Quadratic Response Research Articles

Potassium Fertilizer Application Rates for Fertigated Edamame Grown on Low-K Soils

Edamame, a legume consumed fresh as a vegetable, is highly nutritious, particularly protein-rich, and holds significant economic value. However, its cultivation faces challenges, especially on dry land, due to water scarcity and limited nutrient availability, particularly potassium (K). This study, which investigated the impact of potassium fertilization rate on edamame cultivation, underscores the need for further research. The study utilized a single factor, potassium fertilization rate, arranged in a completely randomized block design. Potassium rates consist of 0% X, 50% X, 100% X, 150% X, and 200% X, where X represents the recommended potassium fertilization rate according to the dry soil test device (DSTD) guidelines. Each treatment was replicated five times. Data were analyzed using ANOVA at a 5% significance level, and any significant effects were further examined using orthogonal polynomial and regression analysis. The results indicated that potassium fertilizer rates did not significantly affect edamame height, pod weight per plot, and marketable yield. However, the study identified the optimal potassium fertilizer rate, which was between 83%X and 119%X, equivalent to 83–119 kg.ha⁻¹ of KCl (50–72 kg.ha⁻¹ of K₂O). This range positively increased total branch yield, productive branches, number of flowers, pod weight per plant, number of pods per plant, and plant dry weight, producing a quadratic response pattern. The study recommends further research to optimize potassium fertilizer doses based on DSTD recommendations, particularly at a low K nutrient status, to maximize marketable yields through fertigation.

Effects of Chitosan-Based Additive on Rumen Fermentation and Microbial Community, Nutrients Digestibility and Lactation Performance in Goats.

Recently, the potential of using chitosan (CHI) as a feed additive to enhance ruminal fermentation and improve animal performance has gained increasing attention in ruminant nutrition. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with increasing doses of CHI on rumen fermentation attributes and microbial composition, digestibility and milk performance in Dhofari goats. Twenty-four lactating goats (27 ± 1.8 kg of initial live body weight) were fed a control diet comprising of Rhodes grass hay plus a concentrate feed mixture. Goats were assigned to one of three experimental treatments (n = 8 per treatment) as: (1) control diet with no supplement (CTRL), (2) control diet with 0.300 g/day CHI (CHI0.3) and (3) control diet supplemented with 0.600 g/day CHI (CHI0.6) for a 45-day experimental period. Dietary supplementation with increasing doses of CHI decreased (p < 0.05) linearly ruminal pH (p = 0.023), total short chain fatty acids concentrations (p = 0.011), acetate (p = 0.013) and butyrate (p = 0.042) proportions, acetate to propionate ratio (p < 0.001), estimated methane (CH4) production (p < 0.001), ammonia nitrogen concentrations (p = 0.003) and protozoa abundance (p = 0.003). However, the ruminal propionate proportion augmented (p = 0.002) linearly with increasing doses of CHI in the diet. Increasing doses of CHI linearly increased the abundance of the ruminal propionate-producing bacteria, while diminished acetate and CH4-producing bacteria (p < 0.05). Serum total protein (p = 0.037) and glucose (p = 0.042) levels linearly increased as CHI doses increased in the diet. However, serum UREA levels decreased linearly (p = 0.002) by 21% with increasing CHI amounts in the diet. The digestibility of organic matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre increased linearly with the increasing CHI doses (p < 0.05). Neither linear nor quadratic responses (p > 0.05) were observed in daily milk yield and feed efficiency by supplementing the diet with CHI. In conclusion, supplementing the diet with CHI at a dose of 0.600 g/day as a feed additive for dairy goats reduced estimated CH4 generation and improved fibre and protein digestion, with no influence on feed intake, milk yield or composition.

