A significant advantage of membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) lies in its ability to achieve medium to high water recovery rates. A prototype of MCDI unit demonstrated a recovery around 68% while consistently achieving salt removal efficiencies of ≥ 90% from feed water with a total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration of 1490 mg/L. However, the presence of coagulant-derived multivalent ions, particularly Fe2+, Fe3+, and Al3+, poses a challenge to long-term salt rejection efficiency. When Fe3+ or Al3+ was present at concentrations near 10 mg/L in feed water with a TDS of ~400 mg/L, the residual iron or aluminum concentration in the treated water exceeded the permissible limits defined by drinking water standards. Despite high removal efficiencies (> 90%) for key cations including Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Al3+, Fe2+, and Fe3+, regeneration studies revealed a distinct desorption trend: Mg2+ > Na+ > Ca2+ > Al3+ > Fe2+ ≈ Fe3+. This trend indicates that Fe3+ and Fe2+ are the most strongly retained and thus the most scale-forming ion in MCDI systems, followed by Al3+. Salt adsorption capacity of NaCl is 0.66-4.14 mg/g and modeled using the modified Donnan model effectively described the nonlinear adsorption behavior and also for all other systems with and without coagulant ions. Due to the presence of divalent ions, Donnan potential decreased compared to NaCl system without coagulant ions. The presence of coagulant ions further decreased the Donnan potential. Energy consumed 68.2-78.6 kT/ion and mostly increased to 60.6-101.3 kT/ion during partially choked condition. Post-operational surface analyses using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the accumulation of these metal ions on the carbon electrode surfaces. The observed deposition of oxide and hydroxide of coagulant ions significantly impacts long-term MCDI performance, underscoring the need for pretreatment strategies and electrode material optimization to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of MCDI in domestic water purification applications.

The present study was conducted to assess the influence of turmeric (Curcuma domestica ) and white turmeric (Curcuma zedoaria) supplementation through drinking water on growth performance, carcass traits, and gut microbiota of superior native chickens. The experiment was carried out for eight weeks at Sesetan Farm, Faculty of Animal Science, Udayana University, involving 100 superior native chickens aged seven days with relatively homogeneous initial body weights. The study employed a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of four dietary treatments with five replications. The treatments included P0 (drinking water without supplementation), P1 (drinking water supplemented with 4% turmeric), P2 (drinking water supplemented with 4% white turmeric), and P3 (drinking water supplemented with a combination of 2% turmeric and 2% white turmeric). Parameters evaluated comprised production performance, carcass characteristics, and intestinal microbial populations, which were determined using the Total Plate Count (TPC) technique. The findings indicated that supplementation with turmeric and white turmeric did not significantly affect feed intake, water consumption, or feed conversion ratio. Nevertheless, birds receiving 4% turmeric supplementation exhibited higher body weight gain, final body weight, slaughter weight, and carcass weight. Furthermore, the inclusion of herbal supplements was associated with a reduction in pathogenic intestinal bacteria, particularly coliforms. In conclusion, turmeric demonstrates potential as a natural feed additive for improving productivity in superior native chicken production.

Increasing operational efficiency in power generation systems is crucial in overcoming the increasing energy demand, especially in the industrial sector. One solution to improve the efficiency is to optimize the use of economizer in the boiler of Steam Power Plant (PLTU). This study analyzes the impact of using an economizer in a 240 ton/hour capacity CFB boiler at PT X on system efficiency and fuel consumption. The results of the analysis show that the use of an economizer can increase the average feed water temperature from 207.73°C to 298.96°C, with a temprature increase of 91.23°C. This temperature increase reflects the economizer's ability to utilize flue gas heat to heat the feed water, which has an impact on reducing fuel consumption by 17.18%, from 45716.56 kg/hour to 37862.50 kg/hour. The boiler efficiency also increased significantly, from 68.36% to 82.54%, which shows the positive impact of the economizer on boiler performance. This study concludes that the use of economizer can improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel consumption, and is recommended to be applied to large capacity boiler systems to optimize energy savings and operational efficiency. Further research is needed to explore the influence of other variables on economizer and boiler performance in more depth.

