Consumption Ratio Research Articles

Energy dissipation damage constitutive relation of CFRP passively confined coal sample

In view of the stability problem of coal pillars left over during coal resource mining, (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) CFRP sheet is applied in coal pillar reinforcement. Uniaxial compression tests of CFRP passively confined coal samples are carried out to explore the mechanical response mechanism of passively confined coal samples under different layers, and the energy dissipation damage constitutive relationship of CFRP passively confined coal samples is established based on the energy dissipation principle. The conclusions are: As CFRP layers increased, the local damage of coal samples before the peak evolved from a 'cliff-like jagged' to a 'capillary jagged', with post-peak instability marked by a shift to more 'cliff-like' characteristics. The tests revealed improvements in peak strength and elastic modulus, with a defined functional relationship between these properties and CFRP layers. The energy storage capacity of passively confined coal samples improved with CFRP layers, requiring less axial deformation to achieve equivalent energy levels. The energy dissipation rate showed an initial decrease followed by an increase, with a minimum inflection point, the elastic energy consumption ratio tends to decrease slowly and then rapidly during post-peak instability. A damage constitutive relationship and evolution equation were developed, highlighting that the CFRP sheet significantly inhibits damage, with diminishing effectiveness beyond two layers. The study concludes that three-layer CFRP sheets provide optimal confinement, offering a novel strategy for the reinforcement of coal pillars and the prevention and control of rock burst, without considering the actual coal pillar dimensions and shape. To sum up, the use of CFRP sheet to strengthen coal pillar has considerable potential research value in strengthening coal pillar and improving the recovery rate of coal resources.

CO2 treatment of recycled concrete aggregates with high mortar contents: From finding optimal treatment condition, quality enhancement, to life cycle assessment

With increasing construction and demolition waste, the demand for recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) has risen, yet their inherent poor-quality limits usage. In response, CO2 treatment has been developed to enhance RCA quality while contributing to CO2 reduction efforts. This study investigates the effect of CO2 treatment on RCA with high mortar contents for sustainable construction applications. Treatment conditions were optimized by evaluating the CO2 consumption ratio and reaction kinetics under various temperatures (10–50°C), pressures (250–1000 kPa), relative humidity (30–70 %), and initial saturation (30–100 %). X-ray imaging confirms carbonation within the mortar, evidenced by increased greyvalues. Environmental assessment of leachate reveals a significant reduction in chromium concentration from 0.18 mg/L to 0.11 mg/L and a decrease in pH from 10.1 to 7.8 after CO2 treatment, suggesting the potential of CO2 conditioning to mitigate the environmental impacts. Mechanical tests, the aggregate crushing value (ACV) test, and the freeze-thaw (FT) resistance test, demonstrate the improved resistance and durability, with a decrease in ACV from 35.5 % to 33.2 % and FT mass loss from 25.1 % to 20.0 %. The life cycle assessment analysis shows that a simplified CO2 treatment achieved a significant reduction of 138.257 kg CO2 eq per ton of RCA compared to the conventional RCA process. These findings highlight the dual benefits of CO2 treatment: enhanced mechanical performance and reduced environmental impact, promoting the use of recycled aggregates in sustainable construction practices.

The assessment of zeolite addition to diets with or without urea on some productive and physiological indicators in Awassi lambs

BackgroundInterest is growing in the search for alternatives to traditional feed additives, so this study aimed to investigate the effect of adding zeolite to the concentrate diets of Awassi lambs with or without urea on growth performance, nutrient digestion, and health status. A total of 45 Awassi lambs similar in weight (24 ± 2 kg) and age (3 months ± 4 days) were divided into three groups: the first group (G1) fed on a concentrate diet supplemented with 1% urea; the second group (G2) fed on the concentrate diet supplemented with 1% urea and 3% zeolite, and the third group (G3) fed on a urea-free diet supplemented with 3% zeolite.ResultsThe results showed a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in final live weight, daily and total weight gain for group G2 compared to groups G1and G3, with a significant superiority (P ≤ 0.05) of group G3 over the control group G1. Significant improvement (P < 0.05) was also observed in feed consumption and feed conversion ratio in diets supplemented with zeolite for groups G2 and G3 compared to the control group G1. Additionally, there was a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in nutrient digestion and nutritional value in the diet of group G2 containing urea with added zeolite compared to groups G1 and G3. Zeolite did not affect the levels of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, and albumin in the blood, but a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in total blood protein level and a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in blood urea level were noted for groups G2 and G3 compared to the control group G1.ConclusionsAdding zeolite to urea-containing concentrate diets improved growth rates and nutrient digestion, of Awassi lambs. In diets without urea, zeolite improved growth rates without affecting nutrient digestion coefficients, in both types of diets, zeolite increased total protein levels and decreased blood urea levels, with all physiological indicators in lambs blood remaining within normal limits.