Optimising nanoparticles: harnessing quality by design through 3-level factorial design and box-behnken methodology

Nanoparticles (NPs) have become essential elements in a number of scientific and industrial domains, such as materials research, drug delivery, and diagnostics, because of their special qualities and potential for focused uses. An ideal formulation procedure is essential to maximising the effectiveness and efficiency of nanoparticles. In order to optimise the formulation and production processes for nanoparticles, this research investigates the application of Quality by Design (QbD) principles in conjunction with sophisticated statistical approaches, namely the 3-level factorial design and the Box-Behnken methodology. The Quality by Design methodology is a methodical approach that prioritises predetermined goals, in-depth process comprehension, and careful control grounded in reliable science and quality risk management. When QbD is incorporated into nanoparticle optimisation, reliable and repeatable formulations that adhere to specifications with little variation are guaranteed. To look into how different factors interact and affect the properties of nanoparticles, the 3-level factorial design is used. With this design approach, a thorough understanding of the process variables can be obtained by exploring a broad variety of component values. Critical quality attributes (CQAs) include important parameters such drug encapsulation efficiency, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), and particle size. These parameters are methodically examined to determine the ideal amounts of each. To further refine the 3-level factorial design, the Box-Behnken methodology is applied. Without the requirement for extensive combination testing, this response surface methodology (RSM) is especially useful for building second-order polynomial models and investigating quadratic response surfaces. By enabling a more accurate comprehension of the interactions between inputs and responses, the Box-Behnken design improves the optimisation process and makes it easier to identify the ideal circumstances for nanoparticle synthesis. By utilising both approaches in tandem, this work methodically determines ideal formulation parameters that minimise nanoparticle size and polydispersity while optimising stability and drug loading efficiency. The outcomes highlight how important a QbD framework is for directing the creation of reliable nanoparticle systems that function consistently and predictably.

Two-Photon Absorption Strengths of Small Molecules: Reference CC3 Values and Benchmarks.

We present a large dataset of highly accurate two-photon transition strengths (δTPA) determined for standard small molecules. Our reference values have been calculated using the quadratic response implementation of the third-order coupled cluster method including iterative triples (Q-CC3). The aug-cc-pVTZ atomic basis set is used for molecules with up to five non-hydrogen atoms, while larger molecules are assessed with aug-cc-pVDZ; the differences due to the basis sets are discussed. This dataset, encompassing 82 singlet transitions of various characters (Rydberg, valence, and double excitations), enables a comprehensive benchmark of smaller basis sets and alternative wavefunction methods when Q-CC3 calculations become beyond reach as well as time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) approaches. The evaluated wavefunction methods include quadratic response and equation-of-motion CCSD approximations, Q-CC2, and second-order algebraic diagrammatic construction in its intermediate state representation (I-ADC2). In the TD-DFT framework, a set of five commonly used exchange-correlation functionals are evaluted. This extensive analysis provides a quantitative assessment of these methods, revealing how different system sizes, response intensities, and types of transitions affect their performances.

The effect of dietary supplementation of a Bacillus-based direct fed-microbial on Pekin duck subjected to heat stress challenge

Limited research investigating the use of direct-fed microbials (DFM) to mitigate the effects of heat stress in Pekin ducks exists. This study evaluated the use of a DFM at different inclusion rates. Treatments included commercial-type basal diet (CON), or CON supplemented with 125, 250, 500, or 750 ppm DFM. On d 21–35, ducks were subjected to a cyclic heat stress challenge for 12 h/d. Performance, gait scores, footpad lesions, complete cell blood counts, total plasma corticosterone concentrations, fear testing, bone health, litter quality, and gut health were measured. Body weight on d 35 was lower for CON (p < 0.05) than all other treatments. Feed conversion (d 15–35) was higher (p > 0.05) in CON than all other treatments. Total plasma corticosterone concentrations and heterophil to lymphocyte ratios were greater for CON (p < 0.05) compared to all other treatments, indicating lower stress susceptibility in DFM treatments. The CON had lower villus height (p < 0.05) than the 125 and 250 ppm DFM treatments. There was a quadratic response observed with 500 ppm as the peak in performance and stress measures indicating it may be the optimum. These results indicate that DFM supplementation during heat stress can improve duck performance and welfare.

