Length Increment Research Articles

Serial Transverse Enteroplasty and The Re-establishment of Enteral Autonomy Among The Adult Population

Objective(S): To define the evolving role of serial transverse enteroplasty(STEP) in the surgical management of intestinal failure(IF) in patients with short bowel syndrome(SBS) especially among the adult population. Background: The current literature is lacking the rationale and long-term efficacy of STEP as a part of the multidisciplinary management of SBS-IF adult population. Methods: The study included a total of 64 total parenteral nutrition (TPN) dependent patients. The causes of SBS were wide-ranging with residual bowel length of 79+47 cm and plasma citrulline level of 22+12 umol/L. Partial or full colon was preserved in 56(88%) patients. STEP was primary in 32 patients and integrated with autologous gut reconstruction(AGR) in the remaining 32. Integrated STEP was technically feasible in 44% of the preoperative candidates. To assess the therapeutic benefits of integrated STEP, 32 of the contemporaneous AGR-only patients were statistically identified by propensity-score matching as control group. Results: With a mean follow-up of 35+24 months, the 64 study patients received a total of 81 STEP procedures. The 5-year disease-specific survival was 91% with a respective restored enteral autonomy (EA) rate of 80%. Compared to the matched control, integrated STEP significantly(P=0.02) enhanced the cumulative restoration of EA. The ASA comorbidity class IV was the only significant(P=0.05) survival risk factor. Preoperative TPN caloric requirements and total increment in bowel length were independent predictors of STEP-associated EA. Consequently, STEP was a significant predictor of restored EA among the overall SBS-IF patients. Conclusions: This study underscores the wide-applicability and long-term therapeutic efficacy of STEP among the SBS-patients including adults. Accordingly, the procedure should be increasingly utilized for all ages and promptly considered as an integral part of the SBS-IF management armamentarium.

Effectiveness of Sucrose and Casein Hydrolysate Concentration Combinations on The In Vitro Growth Dendrobium Sp. Plantlets

Background: The growth medium is a critical factor influencing the quality of Dendrobium sp. plantlet development. The addition of sucrose as an energy source and casein hydrolysate as a growth supplement to the medium can enhance plantlet growth. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sucrose and casein hydrolysate combinations on the growth of Dendrobium sp. plantlets cultivated in vitro. Materials and Methods: The research was conducted in the in vitro Laboratory of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Halu Oleo University, from August to November 2020, using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 12 treatments and 4 replications. Treatments consisted of various combinations of sucrose concentrations (20 g/L, 30 g/L, 40 g/L) and casein hydrolysate concentrations (50, 100, 150, 200 mg/L). Data were analyzed using Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT).) Results: The results showed that the combination of sucrose 30 g/L and casein hydrolysate (100–150 mg/L) yielded the highest plantlet performance, including height increment (2.57 cm and 2.42 cm), leaf number increment (6.17 and 6.13 leaves), and fresh weight increment (2.13 g and 2.10 g). Furthermore, the combination of sucrose 40 g/L and casein hydrolysate (50–150 mg/L) resulted in the highest root performance, with root number increment (6.43 roots) and root length increment (9.63 cm and 9.67 cm). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that specific sucrose and casein hydrolysate combinations can significantly optimize the in vitro growth of Dendrobium sp. plantlets.

Growth Performance of Oreochromis Niloticus Fry Fed with Two Different Starter Diets

This study was conducted at Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Benue State, Nigeria to assess the growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry fed Coppens and Skretting starter diets. A total of 200 fry were stocked at a density of 50 fry per 50 litre tanks. The experimental diets, Coppens and Skretting starter feeds were administered 4 times daily to satiation for a period 8 weeks (56 days) in two replicates per diet, utilizing four aerated plastic tanks. Weekly sampling was conducted to evaluate specific growth rate (SGR) and survival rate across the treatments. Statistical analysis revealed to significant differences (p>0.05) between the two diets treatment in terms of weight gain and length increment, although slight variations were observed. The average water temperature and pH during the experiment were 27.45°C ±0.77 and 7.35±0.15, respectively. The results indicates that both feed types performed comparably in promoting growth and survival rates of the fry. However, considering the higher costs of Coppens feed, Skretting starter feed is recommended as a more cost-effective alternative for aquaculture operations.