Analysis of shape-change capabilities for the two-stage tensegrity tower

Two-layer spliced tensegrity structure can be used to design a flight simulator. Structural motions are caused by the shape changes. So, it is necessary to investigate the structural deformation. Considering the tensegrity structure with redundant cables is more resistant to destruction, this paper is devoted to analyzing shape changes of the two-stage tensegrity tower with redundant cables. Based on the principle of the minimum number of cables with different lengths, structural parameters of a two-stage tensegrity tower composed of two prisms with opposite rotation and other parameters are determined. Further, this paper defines five shape-changes: stretching, shrinking, flexure, shear and torsion. According to the five shape-change types, the axial, coupling, and complex deformations of a tensegrity tower are analyzed. Based on the energy-efficient cable-actuation strategy, this paper also studies the drive mode with the least energy dissipation for shape changes. The results show that the deformation energy consumption ratios of shrinking and stretching deformations are 9.634 and 12.674, respectively, under the optimal driving mode. The significance of the shape-change analysis is that it can predict the driving mode of the cable.

Cold Exposure Rejuvenates the Metabolic Phenotype of Panx1-/- Mice.

Pannexin1 (Panx1) ATP channels are important in adipocyte biology, potentially influencing energy storage and expenditure. We compared the metabolic phenotype of young (14 weeks old) and mature (20 weeks old) wild-type (WT) and Panx1-/- mice exposed or not to cold (6 °C) during 28 days, a condition promoting adipocyte browning. Young Panx1-/- mice weighed less and exhibited increased fat mass, improved glucose tolerance, and lower insulin sensitivity than WT mice. Their energy expenditure and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were increased, and their fatty acid oxidation decreased. These metabolic effects were no longer observed in mature Panx1-/- mice. The exposure of mature mice to cold exacerbated their younger metabolic phenotype. The white adipose tissue (WAT) of cold-exposed Panx1-/- mice contained more small-sized adipocytes, but, in contrast to WT mice, white adipocytes did not increase their expression of Ucp1 nor of other markers of browning adipocytes. Interestingly, Glut4 expression was already enhanced in the WAT of young Panx1-/- mice kept at 22 °C as compared to WT mice. Thus, Panx1 deletion exerts overall beneficial metabolic effects in mice that are pre-adapted to chronic cold exposure. Panx1-/- mice show morphological characteristics of WAT browning, which are exacerbated upon cold exposure, an effect that appears to be associated with Ucp1-independent thermogenesis.

Different supplemental irrigation methods result in discrepant water use efficiency and yield by changing steps of water use process in dryland wheat

Supplemental irrigation (SI) at critical growth stages is a practical way to mitigate water shortage of winter wheat in dryland. However, the yield performance after SI is unstable in different precipitation years. To obtain a better understanding about the applicability of SI in dryland, the utilization efficiency of precipitation and irrigation water (IUE) was divided into 5 sequential ratios: water storage ratio, water consumption ratio, water transpired ratio, transpiration efficiency and harvest index. In this study, those ratios were investigated under four SI methods: no irrigation (W0), SI once at jointing (Wj), SI once at booting (Wb) and SI twice at jointing and booting (Wj+b) throughout four years. Our results showed that water storage ratio was increased under all SI treatments, but water transpired ratio was only significantly increased under Wj and Wj+b, due to their greater development of plant population compared to W0. Thus, wheat yield was greatly improved by 7–12 % under Wj and Wj+b than that under W0 in dry and normal years. However, IUE was significantly decreased under Wj+b. Compared with W0, Wj+b had higher evaporation during the fallow period and lower water consumption ratio. Furthermore, 100–300 cm subsoil water utilization was decreased under Wj+b from jointing to harvest time due to the low root length density (RDL) in subsoil. Under Wj, evaporation, subsoil water utilization and RDL were not negatively affected and water use efficiency was increased compared to W0. Thus, SI once at jointing stage is a more suitable practice in dryland wheat farmland when considering the dual goal of effectively using water while increasing yields under worse precipitation year.

