This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two maturity stages of whole-plant corn at harvest (32.1 or 42.5% dry matter (DM)) and a commercial microbial inoculant composed of L. buchneri and L. plantarum at concentration of 110,000 CFU/g of fresh forage (1.1 x 10(5) CFU/g FF) on fermentation losses, aerobic stability, chemical composition, and digestibility of starch and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). A factorial and randomized design was used (two DM contents, both with or without inoculant), with five replicates per treatment. Dry matter at harvest affected most variables, except lignin, NDF digestibility, ethanol, and lactic and acetic acids. Drier silages differed in total DM losses (-1.7%) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population (+1.2 log CFU/g). The use of the inoculant affected the levels of ether extract (+0.27% DM), starch (+2.9% DM), and lignin (-0.17% DM). The LAB (+1.6 log CFU/g) and yeast (-2.82% log CFU/g) populations were also influenced, as well as aerobic stability at six days. The inoculant x DM interaction was observed in the water-soluble carbohydrates content, being higher in silages with 32.1% DM and in those not inoculated for both DM. Crude protein was also higher in these silages, whether inoculated or not. Wetter silages were more prone to gas losses when inoculated (+2.5% DM) and lost more effluent when not inoculated (+4.82 kg/t FF). However, total DM losses during aerobic stability were on average 10.58% DM lower in these silages, with inoculation being preferred (6.72% DM vs 11.60% DM (control)). Under these conditions, harvesting corn for silage at 42.5% DM is indicated to obtain a more energetic silage, as noted both in the increased starch content and the reduced losses associated with fermentation.

Despite the efforts to improve the methodological standards of silage trials, many factors that can influence the results of lab-scale studies need to be better understood. This study aimed to determine the effects of short-time delayed sealing and inoculation with a blend of Lentilactobacillus buchneri and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on fermentation, aerobic stability, and chemical composition of silages. Whole-crop maize was treated with or without a commercial inoculant and ensiled (29.3% dry matter) for 55 days in 8.8 L PVC silos that were sealed immediately (up to 30 min delay) or after a delay (90, 150, or 210 min between chopping and sealing) with five replicates each. The increasing air exposure before sealing increased fermentation losses and reduced silage nutritional value. Crude protein and ash were significantly affected by inoculation, with control treatments showing higher ash and lower protein values. Lignin, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber were only affected by the delay period. The longer the sealing delay, the higher the gas production, and the lower the starch values and lactic acid content observed in samples. Inoculation was inefficient in reducing total dry matter losses, but it increased aerobic stability, acetic acid, and ethanol contents of silages and reduced effluent loss. Control silages had higher total dry matter loss during the aerobic exposure than inoculated silages. The results confirmed that the delay periods tested were long enough to negatively interfere with the chemical composition of silages, especially the fibrous fraction content.

. Additives and inoculants are the focus of silage research, as new additives and their combinations can improve fermentation and silage quality. We performed two trials evaluating two doses (4 and 8 g/t, wet weight) of natamycin as an additive to maize silage compared to a control without supplementation. In the first trial, we assessed fermentation losses, yeast count, chemical composition, and aerobic stability of maize silages stored in pilot-scale silos using four replicates per treatment. The second trial was designed to evaluate the voluntary intake and performance of lambs fed the treated silages prepared in bunker silos. The lambs (10 lambs/treatment) were kept in individual pens and fed twice daily a total-mixed ration containing one of the treated silages. The highest dose of natamycin decreased dry matter and gas losses. The yeast count in the silages from the bunker silos tended to increase (r = 0.92) over the weeks. There was no significant difference in voluntary feed intake or average daily gain of lambs fed natamycin silages compared to the control silage. Since high natamycin doses caused a decrease in fermentation losses in maize silage and exerted no deleterious effects on animal performance, this bacteriocin may soon be considered a potential component of silage additives.

