Growth Coefficient Research Articles

Thermal-strain driving sharp metal-to-insulate transition and island-grain growth of solution-derived NdNiO3 epitaxial thin films

An ultra-sharp metal-to-insulate transition (MIT) of 1.24 K−1 in the epitaxial perovskite NdNiO3 thin films was derived by the chemical solution deposition on the LaAlO3 substrates. The thermal strains from shrink, grain growth, and thermal expansion coefficient misfit play a key role in the film microstructure and electrical properties. The originally theoretical in-plane compressive epitaxial strain changes into a tensile one caused by the thermal driving force. It relaxes with improved grain growth via decreased oxygen vacancies with increasing annealing temperature, while the concurrently enhanced tensile strain from the thermal expansion coefficient misfit between the films and the substrate leads to the destabilization of Ni3+ and the higher MIT temperature. Nevertheless, too much higher tensile strain gives rise to island-grain growth in the films, leading to the weak and even disappeared MIT.

Interfacial properties and crystal growth of Ni and Ni50Al50 from molecular dynamics simulations

Molecular dynamics simulations are used to determine the properties of the crystal–liquid interfaces of Ni and Ni50Al50. The interfacial free energies and kinetic growth coefficients for different crystal orientations are estimated using simulations of crystal–liquid systems at the melting temperature Tm from time- and wavenumber-dependent capillary wave height–height correlation functions. Growth coefficients are also determined from non-equilibrium simulations using the free solidification method, which compares well with those obtained from analysis of capillary wave fluctuations. Crystal growth in pure Ni is about a factor of 10 faster than in the binary Ni50Al50 system. The interfacial properties of the B2 intermetallic crystal phase of Ni50Al50 exhibit much lower anisotropy than those of the face-centered cubic crystalline structure of Ni.

Studies on correlation and path coefficient for growth and yield attributes in green gram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek)

Studies on correlation and path coefficient for growth and yield attributes in green gram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek)

Length-weight relationships and Fulton’s condition factors of two flatfishes, Cynoglossus cynoglossus and Cynoglossus lingua, from Cox’s Bazar coast, Bay of Bengal

Abstract Length-weight relationships (LWRs) and Fulton’s condition factor were estimated for two flatfishes, Cynoglossus lingua Hamilton, and Cynoglossus cynoglossus (Hamilton), from the Cox’s Bazar coast of Bangladesh. Sampling was done from September to November 2022 from the landing center of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation. In this study, the maximum total length of C. cynoglossus (34.0 cm) is a new record for this species. The length-weight relationships for these two species were highly significant (P < 0.001) with adjusted r2 values of 0.918 and 0.927 for C. lingua and C. cynoglossus, respectively. The calculated growth coefficient (b) for C. lingua and C. cynoglossus was 2.873 and 3.359, respectively. The estimated Fulton’s condition factor (Kn) was 0.42 ± 0.05 for C. lingua and 0.72 ± 0.11 for C. cynoglossus. No information about the population parameters of C. lingua from the Bay of Bengal has been reported previously in any scientific database. The maximum Kn value of C. lingua was observed in the 13.0–15.9 cm length class while that of C. cynoglossus was found in the 31.0–33.9 cm length class. Our estimated LWR and Fulton’s condition factor values for these two flatfishes can be useful for management and conservation.

Effect of Varying Levels of Protein on Growth Performance, Body Indices, Whole Body Proximate and Fatty Acid Composition of White Leg Shrimp, <i>Litopenaeus vannamei</i>

