Growth Characteristics Research Articles

Varietal Evaluation of Tuberose for Commercial Traits

Aims: To evaluate the tuberose varieties for growth, yield and smart farming application. Study Design: The experiment was laid out in Randomized block design with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Agriculture, Padannakkad, Kasargod during 2019-2020. Methodology: Ten genotypes of tuberose viz. A. Shringar, A. Niranthara, A. Prajwal, A. Sugandhi, A. Suvasini, A. Vaibhav, Culcutta Single, Culcutta Double, Bidhan Ujwal and Phule Rajani were assessed for further evaluation in smart farming. Treatments were replicated thrice. The accessions were screened for vegetative, floral, quality and post-harvest parameters. Results: The result of the study showed that out of the ten genotypes of tuberose A. Prajwal has been found suitable for commercial farming with highest plant height (54.27 cm), minimum days to 50% flowering (108.38 days), longest floret (6.97 cm), highest diameter of floret (3.53 cm), longest spike (111.80 cm), maximum yield per unit area (2125. 50 gm-2) and good aroma. Tuberose needs an improved package of practices for better yield in smart farming systems. Conclusion: The genotype A. Prajwal was found superior for growth and yield characteristics and will, therefore, be considered for further research and development.

Role of Albitbr bio-stimulant application on growth, yield and quality characteristics of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) cultivars under open field conditions

Climate change coupled with the indiscriminate use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides are causing tremendous challenges on the production potentials of crops and also health of the people of the world. As part of the sustainable production strategy, the current study was conducted at the experimental station Vniccok, Russia during summer of 2024 using a bio-stimulant “Albitbr on tomato crop. In the experiment, four different cultivars were treated with seven different doses of the bio-stimulant (control, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, 10 and 50 L/ha). The highest significant leaf area (115.23 cm2) and yield of tomato fruits (83.35 t/ha) were obtained from Fenaric and Malets cultivars, respectively. Application of the bio-stimulant also resulted in a significant effect on leaf area, total yield, titratable acidity (TA) as well as total soluble solids (TSS)/TA with the highest leaf area (119.88 cm2), total yield (78.81 t/ha) being produced from the bio-stimulant dose of 2.5 L/ha, whereas the highest values of TA (0.28 %) and TSS/TA (21.72) were obtained from 0.1 L/ha and 50 L/ha, respectively.

Analyzing sorbitol biosynthesis using a metabolic network flux model of a lichenized strain of the green microalga Diplosphaera chodatii.

Diplosphaera chodatii, a unicellular terrestrial microalga found either free-living or in association with lichenized fungi, protects itself from desiccation by synthesizing and accumulating low-molecular-weight carbohydrates such as sorbitol. The metabolism of this algal species and the interplay of sorbitol biosynthesis with its growth, light absorption, and carbon dioxide fixation are poorly understood. Here, we used a recently available genome assembly for D. chodatii to develop a metabolic flux model and analyze the alga's metabolic capabilities, particularly, for sorbitol biosynthesis. The model contains 151 genes, 155 metabolites, and 194 unique metabolic reactions participating in 12 core metabolic pathways and five compartments. Both photoautotrophic and mixotrophic growths of D. chodatii were supported by the metabolic model. In the presence of glucose, mixotrophy led to higher biomass and sorbitol yields. Additionally, the model predicted increased starch biosynthesis at high light intensities during photoautotrophic growth, an indication that the "overflow hypothesis-stress-driven metabolic flux redistribution" could be applied to D. chodatii. Furthermore, the newly developed metabolic model of D. chodatii, iDco_core, captures both linear and cyclic electron flow schemes characterized in photosynthetic microorganisms and suggests a possible adaptation to fluctuating water availability during periods of desiccation. This work provides important new insights into the predicted metabolic capabilities of D. chodatii, including a potential biotechnological opportunity for industrial sorbitol biosynthesis.IMPORTANCELichenized green microalgae are vital components for the survival and growth of lichens in extreme environmental conditions. However, little is known about the metabolism and growth characteristics of these algae as individual microbes. This study aims to provide insights into some of the metabolic capabilities of Diplosphaera chodatii, a lichenized green microalgae, using a recently assembled and annotated genome of the alga. For that, a metabolic flux model was developed simulating the metabolism of this algal species and allowing for studying the algal growth, light absorption, and carbon dioxide fixation during both photoautotrophic and mixotrophic growth, in silico. An important capability of the new metabolic model of D. chodatii is capturing both linear and cyclic electron flow mechanisms characterized in several other microalgae. Moreover, the model predicts limits of the metabolic interplay between sorbitol biosynthesis and algal growth, which has potential applications in assisting the design of bio-based sorbitol production processes.