Terrestrial Carbon Sink and Clean Air Co‐Benefits From China's Carbon Neutrality Policy

AbstractAs the world's largest carbon emitter, China has been confronting the dual challenge of climate change and air pollution. China's quest for reducing carbon emissions will promisingly benefit the air quality, yet its impact on carbon sinks remains unclear. Here, we assess the effect of China's clean air actions and carbon neutrality policy on air quality and its associated co‐benefits for terrestrial carbon sinks by integrating multiple observations and numerical modeling. We find a quadratic response of plant photosynthesis to aerosol loading due to trade‐offs between diffuse fertilization effect and light limitations. The estimations show that China's air pollution suppresses terrestrial carbon uptake through aerosol‐induced light limitations, leading to a 7.3% decrease in plant productivity in the 2010s. In the context of carbon neutrality pledge, the associated aerosol reductions tend to alleviate the suppression and produce an additional CO2 removal of 0.39 GtCO2 year−1. Our results uncover the enhanced terrestrial carbon sinks by aerosol mitigation, highlighting the synergy between carbon neutrality and clean air.

Responses of Jumbo Quail to a Diet Containing Corticated Marama Bean (Tylosema esculentum) Meal Pre-Treated with Fibrolytic Multi-Enzymes

The nutritional utility of leguminous products such as corticated marama bean (Tylosema esculentum) meal (CMBM) in quail diets is limited by high fibre levels. This study evaluated the impact of dietary CMBM pre-treated with fibrolytic multi-enzyme (FMENZ) on growth performance, and physiological and meat quality responses in Jumbo Coturnix quail. Two hundred and forty 7-day-old Jumbo quail (29.4 ± 2.72 g initial live weight) were randomly distributed to five experimental diets, with six replicate cages each (eight birds/cage). The diets were a grower diet without CMBM, and the same grower diet plus 100 g/kg CMBM pre-treated with 0, 1, 1.5, and 2% (v/w) FMENZ. Positive quadratic responses (p &lt; 0.05) were recorded for overall feed intake and body weight gain in weeks 2 and 3. The control diet promoted the highest (p &lt; 0.05) gain-to-feed ratio in weeks 2 and 3, and the best weight gains and glucose levels, but reduced lipase levels. Final body weights declined linearly [p = 0.037] with FMENZ levels. Breast pH increased linearly, while haemoglobin and 1 h post-mortem chroma showed positive quadratic effects (p &lt; 0.05) with FMENZ levels. The use of the enzymes did not improve the feed value of CMBM in Jumbo quail diets.

PSX-20 The inclusion of a tannin-based product evaluated in a typical feedlot diet under tropical conditions increases the molar proportion of propionate in a dual-flow continuous-culture system

Abstract The objective of the present study was to evaluate increasing levels of a tannin-based product and a monensin (positive control; unique dose) using a dual-flow continuous-culture system. Diets were randomly assigned to ten fermenters in a replicated 5 x 5 Latin square with three, 10-d experimental periods consisting of 7 d for adaptation and 3 d for sample collection. Four different levels were tested independently, resulting in 5 treatments: tannin at levels of 0 (negative control), 0.07, 0.14, and 0.21 (% of DM of the total diet) and monensin as positive control at 28 mg/kg DM. The tannin-based product was a specific blend of tannin and saponins, composed of quebracho and chestnut tannin extracts, SilvaFeed-BX). Diets were prepared as concentrate mixes that were combined with sugarcane bagasse, corn grain, dry distillers grain, citrus pulp, peanut meal, and urea. Liquid and solid flow rates were adjusted to 10 and 5.0%/h, respectively. Samples were collected for digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and microbial growth. The basal diet consisted of a typical finishing diet for beef cattle (16:84 roughage:concentrate ratio). All results were assessed for residual normality and variance homogeneity. All variables were fitted through generalized mixed models (GLIMMIX procedure) and compared by using Tukey test (multiple comparison) and polynomial regressions (tannin concentrations, which were analyzed for linear and quadratic responses. Partial data were presented in the table below. Total VFA concentration, molar proportion of butyrate, and total Branched-chain VFA were not affected by treatments (P &amp;gt; 0.05). Molar proportion of acetate of the tannin-based product at 0.07 % of DM tended to be decreased compared with all other treatments. Molar proportion of propionate increased quadratically (P = 0.05) reaching the peak at the level of 0.07 % of DM, which were greater than monensin treatment. In conclusion, our results indicate that a smaller dose of a tannin-based product (0.07 g/kg of DM) might manipulate ruminal fermentation by increasing molar proportion of propionate in typical feedlot diet fed under tropical conditions. This is important from an energetic standpoint for the animal host, since propionate is the precursor of glucose synthesis in ruminants.

