Experimental Stage Research Articles

CONSTRUCTION OF STATISTICAL MODELS OF CHEMICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL OBJECTS ON THE BASIS OF A COMPLETE FACTOR EXPERIMENT

The article deals with the construction of a mathematical model of the process, which is created based on the results of a full factorial experiment. Often, only the results of experimental studies carried out at such objects are the information, based on the processing of which, according to the obtained mathematical model of the object, a high-quality control algorithm for this object can be implemented. At the same time, the construction of a mathematical model that describes the technological process with the required accuracy often involves a huge amount of work at the stage of experiments. The task of planning experiments is to establish the minimum required number of them and the conditions for their implementation, to choose methods for mathematical processing of the results, and to make decisions. Designing experiments significantly reduces the number of experiments required to obtain a process model. An active experiment involves a purposeful choice of factor values. Compared to a passive experiment, such an experiment turns out to be more efficient and economical, since the amount of experimental work is significantly reduced. In this article, in relation to chemical technology, the issues of organizing an experiment, mathematical processing of experimental data and mathematical planning of an experiment in the search for optimal conditions for conducting a technological process are described. Mathematical modeling and optimization of chemical technology objects is of great importance for obtaining higher professional education for students of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering.

Study of Image Resolution in Virtual Reality Panorama Technology 360 In Comfort of Interior Visualization

Utilizing virtual reality technology is used as a method of interacting virtually. With the many uses of virtual reality today, it certainly affects the lives of users of these technologies. In the field of interior design itself, virtual reality technology is also often used, the application of VR technology for design interior are often used as a means of design presentation. This study is aimed at testing the visual comfort of virtual reality panorama 360 which is used as a medium for virtual interaction of interior design to interior design users. The analysis process in taking data by questionnaire and followed by several stages of observation and the last stage is the experimental stage to take research data related to case studies. The results obtained from this study are knowing visual comfort when interacting directly using virtual reality technology. It is hoped that with the testing of the visual resolution used in interior virtual reality, it can later be used as a reference in the selection of visual media in the future.

Application of multiple regression models in the analysis of kinematic parameters in competitive gymnastics

Abstract Nowadays, the progress of competitive gymnasts needs more and more help from sports science, and it is from the mechanics perspective that human movement science analyzes this complex system of the human body. In this paper, the back handsprings in gymnastics were tested and recorded with a motion capture system to evaluate the back handsprings’ technical movements quantitatively. A multiple regression model was used to model the dynamics of the human body and carry out simulation calculations to analyze and study the movement patterns and lower limb stresses. The results showed that the maximum load rate through the back handspring experimental stage was (379.91±101.23) BW/s, and the time of appearance of the maximum load rate was (0.025±0.003) s. The maximum load decay rate was (-321.61±107.21) BW/s, and the time of appearance of the maximum load decay rate was (0.043±0.005) s. The difference between the results and the actual test value difference between the results and the actual test values was less than 0.005, indicating the feasibility of applying the multiple regression model to the kinematic parameters analysis of competitive gymnastics. The multiple regression-based kinematic parameter analysis models can effectively solve the problem of force on the bones and joints of difficult gymnastic movements, which can better assist trainers in learning gymnastic items and provide theoretical support and reference basis for the development and training of difficult skills in competitive gymnastics.

A Virtual Reality–Based Serious Game for Fire Safety Behavioral Skills Training

Fire disasters in tall buildings can cause considerable damage to property, injuries to people and death. An effective way to reduce injuries or death during a fire is to improve human evacuation behavior. Many studies have demonstrated that behavioral skills training can effectively help people of different ages to acquire safety skills for emergencies. Based on virtual reality (VR), serious games (SGs) and behavioral skills training (BST), this study proposes a theoretical model of “VR-SG-BST” as a fire safety training method. Older adults in care facilities were selected to evaluate the proposed model because their lack of knowledge on fire safety and the associated potential health problems increase the likelihood that they will become victims of a fire. It is expected that engagement and immersion in the SG can improve the elderly’s learning performance of fire evacuation skills and enhance their interest and sense of fun experienced during fire safety training. The SG could effectively improve the skills of evacuation in an emergency. Hence, this study involved two parallel investigations: 1) comparing fire safety behavior of the elderly between an experimental and a control group, and 2) determining the effects of BST for fire safety by comparing only the experimental group in pre- and post-BST phases. The study adopts in situ training (IST) to evaluate the acquisition of knowledge and skills during the experimental stage. It is concluded that the proposed VR-SG-BST model has potential to serve as an alternate approach to improve the elderly’s behavioral skills during a fire. Moreover, previous computer game experience enhances the elderly’s learning performance and fire safety behavior. The outcomes of the study provide suggestions and guidelines for VR-SG design in the practice of BST.

