Fiber Profiles Research Articles

PSIV-26 Extent of use of supplemental feeding in beef cattle operations across the Southeast: A report of the regional survey

Abstract With input costs on the rise, researchers and producers, alike, are seeking alternative management strategies for profitable and sustainable beef production. Studies suggest that supplemental feed provided to grazing cattle may be used to offset some of the cost. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the extent of supplemental feeding programs in the southeastern US and which feeds may be used in these programs. Thus, the objective of this study was to better understand supplemental feeding practices and choices among beef producers in the southeastern US. To address this objective, a 24-question survey was distributed through Extension and commodity organizations to beef producers across the Southeast. This survey received 118 complete responses. The majority of respondents operated cow-calf production systems (65.6%) on either tall fescue or bermudagrass pastures (32.7 and 28.0%, respectively). Approximately 88% of these producers employed some type of supplemental feeding strategy, but there is no clear decision on whether commodity or byproduct feedstuffs were preferred. The leading commodity used was corn (61.4%), while common byproducts included whole cottonseed, corn gluten feed, and soybean hulls (17.1, 16.6, and 14.4%, respectively). At the end of the survey, the participants were asked to submit a sample of their byproduct supplements to have a nutritive analysis completed to better understand what nutritional components the products they are feeding contain and how they may vary from place to place. Some of the products that were sent in include whole cottonseed, cotton byproduct, corn gluten meal, distillers grain, chicken litter, and others. The nutritional test being run on these samples included crude protein and fiber analysis. The crude protein of the samples received ranged from 13.3% to 30.3% with an average of 21.5%. The fiber profile received ranged from 45.5% to 76.3% with an average of 59.9%. With the information recorded from these tests, recommendations can be provided on different feeding methods in both commercial settings as well as research settings.

Emergence of high-mass stars in complex fiber networks (EMERGE). IV. Environmental dependence of the fiber widths

Despite their variety of scales throughout the interstellar medium, filaments in nearby low-mass clouds appear to have a characteristic width of sim 0.1 pc from the analysis of Herschel observations. The validity and origin of this characteristic width, however, has been a matter of intense discussions during the last decade. We made use of the EMERGE Early ALMA Survey comprising seven targets among low- (OMC-4 South, NGC 2023), intermediate- (OMC-2, OMC-3, LDN 1641N), and high-mass (OMC-1, Flame Nebula) star-forming regions in Orion, which include different physical conditions, star formation histories, mass, and density regimes. All targets were homogeneously surveyed at high-spatial resolution (4.5 or sim 2000 au) in N$_2$H$^+$ (1$-$0) using a dedicated series of ALMA+IRAM-30m observations, and previous works identified a total of 152 fibers throughout this sample. Here, we aim to characterise the variation in the fiber widths under the different conditions explored by this survey. We characterised the column density and temperature radial profiles of fibers using the automatic fitting routine FilChap, and systematically quantified its main physical properties (i.e. peak column density, width, and temperature gradient). The Orion fibers show a departure from the isothermal condition with significant outward temperature gradients with $ T_ K > 30$ K pc$^ $. The presence of such temperature gradients suggests a change in the equation of state for fibers. By fitting their radial profiles, we report a median full width at half maximum ($FWHM$) of $ 0.05$ pc for the Orion fibers, with a corresponding median aspect ratio of $ Along with their median, the $FWHM$ values for individual cuts are consistently below the proposed characteristic width of 0.1 pc. More relevantly, we observe a systematic variation in these fiber $FWHM$ between different regions in our sample. We also find a direct inverse dependence of the fiber $FWHM$ on their central column density, $N_0$, above $ $ cm$^ $, which agrees with the expected $N_0-FWHM$ anti-correlation predicted in previous theoretical studies. Our homogeneous analysis returns the first observational evidence of an intrinsic and systematic variation in the fiber widths across different star-forming regions. While sharing comparable mass, length, and kinematic properties in all of our targets, fibers appear to adjust their $FWHM$ to their density and to the pressure in their host environment.

Effect of Carbohydrase Treatment on the Dietary Fibers and Bioactive Compounds of Cocoa Bean Shells (CBSs).

