The aim of this study was to examine how crosses are utilised in the English Premier League. Spec... more The aim of this study was to examine how crosses are utilised in the English Premier League. Specifically, the position that the crosses are delivered from, the delivery style, the position within the 18-yard box that the ball is delivered to and the defensive overload within the 18-yard box. A total of 30 English Premier League matches were observed; whereby 551 crosses were analysed. When the ball was crossed from zone A, 12.5% of crosses resulted in a goal and when the ball was crossed from zone B, 11.1% of crosses resulted in a goal. A significant association was found between cross location and number of goals scored (ᵡ² = 22.895, p=0.006). When low crosses were used, 30.1% of crosses resulted in a goal attempt and when in-swinging crosses were used, 24.7% of crosses resulted in a goal attempt. A significant association was found between delivery style and number of goal attempts (ᵡ² = 12.461, p=0.006). When the ball was delivered into zone 3, 25.6% of crosses were scored and w...
Predicting growth rates or determining the needs for supplementary feeding of grazing animals req... more Predicting growth rates or determining the needs for supplementary feeding of grazing animals requires knowledge of the nutritive value of the diet the animals are consuming. Faecal analyses are non-invasive and effective methods for compiling information about the diets of animals. In this study the usefulness of faecal chemistry and near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), either used individually or in combination to predict the quality of mixed diets fed to sheep, was investigated. Faecal nitrogen, ash, neutral detergent fibre and lignin contents can be successfully used to predict the metabolisable energy content and the organic matter digestibility of the diet as well as the type of rumen fermentation (in terms of short chain fatty acids) whilst fNIRS calibration equations can be successfully used to predict the crude protein, total phenolic and total tannins contents of mixed diets consumed by sheep. 2003) and metabolisable energy (ME) content (Kamler & Homolka, 2005) of typical (...
Personal exposure may not always be high in mining areas compared with urban areas. Children's pe... more Personal exposure may not always be high in mining areas compared with urban areas. Children's personal exposure to PM10 was highly variable in the study areas. PM10 was not shown to influence hair metals concentrations. Hair Mn concentrations were elevated in the mining area. No significant predictors of exposure were identified in this small study.
ABSTRACT This study examined the utilization efficiencies of three diets when fed to rainbow trou... more ABSTRACT This study examined the utilization efficiencies of three diets when fed to rainbow trout in a 28-day growth study. Each of the diets was fed at one of three ration levels, and an additional starved treatment was also included. The diets differed by an increasing concentration of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius cv. Myallie) kernel meal (MKM) inclusion. Two lupin kernel meal inclusion levels of 15% (MKM15%) and 30% (MKM30%) were studied. The diets were formulated to equivalent digestible protein and energy specifications based upon the predetermined digestibility values for each of the ingredients used. There were no significant differences in digestible protein level among the diets. However, a significantly higher level of digestible energy of both MKM diets was measured, as well as a significantly higher level of digestible phosphorus in the MKM30% diet. No significant differences between the diets were observed with respect the utilization of dietary digestible energy. Over the full data range, the energy utilization efficiency was described by the linear equation of; y = 0.747x − 26.174, R2 = 0.985. Efficiency of protein utilization over lower digestible protein intake levels was also linear (y = 0.599x − 0.142, R2 = 0.905), but over the full range was better described by a nonlinear function. The comparison of the three diets in this study shows that the dietary inclusion of lupin kernel had no significant effect on the gain of either protein or lipid energy relative to protein or lipid energy intake, respectively. Protein energy use efficiency constants varied depending on the feed intake level, but were not significantly affected by diet type. The efficiency of use of lipid energy for lipid energy retention was also not affected by diet type. The findings of this study demonstrate that the inclusion of lupin kernel meal, at up to 30% of the diet, does not affect the ability of rainbow trout to utilize the dietary digestible protein and energy of diet in which it is included.