Coexistence of Giant Hydatid Cyst and Hepatocellular Carci-noma: A Case Report and Literature Review

From a global perspective, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hydatid cyst disease are both common; however, the endemic and zoonotic nature of hydatid cysts (due to Echinococcus larvae) makes the simultaneous detection of the two conditions a rare occurrence. In this case report, in a 43-year-old male patient, we aim to draw attention to the potential coexistence of HCC and liver hydatid cysts by presenting a case in which HCC tissue was detected in the cyst wall—removed by emergency surgery due to cyst perforation. Hydatid lesions in the liver may exhibit tumor-like growth characteristics. Consequently, identifying a hydatid cyst concomitant with HCC can be challenging, particularly when HCC has developed within the cystic structure. Careful assessment of resected tissues and detailed diagnostic approaches can facilitate the identification of such cases, even if the risk of HCC in patients with hydatid cysts is marginal. It may be advisable to suggest periodic monitoring with HCC-related markers and liver imaging methods.

Potential of Biochar-Based Fertilizers for Increasing the Productivity of Okra in Gajuri, Dhading

Sustainable agricultural production depends on increasing crop productivity while preserving soil health and reducing environmental risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of biochar (10 t ha-1) based organic and inorganic fertilizer for increasing okra productivity through a field experiment conducted in Gajuri, Dhading. A 130 m2 area was divided into six treatment groups, each with four replications, using a Randomized Complete Block Design. The following were the treatments: i) inorganic fertilizer (RF); ii) biochar plus inorganic fertilizer (BF); iii) biochar plus vermicompost (BVC); iv) biochar plus poultry manure (BPM); v) biochar (BC); vi) control; neither biochar nor fertilizer (CK). The recommended rates of urea, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), and muriate of potash (MOP) were applied to the mineral NPK fertilizers in RF and BF. The rate whereby organic fertilizers were applied was 200 kg N ha-1. Plots treated with biochar and various fertilizer groups were compared in terms of growth and yield efficiency. The BVC treatment was found to exhibit poorer growth performance in terms of plant height, number of leaves, primary branches, and nodes compared to the combination of biochar and poultry manure. Fruit output rose by 170% over CK (7.13 mt ha-1) and by 53.26% over RF (12.58 mt ha-1) after BPM treatment (19.28 mt ha-1). While BF and RF did not significantly differ in terms of growth characteristics, BF outproduced RF by 29% and CK by 126.79% in terms of pod yield. BF and BPM offered greater financial rewards than alternative treatments.

In ovo sodium butyrate administration differentially impacts growth performance, intestinal barrier function, immune response, and gut microbiota characteristics in low and high hatch-weight broilers

BackgroundHatch weight (HW) affects broiler growth and low HW (LHW) often leads to suboptimal performance. Sodium butyrate (SB) has been shown to promote growth through enhanced intestinal health. This study investigated how broilers with different HW responded to in ovo SB injection and whether SB could enhance gut health and performance in LHW chicks. Ross 308 broiler eggs were injected on incubation d 12 with physiological saline (control) or SB at 0.1% (SB1), 0.3% (SB3), or 0.5% (SB5). Post-hatch, male chicks from each treatment were categorized as high HW (HHW) or LHW and assigned to 8 groups in a 4 × 2 factorial design. Production parameters were recorded periodically. Intestinal weight, length, and gene expression related to gut barrier function and immune response were examined on d 14 and 42. Cecal microbiota dynamics and predicted functionality were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.ResultsSB treatments did not affect hatchability. HHW-control group exhibited consistently better weight gain and FCR than LHW-control group. SB dose-dependently influenced performance and gut health in both HW categories, with greater effects in LHW broilers at 0.3%. LHW-SB3 group attained highest body weight on d 42, exceeding controls but not significantly differing from HHW-SB3 group. LHW-SB3 group showed upregulation of gut-barrier genes CLDN1 in ileum, TJP1 in jejunum and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in both jejunum and ileum on d 14. Additionally, LHW-SB3 group upregulated mucin-producing MUC6 gene in ileum, while HHW-SB5 group increased pro-inflammatory IL-12p40 cytokine in caecum on d 42. LHW-SB3 group demonstrated shorter relative intestinal lengths, while HHW-SB5 had longer lengths. HHW-control group had higher bacterial diversity and growth-promoting bacteria while LHW-control group harbored the potential pathogen Helicobacter. SB reshaped gut microbiota biodiversity, composition, and predicted metabolic pathways in both HW categories. The LHW-SB3 group exhibited highest alpha diversity on d 14 and most beneficial bacteria at all timepoints. HHW-SB5 group presented increased pathogenic Escherichia-Shigella and Campylobacter on d 42.ConclusionsHW significantly affects subsequent performance and SB has differential effects based on HW. LHW chicks benefited more from 0.3% SB, showing improvements in growth, intestinal development, health, and gut microbiota characteristics.