The present study was aimed to evaluate the reduction in fermentative losses and the improvement of aerobic stability of maize silage treated with Lactobacillus buchneri bacteria, antifungal natamycin and a combination of L. buchneri and natamycin. The study was completely randomized using four treatments with four replicates (silo) each. The treatments were as follows: C - control (forage without additives), NA-forage with low dose of natamycin (8 glt) addition, LB - forage inoculated with low dose of L. buchneri (5 x 10(4) cfu/g) and NLB - forage treated with both natamycin (8 glt) and L. buchneri (5 x 10(4) cfu/g). The losses of dry matter (DM) and gas, effluent production, chemical composition, yeast count and aerobic stability were calculated for all treatments. During fermentation, NLB produced more propionic and lactic acids and caused less DM and gas losses than other treatments (P < 0.01). The positive effect of NLB on yeast inhibition improved the aerobic stability of maize silage (P < 0.05). Thus, the combination of low doses of natamycin and heterolactic bacteria L. buchneri can reduce fermentative losses and improve the aerobic stability of maize silage after exposure to air.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate natamycin, Lactobacillus buchneri (LB), or their combination on the chemical composition, loss, fermentative profile, and aerobic stability as well as gas production and composition of sugarcane silages. The treatments were (wet basis): no additive (control), 10 g t−1 of natamycin (N10), 5 × 104 cfu g−1 of LB, and the combination of 4 g t−1 of natamycin and 2.5 × 104 cfu g−1 of LB (NLB). Sugarcane was chopped (10 mm), treated with the additives, and ensiled in experimental silos (four replicates). The silos remained stored for 51 days. The LB inoculation, alone or in combination with natamycin, increased the acetic acid content (by 105 and 78% respectively) and decreased ethanol content (by 83 and 71% respectively) when compared to N10 treatment and the control. A decrease in both dry matter and gas losses was observed in the LB (by 72 and 78%, respectively) and N10 (by 69 and 77%, respectively) silages compared with the control, but not the combination. The N10 treatment reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emission by 86% compared with the control silage. Control and N10 silages deteriorated to the same extent with aerobic exposure, whereas LB and NLB presented higher aerobic stability. The use of natamycin alone is not recommended when ethanol and aerobic stability are concerns. However, natamycin may be considered for the composition of blend additives to decrease greenhouse gas emission and fermentative loss in silages. Further studies must be carried out to optimize doses of natamycin in blend additives.

Our aim was to assess the mineral composition of corn silages produced in four states of Brazil: Goias, Minas Gerais, Parana, and Santa Catarina. In total, seventy-three samples were analyzed. Total element content was extracted by HNO3 and H2O2 microwave-assisted digestion, and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine concentration. Of the 31 elements analyzed (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Se, Sr, Ti, Tl, U, V, and Zn), 21 had concentrations above equipment detection limits. No elements reached the maximum tolerable concentration, but concentrations of Ca (0.14-0.15%), Cu (3.4-5.6 mg kg(-1)), P (0.13-0.16%), S (0.06-0.08%), and Zn (13-19 mg kg(-1)) were below the adequate concentration for good nutritional balance. The strong and consistent correlation observed between Fe and Ti in silage samples indicated contamination by soil. Mean concentrations of Cu, Mn, Mo, P, S, and Zn were different among states, and canonic analyses successfully discriminate samples according to their state of origin. Minerals from corn silage should be considered when formulating balanced cattle diets. To ensure silage quality, farmers must adopt strategies that reduce contamination by soil during the ensiling process.

The ensilage of total mixed ration (TMR) is a technology designed to help farmers with limitations to provide a balanced diet for their herds. Our aim was to evaluate the conservation of TMR ensiled in round bales with or without holes in the wrapping plastic film. Eight round bales of a corn silage-based TMR of 1,000 kg (370 kg DM/m(3)) were prepared. Ten days (d) after ensiling, four bales were randomly punctured with two holes of 25 cm(2) each in opposite sides of the bale. The temperature in the center of the bales was recorded during the storage using dataloggers. After 60 d of storage, bales were weighted to assess dry matter (DM) recovery. Silages were sampled for measuring DM content, chemical composition, pH, lactic acid, and microbial counts. The temperature of the sliced bale face was assessed by infrared thermography. The holes in the plastic affected the DM content, DM recovery, and pH, whereas lactic acid, microbial counts, and temperature were not affected by treatments. The holes in the sealing plastic film should be avoided. However, holes of 25 cm(2) each were not capable of causing expressive losses in TMR silage stored in 1,000 kg bales.