Cocoa bean shells (CBSs) are a byproduct of the chocolate production process, representing the external layer of the cocoa bean. CBSs exhibit many interesting chemical and nutritional characteristics resulting in a very rich content of dietary fiber (DF) and antioxidant compounds such as phenolic acids and flavan-3-ols. The DF fraction of CBSs is notably rich in soluble dietary fibers (SDFs), which may be associated with fermentability and prebiotic properties. The objective of this study was the valorization of CBSs through enzymatic treatments, thereby increasing the solubility of DF and potentially augmenting fermentability. CBSs were treated both raw and defatted. Three sets of carbohydrases were used in order to impact the dietary fiber profile. Cellulase, xylanase, pectinase and their combinations were used to perform enzymatic treatments. The application of cellulase, xylanase and a combination of both enzymes proved effective in achieving a high SDF destructuring of the insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) fraction in both defatted and raw CBSs. Notably, the SDF/IDF ratio was significantly elevated in the enzymatically hydrolyzed samples (1.13-1.33) compared to the untreated CBSs (0.33). Furthermore, the various treatments did not affect the antioxidant activity or the content of the main bioactive compounds. These results provide a foundation for new opportunities in the biovalorization of CBSs through green techniques for a range of potential industrial applications in the food and nutraceutical sectors.

Research Progress on the Regulating Factors of Muscle Fiber Heterogeneity in Livestock: A Review.

The type of muscle fiber plays a crucial role in the growth, development, and dynamic plasticity of animals' skeletal muscle. Additionally, it is a primary determinant of the quality of both fresh and processed meat. Therefore, understanding the regulatory factors that contribute to muscle fibers' heterogeneity is of paramount importance. Recent advances in sequencing and omics technologies have enabled comprehensive cross-verification of research on the factors affecting the types of muscle fiber across multiple levels, including the genome, transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome. These advancements have facilitated deeper exploration into the related biological questions. This review focused on the impact of individual characteristics, feeding patterns, and genetic regulation on the proportion and interconversion of different muscle fibers. The findings indicated that individual characteristics and feeding patterns significantly influence the type of muscle fiber, which can effectively enhance the type and distribution of muscle fibers in livestock. Furthermore, non-coding RNA, genes and signaling pathways between complicated regulatory mechanisms and interactions have a certain degree of impact on muscle fibers' heterogeneity. This, in turn, changes muscle fiber profile in living animals through genetic selection or environmental factors, and has the potential to modulate the quality of fresh meat. Collectively, we briefly reviewed the structure of skeletal muscle tissue and then attempted to review the inevitable connection between the quality of fresh meat and the type of muscle fiber, with particular attention to potential events involved in regulating muscle fibers' heterogeneity.

Detailed Phytochemical Composition, Cyto-/Hepatotoxicity, and Antioxidant/Anti-Inflammatory Profile of Moroccan Spices: A Study on Coriander, Caraway, and Mystical Cumin.

Coriander, caraway, and mystical cumin are famous for their aromatic properties and widely used in Moroccan cuisine. The nutritional/phytochemical composition of their seeds (used for food flavoring and preservation) were compared. Their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and hepatotoxic effects were also explored. The fat content was similar among the samples (13%), with monounsaturated fatty acids being predominant. The coriander and mystical cumin seeds were extremely rich in C18:1n9c (81 and 85%, respectively) while, in the caraway, C18:1n12 (25%) was found together with C18:1n9c (32%). The caraway seeds also presented a higher proportion of C18:2n6c (34%) than the other seeds (13 and 8%, correspondingly). γ-Tocotrienol was the major vitamin E form in all the samples. The caraway seeds contained double the amount of protein (~18%) compared to the other seeds (~8%) but, qualitatively, the amino acid profiles among all seeds were similar. The seeds were also rich in dietary fiber (40-53%); however, differences were found in their fiber profiles. Caraway showed the highest antioxidant profile and anti-inflammatory activity and an LC-DAD-ESI/MSn analysis revealed great differences in the phenolic profiles of the samples. Cytotoxicity (NCI-H460, AGS, MCF-7, and CaCo2) and hepatotoxicity (RAW 264.7) were not observed. In sum, besides their flavoring/preservation properties, these seeds are also relevant source of bioactive compounds with health-promoting activities.

Dynamic control of cascaded four-wave mixing via re-configurable dispersion.

We integrate a spatial light modulator-based dispersion controller into a cascaded four-wave mixing (CFWM) system. By tuning the group delay dispersion (GDD) and fourth-order dispersion (FOD) terms, we control the CFWM phase matching and demonstrate an output bandwidth tuning of over 3.3×. At the maximum bandwidth, our system covers the telecommunications S-, C-, and L-bands (1466-1641 nm) with an average output power of 300 mW, which is contained in 52 individual lines spaced 374 GHz apart. This method represents a reconfigurable alternative to photonic crystal fibers for dispersion engineering and allows for the use of step-index fiber and customizable power spectral density (PSD) profiles.