ABSTRACT A single batch of Lupinus angustifolius seed was processed to produce a seed meal and de... more ABSTRACT A single batch of Lupinus angustifolius seed was processed to produce a seed meal and dehulled to produce a pure kernel meal. A series of blends were prepared from the seed and kernel meals. The digestible values of these pure and a series of blended meals were compared when fed to rainbow trout using the diet-substitution method (700 g kg−1 reference: 300 g kg−1 test ingredient). Improvements were observed for each of dry matter, energy and crude protein digestibilities with increasing dehulling efficiency. The relationship between dry matter digestibility and kernel meal proportion was linear and is described by the equation: y = 0.2147x + 40.929. Dry matter digestibility for the 100% kernel meal was 59.8%. The relationship between crude protein digestibility and kernel meal proportion was curvilinear and is described by the equation: y = −0.0019x2 + 0.3948x + 81.9143. Crude protein digestibility for the 100% kernel meal was 102%. The relationship between energy digestibility and kernel meal proportion was linear and is described by the equation: y = 0.158x + 48.77. Energy digestibility for the 100% kernel meal was 65.1%. The findings of this study demonstrate that there are significant benefits from using kernel meals over seed meals.
This study compares the digestibility of a series of lupin and soybean protein products when fed ... more This study compares the digestibility of a series of lupin and soybean protein products when fed to either rainbow trout or Atlantic salmon. The test ingredients in the study, from one of two key grain resources (lupins: Lupinus angustifolius and soybeans), represented various levels of processing of each grain in order to increase the protein content of the meals. A reference ingredient of enzymatically hydrolyzed casein (EHC) was also included in the study. The rainbow trout (266 F 18 g) were housed in freshwater tanks (250 l, salinity < 1x, 22.1 F 1.8 jC) and acclimated to the diets for 6 days before faecal collection commenced. The Atlantic salmon (66 F 10 g) were housed in similar freshwater tanks (250 l, salinity < 1x, 15 jC) and acclimated to the diets for at least 6 days before faecal collection commenced. Faeces were collected from each fish species using settlement collection methods. The digestibility of organic matter, phosphorus, energy and nitrogen
This study examines the palatability and discrete nutritional evaluation of some prototype lupin ... more This study examines the palatability and discrete nutritional evaluation of some prototype lupin protein concentrates (PC) when fed to rainbow trout. Products were developed from both Lupinus angustifolius and Lupinus luteus kernel meals with an increase in protein of 415 g/kg DM to 690 g/kg DM for L. angustifolius and 545 g/kg DM to 750 g/kg DM for L. luteus, respectively. This study completes a three-phase approach to evaluating the nutritional value of these products. The digestibility of energy, nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter were determined in earlier studies using the diet substitution approach. The apparent digestibility of the energy from the L. angustifolius PC and the L. luteus PC along with the apparent protein digestibility were used to formulate two series of experimental diets to examine both the palatability and discrete nutritional value of the products. Serial inclusion of either PC at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% into a typical salmonid diet specification allowed an examination of the palatability of each product. Additional negative controls, based on the 0% diets with inclusion of sulfamerazine sodium, were included in the experiment to demonstrate the capacity of the experiment to detect significant palatability issues. No significant effects of inclusion of either PC on any fish performance criteria, such as feed intake or growth, were identified. In contrast, significant reductions in feed intake and consequently growth were observed from fish fed either of the negative controls. This experiment demonstrated that each PC was highly palatable at inclusion levels up to and including 40% of the diet. Using a protein-limited-restrictively-fed experimental approach the discrete nutritional utilisation of each PC was defined. Growth of fish fed the PC treatments was not significantly different to that of the 0% reference diet. Two control diets with substitutions of cellulose to an equivalent inclusion level to that of the PC have provided an indication of the net benefit of the test ingredients. This experiment demonstrated that each PC provided equivalent nutritional value to the fish at either of the two inclusion levels (20% and 40%) evaluated. These PCs differed in their viscosity and gelling properties which