Enhancing seismic resilience of steel frames through a novel passive control system with non-buckling metal braces

AbstractIn this study, a novel passive control mechanism was proposed to enhance the seismic resilience of steel frames through the implementation of a new bracing system. This system involved the design of a non-buckling metal brace featuring both bean-shaped and rectangular cross-section apertures. Subsequently, the impact of various geometric parameters of this damper on its buckling resistance was investigated through computational simulations conducted using ABAQUS finite element software. The study also evaluated the influence of the new system specifications on the mechanical response of the steel frame. The findings revealed that the first buckling load for the brace with one bean-shaped groove and five bean-shaped grooves was determined to be 1.69 kN and 1.25 kN, respectively. This indicates a 25% reduction in the first buckling load with an increase in the number of bean-shaped grooves from one to three, rendering the brace susceptible to buckling. It gave values for rectangular groove braces as 1.67 kN and 1.06 kN, which is a 36% reduction. Another implication of the study is that the adaptability of the bean-shaped core depends on the individual frames, and an increment in the opening length improves the performance of the rectangular core.

Compositional effects on the etching of fossil confined fission tracks in apatite

Abstract Fission track analysis is a thermochronologic method for dating rocks and reconstructing their low-temperature thermal histories. We investigate the influence of the apatite composition on the etching of fossil confined fission tracks and its consequences for the fission track method. We conducted step-etch experiments with 5.5 M HNO3 at 21 °C on samples with etch pit diameters (Dpar) spanning most of the range for natural apatites (Panasqueira: 1.60 µm; Slyudyanka: 2.44 µm; Brazil: 3.92 µm; and Bamble: 4.60 µm) to determine their apatite etch rates vR (the rate at which each lattice plane is displaced parallel to itself) as a function of crystallographic orientation (ϕ′). Our measurements revealed significant differences between the four samples. We fitted three-parameter functions, vR = a(Dpar)ϕ′ eb(Dpar)ϕ′ + c, describing vR as a function of the angle to the apatite c-axis for our hexagonal samples (excluding Bamble) and Durango apatite. Both parameters a and b exhibit a linear correlation with Dpar, whereas the constant c is small (~0.1 µm/min) and its between-sample variation is negligible at the resolution of our measurements. Bamble exhibits a different, bimodal relationship between vR and ϕ′, which we fitted with a sum of two sine functions. In all cases, including Bamble, there is a striking correlation between the angular frequencies of horizontal confined tracks and the magnitude of the apatite etch rate vR perpendicular to the track axes. This result shows that the sample of confined tracks selected for measurement and modeling is to a much greater degree determined by the etching properties of the apatite sample than by geometric or subjective biases. The track etch rate vT is constant along most of the track length but varies from track to track. The mean vT correlates with Dpar, so that tracks etch to their full lengths in a shorter time in faster etching apatites. The mean rate of length increase between etch steps, vL, also correlates with Dpar. The length increments of individual tracks are however irregular. This points to an intermittent structure at the ends of the tracks.

Cultivation and Growth Dynamics of Capelin (Mallotus villosus) from Hatch to Adulthood

This study describes the first successful rearing of capelin from hatch to adulthood in a laboratory setting using intensive culture methods. Over the span of about two years, the capelin were reared in aquaculture tanks under a constant temperature of 7 °C. The capelin demonstrated a robust linear growth during their first year of life, with a mean length increment of 0.36 mm per day. Due to their accelerated growth, some of the capelin became sexually mature as early as one year post-hatch. The first year was characterized by a rapid increase in condition factor (CF) while the second year showed a plateau. The von Bertalanffy growth equation effectively described the two-year growth of the cultivated capelin, predicting an asymptotic length (L∞) of 18.4 cm, similar to the 18.6 cm median L∞ of wild Icelandic capelin (1981–2018 cohorts). The cultivated capelin were projected to reach this length in 2.6 years, compared to about 6 years for wild capelin. This study provides new insights into the growth dynamics of capelin and although the species is sensitive to handling, it demonstrates that intensive culture methods can be used to investigate biological aspects of this important forage species.