PSX-14 Effect of starch supplementation on rumen bacterial abundance in Bos taurus taurus steers consuming low-quality forage

Abstract Low-quality forage provides a limited supply of ruminally available nitrogen and is generally resistant to digestion, inhibiting microbial growth in the rumen and ultimately decreasing forage utilization. Supplementation with protein is well documented to increase forage utilization by promoting microbial growth. Even when protein requirements are met, additional energy, often provided as starch, may be required to meet performance expectations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing starch supplementation on rumen bacterial populations in Bos taurus taurus steers supplemented protein and consuming low-quality forage. Ruminal samples were collected from ruminally-cannulated Angus steers [n = 5; body weight (BW) = 375 ± 45 kg] used in a 4 × 4 Latin square fed a basal diet of King Ranch Bluestem Hay (3.5% CP, 73% NDF) ad libitum, and supplemented with one of four isonitrogenous (130 mg N/kg BW) supplements with increasing starch (2% starch = 100% soybean meal; 20% starch = 73% soybean meal, 26.2% corn, 0.8% urea; 38% starch = 47% soybean meal, 51.6% corn, 1.4% urea; 56% starch = 19% soybean meal, 78.6% corn, 2.4% urea). Rumen content samples were collected via rumen cannula 4 h after supplementation and immediately frozen. Microbial DNA was extracted; full length 16S rRNA amplicon libraries were prepared using Kinnex kits and sequenced on the PacBio Revio platform. Reads were analyzed using DADA2 and QIIME2. Statistical analysis was performed with the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). Firmicutes and Bacteriodata were the most abundant phyla in all treatments (82% and 11%, respectively), and were not affected by starch supplementation (P ≥ 0.45). Actinobacteriota and Euryarchaeota abundance responded quadratically (P &amp;lt; 0.01) to increasing starch provision. Christensenellaceae R-7 group, Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group, Lachnospiraceae XPB1014 group, Butyrvibrio, Lachnospiraceae NK3A20 group, and Prevotella represented the most abundant genera for all treatments. Increasing supplemental starch resulted in a quadratic response (P &amp;lt; 0.01) for abundance of Christensenellaceae R-7 and Lachnospiraceae XPB1014 groups. Relative abundance of Butyrvibrio was 4.05% for steers fed 2% starch supplement and increased to 18.24 and 11.85% for 20 and 38% starch, respectively and then decreased to 4.34% for steers fed 56% starch supplement (quadratic, P &amp;lt; 0.01) Abundance of Pseudobutyrvibrio followed a similar but less dramatic pattern (quadratic, P &amp;lt; 0.01). In contrast, abundance of Streptococcus and Methanobrevibacter decreased with the first two levels of starch and then increased with 56% (quadratic; P &amp;lt; 0.01). In conclusion, responses to the first two increments of starch supplementation suggest increased fibrolytic and decreased methanogenic activity. These results are supported by the previously reported increase in TDOMI for 20 and 38% starch 49.0 and 48.2 g/kg MBW, respectively versus 45.7 and 44.3 g/kg MBW for 2 and 56%, respectively.

Comparison between linear and quadratic power take off for a single chamber land-fixed oscillating water column (OWC)

This study examines the influence of turbine response type on the performance of a land-fixed Oscillating Water Column (OWC) under second-order Stokes waves of varying heights. Numerical modelling techniques, including the Finite Element Method, incompressible Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations with the Shear-Stress Transport (SST) k-ω turbulence model, and an Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) scheme, were employed to gain insights into OWC behaviour. The linear turbine consistently displayed reduced efficiency with increasing wave height, maintaining a stable peak non-dimensional wave number (kh). Conversely, the quadratic turbine exhibited peak efficiency within a narrower wave height range, strongly influenced by wave height. Non-dimensional volume flow rate, non-dimensional chamber pressure, chamber volume, and maximum force on the front wall remained unaffected by changes in wave height for the linear turbine. In contrast, the quadratic turbine was notably impacted by variations in wave height. Moreover, the quadratic turbine revealed stronger odd-numbered higher-order harmonic components in both force and pressure due to its non-linear response. Notably, both linear and quadratic response types exhibited sloshing at similar wave numbers, suggesting minimal influence of turbine response on sloshing behaviour. Finally, the derived non-dimensional turbine coefficients proved both turbines could scale OWC models with negligible scaling effects from the turbine.

