Intensive Growth Research Articles

Experimental and numerical life evaluation of TBCs with different BC and diffusion coating under cyclic thermal loading

AbstractThis paper experimentally and numerically investigates the thermally grown oxide (TGO), lifetime, and stress values in thermal barrier coatings with different bond coat (BC), without top coat (TC), and diffusion coating under cyclic thermal loading. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis shows that the atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) and high‐velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) fabricated sample has the highest and lowest TGO thickness and growth rate, respectively. The new coating with two BCs has a maximum lifetime of 102 cycles. After that, the lifetime of the coatings with HVOF‐BC, diffusion coating, and APS‐BC reach 84, 56, and 44 cycles, respectively. The diffusion coating does not have much effect on the TGO thickness; however, it delays the Al interdiffusion to the substrate. In the sample without the TC layer, oxygen contact with the BC layer has increased, leading to a rise in the BC oxidation rate. The numerical analysis of the stress values based on SEM images shows that the more intense TGO layer growth in APS coating caused an increase in TC layer stress values. Furthermore, the results show that the new coating with two‐layer BC has the lowest stress values. The TC absence causes the loss of compressive stresses caused by TC on TGO and increases the tensile stress values in this layer.

PROMISING NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY FOR POULTRY FARMING BASED ON SILVER NANOPARTICLES EMBEDDED IN POLYMER-INORGANIC HYBRID CARRIERS

A promising composite material is proposed to reduce the endogenous and exogenous contamination of chicken eggs with pathogenic microflora during their formation and storage. It is based on hybrid biocompatible and biodegradable silica/polyacrylamide nanocarriers containing small silver nanoparticles (dav=2.4±1.0 nm) that are orally administered to laying hens with drinking water. The features of the formation of nanosilver in hybrid carriers by borohydride reduction of a silver salt at its various concentrations in an aqueous solution have been studied. An interesting effect of the sharp appearance of the second surface plasmon resonance band in the UV-Vis spectra of a silver salt/hybrid mixture at a high salt concentration was found. This was explained by sharp structural changes in the hybrid carriers caused by the simultaneous growth of many AgNPs in them. It was assumed that the intensive growth of many AgNPs in one hybrid particle was accompanied by detachment of the grafted PAAm chains from the SiO2 surface due to the breaking of hydrogen bonds. The change in the state of the composite material under the influence of the pH of the solution, the concentration of nanoparticles, the presence of NaCl (as in a “physiological solution”), and visible light was studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy, potentiometric titration, and TEM. Nanosilver in carriers showed high stability with respect to most of these factors. The influence of the composite material on the clinical state of laying hens and important parameters of their eggs and blood was studied when it was administered orally with drinking water three times every 10 days at doses of 0.2 and 0.4 mg per chicken per day. A striking effect of selective endogenous accumulation of silver in eggshells has been revealed. This confirmed the penetration of the nanosilver composite into the circulatory system of chickens by passing through the digestive tract, absorption through the intestinal epithelium and further transport into the tissues of the chickens, including the oviducts, where protein and eggshell are formed. Such penetration did not cause a toxic effect on the body of laying hens.

Research of Soil Biome of a Young Apple Orchard of Intensive Type

Fungi are one of the main sources of biotic inducers of plant immunity, but among this group of microorganisms, the largest number of phytopathogens is also noted. A two-year study was carried out on the dynamics of the composition and structure of the fungal community in the soil and the agrochemical characteristics of the soil of a young apple orchard of intensive type. The study of the fungi pool in the control (background, without plants) showed that the content of soil saprotrophs and cellulolytics was two times higher than the abundance of these groups in the root zone of a young apple tree. The importance of the role of plant exudates for the formation of the root zone mycobiota, its participation in the differentiation of the soil microbial community and the formation of the “phytogenic region” where root exudates affect the activity and distribution of ecological-trophic groups of fungi, is demonstrated. In the zone of intensive root growth in the 10–20 cm layer, a sharp decrease in the content of macroelements (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) was noted.

