Inclusion Levels Research Articles

Environmental Decentralization, Digital Financial Inclusion, and the Green Transformation of Industries in Resource-Based Cities in China

In the digital era, digital financial inclusion plays a pivotal role in facilitating green industrial transformation and green development in resource-based cities. In this study, we conduct an in-depth analysis of environmental decentralization and digital financial inclusion and their mechanism of influence on the industrial green transformation of resource-based cities, utilizing panel data from resource-based cities in China between 2011 and 2022, in order to perform empirical tests using fixed effects and threshold models. The results indicate that environmental decentralization can advance the green transformation of industries, and that, under the influence of digital financial inclusion, environmental decentralization has a significant reverse impact on the green transformation of industries of resource-based cities in China. Furthermore, different levels of digital financial inclusion contribute to varying effects of environmental decentralization on the green transformation of industries. Additionally, the impact of environmental decentralization on the green transformation of industries differs among various types of resource-based cities in China. Therefore, we should continuously optimize the management system of environmental decentralization, improve the digital financial inclusion service system, fully leverage the advantages of digital financial inclusion, accurately grasp and scientifically utilize the driving principles of environmental decentralization, and implement measures in different cities according to the situation, in order to advance the green transformation of industries in resource-based cities in China.

A Study of the Current Status of Inclusive Education Literacy Development Among College Normal Students Majoring in Early Childhood Education—Taking Province G in China as an Example

Inclusive early childhood education is a major trend globally in the pursuit of equitable and high-quality preschool education, and it is an indispensable part of building a high-quality education system in China. Developing an excellent teaching workforce in inclusive early childhood education is key to improving the quality of preschool integration, and pre-service training is particularly crucial. This study focuses on preschool education major students in G Province, China, using a questionnaire survey method to assess the levels of various dimensions of inclusive education literacy among these students, identify existing issues, draw research conclusions, and provide recommendations. The results indicate that students have a high level of understanding of inclusive education concepts, but their knowledge and skills are relatively low. There are significant differences in inclusive education literacy levels among students from different school tiers and grades, with junior college students scoring higher than undergraduate college students. Additionally, there are no significant differences in inclusive education literacy based on gender or whether students have had face-to-face contact with exceptional children. The findings of this study can serve as a valuable resource for the pre-service training of early childhood teachers in inclusive education literacy.

Effects of brewery by-products based silage on productive performance of crossbred dairy cows.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of an increasing levels of brewery by-products based silage on productive performances of 3/4 Friesian x Boran mid-lactating cows. Experimental cows had similar in initial milk yield (11.7 ± 1.0), average days in milk (81.7 ± 6.1) and live weight (LW, 430.7 ± 40.3kg) but different in parities (2-5).The dietary treatments were arranged randomly in 4 × 4 Latin Square Design that included ad libitum natural pasture hay feeding for all treatments as a roughage source plus a commercial dairy concentrate mix supplemented at 0.5kg DM (dry matter)/liter of milk produced/day for cows in the control group (T1) and 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7kg DM of brewery by-products based silage per liter of milk yield/cow/day for cows in T2, T3 and T4 groups, respectively. The study revealed that the daily milk yield of experimental cows was influenced by dietary treatments with relatively higher daily milk yield being recorded (P < 0.05) for cows in the T4 (13.9l) followed by T3 (13.8l). Milk composition of cows remained unchanged (P > 0.05) except for fat percentage of the milk that showed a declining trend (P < 0.05) with incremental inclusion levels of brewery by-products based silages. The highest net income (NI, 437.9 Eth. Birr) and marginal rate of return (MRR, 800.7%) was obtained for cows receiving brewery by-products based silage at the rate of 0.7kg/liter of milk yield as compared to cows in the other treatment groups. Further study is required on the long term effect of brewery by-products based silage supplementation on productive, reproductive performance, and milk microbial qualities.

