Catalogue Search | MBRL
Are you sure you want to remove the book from the shelf?
{{itemTitle}}
145,035
result(s) for
"growth performance"
Sort by:
How to have a good day : harness the power of behavioral science to transform your working life
\"In \"How to Have a Good Day\", economist and former McKinsey partner Caroline Webb shows readers how to use recent findings from behavioral economics, psychology, and neuroscience to transform our approach to everyday working life\"-- Provided by publisher.
Book
The gut eukaryotic microbiota influences the growth performance among cohabitating shrimp
Increasing evidence has revealed a close interplay between the gut bacterial communities and host growth performance. However, until recently, studies generally ignored the contribution of eukaryotes, endobiotic organisms. To fill this gap, we used Illumina sequencing technology on eukaryotic 18S rRNA gene to compare the structures of gut eukaryotic communities among cohabitating retarded, overgrown, and normal shrimp obtained from identically managed ponds. Results showed that a significant difference between gut eukaryotic communities differed significantly between water and intestine and among three shrimp categories. Structural equation modeling revealed that changes in the gut eukaryotic community were positively related to digestive enzyme activities, which in turn influenced shrimp growth performance (
λ
= 0.97,
P
< 0.001). Overgrown shrimp exhibited a more complex and cooperative gut eukaryotic interspecies interaction than retarded and normal shrimp, which may facilitate their nutrient acquisition efficiency. Notably, the distribution of dominant eukaryotic genera and shifts in keystone species were closely concordant with shrimp growth performance. In summary, this study provides an integrated overview on direct roles of gut eukaryotic communities in shrimp growth performance instead of well-studied bacterial assembly.
Journal Article
Peak performance : elevate your game, avoid burnout, and thrive with the new science of success
\"A few common principles drive performance, regardless of the field or the task at hand. Whether someone is trying to qualify for the Olympics, break ground in mathematical theory or craft an artistic masterpiece, many of the practices that lead to great success are the same. In Peak Performance, Brad Stulberg, a former McKinsey and Company consultant and writer who covers health and the science of human performance, and Steve Magness, a performance scientist and coach of Olympic athletes, team up to demystify these practices and demonstrate how everyone can achieve their best. The first book of its kind, Peak Performance combines the inspiring stories of top performers across a range of capabilities - from athletic, to intellectual, to artistic - with the latest scientific insights into the cognitive and neurochemical factors that drive performance in all domains. In doing so, Peak Performance uncovers new linkages that hold promise as performance enhancers but have been overlooked in our traditionally-siloed ways of thinking. The result is a life-changing book in which readers learn how to enhance their performance via myriad ways including: optimally alternating between periods of intense work and rest; priming the body and mind for enhanced productivity; and developing and harnessing the power of a self-transcending purpose. In revealing the science of great performance and the stories of great performers across a wide range of capabilities, Peak Performance uncovers the secrets of success, and coaches readers on how to use them. If you want to take your game to the next level, whatever \"your game\" may be, Peak Performance will teach you how\"-- Provided by publisher.