Siting of electric vehicle charging stations method addressing area potential and increasing their accessibility

The intensive growth of cities and transport systems makes its specific problems, the most serious of them include pollution and noise caused by individual transport in urban areas. The transition towards green solutions makes it possible to reduce the negative effects of conventional internal combustion engines used in vehicles. A considerable limitation experienced while attempting to introduce electric vehicles into cities is the network of charging stations. The article proposes a charging station siting method which takes into account distances between charging stations for location charging stations out appropriately within a particular urban area using a GIS-based approach. The results of the method can be verified and changed, depending on the chosen scenario, assuming different numbers of charging stations, by analysing the aspect of pedestrian accessibility within the given area. It also refers to a specific example of the method application in the city of Katowice in Poland. To compare the scenarios, the accessibility of charging stations was analysed using pedestrian access isochrones. The results obtained for the five-minute isochrone show that an increase in the number of stations from 33 to 99 makes it possible to increase the coverage area by nearly 199%. The results thus obtained confirm the efficiency of the method in question when used for planning the distribution of vehicle charging stations. What this method enables is adapting the iterative process of charging station siting to the city budget, which is an important additional element.

Effectiveness of growth regulators in garlic (<i>Allium sativum</i> L.) production

The results of the studies of new generation growth regulators in the cultivation of planting material of garlic (Allium sativum L.) are presented. The experiments (2019-2021) were conducted in the field trials in the Moscow region. The plants were grown on the soil containing 3.2% humus, 2.9 mg nitrogen/100 g soil, 26.8 mg phosphorus/100 g soil, 3.9 mg potassium/100 g soil, pH of the salt extract - 5.2. During the growing season of the plants three fertilizer applications were made: the first - in the phase of intensive leaf growth with ammonium nitrate (at a dose of 30 g/m2), the second - 2 weeks after the first with nitroammophoska (30 g/m2), the third - 2 weeks after the second with potassium sulfate (50 g/m2). The weather conditions were generally favorable for garlic cultivation. The plants were watered as needed. The experiments were conducted on winter garlic of the Gladiator variety. Seed (aerial bulbs) and planting material (one-toothed bulbs and cotyledons) were treated by soaking for 30 min, and the plants obtained from them were sprayed with growth regulator solutions. The preparations Lostor and Energy M, were used at a concentration of 0.01%, Zircon at a concentration of 0.025% for the treatment of the planting material and at a concentration of 0.1% for the treatment of the above-ground part of the plants. It was found that treatment of aerial bulbs and plants with Lostor promotes an increase in the yield of one-toothed bulbs by 18.8%, and by 8.1 % with Energy M. Treatment of single-toothed bulbs and plants with Lostor increases the yield of multitoothed bulbs by 24.3%, and with Energy M by 16.2%. Application of Lostor promotes an increase in the dry matter content by 8.0% and an increase in the sum of sugars by 9.2%.

Kakovost kosil in večerij v dijaškem domu v Ljubljani

Zdrav način prehranjevanja je v obdobju mladostništva, zaradi intenzivne rasti in številnih fizioloških sprememb, izjemno pomemben. Obroki v dijaških domovih morajo biti načrtovani skladno s Smernicami za prehranjevanje v vzgojno-izobraževalnih zavodih (Smernice). Cilj raziskave je bil ovrednotiti energijsko in hranilno vrednost kosil in večerij v dijaškem domu v Ljubljani ter oceniti njihovo skladnost s Smernicami. Posamezne jedi v ponujenih obrokih smo stehtali ter s spletnim orodjem Odprta platforma za klinično prehrano ovrednotili vsebnost energije in makrohranil. Dijaki so z 9-točkovno hedonsko lestvico ocenjevali senzorično sprejemljivost obrokov. Rezultati so pokazali, da so bile povprečne energijske vrednosti kosil skladne s priporočili za energijski vnos za dekleta, za fante pa so bile premajhne. Povprečna energijska vrednost večerij je bila v vseh treh tednih večja od priporočene za dekleta, medtem ko je bila za fante premajhna v 1. tednu in skladna v drugih dveh tednih. Povprečni vnosi energije z beljakovinami s kosili so bili preveliki, v nasprotju pa so bili povprečni vnosi energije z ogljikovimi hidrati s kosili in večerjami premajhni v vseh treh tednih. Dijaki so v povprečju preveč energije zaužili z maščobami. Povprečna hedonska ocena kosil na 9-točkovni hedonski lestvici je bila 6,5 ± 1,9, povprečna hedonska ocena večerij pa 6,6 ± 1,9.