Carcass Essential Amino Acids Profile of &lt;i&gt;Clarias gariepinus &lt;/i&gt;(Burchell, 1822) Fingerlings Fed Different Levels of Maca (&lt;i&gt;Lepidium meyenii&lt;/i&gt;, Walp.) Root Powder as Feed Additive

This research was carried out to determine the carcass essential amino acids profile of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed different levels of Maca root powder as a feed additive. Five (5) isonitrogenous (40% crude protein) and isocaloric (1,732kcal kg-1 gross energy) diets were formulated, where Maca root powder in the form of feed additive was included at 0.0g/100g (TM0), 0.25g/100g (TM1), 0.5g/100g (TM2), 0.75g/100g (TM3) and 1.0g/100g (TM4) inclusion levels, diet without Maca root powder (TM0), served as the control diet. Formulated diets were fed to Clarias gariepinus fingerlings (n = 300, 10.0±0.00g) in fifteen (15) rectangular plastic tanks (n = 20) at a fixed feeding rate of 3% body weight twice daily between the hours of 8:00 - 9:00 am and 4:00 - 5:00 pm at regular interval and adjusted after every two (2) weeks of sampling for a period of twelve (12) weeks. At the end of the research three (3) Clarias gariepinus from each treatment were sacrificed with the carcass subjected to essential amino acids analysis. Data collected were analysed using one - way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at P = 0.05. All the nine (9) essential amino acids were found in the final carcass profile of the Clarias gariepinus. Carcass histidine value (15.81mg/g) was highest in fish fed diet TM3 and least (10.02mg/g) in the fish fed the control diet (TM0), carcass isoleucine value (25.42mg/g) was highest in fish fed diet TM3 and least (18.20mg/g) in the fish fed control diet (TM0), while the carcass leucine value (14.17mg/g) was highest in fish fed diet TM4 and least (11.98mg/g) in the fish fed control diet (TM0), carcass lysine value (20.13mg/g) was highest in fish fed diet TM3 and least (14.68mg/g) in the fish fed control diet (TM0), carcass methionine value (33.07mg/g) was highest in fish fed diet TM3 and least (26.80mg/g) in the fish fed control diet (TM0), carcass phenylalanine value (22.24mg/g) was highest in fish fed diet TM3 and least (17.69mg/g) in the fish fed control diet (TM0), carcass threonine value (22.23mg/g) was highest in fish fed diet TM3 and least (15.13mg/g) in the fish fed control diet (TM0), carcass tryptophan value (25.74mg/g) was highest in fish fed diet TM3 and least (20.92mg/g) in the fish fed control diet (TM0) and the carcass valine value (39.77mg/g) was highest in fish fed diet TM3 and least (32.95mg/g) in the fish fed control diet (TM0).. The incorporation of Maca root powder as a feed additive into the diet of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings increases the concentration of the carcass's essential amino acids and therefore the Clarias gariepinus can be a very important source of the essential amino acids. The incorporation of Maca root powder as a feed additive into the diet of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings is recommended for improving the Clarias gariepinus carcass essential amino acids profile.

Business Model of Insurance Technology Company in Indonesia (Case Study on Premiro.com)

The rapid increase in internet usage in Indonesia has fueled the rise of Insurtech, addressing low literacy, inclusion, and insurance penetration levels. Insurtech companies are pivotal in offering digital-based insurance services to increase insurance users. This research examines the business models employed by Indonesian Insurtech firms, focusing on a case study of Premiro.com. The study also aims to identify the strengths that provide these companies with competitive advantages. Utilizing a descriptive research methodology and a qualitative approach, the research includes interviews and secondary data collection through literature reviews and company information. The analysis employs the Business Model Canvas and Value Design Model frameworks. The study details Premiro's business model elements: customer segments, value proposition, channels, customer relationships, revenue streams, key resources, key activities, key partnerships, and cost structure. It also examines value drivers, nodes, exchanges, and extracts. Findings reveal Premiro's strength lies in its lean and efficient cost structure. The study offers practical recommendations for Premiro to enhance operational effectiveness, expand market share, and boost competitiveness.