Glyphosate-, carbofuran-, and chlorpyrifos-tolerant Priestia aryabhattai, isolated from agricultural soils

Objective: To isolate and carry out a molecular characterization of microorganisms potentially tolerant to high concentrations of different pesticides (glyphosate, carbofuran, and chlorpyrifos). Design/Methodology/Approach: Based on the isolate project SIP20170193, only the strain GVE 5 was chosen for the experiment, as a result of its morphological and growth characteristics. The tolerance capacity (TC) of GVE 5 to three different pesticides (glyphosate, carbofuran, and chlorpyrifos) was evaluated in two different media (LB and M9). The only carbon source was 200 mg/L of each pesticide. GVE 5 was identified through the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) molecular techniques and amplified by the 16S rRNA marker. Results: Based on the TC analysis, the GVE 5 strain of Priestia aryabhattai recorded a growth with 200 mg L-1 of glyphosate, carbofuran, and chlorpyrifos in LB medium and M9 minimal medium. Study Limitations/Implications: There were no limitations or implications for this study. Findings/Conclusions: Priestia aryabhattai is tolerant to 200 mg L-1 of glyphosate, carbofuran, and chlorpyrifos. These results open new lines of research regarding the bioremediation of soils polluted by these agrochemicals. Priestia aryabhattai should be subjected to further evaluations as a plant growth promoter.

The Influence of Positive Growth Experience of Craftsmen on Vocational Education of Automotive Inspection and Maintenance Technology and Mental Health

Since 2014, in China, there has been a principle to divert the graduating junior high school students to regular high schools and secondary vocational schools in an orderly manner, with a ratio of 50%. Vocational education serves as an important foundation for cultivating technical and skilled talents, as well as craftsman talents. However, vocational education, as a distinct type of education, has not yet gained widespread recognition in society. And it is a very meaningful thing to explore how their teachers’ positive growth experience influence these students to become successful and feel pleasure. Using a qualitative methodology, we interviewed ten Zhejiang craftsmen specializing in the automotive field, who work as full-time or part-time teachers in technical colleges and vocational schools, to explore the relationship between their growth experiences and the impact of teacher education on the cultivation and development of craftsmen. The study not only focused on their professional development but also delved into the psychological aspects of their journey. By examining the interplay between professional growth, educational impact, and psychological factors, this results provide valuable insights into the holistic development of skilled craftsmen. The findings reveal that the growth characteristics of Zhejiang craftsmen can be categorized into four stages: aspiration, enjoyment, dedication, and innovation. These stages are reflected in various aspects such as career aspirations, professional identity, and collaborative innovation, which are further subdivided into 29 factors. Moreover, the analysis demonstrates how these self-growth experiences can be effectively transferred to the student training process, thereby stimulating students' enthusiasm for learning vehicle inspection, testing, and repairs. The development of vocational education can draw insights from the growth process of Zhejiang craftsmen, with a specific focus on fostering workplace learning, integrating theoretical instruction with practical skill development, and nurturing both technical expertise and personal qualities. And the comprehensive strategy focuses on the areas, such as fostering workplace learning, integrating theoretical instruction with practical skill development, nurturing both technical expertise and personal qualities, promoting psychological health and so on. By implementing these strategies, vocational education institutions can help students grow into healthy, skilled, and psychologically robust professionals.