The optimization growth of Dracocephalum forrestii in RITA® bioreactor, and preliminary screening of the biological activity of the polyphenol rich extract

Dracocephalum forrestii is a medicinal plant growing in China. The aim of the present study was to large-scale cultivation of D. forrestii transformed shoots in a temporary immersion system based on previously-optimized Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L N-benzyl-9-(2-tetrahydropyranyl)-adenine (BPA) and 0.2 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and physical (under blue LED) conditions. Shoot proliferation, and biomass and secondary metabolite accumulation in the shoots were assessed after a three-week growth period in a RITA® bioreactor. The levels of polyphenols in four types of extract (hydromethanolic extracts – mixtures with a 20%, 50%, and 80% methanol content and infusion) were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Within three weeks, the culture increased its biomass 283-fold, with a proliferation ratio of 40.5 shoots or/and buds per explants. The most efficient solvent for extraction of phenolic compounds from raw material turned out to be 80% methanol solution; the highest polyphenol content was 40 mg/g DW (dry weight) with acacetin rhamnosyl-trihexoside (12.97 mg/g DW) and rosmarinic acid (10.68 mg/g DW) predominating. The intensive growth of the biomass of the culture allowed 570 mg of polyphenolic compounds to be obtained per liter of the medium. The antioxidant potential of extract of D. forrestii shoots was evaluated using three free radical-scavenging tests, and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation assay. In the study, the cytotoxic, antibacterial and antifungal potentials of the extract were also determined.

Study on the Structure and Bioactivity of Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides under Cassava Stalk Stress.

Various carbon sources affect the growth of the G. lucidum fruiting body, and the cassava stalk is considered a promising carbon source for G. lucidum. The composition, functional group characteristics, molecular weight distribution, antioxidant activity in vitro, and growth effect of L. rhamnosus LGG of G. lucidum polysaccharides (GLPs) under cassava stalk stress were investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, near-infrared spectroscopy, and gel chromatography. The results showed that GLPs consisted of D-glucose, D-galactose, and seven other monosaccharides. The end of the sugar chain had β-D-Glc and β-D-Gal configurations. The total sugar content in GLP1 was the highest (4.07%), and GLP1, GLP2, GLP3, and GLP5 had the β-D-Gal configuration, while GLP4 and GLP6 had the β-D-Glc configuration. The greater the proportion of cassava stalk, the greater the maximum molecular weight of GLPs. The total antioxidant capacities of GLPs obtained from different cassava stalks significantly varied, as well as their stimulating effects on the L. rhamnosus LGG growth. Higher concentrations of GLPs corresponded to the more intensive growth of L. rhamnosus LGG. This study provided essential data support for cassava stalk as a carbon source in G. lucidum cultivation.

Sustainable food development for societies in hot arid regions: Thermoeconomic assessment of passive-cooled soil-based and hydroponic greenhouses

The intense growth in population in hot arid regions and heavy dependence on food imports resulted in many societies becoming food insecure. Moreover, heat waves and increasing average ambient temperatures have significantly increased plants' dehydration and death. Hot arid regions already experience very high ambient temperature levels and solar radiation, and the lack of freshwater resources, making cultivation expensive, energy-intensive, and vulnerable, if not impossible. Therefore, this study investigates the thermoeconomic performance of four different passive-cooled greenhouse configurations simulated for three large metropolitan areas (Doha, Cairo, and Karachi) located in different hot arid climates to analyze the possibilities and prospects for sustainable food production within the proximity of hot arid regions. First, a thermal performance assessment of the passive-cooled greenhouse combinations is performed for a typical day in every month of the year. Second, the evapotranspiration rate of the passive-cooled greenhouses is calculated to obtain water requirements. Third, a detailed economic analysis is executed for the different cultivation methods (soil-based and hydroponic). Fourth, an economic sensitivity analysis of the major input variables was studied to assess the greenhouses' economic robustness. Finally, the reduced environmental impact in (kg carbon dioxide eq.) of utilizing greenhouse passive cooling combinations relative to active cooling energy consumption is computed. Passive cooling combinations efficiently reduce high inside temperature by 2–6 °C, lower water requirements by 19–46%, and present an overall better economic and environmental performance.