While probiotic supplementation via feed or drinking water is well known to improve poultry gut health by modulating the microbiota and enhancing immune function, the effects of in ovo supplementation remain largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the effects of administering a lactobacilli cocktail in ovo (embryonic day 18), post-hatch, and in combination on gut immunity and the succession of the cecal microbiota in broilers over 5 weeks. 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing of cecal contents revealed a steady increase in Shannon diversity during the first 2 weeks (PERMANOVA, p < 0.005), with community structure stabilizing by week 3 across all groups. In ovo administration of lactobacilli improved early hatch rates and modulated microbial composition during early succession, including reductions in Klebsiella and Enterococcus, and enrichment of Lactobacillus, during the first two weeks (MaAsLin2, q < 0.25). These microbiome shifts were accompanied by a reduction in the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-8 in the cecal tonsils. These findings highlight the transient yet critical role of early-life probiotic interventions in shaping gut microbial colonization and immune response in broiler chickens. More importantly, a single in ovo lactobacilli dose yielded effects comparable to weekly oral or combined administration.

Semi-autogenous (SAG) milling represents one of the most energy-intensive and variable stages of copper mineral processing. Traditional deterministic models often fail to capture the nonlinear dependencies and uncertainty inherent in industrial operations such as granulometry, solids percentage in the feeding or hardness. This work develops and validates a stochastic model based on Discrete Bayesian networks (BNs) to represent the causal relationships governing SAG Production and SAG Power under uncertainty or partial knowledge of explanatory variables. Discretization is adopted for methodological reasons as well as for operational relevance, since SAG plant decisions are typically made using threshold-based categories. Using operational data from a Chilean mining operation, the model fitted integrates expert-guided structure learning (Hill-Climbing with BDeu/BIC scores) and Bayesian parameter estimation with Dirichlet priors. Although validation indicators show high predictive performance (R2 ≈ 0.85—0.90, RMSE &lt; 0.5 bin, and micro-AUC ≈ 0.98), the primary purpose of the BN is not exact regression but explainable causal inference and probabilistic scenario evaluation. Sensitivity analysis identified water feed and solids percentage as key drivers of throughput (SAG Production), while rotational speed and pressure governed SAG Power behavior. The BN framework effectively balances accuracy and interpretability, offering an explainable probabilistic representation of SAG dynamics. These results demonstrate the potential of stochastic modeling to enhance process control and support uncertainty-aware decision making.

Effects of poultry droppings on water quality, growth performance, feed utilization, and survival of Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton, 1822) under a vertical integrated fish-poultry farming system

Optimisation of a grid-connected hybrid solar-wind system for reverse osmosis desalination in Bahrain considering seasonal variations

The article is devoted to the study of factors associated with the excessive growth of the saiga population in Western Kazakhstan. Based on long-term retrospective and operational ecological and epizootiological monitoring, the article presents some factors in the habitats of the Ural saiga population. Based on their own research, the article analyzes the role of biotic factors associated with the impact of various pathogens that contribute to the emergence and spread of diseases both in the past and in the present. Using epizootiological, clinical, pathoanatomical, and laboratory methods, the authors identify the causes of the mass death of saigas in the West Kazakhstan region in 2010-2011. By analyzing the epizootic situation among productive and non-productive animals in the habitat and migration zone of saigas, a causal relationship has been established between the occurrence of diseases among saigas and the current situation. A number of nosological forms caused by biotic factors are illustrated in the article's figures. The authors of the article describe the occurrence of abiotic factors in the habitat of the Ural saiga population. They also provide examples of the impact of these risk factors on other animals both in Kazakhstan and beyond its borders. In addition to biotic and abiotic factors, the authors present the results of the impact of anthropogenic factors. These risks are caused by habitat disturbances for saiga antelopes due to changes in land use, uncontrolled growth of livestock numbers in farms and personal plots, which has led to conflicts with agricultural producers and animal owners over feed resources and water sources.