Nutritional value of a novel EMS-induced cell wall-defective strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast for Pacific oyster (Magallana gigas) juveniles

The difficulties and high costs of live microalgae production have driven the search for alternative diets in bivalve aquaculture. The baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) represents a promising, cost-effective, high-quality protein for aquaculture. However, its application is restricted by poor digestibility due to its thick, rigid cell wall. Previously, we observed that the deletion of mnn9 gene in S. cerevisiae, leading to defective mannan synthesis and increased β-glucan exposure, enhances growth and immune response in Magallana gigas oysters. Nevertheless, using ∆mnn9 in aquaculture is not feasible due to restrictions on genetically modified organisms (GMO) containing antibiotic-resistance genes. This study aimed to create a non-GMO cell-wall defective yeast mutant (JH40) via ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis and evaluate its nutritional value for M. gigas juveniles. Phenotypical differences between wild-type S. cerevisiae (WT), ∆mnn9, and JH40 were characterized using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled lectin analysis, microscopy, cell diameter measurements, growth curves, and osmosensitivity tests. The nutritional value of a microalgae-based diet (Chaetoceros muelleri:Tisochrysis lutea, 50:50 based on dry weight) and its 50% substitution with JH40 or WT was assessed over 21 days in M. gigas juveniles. A complementary test also explored higher substitution levels (63%, 75%, and 100%) of the based diet with JH40 and the addition of extra JH40 (+25 %) in the 63% and 75% replacement diets. Results indicated that JH40 forms clumps, grows slower than the WT, has a larger cell diameter, higher binding affinity to WGA and LEL lectins than the WT, and is highly sensitive to hypo-osmotic stress, which are characteristics of cell-wall defective yeasts. Oysters fed a diet with 50% JH40 substitution showed significantly higher growth compared to those fed the WT-containing diet. JH40 could replace 50% of the algal diet without significantly affecting oyster growth and survival. However, higher inclusion levels of JH40 (62 %, 75 %, and 100 %) did not achieve the oyster growth observed with the algae-based diet, even with additional yeast. These findings are attributed to the limited polyunsaturated fatty acid content in yeast cells. Further research on dosing and administration frequencies is needed to evaluate the immunostimulatory potential of JH40.

The effect of feeding a mixture of shellfish meal and fish oil on egg production and egg storability of Lohmann Brown laying hens

The aim of the research was to determine the effect of feeding a mixture of shellfish (SF) and fish oil (FO) on egg production performance and storability of Lohmann Brown hen eggs. The study used a completely randomized design consisting of 4 treatments and 4 replications, and each replication consisted of 40 Lohman Brown hens with the same laying age (45 weeks of age). The four treatments were mixed levels of shellfish flour with fish oil in feed, namely 0%, 1%, 2%, and 3%, as treatments P0, P1, P2, and P3. Egg samples were taken at the end of the study, then stored and observed for 4 weeks. The results showed that egg pH and haugh units (HU) in the P2 and P3 hen groups significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased. Meanwhile, egg shell weight and egg yolk color did not show significant differences (P&gt;005). Feeding SFFO to P2 and P3 hen groups increased (P&lt;0.05) egg weight, hen-day-production and feed efficiency (feed consumption/egg weight). It can be concluded that SFFO can be used as an ingredient in laying hens with an inclusion level of 20-30g/kg and can be used in chicken feed during the finishing phase. SFFO may affect the storability of Lohmann Brown hen eggs.

Increasing concentrations of low SMCO swedes in the diet of dairy cows improves performance and ruminal metabolism without affecting dairy cow health

This study aimed to determine dry matter intake, ruminal fermentation, health-related blood metabolites, and production responses of early-lactation dairy cows fed two inclusion levels (30 and 45 %) of low SMCO swedes in the diet. Twelve pregnant multiparous lactating Holstein-Friesian dairy cows (24.1 ± 0.72 kg milk/d, 540 ± 7.3 kg BW, and 142 ± 3.9 DIM at the start of the study) were used in this study. Cows were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments in a replicated 3 ×3 Latin square design. The experiment lasted 63 d and was divided into three 21-d periods. Inclusion of swedes at 30 and 45 % in the diet had no effect on DMI, but increased milk, protein and fat yields, as well as CP concentration in milk. This was due to changes in VFA patterns with greater molar proportions of propionate and butyrate, as well as a greater utilisation of dietary N that was converted to microbial N. No negative effects on haematological and biochemical blood parameters, except for increased BHB concentrations. Fatty acids composition in milk was modified, with a greater proportion of saturated FA and lower n-3 FA. Overall, low SMCO swedes can be included up to 45 % in the diet of pasture fed dairy cows during winter.