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of varying levels of protein on growth performance, body indices, proximate and fatty acid composition of white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) juveniles with an average weight of (1.97±0.09) g. Experimental diets containing 30, 35 and 40% protein were prepared and the feeding experiment was carried out for the duration of 45 days. The results of the feeding trial showed that final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG), daily growth co-efficient (DGC) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) increased (p<0.05) significantly in the shrimp fed with diet containing 35% protein. Similarly, better survival was observed in all the treatments. The body indices total weight, edible, non-edible portion, hepato somatic index and muscle ratio was significantly (p<0.05) higher in shrimp fed with diet containing 35% protein. Whole body composition of post fed animals showed non-significant differences (p>0.05) among the various treatments. The fatty acid composition of whole, edible and non-edible portions showed that 17:0 (Heptadecanoic acid), 18:0 (Octadecanoic acid), 20:4n-6 (Eicosanoic acid) 21:0 (Heneicosanoic acid), 24:0 (Tetracosanoic acid) was higher in edible portion of shrimp fed with 35% protein supplemented diet. Similarly, other fatty acid was higher in whole body and non-edible portions. The results of this experiment infer that 35% protein has got a beneficial effect in the diet of L. vannamei juveniles for improving the various growth parameters.

Comparative estimation of the lysine requirements in two generations of improved strain of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at the grow-out stage

A 3 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary lysine on growth performance, body indices, feed intake, feed efficiency, whole body nutrient composition and amino acid deposition in two successive generations (16th and 17th) of GIFT (Oreochromis niloticus). Three diets containing different levels of lysine at 1.16%, 1.56% and 2.41% were prepared for the feeding trial. Triplicate groups of fish with an initial body weight of 155 g were fed to apparent satiation for 10 weeks in a recirculating aquaculture system. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter, crude protein, crude lipids, and total carbohydrates were measured in the experimental diets. At the end of the experiment, no interactions between dietary lysine levels in diet and fish generation were observed on all parameters except for the condition factor (CF) and ADC of crude protein. However, dietary lysine level significantly affected the final weight, weight gain, thermal unit growth coefficient (TGC), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and ADC of dry matter regardless of the fish generation. Final weight, weight gain and TGC of fish were the highest in fish fed 2.41% dietary lysine in diet or 6.52% lysine in the protein. PER was the lowest in fish fed 1.16% dietary lysine. The final weight and the body's accumulation of isoleucine, phenylalanine, and alanine were significantly affected by the fish generation, with the 17th generation having the best performance. Increase growth and higher lysine requirement observed in the improved generation (17th) compared to the (16th) generation at grow out phase indicating that genetic improvement may have changed the dietary lysine requirement.

Age Structure, Growth, and Mortality of Blue Swimming Crab (Portunus pelagicus Linnaeus,1758) in Banten Bay Waters

Blue swimming crab (BSC) (Portunus pelagicus) is the main fisheries commodity in Banten Bay, with the highest catch of catch occurring in the west monsoon. Increased fishing efforts have reduced the catch, as indicated by a decrease in the average size of carapace width. Overfishing might influence the life cycle and population structure of the BSC. This research aims to analyze the growth and mortality of the Blue Swimming Crab in Banten Bay, especially in the west monsoon. Blue swimming crab samples were obtained from the catch of fish trap and gillnet fishermen with landing sites around the Karangantu Archipelago Fishing Port. Growth, age, and mortality were predicted based on the measurement of total carapace width and body weight. Data were analyzed using Fisat II and Microsoft Excel. The frequency distribution of carapace showed one mode class which normally was distributed consisting of only one age structure group (cohort). The relationship between carapace width and weight of males or females resulted in a slope value (b>3) and was positive allometric, indicating that both sexes had a faster weight gain than the increase in carapace width. Growth parameters resulted asymptotic length (L∞); male 176.75 mm and female 176.46 mm. The growth was relatively fast, with a growth coefficient value of more than one. The mortality showed that the fishing mortality value (F);in males was 3.47 /year and in females 2.69/year was greater than the natural mortality value (M); males 1.25/year and females 1.22/year. Blue Swimming Crabs in Banten Bay had overfished as shown by the high fishing mortality value and there were still many BSC that were caught below the legal size allowed. Thus, catches should be controlled to keep the population and for sustainable fisheries.