The advancement of aeration systems is crucial in enhancing the productivity and sustainability of super-intensive whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) farming. Therefore, this study aims to introduce and evaluate the performance of a novel aeration technology, namely Do-It-Yourself Microbubble (DIYM O2Rs), designed to optimize dissolved oxygen levels in shrimp ponds. The experiment was conducted using three treatments, including (1) DIYM O2Rs, (2) conventional Root Blower aerators, and (3) a combination of both systems. Post-larval shrimp with an initial average weight of 0.15 ± 0.07 g were stocked at a high density of 500 ind/m3. Parameters analyzed were dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, growth rate, feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival rate, and water quality indicators. The results showed that DIYM O2Rs significantly improved shrimp growth rate and size to 0.20 ± 0.005 g/day and 64.18 ± 7.24 (ind/kg), respectively. These observations suggest that DIYM O2Rs is an alternative aeration solution, and the adoption can enhance water quality, shrimp health, and production efficiency, contributing to more sustainable super-intensive farming practices.

Background. The aggravation of the problem of antimicrobial resistance caused by the irrational use of antibiotics in agriculture and aquaculture necessitates the search for sustainable and safe alternatives. Bacteriocins are ribosomally synthesized antimicrobial peptides of bacterial origin. A class of natural compounds for combating resistant pathogens with minimal environmental impact. This review explores the complex potential of using bacteriocins as an alternative to antibiotics. A detailed analysis of the structural diversity, classification approaches, and established mechanisms of antimicrobial action was carried out, including disruption of cell membrane integrity, inhibition of cell wall synthesis, and inhibition of nucleic acid and protein production. Key bacteriocin-producing genera (Bacillus, Streptomyces, and Pseudomonas) and their biologically active metabolites have been identified. The analysis of bacteriocins’ use in agriculture, in particular their role as agents of biocontrol of phytopathogens, plant growth promoters, as well as means of improving the health and productivity of farm animals and birds. Their potential in aquaculture for disease control (directed against pathogens such as Vibrio spp., Aeromonas spp., Yersinia ruckeri), water quality improvement, and feed conservation is considered, which helps reduce dependence on the preventive use of antibiotics. Despite significant achievements, challenges remain related to in vivo efficacy assessment, development of delivery systems, the possibility of resistance development, and regulatory aspects. Addressing these issues is a key condition for realizing the potential of bacteriocins as environmentally sound tools for ensuring food security and sustainable development of terrestrial and aquaculture systems. Purpose. The aim of this review is to comprehensively analyze the potential of bacteriocins as a sustainable alternative to antibiotics in agriculture and aquaculture. This involves summarizing current knowledge on their structural diversity, classification, mechanisms of antimicrobial action, key producer genera, and practical applications in crop production, livestock farming, and aquaculture disease management. Materials and methods. This study is a descriptive review. The material for the analysis was composed of contemporary scientific literature sourced from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The methodology included a systematic search, selection, and critical analysis of publications focusing on bacteriocin production, classification, mechanisms of action, and their applications in terrestrial and aquatic agricultural systems. The review synthesizes data from in vitro and in vivo studies to present a holistic overview of the field. Results. The analysis reveals the significant structural and functional diversity of bacteriocins, which can be classified into several classes (e.g., lantibiotics, unmodified peptides) based on genetic and structural criteria. Their antimicrobial mechanisms are multifaceted, primarily involving pore formation in target cell membranes, inhibition of cell wall synthesis (e.g., via lipid II binding), and disruption of nucleic acid and protein synthesis. Key soil-derived genera, including Bacillus, Streptomyces, and Pseudomonas, are prolific producers of diverse bacteriocins with activity against major plant, animal, and aquatic pathogens (e.g., Listeria, MRSA, Aeromonas, and Vibrio). In agriculture, bacteriocins demonstrate potential as biocontrol agents against phytopathogens and as plant growth promoters. In aquaculture, their applications span disease control, water quality improvement, feed preservation, and use as probiotic supplements, contributing to enhanced animal health and reduced reliance on prophylactic antibiotics. Conclusion. Bacteriocins emerge as a highly promising and environmentally sound tool for enhancing the sustainability and productivity of both terrestrial and aquatic agricultural systems. Their targeted activity against key pathogens, role in biocontrol and growth stimulation, and ability to preserve product quality with minimal impact on beneficial microbiota underscore their potential. However, translating this potential into practical, scalable solutions necessitates addressing several challenges. Future efforts must focus on robust in vivo efficacy testing, the development of effective delivery systems, understanding the risks of resistance development, and navigating the regulatory landscape. Interdisciplinary research is crucial to bridge the gap between laboratory findings and field application. Sponsorship information. This work was carried out as part of the project «Development of personalized feeds of a new generation with plant and probiotic additives to increase the survival rate and improve the health of fish» (FZNE-2023-0003). EDN: OXIRFN