Starvation and re-feeding of Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) co-cultured with glasswort (Salicornia europaea) in a polyculture aquaponic system.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of starvation and refeeding on the growth and food intake of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and on the growth and nitrogen uptake of glasswort (Salicornia europaea) in a polyculture aquaponic system under 12 ppt salinity for 75 days. Nine small-scale autonomous aquaponic systems were used, each containing 10 gilthead seabreams (average weight of 6.33±0.73 g and average length of 5.73±0.72 cm) and 10 seabasses (5.82±0.77 g and 6.35±0.45 cm), as well as five glasswort plants. Three fish feeding treatments were performed, a control (A), in which fish were fed daily until satiation, and two fasting treatments for 4 (B) and 7 days (C). Fish growth performance was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the C treatment for both species compared to treatments A and B. Food consumption (FC) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in treatment C. Glasswort growth performance was significantly higher in treatment C (p<0.05). The results showed that the 4-day food-deprived fish were similar to the control fish by achieving partial compensatory growth. The more extended fasting period (7 days) resulted in significantly lower growth performance. The lipid and nitrogen retention levels in both species were significantly lower in food-deprived fish than in the control fish both before and during compensatory growth. The results suggest that a feeding schedule involving starvation-refeeding cycles is a promising feed management option for these species in polyculture aquaponic systems. The effect of food deprivation was also significantly beneficial (p<0.05) for the growth performance of glasswort compared to the control treatment.

Alx3 deficiency disrupts energy homeostasis, alters body composition, and impairs hypothalamic regulation of food intake

The coordination of food intake, energy storage, and expenditure involves complex interactions between hypothalamic neurons and peripheral tissues including pancreatic islets, adipocytes, muscle, and liver. Previous research shows that deficiency of the transcription factor Alx3 alters pancreatic islet-dependent glucose homeostasis. In this study we carried out a comprehensive assessment of metabolic alterations in Alx3 deficiency. We report that Alx3-deficient mice exhibit decreased food intake without changes in body weight, along with reduced energy expenditure and altered respiratory exchange ratio. Magnetic resonance imaging reveals increased adiposity and decreased muscle mass, which was associated with markers of motor and sympathetic denervation. By contrast, Alx3-deficient mice on a high-fat diet show attenuated weight gain and improved insulin sensitivity, compared to control mice. Gene expression analysis demonstrates altered lipogenic and lipolytic gene profiles. In wild type mice Alx3 is expressed in hypothalamic arcuate nucleus neurons, but not in major peripheral metabolic organs. Functional diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging reveals selective hypothalamic responses to fasting in the arcuate nucleus of Alx3-deficient mice. Additionally, altered expression of proopiomelanocortin and melanocortin-3 receptor mRNA in the hypothalamus suggests impaired regulation of feeding behavior. This study highlights the crucial role for Alx3 in governing food intake, energy homeostasis, and metabolic nutrient partitioning, thereby influencing body mass composition.

Delta-6 desaturase FADS2 is a tumor-promoting factor in cholangiocarcinoma.

Cholangiocarcinoma is a fatal disease with limited therapeutic options. We screened genes required for cholangiocarcinoma tumorigenicity and identified FADS2, a delta-6 desaturase. FADS2 depletion reduced invivo tumorigenicity and cell proliferation. In clinical samples, FADS2 was expressed in cancer cells but not in stromal cells. FADS2 inhibition also reduced the migration and sphere-forming ability of cells and increased apoptotic cell death and ferroptosis markers. Lipidome assay revealed that triglyceride and cholesterol ester levels were decreased in FADS2-knockdown cells. The oxygen consumption ratio was also decreased in FADS2-depleted cells. These data indicate that FADS2 depletion causes a reduction in lipid levels, resulting in decrease of energy production and attenuation of cancer cell malignancy.