Study of the Condition of Mackerel Scad Stocks (Decapterus sp) in Ternate Island Waters

Mackerl scad, is an economically important small pelagic fish species in the waters of Ternate Island which is exploited by fishermen with various types of active fishing gear such as purse seine, bagan and gill net. The use of fishing gear that is less selective with fishing activities throughout the year and not equipped with utilization regulations, is expected to cause pressure on skipjack stocks in the waters of Ternate Island. . This research is a type of empirical research carried out using the experimental fishing method, in which the researcher participates in fishing activities for 120 trips and samples of the fish caught are taken for the measurement process in the Lab. Processing of Fishery Products for 5 months, from October 2022 to March 2023. The results showed that the condition of the flyfish population parameter in Ternate Island waters was relatively stable with a maximum length value of 33.49 cm, a growth coefficient of 0.99 per month, fishing mortality 0.42, natural mortality 1.71 , the exploitation rate is 0.2 and the SPR is 42% and the recruitment value is Y/R 1.9% and B/R 56.8%. Where from these results indicate the need for an increase in fishing effort until the exploitation value reaches 0.4 for optimal and sustainable management.

Gills, growth and activity across fishes

AbstractLife history theory suggests that maximum size and growth evolve to maximize fitness. In contrast, the Gill Oxygen Limitation Theory (GOLT) suggests that growth and maximum size in fishes and other aquatic, water‐breathing organisms is constrained by the body mass‐scaling of gill surface area. Here, we use new data and a novel phylogenetic Bayesian multilevel modelling framework to test this idea by asking the three questions posed by the GOLT regarding maximum size, growth and gills. Across fishes, we ask whether the body mass‐scaling of gill surface area explains (1) variation in the von Bertalanffy growth coefficient (k) above and beyond that explained by asymptomatic size (W∞), (2) variation in growth performance (a trait that integrates the tradeoff between k and W∞) and (3) more variation in growth performance compared to activity (as approximated by caudal fin aspect ratio). Overall, we find that there is only a weak relationship among maximum size, growth and gill surface area across species. Indeed, the body mass‐scaling of gill surface area does not explain much variation in k (especially for those species that reach the same W∞) or growth performance. Activity explained three to five times more variation in growth performance compared to gill surface area. Our results suggest that in fishes, gill surface area is not the only factor that explains variation in maximum size and growth, and that other covariates (e.g. activity) are likely important in understanding how growth, maximum size and other life history traits vary across species.

Tissue Growth Model for Maintaining Tensional Homeostasis With Applications to Hypertension and Stented Artery

Abstract In this work, a theoretical growth model for maintaining a homeostatic mechanical environment was developed to capture the growth behavior of the artery and its association with its mechanical environment. The multiplicative decomposition approach was adopted to decompose the deformation matrix into an elastic term and a growth term. A growth factor relating to homeostatic stress was used to regulate the progressive changes in the arterial morphology. In addition, a growth coefficient was adopted to avoid unlimited growth. The arterial growth model was implemented in a commercial finite element software and tested in the cases of hypertension and stenting. Results have demonstrated that the arterial growth induced by hypertension can mitigate abnormal arterial stresses and restore the stress level in the artery back to its homeostasis. Following stenting, the arterial growth pattern was consistent with the distribution of the von Mises stresses in the artery. The arterial growth homogenized the stress distribution in the artery, except for the regions under the stent struts. The heterogeneous growth of the artery disrupted the alignment of the maximum principal stresses in the artery, elongated the stent, reduced the lumen area, and aggregated the tissue prolapse. It is expected that the growth model developed in this work could help to understand and regulate the chronic response of the tissue. Appropriate modeling of arterial growth in connection with tensional homeostasis provided insights for predicting alterations to the arterial mechanical environment, identifying biomechanical factors leading to restenosis, and designing therapeutic strategies to regulate the tissue adaptations.

Estimating stocking weights for Atlantic salmon to grow to market size at novel aquaculture sites with extreme temperatures