Potential of the Digital Information Platform Applied in Promotion of Rural Landscape in China: From Preliminary Practices to Framework Conception

The rural landscape is an integrated system of tangible and intangible cultural heritages in rural areas, which includes multiple attributes in terms of culture, spirit and nature. The multi-dimensional, holistic protection and promotion of the rural landscape is considered to be a challenging topic in the academic circle. In the past two decades, digital information platforms have been widely used in the field of protecting cultural heritage because of their convenience, as well as their cross-temporal and systematic nature. However, a digital information platform that is specifically designed for a rural landscape is still in the initial stage of experimentation and exploration, and there is a lack of systematic understanding and overall framework conception. In this paper, with the preliminary practice of the rural landscape digital information platform (RLDIP) in China in the past two decades as the example, a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis is conducted to deeply explore the data source, data type, data organization and functional structure of the platform samples. The common characteristics, potential in application and typical problems of the current platform are summarized. What is more, based on the need for a comprehensive rural revitalization in such developing countries as China, a framework conception of the rural landscape digital information platform (RLDIP) is proposed, and its data-classification system, functional structure and digital process are identified. This study will provide a theoretical basis and technical reference for the digital information platform to develop its potential in overall protection, coordinated development and sustainable management of the rural landscape in the future.

Improved crow search algorithm for optimal flexible manufacturing process planning

The enhancement of manufacturing processes due to the growing demand for products and services is a problem that must be constantly updated. Several schemas have been conducted to improve the manufacturing processes. These schemas are based on the flexible use of machines, tools, and tool access directions to determine the best process planning (PP) for a specific piece or part. The combination of different tools and machines leads to the formulation of complicated combinatory problems that can be treated as optimization problems. On the other hand, bioinspired optimization techniques have been widely employed for solving several complex engineering and real-life problems showing competitive results. The crow search algorithm (CSA) is an optimization technique based on the intelligent foraging behavior of crows. Our work uses an improved CSA (ICSA) to determine the optimal flexible process planning (FPP) with a low computational effort. Several AND/OR networks FPP problems are employed in the experimentation stage, where the production cost and production time are considered as fitness functions. To determine the performance and accuracy of the proposed technique, different results previously reported in the literature are used for a comparison showing that ICSA-FPP is able to outperform similar approaches.

Relaxational dynamics of the T-number conversion of virus capsids.

We extend a recently proposed kinetic theory of virus capsid assembly based on Model A kinetics and study the dynamics of the interconversion of virus capsids of different sizes triggered by a quench, that is, by sudden changes in the solution conditions. The work is inspired by in vitro experiments on functionalized coat proteins of the plant virus cowpea chlorotic mottle virus, which undergo a reversible transition between two different shell sizes (T = 1 and T = 3) upon changing the acidity and salinity of the solution. We find that the relaxation dynamics are governed by two time scales that, in almost all cases, can be identified as two distinct processes. Initially, the monomers and one of the two types of capsids respond to the quench. Subsequently, the monomer concentration remains essentially constant, and the conversion between the two capsid species completes. In the intermediate stages, a long-lived metastable steady state may present itself, where the thermodynamically less stable species predominate. We conclude that a Model A based relaxational model can reasonably describe the early and intermediate stages of the conversion experiments. However, it fails to provide a good representation of the time evolution of the state of assembly of the coat proteins in the very late stages of equilibration when one of the two species disappears from the solution. It appears that explicitly incorporating the nucleation barriers to assembly and disassembly is crucial for an accurate description of the experimental findings, at least under conditions where these barriers are sufficiently large.