Improving productivity of citramalate from CO2 by Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 through design of experiment

BackgroundCyanobacteria have long been suggested as an industrial chassis for the conversion of carbon dioxide to products as part of a circular bioeconomy. The slow growth, carbon fixation rates, and limits of carbon partitioning between biomass and product in cyanobacteria must be overcome to fully realise this industrial potential. Typically, flux towards heterologous pathways is limited by the availability of core metabolites. Citramalate is produced in a single enzymatic step through the condensation of the central metabolites pyruvate and acetyl-CoA; improvements in citramalate productivity can, therefore, be used as a measure of overcoming this limitation. Furthermore, citramalate is a useful biomaterial precursor and provides a route to renewable methyl methacrylate and poly(methyl methacrylate), which is often traded as Perspex or Plexiglas.ResultsHere, we describe a phenomenon where the concerted optimisation of process parameters significantly increased citramalate production in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Design of experiment principles were used to determine the optima for each parameter and the interplay between multiple parameters. This approach facilitated a ~ 23-fold increase in citramalate titre from initial unoptimised experiments. The process of scale-up from batch cultures to 0.5, 2, and 5 L photobioreactors is described. At the 2-L scale, citramalate titres from carbon dioxide reached 6.35 g/L with space–time yields of 1.59 g/L/day whilst 5-L PBRs yielded 3.96 ± 0.23 g/L with a productivity of 0.99 ± 0.06 g/L/day. We believe the decrease in productivity from 2-L to 5-L scale was likely due to the increased pathlength and shading for light delivery reducing incident light per cell. However, changes in productivity and growth characteristics are not uncommon when scaling up biotechnology processes and have numerous potential causes.ConclusionsThis work demonstrates that the use of a process parameter control regime can ameliorate precursor limitation and enhance citramalate production. Since pyruvate and/or acetyl-CoA give rise to numerous products of biotechnological interest, the workflow presented here could be employed to optimise flux towards other heterologous pathways. Understanding the factors controlling and thus increasing carbon partitioning to product will help progress cyanobacteria as part of a carbon–neutral circular bioeconomy. This is the first study using design of experiment to optimise overall carbon fixation rate and carbon partitioning to product, with the goal of improving the performance of a cyanobacterium as a host for biological carbon capture.

Growth, yield, and biochemical traits of tomato plants under mycorrhizal inoculation and licorice root extract applications

ABSTRACT Enhancing the nutritional values and quality of fruit crops is of utmost significance, necessitating the exploration and implementation of novel agricultural approaches. Therefore, the application of natural sources, such as biostimulants and the reduction of conventional fertilizers, are integral to sustainable agriculture, which aims to reduce environmental harm and maintain the long-term health of agricultural systems, meanwhile, maximizing productivity and profitability. The study’s objective was to assess the impact of applying arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and licorice root extract (LRE) on the growth and some biochemical traits of tomato fruit. For the AMF inoculation, 15 g/plant was applied to the soil, while the LRE was sprayed onto the canopy at varying doses of 0, 5, 10, and 15 g/L. A combination of AMF and LRE was also applied simultaneously. All treatment combinations had noticeable effects on plant growth and quality. The combination of AMF with LRE at a concentration of 15 g/L significantly influenced most of the growth, fruit, and physicochemical characteristics. AMF resulted in the lowest nitrate accumulation in the fruits. Furthermore, doses of 10 g/L LRE exhibited the highest levels of heavy metals, including zinc, manganese, and copper. This study suggests that the integrated use of AMF and LRE is a promising approach for the sustainable and economically viable production of tomato fruit under controlled or semi-controlled conditions.