A Modified Near Field Method for Measuring the Refractive Index Profile and Geometrical Parameters of Multi-Core Fibers

A Modified Near Field Method for Measuring the Refractive Index Profile and Geometrical Parameters of Multi-Core Fibers

Expression profile analysis of cotton fiber secondary cell wall thickening stage.

To determine the genes associated with the fiber strength trait in cotton, three different cotton cultivars were selected: Sea Island cotton (Xinhai 32, with hyper-long fibers labeled as HL), and upland cotton (17-24, with long fibers labeled as L, and 62-33, with short fibers labeled as S). These cultivars were chosen to assess fiber samples with varying qualities. RNA-seq technology was used to analyze the expression profiles of cotton fibers at the secondary cell wall (SCW) thickening stage (20, 25, and 30 days post-anthesis (DPA)). The results showed that a large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained from the three assessed cotton cultivars at different stages of SCW development. For instance, at 20 DPA, Sea Island cotton (HL) had 6,215 and 5,364 DEGs compared to upland cotton 17-24 (L) and 62-33 (S), respectively. Meanwhile, there were 1,236 DEGs between two upland cotton cultivars, 17-24 (L) and 62-33 (S). Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichment identified 42 functions, including 20 biological processes, 11 cellular components, and 11 molecular functions. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis identified several pathways involved in SCW synthesis and thickening, such as glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, galactose metabolism, propanoate metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids pathway, valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation, fatty acid elongation pathways, and plant hormone signal transduction. Through the identification of shared DEGs, 46 DEGs were found to exhibit considerable expressional differences at different fiber stages from the three cotton cultivars. These shared DEGs have functions including REDOX enzymes, binding proteins, hydrolases (such as GDSL thioesterase), transferases, metalloproteins (cytochromatin-like genes), kinases, carbohydrates, and transcription factors (MYB and WRKY). Therefore, RT-qPCR was performed to verify the expression levels of nine of the 46 identified DEGs, an approach which demonstrated the reliability of RNA-seq data. Our results provided valuable molecular resources for clarifying the cell biology of SCW biosynthesis during fiber development in cotton.

A Perennial Green Revolution to address 21st‐century food insecurity and malnutrition

AbstractFarming practices of the past century have dramatically increased annual crop yields to unprecedented levels but have consequentially created increasing ecological and public health concerns, posing a long‐term threat to global food security. Soil tillage and chemical inputs perpetuate soil erosion, biodiversity loss, wetlands eutrophication, carbon emissions, and other farming stressors. Concomitantly, accompanying poor dietary patterns and malnutrition increase the risk for chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cancer, which account for greater than 70% of global mortality per annum. Altogether, such annual monocropping systems exacerbate food insecurity, necessitating action across the fields of public health, agriculture, nutrition, medicine, and environmental ecology, that is, a transdisciplinary approach. Herein, we argue that the perennialization of crops creates an opportunity to address the challenges of environmental sustainability and nutritional adequacy economically. Unlike annuals, perennial crops have deeper roots for increased drought tolerance and reduced needs for fertilization and irrigation. Adopting perenniality can result in greater drought tolerance and improved soil health while reducing erosion, farming labor, and seed purchasing. Furthermore, perennializing novel staple crops may offer a superior and diverse dietary profile of phytochemicals, fiber, and macronutrients compared to conventional annuals. Instead of traditional perennial tree crops, we focus on intermediate wheatgrass Kernza® (Thinopyrum intermedium) and sunflowers (Helianthus tuberosus, H. maximiliani, and Silphium integrifolium) as exemplars of perennial staple food crops for grain and oil, respectively, at different stages of perennial crop commercialization. Ultimately, we discuss how integrating perenniality has the potential to revolutionize global agriculture and address food security concerns for the remainder of the 21st century.

Effect of Phenolic and Fiber Profile of Biofortified Cowpea on Glucose Tolerance in Anemic Rats Fed High-Fat/High-Sugar Diet

Effect of Phenolic and Fiber Profile of Biofortified Cowpea on Glucose Tolerance in Anemic Rats Fed High-Fat/High-Sugar Diet

Simple Characterization of Cylindrical Diffuser Fibers With a Fluorescent Layer.

