Relative Values Research Articles

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) quality is improved from tractor traffic implemented during harvest

Studies documenting the consequences of harvest traffic in alfalfa production have addressed soil and plant growth parameters. One response was larger leaf/stem ratios in plants that were trafficked, which suggests higher quality. To fully understand how harvest traffic affects alfalfa quality a need for further analysis is warranted. Our objectives were to quantify differences in plant quality between trafficked and non-trafficked plants through 4 years of alfalfa production and to determine when these differences occur. The experimental units were furrow-irrigated raised beds with four harvests per year in Youngston clay loam soil in Fruita, Colorado. A John Deere 2280 swather and a John Deere 2955 tractor, driven over the alfalfa 7 days after swathing, were used to create four traffic treatments; plants that were never trafficked, plants trafficked only by the swather, plants trafficked only by the tractor, and plants trafficked by both the swather and the tractor. Quality was determined by measuring relative feed value, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and crude protein using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Alfalfa trafficked by the tractor had increased quality throughout the 4 years of production.

The Characteristic Aroma Compounds of GABA Sun-Dried Green Tea and Raw Pu-Erh Tea Determined by Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Relative Odor Activity Value.

We aim to improve the product quality of GABA raw Pu-erh tea during development and processing. In this study, headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technology combined with relative odor activity evaluations was used to compare the volatile compounds of GABA sun-dried green tea and GABA raw Pu-erh tea. Sensory evaluation showed a higher aroma score of GABA raw Pu-erh tea than that of GABA sun-dried green tea, with significant differences in aroma type and purity. A total of 147 volatile compounds of 13 categories were detected, which differed in composition and quantity between the two teas. 2-Buten-1-one,1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1,3-cyclohexadien-1-yl)-,(E)- and beta.-myrcene largely contributed to the aroma formation of both teas. Five volatile compounds were screened as potential markers for tea aroma. Metabolic pathway analysis showed that monoterpenoid biosynthesis may be beneficial to the formation of flowery and fruity aromas in the teas. We suggest that the findings of this study may provide important guidance for the processing and optimization of GABA tea.

Dosage-sensitive and simultaneous detection of multiple small-molecule pollutants in environmental water and agriproducts using portable SERS-based lateral flow immunosensor

The co-contamination of pesticide residues and mycotoxins in agricultural products is a global concern, with the potential for cumulative and synergistic damaging effects, imposing substantial health and economic burdens to the public. The dosage-sensitive and simultaneous detection of multiple pollutants, with a heightened sensitivity in real samples, poses a significant demand and challenge. Herein, we propose a portable detection method integrating surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-with lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA), offering high sensitivity and multiplex analysis capabilities. This approach enables the simultaneous detection of imidacloprid (IMI), pyraclostrobin (PYR) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) through a single test strip. Utilizing the immune-specific binding between antigen and antibodies, we immobilised antibody- conjugated SERS nanotags on three test lines of the strips to generate Raman signal amplification in the proposed biosensor. Accurate quantitative analysis was performed by measuring the SERS signal intensity on the test lines. The limits of detection were 8.6 pg/mL for IMI, 97.4 pg/mL for PYR and 8.9 pg/mL for AFB1, exhibiting sensitivities 12-fold, 102-fold and11-fold higher than the colorimetric signals, respectively. Importantly, the SERS-LFIA immunosensor demonstrated robust performance when applied to real samples, yielding recoveries ranging from 86.16 % to 115.0 %, with relative standard deviation values below 8.67 %. These results underscore the excellent stability, high selectivity and reliability the proposed SERS-LFIA immunosensor. Consequently, it holds promise for the detection of multiple pesticides and mycotoxins in both environmental and agricultural samples.

Addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in rural community pharmacies: a protocol for a stepped wedge randomized clinical trial

BackgroundUptake of COVID-19 vaccines remains problematically low in the USA, especially in rural areas. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is associated with lower uptake, which translates to higher susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 variants in communities where vaccination coverage is low. Because community pharmacists are among the most accessible and trusted health professionals in rural areas, this randomized clinical trial will examine implementation strategies to support rural pharmacists in delivering an adapted evidence-based intervention to reduce COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.MethodsWe will use an incomplete stepped wedge trial design in which we will randomize 30 rural pharmacies (unit of analysis) to determine the effectiveness and incremental cost-effectiveness of a standard implementation approach (consisting of online training that describes the vaccine hesitancy intervention, live webinar, and resource website) compared to adding on a virtual facilitation approach (provided by a trained facilitator in support of the delivery of the vaccine hesitancy counseling intervention by pharmacists). The intervention (ASORT) has been adapted from an evidence-based vaccine communication intervention for HPV vaccines through a partnership with rural pharmacies in a practice-based research network in seven southern US states. ASORT teaches pharmacists how to identify persons eligible for COVID-19 vaccination (including a booster), solicit and address vaccine concerns in a non-confrontational way, recommend the vaccine, and repeat the steps later if needed. The primary trial outcome is fidelity to the ASORT intervention, which will be determined through ratings of recordings of pharmacists delivering the intervention. The secondary outcome is the effectiveness of the intervention, determined by rates of patients who agree to be vaccinated after receiving the intervention. Other secondary outcomes include feasibility, acceptability, adoption, reach, and cost. Cost-effectiveness and budget impact analyses will be conducted to maximize the potential for future dissemination and sustainability. Mixed methods will provide triangulation, expansion, and explanation of quantitative findings.DiscussionThis trial contributes to a growing evidence base on vaccine hesitancy interventions and virtual-only facilitation of evidenced-based practices in community health settings. The trial will provide the first estimate of the relative value of different implementation strategies in pharmacy settings.Trial registrationNCT05926544 (clinicaltrials.gov); 07/03/2023.

Mitigation of In-Plane Vibrations in Large-Scale Wind Turbine Blades with a Track Tuned Mass Damper

To mitigate in-plane vibrations of wind turbine blades, a track tuned mass damper (TMD) is proposed and its performance for mitigating blade in-plane vibration is investigated considering various influence factors. Firstly, the organization and operational principles of the damping control device are explained. Then, the equations of motion of the individual TMD-equipped blade are then deduced from Euler–Lagrange. Secondly, blade’s wind loading is calculated by blade element momentum theory considering the blade rotation effect through the rotating sample spectrum. Thirdly, the dynamical response of the blade based on the MATLAB/SIMULINK tool is calculated. The peak maximum displacement and standard deviation of the blade tip are chosen as the estimation indicators to assess the TMD’s effectiveness of the device considering actually various argument including mass ratio μ , damping ratio ξ , and installation position x 0 / L . Based on the assumption that the mass block in the vibration reduction control device has no contact with the inside surface of the blade web in operation, the optimal relative values of mass ratio, damping ratio, and installation position of a single blade are determined as 0.03, 15%, and 0.55, respectively. As a result, the reduction of the peak value and the standard deviation can reach 52.78% and 53.75%, respectively. Therefore, with the optimal parameters, the designed vibration control device effectively not only reduces the blade tip displacement but also avoids the damage due to in-plane vibrations.

Diffusion Simulation on Mammograms: A Technique for Analyzing and Monitoring Breast Tumors

We have developed an imaging biomarker for quantitatively monitoring the response to clinical treatment in cancer patients. Similar to other diffusion-weighted imaging DWI techniques, our method allows for the monitoring of breast cancer progression based on the diffusion coefficient values in the affected area. Our technique has the advantage of using images from mammograms and mesoscopic multiparticle collision MPC simulation, making it more affordable and easier to implement compared to other DWI techniques, such as diffusion-weighted MRI. To create our simulation, we start with the region of interest from a mammogram where the lesion is located and build a flat simulation box with impenetrable cylindrical obstacles of varying diameters to represent the tissue’s heterogeneity. The volume of each obstacle is based on the intensity of the mammogram pixels, and the diffusion coefficient is calculated by simulating the behavior of a point particle fluid inside the box using MPC. We tested our technique on two mammograms of a male patient with a moderately differentiated breast ductal carcinoma lesion, taken before and after the first cycle of four chemotherapy sessions. As seen in other DWI studies, our technique demonstrated significant changes in the fluid concentration map of the tumor lesion, and the relative values of the diffusion coefficient showed a clear difference before and after chemotherapy.