Steam Power Plants (PLTU) have an important role in providing reliable electrical energy for the community and industrial sector. One of the components that affect the thermal efficiency of the generating system is the Low Pressure Heater (LPH), which functions to heat feed water using heat from turbine extraction steam. This study was conducted at LPH 4 Unit 4 at PT PLN Nusantara Power UP Gresik with the aim of assessing the performance of the equipment based on the ASME PTC 12.1 standard, through the analysis of three main parameters, namely Terminal Temperature Difference (TTD), Drain Cooler Approach (DCA), and Temperature Rise (TR). The method used is quantitativedescriptive with operational data collection from July to August 2025. The results of the analysis show that the actual TTD value is much higher than the commissioning value, which indicates a decrease in the effectiveness of heat transfer. Meanwhile, the DCA and TR values are still close to the commissioning value so that the condensate heating and cooling process can be said to be running efficiently. The decline in performance in TTD is thought to be influenced by the age of the LPH, variations in operating loads, and suboptimal data collection patterns. These findings provide important input for PLTU managers in improving system reliability and efficiency through regular maintenance and optimizing performance monitoring methods.

Arid zones, such as the MENA regions and the Sahara countries, are experiencing significant water stress. To address this global challenge, desalination technologies provide a crucial solution, particularly the reverse osmosis (RO) technique, which is widely used to treat Seawater or Brackish water. Mauritania is among the countries facing a scarcity of potable water resources and relies on desalination technologies to meet its water demand. In this work, a numerical and experimental study was carried out on the functional and productive parameters of the Nouadhibou desalination plant in Mauritania using MATLAB/Simulink (R2016a). The study considered two operating scenarios: with and without the energy recovery unit. The objective of this paper is to perform an analytical study of the operating procedures of the Nouadhibou RO desalination plant by varying several parameters, such as the pressure exchanger, and the feed water mixing ratio in the pressure exchanger unit, etc., in order to determine the system’s optimal operating point. This paper analyzes the system’s performance under different conditions, including recovery rate, feed water temperature, and PEX splitter ratio. In Case No. 1 (without a pressure recovery unit), and with a recovery rate of 20%, doubling the plant’s productivity from 400 to 800 m3/d requires 400 kW of power. In contrast, in Case No. 2 (with a pressure recovery unit), achieving the same productivity requires only 100 kW, with a 75% of energy saving. When the desalination plant operates at a productivity of 400 m3/d@40%, the SPC decreases from 6 kWh/m3 (Case No. 1) to 2.7 kWh/m3 (Case No. 2), resulting in a 55% specific power consumption saving. The results also indicate that power consumption increases with both feed water temperature and PEX splitter ratio, while variations in these parameters have a negligible effect on permeate salinity.

Purpose: This community service activity aims to introduce and enhance the understanding of green accounting among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in aquaculture, particularly fish farmers in Desa Cogreg, Kecamatan Parung, Bogor. The purpose is to increase accounting literacy, integrate environmental aspects into financial recording, promote cost efficiency, and raise awareness of business sustainability. Methodology/approach: The activity used a participatory–educative approach involving 25 fish farmers, with observation and interviews in the preparation stage, followed by counseling, discussions, and distribution of a simple FCR module. Evaluation focused on participants’ responses and their needs for further training and mentoring. Results/findings: The counseling increased participants’ understanding of green accounting. Although unfamiliar, they recognized existing eco-friendly practices—water reuse, feed efficiency, and sludge utilization—as recordable financial activities. Findings revealed a gap between ecological awareness and accounting documentation, emphasizing the need for recording formats Conclusions: The program found that green accounting in MSMEs remains at a pre-integration stage, with environmental awareness present but lacking systematic documentation. The activity improved initial literacy, though sustained mentoring and simple tools are still needed, and the study was limited by a small sample and short observation period. Limitations: This activity was limited by a small sample size, a single location, and a short observation period, which restricted the generalizability and long-term evaluation of the results. Contribution: This program links green accounting theory with MSME aquaculture practices, offering a community service model that supports sustainability and provides a replicable framework for similar future interventions.