This study examined the influence of the alkaloid gramine, when included in diets for rainbow tro... more This study examined the influence of the alkaloid gramine, when included in diets for rainbow trout. Quinolizidine alkaloids have been suggested as a potential anti-nutritional problem with the use of lupin (Lupinus sp.) meals in aquaculture diets. The findings from the present study show that above a critical threshold, the alkaloid gramine does have a strong anti-palatability effect. The effect is noted at a minimum gramine concentration of 500 mg/kg of diet, though not at 100 mg/kg. A continuing strong anti-palatability response is noted at higher inclusion levels and at the highest gramine inclusion concentration examined in this study (10,000 mg/kg), insufficient feed was consumed to even supply maintenance protein and energy demands. No adaptation to concentrations of gramine was observed throughout the 6-week study. No effects on nitrogen, energy or phosphorus digestibility were seen at the 500 mg/kg inclusion concentration of gramine relative to the reference diet, although the inclusion of the yellow lupin kernel meals (both Wodjil and Teo varieties) in the diet did improve the digestibility of phosphorus. Growth, as assessed using a range of parameters including weight gain, growth rate, nutrient and energy retention of fish fed the experiment treatments was largely consistent with feed intake. Survival of fish was significantly reduced at gramine inclusion levels above 1000 mg/kg. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) were also reflective of feed intake and growth levels observed of each treatment. The concentrations of the plasma thyroid hormones tri-iodothyronine (T 3) and thyroxine (T 4) of fish from each of the treatments were consistent with feed intake (including the controls) suggesting that the concentrations of these hormones are in response to feed intake, not specifically the gramine levels in the diets. However, the inclusion of the Lupinus luteus kernel meals resulted in a significant change in T 4 levels, with a degree of independence of the
Benthic habitats are those areas of seabed below the highest astronomical tide that support livin... more Benthic habitats are those areas of seabed below the highest astronomical tide that support living organisms and influence the distribution and abundance of benthic primary producers and associated fauna. These habitats are generally regarded as important functional drivers of biodiversity and productivity at an ecosystem level. In coastal areas they are also often characterised by a high degree of spatial and temporal variance. During coastal and port developments and operations, detection of impacts on benthic habitats and associated biota is pivotal to understanding the system-scale effects that may occur as a result of anthropogenic activities. However, the inherent variability of these habitats introduces a degree of complexity that presents a challenge in sampling design and interpretation of results in environmental impact assessments. Effective monitoring of these variable benthic environments is an imperative in marine related project environmental impact assessments and can represent a significant component of project costs. Here we discuss improved quantitative and qualitative methods to detect impacts that also address the spatial and temporal variance commonly encountered in impact assessment programs in coastal environments including ports. These improved methods include designs for monitoring benthic assemblages including corals using diver-free sampling techniques; techniques to remove the chemical species of concern from saline matrices thereby allowing greater precision; speciation of potential contaminants using stable isotopic 'fingerprinting' methods for identifying contaminant source and provenance in benthic environments; and organic isotope methods for establishing historical baselines and characterising food web dynamics in coastal fish habitats are described. Finally, statistical methods for effectively presenting and interpreting space-time data are discussed. The methods provide means to better characterise and contextualise spatial and temporal data in indicators of interest and improve the assessment of potential impacts and changes at a system level.
This study examined the effect of the extrusion process on the digestibilities of whole diets and... more This study examined the effect of the extrusion process on the digestibilities of whole diets and also the component test ingredients when fed to rainbow trout. Six diets were prepared using either a screw-press or an extruder based on the same batches of raw materials in each case. Correlations between diets were highly significant for all four parameters examined of dry matter, nitrogen, energy and the sum of amino acids. The correlations showed that extrusion significantly improved the energy digestibility of the diets but effects on the other parameters were negligible. Correlations between ingredients for energy and dry matter digestibilities were highly significant, but correlations between the digestibility of nitrogen and the sum of amino acids were poor. The ingredient correlations also showed that extrusion improved the digestible energy value of the test ingredients (e.g. AD E of 0.700 when screw-pressed, but AD E of 0.800 when extruded), but any improvement in the dry matter digestibility was nominal and no advantages were gained for protein digestibility. The results of this study show that diet digestibility responses obtained from screw-press manufactured diets provide a proportional, but not necessarily direct indication of the responses achieved from extruded diets. The ingredient digestibilities showed that while dry matter and energy digestibilities are also proportional the nitrogen and the sum of amino acid digestibilities are not proportional between the two diet manufacturing methods. Observations of pellet stability in vivo showed distinct differences between the reference, L. angustifolius cv. Myallie kernel meal and soybean meal test diets. Changes in pellet integrity were noted after 2, 4 and 8 h. Pellet integrity after 8 h was best in the reference diet and worst in the soybean meal diet. The soybean meal diet lost its structural integrity quicker than that of the reference and L. angustifolius cv. Myallie kernel meal diets. The specific nutritional implications of these observations need to be more fully explored.