Heating up the divide: Climate change and the quest for inclusive growth in urban China

Climate change has profoundly affected human production and development, and also brought new challenges to China's goal of achieving inclusive economic growth. Using the data of 273 cities in China from 2001 to 2019, this research evaluates the impact of climate change on urban inclusive economic growth by constructing a temperature bin variable according to the daily average temperature. It is found that with the temperature bin [18 °C, 21 °C) as the benchmark group, both temperature rise and fall have a negative influence on inclusive economic growth. Notably, the adverse effects of high temperatures (above 27 °C) are statistically and economically significant, exhibiting a trend of increasing magnitude. The mechanism test shows that high temperature affects the inclusive growth level of the urban economy mainly by exacerbating the urban‒rural income gap. The heterogeneity analysis found that cities located in hot regions, southern regions or coastal areas are more sensitive to high temperatures and experience more prominent effects. This research holds significant practical implications for China to achieve a win‒win situation of balanced economic development and climate governance.

Impact of long-term feeding a high level of Spirulina combined with enzymes on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality in broiler chickens.

This study evaluates the effect of prolonged feeding with a high inclusion level of Spirulina, combined with peptidases, on broiler chicken's growth performance, digesta viscosity, carcass attributes and meat quality. The experiment involved 120 male broilers divided into 40 battery brooders, each housing 3 birds. Post 7-day acclimatisation with a corn and soybean-based diet, the birds were provided with one of four diets: a corn and soybean meal-based diet (CON), a mix incorporating 15% Spirulina (SP), a Spirulina-rich mix supplemented with 0.025% of commercial VemoZyme® P (SPV), or a Spirulina-rich mix supplemented with 0.10% of porcine pancreatin (SPP). The CON group had higher body weight and weight gain (p < 0.001) and a lower feed conversion ratio (p < 0.001) from day 7-21, compared to the Spirulina-fed groups. Spirulina-fed chickens significantly increased ileum viscosity (p < 0.05). Spirulina also elevated the weight (p < 0.05) of the duodenum and the length (p < 0.001) of the entire gastrointestinal tract compared to CON. Breast and thigh muscles from Spirulina-fed broilers displayed higher values of yellowness (b*) (p < 0.001), pigments (p < 0.05), and n-3 PUFA (p < 0.01), while n-6/n-3 ratio (p < 0.001) and α-tocopherol (p < 0.001) decreased relative to the CON. In conclusion, the introduction of a high level of Spirulina into broiler diets for an extended duration, has the potential to diminish birds' growth performance, possibly due to increased digesta viscosity. However, it does enhance the nutritional quality of the meat.

Exploratory analysis of students’ open-ended responses describing their perception of course inclusivity in an introductory physics course