A fast, simple, versatile, and reliable method to record light emission intensity profiles of cylindrical light diffusers (CDFs) in air and transparent liquids has been developed. A fluorescent color glass filter (RG695) converts red light emitted by a cylindrical diffuser fiber into near-infrared light in an emission angle-independent manner. The red light was provided from a diode laser system at 635 nm. Near-infrared fluorescence from the RG695 was imaged with a camera. Images from this camera were processed to obtain emission intensity profiles. Cylindrical diffuser fiber profiles of four different manufacturers were compared. The proposed method provides angle-independent intensity profiles of cylindrical diffuser fibers with a single camera shot. It could be demonstrated that dependent on the underlying principle of how the diffuser fiber tips emit light, the emission profile can change significantly in media with different refractive indices. By converting the light emitted by a diffuser fiber tip into fluorescence light one can eliminate the dependence of the recorded profile on the emission angle from the diffusor. This approach allows for easily taking into account refraction-index (mis)matching by placing the equipment into a suitable liquid. The proposed measurement principle bears potential for quality assurance measurements of CDFs used for interstitial laser thermotherapy or photodynamic therapy.

Dietary fibre profiling of various edible parts of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus L.): Pods, whole seeds, endosperms, seed coats, and cooked seeds

This study aimed to identify the dietary fibre profiles of various winged bean components (green pods, whole seeds, endosperms, seed coats, and canned whole seeds). Soluble dietary fibre (SDF), insoluble dietary fibre (IDF) (hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin), total dietary fibre (TDF), and oligosaccharide components (raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose), were analyzed. The various winged bean components had a higher IDF content than SDF content (21.12–50.11% and 0.83–1.25%, respectively), with the highest TDF content observed in the seed coat (51.81%). Raffinose was the most dominant oligosaccharide component in green pods (2.7 mg/g), while verbascose was the most dominant component in all seed form samples, including seed coats (1.41–3.65 mg/g). The IDF in all samples was dominated by cellulose (5.07–39.34%), followed by hemicellulose (1.5–27.19%), and lignin (0.09–0.98%). Seed dehusking led to significant decreases in all types of dietary fibre analyzed, except for stachyose. Soaking and sterilization processes resulted in an increase in SDF, but decreased IDF, stachyose, verbascose, and hemicellulose compared to raw whole seeds. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that raw whole seeds still exhibit similarities in dietary fibre composition with canned seeds, but differ from green pods, endosperms, and seed coats. These findings imply that all edible parts of winged beans offer a large quantity of dietary fibre, especially whole seeds, which have potential benefits as prebiotic sources to improve health.

171 Current limitations to implement fiber in U.S. sow and nursery diets, and nutritional strategies to support ideal fiber profile

Abstract The importance of fiber in swine nutrition is increasingly recognized, and the consequences of insufficient dietary fiber can be significant. Consequently, U.S. production nutritionists have begun exploring the incorporation of fiber into their nutrition programs. However, incorporating fiber into diets is not without challenges. Analytical capabilities for assessing fiber content have improved, yet accessing accurate data remains a hurdle. Furthermore, the cost of analysis limits the ability of nutritionists to utilize these advanced methods for ingredient analysis. The lack of information around fiber requirements in the diet may be due to the insufficient methodology that has historically been available to measure the indigestible fraction of the diet. In the nursery phase, research findings on the effects of fiber have been mixed, likely influenced by the health status of the animals. Short-term growth performance trials may not fully capture the benefits of fiber, and more comprehensive, long-term studies focusing on health-related parameters are lacking. Similarly, research on sow nutrition faces challenges due to the limitations of barn structures and feed lines. Sow trials typically involve only a small number of treatments, often requiring before- and after- assessments. Moreover, the benefits of fiber are more apparent in later reproductive cycles, necessitating prolonged research efforts. Given the limited phases in sow diets, primarily lactation and gestation, conducting sow research is both challenging and costly. Evidence from European literature and recent U.S. studies suggests that the total dietary fiber and the level of soluble, fermentable fiber have a crucial role in swine diets, particularly for sows and piglets. However, the availability and affordability of such fiber types in the U.S. are limited. The majority of fiber-rich ingredients in the U.S. consist mostly of insoluble fiber. To address this limitation, technological advancements will be needed to transform available fiber sources into the desired fiber constructs, rather than relying solely on fiber-rich ingredients. A stimbiotic, which encourages fiber fermentation, may be key to achieving the desired fiber profile. The addition of a stimbiotic has been shown to increase the digestibility of fiber. It also increases the capacity of the beneficial microbiome to break down and ferment fiber, which leads to an increase in the production of volatile fatty acids (acetic, propionic and butyric). In conclusion, U.S. swine nutritionist must explore alternative dietary strategies to capturing the ideal fiber composition. Key word: fiber, nursery, sow

Beyond the Surface: A Methodological Exploration of Enzyme Impact along the Cellulose Fiber Cross-Section.