Most studies of metals exposure focus on the heavy metals. There are many other metals (the trans... more Most studies of metals exposure focus on the heavy metals. There are many other metals (the transition, alkali and alkaline earth metals in particular) in common use in electronics, defense industries, emitted via combustion and which are naturally present in the environment, that have received limited attention in terms of human exposure. We analysed samples of whole blood (172), urine (173) and drinking water (172) for antimony, beryllium, bismuth, cesium, gallium, rubidium, silver, strontium, thallium, thorium and vanadium using ICPMS. In general most metals concentrations were low and below the analytical limit of detection with some high concentrations observed. Few factors examined in regression models were shown to influence biological metals concentrations and explained little of the variation. Further study is required to establish the source of metals exposures at the high end of the ranges of concentrations measured and the potential for any adverse health impacts in children.
[摘要]: 正 Introduction The use of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to assess the quality of animal... more [摘要]: 正 Introduction The use of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to assess the quality of animal feed (dry matter, crude protein, NDF and ADF) is a well established technique and its usefulness as a predictive tool may match or exceed that of traditional wet chemistry (1, 2). ...
Chamaecytisus palmensis is a leguminous browse species cultivated for supplementary feeding for r... more Chamaecytisus palmensis is a leguminous browse species cultivated for supplementary feeding for ruminants in Australia. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementation of the species on the nutritive value of sheep diets. Experimental diets were formulated to contain six dry matter (DM) levels (0, 176, 352, 524, 722 and 1000g/kgDM) of C. palmensis. Freshly harvested,
A variety of metals are important for biological function but have also been shown to impact heal... more A variety of metals are important for biological function but have also been shown to impact health at elevated concentrations, whereas others have no known biological function. Pregnant women are a vulnerable population and measures to reduce exposure in this group are important. We undertook a study of maternal exposure to the metals, aluminium, arsenic, copper, cobalt, chromium, lithium, manganese, nickel, selenium, tin, uranium and zinc in 173 participants across Western Australia. Each participant provided a whole blood and urine sample, as well as drinking water, residential soil and dust samples and completed a questionnaire. In general the concentrations of metals in all samples were low with the notable exception of uranium (blood U mean 0.07 µg/L, range &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.01-0.25 µg/L; urinary U mean 0.018 µg/g creatinine, range &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.01-0.199 µg/g creatinine). Factors that influenced biological concentrations were consumption of fish which increased urinary arsenic concentrations, hobbies (including mechanics and welding) which increased blood manganese concentrations and iron/folic acid supplement use which was associated with decreased concentrations of aluminium and nickel in urine and manganese in blood. Environmental concentrations of aluminium, copper and lithium were found to influence biological concentrations, but this was not the case for other environmental metals concentrations. Further work is underway to explore the influence of diet on biological metals concentrations in more detail. The high concentrations of uranium require further investigation.
Recent literature suggests that exposure to low concentrations of heavy metals may affect both ma... more Recent literature suggests that exposure to low concentrations of heavy metals may affect both maternal and child health. This study aimed to determine the biological heavy metals concentrations of pregnant women as well as environmental and dietary factors that may influence exposure concentrations. One hundred and seventy three pregnant women were recruited from Western Australia, each providing a sample of blood, first morning void urine, residential soil, dust and drinking water samples. Participants also completed a questionnaire which included a food frequency component. All biological and environmental samples were analysed for heavy metals using ICP-MS. Biological and environmental concentrations of lead and mercury were generally low (Median Pb Drinking Water (DW) 0.04 µg/L; Pb soil &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;3.0 µg/g; Pb dust 16.5 µg/g; Pb blood 3.67 µg/L; Pb urine 0.55; µg/L Hg DW &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.03; Hg soil &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;1.0 µg/g; Hg dust &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;1.0 µg/g; Hg blood 0.46 µg/L; Hg urine &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.40 µg/L). Cadmium concentrations were low in environmental samples (Median CdDW 0.02 µg/L; Cdsoil &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.30 ug/g; Cddust &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.30) but elevated in urine samples (Median 0.55 µg/L, creatinine corrected 0.70 µg/g (range &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.2-7.06 µg/g creatinine) compared with other studies of pregnant women. Predictors of increased biological metals concentrations in regression models for blood cadmium were residing in the Great Southern region of Western Australia and not using iron/folic acid supplements and for urinary cadmium was having lower household annual income. However, these factors explained little of the variation in respective biological metals concentrations. The importance of establishing factors that influence low human exposure concentrations is becoming critical in efforts to reduce exposures and hence the potential for adverse health effects.