This manuscript brings an overview of the current challenges, advances and opportunities for silage production and utilization in tropical areas, with particular reference to Brazil and South America. Tropical crops have a high production potential during the rainy season; therefore, silage has a central role in feed preservation in the tropics. Use of silage all-year round is expanding, since a significant number of dairy farmers are moving from grazing to housed systems, and the number of beef cattle finished in feedlots is increasing. Whole-plant maize silage has been by far the main conserved forage in both dairy and beef operations, whereas the use of grain silages (maize and sorghum) is increasing. Recently, there has been great interest in snaplage (mainly comprised of maize kernels, cob and husk) due to the logistic benefits. Although pull-type forage harvesters are still common in Brazilian dairies, the majority of beef feedlots use self-propelled foragers by hiring custom services. Hence, the number of contractors with self-propelled harvesters has significantly increased. The convenience of a secondary high-quality forage in diets of dairy cows as well as the opportunity of including forage sources alternative to maize silage in rations for beef cattle warrants the resumption of research on tropical grass silages. Conservation of wet by-products, environmental aspects of silage making and, especially, silage pathogenicity and food safety are also fields of research opportunity.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus inoculants on fermentation, losses, and aerobic stability of a total mixed ration (TMR) silage. A TMR, formulated to meet the requirements of dairy cows producing 25 kg of milk/d, was applied with the following treatments prior to ensiling: 1) Control (CON), 2) Lactobacillus buchneri (105 cfu/g of fresh forage; LB), and 3) Lactobacillus plantarum (105 cfu/g of fresh forage; LP). TMR silages were ensiled for 15 and 60 d in silos equipped with an apparatus for determination of gravimetric DM, gas, and effluent losses. The experiment was performed in a complete randomized design with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of the treatments, with 5 replicates per treatment. Chemical changes, microbial counts, fermentation profile, and aerobic stability were measured after opening the silos. Data were submitted to ANOVA, and means were compared by Tukey and T-test and statistical significance was declared at P ≤ 0.05. After 15 d of ensiling, the inclusion of inoculant decreased NDF (P < 0.05) and butyric acid concentrations (P < 0.05) in TMR. LP had the lowest aerobic stability (P < 0.05) and the greatest loss of DM (P < 0.03). Ensiling for 60 d increased ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), aerobic stability, and concentrations of lactic and acetic acid (P < 0.01) and lowered (P < 0.02) total fermentation losses compared to 15 d across all treatments. After 60 d of ensiling, LP lowered pH to the greatest extent. Treatment had no effect on concentrations of DM, CP, ADF, ash, and EE, as well as in vitro DM digestibility. In conclusion, inoculants containing LP or LB did not improve fermentation profile, did not prolong the aerobic stability, nor reduced losses. Furthermore, the 15-d ensiling period was insufficient for adequate bacterial activity.

A systematic analysis of data from published studies was performed to evaluate the effects of calcium oxide (CaO) on fermentation, aerobic stability and nutritive value of sugarcane silage. The database was created by one hundred and twenty four treatments from twentyseven publications that were analyzed using mixed model regression. The CaO addition linearly decreased ethanol formation and dry matter (DM) loss. Additionally, CaO increased the aerobic stability of sugarcane silage. Consequently, treated silages had higher content of nonfiber carbohydrates and lower content of fiber, as well as greater fiber digestibility, resulting in greater in vivo organic matter (OM) digestibility. However, digestible OM intake, average daily gain and feed efficiency were not altered by CaO, because there was a numericaltrend of decreased OM intake with CaO addition. Calcium oxide raised forage and silage pH due to its alkaline nature. Hence, treating sugarcane silages with CaO markedly increased enterobacterium and clostridium counts, ammonia and butyric acid concentrations. We concluded that CaO improved the recovery of nutrients and aerobic stability, whereas worsened the hygienic quality of sugarcane silages. Consequently, there was no benefit of treated silages on the animal performance. Thus, treating sugarcane silage with CaO alone might not be recommended. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The goal of this study was evaluate associated feeding management and nutritional accuracy with milk production and composition on commercial herds. Twenty high-producing dairy farms from Campos Gerais county, Paraná State, Southern Brazil, were visited for 3 consecutive days in the 2015 fall season. Feeding management and TMR preparation related variables, and the physical and chemical characteristics of the offered diets and orts were collected. Production performance and milk composition from the high-production group of cows were obtained from regular milk testing, performed on average 1 ± 5d before or after the data collection period. Pearson correlations were estimated among the management and diet variables with production, milk composition, and feed sorting estimates. Using the Penn State Particle Separator, the offered diets had on average 14.9, 41.8, 32.8, and 10.5% (DM) of long, medium, short, and fine particles, respectively. Long particles showed a daily refusal rate of 9.0%, whereas short and medium particles were preferentially consumed at 1.1 and 1.7%, respectively. A high proportion of long particles in the forage (78.2% of haylage and hay) was associated with reduction in milk fat % (%MF) (r = −0.50; P < 0.05), and an increased proportion of cows with fat:protein ratio lower than 1 (FPR < 1) (r = 0.50; P < 0.05). Errors associated with loading an excess of concentrate ingredients in the TMR wagon were negatively associated with %MF (r = −0.52; P = 0.05) and milk production (r = −0.47; P < 0.05). By comparing the formulated diet with the one delivered to the cows, we noted, on a DM basis, a decrease in CP (−3.1%), fat (−7.0%), and ash contents (−10.5%), and an increase in NDF (+10.3%). The accuracy observed between formulated and delivered diets was not associated with the performance of the cows. However, daily variation of the DM content of the diet was associated with a greater proportion of cows with FPR < 1, and reduced FPR (r = 0.40; P = 0.09 and r = −0.43; P = 0.07, respectively). Low homogeneity (across 3 d) of the % of long particles in the diet was associated with greater selection against these particles (r = −0.64; P < 0.05), which showed a curvilinear association with %MF. These results demonstrated that the addition of more concentrate ingredients than expected, as well as the inconsistent intake of different particle sizes throughout the day, had a negative impact on milk production and composition of the studied herds.