In this exploratory study, we examined students’ perceptions of inclusion in a calculus-based, introductory physics 1 course for science and engineering majors. This course, offered at a large R1 institution in the United States, was conducted remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Via a survey given at the end of the semester, students rated their course inclusion and provided open-text explanations for their ratings. On average, students rated the course as moderately inclusive. Using inductive qualitative content analysis, six categories emerged: academic, identity, lack of understanding, nonspecific, other, and remote learning. The top three categories were academic (41%), nonspecific (33%), and remote learning (18%). The remote learning category included phrases containing remote learning, Zoom, or COVID-19, along with a second idea explaining the student’s level of inclusion, leading to remote learning subcategories. These subcategories were similar to the other primary categories and the academic subcategories. Many students cited academic reasons for their inclusivity scores, including course structure, teaching practices, instructor-student interaction, student-student interaction, and overall course environment. Importantly, many of these factors are within the instructor’s influence. Chi-square tests indicated that students perceiving high inclusion emphasized academic factors, while those feeling low inclusion focused on the remote learning aspect of the course. Overall, our findings suggest that instructors can significantly influence students’ perceptions of inclusion through various teaching strategies, interactions between instructors and peers, and a welcoming environment. These insights contribute to the ongoing discussion about creating inclusive classrooms by incorporating student perspectives. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Alteration of growth performance, glycolipid metabolism, and bone characteristics of broiler chickens in response to different inclusion levels of dietary wheat.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of wheat inclusion on growth performance, glycolipid metabolism, and tibial properties of broiler chickens. A total of 480 1-d-old male broiler chickens were initially fed identical starter diets until d 10. Subsequently, they were divided into 3 treatments consisting of 8 replicates with 20 birds per replicate, i.e., 1) low-level wheat addition group, with wheat ratios of 15% and 25% during the grower and finisher periods, respectively; 2) medium-level wheat inclusion group, incorporating 30% and 40% wheat in the grower and finisher diets, respectively; and 3) high-level wheat addition group, containing 55.8% and 62.4% wheat in the grower and finisher diets, until d 39. When compared to the low- and medium-level wheat diet, the high-level wheat inclusion in the diet increased feed intake and reduced the feed conversion ratio (both p<0.01), which was accompanied by a longer jejunum (p=0.031). Meanwhile, the high-level addition of wheat displayed a decreased abundance of Ruminococcin, Bacteroidetes, and Lactobacillus than the low-wheat group. With the increase of the proportion of wheat treatment, the contents of cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were elevated in serum, whereas the concentration of serum C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen, a bone resorption marker, was decreased. In addition, the diet with medium and high levels of wheat improved the yield load of tibia, along with comparable bone dimension and weight. The medium- and high-level wheat additions increased serum glycolipid deposition and enhanced tibial mechanical properties, whereas the high-level wheat diet compromised the growth performance of broiler chickens, which might be associated with the alteration of gut microbiota.

Manipulation impacts of jack mackerel meal in low fish meal diets on growth, feed availability, and biochemical composition of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) and economic analysis

AbstractManipulation effects of jack mackerel meal (JMM) in the low fish meal (FM) diets substituting 50% FM with meat meal (MM) on growth performance of olive flounder and economic analysis were determined. Seven experimental diets were created. The control (Con) diet contained 60% FM. In the other diets, 50% of the FM level used for the Con diet was substituted with MM, and then graded levels (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50%) of JMM were included at the expense of FM, named the MJ0, MJ10, MJ20, MJ30, MJ40, and MJ50 diets, respectively. The experimental diets were distributed to triplicate groups of fish. A total of 525 fish was divided into 21 flow‐through tanks. Fish were hand‐fed to apparent satiation for 8 weeks. Weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), and feed consumption of fish fed the Con diet were comparable with fish fed the MJ20, MJ30, MJ40, and MJ50 diets. Weight gain, SGR, and feed consumption of fish linearly improved with JMM inclusion levels in the low FM diets replacing 50% FM with MM. The strong correlation between isoleucine and lysine content among essential amino acids in the experimental diets versus weight gain, SGR, and feed consumption of olive flounder were observed. Dietary treatments did not influence feed utilization, chemical composition, and amino acid profiles of fish. Incorporated 20%–50% JMM as an effective feed attractant and enhancer in the low FM diets replacing 50% FM with MM achieved comparable weight gain, SGR, and feed consumption to fish fed a 60% FM‐based diet. Finally, the MJ50 diet led to the highest economic profit index (EPI) for farmers.

Elective Spinal Transpedicular Ablation of the Basivertebral Nerve of the Vertebral Segment in Adult Spinal Deformity Patients.