Despite the wide range of analytical tools available for the characterization of cellulose, the in-depth characterization of inhomogeneous, layered cellulose fiber structures remains a challenge. When treating fibers or spinning man-made fibers, the question always arises as to whether the changes in the fiber structure affect only the surface or the entire fiber. Here, we developed an analysis tool based on the sequential limited dissolution of cellulose fiber layers. The method can reveal potential differences in fiber properties along the cross-sectional profile of natural or man-made cellulose fibers. In this analytical approach, carbonyl groups are labeled with a carbonyl selective fluorescence label (CCOA), after which thin fiber layers are sequentially dissolved with the solvent system DMAc/LiCl (9% w/v) and analyzed with size exclusion chromatography coupled with light scattering and fluorescence detection. The analysis of these fractions allowed for the recording of the changes in the chemical structure across the layers, resulting in a detailed cross-sectional profile of the different functionalities and molecular weight distributions. The method was optimized and tested in practice with LPMO (lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase)-treated cotton fibers, where it revealed the depth of fiber modification by the enzyme.

Preparation and Electrochemical Performance of Activated Composite Carbon Nanofibers Using Extraction Residue from Direct Coal Liquefaction Residue

Organic carbon extracted from direct coal liquefaction residue (DLCR) is an ideal precursor for the preparation of carbon materials. However, investigations into the utilization of the extraction residue (ER) are rarely reported. In this work, ER from DCLR was pretreated with H2O2 to afford oxidized extraction residue (OER). Then, the OER was mixed with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) in N,N-dimethylformamide for the preparation of composite carbon nanofibers by electrospinning. With adding 80 wt.% OER, the composite carbon nanofibers still demonstrate a clear fiber profile and smooth surface under a scanning electron microscope, indicating that the OER has good solubility with PAN in N,N-dimethylformamide. The electrochemical performance characterization of the activated composite carbon nanofiber shows that the P-OER60-AC (activated composite carbon nanofibers prepared with 60 wt.% of OER and 40 wt.% of PAN) has a better electrochemical performance with a specific capacitance of 97 F/g at 0.5 A/g, as compared to the others. Additionally, the P-OER80-AC (activated composite carbon nanofibers prepared with 80 wt.% of OER and 20 wt.% of PAN) is also considerable for the perspective of coal-based solid waste treatment and utilization.

166 Effect of silo type on fermentation characteristics of laboratory-scale silage

Abstract Creating ensiled forage on a laboratory-scale is a tedious and cumbersome process. One must ensure an anaerobic environment for the success of the fermentation while also striving to replicate field-scale conditions. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of laboratory-scale silo type on nutritive value and fermentation profiles of grass-legume silage. This experiment was conducted as a generalized complete block design. There was one treatment factor (silo type) with 11 levels: field-scale baleage control (CON), miniature wrapped baleage (MINI), large fermentation bucket (6GAL), small fermentation bucket (2GAL), miniature silo (PVC), pint-sized Mason-type jar with “BurpLid” (BURP), pint-sized Mason-type jar with Ball-brand fermentation lid (BALL), pint-sized Mason-type jar with an airlock lid (LOCK), single-layered vacuum-sealed bag using a chamber-style sealer (CHMB), double-layered vacuum-sealed bag using a chamber-style sealer (HCHMB), single-layered vacuum-sealed bag using a suction-style sealer (FOOD), or double-layered vacuum-sealed bag using a suction-style sealer (HFOOD). Harvest served as the random blocking factor. Forage was harvested from a single alfalfa-bermudagrass pastures at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland, AL. Forage was cut 24 h before collection and allowed to sun-cure. After allocation to treatment, samples were allowed to ferment for 56 d. Following fermentation, samples were assayed for NDF, ADF, ADL, CP, pH, mold, and yeast. Dunnett’s test revealed a difference (P < 0.05) from CON for NDF, ADF, and pH. Samples from PVC had 26% greater NDF and 45% greater ADF than CON (58 and 37%, respectively). Samples from BALL were 3 units greater and samples from LOCK were 2 units greater in pH than CON (4.8). When comparing alternative treatments exclusive of CON, there were differences (P ≤ 0.01) in NDF, ADF, ADL, pH, and mold counts among treatments. Results are interpreted to mean that BALL and LOCK are not effective representatives of field-scale silage production due to lack of pH drop, while PVC alters the fiber profiles. All other methods showed promise as prospects for laboratory silage procedures.