Effect of Garlic Straw with Silage Corn Stalks on Hu Sheep Rumen Fermentation and Microbial Community In Vitro.

Garlic, an important economic crop, provides nutrient-rich straw. When appropriately balanced with silage corn stalks, it is a high-quality forage resource. However, studies on the impact of garlic straw with silage corn stalks on Hu sheep's digestive metabolism and rumen microbiota are scarce. In this study, different addition ratios of garlic straw and silage corn stalks were utilized for in vitro experiments. We designed six experimental groups (CON, G0, G20, G40, G60, G80, and G100) based on varying ratios of garlic straw to silage corn stalks. Rumen microbiota was analyzed through 16S rRNA sequencing. Nutrient composition analysis indicated that garlic straw's relative feeding value (RFV) closely resembled that of silage corn stalks. After 24 h of fermentation, dry matter digestibility and in vitro gas production significantly increased, reaching peak values at a 60% addition ratio. Furthermore, volatile fatty acids (VFAs) such as acetic, propionic, and butyric acid exhibited elevated contents, with the highest yields observed at 60% inclusion. At the genus level, Prevotella, Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group, and Succiniclasticum were identified as the dominant bacterial groups. The gas production test showed a significant decrease in the G80 group compared to others. Microbial analysis revealed a higher abundance of Prevotella in G80 compared to G20, offering valuable insights for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ruminant animals. Finally, this study predicted the impact of garlic straw with silage corn stalks' addition on Hu sheep's metabolic pathways and biological functions of the rumen microbiota. This research highlights the potential for effectively utilizing garlic straw as a feed resource for Hu sheep and proposes a rational proportion for combining garlic straw with silage corn stalks.

Characterization of a Novel Polysaccharide Derived from Rhizospheric Paecilomyces vaniformisi and Its Mechanism for Enhancing Salinity Resistance in Rice Seedlings.

Soil salinity is an important limiting factor in agricultural production. Rhizospheric fungi can potentially enhance crop salinity tolerance, but the precise role of signaling substances is still to be systematically elucidated. A rhizospheric fungus identified as Paecilomyces vaniformisi was found to enhance the salinity tolerance of rice seedlings. In this study, a novel polysaccharide (PPL2b) was isolated from P. vaniformisi and identified as consisting of Manp, Glcp, GalpA, and Galp. In a further study, PPL2b showed significant activity in alleviating salinity stress-induced growth inhibition in rice seedlings. The results indicated that under salinity stress, PPL2b enhances seed germination, plant growth (height and biomass), and biochemical parameters (soluble sugar and protein contents). Additionally, PPL2b regulates genes such as SOS1 and SKOR to decrease K+ efflux and increase Na+ efflux. PPL2b increased the expression and activity of genes related to antioxidant enzymes and nonenzyme substances in salinity-induced oxidative stress. Further study indicated that PPL2b plays a crucial role in regulating osmotic substances, such as proline and betaine, in maintaining the osmotic balance. It also modulates plant hormones to promote rice seedling growth and enhance their tolerance to soil salinity. The variables interacted and were divided into two groups (PC1 77.39% and PC2 18.77%) based on their relative values. Therefore, these findings indicate that PPL2b from P. vaniformisi can alleviate the inhibitory effects of salinity stress on root development, osmotic adjustment, ion balance, oxidative stress balance, and growth of rice seedlings. Furthermore, it suggests that polysaccharides produced by rhizospheric fungi could be utilized to enhance crop tolerance to salinity.

The effectiveness of using the bearing capacity of piles in the formation of the pile field of the slab pile foundation of a 21-storey apartment building

This article is aimed at studying methods for optimizing the pile field in order to ensure the greatest use of the bearing capacity of piles, adopted in the project, considering the most unfavorable design combinations of forces. The object of the study is a multi-storey apartment building on a slab-pile foundation with a regular grid of piles, which clearly shows the imperfection of the calculation methods, due to the incomplete use of the bearing capacity of a significant number of piles, but the methods described in the article are also applicable to other buildings on slab-pile foundations, especially the difference between the original scheme and the optimized scheme will be clearly visible on the example with longer piles in less bearing soils, spread over the entire depth of the foundation. The purpose of this study is to study methods for optimizing a pile field, to study the methodology for using these methods on a specific example and compare them in terms of the parameters of using the bearing capacity of piles: the absolute and relative value of the minimum load on the pile, the absolute and relative value of the maximum load on the pile, the absolute and relative value average load per pile, as well as their comparison of economic efficiency. In the course of the article, numerical modeling was used, using the finite element method and analysis of the results of multivariate calculation. The result of this article is the application of pile field optimization methods to the multi-storey building on a slab-pile foundation, the evaluation of each of the methods and their comparison according to these indicators, as well as an understanding of the further development of this topic.