Prospects of iron solubilizing Bacillus species for improving growth and iron in maize (Zea mays L.) under axenic conditions

Iron (Fe) deficiency in calcareous soils is a significant agricultural challenge, affecting crop productivity and nutritional quality. This study aimed to isolate, characterize, and evaluate Fe solubilizing rhizobacterial isolates from maize rhizosphere in calcareous soils as potential biofertilizers. Forty bacterial isolates coded as SG1, SG2, …, SG40 were isolated and screened for siderophore production, with ten showing significant Fe solubilizing capabilities. These isolates were further assessed for phosphate solubilization and exopolysaccharides production. The selected bacterial isolates were also screened under axenic conditions for their ability to improve maize growth. The isolates SG8, SG13, SG24, SG30 and SG33 significantly enhanced growth parameters of maize. Notably, SG30 showed highest increment in shoot length (58%), root length (54%), root fresh and dry biomass (67% and 76%), SPAD value (67%), relative water contents (69%), root surface area (61%), and Fe concentration in shoots (79%) as compared to control. The biochemical characterization of these strains showed that all these strains have capability to solubilize insoluble phosphorus, produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and ammonia with catalase, urease and protease activity. Molecular identification through 16s rRNA gene sequencing confirmed high similarity (99.7–100%) of the selected isolates to various Bacillus species, including B. pyramidoids, B. firmicutes, and B. cereus. The study provides a strong base for developing eco-friendly, cost-effective biofertilizers to address Fe deficiency in crops and promote sustainable agriculture.

Effects of salvage logging after forest fire on Siberian larch regeneration and ecosystem carbon stocks at the drought limit of the boreal forest in Mongolia

Post-fire salvage logging is widely applied in Mongolia's boreal forests with the intent to prevent intact forests from logging. The rationale behind this approach is the assumption that the additional disturbance caused by the removal of standing deadwood after stand-replacing fire is of no further significance for the already heavily disturbed ecosystem. However, while there is a global debate on effects of salvage logging for regeneration success, biodiversity, and soil health, little evidence has been collected from strongly drought-limited southern boreal forests of Central Asia. Comparing sites with and without salvage logging, we investigated forests of Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) ca. 20 years after stand-replacing fire and asked whether postfire salvage logging affected regeneration density, terminal shoot length and radial stem increment, ecosystem carbon stock densities, and reduced organic layer depth and compacted the soil. The biomass of the larch regeneration was significantly reduced by salvage logging, while tree growth was not affected. The ecosystem carbon stock density of burnt forest without salvage logging was 202 Mg C ha−1 and thus even in the lower range of intact larch forests from Mongolia, whereas burnt forests with salvage logging had organic carbon stock densities (104 Mg C ha−1) that were lower than those of unburned grasslands in the forest-steppe. These results show that removing deadwood from burnt forest is not insignificant, but has the potential to delay forest recovery and strongly reduces organic carbon storage. However, we did not find significant reductions in soil organic carbon stocks or soil compaction. Nonetheless, our findings raise the question of whether careful management of intact forests (especially by selective felling under a continuous-cover forestry regime) would be a more ecologically sustainable alternative than post-fire salvage logging.

Long-term exposure to environmentally relevant Bisphenol-A levels affects growth, swimming, condition factor, sex ratio and histology of juvenile zebrafish

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental estrogen which perturbs hormone signaling pathways adversely affecting aquatic organisms. To evaluate the impact of developmental exposure to long term yet environmentally relevant low doses of BPA, wild-type juvenile zebrafish of 35 days post fertilization were treated with BPA (1 and 10 µg/L), treatment control (0.5% v/v methanol) and control for 60 days. Both BPA treatments led to significantly increased morality overtime. Length increment and specific growth rates became significantly high in BPA exposed zebrafish overtime. Obesogenic property of BPA was not evident with longexposure to low BPA doses. A significantly high and BPA dose-dependent female-biased sex ratios were observed following the juvenile exposure. Significantly low swimming speed was recorded in the fish of both BPA-treated tanks than that of control. Condition factor was significantly low in BPA exposed fish indicating the poor-wellness. There were numerous histopathological alterations of gonads, liver and kidney indicating impacts of juvenile exposure in zebrafish. Altered growth, swimming, mortality, feminization and histopathological changes in zebrafish induced by BPA indicate the risks associated with developmental exposures. The findings call for more comprehensive studies to comprehend the ecological risks imposed by low concentrations of environmental estrogens in urban aquatic ecosystems.