Land-based hatcheries are now capable of growing large Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) post-smolts (approximately 150 – 1000 g), which means that marine net-pens can be stocked with substantially larger fish compared to traditional stocking sizes (< 150 g). This stocking strategy typically aims to reduce the time required for fish to grow to market size in the marine environment and limit risks (e.g., exposure to pathogens and diseases, opportunities for escapes). This study investigates another potential application of this strategy: the use of novel sites in areas previously considered unsuitable for aquaculture due to seasonally cold temperatures. The thermal-unit growth coefficient (TGC) model was applied to estimate the stocking weight needed to reach a harvest size of 5.5 kg, based on observed degree days for three sites. High resolution, depth-partitioned temperature time series from coastal locations in Atlantic Canada were used to represent a short, medium, and long growing season, as constrained by seasonal temperature extremes. Growing days for model inputs were defined as temperatures > 4 °C and trending up for stocking, < 18 °C to account for heat stress, and > -0.7 °C to avoid superchill conditions. Different TGC values were applied to simulate remedial, average, and elite growth performance. There was a range of model stocking weight estimates for each site (1.5 – 2.5 kg, 0.94 – 2.8 kg, and < 0.1 – 0.52 kg, for the short, medium, and long season sites, respectively). Results were sensitive to the number of degree days, heat stress threshold, and TGC value. At the two sites where season length was constrained by superchill, fish with a stocking weight of approximately 1.5 kg could grow to market size in shallow water depths (< 15 m), assuming elite growth performance. This investigation suggests that with appropriate growth performance assumptions and high-resolution temperature data, large post-smolt stocking strategies could enable the use of novel sites in coastal areas previously considered unsuitable for aquaculture.

Growth and Instability in Area, Production and Productivity of Grape Crop in Afghanistan

Grapes constitute a widely grown fruit in Afghanistan. Grapes can be grown just in anywhere but mostly in Kabul, Parwan, Kandahar, Zabul and Ghazni provinces. In Afghanistan there are three local varieties that offer the best commercial return for export: Shindokhani, Kishmishi and Taifi. New commercial varieties are also being introduced, such as Thompson Seedless and Red Globe, and are beginning to make inroads into foreign markets. The present study estimates the growth rate and instability of area, production, productivity of grape in top five provinces and Afghanistan as a whole during years 2011-12 to 2019-20. To analyse the growth rate and instability of area, production and productivity of grape, the statistical tools like Compound growth rate (CGR) and Coefficient of Variation (CV) were used. The result of the study showed that, the CGR for production in the Kandahar and Ghazni provinces were found positive and significant. While negative growth rate were found in Kabul, Parwan and Zabul provinces. The instability of production and area were very high in Kandahar province compare to the other selected provinces.

Examining the Welfare System Expenses in Vietnam: Analysis of Total Expenses and Population Trends in 2011-2018

The welfare system is a critical aspect of any society, aimed at providing assistance and support to individuals and families in need. The main objective is to examine Vietnam's welfare system expenses and population trends between 2011 and 2018 to understand the challenges and opportunities of providing effective welfare programs. The Ratio Indicator is analysed using averages, means, growths, coefficients, and other means. The results show that the total welfare system expenses have been increasing from 2012 to 2013, with the most significant increase between 2012 and 2013 when the total Welfare System expenses increased by 10,864,663 mil. VND. The average welfare system expense growth on one citizen per year in the monitored period was 15,371 VND per year with an average growth coefficient of 1.055 per year. The analysis has limitations since it does not consider those without social security benefits; therefore, this study should be taken as a mean value. Also, Vietnam's geographical location makes it challenging to account for natural catastrophes and other factors that affect the welfare system.

Effects of P on the Uptake and Transport of Cd and As in Wheat Seedlings

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of P on the physiological mechanism of Cd and As uptake and transport of wheat seedlings. Taking Bainong 207 as the test material, we investigated the effects of exogenous P supply and P deficiency treatment on the growth, root morphology, photosynthetic parameters, antioxidant system, ion content, and rhizome transfer coefficient of wheat seedlings under Cd and As stress using hydroponic experiments. The results showed that compared with that in the P deficiency treatment, the supply of exogenous P significantly increased the chlorophyll content of wheat seedlings under As stress, promoted the growth and development of roots, and increased biomass, whereas there were no significant effects on the growth of wheat seedlings under Cd stress. The contents of P and Cd in the root system under the condition of Cd stress were significantly increased by the supply of exogenous P, and the contents of P and Cd in the aboveground part were reduced. At the same time, the P and As content in the shoot and the transfer coefficient of As from the root to the shoot under As stress were significantly improved. Therefore, the effects of P on the poisoning of wheat Cd and As in this study showed obvious differences. Under As stress, exogenous P supply mainly promoted the growth of wheat seedlings by improving the transport of As from the root to the shoot and the CAT activity in the root system, reducing the poisoning of As in wheat. Under Cd stress, P and Cd showed a certain synergistic effect, and the toxic effect of Cd on wheat was aggravated to a certain extent after the supply of P.

