Artificial Conditions Research Articles

Enhanced degradability of novel PBATCL copolyester: Study on the performance in different environment and exploration of mechanism

To enhance the biodegradability of poly (butyleneadipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) was introduced as a fourth monomer, resulting in poly (butyleneadipate/terephthalate-co-caprolactone) (PBATCL) with different adipic acid/terephthalic acid (A/T) ratios and CL contents. These polyesters maintained superior thermal stability and improved hydrophilicity compared to PBAT. Samples were placed under artificial conditions, including non-enzymatic and enzyme-containing phosphate-buffered saline, and two natural soil and oceanic environments for 180 days to investigate the material’s degradation behaviors. PBATCL exhibited poor non-enzymatic hydrolysis similar to that of PBAT, but dramatically improved degradability in the presence of enzymes and microorganisms. Therefore, the material can be quickly degraded in natural environment by adjusting the composition ratio. The degradation mechanism was further investigated from a chemical structure perspective via the two dimensions of water-soluble intermediates and the residual matrix, and we found that the content of adipic acid (AA) and CL contributed to degradability. The ester bond formed by AA and CL is susceptible to hydrolysis, while the CL introduction also promotes the ester bond reactivity between the aromatic segments. Furthermore, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) experiments showed that the degradation products were non-toxic and harmless to organisms. These results lay the foundation for designing targeted biodegradable polymers and provide a reference for understanding thedegradation mechanism of such materials.

Coronatine promotes maize water uptake by directly binding to the aquaporin ZmPIP2;5 and enhancing its activity.

Water uptake is crucial for crop growth and development and drought stress tolerance. The water channel aquaporins (AQP) play important roles in plant water uptake. Here, we discovered that a jasmonic acid analog, coronatine (COR), enhanced maize (Zea mays) root water uptake capacity under artificial water deficiency conditions. COR treatment induced the expression of the AQP gene Plasma membrane intrinsic protein 2;5 (ZmPIP2;5). In vivo and in vitro experiments indicated that COR also directly acts on ZmPIP2;5 to improve water uptake in maize and Xenopus oocytes. The leaf water potential and hydraulic conductivity of roots growing under hyperosmotic conditions were higher in ZmPIP2;5-overexpression lines and lower in the zmpip2;5 knockout mutant, compared to wild-type plants. Based on a comparison between ZmPIP2;5 and other PIP2s, we predicted that COR may bind to the functional site in loop E of ZmPIP2;5. We confirmed this prediction by surface plasmon resonance technology and a microscale thermophoresis assay, and showed that deleting the binding motif greatly reduced COR binding. We identified the N241 residue as the COR-specific binding site, which may activate the channel of the AQP tetramer and increase water transport activity, which may facilitate water uptake under hyperosmotic stress.

Development of artificial potting soils mixed with various local agronomical ores, ameliorants, agricultural and manufacturing wastes

In the process of growth and development, cultivated plants synthesize dry matter by removing mineral nutrients from the soil. Therefore, the root layer of cultivated plants must be rich in elements of mineral nutrition. Their economic removal as a result of alienation from the grown crop requires a return to the soil to increase its fertility and ensure the productivity of the upcoming harvest. The research aims to develop artificial grounds mixed with various local agricultural ores, ameliorants, and waste from agricultural and industrial production, including macro- and microelements. Studies were conducted under artificial conditions in the phytotron of Bashkir State Agrarian University. In the control variant, oats had the highest productivity and plant survival (57.0%), slightly lower - in spring wheat (43.0%), and the lowest - in pea (28.0%) because of potting soil acidity. The authors believe that the addition of zeolite to the soil increases the productivity of peas by 20.0%; spring wheat by 20.9; oats by 24.0%; with phosphogypsum by 38.0, 24.9 and 30.0%, respectively. The most effective in the experiments was the variant of potting soils with defecate. The growth in pea plants was 44.0%, spring wheat - 29.10 and oats - 234.0%. Potting soils and their components have excellent prospects in crop production in Russia.

Machine learning prediction and multiobjective optimization for cooling enhancement of a plate battery using the chaotic water-microencapsulated PCM fluid flows

BackgroundThe cooling of electric vehicle batteries is a crucial issue to increase the performance of the next-generation cars and develop market acceptance. There are various ideas for heat transfer enhancement of the batteries of an electric vehicle. However, it still requires more attention and research to raise the thermal management systems for the batteries. MethodsThe current study seeks the effects of simultaneous use of the chaotic flow and microencapsulate phase change materials for cooling a plate battery. Three values for Reynolds numbers from 100 to 300 and volume fractions from 0 to 10% in various geometries are evaluated. The results are presented through the variations of thermo-hydrodynamic parameters. A multiobjective optimizer combined with an artificial neural network finds optimum working conditions aiding some decision makers. Significant findingsThe Nusselt number of the suspension in the proposed geometries can increase up to 23% compared to that for the pure water in the straight channel. However, it may follow the friction factor strengthening by 160%. It is shown that the proposed geometries are mostly affected by the latter parameter. The efficiency of the proposed geometry accelerates from that of the conventional channel by increasing the Reynolds number and volume fraction.