The aim of this study was to examine how crosses are utilised in the English Premier League. Spec... more The aim of this study was to examine how crosses are utilised in the English Premier League. Specifically, the position that the crosses are delivered from, the delivery style, the position within the 18-yard box that the ball is delivered to and the defensive overload within the 18-yard box. A total of 30 English Premier League matches were observed; whereby 551 crosses were analysed. When the ball was crossed from zone A, 12.5% of crosses resulted in a goal and when the ball was crossed from zone B, 11.1% of crosses resulted in a goal. A significant association was found between cross location and number of goals scored (ᵡ² = 22.895, p=0.006). When low crosses were used, 30.1% of crosses resulted in a goal attempt and when in-swinging crosses were used, 24.7% of crosses resulted in a goal attempt. A significant association was found between delivery style and number of goal attempts (ᵡ² = 12.461, p=0.006). When the ball was delivered into zone 3, 25.6% of crosses were scored and w...
Predicting growth rates or determining the needs for supplementary feeding of grazing animals req... more Predicting growth rates or determining the needs for supplementary feeding of grazing animals requires knowledge of the nutritive value of the diet the animals are consuming. Faecal analyses are non-invasive and effective methods for compiling information about the diets of animals. In this study the usefulness of faecal chemistry and near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), either used individually or in combination to predict the quality of mixed diets fed to sheep, was investigated. Faecal nitrogen, ash, neutral detergent fibre and lignin contents can be successfully used to predict the metabolisable energy content and the organic matter digestibility of the diet as well as the type of rumen fermentation (in terms of short chain fatty acids) whilst fNIRS calibration equations can be successfully used to predict the crude protein, total phenolic and total tannins contents of mixed diets consumed by sheep. 2003) and metabolisable energy (ME) content (Kamler & Homolka, 2005) of typical (...
Personal exposure may not always be high in mining areas compared with urban areas. Children's pe... more Personal exposure may not always be high in mining areas compared with urban areas. Children's personal exposure to PM10 was highly variable in the study areas. PM10 was not shown to influence hair metals concentrations. Hair Mn concentrations were elevated in the mining area. No significant predictors of exposure were identified in this small study.
ABSTRACT This study examined the utilization efficiencies of three diets when fed to rainbow trou... more ABSTRACT This study examined the utilization efficiencies of three diets when fed to rainbow trout in a 28-day growth study. Each of the diets was fed at one of three ration levels, and an additional starved treatment was also included. The diets differed by an increasing concentration of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius cv. Myallie) kernel meal (MKM) inclusion. Two lupin kernel meal inclusion levels of 15% (MKM15%) and 30% (MKM30%) were studied. The diets were formulated to equivalent digestible protein and energy specifications based upon the predetermined digestibility values for each of the ingredients used. There were no significant differences in digestible protein level among the diets. However, a significantly higher level of digestible energy of both MKM diets was measured, as well as a significantly higher level of digestible phosphorus in the MKM30% diet. No significant differences between the diets were observed with respect the utilization of dietary digestible energy. Over the full data range, the energy utilization efficiency was described by the linear equation of; y = 0.747x − 26.174, R2 = 0.985. Efficiency of protein utilization over lower digestible protein intake levels was also linear (y = 0.599x − 0.142, R2 = 0.905), but over the full range was better described by a nonlinear function. The comparison of the three diets in this study shows that the dietary inclusion of lupin kernel had no significant effect on the gain of either protein or lipid energy relative to protein or lipid energy intake, respectively. Protein energy use efficiency constants varied depending on the feed intake level, but were not significantly affected by diet type. The efficiency of use of lipid energy for lipid energy retention was also not affected by diet type. The findings of this study demonstrate that the inclusion of lupin kernel meal, at up to 30% of the diet, does not affect the ability of rainbow trout to utilize the dietary digestible protein and energy of diet in which it is included.