ANALISIS EFEKTIVITAS KINERJA KEUANGAN DALAM PENGELOLAAN ANGGARAN PEMERINTAH DAN BELANJA DAERAH PADA KOTA SURABAYA

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the financial management performance of the Surabaya City Government for the 2015-2019 period. This study uses a quantitative descriptive method using an analysis of the effectiveness of regional financial performance, analysis of regional financial independence and analysis of compatibility (operational expenditure and capital expenditure). Using secondary data, the data processed is the Summary of Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budgets for the 2015-2019 Fiscal Year. The Regional Financial Independence of the Surabaya City Government has reached a very good level, which shows a pattern of delegative relations, which means that the intervention of the Central Government is no longer there because the regions are completely independent in implementing regional autonomy. The level of effectiveness of the Surabaya city government's financial management is fairly effective because from 2015 -2019 the effectiveness of the Surabaya city government's financial performance has always reached the target which is effective. However, the compatibility of the Surabaya government's financial performance has not been balanced. According to the description and calculations above, most of the funds owned by the Surabaya City Government are still prioritized for operational expenditure needs so that the capital expenditure ratio is relatively small.

The relationship between the ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 consumption with caesarean section

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Background&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt; : Many of research explained that Omega-3 and Omega-6 consumption during pregnancy affect delivery method. Omega-3 and omega-5 affect uterus contraction. The prevalence of caesarean section in 154 countries were 21.1%, and 43% in Primary health care. Caesarean section has a risk to get complication during and after parturition also could increase maternity cost. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Objectives:&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt; The aim of study was to determine the relationship between ratio omega-6: omega-3 intake and the incidence of cesarean section in postpartum mothers in the Bendosari Primary Health Care area. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Method&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;: This was observational study with cross sectional approach. The subjects of the study were 66 postpartum mothers who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were selected using the purposive sampling method. Data of omega-3 and omega-6 intake during the 2-3rd semester tri pregnancy period were obtained by interview method using the Semi Quantitative Food Frequency (SQ_FFQ) form. The relationship between omega-3 intake and caesarean section was analyzed with the Chi-Square test (P&amp;lt;0,05), while Fisher’s exact test was used to analyzed the relationship between intake ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 (P&amp;lt;0,05). &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Result: &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;There was a relationship between omega-3 intake and ratio between omega-6: omega-3 intake with caesarean section with P-value 0.03. The mother who consume high omega-3 had prevalence ratio 3,6 times higher to have normal delivery compared than mother who had low consumption of omega-3. Moreover, mother who had sufficient ratio of omega 6: omega 3 in their diet had prevalence ratio 9 times higher to have normal delivery compared with mother who had high ratio of omega 6: omega 3in the diet during pregnancy. Pregnant women suggests to consume high omega-3 and sufficient ratio omega-6:omega-3 to prevent risk of caesarean section&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Биохимические показатели мышц судака из Рыбинского водохранилища и оценка риска их потребления

Fish, as a food component, is very beneficial for human health. It is rich in protein, valuable fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. However, when consuming it, there is a risk of toxic substances entering the human body that ac-cumulate in the tissues of aquatic organisms, for example, heavy metals. The purpose of the work is to determine the biochemical parameters in the muscles of pike perch from the reaches of the Rybinsk reservoir, which differ in anthropogenic load, and to assess the risks of human consumption of this species. The amount of water, dry matter, lipids, protein, minerals and carbohydrates in muscle tissue was determined using standard methods. To assess the threat to human health associated with the potential duration of exposure to heavy metals from walleye consumption, target and cumulative hazard ratios were calculated. The assessment of carcinogenic risk to human health was determined using the target and general cancer risk index. Calculated indicators were obtained based on data on the content of heavy metals in the muscles of pike perch, established earlier. In the muscles of pike perch specimens from the Sheksninsky and Volzhsky reaches, no significant differences between biochemical parameters were found. According to the ratio of protein and lipids in muscle tissue, the studied individuals belong to category A, and according to the amount of lipids – to fish with a low-fat content. The estimated dietary intakes for weekly intakes of heavy metals from pike perch meat was below the reference values. The target and total hazard coefficient turned out to be less than one, which indicates that there is no potential non-carcinogenic risk for humans when consuming pike perch meat. The target cancer risk indices for Cd, Pb, Al and Cr are within acceptable ranges. The total risk of developing cancer for these metals is more than 1 in 100,000.