Physicochemical Characteristics, Fatty Acid Profile, and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity Evaluation of Sacha Inchi Seed Oil from Indonesia

Free radicals can cause damage to the structure of the dermis layer, which makes skin lose its elasticity and leads to the formation of wrinkles. A strategy to prevent this problem is by using antioxidants. A plant that has been reported to contain good antioxidant activity is sacha inchi seed (Plukenetia volubilis L.); apart from that, its oil has quite a high omega-3 content and potentially can act as an anti-aging agent stimulating the skin-cell-regeneration process, maintaining skin moisture and elasticity and stimulating collagen production. This research aims to analyze the physicochemical characteristics and determine the fatty acid profile, the levels of vitamins A, D, and E, and the antioxidant activity of sacha inchi seed oil. This research was conducted through eight main stages: sacha inchi seed extraction, quality parameters checking, phytochemical screening, determining fatty acid profiles, vitamin analysis, antioxidant activity tests, microbiological contamination tests, and heavy-metal contamination tests. In this study, quality inspection results were obtained: organoleptic form (liquid), color (yellow), odor (typical), relative density value (0.91 g/cm3), acid number (0.38 ± 0.02 mg/g), peroxide value (11.01 mEq/Kg), iodine value (179.32 g/100 g), and refractive index (1.479). The phytochemical screening results of sacha inchi seed oil were positive for containing flavonoids, triterpenoids, and steroids. The results of the fatty acid profile were omega-3 (48.5%), omega-6 (34.8%), and omega-9 (7.7%). The results of the vitamin contents analysis were vitamin A (123.42 mg/100 g), vitamin D (899.46 mg/100 g), and vitamin E (145.06 mg/100 g). The antioxidant activity test showed an IC50 value of 8.859 ppm (very strong), and the microbial and heavy-metal contamination tests were negative.

Application of Rare Earth Marking on Anti-Counterfeiting Waterless/Less-Water Dyeing Technology

Compared with traditional water-based dyeing, non-aqueous medium dyeing technology has been paid more and more attention in the textile dyeing industry because of its advantages of saving water and chemicals. In order to distinguish and identify water bath dyeing products and non-aqueous medium dyeing products, a traceability technology method for non-aqueous medium dyeing products was established with rare earth elements. First, traceable materials for two typical fibers, polyester and cotton, were selected from five rare earth elements: La, Ce, Nd, Eu, and Sm. Rare earth elements were added to mark products during the non-aqueous dyeing process. Then the rare earth elements content of marked products was detected by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry, which was used to identify non-aqueous media products. The influence of this traceability method on the basic properties of dyed fabrics was studied. Compared with traditional anti-counterfeiting technologies such as label anti-counterfeiting and query label anti-counterfeiting, the method of inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry has a low method detection limit in the range of 0.0204–0.036 mg/kg, and a good relative standard deviation values in the range of 0.69–2.43%. The content of rare earth elements in dyed fabrics was detected by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry at 6–7 mg/kg when 10 mg/kg of rare earth elements were employed during dyeing. Therefore, a detection and certification method for non-aqueous dyeing products has been established, which is of great significance to the anti-counterfeiting traceability of non-aqueous medium dyeing technology.

К вопросу о формировании инновационной lean-компетентности сестрин- ского персонала, оказывающего помощь населению в системе ПСМП.