Innovative approaches of future martial arts coaches and physical education teachers to the Model Curriculum Physical Education Grade 5-6. Variable module Combat Horting in martial law conditions for the formation of an active life position

In the scientific work, an analysis of literary sources was carried out in recent years and more than five hundred scientific publications were identified, which confirms the relevance of martial arts – Combat Horting among scientists, teachers, trainers, athletes, fans, etc. Thus, competitions of various levels and, accordingly, scientific research are held systematically according to the calendar. The model educational program «Physical culture. 5-6 grades» for institutions of general secondary education. Variant module «Combat Horting». Its implementation contributes to the formation of an active life position in future coaches (students and cadets) martial arts, pupils who later become successful individuals. The authors of the publication describe three stages of the pedagogical experiment (1st: summarization of data from literary sources from a specific research area; 2nd stage: determination of physical capacity according to the test PWC170 – Step-test). To determine the power of the performed work (W) and the number of ascents, we took: two weight categories – 33 kg and 35 kg for younger teenagers: fifth-grade students; four weight categories (50 kg, 55 kg, 60 kg, 65 kg) of youth student, cadets. Thus, the results calculated by the mathematical method were obtained.

Case series on clinical applications of liquid biopsy in pediatric solid tumors: towards improved diagnostics and disease monitoring.

Solid tumors account for about 30% of all pediatric cancers. The diagnosis is typically based on histological and molecular analysis of a primary tumor biopsy. Liquid biopsies carry several advantages over conventional tissue biopsy. However, their use for genomic analysis and response monitoring of pediatric solid tumors is still in experimental stages and mostly performed retrospectively without direct impact on patient management. In this case series we discuss six clinical cases of children with a solid tumor for whom a liquid biopsy assay was performed and demonstrate the potential of liquid biopsy for future clinical decision making. We performed quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) or reduced representation bisulphite sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfRRBS) on liquid biopsies collected from six pediatric patients with a solid tumor treated between 2017 and 2023 at the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology in the Netherlands. Results were used to aid in clinical decision making by contribution to establish a diagnosis, by prognostication and response to therapy monitoring. In three patients cfRRBS helped to establish the diagnosis of a rhabdomyosarcoma, an Ewing sarcoma and a neuroblastoma (case 1-3). In two patients, liquid biopsies were used for prognostication, by MYCN ddPCR in a patient with neuroblastoma and by RT-qPCR testing rhabdomyosarcoma-specific mRNA in bone marrow of a patient with a rhabdomyosarcoma (case 4 and 5). In case 6, mRNA testing demonstrated disease progression and assisted clinical decision making. This case series illustrates the value of liquid biopsy. We further demonstrate and recommend the use of liquid biopsies to be used in conjunction with conventional methods for the determination of metastatic status, prognostication and monitoring of treatment response in patients with pediatric solid tumors.

Effects of simulated high altitude on body temperature and heart rate in pilot reserves during the hot-dry exposure

Recent research has primarily focused on human thermoregulatory responses at high altitudes, but investigations involving extremely high-temperature and hypobaric compound environments are currently lacking. To address this gap in knowledge, this study aimed to enhance the prediction of human heat sensation for pilot reserves while operating in extremely hot cabins with decompression. To achieve this, an improved Predicted Heat Strain (PHS) model was developed by incorporating the influence of air pressure on metabolic rate. The model's validity was assessed through experiments conducted at different altitudes (0m, 5000m, and 8000m) and varying environmental conditions (26°C and 45 °C, 10% RH and 40% RH) within an environmental simulation cabin. During these experiments, local skin temperature, core temperature, heart rate, and blood oxygen saturation were measured. The findings revealed distinct variations in the skin temperature of the hand and foot segments across different experimental stages, and significant correlations were observed between heart rate, core temperature, and local skin temperatures. Furthermore, regression models were established to explore the relationship between heart rate and local skin temperatures. By comparing simulated and experimental core and local skin temperatures, the enhanced PHS model was successfully validated. The conclusions drawn from this study provide valuable insights for predicting thermal physiological indices accurately and conveniently in hot-dry and hypobaric environments.

Implementation of Contextual Teaching and Learning Based Physics Module on Newton's Law Material to Improve Critical Thinking Skills of Class X Students

This research consisted of two stages, namely the first stage of developing a CTL-based Physics module using Research and Development, through the ADDIE model approach, and the second stage of experimentation at MA Al-Ihsan Boarding School Riau. The experimental stage is to see the effect of using the developed module on improving students' critical thinking skills. The assessment of students' critical thinking skills used pretest and posttest critical thinking skills questions. Data analysis used SPSS Statistics 24 Software. The results of the module development research showed that the feasibility value by experts was 0.879 in the valid category. This shows that the CTL-based modules produced in this study are considered feasible to be used in learning Newton's Law material. The results of the experimental phase research show that there is a significant effect of the use of CTL-based modules on students' critical thinking skills. In the experimental class, critical thinking before treatment was 43.35, the low category increased to 84 good categories after treatment. Whereas in the control class critical thinking before treatment 39.4 low categories increased to 74 good categories after treatment. This means that the experimental class has further increased its critical thinking compared to the control class. The conclusion of this study is that the CTL-based Physics module on Newton's Law material is valid and the use of the developed module can improve students' critical thinking.