Secure and efficient device‐to‐device communication in IoT: The DMBSOA‐enhanced MQTT protocol

AbstractThe Internet of Things (IoT) plays a crucial role in enhancing technology by facilitating data transfer, storage, control, and management across networks. Secure communication within IoT environments remains a significant challenge. This research aims to enhance IoT security by integrating Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) and MQTT‐Sensor Network (MQTT‐SN) protocols with the Dual Mutation‐Based Seagull Optimization Algorithm (DMBSOA). MQTT, known for its lightweight and dependable messaging, is widely used in the IoT community but is vulnerable to cyber‐attacks, particularly concerning privacy and authentication. DMBSOA, inspired by seagulls' foraging behavior, optimizes MQTT settings to enhance security, reliability, and performance. The proposed model dynamically adjusts key parameters such as transmission frequency, Quality of service (QoS) levels, and message size to improve energy consumption, throughput, end‐to‐end delay, and packet delivery ratio. A comprehensive system model is presented, comprising publisher, subscriber, and broker nodes, with security mechanisms integrated into the broker to ensure data integrity, authentication, and encryption. MQTT operates over Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), while MQTT‐SN uses User Datagram Protocol (UDP), catering to resource‐constrained devices and low‐power modes. The proposed technique attained throughput (68 kB), energy consumption (120 mJ), security level (96%), energy efficiency (98.80%), path loss (22 dB), end‐to‐end delay (35 ms), processing time (230 s) and packet delivery ratio (0.98). The DMBSOA‐optimized MQTT protocol demonstrates superior performance compared to these models, highlighting its potential to meet the evolving demands of IoT security. This research underscores the effectiveness of DMBSOA in enhancing MQTT protocol security and efficiency, providing a promising solution for secure IoT communication.

Experimental study on road deicing using circulated heating produced from geothermal fluid

In this study, a ground source heat pump was employed as an energy source to perform preheating and deicing tests on asphalt pavement using hydraulic heating.The influence of different water temperature and ambient temperature on the temperature distribution of road system, energy consumption of heat pump system, energy consumption ratio between road system and heat pump system (COPsys) in preheating test was studied, and the influence of road temperature and deicing performance (qice) in deicing test was studied. The results show that during the preheating phase, increasing the water temperature from 40 °C to 50 °C resulted in COPsys drop of 46 %, and when the ambient temperature is reduced from −5 °C to −10 °C, resulted in a COPsys increase of 26 %. In the de-icing experimental, a higher critical temperature for de-icing indicates more energy stored at the surface, and greater temperature fluctuations during the melting phase indicate better ice melting effects. Lowering the ambient temperature increases the critical de-icing temperature and reduces temperature fluctuations during the melting phase. Increasing the water temperature increases the critical de-icing temperature and temperature fluctuations during the melting phase.

Effect of the Addition Red Beetroot Powder (Beta vulgaris L. Var. Rubra L) as a Feed Additive in Feed on Production Performance, Egg Yolk Cholesterol and Blood Profile of Laying Hens