Book
Effect of melatonin and folic acid supplementation on the growth performance, antioxidant status, and liver histology of the farmed gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) under standard rearing conditions
The present study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary of melatonin (MLT) and folic acid (FA) administrations on growth performance, antioxidant status, and liver histological structure of juvenile gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata L. under standard rearing conditions. Four diets were considered: a basal diet considered a control and three diets supplemented with 40 mg/kg of melatonin (MLT), 2 mg/kg of folic acid (FA), and with the mixture of melatonin and folic acid (MLT + FA). Each diet was randomly allocated to triplicate groups of fish (mean initial weight was 2.99 ± 0.55 g) for 41 days. The obtained results clearly indicated that the melatonin-supplemented diet decreased significantly the growth performance parameters (final body weight, weight gain rate, and specific growth rate) and IGF-1 level of the gilthead sea bream, while the folic acid-supplemented diet has no significant effect on these parameters. The mixture supplementation of melatonin and folic acid has no significant effect on the growth parameters due to the possible interaction between melatonin and folic acid effects. Furthermore, fish fed with all experimental diets showed significantly higher superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) and protein sulfhydryl level (PSH) and lower lipid peroxidation level (TBARS) and catalase activity (CAT) which confirm their powerful antioxidant role. The acetylcholinesterase activity (ACHE) decreased in fish fed with all experimental diets. The underlying mechanisms of driving melatonin and folic acid to reduce acetylcholinesterase activity require further studies. The histological structure of liver of control S. aurata fish shows severe hepatic lipid accumulation in large vacuoles that diminished after dietary individual or mixture folic acid and melatonin supplementations over 41 days. This work proved that 2 mg/kg of dietary folic acid has a positive effect on the growth performance, oxidative stress defense, and hepatic lipid accumulation reduction in the gilthead sea bream fish. Under our experimental conditions, melatonin failed to improve the growth indexes WGR, SGR, and IGF-I. This study recommends the diet supplementation with a dose lower than 2 mg/kg of food due to the observed effects on tissue ACHE activity.
Journal Article
Exploring the Interactive Effects of Thymol and Thymoquinone: Moving towards an Enhanced Performance, Gross Margin, Immunity and Aeromonas sobria Resistance of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Plant-derived bioactive compounds with promising nutritional and therapeutic attributes (phytogenics) are among the top priorities in the aquaculture sector. Therefore, the impact of thymol (Thy) and/or thymoquinone (ThQ) on the growth, immune response antioxidant capacity, and Aeromonas sobria (A. sobria) resistance of Nile tilapia was investigated. Four fish groups were fed a control diet and three basal diets supplemented with 200 mg/kg diet of Thy or ThQ and a blend of both Thy and ThQ at a level of 200 mg/kg diet each. At the end of the feeding trial (12 weeks), the tilapias were challenged intraperitoneally with virulent A. sobria (2.5 × 108 CFU/mL) harboring aerolysin (aero) and hemolysin (hly) genes. The results revealed that tilapias fed diets fortified with a combination of Thy and ThQ displayed significantly enhanced growth rate and feed conversion ratio. Notably, the expression of the genes encoding digestive enzymes (pepsinogen, chymotrypsinogen, α-amylase and lipase) and muscle and intestinal antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase) was significantly upregulated in Thy/ThQ-fed fish. An excessive inflammatory response was subsided more prominently in the group administrated Thy/ThQ as supported by the downregulation of il-β, il-6 and il-8 genes and in contrast, the upregulation of the anti-inflammatory il-10 gene. Remarkably, dietary inclusion of Thy/ThQ augmented the expression of autophagy-related genes, whilst it downregulated that of mtor gene improving the autophagy process. Furthermore, Thy/ThQ protective effect against A. sobria was evidenced via downregulating the expression of its aero and hly virulence genes with higher fish survival rates. Overall, the current study encouraged the inclusion of Thy/ThQ in fish diets to boost their growth rates, promote digestive and antioxidant genes expression, improve their immune responses and provide defense against A. sorbia infections with great economic benefits.