Clinical case of treatment of secondary chondrosarcoma developed due to Ollier disease

Ollier disease is a rare non-hereditary disorder of the bone tissue characterized by development of multiple benign bone tumors – enchondromas. One of the dangerous complications of this pathology is tumor transition into chondrosarcoma. Currently, there are no drug therapies for Ollier disease. Surgical treatment is performed in case of complications (chondrosarcoma, pathological fracture).The article presents a clinical case of chondrosarcoma treatment in a 42-year-old male with Ollier disease diagnosed when the patient was 8 years old. Since 2021, the patient noted intensive tumor growth on the right foot and left calf. In August of 2022, the patient sought medical help at the Republican Clinical Oncological Dispensary of the Bashkortostan Ministry of Health. Examination showed synchronous malignant transformation of enchondromas of the right foot and left calf confirmed by histological exam. Due to tumor advancement, surgical treatment was performed. Other enchondroma lesions are being watched.

THE EDUCATIONAS A DETERMINANT FACTOR IN ECONOMIC GROWTH. THE ECUADORIAN CASE (1960-2019)

This paper studies the factors driving the Ecuadorian economic growth through the analysis of the education relevance measured as human capital for the period 1960-2019. By providing a characterization of the business cycle in Ecuador we were able to describe the economic growth trend, cyclical component and also the expansions and recessions periods. To this end, we also analyzed the labor share in the economy to observe the evolution of human capital importance in the income distribution.
 
 Secondly, a multiple regression model was designed to quantify the correlation between the economic growth rate and the evolution of human capital. The main findingsare that human capital and commodity prices have been relevant in explaining the economic growth, i.e., are the main source of increase in the GDP. To complement the analysis ant to stablish the importance of public policies for the betterment of education, a theoretical framework was designed to identify how the government spending and investment in education contribute for the human capital to increase over time.The results show that both government spending and investment are strongly correlated to increases in human capital index.
 
 Finally, we performed a statistical growth accounting exercise to quantify the relative importance of the different factors explaining output growth: inputs accumulation (extensive growth) and technological progress (intensive growth). By decomposing the labor between increase in workers and improving of human capital human capital we can isolate the effects of education in economic growth.
 
 Thus, for the period 1960-2019, for the Cobb-Douglas aggregate production function the average contribution of capital and labor were1.66%and 1.53% respectively points to the average annual output growth of 4.04%, whilehuman capital is accountable for 0.43%.It is also noticeable that TFP has been responsible for 0.40%, almost the same amount of the human capital. On the other hand, the augmented production function indicates that the isolated contribution of human capital was 0.25, while capital and labor were 1.14% and 1.26% respectively.The results obtained confirm the importance that the accumulation in physical capital and employment had played in explaining per capita output growth during the last decades, whereas the contribution of total factor productivity has been more modest. Human capital has also been a relevant factor in explaining the evolution of production, precisely because it is a developing economy that started from lower levels of human capital.

Evaluation of green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) varieties for adaptability and noble-forming ability in the conditions of the forest-steppe of Western Siberia

Relevance. From an agrotechnical point of view, beans are a valuable crop capable of greening agriculture. Legumes have the ability to enter into symbiotic relationships with nodule nitrogen-fixing bacteria and assimilate atmospheric nitrogen. The creation of highly efficient plant-microbial systems in agrocenoses by breeding new varieties of legumes with a high symbiotic potential is a promising direction that makes it possible to control the efficiency of plant biomass accumulation and the quality of agricultural products. There is a need to evaluate varieties for adaptability and nodule-forming ability to implement breeding programs to create highly productive and high-quality varieties that can realize the genetic potential of productivity in the sharply continental climate.Materials and methods. On the basis of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education Novosibirsk State Agrarian University in 2018-2020, an assessment was made of green bean varieties of different ecological and geographical origin with a bush type of growth. Experimental fields are located in the village of Michurinsky (left bank of Novosibirsk) and the educational and production farm "Garden of Michurintsev" (right bank of Novosibirsk). The study of samples in terms of adaptability parameters, as well as the ability to form nodules, was performed in accordance with generally accepted methods. We took into account the characteristics that affect the productivity of the crop - the number and weight of beans per plant, the weight of one bean, and the yield. The aim of the work is to evaluate the varieties of vegetable beans for adaptability and nodule-forming ability in the conditions of the forest-steppe of the Siberian region.Results. When forming the symbiotic apparatus, the growth conditions were taken into account. It has been established that high rates of biomass are observed on the territory of the village of Michurinsky. Varieties Morena and Maguyra are characterized by intensive growth in the experimental field of the village of Michurinsky, varieties Zoluyshka and Solnyshko – the educational and production farm "Garden of Michurintsev". The total number of nodules per plant varied from 29 (Kormilitsa) to 66. (Zoluyshka), active nodules – from 9 (Kormilitsa) to 49 (Zoluyshka). It is noted that the varieties Solnyshko and Zoluyshka have high rates of general adaptive ability and breeding value of the genotype. A strong relationship has been established between the characteristics of leaf mass and the number of active nodules, the number of active nodules and the leaf surface area; average - between the number of active nodules and plant biomass.