Ablation of the basivertebral nerve (BVNA) innervating the vertebral endplate has become a standard treatment of vertebrogenic chronic low back pain (CLBP) arising from vertebral endplate damage. BVNA treatment of CLBP in clinical trials was successful and durable for pain relief and return to daily activities. This case review adds new information about older patients with adult degenerative spinal deformity (ASD) and associated comorbidities not previously described in clinical trials. One hundred and eighteen ASD patients with vertebrogenic CLBP in a community practice setting underwent 503 levels of BVNA (average 4.3 levels). Forty-one patients with minimal comorbidities (Group A) were compared to 77 patients with significant comorbidities (Group B). Visual analog scale (VAS 10 cm) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI 100-point scale) were obtained before BVNA and at a last follow-up (LFU). Group A VAS at LFU was an average of 2 cm, a 7 cm improvement. Group B VAS at LFU was 3 cm, a 6 cm improvement. At LFU, Group A ODI mean was 14 points or minimal disability, with a 39-point improvement, and Group B improved 28 points to 29 but remained moderately disabled. At LFU, the lumbar stenosis with laminectomy and BVNA subgroup of 26 had mean VAS 2 cm and ODI 28-point improvement but remained on average 21 points with a final low moderate disability. Eleven laminectomy and BVNA patients had continued posterior column pain related to radiculopathy, and or peripheral neuropathy, and sacroiliac joint pain in 30%. Mobile spondylolisthesis in 21 patients in Group B at LFU had a 6 cm improvement of VAS and 25-point improvement of ODI but remained moderately disabled on ODI. At LFU in group B, there was a 20% incidence of continued stenosis and radiculopathy symptoms. At LFU, Lumbar fusion was recommended in 9. Vertebral compression fracture (VCF) occurred in 9 after BVNA (10%) of Group B. These patients were older (mean 78 years), and all had significant osteoporosis. Eight fractures were within the area of the BVNA, and 1 was an S2 sacral fracture. These VCF patients were treated with vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty and continued preventive care with added teriparatide. At LFU, the VCF subgroup had a modest 6 cm improvement in VAS to 4 cm and continued to have significant severe to moderate disability (Oswestry Disability Index average of 38 points). Clinical trials of BVNA treatment of CLBP found success and durability for pain relief and daily activities. Patients with ASD without comorbidities showed durable pain relief of vertebrogenic CLBP and return of daily activities similar to clinical trials. In those with comorbidities, the result was an improvement in pain and disability that could be diminished by the complications related to the comorbidities. This is new information about BVNA for older patients with spinal deformity and other comorbidities. This study could impact research practice and policy to expand indications of BVNA to patients with adult spinal deformity. This case series represents the only literature regarding patients with adult spinal deformity treated with BVNA. The results were predictable and reproducible. Many patients were satisfied, would have the procedure again and would recommend BVNA to friends and family. This finding should encourage acceptance of patients with ASD for BVNA and, in fact, BVNA should probably be done before any fusion to limit and choose levels for inclusion in fusion.

Effects of increasing SID lysine and metabolizable energy levels in lactation diets fed to young and mature sows.