Enhancing aerobic composting of food waste by adding hydrolytically active microorganisms

The biomass of native microorganisms in food waste (FW) suitable for accelerated composting is initially low and requires time for adaptation. Adding of efficient hydrolytic microorganisms should be able to enhance compost-specific microbial activity, adjust microbial community structure, and potentially hasten FW biodegradation. This study aimed to identify bacterial and fungal strains with growth characteristics suitable for accelerating FW composting. Over 7 weeks, FW was composted in a pilot-scale test, either inoculated at the start or on day 28 with three different mixtures of 10 autochthonous Bacillus and Penicillium spp. strains known for their high hydrolytic activity. The effects of inoculation were assessed by measuring the rate of carbon dioxide (CO2) and ammonia (NH3) production and also the increase in temperature due to spontaneous exothermic activity of the enhanced microbial population degrading FW. Inoculation with Bacillus spp., particularly B. amyloliquefaciens and B. subtilis, at the beginning of composting increased CO2 production nearly 3-fold while maintaining stable ammonia production and temperature. The high concentration of Bacillus relative to native FW microorganisms led to dominant fermentation processes even in the presence of oxygen, resulting in moderate heat release and elevated production of volatile organic compounds. Introducing Penicillium spp. at a later stage (day 28) increased CO2 production nearly 2-fold, along with higher NH3 levels and temperature. These findings highlight the significance of inoculation timing and microbial composition in regulating metabolic pathways during FW composting degradation, offering insights for designing effective microbial formulations for composting.

Impact on growth characteristics and yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under different FYM and NPK levels in vertisols

Impact on growth characteristics and yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under different FYM and NPK levels in vertisols

Association of follistatin gene polymorphism with growth traits of fry common carp Cyprinus carpio L.

The present study was conducted at the Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources, College of Agriculture, University of Basrah. The study aimed to investigate the association of follistatin gene polymorphism with growth traits of fry common carp Cyprinus carpio L. The study lasted eight weeks (56 days). Results of sequencing and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) showed two genotypes AA and AG at the nitrogenous base 344 of the follistatin gene. Genotypes frequencies were 34.61% and 65.38% respectively. The growth parameters of common carp fish were studied, included body weight (BW), total length (TL), standard length (SL), head length (HL), body height (BH), caudal peduncle height (CPH), and eye diameter (ED). All growth parameters associated insignificantly with the two genotypes of follistatin gene during the experimental period. We can conclude from this study that the growth characteristics is not affected by the genetical differences between the genotypes. Study on larger samples of fish catches from different locations would give more truthful results in the application of the marker-assisted selection (MAS) strategy.

Optimum blue light exposure: a means to increase cell-specific productivity in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Research for biopharmaceutical production processes with mammalian cells steadily aims to enhance the cell-specific productivity as a means for optimizing total productivities of bioreactors. Whereas current technologies such as pH, temperature, and osmolality shift require modifications of the cultivation medium, the use of optogenetic switches in recombinant producer cells might be a promising contact-free alternative. However, the proper application of optogenetically engineered cells requires a detailed understanding of basic cellular responses of cells that do not yet contain the optogenetic switches. The knowhow of ideal light exposure to enable the optimum use of related approaches is missing so far. Consequently, the current study set out to find optimum conditions for IgG1 producing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells which were exposed to blue LED light. Growth characteristics, cell-specific productivity using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, as well as cell cycle distribution using flow cytometry were analyzed. Whereas too harsh light exposure causes detrimental growth effects that could be compensated with antioxidants, a surprising boost of cell-specific productivity by 57% occurred at optimum high light doses. The increase coincided with an increased number of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle after 72 h of illumination. The results present a promising new approach to boost biopharmaceutical productivity of mammalian cells simply by proper light exposure without any further optogenetic engineering.Key points• Blue LED light hinders growth in CHO DP-12 cells• Antioxidants protect to a certain degree from blue light effects• Illumination with blue LED light raises cell-specific productivity

Ecological response mechanism of alkaline wastewater periphytic biofilms to pH alteration