Интенсивный рост овражного расчленения ландшафтов как результат изменения климата на примере н. п. Еланка

Аннотация. Статья посвящена изучению динамики образования и развития овражных форм рельефа на территории н. п. Еланка Хангаласского улуса в Центральной Якутии, объяснению механизмов возникновения и роста овражных форм рельефа на мерзлотных ландшафтах и причин активизации термоэрозионных процессов на территории надпойменной террасы реки Лена. Приводятся физическая и географическая характеристики местности и краткая историческая справка об исследуемом населенном пункте. Представлены результаты наблюдений и исследований, проводимых на территории населенного пункта в период с 2019 по 2021 гг. с описанием существующих закономерностей между условиями распределения различных по морфометрическим данным овражных форм рельефа. Приводится сравнение величин размеров объектов изучения за весь период. В результате зарегистрировано динамическое увеличение размеров овражных форм рельефа, дальнейшее развитие которых в последующие годы несет угрозу хозяйственной деятельности человека на территории населенного пункта исследования, а кроме того на территории других населенных пунктов, которые находятся на надпойменной террасе реки Лена с подобными физико-географическими условиями. Приводятся примеры развития овражных систем в других населенных пунктах Хангаласского улуса. Рассматриваются резкое повышение количества атмосферных осадков на территории Центральной Якутии и общее увеличение температуры приземного воздуха как одна из причин возникновения овражного расчленения рельефа надпойменной террасы реки Лена. Предполагается, что похожие примеры овражного расчленения территорий имеют место быть и в других населенных пунктах, расположенных на надпойменной террасе реки Лена, в которых не проводились исследования рельефа ранее. Рекомендуется провести в вышеупомянутых населенных пунктах аналогичные исследования нарушений рельефа. Abstract. The article is devoted to studying the dynamics of formation and development of gully landforms on the territory of the Elanka settlement of the Khangalasskiy District in Central Yakutia, explaining the mechanisms of formation and growth of gully landforms in permafrost landscapes and the reasons for activation of thermoerosion processes on the territory of the Lena River floodplain terrace. Physical and geographical characteristics of the area and a brief historical note about the researched locality are given. The results of observations and research carried out on the territory of the settlement during the period from 2019 to 2021 are presented, with a description of existing regularities between the distribution conditions of different morphometric data gully landforms. A comparison of the size values of the study objects for the entire period is given. As a result, a dynamic increase in the size of gully landforms is registered, the further development of which in subsequent years poses a threat to human economic activity in the territory of the settlement of the study, and also in the territory of other settlements that are located on the floodplain terrace of the Lena River with similar physical and geographical conditions. Examples of development of gully systems in other settlements of Khangalassky District are given. A sharp increase in the amount of atmospheric precipitation on the territory of Central Yakutia and a general increase in surface air temperature as one of the causes of the gully dissection of the relief of the Lena river floodplain terrace is considered. It is assumed that similar examples of gully dissection of territories take place in other settlements located on the Lena River floodplain terrace, in which no studies of the relief have been conducted earlier. It is recommended to carry out similar studies of relief disturbance in the above-mentioned settlements.

Analysis of the formation of enterprise development strategy and its competitive positions

The purpose of the study in the article is to consider new approaches to the formation of an enterprise development strategy (using the example of furniture production in the Pavlodar region). In particular, the purpose of the study is to assess the competitive position of the enterprise, based on the use of the method of expert assessments, taking into account the spatial model (Space Model) and factors of the internal and external environment. Approaches to the formation of an enterprise development strategy include determining the methods for formulating a strategy and the results of their application. When obtaining the initial data, the study used the method of expert assessments, including quantitative and qualitative research methods based on a questionnaire. The initial data was collected using a survey composed of preapproved questions using a six-point scale, the SPACE model was used, which allows determining the most optimal type of development strategy for the enterprise, taking into account the parameters of the external environment and the state of the internal environment. The authors also propose the following strategies for intensive growth: the first is a strategy for expanding the boundaries of the market; the second is a deep market penetration strategy.