Study of the Effects of Daylighting and Artificial Lighting at 59° Latitude on Mental States, Behaviour and Perception

Although there is a documented preference for daylighting over artificial electric lighting indoors, there are comparatively few investigations of behaviour and perception in indoor day-lit spaces at high latitudes during winter. We report a pilot study designed to examine the effects of static artificial lighting conditions (ALC) and dynamic daylighting conditions (DLC) on the behaviour and perception of two groups of participants. Each group (n = 9 for ALC and n = 8 for DLC) experienced one of the two conditions for three consecutive days, from sunrise to sunset. The main results of this study show the following: indoor light exposure in February in Stockholm can be maintained over 1000 lx only with daylight for most of the working day, a value similar to outdoor workers’ exposure in Scandinavia; these values can be over the recommended Melanopic Equivalent Daylight Illuminance threshold; and this exposure reduces sleepiness and increases amount of activity compared to a static artificial lighting condition. Mood and feeling of time passing are also affected, but we do not exactly know by which variable, either personal or group dynamics, view or variation of the lighting exposure. The small sample size does not support inferential statistics; however, these significant effects might be large enough to be of importance in practice. From a sustainability point of view, daylighting can benefit energy saving strategies and well-being, even in the Scandinavian winter.

Production of sage, oregano and rosemary under shading conditions and the effects of light on growth and essential oil properties

Intercropping and agroforestry systems provide sustainable land and resource use efficiency, however, shading conditions generated by the base crop or tree cover is a restricting factor on the growth of the intercrop and productivity of the system. Hence, a two-year field experiment was carried out to assess the yield, essential oil properties, morphological changes, and anatomical adaptation of the shade-exposed sage (Salvia officinalis L.), oregano (Origanum onites L.) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) plants. Plant height, leaf area, chlorophyll content, herbage yield, essential oil content and biochemical profile of the selected species were comparatively examined under open-field, 40% and 75% shading conditions. Initially, after the seedlings were transplanted to the field, a horizontal growth of shaded plants, resulted in lower plant height, then, after the plants covered the soil surface, vertical growth was observed. Overall drug herbage yield decreased by 65% due to the shading treatments in the first year whereas rosemary, sage and oregano had 20.9%, 25.3% and 40.3% lower yields respectively in the second year. Average essential oil content of low-light exposed plants increased by 23% and 41% first and second year of the experiment, respectively. A negative linear relation between α-thujone content in essential oil of sage and shading level was recorded while in contrast, carvacrol content of oregano essential oil increased by shade treatment. The results concluded that herbage yield and quality properties of shaded plants were promising, especially after the first year, considering their potential in intercropping and agroforestry systems. Since the current study represented the results for artificial shading conditions, the tree-based intercropping studies needed to be performed with these species for the final conclusion.

Compound bioengineering protein improves growth performance and intestinal health in broiler chickens under high-temperature conditions.

In recent years, more frequent and prolonged periods of high ambient temperature in summer compromised poultry production worldwide. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of compound bioengineering protein (CBP) on the growth performance and intestinal health of broilers under high ambient temperatures. A total of 400 one-day-old Arbor Acres birds were randomly distributed into five treatment groups: control group (CON) with basal diet, or a basal diet supplemented with CBP 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 mg/kg, respectively. The trial lasted 42 d, all birds were raised at normal ambient temperature for the first 21 d and then subjected to the artificial hyperthermal condition with the temperature at 32 ± 2 °C and relative humidity at 60 ± 5% during 22 to 42 d. Dietary CBP supplementation improved the growth performance and serum antioxidant capacity (total antioxidant capacity and total superoxide dismutase), and decreased serum cortisol, aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase of broilers. Dietary CBP inclusion enhanced intestinal barrier function by promoting intestinal morphology and reducing intestinal permeability (diamine oxidase), increased the intestinal antioxidant capacity by elevating glutathione peroxidase activity in the duodenum, reducing malondialdehyde content in the jejunum. Dietary CBP supplementation also alleviated intestinal inflammation by decreasing interleukin (IL)-6 content in the jejunum and ileum, promoting IL-10 levels in the ileum, down-regulating the mRNA abundance of intestinal inflammatory-related genes interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in the duodenum and up-regulating IL-10 in the jejunum. Additionally, CBP increased the population of total bacteria and Lactobacillus in cecal chyme. Collectively, dietary CBP inclusion exerts beneficial effects on the broilers, which are reflected by enhancing antioxidant capacity, promoting intestinal barrier function, ameliorating intestinal immune response, and regulating intestinal bacteria, thus improving the growth performance of broilers under high-temperature conditions. In general, 750 mg/kg CBP supplementation is more effective.