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of addition red beetroot powder (Beta vulgaris L. Var. Rubra L) as a feed additive in feed on production performance, egg yolk cholesterol and blood profile of laying hens. The first stage of research included testing the inhibitory power of Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp, and Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB). The materials used in the bacterial inhibition test were red beetroot pulp powder, red beetroot peel powder and red beetroot pulp and peel powder. The method used was in vitro research and the data was analyzed statistically using the ANOVA test. If there were differences between each treatment, it was continued with Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The second stage of research is the field application of the results of the first stage research in vivo. The material used was 120 laying hens of the isa brown strain aged 30 weeks. The method used was an experimental method using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 6 replications, each using 5 chickens. Data were analyzed statistically using the ANOVA test. If there were differences between each treatment, it was continued with Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Variables observed in the second stage of research included production performance, egg yolk cholesterol and blood profile of laying hens. The results of the first stage of research showed that the use of red beetroot plant powder had a very significant effect (T&lt;0.01) on the diameter of the inhibition zone for Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp and Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB). Red Beetroot Pulp and Peel Powder (RBPPP) has the best antibacterial power so it was applied in the second stage of research. The results of the second stage of research showed that the addition of RBPPP had a significant effect (T&lt;0.05) on feed consumption, had a very real effect (T&lt;0.01) on egg weight, HDP, egg mass, feed conversion, IOFC, hemoglobin., erythrocytes and hematocrit. However, there was no significant effect (T&gt;0.05) on egg yolk cholesterol and leukocytes. The addition of RBPPP at the 1% level has the potential to reduce feed consumption and feed convertion ratio, increase egg weight, HDP and egg mass, even though the IOFC value is lower than the control treatment or without RBPPP. The addition of RBPPP at a level of 1.5 % has the potential to reduce egg yolk cholesterol levels compared to other treatments. The addition of RBPPP up to a level of 1 % is able to increase and maintain hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in normal conditions. Apart from that, the addition of RBPPP at levels of 0.5 % and 1.5 % is able to increase and maintain erythrocyte and leukocyte levels in normal conditions.

The Effect of Energy Management in Heating–Cooling Systems of Electric Vehicles on Charging and Range

In this study, an energy management model for electric vehicles including the entire vehicle such as the cabin, electric motors, battery, and the heating–cooling system was prepared. The heating and cooling processes for electric vehicles were run according to the internationally recognized driving cycles as well as at constant speeds to investigate them under different ambient conditions. The heating–cooling processes were managed in line with the cabin temperature target determined by considering the comfort conditions. The energy consumption of each of the system elements and the system in the heating–cooling process in electric vehicles was analyzed. Under different operating conditions, the variation of cabin temperature with time, instantaneous power, and cumulative energy consumption was calculated. The effect of heating and cooling processes on energy consumption, charging rate, and range were analyzed and interpreted. The results showed that the heating–cooling system for the heating process consumed more energy when the ambient temperature decreased, and the charge consumption ratio as well as the range deformation rate increased to about 30% when the ambient temperature was –10 °C. Similarly, the heating–cooling system for the cooling process consumed more energy when the ambient temperature increased, and the charge consumption ratio as well as the range deformation rate reached up to 40% when the ambient temperature was 40 °C. When the outdoor conditions were close to the thermal comfort temperature of 23 °C inside the cabin, the total energy consumption and the range deformation rates were reduced to less than 10%.

The tubular baffled reactor and its potential for the biological methanation of carbon dioxide

The biological Power to Methane process (PtM) is gaining ground as an answer to the long-term renewable energy storage problem. Methane is an efficient hydrogen carrier, has an established worldwide transport infrastructure and can serve as a link between renewable power generation and a circular carbon economy. One of the defining factors regarding the scalability of the PtM process is the design of the reactor as it can determine the production rate/energy expenditure ratio. The tubular baffled reactor, a popular reactor design within the chemical industry has been assessed in the present study as a biomethanation reactor for the first time. The experiments were conducted with mixed cultures and the results point to high gas-liquid mass transfer capabilities as indicated by the methanation rates achieved (>90 % CH4 at 270 L/L/d mixed gas input rate). The gas/liquid flow ratio appears to have a stronger effect on methanation than the gas residence time. The working length of the reactor determines the pressure drop experienced by the culture, with higher pressure drops showing a negative correlation to methanogenesis.