Comparison between the electrical conductivity method and radicle emergence test as a rapid test of sorghum seed vigor

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) belongs to multipurpose crops. All parts of sorghum can be used both as main products and derivative products; some derivative products produced from the sorghum plant consist of sugar, bioethanol, biomass, handicraft raw materials and starch. This study aims to determine the time required for testing the vigor and viability of sorghum seeds using the electrical conductivity and radicle emergence methods. The study was conducted in two experimental stages using a completely randomized design. The first experiment consisted of two factors: the number of sorghum seeds (40, 70 and 100 grains) and the volume of soaking water (75, 100, 125, and 150 ml). The second experiment consisted of two factors: research method (germination/control method, electrical conduction method, and radicle emergence method) and varieties (consisted of Numbu, Kawali, Suri 3, and Suri 4). The first experiment's results showed that the best electrical conductivity method on Suri 4 varieties were 40 seeds and 150 ml water volume. The electrical conductivity value is negatively correlated with Germination capacity, vigor index, growth of speed, maximum growth potential, and sprout growth rate. Time needed for Electrical Conductivity method in this study was three days. The germination period of 96 hours gives the best results on the radicle emergence of sorghum seed varieties. Vigor index, growth of speed, germination capacity, and maximum growth potential are positively correlated with the value of radicula emergence.Keywords: Electrical Conductivity, Radicle emergence, Vigor, Viability, Germination

A Visible Light 3D Positioning System for Underground Mines Based on Convolutional Neural Network Combining Inception Module and Attention Mechanism

To improve the accuracy of personnel positioning in underground coal mines, in this paper, we propose a convolutional neural network (CNN) three-dimensional (3D) visible light positioning (VLP) system based on the Inception-v2 module and efficient channel attention mechanism. The system consists of two LEDs and four photodetectors (PDs), with the four PDs on the miner’s helmet. Considering the height fluctuation of PD and the impact of wall reflection on the received light power, we adopt the Inception module to perform a multi-scale extraction of the features of the received light power, thus solving the limitation of the single-scale convolution kernel on the positioning accuracy. In order to focus on the information that is more critical to positioning among the numerous input features, giving different features of the optical power data corresponding weights, we use an efficient channel attention mechanism to make the positioning model more accurate. The simulation results show that the average positioning error of the system was 1.63 cm in the space of 6 m × 3 m × 3.6 m when both the line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) links were considered, with 90% of the localization errors within 4.55 cm. During the experimental stage, the average positioning error was 11.12 cm, with 90% of the positioning errors within 28.75 cm. These show that the system could achieve centimeter-level positioning accuracy and meet the requirements for underground personnel positioning in coal mines.

Application of AI on Human Resource Management: A Review

Purpose – The aim of this study is to understand how AI technology can be applied in the HRM sector based on the numerous studies. This paper reviews the application of artificial intelligence in human resource management based on the 6 basic dimensions of HRM theory. Design/methodology/approach – This study employs the narrative methodol-ogy for the literature review. We have intentionally avoided the systematic methodology for the litera-ture review, as the methodology requires specific research questions which we believe is beyond the scope of the study. Findings: The paper comes out with a conclusion that AI strongly and posi-tively effects 4 dimensions of HRM theory: recruitment, training and devel-opment of employees, managing employee performance and evaluat-ing salaries of employees whereas the other two dimensions (human re-source strategies and employee relationship management) are still in the experi-mental stage. Though AI is highly accepted, the challenges they face in identi-fying data, creating unbiased data, working on employee happi-ness cannot be ignored. Originality: Extra research we have done showed that in HR they use dif-ferent applications of AI; for example, government departments use the Oracle program in recruitment. Furthermore, the paper has underpinned some worth mentioning literature gaps which open a vast scope of further research. We believe addressing the gaps will help the industry to move towards the right direction for adopting AI technology in the HRM sector

Evaluation of the thermal stability and pyrolysis mechanism of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide and 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide by STA, DSC, TG-FTIR