ДИАГНОСТИКА ГЕМОПАРАЗИТОВ У PELOPHYLAX LESSONAE

This article describes the distribution, developmental cycle, clinical manifestations and diagnosis of haemoparasitic diseases in amphibians. An overview of the etiology and detection methods of haemoparasites is presented. The article presents the results of the complex clinical and laboratory examination of the series of clinical cases of haemoparasites in the experimental group of amphibians (n=6) of pond frog species Pelophylax lessonae, caught on 07.05.2022. As a control we used 5 specimens of pond frogs, caught on 02.07.2022 in the same biotope as the experimental group. Both groups were kept in artificial conditions. The experimental group was kept from 07.05.2022 to 28.07.2022, the control group was kept from 02.07.2022 to 28.07.2022. Dry peripheral blood smears were fixed with 96° ethanol and stained with Romanowsky-Giemsa (pH 6.8). Microscopic examination of blood smears of each individual of both groups revealed the presence of haemoparasites. It was found that the species composition of parasites is represented by one species - sporozooners Hepatozoon magna. By the method of calculating the extensiveness, the average intensity of invasion and the parasites abundance index found that the indicators of the experimental group were much higher than the control, the extensiveness of invasion: (83,3%, against 40%), the average intensity of invasion: (37 against 25), the parasites abundance index: (30,8 against 10). Based on the results of the studies, the dependence of the spread of haemoparasites on housing conditions and period was revealed. It has been suggested that the longer a group of individuals has been kept under artificial conditions, the higher its indices of extensiveness, average invasion intensity and parasite abundance index are.

ОБҐРУНТУВАННЯ ВИБОРУ ІМІТАТОРА ЦІЛІ ДЛЯ ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ДІЇ ЕЛЕМЕНТА, ЩО ВРАЖАЄ, КІНЕТИЧНОЇ ЗБРОЇ НЕСМЕРТЕЛЬНОЇ ДІЇ

Due to the complexity of modeling and the need to apply a number of assumptions, the study of the influence of the energy characteristics of the striking element on the results of the action on the target is usually carried out by empirical methods. Various types of objects, both biological and non-biological, have been and continue to be used in experiments for many years to simulate the processes accompanying the formation of gunshot wounds A method of establishing a connection between the characteristics of the striking element and the results of its action on the target is proposed. The method consists in researching the effect of an impacting element with the same energy and other characteristics on a biological target and a target imitator, followed by establishing the correspondence of the damage of the target imitator to the damage of the biological target. This approach makes it possible to conduct statistically large empirical studies in artificial conditions with variation of input parameters on target simulators and to spread the obtained results to biological objects with appropriate experimental verification, but through a relatively small number of repetitions. A key requirement for target simulators is a uniform response to the impact of a striking element with the same set of energy and other characteristics. Known imitators of the target have different characteristics both in absolute values and in terms of stability, so the question arises of choosing a rational type of imitator of the target for certain studies. An analysis of the properties of non-biological target imitators, including gelatin, soap, plasticine blocks, Pankratov's target, and ballistic gel blocks, was carried out. The choice of blocks made of ballistic plasticine as a target imitator for studying the effect of striking elements of non-lethal kinetic weapons is substantiated. The results of preliminary experimental studies of the influence of the temperature of ballistic plasticine «Beschussmasse» on the volume of the final cavity due to the action of the impacting element are presented. The research results indicate the significance of such an impact and the need to establish the dependence of the volume of the final cavity on the temperature of the block material and the kinetic energy of the impacting element.

Varroa destructor relies on physical cues to feed in artificial conditions

Olfaction is a major sense in Varroa destructor. In natural conditions, it is known that this honey bee parasite relies on kairomones to detect its host or to reproduce. Yet, in artificial conditions, the parasite is able to feed and survive for a few days even though most honey bee pheromones are lacking. Other key cues are thus probably involved in V. destructor perception of its close environment. Here, we used several artificial feeding designs to explore the feeding behaviour of the parasite when it is deprived of olfactory cues. We found that V. destructor is still able to feed only guided by physical cues. The detection of the food source seems to be shape-related as a 3D membrane triggers arrestment and exploration more than a 2D membrane. The tactile sense of V. destructor could thus be essential to detect a feeding site, although further studies are needed to assess the importance of this sense combined with olfaction in natural conditions.