The objective was to evaluate increasing standard ileal digestible (SID) lysine (Lys) and metabolizable energy (ME) above recommended inclusion levels fed to young (parity 1-2) and mature (parity 3-5) lactating sows. A total of 741 sows (371 parity 1-2, 370 parity 3-5) were fed in a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments in a randomized complete block design. Factors included SID Lys (0.85% vs 1.11%) and ME (3.18 Mcal/kg vs 3.33 Mcal/kg). Diets were formulated to deliver 62g of SID Lys at 0.85% inclusion and 23.2 Mcal of energy to sows that consume 7.30kg of complete feed per day. Overall, sows consumed 61g/d SID Lys and 22.6 Mcal/kg, but because of nutrient intake differences between young and mature sows, outcome variables were analyzed separately and not statistically compared. There were no differences for either SID Lysine or ME treatment in lactation feed intake (P ≥ 0.27) or change in body weight (P ≥ 0.19) for young sows. Young sows fed 3.33 Mcal/kg ME had 0.31 fewer post-cross foster mortalities (P < 0.01) resulting in weaned litters that were 4.06kg heavier (P < 0.01) than litters from young sows fed 3.18 Mcal/kg ME. Young sows fed 1.11% SID Lys and 3.33 Mcal/kg ME had the fewest (P ≤ 0.03) sows bred by d 7 compared to all other treatments. There was an interaction (P = 0.03) for wean-to-estrus-interval for young sows were young sows fed 1.11% SID Lys and 3.33 Mcal/kg ME were at least 3.27 days longer than young sows fed 0.85% SID Lys and 3.33 Mcal/kg ME or 1.11% SID Lys and 3.18 Mcal/kg ME. Young sows fed 3.33 Mcal/kg ME had a nearly 7% improvement in lactation G:F (0.40 vs 0.43; P < 0.01) compared to young sows fed 3.18 Mcal/kg ME. The percentage of mature sows fed 1.11% SID Lys bred by day 7 was 7.0 percentage units less (P = 0.06) when fed 3.33 Mcal/kg ME compared to 3.18 Mcal/kg ME. Feed efficiency of mature sows fed 1.11% SID Lys (0.38) was 7.89% greater (P < 0.01) than mature sows fed 0.85% SID Lys (0.35). Increasing either SID Lys or ME energy to young and mature sows had little influence on sow or pig performance, but simultaneously increasing both SID Lys and metabolizable energy negatively impacted subsequent breeding performance.

The effect of dietary full-fat Hermetia illucens larvae meal on growth performance and intestine physiology in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of different inclusion levels of full-fat Hermetia illucens larvae (HI) meal as a protein source on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, health, and microbiota of largemouth bass. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated by adding HI to replace 0 % (HI0, control), 10 % (HI10), 20 % (HI20), 30 % (HI30) and 40 % (HI40) of fish meal (FM) in diets. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 fish per aquarium. Fish were fed two times daily to apparent satiation for 80 days. The results indicated that weight gain rate, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio were not appreciably reduced until more than 30 % of the FM protein was replaced with HI. Fish fed HI40 diet had the lowest fatty acid (C18:3, C20:5, C22:6) contents (P < 0.05). Moreover, the villi height was decreased, villi width and goblet cell number in hindgut was increased in the HI40 group compared with the other groups, respectively. Meanwhile, serum diamine oxidase activity, D-lactate and endotoxin contents increased markedly as the proportion of HI increased (P < 0.05). Notably, the increased dietary HI levels down-regulated the mRNA expression levels of cldnd1b and ocel1 in intestine. Higher malondialdehyde content and down-regulated expression of sod and gpx1a in the intestine were also observed in the HI40 group. Accordingly, the increased dietary HI levels upregulated the expression of intestinal pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β) and down-regulated anti-inflammatory cytokines (transcriptional growth factor-β1 and interleukin-10) (P < 0.05). In addition, the abundance of both intestinal Lactobacillus and Streptococcus increased significantly, while the abundance of Cetobacterium decreased in the HI20 group (P < 0.05). Broken-line model analysis based on weight gain rate against dietary HI replacement level indicated that the optimum replacement level was 26.79 %. However, including too high proportion of HI could induce intestinal dysbiosis, impair the intestine physical barrier, and finally reduced growth of Micropterus salmoides.

Fermented sunflower meal in diets for Atlantic salmon under commercial-like farming conditions promotes gut lactic acid bacteria and controls inflammation in the distal intestine

The global increase of aquaculture production has caused an escalating demand for alternative protein feed ingredients. Agro-industrial by-products such as sunflower meal are relatively abundant and cheap, but the content of antinutritional factors and fiber in the raw products reduce nutritional value and limit the inclusion levels in the feed for nutritionally demanding species, including salmonids. Solid-state fermentation is a microbial processing method with the potential to reduce the content of fiber and antinutritional factors and improve nutritional value in plant protein raw materials. In this study, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) at two commercial-like fish farms were fed experimental diets containing either 5 % non-fermented sunflower meal (as a control diet), 5 % fermented sunflower meal or 10 % fermented sunflower meal. The aim was to compare the effects of fermented sunflower meal on growth performance, gut microbiota, distal intestine histology and gene expression of Atlantic salmon under different environmental conditions. The field trial lasted for 8 and 11 months in a coastal and fjord location, respectively. The findings revealed that diets with fermented sunflower meal sustained growth performance, improved intestinal health by reducing the prevalence of prominent inflammation and ectopic goblet cells, as well as down-regulated the expression of physiological pathways related to tissue damage and cell division. Additionally, 10 % fermented sunflower meal promoted the relative abundance of gut lactic acid bacteria Lactiplantibacillus and Lactobacillaceae after long-term feeding. Our results suggest that fermented sunflower meal is a suitable protein source for Atlantic salmon when included at a level of up to 10 % in the diet.