Effect of school-based nutrition interventions among primary school children in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review protocol

IntroductionPreadolescents are passing through an intensive growth and development period that will benefit from healthy eating practices. For those attending school, school environments offer several potential benefits and have been...

Vitamin content in the diet among 14- to 15-year-old teenagers depending on the BMI value.

In a period of intensive growth and development, both a deficiency and an excess of nutrients may have negative consequences on health. In the case of vitamins, an ongoing deficiency can result which have a direct effect on public health. The research included all third-year middle school pupils. With the assistance of the person conducting the research, a questionnaire was completed about consumption of food products consumed every day for a period of 7 days. Energy and nutrient requirements were defined individually for each child in terms of RDA. The daily intake of group B vitamins was exceeded both in the boys' group and the girls' group. The daily intake of vitamin C and folates was higher in the boys' group than in the girls' group, but did not meet the required daily intake in any of the groups studied. In all boys' groups, the intake of vitamin D covered less than 30% of the required daily amount. It has been shown that there is a statistically significant influence of the intake of vitamins on body mass. In the girls' group, the most common statistically significant differences were between the group of underweight girls and the groups of girls with correct body weight and overweight girls. Insufficient intake of vitamins is observed most often in underweight adolescents. The incorrect amount of vitamins in the diet requires the implementation of action to improve the dietary preferences of adolescents.

Ways of growth stimulation of piglets with the help of biologically active drugs

Providing the population of Ukraine with meat and meat products largely depends on the efficiency of the pig industry, one of the urgent problems of which is the increase in pork production. There are many problematic stages in pig farming, one of which is raising suckling piglets, the complexity of which is determined by a number of physiological features of the development of the body of newborn piglets. During the period of intrauterine development and in the first days of life, piglets receive nutrients exclusively from the sow. Therefore, improving the rations of farrowing and suckling sows in a certain way affects the fertility, growth, and survival of piglets. An important place in this belongs to mineral nutrition. One of the ways to eliminate mineral deficiency in feed is the use of mineral additives. Among the wide arsenal of biologically active substances used to regulate metabolic processes in the body, drugs of complex action are of particular importance. Today, there are relatively inexpensive fertilizers based on natural minerals, which include trace elements and amino acids. The balance of rations in terms of biologically active substances remains an important factor affecting animal productivity. In a number of studies, it has been proven that the use of chelated compounds of microelements as a feed additive ensures better assimilation of metals than when they are introduced into the diet in an inorganic form, which in turn helps to achieve higher productivity in animals, as well as reducing feed costs per unit of production. Therefore, the development of new biotechnological methods of stimulating growth, increasing the percentage of survival of suckling piglets, and improving the reproductive capacity of sows using biologically active substances is relevant. A necessary condition for the normal development of piglets and the recovery of sows in the postpartum period is their full feeding, in particular, balanced feed in terms of macro- and microelements. After all, mineral substances take an active part in metabolic processes, activate the functions of hormones, vitamins, and enzymes, contribute to increased digestibility and utilization of nutrients in diets, better provision of intrauterine development of offspring, the birth of physiologically mature piglets, more intensive growth and development after birth. The significant influence of trace elements on physiological processes is explained by the fact that they are part of the so-called accessory substances: vitamins, hormones, enzymes, and coen-zymes involved in the regulation of vital processes. In addition, they affect the formation of cellular immunity of newborn piglets. In this regard, in recent years much attention has been paid to the study of the influence of various vitamin and mineral supplements of organic origin on the productivity of animals.

