This experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of phase feeding methods on growth performance, carcass characteristics, pork quality, and economical efficiency in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 120 crossbred pigs ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc), average initial body weight 25.23 ± 2.66 kg, were allotted to 5 treatments by body weight and sex in a randomized complete block (RCB) design. Each treatment had 6 replicates with 4 pigs per pen. The treatments were 1) A (fed late weaner feed during whole phase), 2) B (fed late weaner feed in growing phase and grower feed in finishing phase), 3) C (fed grower feed during whole phase), 4) D (fed grower feed in growing phase and early finisher feed in early and late finishing phase), 5) E (fed grower feed in growing phase, early finisher feed in early finishing phase and late finisher feed in late finishing phase). Commercial diets bought from private feed company were used for this experiment. During the early growing phase (6 wks), treatments A and B showed higher growth performance than that of other treatments (P<0.05). However, growth performance tended to be similar among treatments at 10 wks after feeding and there was no difference in time of market weight (13 wks). Moreover, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration was lowered in treatment E than other treatments during whole experimental period (P<0.01). Carcass characteristics and pork quality were measured when body weight of pigs reached at 110.33 ± 2.1 kg. Days to market weight (110 kg), quality grade, pork color, and pork pH did not show any significant difference among treatments. These results suggested that phase feeding based upon growth stages of pigs showed no detrimental effects on growth performance and the pork quality. Moreover, feed cost was saved approximately 37% by phase feeding method without delaying of days to market weight compared to general conventional feeding method (B) of swine farm in Korea. (Key words : Growing-finishing pigs, Phase feeding method, Feed cost)

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Based on electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), hollow structures of Ni foam struts fabricated by electroplating on a chemically removable template were observed. Three-dimensional (3D) pore structures of Ni foams were also obtained using X-ray computed tomography (CT), and microstructural features such as porosity, pore size and strut thickness were statistically quantified. Evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties during ex situ compression of open-cell Ni-foams was investigated based on X-ray CT, and experimental results were compared with predictions by the finite element method (FEM). 3D microstructures obtained by X-ray CT revealed that the stress drop started with the buckling of struts at the center of the Ni-foams. The flow stress increased after the buckling of the struts spreads to most of the regions. For effective simulation of the compressive deformation and determination of the microstructural evolution, small domains of interest were selected from the entire set of observed 3D microstructures based on X-ray CT, and struts of Ni foams with a hollow structure were simplified with relevant thin-solid struts. Numerical 3D modeling comprehensively disclosed that compression caused the transverse buckling of the struts, with the bending and buckling of struts thus reducing the stress. Thickness variation of the struts causes a change in the porosity of Ni-foams without a change in pore shape or connectivity. The overall range of strut thickness was from 59 to 133 μm, and the range of porosity values was from 80% to 93.7%. A stress drop was predicted with a decrease in the strut thickness or an increase in the porosity, as measured experimentally. It was also found that the stress drop contributed to an increase in the calculated energy absorption efficiency.

Texture and microstructure evolution of ingot and twin-roll casted Mg–Al–Mn magnesium sheets were examined during deep drawing at elevated temperatures. The twin-roll casted sheets possessed smaller grain sizes and weaker basal intensity levels than the ingot-casted sheets. The strength and elongation at room temperature for the twin-roll casted sheets were greater than those of the ingot-casted sheets. At elevated temperatures, the ingot-casted sheets showed better elongation than the twin-roll casted sheets. Different size and density of precipitates were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for both ingot-casted and twin-roll-casted sheets. The deep drawing process was also carried out at various working temperatures and deformation rates, 225∘Cto350∘C and 30 mm/min to 50 mm/min, respectively. The middle wall part of cups were mainly tensile deformation, and the lower bent regions of drawn cups were most thinned region. Overall, the ingot-casted sheets revealed better deep drawability than the twin-roll casted sheets. Microstructure and texture evolution of the top, middle and lower parts of drawn cups were investigated using electron backscatter diffraction. Increased deformation rate is important to activate tensile twins both near the bent and flange areas. Ingot casted sheets revealed more tensile twins than twin-roll casted sheets. Increased working temperature is important to activate non-basal slips and produce the DRXed grain structure in the flange. Dynamic recrystallization were frequently found in the top flanges of the cups. Both tensile twins and non-basal slips contributed to occurrence of the dynamic recrystallization in the flange.

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