As a common ILs anion, dicyandiamide ILs is widely used in deep desulfurization and denitrogenation of fuel oil. In this study, two types of dicyandiamide salts containing cations with different carbon chain lengths were selected, 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide ([EMIM]DCN) and 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide ([BMIM]DCN) were selected to investigate. However, under air conditions, the thermal effects of the two ILs are opposite. Therefore, the relationship between carbon chain length and the thermal stability and pyrolysis mechanism of ILs deserves further research. The thermal stability, exothermic properties and pyrolysis mechanism of the two substances under air conditions using simultaneous thermogravimetric analyzer measurements (STA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).Through thermogravimetric experiments, it was found that the apparent activation energies of [EMIM]DCN and [BMIM]DCN were 120 kJ mol−1 and 101 kJ mol−1, respectively. This explain that the carbon chain length is inversely proportional to the thermal stability of ILs. DSC shows that [BMIM]DCN has three exothermic stages and emits a total of 2075.67 J g−1 heat, while [EMIM]DCN has one endothermic stage and one exothermic stage, releasing 343.44 J g−1 heat, compared to [BMIM]DCN, [EMIM]DCN is clearly more secure. Through FTIR experiments, it was found that due to the longer and less stable carbon chain of [BMIM]DCN, it is more prone to oxidative exothermic generation of CO2, thus [BMIM]DCN exhibits exothermic behavior in the first stage of DSC experiments. The carbon chain of [EMIM]DCN is relatively short and stable, so it fails to oxidize to generate sufficient CO2 in the first stage and needs to absorb heat to generate isocyanates. In the third stage, due to the increase in temperature, the carbon atoms of [EMIM]DCN and [BMIM]DCN are oxidized and converted into CO2, releasing enormous heat, which explains the huge exothermic phenomenon in the final DSC experiment.

Coupled effect of waste glass powder and glass fibers on mechanical properties of concrete: A step towards the elimination of non‐biodegradable waste

AbstractSilica, a principal component of waste glass powder (GP) reacts with calcium hydroxide to form the hydration products, and the process is affected by the fineness of GP and the percentage of cement replaced. This study investigates the structural behavior of concrete incorporating GP in reinforced concrete members by 0%–25% (by weight) replacement of cement with GP along with 0%–0.45% addition of glass fibers (GFs). The compressive and tensile strengths, strength activity index (SAI), and failure mode of treated concrete mixtures have revealed the optimum values as 15% replacement of cement with GP with 0.3% of GF. In the second stage of experiment, reinforced concrete beams were cast at various percentages of GP and GF to investigate the load–deflection response. It was observed that the beam specimen treated with GP exhibited considerably less mid‐span deflection (14.8 mm) at failure as compared to the control beam (with no GP and GF) which failed at 29.4 mm. The beam specimen treated with GP only showed significant degradation in stiffness after the peak load due to the fact that a part of GP remains unreacted and acts as a filler. Moreover, the beam specimen cast at optimum percentages of GP (15%) and GF (0.3%) showed large mid‐span deflection and higher failure load as compared to the control beam. These results suggest that the partial replacement of cement with GP should be accompanied by the addition of fibers to avoid unwanted brittle responses of GP concrete, with the additional advantage of reducing the non‐biodegradable waste.

Land cover multiclass classification of wonosobo, Indonesia with time series-based one-dimensional deep learning model

Mapping accurate land cover is critical to support authorities in producing a better land management policy, particularly in Wonosobo, which suffers from increased erosion and sedimentation due to extensive land conversion. Unfortunately, the conventional land cover map is mainly done by manual digitation on the screen, which is highly ineffective and time-consuming. This study presents a lightweight Deep Learning (DL) model to automate land cover mapping. We used one-dimensional CNN (Convolution Neuron Network) or CNN1D alongside Bi-GRU (Gated Recurrent Unit) and FCN (Fully Connected Network) layers to process pixel-based multivariate time-series dataset extracted from satellite imagery of Landsat 8 OLI (Operational Land Imager). Sampling points were gathered from the ground survey, and visual inspection via Google Earth was used to extract pixel values from multi-temporal imageries. During the model fitting which repeated 10 times, our model delivered a consistent performance with a mean peak validation score of 0.925 and a mean training score of 0.929. In the experiments stage, we added two more band indices into the main features; however, our model performance did not experience a noticeable improvement. Compared to other well-known DL models as well as traditional ML models, our model performed better and showed strong stability in accuracy, precision, and f1-score metrics for each land cover class. These results show that our proposed model can potentially improve the efficiency of the automation of land cover mapping.