MACHINE LEARNING APPLICATION IN INVERSE DESIGN OF FEW-MODE FIBERS

The importance of optical fiber research is increasing due to its applications in the digital world, including components, sensors, and high data rate communication. Few-mode fiber (FMF) research is regenerating due to its high data rate transmission ability. This dissertation work proposes new designs of FMFs with updated material composition and geometry to establish weakly coupled spatial division multiplexing (SDM)/mode division multiplexing (MDM) links. The next generation of communication, 5G aims to connect people and things via intelligent networks, but current network architectures struggle to handle massive data traffic. The spatial domain of the fiber is highly useful for handling this massive data traffic. This work reviews the requirements of 5G networks and how they can be handled through spatial multiplexing and mode multiplexing through a few-mode optical fiber. The article demonstrates machine learning-based inverse modeling of the triangular-ring-core few-mode fiber profile with weak coupling optimization.

Liner multimode fibers with high distributed optical amplification system based high efficient quadrature modulation system for reliable high capacity local area network

Abstract This paper clarified the liner multimode fibers with high optical amplification system based high efficient quadrature modulation system for high capacity local area optical networks. The clarified the lighted QPSK transmitter system based linear multimode fiber profile is clarified under modal bandwidth effects. The optimum power variations are studied with spectral base band wavelength variations for various modal bandwidths based linear multimode fiber. Optimum power is clarified with time variations for various modal bandwidths based linear multimode fiber. Total power for 1500 and 1700 MHz km modal bandwidth is demonstrated based linear multimode fiber. The Max-Min signal base band amplitude based QAM pulse generator is clarified after photo-detector by using electrical constellation visualizer. The optimum Q Factor form with Min BER is demonstrated after photo-detector for 1300, 1500, and 1700 MHz km modal bandwidth based linear multimode fiber. The base band lighted SNR is clarified and simulated with the modal bandwidth variations based linear multimode fiber. Optimum Q form factor through photo-detector is demonstrated with the modal bandwidth variations based linear multimode fiber. The electrical SNR through photo-detector is studied and simulated with the modal bandwidth variations based linear multimode fiber.

Histotopographic Organization of Levator Ani Muscle in Laboratory Rats

Morphological organization of the levator ani muscle still remains unclear due to methodological problems in the study of the pelvic floor muscles. Therefore, the study of the histological structure of muscle tissue m. levator ani in animals is of not only theoretical but also practical importance for the study and modeling of pelvic floor dysfunction conditions in animal models. The aim is to study the enzymohistochemical and ultramicroscopic organization of the levator ani muscle in white laboratory rats. Material and methods. The study was performed on 10 laboratory Wistar rats (5 females and 5 males) aged 12–14 months. The metabolic profile of muscle fibers was determined using the Nachlass succinate dehydrogenase test. Imaging and linear measurements were carried out on a Leica UC 7 microscope (Germany), using its software. Ultrathin sections were counterstained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate, viewed nd photographed using a Hitachi HT 7700 Exalens (Japan) electron microscope. Results. All types of muscle fibers are present in levator ani muscle: slow fibers and rapid muscle fibers of typs IIA and IIB. It has been established that the total cross-sectional area of white type fibers is 3 times greater than the total area of other fibers. Significant sex differences were found in relative square parameters of glycolytic fibers in m. levator ani (p=0,009). At the ultrastructural level, it was found that in some muscle fibers the mitochondrial apparatus is well developed, in others, mitochondria are few in number, have smaller sizes, are located singly between myofibrils, without forming clusters. In such fibers, there are large accumulations of glycogen between the myofibrils. Conclusion. In the laboratory rat, the levator ani muscle is heterogeneous both in metabolic activity of muscle fibers and in ultrastructural organization. This feature of the muscle involves not only static work in creating intra-abdominal pressure and retaining the pelvic organs, but also isotonic contraction, acting as a synergist to ensure the movement of the tail.

A Machine Vision based Fiber Profile Image Recognition Method for Alignment of FBG Inscribing

A Machine Vision based Fiber Profile Image Recognition Method for Alignment of FBG Inscribing