Government spending in the agricultural sector: Optimal ratio with lending and the impact on the agricultural production

An effective government agropolicy should be balanced: To reduce the state budget pressure, it is important to reduce public spending and encourage farmers to use agricultural loans. Reducing public spending should not lead to a shortage in the agricultural market. The paper aims to substantiate the directions of government agropolicy transformation based on the optimal ratio of public expenditures and loans in the agrosector and the dependence of agroproduction dynamics on state financing. The research base is data from 10 countries with different income levels (World Bank), presented in FAOSTAT for 2004–2021. For each country, the optimal (determined by the structural modeling method) and actual proportions between state financing and lending in the agrosector are compared, adjusted for the agroproduction index. The modeling showed that the share of public funds should increase in Germany, Israel, Italy, and the UK and decrease in Azerbaijan and Georgia; the current proportion is optimal in the USA, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Based on a panel regression model with fixed effects, the influence of the actual level of state agrofinancing on the FAO Production Indices of the main types of agroproducts was determined. It is the largest for crops, meat, and milk (a decrease in state funding by USD 1 million threatens to reduce the respective indices by 4.5, 3.47, and 3.79 points), medium for cereals and sugar crops (according to points 2.69 and 2.11), and the smallest for livestock and non-food products (by 1.53 and 0.001 points, respectively).

Innovation activity of the largest companies in the high-tech sector

Aim. To analyze the specific features of innovation activity of the largest transnational companies of the high-tech sector in order to identify general trends and assess their efficiency.Objectives. To study the expenditures on innovation in Alphabet, Apple, Microsoft and Amazon; to determine the ratio of expenditures on research and development (R&amp;D) to total revenue and the share of innovation in total expenditures; to examine the market capitalization and the share of private investors in the ownership of shares of these companies; to analyze the share of intangible assets in total assets; to assess the intensity of innovation activity by the number of issued patents; to identify the general characteristics of innovative companies-leaders of the high-tech sectorMethods. This study utilizes financial indicators, statistical data and data on patent activity of Alphabet, Apple, Microsoft Corporation and Amazon.Results. The largest high-tech companies achieve improved innovation performance through a combination of understanding customer needs, active participation of management in the research and development program, and the creation of unique products and services based on new technologies. Financial success depends on successfully utilizing existing intellectual resources, creating long-term customer relationships, and fostering the development of human capital within companies. Companies that focus on customer satisfaction and continuously stimulate employee development demonstrate higher innovation performance and ensure commercial success in the market.Conclusions. The comparative analysis of the indicators of the largest transnational companies in the high-tech sector allows us to assess the efficiency of innovation activity, as well as to identify the key factors contributing to their sustainable development in a highly competitive market.

Heat stress affects mammary metabolism by influencing the plasma flow to the glands

BackgroundEnvironmental heat stress (HS) can have detrimental effects on milk production by compromising the mammary function. Mammary plasma flow (MPF) plays a crucial role in nutrient supply and uptake in the mammary gland. In this experiment, we investigated the physiological and metabolic changes in high-yielding cows exposed to different degrees of HS: no HS with thermal-humidity index (THI) below 68 (No-HS), mild HS (Mild-HS, 68 ≤ THI ≤ 79), and moderate HS (Mod-HS, 79 < THI ≤ 88) in their natural environment. Our study focused on the changes in blood oxygen supply and mammary glucose uptake and utilization.ResultsCompared with No-HS, the MPF of dairy cows was greater (P < 0.01) under Mild-HS, but was lower (P < 0.01) in cows under Mod-HS. Oxygen supply and consumption exhibited similar changes to the MPF under different HS, with no difference in ratio of oxygen consumption to supply (P = 0.46). The mammary arterio-vein differences in glucose concentration were lower (P < 0.05) under Mild- and Mod-HS than under no HS. Glucose supply and flow were significantly increased (P < 0.01) under Mild-HS but significantly decreased (P < 0.01) under Mod-HS compared to No-HS. Glucose uptake (P < 0.01) and clearance rates (P < 0.01) were significantly reduced under Mod-HS compared to those under No-HS and Mild-HS. Under Mild-HS, there was a significant decrease (P < 0.01) in the ratio of lactose yield to mammary glucose supply compared to that under No-HS and Mod-HS, with no difference (P = 0.53) in the ratio of lactose yield to uptaken glucose among different HS situations.ConclusionsDegrees of HS exert different influences on mammary metabolism, mainly by altering MPF in dairy cows. The output from this study may help us to develop strategies to mitigate the impact of different degrees of HS on milk production.