Introduction. The article proposes and proves the effectiveness of a model for the formation of innovative lean competencies among nursing staff operating in an optimized healthcare environment. Goal: to determine the effectiveness of the implementation within the framework of postgraduate training of an educational module on the formation of innovative lean competence in the professional activities of practicing nursing specialists. Methods. The study was conducted according to a specially developed questionnaire in two stages: the first – in 2019 (before the implementation of the educational module); the second – in 2022 (evaluation of the implementation results). The analysis of the results provided for the calculation of relative values (P) and their errors (± m). The same indicators were compared in dynamics, the Student’s coefficient (t) was used to assess the reliability of the differences. The differences were considered statistically significant at p<0,05. Microsoft Office Excel and Statistica 5,0 programs were used to create an electronic database and calculate indicators. Results. At the first stage, a high readiness of the majority of nurses for innovation was revealed, but a number of limitations for innovation were recorded: low level of computer skills, lack of necessary competencies for implementing innovations, lack of leadership qualities, search for personal gain. A strong inverse correlation was found between age and the desire to introduce innovations. The results of the second stage showed a 1,4-fold increase in the share of nursing staff who want to introduce innovations in their workplace; a 1,8-fold decrease in the proportion of people who are wary of changes in their professional activities; reducing the time spent on processing medical documentation and increasing the amount of time allocated to working with patients. The proportion of nursing specialists using an electronic document management system in their professional activities has also increased – from 1,6% to 41,6%. Conclusion. The effectiveness of the proposed educational module for the formation of innovative lean competence in the professional activities of nurses providing assistance to the population in the primary health care system is confirmed by the achieved positive results of its testing in healthcare institutions.

Influence of Food Habits and Participation in a National Extracurricular Athletics Program on Body Weight within a Pair-Matched Sample of Polish Adolescents after One Year of Intervention-#goathletics Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic reduced the physical activity level and commitment in adolescents, which has resulted in a body weight increase, and the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that this negative trend must be now counteracted. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of food habits and participation in a national extracurricular athletics program (Athletics for All) on body weight within a pair-matched sample of Polish adolescents after one year of intervention. The #goathletics Study was conducted in a population of Polish adolescents within two pair-matched groups: 506 adolescents aged 10-14, including 281 female and 225 male adolescents, regularly participating in Athletics for All program for at least 9 months (one school year) (intervention group), and a pair-matched control group (matched taking into account city, gender, and age). The #goathletics Study included the assessment of the body weight, which was conducted based on the growth reference charts for Body Mass Index (BMI), and waist circumference to verify central fatness. Athletics for All participation and food habits were verified as determinants of body weight, while food habits were assessed using the validated Adolescents' Food Habits Checklist (AFHC). While compared the intervention group and control group, statistically significant differences were observed for body weight, BMI, and waist circumference, both for crude and relative values, with adolescents participating in the Athletics for All program presenting a lower risk of excessive body weight and central fatness (p < 0.05), while, compared to sub-groups stratified by AFHC score, no statistically significant differences in general anthropometric characteristics were observed (p > 0.05). While the body weight centile, height centile, BMI centile and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were assessed as the resultant variables, it was revealed that participation in the Athletics for All program is the only influencing factor in multi-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) for body weight centile (F = 21.44; p < 0.0001) and BMI centile (F = 47.98; p < 0.0001), but for height centile and WHtR, none of the assessed factors influenced these variables. It was concluded that regularly participating in the Athletics for All program for at least 9 months was the only determinant of a lower risk of excessive body weight in adolescents, with declared food habits and gender not being significant.

Feedback-driven real-time forecasting method for the arrival times of electric vehicles

Affected by weather conditions, traffic conditions, and driver behavior, the arrival characteristics of electric vehicles (EVs) vary significantly from day to day. This study proposes a feedback-driven real-time forecasting approach that combines historical data to improve the forecasting accuracy of arrival times of EVs. For model-based forecasting methods that sample from probability density functions (PDFs), the related parameter values are dynamically optimized. Compared with sampling from PDFs with empirical parameter values, the dynamic optimal parameter values can track the characteristics of EV arrivals by fully using the continuously updated EV feedback. Considering robustness, a historical data-based support vector clustering technology is utilized to obtain the optimization range of optimal parameter values. As a key of this study, the conservativeness of the optimization range is dynamically adjusted with the periodic updates of EV feedback. The experimental results indicate that, by making full utilization of EV feedback, the proposed method can effectively reduce the forecasting errors of EV arrival times.

