management behaviors.Positive correlations were also observed between a participant's health locus of control and their level of selfmanagement behaviors.Internal health locus of control and external(others)health locus of control were significant predictors of self-management behaviors controlling for the effect of payment method.Conclusion:The results of this study provided evidence that there is a strong relationship between the health locus of control and self-management behaviors in hemodialysis patients.This study provides important information for medical professionals as they design strategies to educate hemodialysis patients on their health locus of control and selfmanagement behaviors.

Status of Understanding of the Disease and Self-Management Behavior among Patients with Hypertension

Background: Hypertension is a lifestyle-related disease that has no subjective symptoms but could lead to severe complications. The goals of treatment for hypertension are to maintain blood pressure with medications and prevent complications. Measuring blood pressure at home regularly is critical for patients with hypertension. Purpose: This study aimed to 1) clarify the status of patients’ understanding of hypertension and self-management, 2) identify nursing practices that could support patients with hypertension in making them aware of the need for understanding hypertension, monitoring blood pressure at home, and engaging in self-management. Method: A questionnaire survey on understanding of the disease and self-management behavior was conducted among patients with hypertension who regularly visited outpatient clinics. As for data analysis, descriptive statistics were computed for patients’ attributes, clinical findings, understanding of the disease, and self-management behavior. Cross-tabulation and the chi-square test were used for each item on understanding of the disease and self-management behaviors. Results: Data were obtained from 150 participants (93 males and 57 females) with a mean age of 70 years. Patients with a higher understanding of the disease and those who were aware of the target blood pressure were more likely to engage in self-management behavior, including monitoring blood pressure at home, ensuring regular outpatient visits, and consulting with nurses or physicians. In addition, the percentage of patients who recognized the need to achieve their target blood pressure was higher among those who had a spouse and lived with their family. Discussion: Regular monitoring and recording of blood pressure at home are the most important self-management behaviors. Understanding of the disease and self-management behavior and support from the family are critical for maintaining appropriate self-management. Therefore, in cooperation with physicians, nurses should provide health education to patients and their families to enable them to perform appropriate self-management. Health expenditures increase with age, especially in those aged 65 years and over. The prevalence of hypertension increases with age;patients aged 65 years and over need to engage in self-management to maintain their target blood pressure. Nurses should provide patients with hypertension aged 65 years and over with appropriate nursing care to enable them to measure and record their blood pressure at home appropriately and regularly. Appropriate nursing care may help reduce the health expenditure. This may help reduce the health expenditure.

Dynamic Compression Behavior of Ultra-high Performance Cement-based Composite with Hybrid Steel Fiber Reinforcements

Ultra-high performance cement-based composites (UHPCC) is promising in construction of concrete structures that suffer impact and explosive loads.In this study,a reference UHPCC mixture with no fiber reinforcement and four mixtures with a single type of fiber reinforcement or hybrid fiber reinforcements of straight smooth and end hook type of steel fibers were prepared.Split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) was performed to investigate the dynamic compression behavior of UHPCC and X-CT test and 3D reconstruction technology were used to indicate the failure process of UHPCC under impact loading.Results show that UHPCC with 1% straight smooth fiber and 2% end hook fiber reinforcements demonstrated the best static and dynamic mechanical properties.When the hybrid steel fiber reinforcements are added in the concrete,it may need more impact energy to break the matrix and to pull out the fiber reinforcements,thus,the mixture with hybrid steel fiber reinforcements demonstrates excellent dynamic compressive performance.

Neuroscience for Architecture:How Building Design Can Influence Behaviors and Performance

The purpose of this paper is to discuss recent findings in neuroscience that can be useful to architecture.Knowing the working patterns of the brain and how space affects cerebral functions can help architects design buildings that improve the user’s behavior,performance and well-being.The built environment has a direct impact on the human brain.Social relations,focus,cognition,creativity,memory and well-being can be influenced by the surrounding physical space.Although it is not possible to create the perfect room,the space can be used in a strategic way,depending on the task that individuals are supposed to do there and depending on the people(age,gender,culture)who will make use of the space.Schools can be designed in a way to improve cognition,learning and memorization;hospital buildings can help improving recovery;workspaces can improve performance,creativity and collaboration.Above all,all spaces of long occupation should be designed in a way to improve well-being.How can architecture change automatic behaviors and nudge people to behave in a healthier way?Can architects create buildings and cities that improve socialization and happiness?Can criminality levels drop due to changes on the way the environments are designed?These are some of the questions that will be discussed in this paper.