Small-scale tilapia aquaculture is constrained by labor shortages, inefficient feed management, and difficulties in maintaining stable water quality, all of which limit productivity and sustainability. Rising feeding costs account for over 50 percent of operational expenses, while disease outbreaks linked to limited genetic acclimatization exacerbate stress and growth issues, further threatening industry profitability. Existing “intelligent” feeding systems often focus on either environmental monitoring or image-based biomass estimation, but rarely integrate both in a low-cost, real-time solution suitable for smallholders. To address these constraints, this study introduces an intelligent feeding system that integrates Internet of Things (IoT) sensors for water quality monitoring with a You Look Only Once (YOLO)v8-based computer vision model for real-time biomass estimation. The system automatically adjusts feeding based on live video analysis and environmental data. The YOLOv8 model achieved a 42.2 percent improvement in precision and a 9.2 percent increase in mean average precision (mAP) over two development stages. The IoT water quality monitoring system (WQMS) demonstrated 98 percent accuracy compared to benchmark data from the Yellow Springs Intrument (YSI) Professional Plus. Real-time deployment at the International Institute of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences (I-AQUAS), Universiti Putra Malaysia, validated the system’s capability to reduce feed wastage and maintain water quality. By addressing the dual challenges of feed inefficiency and water quality degradation, this integrated solution enhances farm management efficiency, reduces costs, and strengthens the sustainability and competitiveness of small-scale tilapia aquaculture.

This study quantified nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) budgets in tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) cultured for 10 months in fertilized and unfertilized ponds in a tropical region. Juveniles (94 ± 15 g) were stocked at 0.55 fish m−2 in 600-m2 ponds, with four replicates per treatment. Inputs consisted of water, feed, fish, and fertilizer, whereas outputs included harvested fish, sediment, and outlet water. Feed and inlet water were the primary sources of nutrients in the pond systems, while outlet water and fish biomass represented the major nutrient outputs. Total N input was higher in fertilized ponds, whereas total P input was similar between treatments. Feed contributed a larger proportion of total N and P in unfertilized ponds than in fertilized ponds. In fertilized ponds, fertilizer accounted for 19% of total N and 6% of total P. Total N and P outputs did not differ between treatments, although N output showed high variability due to sediment accumulation. Fish recovered 15–20% of N and 22% of P inputs. Greater N use efficiency was observed in unfertilized ponds. Overall, fertilization did not improve nutrient recovery or total nutrient output but reduced feed inputs, suggesting that fertilizer, particularly nitrogen, should be carefully evaluated regarding its environmental and economic relevance in tambaqui pond culture.

The technological and economic efficiency of membrane water purification installations depends largely on the quality of the medium supplied to the devices carrying out the process. For typical technological solutions of desalination and demineralization systems, consisting of reverse osmotic membranes followed by nanofiltration membranes and electrodeionization units, pre-treatment of the feed water is required to meet the requirements of osmotic membrane manufacturers. The preliminary treatment of water aims to limit the phenomenon of membrane fouling, which is mainly caused by suspended solids, colloidal substances, and natural organic matter present in the water. The paper presents the results of research conducted in the technical coagulation/flocculation with sand ballasted sedimentation system followed by ultrafiltration units, used as preliminary water purification before osmotic membranes. Standard monitoring measurements were unable to detect situations where the process parameters deviated from the values determined during jar tests. Additionally, the obtained results of the research showed that coagulation/flocculation process can be conducted according to the criterion of minimizing the pressure loss during the filtration cycle and the strategy of maximizing pre-treatment effectiveness preceding ultrafiltration membranes. The condition for ensuring such parameters is the use of appropriate tools allowing for effective operational monitoring of the process. The results of the research on the application of a simple vacuum filtration test showed that it is a particularly good tool for monitoring and controlling the operational parameters of coagulation. During the research, high correlation was shown between the filtration time values of samples and the quality of the raw water feeding the treatment system, which affected the subsequent course of ultrafiltration. Similar dependencies were observed in clarified water supplied to UF membranes.