The neural correlates of memory integration in value-based decision-making during human spatial navigation

In daily life, we often make decisions based on relative value of the options, and we often derive these values from segmenting or integrating the outcomes of past episodes in memory. The neural correlates involved in value-based decision-making have been extensively studied in the literature, but few studies have investigated this topic in decisions that require segmenting or integrating episodic memory from related sources, and even fewer studies examine it in the context of spatial navigation. Building on the computational models from our previous studies, the current study investigates the neural substrates involved in decisions that require people either segment or integrate wayfinding outcomes involving different goals, across virtual spatial navigation tasks with differing demands. We find that when decisions require computation of spatial distances for navigation options, but also evaluation of one's prior spatial navigation ability with the task, the estimated value of navigational choices (EV) modulates neural activity in the dorsomedial prefrontal (dmPFC) cortex and ventrolateral prefrontal (vlFPC) cortex. However, superior parietal cortex tracked EV when decision-making tasks only require spatial distance memory but not evaluation of spatial navigation ability. Our findings reveal divergent neural substrates of memory integration in value-based decision-making under different spatial processing demands.

The Relative Importance of Factors That Applicants Weigh When Ranking Adult Reconstruction Fellowships as Well as Their Perspectives on Robotic-Assisted Arthroplasty

BackgroundOrthopedic Surgery Fellowship programs offer highly specialized training that varies based on the training environment and surgical experience. Additionally, for Adult Reconstruction programs, robotic-assisted surgery exposure has been a widely discussed topic. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative value of various factors to Adult Hip and Knee Fellowship applicants, and their perceptions of robotic-assisted arthroplasty. MethodsWe surveyed 780 applicants who applied to our fellowship to matriculate in 2020 to 2024. We received 158 responses (20.3% response rate). We assessed factors concerning people and perceptions, logistics, salary and benefits, program reputation and curriculum, and surgical experience. Additionally, we surveyed fellows’ attitudes toward using robotic surgery and its impact on patient outcomes. ResultsThe highest-rated factors were Level of Hands-On Operative Experience (4.83), Revision Hip Volume (4.72), Revision Knee Volume (4.71), Multiple Surgical Exposures to the Hip (4.59), and Clinical Case Variety (4.59). Respondents who were postfellowship matriculation placed significantly more value on Exposure to Multiple Attendings with Surgical Diversity (P = .01), and Anterior Hip Volume (P = .04), and less value on Geographic Location (P = .04) and Patient-Specific Instrumentation (P = .02) than prematriculates. Overall, 65% of applicants plan to or currently use robotics, 7.6% do not, and 27.2% said “Maybe”. Those who plan to or currently use robotics most cited procedure fidelity, patient-preference, and marketability as reasons to use robotics. ConclusionsHands-on surgical experience and revision volume were the most important factors for fellowship applicants. Applicants placed lower importance on robotics exposure and their perspectives on robotics in their future practice were highly variable. Our results will inform fellowship programs and future applicants what previous applicants have valued in their training to help guide fellowship program structure, resource management, as well as recruitment.

A retrospective study on the prevalence of main clinical findings in brown bears (Ursus arctos) rescued from substandard husbandry conditions.

Brown bears (Ursus arctos) are kept under varied captive conditions, some of which may greatly compromise their welfare. FOUR PAWS is an NGO that rescues some of these bears kept in substandard conditions and houses them in species-appropriate sanctuaries, where preventive and reactive veterinary care is provided. This retrospective study aims to provide an overview of pathologies and clinical abnormalities reported in veterinary records and their prevalence according to body system affected and pre-rescue bear origin. Origin was categorised as subzoo (bears coming from substandard zoos), dancing (used to "dance" upon a music cue), restaurant (used to attract clients), private keeping (used for various purposes, such as photo props), circus (used for shows), and bear-baiting (exploited for hunting dog training in baiting stations). Clinical findings were extracted from reports of veterinary examinations done from 2006 to 2021, during rescue, routinely, in response to clinical signs, and/or post-mortem. Their prevalence was calculated according to the body system affected and neoplasia (specific group independent from the organ) over the findings' total number. Prevalence was also calculated according to pre-rescue origin (general and relative values in proportion to the number of reports per origin). Results refer to 302 veterinary reports of 114 bears examined, rescued from 1998 to 2021, with the age at rescue varying from a few months to 30 years (median 13 years). The total number of clinical findings was 1,003, and the systems with more findings were oral cavity (56.0%), abdominal cavity and digestive system (7.9%), integumentary (7.9%), ocular systems (7.7%), and musculoskeletal (7.6%). Findings involving other body systems and neoplasia were less prevalent (≤2.8%). Results showed a higher prevalence of some clinical findings for bears rescued from certain origins compared to others. Straightforward associations between pre-rescue origin and clinical findings were not feasible due to unknown anamnesis and details on pre-rescue conditions, and because some housing and management characteristics might be transversal to origins. Results suggest that bears rescued from certain origins were prone to specific clinical findings, supporting the need for the creation of ad hoc preventive veterinary and husbandry management plans after rescue, thus contributing to the improvement of captive bear welfare.