A contactless in situ EFISH method for measuring electrostatic potential profile of semiconductor/electrolyte junctions.

In photoelectrochemical cells, promising devices for directly converting solar energy into storable chemical fuels, the spatial variation of the electrostatic potential across the semiconductor-electrolyte junction is the key parameter that determines the cell performance. In principle, electric field induced second harmonic generation (EFISH) provides a contactless in situ spectroscopic tool to measure the spatial variation of electrostatic potential. However, the total second harmonic generation (SHG) signal contains the contributions of the EFISH signals of semiconductor space charge layer and the electric double layer, in addition to the SHG signal of the electrode surface. The interference of these complex quantities hinders their analysis. In this work, to understand and deconvolute their contributions to the total SHG signals, bias-dependent SHG measurements are performed on the rutile TiO2(100)-electrolyte junction as a function of light polarization and crystal azimuthal angle (angle of the incident plane relative to the crystal [001] axis). A quadratic response between SHG intensity and the applied potential is observed in both the accumulation and depletion regions of TiO2. The relative phase difference and amplitude ratio are extracted at selected azimuthal angles and light polarizations. At 0° azimuthal angle and s-in-p-out polarization, the SHG intensity minimum has the best match with the TiO2 flatband potential due to the orthogonal relative phase difference between bias-dependent and bias-independent SHG terms. We further measure the pH-dependent flatband potential and probe the photovoltage under open circuit conditions using the EFISH technique, demonstrating the capability of this contactless method for measuring electrostatic potential at semiconductor-electrolyte junctions.

Optimising Laparoscopic Artificial Insemination in Lohi Sheep: Effects of Timing, Sperm Concentration and Body Condition on Fertility Outcome in Subtropical Climates.

The objective of this study was to determine the optimal timing, sperm concentration, and body condition score (BCS) for laparoscopic artificial insemination (LAI) in the subtropical Lohi sheep breed. In Experiment 1, Lohi ewes (n = 80) were synchronised through progestin-sponges (day 0-day 11), administering PGF2α (d-cloprostenol 75 μg/mL; i.m. @ 75 μg /ewe) on day 09 and eCG (i.m. @ 300 IU/ewe) on day 11. Ewes were divided equally into four groups (n = 20 each) and then LAI was performed at 48 (T48), 60 (T60), 72 (T72) and 96 (T96) hours post-sponge removal using 200 million sperm/insemination. In Experiment 2, ewes (n = 81) were synchronised as in Experiment I. Following synchronisation ewes were divided into four groups, each subjected to LAI employing varying sperm concentrations: 10 (S10; n = 21), 20 (S20; n = 20), 50 (S50; n = 20), or 100 (S100; n = 20) million per insemination. Inseminations were performed within a time window of 48-60 h post-sponge removal, based on the findings from Experiment 1. In both experiments ewes were categorised according to BCS, that is, medium 3 and high > 3. Results of Experiment 1 revealed a quadratic response that ewes inseminated at 60-h post-sponge removal exhibited significantly higher pregnancy and twinning rates (p = 0.02). The results of Experiment 2 revealed that sperm concentration had a quadratic effect, 50 million sperm per insemination resulted in maximal pregnancy rates (p = 0.01). Additionally, ewes with medium BCS (≤ 3) had higher pregnancy rates than high BCS (> 3) ewes. In conclusion, ewes with medium BCS (≤ 3) are ideal candidate for LAI and can be inseminated at 60 h with minimal sperm 50 × 106/dose post-sponge removal to achieve a maximum pregnancy rate.

The Application of Converter Sludge and Slag to Produce Ecological Cement Mortars.