Larval Rearing of the Giant Trevally, Caranx ignobilis (Forsskål, 1775), Fed Live Food Combinations of Rotifers, Copepods and Artemia salina

The giant trevally, Caranx ignobilis, is a high value fish which has been studied for spawning in captivity and domestication in the Philippines in view of its aquaculture potential. Initial larval rearing of the species encountered mortality issues, and this study attempts to address the problem to improve their survival. Hatchery-bred C. ignobilis larvae were reared for 40 days in nine units of 100 L conical fiberglass tanks at a stocking density of 500 larvae.tank-1 under three feed treatments with different combinations of rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis), brine shrimp (Artemia) and copepods (Pseudodiaptomus spp.): T1- Brachionus plicatilis + Artemia, T2- Brachionus plicatilis + Pseudodiaptomus spp., and T3-Brachionus plicatilis + Pseudodiaptomus spp. + Artemia fed at 0800 h and 1600 h. The results showed that the inclusion of copepods in the feeding regimen had positive effects on survival. Survival rate was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in T2 (23.47 ± 3.18 %) than T1 (11.67 ± 1.90 %) but was not statistically different from T3 (14.37 ± 3.88 %). Length increment was significantly different (P < 0.05) among treatments but with no statistical difference in specific growth rate (P > 0.05). The erratic swimming behaviour leading to mortality associated with insufficient levels of highly unsaturated fatty acids in Artemia was not observed in T2, thus, validating the assumption that the feeding with copepods will increase survival during larval rearing. The use of copepods for C. ignobilis larviculture is seen to play an important role in the success of the seed production protocol for this species. However, a sustainable supply of copepods through appropriate mass propagation techniques must be ensured to achieve higher production of C. ignobilis seeds in the hatcheries.

Enhancing fuel breed-burn performance in a sodium-cooled fast reactor using a novel reactivity control method

This study aims to enhance the fuel cycle and fissile breeding performance of a sodium-cooled fast breeder reactor (FBR) by utilizing minor actinides (MAs) as a means of reactivity control alongside partially-inserted control rods. Choosing the PFBR-500 as the reference design, four core models, designated as Cases A, B, C, and D, utilizing various proportions of minor actinides (MAs) were built and simulated using OpenMC. The MA concentrations were optimized to compensate for the withdrawal of control rods and ensure the same initial reactivity for all cores. Burnup analysis over 365 EFPDs revealed a significant increase in cycle length and burnup for the modified cores along with a modest rise in breeding ratio. Notably, Case C, employing 3.45 wt.% MAs in the 88 inner-core fuel subassemblies achieved an extra 62.25 EFPDs cycle length, a 33.74% rise in single-cycle burnup, and a 3.86% increase in breeding gain compared to the reference. Loading MAs into the inner-core region proved to be more effective in enhancing both fertile-to-fissile conversion (thus extending the cycle length and fuel burnup) and transmutation than utilizing MAs throughout the core due to greater neutron flux at the core center. While Case D utilizing 2.2 wt.% MAs both in the inner and outer core fuel subassemblies had the highest overall MA loading, it demonstrated lower increments in cycle length, burnup, and breeding gain compared to Case C. Case C also exhibited the highest overall destruction rate (approximately 24%/y) for Np and Am isotopes, and successfully transmuted around 24.08 kg 237Np, 9.33 kg 241Am and 3.82 kg 243Am over the course of a single year. The addition of MAs also achieved a slight flattening of the axial and radial flux profile and a decrease in the flux peaking factor. However, it slightly lowered the beta-effective, Doppler constant, and control rod assembly worth, and shifted the coolant void reactivity worth to the positive side.