Forage yield and nutritive value of summer legumes as affected by row spacing and harvest timing

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an essential, high-quality forage used for grazing stocker cattle from fall to spring in the US Southern Great Plains (SGP). However, the lack of nutritious forages during summers limits grazing by stocker cattle. To fill this quality gap, a short season species capable of producing significant yield and quality of forage is necessary. A two-year experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of three legumes: tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray), mothbean [Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal], and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] as a control, at different harvest dates, in response to different row spacing (38 ​cm and 76 ​cm) and moisture levels (rainfed and irrigated). Results showed forage yield by all legumes planted at 38 ​cm spacing (4.5 and 3.9 ​Mg ​ha−1) was higher than at 76 ​cm spacing (3.4 and 2.4 ​Mg ​ha−1) in 2018 and 2019. Soybean was the most productive while mothbean had the highest relative feed value (RFV) in both 2018 and 2019 (160 and 118, respectively). Although soybean produced more forage, mothbean and tepary bean provided high quality forage in terms of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and in-vitro true digestibility (IVTD). The results indicate that no single legume species stands out as the unequivocal leader in delivering both high-quality and abundant forage. Consequently, the choice of which species to utilize should be tailored to the specific forage requirements and management goals. Future research should explore mothbean genotypes to identify cultivars with greater yield potential and develop agronomic practices that effectively utilize those cultivars.

Exploration of Adaptable Protection Transformation and Vitality Regeneration Path for Old Boiler Houses in Universities

This project is located within the residential area of Dongda Town in Chang'an District, Xi'an City, China. The project involves the old boiler room supporting the original building, which has been completed for 15 years. With the gradual development and formation of surrounding conditions, the functions of this building have gradually retired from the historical stage and become vacant. The original building's buildings, large equipment, process flow lines, trace environment and other facilities remain intact. Based on the protection and preservation of the original state-owned assets, while also reactivating the functions, supporting facilities, and related auxiliary values of the land, it is planned to carry out protective improvement and renovation on the industrial building and surrounding environment of this equipment, and provide a preliminary design plan.

Two-phase interaction in isothermal hydro-mechanical-chemical coupling for improved carbon geological sequestration modelling

ABSTRACT Geological sequestration is an established method to store carbon deep underground. Many studies have proposed coupled constitutive models that can simulate such a complicated process; however, the coupling effect of multi-phase fluid flow and transport of chemical solutes in the liquid phase remains to be investigated. This study presents a multi-phase non-reactive hydro-mechanical-chemical constitutive framework under isothermal conditions based on mixture coupling theory. Non-equilibrium thermodynamics is used to generate an entropy production equation, and phenomenological equations use this to derive the chemical transport and interaction between two-phase fluid flows. This study proposes novel terms in the final governing equations. The model results are in good agreement with the results of a benchmark experiment and those found in the literature; the model has been used to compare the behaviour of carbon dioxide in the gas and supercritical phases. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the effect of the parameters in the new terms. Sensitivity analysis revealed the significant impact of relative permeability and saturation values on the new terms, emphasising the importance of understanding frictional behaviour in porous media for accurate fluid flow modelling and prediction. This study urges further experimentation and model refinement to improve carbon sequestration modelling in larger formations.