The paper presents an analysis of the effective use of a mixture of steel sludge (S1) and slag (S2) from the converter process of steel production for the production of cement mortars. Metallurgical waste used in the research, which is currently deposited in waste landfills and heaps near plants, posing a threat to groundwater (possibility of leaching metal ions present in the waste), was used as a substitute for natural sand in the range of 0-20% by weight of cement (each). The obtained test results and their numerical analysis made it possible to determine the conditions for replacing part of the sand in cement mortars with a mixture of sludge and slag from a basic oxygen furnace (BOF) and to determine the effects of such modification. For the numerical analysis, a full quadratic Response Surface Model (RSM) was utilized for two controlled factors. This model was subsequently optimized through backward stepwise regression, ensuring the inclusion of only statistically significant components and verifying the consistency of residual distribution with the normal distribution (tested via Ryan-Joiner's test, p > 0.1). The designated material models are helpful in designing ecological cement mortars using difficult-to-recycle waste (i.e., sludge and converter slag), which is important for a circular economy. Mortars modified with a mixture of metallurgical waste (up to 20% each) are characterized by a slightly lower consistency, compressive and flexural strength, and water absorption. However, they show a lower decrease in mechanical strength after the freezing-thawing process (frost resistance) compared to control mortars. Mortars modified with metallurgical waste do not have a negative impact on the environment in terms of leaching heavy metal ions. The use of a mixture of sludge and steel slag in the amount of 40% (slag/sludge in a 20/20 ratio) allows you to save 200 kg of sand when producing 1 m3 of cement mortar (cost reduction by approx. EUR 5.1/Mg) and will also reduce the costs of the environmental fee for depositing waste.

The Emission of Internal Conversion Electrons Rather Than Auger Electrons Increased the Nucleus-Absorbed Dose for 161Tb Compared with 177Lu with a Higher Dose Response for [161Tb]Tb-DOTA-LM3 Than for [161Tb]Tb-DOTATATE.

Preclinical data have shown that 161Tb-labeled peptides targeting the somatostatin receptor are therapeutically more effective for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy than are their 177Lu-labeled counterparts. To further substantiate this enhanced therapeutic effect, we performed cellular dosimetry to quantify the absorbed dose to the cell nucleus and compared dose-response curves to evaluate differences in relative biological effectiveness invitro. Methods: CA20948 cell survival was assessed after treatment with [161Tb]Tb- and [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE (agonist) and with [161Tb]Tb- and [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-LM3 (antagonist) via a clonogenic assay. Cell binding, internalization, and dissociation assays were performed up to 7 d to acquire time-integrated activity coefficients. Separate S values for each type of particle emission (Auger/internal conversion [IC] electrons and β- particles) were computed via Monte Carlo simulations, while considering spheric cells. Once the absorbed dose to the cell nucleus was calculated, survival curves were fitted to the appropriate linear or linear-quadratic model and corresponding relative biological effectiveness was evaluated. Results: Although the radiopeptide uptake was independent of the radionuclide, [161Tb]Tb-DOTATATE and [161Tb]Tb-DOTA-LM3 delivered a 3.6 and 3.8 times higher dose to the nucleus, respectively, than their 177Lu-labeled counterparts on saturated receptor binding. This increased nucleus-absorbed dose was mainly due to the additional emission of IC and not Auger electrons by 161Tb. When activity concentrations were considered, both [161Tb]Tb-DOTATATE and [161Tb]Tb-DOTA-LM3 showed a lower survival fraction than did labeling with 177Lu. When the absorbed dose to the nucleus was considered, no significant difference could be observed between the dose-response curves for [161Tb]Tb- and [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE. [161Tb]Tb-DOTA-LM3 showed a linear-quadratic dose response, whereas [161Tb]Tb-DOTATATE showed only a linear dose response within the observed dose range, suggesting additional cell membrane damage by Auger electrons. Conclusion: The IC, rather than Auger, electrons emitted by 161Tb resulted in a higher absorbed dose to the cell nucleus and lower clonogenic survival for [161Tb]Tb-DOTATATE and [161Tb]Tb-DOTA-LM3 than for the 177Lu-labeled analogs. In contrast, [161Tb]Tb-DOTATATE showed no higher dose response than [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE, whereas for [161Tb]Tb-DOTA-LM3 an additional quadratic response was observed. Because of this quadratic response, potentially caused by cell membrane damage, [161Tb]Tb-DOTA-LM3 is a more effective radiopeptide than [161Tb]Tb-DOTATATE for labeling with 161Tb.