Journal Article
Integrated multi-trophic culture of Penaeus vannamei with Gracilaria domingensis in biofloc system
Co-cultures of the Pacific white shrimp Penaeus vannamei and seaweeds have been proposed as a promising and environmentally friendly way to reduce the levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in aquaculture wastewater. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the interaction between protein levels in feed as well as the stocking densities of the seaweed Gracilaria domingensis in an integrated culture with P. vannamei using biofloc system. To do so, two protein levels in feed (32% and 40% of crude protein) and four stocking densities (0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 kg m−3) of G. domingensis integrated with P. vannamei were evaluated at the secondary nursery phase, in factorial design (2-factor ANOVA). Shrimp (0.5 ± 0.05 g) were stocked at a density of 500 shrimp m−3 and reared for 42 days. During the experiment, water quality analysis was conducted, and at the end growth performance was evaluated. The water quality was not influenced by both factors, showing no significant differences. Regarding growth performance, the survival (86.2 ± 10.1%) and protein utilization efficiency rate (1.8 ± 0.3) did not differ among treatments. Feed conversion rate, weekly growth, and yield were influenced by protein percentage of the feed, presenting higher values when fed with 40% feed. However, the final mean weight of the shrimp integrated with the seaweed with 32% crude protein supply was similar to the monoculture treatment with 40% crude protein. In summary, the addition of G. domingensis in an integrated culture with P. vannamei did not affect shrimp performance.
Journal Article
Biotechnical Aspects of Aquaculture Production of Common Meagre Argyrosomus regius in Floating Cages in Dakhla Bay, Morocco
This study is the first contribution to monitoring the rearing of common meagre Argyrosomus regius in floating cages anchored in Dakhla Bay, southern Morocco. The aquaculture potential of common meagre in Dakhla Bay was evaluated by zootechnical monitoring of two production cycles. The first batch consisted of 20,000 fingerlings of 4.5 ± 0.13 g in mean initial weight and 6±0.19 cm in fork length, and was caught on 26 August 2019 under a condition factor of about 2.08 ± 0.35. The second batch consisted of 30,000 individuals of 3 ± 0.11 g in average initial weight and 6±0.26 cm in average initial length, and was caught on 4 June 2020 under a condition factor of about 1.39 ± 0.21. During the first experiment, which lasted 16 months, a high growth potential of common meagre was observed. The fish reached an average weight of 1265 ± 69.2 g and an average length of 48±4.32 cm with a specific growth rate (SGR) of 0.58 ± 0.11% day-1 and a daily growth index DGI of 2.45 ± 0.91 g ind-1 day-1. The feed conversion ratio was 1.18 (FER = 0.84), final density was 36.94 kg m-3 and condition factor (k) recorded a mean value of 2.18±0.39 throughout the cycle. The survival rate at the first harvest was 89.86%. After 18 months of rearing, the fish of the second cycle reached a weight of 1285±69.2 g and a size of 47 ± 5.36 cm, with an SGR of 0.49 ± 0.12 % day-1 and a DGI of 2.34 ± 1.35 g ind-1 day-1, an FCR of 1.21 (FER =0.83), the final density of 28.43 kg m-3 and a condition factor of 1.35 ± 0.32. The survival rate was 92.19%. However, the results of the statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the two production cycles (P > 0.05). These results confirm that common meagre is a very promising species for the diversification of aquaculture in Dakhla Bay and throughout Morocco.
Journal Article
Integrated rice-yellow catfish farming resulting in variations in the agricultural environment, rice growth performance, and soil bacterial communities
Different rice production patterns exert varying comprehensive impacts on the agricultural environment. Integrated rice-fish farming, an advanced and rapidly developing agricultural production pattern, aims to improve resource utilization efficiency and enhance food productivity. To unravel the responses and internal interactions of the agricultural ecological environment to integrated rice-fish farming, we assessed and compared environmental factor, rice growth performance, and soil microbiome in both integrated rice-yellow catfish farming (IRYF) and rice monoculture (RM) systems. Our results revealed significant increases in the total nitrogen and ammonia concentrations in the paddy water and soil induced by the IRYF. Rice growth performance in the IRYF group surpassed that in the RM group. IRYF obviously impacted almost all dominant bacterial phyla, genera, and functional groups (top ten most abundant), enhancing the ability of bacteria to degrade and utilize organic matter. Additionally, IRYF led to noticeable reductions in the Shannon, Simpson, Chao 1, and Pielou_J indices. IRYF strengthened the interconnections between various taxonomic units in bacterial co-occurrence network, resulting in increased complexity, stability, and disturbance resistance in the soil bacterial community. IRYF notably facilitated the transition from a community assembly dominated by stochastic processes to one dominated by deterministic processes for the soil bacterial community. The deterministic process driving this transition was variable selection. All the environmental factors, except for soil nitrate, demonstrated relatively high contributions to alterations in soil bacterial communities, with environmental variables significantly positively correlated with the soil bacterial community in the IRYF group. Alterations in functionality, composition, and diversity of the soil bacterial community were clearly associated with most environmental variables and rice growth performance indices. Our research contributed to understanding the comprehensive impacts of integrated rice-fish farming on agricultural ecosystems and provide theoretical support for achieving the sustainable agricultural production and optimizing the rice production patterns.