This work evaluated the chemical composition and mycotoxin incidence in corn silage from 5 Brazilian dairy-producing regions: Castro, in central-eastern Paraná State (n=32); Toledo, in southwestern Paraná (n=20); southeastern Goiás (n=14); southern Minas Gerais (n=23); and western Santa Catarina (n=20). On each dairy farm, an infrared thermography camera was used to identify 3 sampling sites that exhibited the highest temperature, a moderate temperature, and the lowest temperature on the silo face, and 1 sample was collected from each site. The chemical composition and concentrations of mycotoxins were evaluated, including the levels of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2; zearalenone; ochratoxin A; deoxynivalenol; and fumonisins B1 and B2. The corn silage showed a highly variable chemical composition, containing, on average, 7.1±1.1%, 52.5±5.4%, and 65.2±3.6% crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and total digestible nutrients, respectively. Mycotoxins were found in more than 91% of the samples, with zearalenone being the most prevalent (72.8%). All samples from the Castro region contained zearalenone at a high average concentration (334±374µg/kg), even in well-preserved silage. The incidence of aflatoxin B1 was low (0.92%). Silage temperature and the presence of mycotoxins were not correlated; similarly, differences were not observed in the concentration or incidence of mycotoxins across silage locations with different temperatures. Infrared thermography is an accurate tool for identifying heat sites, but temperature cannot be used to predict the chemical composition or the incidence of mycotoxins that have been analyzed, within the silage. The pre-harvest phase of the ensiling process is most likely the main source of mycotoxins in silage.

TurkDeck is an immersive virtual reality system that reproduces not only what users see and hear, but also what users feel. TurkDeck produces the haptic sensation using props, i.e., when users touch or manipulate an object in the virtual world, they simultaneously also touch or manipulate a corresponding object in the physical world. Unlike previous work on prop-based virtual reality, however, TurkDeck allows creating arbitrarily large virtual worlds in finite space and using a finite set of physical props. The key idea behind TurkDeck is that it creates these physical representations on the fly by making a group of human workers present and operate the props only when and where the user can actually reach them. TurkDeck manages these so-called "human actuators" by displaying visual instructions that tell the human actuators when and where to place props and how to actuate them. We demonstrate TurkDeck at the example of an immersive 300m2 experience in 25m2 physical space. We show how to simulate a wide range of physical objects and effects, including walls, doors, ledges, steps, beams, switches, stompers, portals, zip lines, and wind. In a user study, participants rated the realism/immersion of TurkDeck higher than a traditional prop-less baseline condition (4.9 vs. 3.6 on 7 item Likert).

Este artigo aborda questoes relacionadas a praticas educacionais usando tres conceitos:capital cultural, metodolatria e redencao. Estes sao tidos como termos especificos e como exerciciometaforico para a exploracao de problemas pedagogicos, politicos e praticos na educacao musicalnos Estados Unidos. O artigo tambem faz referencias e conexoes entre assuntos que possam criarum pensar pan-americano; exortando pesquisa e dialogo mais assiduos no eixo Norte e Sul.

We introduce the concept of tangibles that users can manipulate with their feet. We call them kickables. Unlike traditional tangibles, kickables allow for very large interaction surfaces as kickables reside on the ground. The main benefit of kickables over other foot-based modalities, such as foot touch, is their strong affordance, which we validate in two user studies. This affordance makes kickables well-suited for walk-up installations, such as tradeshows or museum exhibits.

