Aim:The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of phytase which was laboratory produced by Aspergillus foetidus on the growth performance, mineral retention, and bone traits of broilers fed with low dietary calcium and phosphorus.Materials and Methods:The extracellular phytase enzyme secreted into the crude filtrate was concentrated by ammonium sulfate precipitation to obtain an activity of 500 phytase units (FTU). A total of 90 1-day-old chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly divided into three treatment groups with five replicates having six birds each. Dietary treatment, T1, was with 0.45% non-phytate P (NPP) during starter and 0.40% during finisher phase with 1% Ca. Dietary treatment, T2, had 0.37% NPP during starter and 0.32% in finisher phase with 1% Ca and supplemental lab phytase at 500 FTU/kg. Dietary treatment, T3, was similar to T2 with a lower Ca of 0.8%.Results:There was no significant difference among the dietary treatments with regard to body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and Ca retention (p>0.05). However, a significant improvement in retention of P by birds was observed in phytase supplemental groups T2 and T3 (p<0.05). Dry weight of tibia (2.58-2.78 g/kg live weight) and ash content (39.7-41.8%) was comparable among treatments. A similar trend was observed for bone Ca, P, and Mn content.Conclusion:The study indicated that 500 FTU/kg phytase can be effectively supplemented in a broiler diet with low phosphorus (0.37% in starter and 0.32% NPP in finisher diet) and low calcium (0.8% in diet) for better growth performance and with successful replacement of dietary P by 0.08 % and reduced P excretion into the environment in broiler chicken.

The ERA-Net SES project Regional Renewable Energy Cells (R2EC) [1] aims at developing a scalable system for decentralized, interacting ‘energy cells’ with a high concentration of locally generated renewable energy. ‘Energy cells’ are essentially Renewable Energy Communities (ECs) in the European context. The system aims at maximizing the utilization of locally generated renewable energy through Electrical Storage (ES) as well as high-electric applications like e‑heating, Heat Pumps (HPs), and E‑Vehicles (EVs). The system is also designed to interact with other energy cells locally, thus, improving the utilization of locally generated energy.A variety of different adjacent energy cells in three countries, Austria (AT), Belgium (BE), and Norway (NO), are analyzed, and the results are used for the development of regional and renewable energy cell systems. This approach aims at developing tailor-made solutions that meet the different local and regional requirements and the electrical energy demand of the observed energy cells. A unique opportunity is created, as the three countries are at varying levels of regional development in the field of energy communities, and the regional requirements and conditions differ significantly. A comprehensive investigation of the technical and economic viability of the ECs in the three regions is conducted on a simulation level. The technical simulation results show an increased self-consumption of individual users and the overall cell in all of the observed testbeds, while the economic analysis shows economic benefits at varying levels in each of the observed testbeds. The implemented R2EC system ascertains both technical and economic viability in the observed testbeds.

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India, as a ‘developing’ country, is in the middle of a unique situation of handling its energy transition towards carbon-free energy along with its continuous economic development. With respect to the agreed COP 21 and SDG 2030 targets, India has drafted several energy strategies revolving around clean renewable energy. With multiple roadblocks for development of large hydro power capacities within the country, the long-term renewable goals of India focus highly on renewable energy technologies like solar Photo-Voltaic (PV) and wind capacities. However, with a much slower rate of development in transmission infrastructure and the given situations of the regional energy systems in the Indian subcontinent, these significant changes in India could result in severe technical and economic consequences for the complete interconnected region. The presented investigations in this paper have been conducted using ATLANTIS_India, a unique techno-economic simulation model developed at the Institute of Electricity Economics and Energy Innovation/Graz University of Technology, designed for the electricity system in the Indian subcontinent region. The model covers the electricity systems of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, and is used to analyse a scenario where around 118 GW of solar PV and wind capacity expansion is planned in India until the target year 2050. This paper presents the simulation approach as well as the simulated results and conclusions. The simulation results show the positive and negative techno-economic impacts of the discussed strategy on the overall electricity system, while suggesting possible solutions.

The reasons for declining fertility in dairy cattle and buffaloes are being investigated intensely to improve the productivity. The present study was conducted to assess the extent of reproductive disorders and possible causes in cattle and buffaloes. Data on various managemental aspects and reproductive status were recorded. The blood samples were collected from the animals without reproductive problems and reproductively problematic animals. The plasma was separated and analyzed for minerals, hormones and biochemical status. The study revealed that21% of the animals had reproductive disorders, of which, repeat breeders were predominantly high (51.5%), followed by post-partum anestrus (22.8%), delayed puberty (15.74%) and silent heat (2.4%). Based on history, rectal examination and the plasma progesterone levels, silent estrus was observed in 18% (3/16) of the postpartum anestrus animals and luteal insufficiency was observed in 54% (6/11) of the repeat breeders. The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level was higher in repeat breeders and normal animals as compared to silent heat. Overall, 50% (77/155) of the animals showed a negative energy balance irrespective of the reproductive status. The 55.5% of the postpartum anestrus (10/18) and silent heat (5/9) animals were in negative energy status. The HDL cholesterol was lower in animals with delayed puberty than in normal animals. The plasma levels of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) were lower in the silent heat as compared to normal animals. The present study revealed the importance of HDL cholesterol in attaining puberty and essential role of Mg in maintaining optimum reproductive efficiency in dairy animals.