Socio-Economic Factors of Population Reproduction in Russia and in the Context of Federal Districts

The purpose of the study. Establishing the specifics of reproduction of the Russian population in the modern conditions of economic development in general and in the context of federal districts.Materials and methods. In the process of writing the article, the authors used regulatory legal acts of the Government of the Russian Federation, materials of the Federal State Statistics Service, the works of individual scientists and public organizations on the problems of population reproduction. In the course of the work, such statistical research methods as tabular and graphical methods, analysis of indexes of dynamics series were used.Results. The population of the Russian Federation and the components of its change for 1990-2021, the dynamics of fertility and mortality rates for 1950-2021 were studied, the reasons for the decline in the total fertility rate and the net coefficient of population reproduction, including in the context of federal districts, were considered.Conclusion. Currently, the population of the Russian Federation has not reached the level of 1990. Fluctuations in the total population growth are mainly caused by fluctuations in migration growth. In conditions of low fertility and high mortality, the migration component is the determining factor of population growth. Since 1992, the natural decline of the population has been established (with the exception of 2013-2015). The amount of migration growth exceeded the natural decline in 2009-2017, which ensured the overall population growth.The intersection of the curves of the dynamics of the fertility rate and the mortality rate in the Russian Federation was established in 1992 and 2016. From 2012 to 2016 the coefficient of natural growth is approaching zero, and then a downward trend is formed, that is, a decrease in the population.The main reason for the decline in the birth rate in Russia is the demographic, socio-economic state of society, in which a steady decline in the total fertility rate, demographic aging of the population, and changes in the family structure have been established. Over the past 30 years, there has been a narrowed reproduction of the population in the country, which can be considered as a potential depopulation.A high variation of the total fertility rate in the context of federal districts of Russia has been established. In the Central Federal District and the North-Western Federal Districts for the period 1990-2021, the total fertility rate did not exceed the average Russian level of this index. Over the past three years (2019-2021), the total fertility rate has been decreasing in the Northwestern, Southern, Volga, and Siberian Federal Districts.In order to eliminate negative trends in the birth rate in the regions, it is necessary to create jobs, form normal housing conditions, ensure sustainable growth in real income of the population, organize a modern level of healthcare, education, develop a network of preschool institutions, and support families.

Age, Growth, Maturation and Mortality of Picarel Spicara flexuosa (Sparidae) from the Crimea Water Area (Black Sea)

The results of the study of the sex and size-age structure, growth, maturation, sexual inversion, dynamics of the gonadosomatic index and mortality of 1948 individuals of the picarel Spicara flexuosa caught in the Crimea water area in 2020–2021 are presented. The total sex ratio in catches is biased towards females (3.5 : 1.0); sex inversion was recorded in 50% of females with a total body length of 13.5 ± 0.05 cm at the age of 3+. The maximum length of females is 15.1 cm, males, 22.0 cm; the weight is 29.0 and 132.2 g, respectively. The maximum age of females and males is 4 and 7 years, respectively. The values of the parameters of the von Bertalanffy equation are calculated: for females, the asymptotic length is 15.69 cm, the asymptotic weight is 32.0 g, the growth coefficient is 0.49 year–1; for males, 18.32 cm, 59.7 g and 0.44 year–1, respectively. A value of the exponent in the length-weight relationship is 2.68 for females (negative allometry) and 3.0 for males (isometry). The sexual maturity of 50% of females occurs at a length of 10.34 ± 0.21 cm at the age of 1+. The peak of spawning occurs in June. The rates of total, natural and fishing mortality are 1.2, 1.9 and 0.3 year–1, respectively in both sexes; the exploitation rate is 0.25, which indicates a low fishing pressure. It is established that S. flexuosa from northern populations is characterized by larger maximum sizes, a higher growth rate and a longer life expectancy