ABSTRACT A single batch of Lupinus angustifolius seed was processed to produce a seed meal and de... more ABSTRACT A single batch of Lupinus angustifolius seed was processed to produce a seed meal and dehulled to produce a pure kernel meal. A series of blends were prepared from the seed and kernel meals. The digestible values of these pure and a series of blended meals were compared when fed to rainbow trout using the diet-substitution method (700 g kg−1 reference: 300 g kg−1 test ingredient). Improvements were observed for each of dry matter, energy and crude protein digestibilities with increasing dehulling efficiency. The relationship between dry matter digestibility and kernel meal proportion was linear and is described by the equation: y = 0.2147x + 40.929. Dry matter digestibility for the 100% kernel meal was 59.8%. The relationship between crude protein digestibility and kernel meal proportion was curvilinear and is described by the equation: y = −0.0019x2 + 0.3948x + 81.9143. Crude protein digestibility for the 100% kernel meal was 102%. The relationship between energy digestibility and kernel meal proportion was linear and is described by the equation: y = 0.158x + 48.77. Energy digestibility for the 100% kernel meal was 65.1%. The findings of this study demonstrate that there are significant benefits from using kernel meals over seed meals.
This study compares the digestibility of a series of lupin and soybean protein products when fed ... more This study compares the digestibility of a series of lupin and soybean protein products when fed to either rainbow trout or Atlantic salmon. The test ingredients in the study, from one of two key grain resources (lupins: Lupinus angustifolius and soybeans), represented various levels of processing of each grain in order to increase the protein content of the meals. A reference ingredient of enzymatically hydrolyzed casein (EHC) was also included in the study. The rainbow trout (266 F 18 g) were housed in freshwater tanks (250 l, salinity < 1x, 22.1 F 1.8 jC) and acclimated to the diets for 6 days before faecal collection commenced. The Atlantic salmon (66 F 10 g) were housed in similar freshwater tanks (250 l, salinity < 1x, 15 jC) and acclimated to the diets for at least 6 days before faecal collection commenced. Faeces were collected from each fish species using settlement collection methods. The digestibility of organic matter, phosphorus, energy and nitrogen
This study examines the palatability and discrete nutritional evaluation of some prototype lupin ... more This study examines the palatability and discrete nutritional evaluation of some prototype lupin protein concentrates (PC) when fed to rainbow trout. Products were developed from both Lupinus angustifolius and Lupinus luteus kernel meals with an increase in protein of 415 g/kg DM to 690 g/kg DM for L. angustifolius and 545 g/kg DM to 750 g/kg DM for L. luteus, respectively. This study completes a three-phase approach to evaluating the nutritional value of these products. The digestibility of energy, nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter were determined in earlier studies using the diet substitution approach. The apparent digestibility of the energy from the L. angustifolius PC and the L. luteus PC along with the apparent protein digestibility were used to formulate two series of experimental diets to examine both the palatability and discrete nutritional value of the products. Serial inclusion of either PC at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% into a typical salmonid diet specification allowed an examination of the palatability of each product. Additional negative controls, based on the 0% diets with inclusion of sulfamerazine sodium, were included in the experiment to demonstrate the capacity of the experiment to detect significant palatability issues. No significant effects of inclusion of either PC on any fish performance criteria, such as feed intake or growth, were identified. In contrast, significant reductions in feed intake and consequently growth were observed from fish fed either of the negative controls. This experiment demonstrated that each PC was highly palatable at inclusion levels up to and including 40% of the diet. Using a protein-limited-restrictively-fed experimental approach the discrete nutritional utilisation of each PC was defined. Growth of fish fed the PC treatments was not significantly different to that of the 0% reference diet. Two control diets with substitutions of cellulose to an equivalent inclusion level to that of the PC have provided an indication of the net benefit of the test ingredients. This experiment demonstrated that each PC provided equivalent nutritional value to the fish at either of the two inclusion levels (20% and 40%) evaluated. These PCs differed in their viscosity and gelling properties which