The giant trevally Caranx ignobilis (family Carangidae) is an iconic apex predatory fish valued by recreational and commercial fisheries globally. A seasonal but episodic aggregation of up to ∼1 000 individuals takes place in the Mtentu Estuary in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, every year; however, the reason behind this unique aggregation is unknown. With the aim of understanding various aspects of their movement patterns, 10 individuals (sized 430–1 030 mm FL) were tagged with acoustic transmitters in the estuary and subsequently monitored by passive acoustic receivers in the estuary and adjacent coastal environment for up to 3.6 years. The results showed clear movement patterns, including repeated daily migrations between the upper estuary (∼4 km upstream) during the day and the mouth region or into the sea at night. Statistical modelling revealed that sea temperature was the main environmental variable associated with their pattern of daily estuarine presence/absence. During summer, the daytime temperature of the surface waters in the deep and thermally stratified Mtentu Estuary may be 3–6 °C warmer than the subsurface waters, providing a more suitable thermal environment for this tropical to subtropical species. Notwithstanding the possibility of other environmental drivers, we propose that adult C. ignobilis utilise the Mtentu Estuary during periods of cold coastal upwelling, primarily as a thermal refuge, specifically for daily re-warming after nocturnal feeding in colder water. The maintenance of this site as a no-take (no fishing) zone, as well as encouragement of tourism-linked incentives to increase local custodianship, are strongly recommended to protect this vulnerable aggregation.

ABSTRACT This study presents a numerical and experimental investigation of the effect of flash evaporation on the thermal performance of a wickless heat pipe used in desalination applications. Moreover, this study examines the factors that affect flashing efficiency, such as the feed water mass flow rate, inlet temperature, and cooling water flow rate. The thermal performance of a wickless heat pipe with flash evaporation caused by a micro‐scale jet nozzle with a 0.4 mm diameter is evaluated using 3D numerical simulations with ANSYS Fluent 22.2. The two configurations of the heat pipe are studied based on the nozzle position. In the first configuration, the nozzle is located far from the condenser. In the second configuration, the nozzle is positioned close to the condenser. These two cases are examined under three water mass flow rates (0.00138, 0.0022, and 0.0025 kg/s) to evaluate the influence of nozzle position on flash evaporation intensity and overall thermal performance. Results showed that the first configuration exhibits superior thermal performance, a higher condensation mass flow rate, and greater flash efficiency compared with the second configuration. The optimum performance is achieved at an inlet mass flow rate of 0.0022 kg/s, where the flash efficiency reaches up to 78%, confirming that increasing the distance between the nozzle and the condenser enhances the flashing and condensation processes.

Indonesia has great potential in the freshwater aquaculture sector, particularly in South Lampung Regency, which contributes significantly to the supply of freshwater fish. However, the inability of farmers to meet consumer and market demand has led to stagnation in the development of freshwater fish farming businesses. Based on these issues, the researchers hypothesized that there were constraints on the capacity of farmers in the freshwater fish farming process. This study aimed to determine the level of capacity of farmers in the freshwater fish farming subsystem in Palas Subdistrict, South Lampung Regency. The study was conducted in March–April 2025 with 94 respondents. The method used was descriptive analysis with a quantitative approach. The results showed that the capacity of farmers in the aquaculture subsystem was good in the stages of seedling distribution and harvest handling, but improvements were needed in the stages of seedling and pond water selection, pond preparation, feeding, water quality and fish health management, waste management, market analysis, and product promotion so that production could be optimal and sustainable.

Geochemical characteristics and environmental indications of heavy metals in sediments from different aquaculture areas and adjacent waters of Zhanjiang Bay.