The environmental impact of indiscriminate alkaline wastewater discharge is increasingly concerning. Studying the ecological response mechanisms of periphytic biofilms to such wastewater is crucial for deepening our understanding of its broader environmental implications. In this study, periphytic biofilms collected from the drainage outlet of a tunnel construction project were developed for 56 days at initial pH values of 10 (pH0 10) and 12 (pH0 12). These stabilized biofilms were then transferred to a neutral environment (pH 7) for another 35 days. High-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing revealed changes in the growth characteristics, microbial interactions, and microbial community composition, function, and assembly patterns of the biofilms. Specifically, results revealed decreased microbial activity, live/dead bacteria ratios, and polysaccharide content in extracellular polymeric substances when the pH was reduced from alkaline to neutral, with incomplete recovery observed after 35 days of incubation in a neutral environment. During neutral pH incubation, proteobacterial abundance increased by 58.39 % and 33.08 % in biofilms cultured at pH0 10 and pH0 12, respectively, becoming the dominant flora, with chemoheterotrophic functions increasing by 8.11 % and 38.23 %, respectively. Network analysis indicated that biofilms in the pH0 12 culture group had a more advanced organizational co-occurrence network, with more complex and stable interactions, than those in the pH0 10 culture group. Microbial community α diversity, key differential species count, the proportion of positively correlated network edges, and null model data showed that microbial communities in biofilms cultured at pH0 10 were more resilient, whereas those cultured at pH0 12 were more resistant. Overall, this study reveals that alkaline wastewater periphytic biofilms adapt and develop high tolerance and metabolic activity but struggle to recover their original state in a short-term neutral environment, with biofilms cultured at pH0 12 exhibiting more complex interactions and higher resistance and those cultured at pH0 10 showing greater resilience.

Spatiotemporal prediction of solidified dendrites based on convolutional long-short-term neural network

The formation and growth of dendrites during the solidification of metals are critical factors influencing material properties. Accurate prediction of dendritic growth morphology and evolution is of great significance for materials science research and industrial applications. Traditional simulation methods, such as the phase-field method, provide high-precision results but are computationally expensive and time-consuming. Recently, with the advancement of deep learning technology, data-driven approaches have shown great potential in materials science. This paper proposes the use of Convolutional Long-Short-Term Memory Network (ConvLSTM) to capture spatiotemporal dependencies for predicting the spatiotemporal evolution of dendritic solidification in materials. By training on historical data of dendritic growth, the ConvLSTM neural network model predicts the future growth morphology of the dendritic microstructure during solidification. The model accurately forecasts the future morphology and appearance of the microstructure. Case studies were conducted using a generated dataset of dendritic solidification simulations, and the results demonstrate that the ConvLSTM model effectively captures the complex dynamic characteristics of dendritic growth and provides high-precision prediction results. This offers new insights for material design and optimization.

An experimental investigation into filament formation during drop generation by pseudo-plastic viscoelastic biofluid at T-junction generators

The advancements in droplet microfluidics have made it an eminent technology for high-throughput biomedical applications involving biofluids such as blood, saliva, tear film, and synovial fluid, all characterized by their non-Newtonian/viscoelastic properties. However, most existing models for the design and optimization of droplet microfluidic systems are primarily based on Newtonian fluids. Therefore, studies that systematically explore the dynamics underlying biofluid droplet formation and manipulation are critically important, both fundamentally and practically. This study uses artificial tear films to experimentally investigate the effects of operational parameters such as geometric conditions (width ratio Λ = wdwc and aspect ratio h* = hwc), fluid properties (viscosity ratio η = μdμc), and flow rate ratios (ϕ = QdQc) on filament formation during droplet generation in a T-junction geometry. All the experiments were conducted at a constant capillary number of the continuous phase (Ca = μcQcwchγ). The results indicate that filament growth and rupture characteristics are determined by the predominance of two distinct regions: pre-stretch, governed by the interplay between inertial and capillary forces, and elastocapillarity, regulated by elastic and capillary forces. Specifically, filament rupture is influenced by inertia–capillary effects at low flow rates and viscosity ratios. In contrast, the domination of elastic effects is more pronounced at higher flow rates and viscosity ratios. Additionally, reductions in the width (Λ) and aspect (h*) ratio when Λ≥0.5 and h*≥0.4 increase the elastic effects within the filaments while inertial effects dominate for Λ<0.5 and h*<0.4. The relaxation times (λ) are obtained from the exponential thinning curve, with longer times observed for cases with high elastic effects. Finally, the filament collapses into satellite droplets, and their monodispersity increases with elasticity.