This study examined the influence of the alkaloid gramine, when included in diets for rainbow tro... more This study examined the influence of the alkaloid gramine, when included in diets for rainbow trout. Quinolizidine alkaloids have been suggested as a potential anti-nutritional problem with the use of lupin (Lupinus sp.) meals in aquaculture diets. The findings from the present study show that above a critical threshold, the alkaloid gramine does have a strong anti-palatability effect. The effect is noted at a minimum gramine concentration of 500 mg/kg of diet, though not at 100 mg/kg. A continuing strong anti-palatability response is noted at higher inclusion levels and at the highest gramine inclusion concentration examined in this study (10,000 mg/kg), insufficient feed was consumed to even supply maintenance protein and energy demands. No adaptation to concentrations of gramine was observed throughout the 6-week study. No effects on nitrogen, energy or phosphorus digestibility were seen at the 500 mg/kg inclusion concentration of gramine relative to the reference diet, although the inclusion of the yellow lupin kernel meals (both Wodjil and Teo varieties) in the diet did improve the digestibility of phosphorus. Growth, as assessed using a range of parameters including weight gain, growth rate, nutrient and energy retention of fish fed the experiment treatments was largely consistent with feed intake. Survival of fish was significantly reduced at gramine inclusion levels above 1000 mg/kg. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) were also reflective of feed intake and growth levels observed of each treatment. The concentrations of the plasma thyroid hormones tri-iodothyronine (T 3) and thyroxine (T 4) of fish from each of the treatments were consistent with feed intake (including the controls) suggesting that the concentrations of these hormones are in response to feed intake, not specifically the gramine levels in the diets. However, the inclusion of the Lupinus luteus kernel meals resulted in a significant change in T 4 levels, with a degree of independence of the
Benthic habitats are those areas of seabed below the highest astronomical tide that support livin... more Benthic habitats are those areas of seabed below the highest astronomical tide that support living organisms and influence the distribution and abundance of benthic primary producers and associated fauna. These habitats are generally regarded as important functional drivers of biodiversity and productivity at an ecosystem level. In coastal areas they are also often characterised by a high degree of spatial and temporal variance. During coastal and port developments and operations, detection of impacts on benthic habitats and associated biota is pivotal to understanding the system-scale effects that may occur as a result of anthropogenic activities. However, the inherent variability of these habitats introduces a degree of complexity that presents a challenge in sampling design and interpretation of results in environmental impact assessments. Effective monitoring of these variable benthic environments is an imperative in marine related project environmental impact assessments and can represent a significant component of project costs. Here we discuss improved quantitative and qualitative methods to detect impacts that also address the spatial and temporal variance commonly encountered in impact assessment programs in coastal environments including ports. These improved methods include designs for monitoring benthic assemblages including corals using diver-free sampling techniques; techniques to remove the chemical species of concern from saline matrices thereby allowing greater precision; speciation of potential contaminants using stable isotopic 'fingerprinting' methods for identifying contaminant source and provenance in benthic environments; and organic isotope methods for establishing historical baselines and characterising food web dynamics in coastal fish habitats are described. Finally, statistical methods for effectively presenting and interpreting space-time data are discussed. The methods provide means to better characterise and contextualise spatial and temporal data in indicators of interest and improve the assessment of potential impacts and changes at a system level.
This study examined the effect of the extrusion process on the digestibilities of whole diets and... more This study examined the effect of the extrusion process on the digestibilities of whole diets and also the component test ingredients when fed to rainbow trout. Six diets were prepared using either a screw-press or an extruder based on the same batches of raw materials in each case. Correlations between diets were highly significant for all four parameters examined of dry matter, nitrogen, energy and the sum of amino acids. The correlations showed that extrusion significantly improved the energy digestibility of the diets but effects on the other parameters were negligible. Correlations between ingredients for energy and dry matter digestibilities were highly significant, but correlations between the digestibility of nitrogen and the sum of amino acids were poor. The ingredient correlations also showed that extrusion improved the digestible energy value of the test ingredients (e.g. AD E of 0.700 when screw-pressed, but AD E of 0.800 when extruded), but any improvement in the dry matter digestibility was nominal and no advantages were gained for protein digestibility. The results of this study show that diet digestibility responses obtained from screw-press manufactured diets provide a proportional, but not necessarily direct indication of the responses achieved from extruded diets. The ingredient digestibilities showed that while dry matter and energy digestibilities are also proportional the nitrogen and the sum of amino acid digestibilities are not proportional between the two diet manufacturing methods. Observations of pellet stability in vivo showed distinct differences between the reference, L. angustifolius cv. Myallie kernel meal and soybean meal test diets. Changes in pellet integrity were noted after 2, 4 and 8 h. Pellet integrity after 8 h was best in the reference diet and worst in the soybean meal diet. The soybean meal diet lost its structural integrity quicker than that of the reference and L. angustifolius cv. Myallie kernel meal diets. The specific nutritional implications of these observations need to be more fully explored.