Journal Article
Effect of Dietary Microalgae (Spirulina platensis) on Growth Performance, Ingestive Behavior, Hemato-Biochemical Parameters, and Economic Efficiency of Fayoumi Broilers
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with Spirulina platensis (SP) on the productive performance, carcass characteristics, behavior, blood serum metabolites, hematological indices, and economic efficiency of Fayoumi broiler chickens for a 56-day. In total, 120 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly distributed among four dietary treatments with three replicates (n = 10/group) for 8 weeks. The dietary treatments were a control basal diet without SP and the same basal diets supplemented with 0.25, 0.5, or 1.0% SP. Birds fed 1% Spirulina-supplemented diets recorded significantly (p < 0.05) higher body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio and less overall feed intake and feeding behavior than those in the control group. No significant changes (p > 0.05) were recorded in the dressing percentage or the relative weights of internal organs among the different experimental groups, except for the thymus. Diets containing 0.5 or 1.0% SP saw an increase (p < 0.05) in serum total protein and globulin and a reduction (p < 0.05) in serum cholesterol concentration. The lymphocyte percentage in birds fed SP diets was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in birds fed the control diet. These results suggest that adding SP up to 1% to the broiler diets could positively affect some important blood biochemical parameters, enhance their immunity response, and improve their growth performance. However, from an economic point of view, supplementation with 0.25% of SP is recommended for Fayoumi broiler chickens.
Journal Article
Benefit of Dietary Supplementation with Bacillus subtilis BYS2 on Growth Performance, Immune Response, and Disease Resistance of Broilers
A strain of
Bacillus subtilis
(
B. subtilis
) BYS2 was previously isolated from Mount Tai, which is located in Tai’an City in the Shandong Province of China. The strain was then stored in the Environmental Microbiology Laboratory at Shandong Agricultural University. To evaluate the effect of the bacterium preparation in broiler production, we fed the bacterium (10
6
CFU/g) to 1-day-old broilers and continued this feeding for 6 weeks to analyze its effect on growth and immune performance. We found that the average weight of the bacterium-fed group increased by 17.19% at weeks 5 compared to the control group (
P
< 0.05). The height of the villi in the duodenum and jejunum and the ratio of villi to crypt were significantly increased in the bacterium-fed group at weeks 5 (
P
< 0.05). Also, the IgG in the serum of broilers in the experimental group increased by 31.60% (
P
< 0.05) and IgM 30.52% (
P
< 0.05) compared with those in the control group. The expressions of the major pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), antiviral proteins, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and β-defensins were significantly higher than those in the control group (
P
< 0.05). Meanwhile, the bursa immune organ indices of broilers in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (
P
< 0.05). Also, after 5 weeks of continuous feeding, when infected with
Escherichia coli
(
E. coli
) O1K1 and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) F48E8, the content of bacteria and virus in tissues and organs of the experimental group decreased significantly, and the survival rate of infected chickens increased by 31.1% and 17.7%, respectively (
P
< 0.05). These results show that the anti-infective
B. subtilis
BYS2 could, to some extent, replace antibiotics to promote growth, improve innate immunity, and enhance disease resistance in broilers.
Journal Article