Vulnerability evolution of critical infrastructures: A multidimensional environment-integrated system dynamics analysis

Critical infrastructures (CIs) form the foundation of modern society, highlighting the necessity of analyzing their vulnerability characteristics. Existing research on CI vulnerability has not fully explored the environmental impacts on CI vulnerability and the long-term dynamic characteristics of vulnerability. To address these gaps, this study proposes an integrated framework for CI vulnerability evolution that incorporates environmental factors from nature, physical, and socio-economic dimensions, along with four key components of CI vulnerability: risk exposure, physical fragility, environmental sensitivity, and recovery capacity. Then, a system dynamics (SD)-based model is developed to quantitatively measure the complex interactions between environmental factors and CI vulnerability, thereby revealing the dynamic evolutionary mechanisms of vulnerability driven by these interactions. The model's effectiveness is demonstrated through a case simulation, with the results revealing the following findings: First, the dynamics of CI vulnerability evolution arise from the long-term driving, feedback, and iteration processes between environmental factors and vulnerability. These processes shape the nonlinear growth and adaptive characteristics of CI vulnerability evolution. Second, each environmental factor has a distinct marginal impact and direction on the evolution of CI vulnerability. This study provides a holistic and dynamic analysis for CI vulnerability and offers insights for optimizing vulnerability mitigation strategies.

Biological Applications of Ore Materials: Chili Absorption of Natural MG and ZN Ions Released from Modified Serpentinite Powders

Introduction: This study investigated the characteristics of the powder, the concentration of the ions, and the growth characteristics of Chili that were irrigated with the natural magnesium– zinc ionised water. The findings revealed that the ion dissolution rate was higher for greater water temperatures. Methods: Extended sintering of the zinc-modified natural serpentinite powder at 400°C reduced the number of dissolved magnesium ions and increased the number of dissolved zinc ions. The Chili planting experiment was performed with two groups: 1) Chili irrigated with natural magnesium– zinc ionised water (natural magnesium–zinc Chili) and 2) Chili irrigated with distilled water (distilled-water Chili). Results: The natural magnesium–zinc Chilis were discovered to have higher concentrations of magnesium and zinc ions in various parts. Furthermore, during the later stages of growth, the natural magnesium–zinc Chili had a larger body and did not easily turn yellow, resulting in better freshness. This study used modified serpentine powder to cultivate natural magnesium–zinc Chili. Appropriate powder roasting conditions and the rates of magnesium and zinc dissolution were established, and the growth characteristics of natural magnesium–zinc Chili were determined. Conclusion: The Chilis can help humans ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages by sufficient zinc and magnesium intake.

Evaluation of glycyrrhetinic acid in attenuating adverse effects of a high-fat diet in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) has been shown to promote growth characteristics and play a crucial role in anti-inflammatory responses in animals. To investigate the effects of dietary GA supplementation on growth performance, intestinal inflammation, and intestinal barrier protection in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) fed a high-fat diet (HFD), a 77-day feeding experiment was conducted. A total of 750 largemouth bass, initially averaging 17.39 ± 0.09 g in body weight, were randomly allocated to five experimental groups and fed a control diet, a HFD, and the HFD diet supplemented with GA at either 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mg/kg, named as control, HDF, HFD+GA 0.5, HFD+GA 1.0, and 1.5 HFD+GA 1.5, respectively. Each group contained three replicates. The study revealed that dietary GA improved final body weight (P < 0.001), percent weight gain (P = 0.041), and feed intake (P < 0.001), all of which had been affected by a HFD in largemouth bass (P < 0.05). Supplementation of HFD with 1.0 mg/kg GA increased the mRNA expressions and protein levels of corresponding tight junctions, occludin, zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1) and claudin-1 in the intestines of largemouth bass. Furthermore, the addition of HFD with both of 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg GA decreased the mRNA expressions of pro-inflammatory genes such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-18, and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1 (caspase-1), as well as proteins associated with pyroptosis-induced inflammation, including NOD-like receptor family and pyrin domain contain 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a C-terminal caspase recruitment domain (ASC), gasdermin E (GSDME), and N-terminal domain of GSDME (GSDME-N) (P < 0.05). Finally, dietary GA supplementation alleviated mitochondrial damage and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production induced by the HFD. It is concluded that GA supplementation in HFD enhances growth performance, increases mRNA expression and protein levels of tight junction-related parameters, decreases mRNA expression and protein levels of pyroptosis-related genes, and alleviates intestinal mitochondrial injury and inflammation induced by HFD.