ABSTRACT The selection of an appropriate production system plays a crucial role in ensuring the health, welfare, and productivity of American Pekin ducks. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of various rearing production systems on the performance of American Pekin Ducks. A total of 180 straight run ducklings (10 days old) were randomly allocated into three experimental groups: intensive production system (IPS), free-range production system (FRPS), and pool with yard production system (PYPS). The distribution was carried out following a completely randomized design. We investigated the morphological parameters, growth performance, serum chemistry, meat cholesterol and triacylglycerol, cellular immunity, intestinal morphology, and carcass traits of Pekin ducks. The results indicate that PYPS birds exhibited significantly better morphometric parameters compared to IPS and FRPS ones. Ducks raised in PYPS had the highest growth rate till the 75th day as compared to those reared in IPS and FRPS. Triacylglycerol, total lipids, blood and meat fat and triacylglycerol were higher in IPS; whereas albumin, AG ratio, total proteins, glucose, and globulin were higher in PYPS. Similarly, cellular immunity (phagocytic activity, eosinophils, basophils, and monocytes) was increased in PYPS. Intestinal morphology and overall carcass traits were better in birds reared under PYPS than in those of IPS and FRPS. American Pekin ducks raised in PYPS showed improved growth, serum chemistry, cellular immunity, and carcass traits. These results suggest that the PYPS could be a promising production system for raising ducks in sub-tropical regions. health welfare 18 10 (1 old groups IPS, , (IPS) freerange free range FRPS, (FRPS) . (PYPS) design chemistry ones th Triacylglycerol lipids albumin ratio proteins glucose Similarly phagocytic activity eosinophils basophils monocytes subtropical sub tropical regions 1 ( (IPS (FRPS (PYPS

Abstract Available literature documenting BMD in patients with PKU is mostly reported among heterogeneous populations including adults and children. We aim to describe the bone health status among adults (aged >18 years) affected with Phenylketonuria (PKU) and to evaluate the effect of diet and exercise on bone mineral density (BMD). Sample size of the study population was 27. Enrolled patients underwent multi-site Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan and laboratory tests. Nutritional and physical activity records were obtained on each subject to ascertain bone health. BMD in patients with PKU was low normal. 14% of the study subjects were found to have osteoporosis in at least one measured skeletal site. 70% had low BMD in one or more of the measured skeletal sites. BMD score was lowest at radius. Moderate correlation was observed between femoral and radial BMD and serum calcium level. Dietary intake of vitamin A was moderately correlated with BMD T-scores in femur. Our results indicate that BMD in patients with PKU is low normal with better BMD with vitamin A intake, trend towards better bone health with physical exercise and Sapropterin intake.

We have examined heating-induced phase decomposition and its kinetics for Zr65Ni30Pd5 amorphous alloy in an argon atmosphere. The amorphous phase decomposes through three stages in the order of amorphous → icosahedral quasicrystal (I-Q) + amorphous → approximant cubic Zr2(Ni,Pd) → tetragonal Zr2Ni + tetragonal Zr2Pd phases. The approximant crystalline (APC) Zr2(Ni,Pd) phase includes icosahedral-like local atomic arrangements and the structural similarity between the I-Q and APC phases seems to enable the multistage phase decomposition through the precipitation of the APC phase. The primary precipitation of the I-Q phase from the amorphous phase occurs through nucleation and growth mechanisms through two-dimensional (2D) growth mode at lower heating rate and 3D growth mode at a high heating rate.