This study aimed to assess the sward characteristics and the ingestive behavior of mature goats grazingAruana grass (Panicum maximum cv. Aruana) and limpograss (Hemarthria altissima cv. Florida) under lowand high sward heights. The structural and morphological characteristics of the pasture were assessed, aswell as the ingestive behavior of the animals for 24 hours. The animals had free access to the four swardconditions during the trial period. The forage allowance (FA) showed minimum value (P=0.0002) of 3.9%BW in DM/day for low Aruana and maximum value of 12.5% BW in DM.day-1 for high limpograss. The leaf allowance(LA) showed a similar response to the FA, with a minimum (P=0.0012) of 1.7% BW in DM.day-1 forlow Aruana and maximum of 3.1% BW in DM.day-1 for high limpograss. Grazing time was longer (P<0.0001)in high Aruana and high limpograss, in which the leaf mass was similar (high Aruana = 1282 kg DM.ha-1)or superior (high limpograss = 1773 kg DM.ha-1) to the average leaf mass of the pasture (1335 kg DM.ha-1).It was concluded that mature goats graze for longer periods in high-height swards with higher forage andleaf masses. The criteria chosen for pasture areas to be explored are based on these characteristics, underwhich goats sought to maximize the intake of high quality forage. Grazing activity followed a similar patternof other domestic herbivores (cattle, sheep and horses), but goats did not interrupt this activity during the hottest hours of the day. The activities of rumination and rest occurred for prolonged periods and withhigher frequency during night and late night.

We present imaginary reality basketball, i.e., a ball game that mimics the respective real world sport, i.e., basketball, except that there is no visible ball. The ball is virtual and players learn about its position only from watching each other act and a small amount of occasional auditory feedback, e.g., when a person is receiving the ball. Imaginary reality games maintain many of the properties of physical sports, such as unencumbered play, physical exertion, and immediate social interaction between players. At the same time, they allow introducing game elements from video games, such as power-ups, non-realistic physics, and player balancing. Most importantly, they create a new game dynamic around the notion of the invisible ball.

We introduce the concept of tangibles that users can manipulate with their feet. We call them kickables. Unlike traditional tangibles, kickables allow for very large interaction surfaces as kickables reside on the ground. The main benefit of kickables over other foot-based modalities, such as foot touch, is their strong affordance, which we validate in two user studies. This affordance makes kickables well-suited for walk-up installations, such as tradeshows or museum exhibits. We present a custom design as well as five families of standard kickables to help application designers create kickable applications faster. Each family supports multiple standard controls, such as push buttons, switches, dials, and sliders. Each type explores a different design principle, in particular different mechanical constraints. We demonstrate an implementation on our pressure-sensing floor.

Lactobacillus buchneri 40788 and the fibrolytic enzymes β-glucanase and xylanase were applied to chopped sugarcane to study their effects on the nutritive value of silage. Sugarcane was mechanically harvested after 14 mo of growth and treated without (control) or with L. buchneri at a theoretical application rate of 5 × 10(4) cfu/g, 1 × 10(5) cfu/g, or 1 × 10(5) cfu/g plus enzymes. Forage was packed into farm-scale bag silos (40 t/silo) and stored for 92 d. Fifty-six bulls (32 Nellore and 24 Charolais × Nellore) were housed in 20 collective pens and fed diets comprising (dry matter [DM] basis) 458 g/kg sugarcane silage and 542 g/kg concentrates for an 84-d period. Treated silages had higher concentrations of acetic acid and lower concentrations of ethanol. Total mixed rations (TMR) containing inoculated silages exhibited significantly lower neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration and, consequently, higher in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD). Thus, animals fed TMR containing treated silages spent less time chewing per day and per kilogram of DM intake (DMI), even at higher DMI levels. Nonetheless, the intake of NDF was similar across treatments (0.77 to 0.79 kg/100 kg BW) but markedly lower than the value reported for traditional forages. Average daily gain was significantly greater for animals fed TMR based on inoculated silages due to the higher DMI (14% on average) and the higher energy content of the diets, as indicated by the higher feed efficiency (12% on average). The dose of inoculants used and the addition of fibrolytic enzymes had no significant effects on silage parameters or animal performance. Therefore, inoculation of L. buchneri during sugarcane ensilage can alter the fermentation pattern by increasing acetic acid yield, reducing silage nutrient losses, and improving feed efficiency by bulls.