Aggregation behavior of newly synthesized Gemini cationic surfactants in absence and in presence of different inorganic salts in 15% DMSO–water solvent

In this study, three Gemini cationic surfactants related to thiazol-2-amine with three hydrocarbon chain lengths including 3-hexylthiazol-3-ium (TAC6), 3-dodecylthiazol-3-ium (TAC12) and octadecylthiazol3-ium (TAC18) were prepared. Surfactant structures were confirmed with IR and 1HNMR Spectroscopies. Critical micelle concentrations for all surfactants in 15% DMSO-Water solvent were measured using conductometric, refractometric, and densitometric techniques. Thermodynamics parameters were computed and explained. Also, enhancing properties of all surfactants were indicated under the effect of two concentrations, 0.001 M and 0.01 M, of six inorganic salts including Cl−, Br−, I−, Co+2, Cu+2, and Mn+2 radicals using conductivity and refractive index measurements. All techniques used to measure critical micelles concentration showed a good convergence in measuring CMC values and the behavior of all surfactants in 15% DMSO-water solvent. Increasing the binding constant of the counter ion and association constant reflects the effect of hydrocarbon chain length increment on enhancing micelle formation, where TAC 18 was shown as the lowest CMC in all applied measurements. Modeling the density of all surfactant solutions under study indicates an increase in hydrophobic polarizability with an increase in the molecular weight of the surfactant. Inorganic salts decreased the CMC of all surfactants with the increase in Gibbs free energy of micellization which ensures easier formation of more stable micelles in the presence of a salt solution. The effect of salts on decreasing CMC for all surfactants under study was arranged in the following order: Mn+2 < Cu+2 < Co+2 for cationic radicals and I− < Br− < Cl− for anionic radicals.

Mitigation of Drought Stress for Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Varieties Using Woodchip Biochar-Amended Soil.

Drought stress deteriorates agro-ecosystems and poses a significant threat to crop productivity and food security. Soil amended with biochar has been suggested to mitigate water stress, but there is limited knowledge about how biochar affects the physiology and vegetative growth of quinoa plants under soil water deficits. We grew three quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) varieties, Titicaca (V1), Quipu (V2), and UAFQ7 (V3) in sandy loam soil without (B0) and with 2% woodchip biochar (B2) under drought conditions. The drought resulted in significant growth differences between the varieties. V3 performed vegetatively better, producing 46% more leaves, 28% more branches, and 25% more leaf area than the other two varieties. Conversely, V2 displayed significantly higher yield-contributing traits, with 16% increment in panicle length and 50% more subpanicles compared to the other varieties. Woodchip biochar application significantly enhanced the root development (i.e., root biomass, length, surface, and projected area) and plant growth (i.e., plant height, leaf area, and absolute growth rate). Biochar significantly enhanced root growth, especially fresh and dry weights, by 122% and 127%, respectively. However, biochar application may lead to a trade-off between vegetative growth and panicle development under drought stress as shown for V3 grown in soil with woodchip biochar. However, V3B2 produced longer roots and more biomass. Collectively, we suggest exploring the effects of woodchip biochar addition to the soil on the varietal physiological responses such as stomatal regulations and mechanisms behind the increased quinoa yield under water stress conditions.

Growth and survival assessment from African lungfish (Clarias gariepinus) and its hybrid with two species of heterobranchus

Obtaining good quality and quantity of fish seeds for increasing fish production is a major quest by fish farmers. This study examined the growth responses and survival of Clarias gariepinus and two species of heterobranchus. One thousand five hundred (1500) fry (28-day after hatched) were randomly selected from each of the three crosses of Clarias gariepinus (T1), C. gariepinus x Heterobranchus longifilis (T2) and C. gariepinus x Heterobranchus bidorsalis (T3) broodstocks. They were stocked separately in triplicate at a stocking rate of 500 fish per replicate and reared for 90 days. The data were analysed for significant differences (P&lt;0.05) by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). There was no significant difference in the growth parameters but fish in T3 had the highest value of mean weight gain while T1 had the least. No significant difference (p&gt;0.05) was observed in the body weight gains from day 40 to day 90 except at day 70 where T3 had the highest weight gain (18.97 g) which was significantly different (p&lt;0.05) to the value recorded in T1 (18.20 g) but not significantly different (p&gt;0.05) to the value recorded in T3 (18.97 g). The results of length increment showed that the growth pattern from day 0 to day 80 were similar. A little difference was observed at day 90 with T3 &gt;T2&gt;T1. The fish in T1 (Clarias gariepinus) had the highest significant percentage survival (89.60%). The results of water quality parameters showed that the mean temperature was 28oC, pH 6.8, dissolved oxygen 5.6 mg/l and turbidity 5.45 NYU. The culture of C. gariepinus by farmers will improve their output and consequentially increase in profit.Keywords: aquaculture; fish breeding; hybrids; weight gain

