The present study was carried out to determine the specific energy consumption pattern in the manufacturing of different type of broiler feeds with different process conditions and thereby analyze the gaps between the benchmarking and actual energy usage pattern. The study was conducted in three commercial feed plants located at different locations. This was achieved by conducting energy analysis for the specific energy consumption for different type of the broiler feeds. The actual consumption was recorded from the electricity board department’s energy meter readings. The results indicated that the gap between actual consumption and bench marking was lesser at one plant whilst, it was considerably higher at other two plants. The gap was observed to be higher in the pre-starter feed and lesser in the finisher pellet feed. The gap between actual power consumption and benchmarking observed for pre-starter feeds at different locations viz., Muzaffarpur, Kanpur and Ambala was 2.70, 2.43 and 0.85 kwh units respectively. The gap analysis for starter feed was 1.71, 1.46 and 0.59 kwh units and for finisher feed 1.37, 1.81 and 0.92 kwh units respectively. The cost saving per metric tonne of feed ranged from Rs. 16.00 to Rs. 22.00. Among the three feed manufacturing plants, the gap between bench marking and actual power consumption was very minimal at Ambala plant due to better production efficiency. From the boiler’s fuel cost point of view, coal was found to be cheaper than wood due to its high calorific value and hence it was suggested to replace fire wood with coal at Ambala plant for further improvement of fuel efficiency. The present findings also revealed that the timely replacement of press roller of pellet mill and reduction in pellet fines recycling leads to better efficiency and cost control.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of screw position on strength and stiffness of a combination locking plate–rod construct in a synthetic feline femoral gap model. SAMPLE 30 synthetic long-bone models derived from beechwood and balsa wood. PROCEDURES 3 constructs (2 locking plate–rod constructs and 1 locking plate construct; 10 specimens/construct) were tested in a diaphyseal bridge plating configuration by use of 4-point bending and torsion. Variables included screw position (near the fracture gap and far from the fracture gap) and application of an intramedullary pin. Constructs were tested to failure in each loading mode to determine strength and stiffness. Failure was defined as plastic deformation of the plate or breakage of the bone model or plate. Strength, yield angle, and stiffness were compared by use of a Wilcoxon test. RESULTS Placement of screws near the fracture gap did not increase bending or torsional stiffness in the locking plate–rod constructs, assuming the plate was placed on the tension side of the bone. Addition of an intramedullary pin resulted in a significant increase in bending strength of the construct. Screw positioning did not have a significant effect on any torsion variables. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results of this study suggested that, in the investigated plate-rod construct, screw insertion adjacent to the fracture lacked mechanical advantages over screw insertion at the plate ends. For surgeons attempting to minimize soft tissue dissection, the decision to make additional incisions for screw placement should be considered with even more caution.