Features of artemia salina ontogenesis in aquaculture depending on the salt level

The work is devoted to the study of influence of salinity level at the rate of hatching, productivity and morphometric parameters of artemia in aquaculture. The cultivation technology of Artemia salina in aquaculture for obtaining live starter feeds has been used in practice for a long time, but it is still far from perfect, since it is developed for a certain averaged artemia, and in practice we have to deal with specific species and their ecomorphs (ecological morphotypes), the optimal conditions of cultivation of which differ in many ways. One of the most important factors determining the development of artemia is the salinity of the environment. The aim of our study was to assess the effect of the salinity level of culture medium at the rate of hatching, productivity and morphometric parameters of artemia grown in industrial aquaculture. The results of the study showed that with an increase in the concentration of salt in the solution for cultivation of artemia, metamorphosis of the free embryo in nauplia is prolonged and the percentage of their yield decreases. Differences in the average population indicators of length and body weight of nauplia were found, which tended to decrease with an increase in water salt concentration. When studying the absolute fertility of female artemia grown at different concentrations of salt, it was found that an increase in water salinity in reproductive age of females makes it possible to increase their absolute fertility when breeding in artificial conditions.

Биотехнологическое производство мяса in vitro: преимущества и недостатки

This scientific article presents a comparative analysis of meat production using tissue engineering and traditional methods of raising livestock. In vitro meat is produced by growing animal muscle tissues in artificial conditions from stem cells. This solution allows to reduce costs of animal maintenance, land use, and water consumption. Meat produced through tissue engineering contains all essential amino acids and therefore presents the potential for replacing traditional meat production methods and reducing negative impact on the environment.

Influence of luminance modeses on the metamorphosis of artemia in aquaculture

The article presents the results of studies of the influence of luminance modes on ontogenesis of artemia cultivated in artificial conditions in a closed cycle. The aim of the work was to study the effect of light on morphological features of artemia at different stages of ontogenesis. During the work, the luminance modes of 1.5 kl, 2.5 kl and 4 kl were used. It was found that the intensity of the light flux differently affects the ontogenesis and development of individual parts of the body of artemia. In one case, during the cultivation of artemia, optimal results were obtained at 2.5 klx, in the other at 4 klx. The luminance mode of 1.5 klx, turned out to be the least effective. Observations of the growth and development of Artemis larvae in an artificial environment revealed that the luminance mode of 4 klx had a more noticeable stimulating effect on the length of the body, abdomen, cephalothorax and furca than the mode of 2.5 klx at the initial stages of postembryonic development of larvae during the first 120 hours. When cultivating sexually mature artemia, as the results of studies have shown, the luminance mode - 2.5 klx had a more pronounced effect on body length, abdominal length, cephalothorax length, abdominal width and the number of bristles on the furc than the 4klx mode. For the first time, the results of morphological studies demonstrating the effect of light intensity on the development of individual parts of the body of crustaceans in aquaculture have been obtained. The study was supported by the Development Program of the Saratov state university of genetics, biotechnology and engineering named after N.I. Vavilov (Prioritet -2030).

Development of technology for accelerated propagation of miscanthus (Miscanthus giganteus)

Materials on the study of the low propagation coefficient of Miscanthus giganteus, the search for new ways of propagation and the development of technologies for accelerated propagation of this crop are presented. Artificial lighting and conditions of elevated temperature and humidity have shown a negative impact on the growth and development of Miscanthus gigantus plants in laboratory conditions. Artificial lighting stimulated the stretching of plants, which led to their lodging. Conditions of high temperature and humidity contributed to the development and rapid spread of brown rust disease.

Pricing perpetual timer options under Heston Model by finite difference method: Theory and implementation

<abstract><p>In this paper a finite difference method (FDM) is provided for pricing perpetual timer options under the Heston volatility model. Considering the degeneracy of the pricing equation, we first prove the existence and uniqueness of the solution of the pricing problem with a new notion of boundary conditions at degenerate boundary and the infinity. Then we discuss the choice of artificial boundary value conditions and obtain a prior estimate of the internal error caused by the boundary value error. This estimate helps to choose appropriate artificial boundary values and solution domain to reduce internal error of the numerical solution. Furthermore, We build a FDM with second-order convergence for the pricing problem. Finally, we implement our method and show the visualization results.</p></abstract>