Experimental study on bond performance of UHPC-to-NC interfaces: Constitutive model and size effect

This study investigates the constitutive model of the adhesive bond between normal concrete (NC) and ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), focusing on the impact of varying bond dimensions. Two distinct series of UHPC-NC bonding specimens were prepared and tested, comprising eight direct-shear and fifty-six pull-off specimens. The experimental results were presented and thoroughly discussed, including failure modes, bond stress, load-displacement curves, and strain histories of the UHPC-NC interfaces. The findings indicate that an average surface roughness of 4 mm on NC substrates guarantees adequate shearing and tensile bonding strength with UHPC, adhering to the standards outlined in ACI 546.3R-14. An increment in the bond length, ranging from 100 mm to 440 mm, reduced interfacial shear stiffness by 50.8 % while enhancing the shear strength by 14.4 %. Conversely, an enlargement in the core diameter, from 50 mm to 100 mm, decreased the tensile bond strength at the interface by 18.1 %. Furthermore, theoretical models were formulated to predict the bonding properties across the UHPC-NC interface, utilizing the size effect law and Weibull theory principles. The accuracy of these models was confirmed through a validation process using both current experimental data and external sources. The comprehensive findings of this study provide a valuable reference for optimizing the application of UHPC in concrete bridge restoration projects.

Analysis of Variation in Sagittal Curvature of the Femoral Condyles.

In designing femoral components, which restore native (i.e., healthy) knee kinematics, the flexion-extension (F-E) axis of the tibiofemoral joint should match that of the native knee. Because the F-E axis is governed by the curvature of the femoral condyles in the sagittal plane, the primary objective was to determine the variation in radii of curvature. Eleven high accuracy three-dimensional (3D) femur models were generated from ultrahigh resolution CT scans. The sagittal profile of each condyle was created. The radii of curvature at 15 deg increments of arc length were determined based on segment circles best-fit to ±15 deg of arc at each increment. Results were standardized to the radius of the best-fit overall circle to 15 deg-105 deg for the femoral condyle having a radius closest to the mean radius. Medial and lateral femoral condyles exhibited multiradius of curvature sagittal profiles where the radius decreased at 30 deg flexion by 10 mm and at 15 deg flexion by 8 mm, respectively. On either side of the decrease, radii of segment circles were relatively constant. Beyond the transition angles where the radii decreased, the anterior-posterior (A-P) positions of the centers of curvature varied 4.8 mm and 2.3 mm for the medial and lateral condyles, respectively. A two-radius of curvature profile approximates the radii of curvature of both native femoral condyles, but the transition angles differ with the transition angle of the medial femoral condyle occurring about 15 deg later in flexion. Owing to variation in A-P positions of centers of curvature, the F-E axis is not strictly fixed in the femur.

Effect of Dietary Protein to Energy Ratios on Growth, Digestive Enzyme Activity and Body Composition of Captive Juvenile Spiny Lobsters, Panulirus Ornatus (Fabricius, 1798)

Abstract An evaluation of six dietary protein-to-energy (P/E) ratios was conducted to the early juvenile lobsters (Panulirus ornatus) by investigating the ratio effects on physiology, digestive enzyme activities, body composition, and amino acid profiles. Juvenile lobsters (0.25±0.01 g) were individually kept in aquaria and treated with six isoenergetic formulated diets of P/E ratios of 21.8, 22.5, 23.5, 24.6, 25.3 and 26.6 mg KJ–1. After 8 weeks of feeding experiment, the differentiation on dietary P/E ratios was found to have affected the specific growth rates, but not the survival, moult increment, moulting rate, moult interval and average daily moulting rate of juvenile lobsters. The dietary P/E ratio also influenced the protease, lipase, superoxidase dismutase activities, and body composition of juvenile lobster. The increase in dietary protein levels significantly affected the increase of the specific growth rate, while increased dietary lipid levels only affected the length increments. Both protein and lipid content were found in the whole body of the juveniles which reflected the treated dietary composition. Results indicated that a P/E ratio of 26.6 mg KJ–1 (55% dietary protein and 9% dietary lipids) can yield the maximum growth and digestive enzyme activities from among the studied diets.