Effects of Drinking Slightly Acidic Electrolytic Water on Growth Performance and Behavior of Broilers

[Objective]The paper was to study the effects of drinking slightly acidic electrolytic water on growth performance and behavior of Rose 308 broilers,and to provide reference for the application of slightly acidic electrolytic water in broiler breeding.[Method]A total of 300 healthy 10-day-old Rose 308 broilers with similar body weight were randomly divided into five groups,three replicates each group,20 broilers each replicate.The broilers in control group were supplied with normal drinking water,and the broilers in experimental groups consumed slightly acidic electrolytic water with 0.3,0.5,0.7,1.0 mg/L residual chlorine,respectively.The test lasted 21 d.[Result]At 10-30 days of age,the water consumption of broilers in 0.7 and 1.0 mg/L electrolytic water groups were increased by 9.27%and 7.67%respectively compared with the control group(M<0.05).The average daily feed intake(ADFI)of broilers in 0.7 and 1.0 mg/L electrolytic water groups were increased compared with the control group(Q0.05).The average daily gain(ADG)of broilers in 0.7 mg/L electrolytic water group was 11.99%lower than that in control group(M<0.05).The feed gain ratio(F/G)of broilers in 0.5 mg/L electrolytic water group was 12.29%lower than that in control group(M<0.05),and the mortality was the lowest in 0.5 mg/L electrolytic water group.The standing,feeding and drinking frequency of broilers in experimental groups were higher than that in control group,and the flapping behavior of broilers in 0.5 mg/L electrolytic water group was the lowest.[Conclusion]Drinking slightly acidic electrolytic water has positive effect on the growth and behavior of broilers.

Effect of ZrO_2 Dopant on the Sintering Behavior and Performance of MCMB-derived Carbon Laminations

Liquid ball-milling dispersant method was used to prepare the ZrO2-doped carbon laminations from mesocarbon microbeads（MCMBs）. After sintering at 1 300 ℃ in nitrogen atmosphere, the effect of ZrO2 concentration on sintering behavior, electric conductivity as well as bending strength of the carbon laminations was investigated in detail. The results showed that the volumetric shrinkage rate of the carbon laminations decreased from 38.2% to 30.9% when the ZrO2 concentration in raw materials varied from 0 to 16 wt%. Compared with undoped carbon lamination, the samples had high-electric conductivity and excellent bending strength in all cases. The electric conductivity achieved the maximum value of 225 S/cm, and the bending strength of the carbon lamination was 119.24 MPa for a concentration of 8 wt% ZrO2 in raw materials. In addition, the electric conductivity and bending strength reducing were observed when the ZrO2 concentration was higher than 8 wt%. The catalytic effect on graphitization for the carbon laminations was the most effective when the ZrO2 concentration was set at 8 wt% in raw materials.

Influence of Reading Behavior of Entrepreneurs on Their Entrepreneurial Performance: Empirical Study of Chongqing

In the context of economic downward and industrial structural adjustment,cultural level of entrepreneurs exerts direct influence on entrepreneurial results,while reading behavior of entrepreneurs is closed connected with cultural level of entrepreneurs. Therefore,it is of utmost importance to analyze the relation between reading behavior and entrepreneurial performance. Based on the survey data of 200 enterprises in one- hour economic circle of Chongqing,this paper analyzed three dimensions of reading behavior of entrepreneurs: reading subjects,reading media,and reading environment. It analyzed the relation between these three indicators and entrepreneurial performance. It further divided entrepreneurial performance into survival performance and financial performance. Finally,it came up with following conclusions:( i) good reading exerts significantly positive effect on survival performance of entrepreneurial enterprises;( ii) suitable reading environment plays a positive role in financial performance of entrepreneurial enterprises.

Effects of Different Feeding Methods on Behaviors, Immunities and Growth Performances of Suckling Calves

Behaviors,immunities and growth performances of suckling calves to either fed milk through barrel feeding or artificial nipple feeding were investigated in this study.Seventy-two newborn female suckling Holstein calves were selected and divided into two treatments which fed regular milk through milk barrels or artificial nipples.The behaviors′parameters were measured on 14,29 and 44 days.Body weight and body size of the calves were recorded on 15,30 and 45 days.Immune indicators were collected in quiet situation on 15,30 and 45 days.Compared with the barrel feeding method,calves fed by artificial nipples had less non-nutritive behaviors,stronger growth performances and higher immune levels.Artificial nipples gave calves sucking conditions and reduced the motivation of calves to suck each other,which might promote the development of complex stomachs,allow food to be better digested and more effective.It also reduced cross-infection indirectly which increased the calves'immunities.