Numerical study of the one-dimensional damped and forced Dirac nonlinear Schrödinger equation with artificial boundary conditions

Numerical study of the one-dimensional damped and forced Dirac nonlinear Schrödinger equation with artificial boundary conditions

Стимуляция энергосинтеза в организме куриных эмбрионов при использовании водорастворимой формы убихинона

During the study, the incubation eggs of chicken embryos were treated with solutions of the water-soluble form of ubiquinone under artificial incubation conditions, which caused the manifestation of a number of effects that directly and indirectly indicate the stimulation of energy synthesis. The aim of the experiment was to study the possibility of using a water-soluble form of ubiquinone to stimulate energy synthesis in the organism of chicken embryos. In the course of the study, a wide range of zootechnical (biological control of incubation) and biochemical (registration of key products of lipid peroxidation, antioxidant activity in plasma and ATP) indicators were studied. The result of the study was an increase in stress resistance and viability of individuals; the hatching of chickens increased by 4,37%, the hatchability of eggs increased by 4,26%. These effects were largely determined by the implementation of ubiquinone as an antioxidant that prevents the development of lipid peroxidation, and also a mobile component of the mitochondrial respiratory chain.

High survivability of microencapsulated canine-specific probiotics during artificial gastrointestinal conditions and pasteurization

High survivability of microencapsulated canine-specific probiotics during artificial gastrointestinal conditions and pasteurization

Effect of trace Zn addition on microstructure and corrosion behavior of AA2024 under different aging treatments

The effect of trace Zn (0.67 wt%) addition on the microstructure and corrosion behavior of AA2024 under different aging treatments was investigated. The results reveal that, with trace Zn addition, the corrosion depth decreases at the natural aging condition, but increases at the artificial aging treatment (both the peak aging condition and over aging condition). The corrosion morphology of the Zn-containing alloy under different aging treatments is also different from that of the Zn-free alloy. Compared with the Zn-free alloy, the dealloying process of the S phase in the Zn-containing alloy is slower, which are not conducive to the formation of pitting corrosion. Transmission electron microscope shows that trace Zn addition can promote the nucleation of the intragranular Guinier-Preston-Bagaryatski zones which transform into S phases in the subsequent aging process. Compared with the Zn-free alloy, the S phases of the Zn-containing alloy are coarser at the over aging condition. Moreover, details of how the corrosion morphology of Zn-containing alloys changed and the relationship between the microstructure and the corrosion behavior were discussed. • Trace Zn inhibits the dealloying of Intermetallic S particles. • The local corrosion depth at the natural aging condition is small and the local corrosion depth at the artificial aging condition is large in the AA2024 with trace Zn compared with the Zn free alloy. • Zn segregated at the S-Al interface has been characterized. • Trace Zn promotes the growth and coarsening of grain boundary S phase particles in the AA2024 under artificial aging treatments. • Zn promotes the coarsening of S phase at the grain boundary and the aggregation of Zn at the S-Al interface works together on the local corrosion morphology of the alloy.

Зависимость продуктивных и физиологических показателей у постнатальных поросят от срока объединения гнезд

However, the experience of her work has shown that modern technology has violated to a certain extent the relationship of the body of pigs with the environment with traditional conditions of keeping and feeding. But recently, the latest technical developments in the provision of methods for keeping pigs of different technological groups, methods and means of ventilation of premises, which have a significant impact on the level of metabolic processes and productivity of animals, have been rapidly introduced in pig breeding. This is especially true for such a vulnerable technological group as weaned piglets, during the growing period of which there are a number of critical life threats. Therefore, the only effective way is to optimize the technological parts of keeping pigs under the conditions of industrial pork production technology. The two-phase technology is characterized by the fact that, after weaning from sows, piglets are grown in nests, in the same pens where they were born, up to 90–120 days of age. Until they have a mass of 30–40 kg. And only then the animals are transferred to fattening. When growing according to the accepted technological scheme, young animals change only two production premises, therefore such a system of animal fattening is called two-phase. It reduces the stress on the animals, both due to the minimum movement of young animals, and because there is no struggle for leadership in newly formed groups of piglets. The criterion for evaluating various production technologies is the correspondence of physiological needs and genetic characteristics of farm animals to artificial environmental conditions. The article considers the influence of different terms of combining nests in the suckling period on individual productivity indicators, as well as on the ethological and hematological indicators of piglets. The expediency of combining three nests of piglets at the age of 21 days for subsequent rearing by one group has been proved. Although this method of combining nests predetermines a certain physiological stress in the animal organism, as evidenced by hematological parameters, however, it does not go beyond the normal range and no stress state is observed.