Methods and standards of pollen monitoring—significance of pollen measurements at different altitudes

Abstract Background The measurement of pollen concentrations has been performed according to various protocols in recent decades. In all approaches the following questions were of importance: the positioning of the measuring device (whether at roof or nose level), the reliability as well as the comparability of measurements. Methods Current methods for pollen measurements and previous studies on measurement heights are presented and compared. Results The most widely used device is the Hirst pollen and spore trap. Its data is widely used for pollen information, pollen prediction models, and clinical studies. The position of the trap at roof level remains the current standard as the pollen concentrations correlate best with “real world” situation and regional symptom data. Conclusion The guideline for the detection of pollen and spores for allergy networks (EN 16868:2019-09) in Europe was an important step towards standardization. Modern, automated measurement methods are still in experimental stage in terms of validation and comparability. Harmonization of data from different measurement methods is a future challenge.

Sclerotherapy Impact in Modern Treatment Methods of Children With Extracranial Venous Malformations

Relevance.Venous malformation is an abnormal development of the collecting blood vessels based on the vascular wall formation disorder, which occurs during the peripheral vascular network differentiation. According to various sources, venous malformation prevalence ranges from 1 to 2 in 10 000 newborns. Head and neck VMs significantly reduce patients’ quality of life, causing severe functional and aesthetic impairments. Sclerotherapy is an effective treatment method for children with venous malformations. In recent years, bleomycin has been the most commonly used sclerosant. It is a glycopeptide antibiotic synthesized by Streptomyces verticillus and belongs to cytostatic medications. It is successfully used for venous malformations sclerotherapy, also in children. Purpose. The study aimed to improve the sclerotherapy method by combining the advantages of foam-form sclerotherapy and bleomycin. Materials and methods. We provided experimental and clinical stages of the study. There were 48 samples of rats’ external femoral veins morphologically examined in the experimental stage. We divided the rats into 2 groups depending on the administrated agent: the first group – 3% polidocanol (lauromacrogol 400), the second group – bleomycin-polidocanol mini-foam composition. The histological assessment identified the changes in the vein endothelium, necrosis of tissue structures, cell dystrophy characteristics. In the clinical stage we also divided patients into 2 groups following the same treatment protocols as in the experimental stage. The results assessment included presence or absence of clinical manifestations and magnetic resonance imaging malformation features. Results.In the experimental stage the first group, in which the bleomycin-polidocanol mini-foam composition was used, demonstrated more pronounced irreversible changes in the venous vessel endothelium compared to the second group. In the clinical stage the second group where bleomycin-polidocanol mini-foam composition was used showed rather good and satisfied results than in the group where standard polidocanol technique was carried out. Conclusions.The study revealed that the proposed method of venous malformation sclerotherapy using new bleomycin-polidocanol mini-foam composition is more effective than the polidocanol foam-form sclerotherapy. The new method is highly effective, minimally invasive, safe and can be considered an independent treatment method in children with head and neck venous malformations.

Assessing the impacts of zeolite on water quality, growth performance, heavy metal content and health condition of farmed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The rapid expansion and intensification of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) aquaculture in Bangladesh results in an increasing tendency of administering more pharmaceuticals in fish health management. Hence, with the aim of investigating the effects of zeolite (a water and sediment treatment compound) on water quality, growth performance, hematology, gut microbial content, and heavy metal content of Oreochromis niloticus, an experiment was performed for 126 days in six experimental earthen ponds (each pond size is one decimal). The stocking density was 300 fry/decimal. Zeolite was applied directly into the water in treatment ponds at a rate of 200 g/decimal during pond preparation and 100 g/decimal/15 days intervals during the culture period as recommended by the manufacturing company. The results indicated that zeolite had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on all growth indices assessed in all three experimental stages (0–42 days, 43–84 days, 85–126 days) in treatment ponds compared to control ones, except condition factor (CF) at the first stage. Hematological results implied that the application of zeolite in treatment pond water had no significant effect on the red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) of experimental fish blood compared to the control. However, a significant effect on the blood glucose level and total viable count (TVC) of the experimental fish gut was observed due to the addition of zeolite in the treatment ponds. Zeolite supplementation in treatment pond water significantly reduced the concentrations of different heavy metals in pond sediment, water and fish flesh compared to the control. Therefore, zeolite could be recommended for administration in aquaculture. Further research is required to find out whether a higher or lower dose of zeolite improves the water quality, growth performance and health condition, and decreases the heavy metal content of fish or not.