Most studies of metals exposure focus on the heavy metals. There are many other metals (the trans... more Most studies of metals exposure focus on the heavy metals. There are many other metals (the transition, alkali and alkaline earth metals in particular) in common use in electronics, defense industries, emitted via combustion and which are naturally present in the environment, that have received limited attention in terms of human exposure. We analysed samples of whole blood (172), urine (173) and drinking water (172) for antimony, beryllium, bismuth, cesium, gallium, rubidium, silver, strontium, thallium, thorium and vanadium using ICPMS. In general most metals concentrations were low and below the analytical limit of detection with some high concentrations observed. Few factors examined in regression models were shown to influence biological metals concentrations and explained little of the variation. Further study is required to establish the source of metals exposures at the high end of the ranges of concentrations measured and the potential for any adverse health impacts in children.
[摘要]: 正 Introduction The use of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to assess the quality of animal... more [摘要]: 正 Introduction The use of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to assess the quality of animal feed (dry matter, crude protein, NDF and ADF) is a well established technique and its usefulness as a predictive tool may match or exceed that of traditional wet chemistry (1, 2). ...
Chamaecytisus palmensis is a leguminous browse species cultivated for supplementary feeding for r... more Chamaecytisus palmensis is a leguminous browse species cultivated for supplementary feeding for ruminants in Australia. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementation of the species on the nutritive value of sheep diets. Experimental diets were formulated to contain six dry matter (DM) levels (0, 176, 352, 524, 722 and 1000g/kgDM) of C. palmensis. Freshly harvested,
A variety of metals are important for biological function but have also been shown to impact heal... more A variety of metals are important for biological function but have also been shown to impact health at elevated concentrations, whereas others have no known biological function. Pregnant women are a vulnerable population and measures to reduce exposure in this group are important. We undertook a study of maternal exposure to the metals, aluminium, arsenic, copper, cobalt, chromium, lithium, manganese, nickel, selenium, tin, uranium and zinc in 173 participants across Western Australia. Each participant provided a whole blood and urine sample, as well as drinking water, residential soil and dust samples and completed a questionnaire. In general the concentrations of metals in all samples were low with the notable exception of uranium (blood U mean 0.07 µg/L, range &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.01-0.25 µg/L; urinary U mean 0.018 µg/g creatinine, range &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.01-0.199 µg/g creatinine). Factors that influenced biological concentrations were consumption of fish which increased urinary arsenic concentrations, hobbies (including mechanics and welding) which increased blood manganese concentrations and iron/folic acid supplement use which was associated with decreased concentrations of aluminium and nickel in urine and manganese in blood. Environmental concentrations of aluminium, copper and lithium were found to influence biological concentrations, but this was not the case for other environmental metals concentrations. Further work is underway to explore the influence of diet on biological metals concentrations in more detail. The high concentrations of uranium require further investigation.
Recent literature suggests that exposure to low concentrations of heavy metals may affect both ma... more Recent literature suggests that exposure to low concentrations of heavy metals may affect both maternal and child health. This study aimed to determine the biological heavy metals concentrations of pregnant women as well as environmental and dietary factors that may influence exposure concentrations. One hundred and seventy three pregnant women were recruited from Western Australia, each providing a sample of blood, first morning void urine, residential soil, dust and drinking water samples. Participants also completed a questionnaire which included a food frequency component. All biological and environmental samples were analysed for heavy metals using ICP-MS. Biological and environmental concentrations of lead and mercury were generally low (Median Pb Drinking Water (DW) 0.04 µg/L; Pb soil &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;3.0 µg/g; Pb dust 16.5 µg/g; Pb blood 3.67 µg/L; Pb urine 0.55; µg/L Hg DW &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.03; Hg soil &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;1.0 µg/g; Hg dust &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;1.0 µg/g; Hg blood 0.46 µg/L; Hg urine &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.40 µg/L). Cadmium concentrations were low in environmental samples (Median CdDW 0.02 µg/L; Cdsoil &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.30 ug/g; Cddust &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.30) but elevated in urine samples (Median 0.55 µg/L, creatinine corrected 0.70 µg/g (range &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.2-7.06 µg/g creatinine) compared with other studies of pregnant women. Predictors of increased biological metals concentrations in regression models for blood cadmium were residing in the Great Southern region of Western Australia and not using iron/folic acid supplements and for urinary cadmium was having lower household annual income. However, these factors explained little of the variation in respective biological metals concentrations. The importance of establishing factors that influence low human exposure concentrations is becoming critical in efforts to reduce exposures and hence the potential for adverse health effects.
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