Climatic Predictors of Long‐Distance Migratory Birds Breeding Productivity Across Europe

ABSTRACTAimOngoing climate changes represent a major determinant of demographic processes in many organisms worldwide. Birds, and especially long‐distance migrants, are particularly sensitive to such changes. To better understand these impacts on long‐distance migrants' breeding productivity, we tested three hypotheses focused on (i) the shape of the relationships with different climate variables, including previously rarely tested quadratic responses, and on regional differences in these relationships predicted by (ii) mean climatic conditions and (iii) by the rate of climate change in respective regions ranging from Spain to Finland.LocationEurope.Time Period2004–2021.Major Taxa StudiedLong‐distance migratory passerine birds.MethodsWe calculated breeding productivity from constant effort ringing sites from 11 European countries covering 34° of latitude, and extracted temperature‐ and precipitation‐related climate variables from E‐OBS and NASA MODIS datasets. To test our hypotheses, we fitted GLMM and Bayesian meta‐analytic models.ResultsWe revealed hump‐shaped responses of productivity to temperature, growing degree‐days, green‐up onset date, and precipitation anomaly, and negative responses to intense and prolonged rains across the regions. The effects of March temperature and April growing degree‐days were more negative in cold than in warm regions, except for the region with the highest accumulated heat, whereas increasing June precipitation anomalies were associated with higher productivity in both dry and wet regions. Productivity responses to climate were unrelated to the rate of climate warming.Main ConclusionsThe influence of climate on bird productivity proved to be frequently nonlinear, as expected by ecological theory. The rate of climate change is less important than regional interannual variability in climate (which is predicted to increase), but this may change with the progression of climate change in the future. Productivity declines in long‐distance migratory songbirds are particularly expected if out‐of‐norm water excess increases in frequency or strength.

Study on energy-saving techniques of the lithium-ion batteries cooling system using a backup battery

The power battery in an electric vehicle is an essential part, and the damage to the battery will have a substantial impact on its thermal characteristics. In order to improve the reliability of the air-cooled lithium-ion battery packs in the high temperature environments, this paper offers a more useful and general optimization strategy for the design of the thermal management system for the batteries which have a damaged battery. To ensure the optimal heat dissipation and prolong the battery string operation, the damaged batteries should be swapped out with the backup batteries. The relationship between the target and the design variables which was established using the quadratic polynomial response function is examined. The experimental cases are selected using the optimal Latin hypercube design approach. After optimizing through the multi-island genetic approach, the error between the simulation results and the prediction results is only 0.06 %. The maximum temperature and the maximum temperature difference of the ideal structure are reduced by 4.58 % and 28.05 %, respectively. Then, the backup battery is selected as the sole battery that has the highest temperature of the ideal structure, and each broken battery is replaced by the backup battery when the damaged position is determined. Finally, a parametric equation connecting the temperature and the flow rate is created, and the inlet flow rate is tuned to match the optimal heat dissipation state of the battery pack. The results of the battery thermal management system having a damaged battery in various situations have an important significance for adjusting the operating conditions of the cooling system for the batteries.

Effects of dietary supplementation with fermented flaxseed meal on the growth performance, immune function, and intestinal microbiota of growing pigs