Financial inclusion and financial crisis: Arguments, stylized facts and evidence

AbstractThe literature has examined the relationship between financial inclusion and financial stability, but no studies have examined the relationship between financial inclusion and financial crisis. This study examines the effect of financial inclusion on financial crisis using data from 28 countries from 2006 to 2017. Three stylised facts were established based on real‐world observation. One, the level of financial inclusion, in terms of number of bank depositors, decreases during domestic financial crisis. Two, the level of financial inclusion, in terms of ATM penetration, does not decrease during global and domestic financial crises. Three, the level of financial inclusion, in terms of number of bank branch, decreases during global and domestic financial crises and the contraction is stronger during a domestic financial crisis. Using the panel regression, logit and probit regression estimation methods, the empirical results show that low levels of financial inclusion, measured by fewer bank depositors and fewer bank branches, increase the likelihood that a financial crisis will occur. Low levels of financial inclusion, measured by fewer bank depositors, increase the likelihood that a financial crisis will occur in low financial‐inclusion countries. In contrast, greater ATM penetration increases the likelihood that a financial crisis will occur in low financial‐inclusion countries. The interaction analyses show that all indices of financial inclusion have a joint positive impact on financial crisis, implying that high levels of financial inclusion increases the likelihood that a financial crisis will occur.

A Treatment for Rice Straw and Its Use for Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) Feeding: Effect on Insect Performance and Diet Digestibility.

The development of reuse processes for plant by-products for both animal and human food offers numerous possibilities for quality-of-life improvements that align with a circular economy model. For this reason, we divided this study into two experiments. First, we designed a combined treatment consisting of laccase, ultrasound, and ascorbic acid to hydrolyze rice straw plant fibers and used the resulting feed as the basis for T. molitor diets. Second, we formulated diets with different inclusion levels (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) of rice straw and treated rice straw to assess their impact on larvae growth and diet digestibility. For each treatment, six replicates were employed: four for the growth-performance-digestibility trial and two for complementary uric acid determination tests. The combined laccase enzyme, ultrasound, and ascorbic acid treatment hydrolyzed 13.2% of the vegetable fibers. The diets containing treated rice straw resulted in higher larvae weight and a better feed conversion ratio; however, reaching 100% by-product inclusion values led to similar results between both diets. In conclusion, these treatments improve the potential of low-nutritional-value vegetable by-products as part of a T. molitor diet, opening the possibility of new methodologies for the use of recalcitrant vegetable by-products for insect rearing.

Neurodiversity and Inclusive Education: A Therapeutic and Pedagogical Approach from Music Therapy in Early Childhood Education from a Systematic Review

Neurodiversity from the perspective of inclusive education has generated intervention processes that have been addressed from music therapy in the expression of human diversity in this research addresses the therapeutic approach of intervention from music in the comprehensive care of neurodivergent students. The objective was focused on analyzing the designs and implementations of the effectiveness of music therapy programs in students who present neurodiversity situations through the therapeutic and pedagogical strategies reported from scientific evidence. The method used refers to the systematic review from the PRISMA statement through the analysis of three categories of variables. The discussion focused on the reports and evidence generated from the interventions with music at the level of increasing cognitive, emotional, social and relational development in early childhood education students. In conclusion, it was identified that the promotion of emotional regulation skills, communication dynamics and social integration lead to increased levels of adaptation and inclusion that lead to improved academic success and inclusion in neurodivergent students.