Straw Mulch Effect on Soil and Water Loss in Different Growth Phases of Maize Sown on Stagnosols in Croatia

Soil and water loss due to traditional intensive types of agricultural management is widespread and unsustainable in Croatian croplands. In order to mitigate the accelerated land degradation, we studied different cropland soil management strategies to obtain feasible and sustainable agro-technical practices. A rainfall simulation experiment was conducted at 58 mm h–1 over 30 min on 10 paired plots (0.785 m2), bare and straw covered (2 t ha−1). The experiment was carried out in maize cultivation (Blagorodovac, Croatia) established on Stagnosols on slopes. Measurements were conducted during April (bare soil, after seeding), May (five-leaves stage), and June (intensive vegetative growth) making 60 rainfall simulations in total. Straw reduced soil and water losses significantly. The highest water, sediment loss, and sediment concentrations were identified in tillage plots during May. Straw addition resulted in delayed ponding (for 7%, 63%, and 50% during April, May and June, respectively) and runoff generation (for 37%, 32%, and 18% during April, May and June, respectively). Compared with the straw-mulched plot, tillage and bare soil increased water loss by 349%. Maize development reduced the difference between bare and straw-mulched plots. During May and June, bare plots increase water loss by 92% and 95%, respectively. The straw mulch reduced raindrop kinetic energy and sediment detachment from 9, 6, and 5 magnitude orders in April, May, and June, respectively. Overall, the straw mulch was revealed to be a highly efficient nature-based solution for soil conservation and maize cultivation protection.

Seven-year outcomes following intensive anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration

BackgroundAnti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy is currently the most effective therapy of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The aim of this study was to assess long-term benefits of intensive aflibercept and ranibizumab anti-VEGF therapy in patients with exudative AMD.MethodsTwo clinical trial sites recruited their original subjects for a re-evaluation 7 years after the baseline visit of the phase-3 Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Trap-Eye: Investigation of Efficacy and Safety in Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (VIEW 2) trial.Forty-seven eyes of 47 patients with AMD originally treated with ranibizumab (14 eyes) or aflibercept (33 eyes) were included.ResultsMean number of injections was 17.8 ± 3.0 during participation in the VIEW 2 trial. Fourteen of 47 (30%) eyes were given additional injections with a mean number of 5.7 ± 4.5 after the trial. At a mean follow-up time of 82 ± 5 months best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) remained stable or improved (≤ 10 letters lost) in 55% of patients in the entire study population, in 43% in the ranibizumab group and in 60% in the aflibercept group. In both groups combined mean BCVA was 54 ± 13 letters at baseline, 65 ± 17 letters at the end of the intensive phase and 45 ± 25 letters at the end of follow-up. There was no statistically significant difference in BCVA between the two groups at baseline (p = 0.88) and at the end of follow-up (p = 0.40). Macular atrophy was observed in 96% of eyes, average area was 7.22 ± 6.31 mm2 with no statistically significant difference between groups (p = 0.47). Correlation between BCVA at end-of-follow-up and the area of atrophy was significant (p < 0.001). At the end of follow-up, fluid was detected in 7 of 47 eyes (15%) indicating disease activity.ConclusionLong-term efficacy of aflibercept and ranibizumab was largely consistent. Following a two-year intensive therapy with as-needed regimen, BCVA was maintained or improved in almost half of the patients and in the ranibizumab group and more than half of the patients in the aflibercept group with very few injections. In a remarkable proportion of eyes, BCVA declined severely which underlines the need for long-term follow-ups and may indicate a more prolonged intensive therapy.Trial registrationsVIEW 2 study: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT00637377, date of registration: March 18, 2008.Long-term follow-up: IRB nr.: SE RKEB 168/2022, ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05678517, date of registration: December 28, 2022, retrospectively registered.

Brolucizumab in Pretreated Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Case Series, Systematic Review, and Meta-Analysis

Recalcitrant neovascular age-related macular degeneration (rnAMD) despite intensive intravitreal anti-neovascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment, can be handled by switching to another anti-VEGF agent. This first systematic review and meta-analysis presents long-term data after switching from another anti-VEGF agent to brolucizumab. Retrospective case series over two years of patients switched to brolucizumab, and a systematic review and meta-analysis of peer-reviewed studies presenting patients switched to brolucizumab. Weighted mean differences based on the random-effects models were calculated for best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central subfield thickness (CST). The systematic review draws on 1200 eyes switched to brolucizumab. The meta-analysis showed a clinically irrelevant decrease in BCVA after one and two months, together with significant decreases in CST for up to one year after the switch but lacking power over 2 years. Of twelve eyes (twelve patients) in our case series, five continued treatment for two years without experiencing significant changes. After switch to brolucizumab, a significant morphological improvement with CST reduction was shown in eyes with rnAMD. The small worsening of BCVA may be owing to the chronically active nature of rnAMD. Brolucizumab thus remains a treatment option in rnAMD despite its potential side effects.