Flaxseed meal is a highly nutritious feed resource rich in protein and unsaturated fatty acids. However, the presence of antinutritional factors such as cyanogenic glycoside limits its practical use. Fermentation has been demonstrated to degrade these antinutritional factors. However, little research has been conducted to investigate the effects of fermented flaxseed meal (FFSM) on the growth performance of growing pigs. This study thus aims to examine the effects of supplementing with 10 %, 15 %, and 20 % FFSM on the growth performance, immune function, and intestinal microbiota in growing pigs. Utilizing a completely randomized design, ninety-six growing pigs, each averaging 39.57 ± 0.63 kg, were allocated into four dietary groups with eight replicates per group and three pigs per replicate. The dietary treatments included: a control group (corn-soybean meal-based diet without FFSM) and basal diets supplemented with 10 %, 15 %, and 20 % FFSM. The trial lasted for 30 days. Results showed that including FFSM at 10 %, 15 %, and 20 % did not affect the average daily gain and average daily feed intake of pigs. However, the gain-to-feed ratio exhibited a linear decrease as the level of FFSM increased. Furthermore, FFSM supplementation linear increases neutral detergent fiber (inclusive of residual ash) and acid detergent fiber digestibility (P < 0.05). Investigating immune parameters and metabolites revealed a linear increase in immunoglobulins (IgA and IgM) and total bile acid in serum with increasing levels of FFSM supplementation (P < 0.05). Delving deeper into the gut microbiota’s complex ecosystem reveals that the quadratic response in Lactobacillus abundance and linear increase in Bacillus abundance (P < 0.05), while a linear and quadratic decrease in Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 abundance with increasing FFSM addition (P < 0.05). Additionally, the concentrations of butyric acid and total short-chain fatty acids in feces changed quadratically with increasing proportions of FFSM (P < 0.05). The collective findings underscore the valuable role of microbial fermentation in enhancing the nutritional profile and utilization of flaxseed meal in the diets of growing pigs. Incorporation of FFSM not only augments the immune functionality of pigs but also ameliorates the balance of the intestinal microecology.

Phenyl-urea chromophores: DFT insights into nonlinear optical enhancement

The present investigation has examined the nonlinear optical (NLO) responses of molecules based on phenyl-urea. The optimized geometries of complexes: (4-nitrophenyl) urea (PU1), 1-methyl-3-(4-nitrophenyl) urea (PU2), and 1,1-dimethyl-3-(4-nitrophenyl) urea (PU3) are extracted using M06–2X/6–311++ g (d, p) level of theory. The estimated nonlinear optical responses (NLO) of the compounds given are based on static and dynamic hyperpolarizabilities, which are reinforced by the dipole moment, polarizabilities, global reactivity parameters, HOMO-LUMO gap, molecular electrostatic potentials (MEP), and βvec. Comparing PU1, PU2, and PU3 to reference substances like urea and p-nitroaniline, a considerably higher NLO activity is estimated. Out of all the compounds, PU3 has the largest NLO response. Such a significant NLO reaction can be attributed to a small HOMO-LUMO gap and high charge transfer. Second-harmonic generation (SHG) and electro-optic Pockel's effect (EOPE) are being explored for dynamic NLO responses. These compounds that are bases of phenyl-urea exhibit a very significant quadratic nonlinear optical response.

Optimization design of hydro turbine support structure based on GA-FA-BP method

The rational design of the turbine support structure ensures the safe operation of the system, achieves significant economic benefits and improves the efficiency of the turbine. This paper presents a novel turbine support structure capable of vertical movement along the guide column. In addition, the GA-FA-BP method has been developed for the optimization design of the support structure, which combines genetic algorithm (GA), firefly algorithm (FA) and back-propagation neural network (BP). The use of quadratic response surface (RS) method along with NSGA-II for the result validation of the GA-FA-BP model ensures the robustness and reliability of the optimization results. A finite element model is set up to analyse the mechanical behaviour of the support structure under 10 different combined load conditions. The most critical load conditions in the static mechanical models are used to generate training data, and the mass, deformation and equivalent stress of the optimized and unoptimized support structures are analyzed and compared. The results show that the optimized support structure can maintain deformation and equivalent stress within a weight reduction of 21.83% compared to the original design. Compared to a single optimization model, the proposed GA-FA-BP model shows higher accuracy with a correlation coefficient up to 0.9989.

On the construction of saturated split-plot designs for quadratic response surface models

Split-plot designs are commonly employed in experiments where the levels of some factors are difficult or costly to adjust. One of the primary objectives of many such experiments is to accurately predict responses using fitted response surfaces. While many split-plot designs have been proposed in the literature for this purpose, most of them require large run sizes and an excessive number of whole plots, resulting in expensive and time-consuming experiments. To address this issue, we conduct a study to determine the minimum requirements for a split-plot design that can be used to fit a response surface. Based on these requirements, we construct saturated or nearly saturated response surface split-plot (RSSP) designs that are cost-effective, featuring the fewest possible run sizes and the smallest number of whole plots. We use a motivating example and conduct simulations. Our study shows that the proposed RSSP designs not only provide cost savings, but also maintain good predictive efficiency.