Preferential selection based on aspiration and memory in spatial evolutionary prisoner’s dilemma game

When studying the spontaneous emergence of cooperation within the framework of evolutionary game theory, the process of strategy selection plays a crucial role in evolutionary dynamics. In most previous studies, it has been assumed that individuals randomly select learning targets from their neighbors. However, by considering the heterogeneity of individuals’ influence in real-life social networks, a preference for more realistic choices should be taken into account. Here, we propose a preferential selection mechanism based on individuals’ payoff aspiration in memory-based evolutionary game on square lattice networks. For each iteration, players in the regular lattices will prioritize selecting neighbors with the highest satisfaction rate over the most recent runs. The simulation results demonstrate that both the level of aspiration and the length of memory can elevate the level of cooperation to a certain extent. For the moderate aspiration level, when the value of betrayal temptation is less than threshold, cooperation level monotonously decreases with the increment of memory length. However, when betrayal temptation is above threshold, memory mechanism can facilitates the evolution of cooperation, while the absence of such a mechanism leads collaborators toward extinction.

The Effect of Tactile – Kinesthetic Stimulation on Bone Mineralization, Osteocalcin Levels and Body Height Among Stunting Children Among Stunting Children Aged 6-11 Months

Introduction: Stunting is growth faltering caused by as poor nutrition, recurrent infections, a lack of psychosocial stimulation. Growth faltering is associated to bone growth disorder. In order to prevent and overcome stunting not only nutrition but also an adequate stimulation is needed. Objective: This study looked at the effects of tactile–kinesthetic stimulation on bone mineralization, osteocalcin levels and body height among stunting children. Methods: Eighty (80) stunting children (mean of age 8 ± 1,71) were randomly assigned into two groups. Tactile–Kinesthetic Stimulation (TKS) was administrated by trained parents twice daily for three months in the intervention group. The control group was given a routine care of stunting program from public health center. The bone mineralization (osteocalcin serum) and length of body in both groups were measured at enrollment and after week twelve. Results: During three (3) months TKS period, the intervention group had a significant increment in length and osteocalcin serum compared to control group (p 0.005) at 3.17 cm and 11.5 ng/ml respectively. Moreover, this study also showed that providing TKS demonstrated a strong correlation in a positive direction to length. The TKS treatment could increase the body height of stunting children by 86.5%. There was a positive correlation among osteocalcin levels, intake of vitamin A, protein and calcium on improving length (p0.05). Conclusion: TKS was significantly effective in promoting bone mineralization particularly osteocalcin levels and length among stunting children. There was also a strong correlation that TKS could elevate the length of 0.865-times.

Rapid advance of climatic tree limits in the Eastern Alps explained by on-site temperatures

In the European Alps, mean temperature has risen by 2.5 K since the end of the nineteenth century. A 2 K warming of the growing season has taken place in the last 4 decades only. The 2.5 K warming should rise the position of the climatic treeline by about 400 m. Actual shifts in uppermost tree positions reported here for the Austrian Defereggen Valley and the Swiss Lower Engadine region of the Eastern Alps reach only around 140 m of elevation above the limit of old trees that date back to the nineteenth century. Uppermost Pinus cembra trees of > 2 m height currently occur at c. 2500 m, representing elevation records for the Eastern Alps. In situ temperature records for 2022–2023 revealed seasonal mean temperatures for uppermost trees that are 1–3 K higher than the equilibrium treeline isotherm of c. 6 °C in both regions (corrected for temperature anomalies from long-term records). The 2 K span reflects microhabitat differences and two ways to define the season. Thus, tree advances lag behind the upslope shift of the treeline isotherm, on average, by more than 200 m. The uppermost trees currently grow under quite warm conditions with annual shoot length increments frequently reaching 20 cm. Even without additional future warming, the new steady-state climatic treeline will exceed the Holocene maximum elevation in the Eastern Alps substantially.