Fishery and population characteristics of the Indian white shrimp, Penaeus indicus H. Milne Edwards, 1837 (Decapoda, Dendrobranchiata) in Pulicat Lake, southeast coast of India

Abstract Fishery and population characteristics of the Indian white shrimp, Penaeus indicus, were studied in Pulicat Lake, on the southeast coast of India, using the FiSAT software package. The asymptotic length (), growth coefficient (K) and arbitrary origin of growth (t0) were estimated by the ELEFAN method to be 16.18 cm, 0.60 year−1 and −0.18 year, respectively. The asymptotic length () was calculated as 16.09 cm using the Wetherall method. The growth performance index (Ø′) was found to be 2.19. The mortality parameters Z, F and M were computed to be 3.85, 2.30 and 1.55 year−1, respectively. The pattern of recruitment was observed to be year-round, with a peak from June to September. The total stock, annual catch and exploitation rate for P. indicus were estimated to be 1518.43 tonnes, 809.3 tonnes, and 0.59 year−1, respectively. The estimated Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) was found to be 131.95 tonnes less than the annual catch. The stock of P. indicus was found to be over-exploited, so it is suggested that the effort level be reduced by 16.3% in order to sustain this resource in Pulicat Lake.

Toward a logistic model of dynamic mold growth on wood

This paper deals with mathematical modeling of mold growth on wood. The logistic growth equation is used to model mold growth phenomena in changing environmental conditions. Microscopic mold coverage fraction is used in the logistic equation to represent mold development on a material surface over time. The current state-of-the-art dynamic Finnish mold growth model is used as the reference model for development of the logistic mold growth model. The optimal values of mold growth coefficient are estimated by simulations of mold growth under constant environmental conditions and by finding the best agreement with the Finnish mold growth model using mathematical optimization methods. It is shown that the mold growth coefficient can be approximated as a function of relative humidity, temperature, wood species and the quality of the surface. The model parameters are then verified by a comparison with the Finnish mold growth model. In this case, cyclic step changes of constant relative humidity are used. Finally, the logistic mold growth model is compared with published experimental observations of mold growth. The discrepancy of mold growth models and experimental mold growth data, and possible improvements are discussed.

Microstructures and high temperature oxidation behaviors of AlMo0.5NbTa0.5TiZr high entropy alloys coated by silicon pack cementation

In this study, we fabricated silicon coatings on AlMo0.5NbTa0.5TiZr refractory high entropy alloy using pack cementation for the first time. The growth kinetics of the coating layer were analyzed by considering coating temperature, time, amount of Si, and NaF. The growth coefficient constant and activation energy were determined to be 96,823 µm/h1/2 and 117 kJ/mol, respectively. Microstructural analysis revealed the formation of a protective layer of SiO2 on the specimen surface, which increased its oxidation resistance at 1300 °C. Comparing the uncoated and coated specimens provided insight into the potential use of AlMo0.5NbTa0.5TiZr for high-temperature applications.

Modification of MEPDG rutting model based on RIOHTrack data

ABSTRACT Rutting is one of the most prevalent road distresses in asphalt pavement (AP), it is therefore critical to accurately predict the development of rutting to guide pavement design and maintenance. Based on the measured rutting data obtained from the RIOHTrack in China, the the most widely used MEPDG rutting model is evaluated for its applicability. Due to the original MEPDG rutting model being highly sensitive to a rapid increase of the number of load repetitions (NLR), a modified MEPDG rutting model is proposed by introducing a growth coefficient ( α ) for the NLR to reduce the effect of the rapid increase of NLR on the rutting prediction. The applicability of the modified rutting model is then verified by various pavement structures tested in the RIOHTrack, and the value of coefficient ( α ) based on the different annual average growth rates of traffic volume is provided for facilitating application. Moreover, the growth rate of the flow ruts is indicated as the critical parameter to describe the rutting development and used for rutting prediction, and the correlations between the pavement structures and the parameter are analyzed. The findings can guide for predicting the rut depth of the asphalt pavement within the whole service life.