Relative Weight Research Articles

Systemic Multi-Objective Optimization of Induction Motor-Driven Electromechanical Systems

The optimization of electromechanical systems, such as those involving induction motors and gearboxes, is crucial for improving energy efficiency, system performance, and reliability in industrial applications. This paper presents an advanced methodology for optimizing the energy efficiency of electromechanical systems, integrating both mechanical and electrical subsystems to minimize the system's overall weight, energy losses, and transient response time. The optimization problem is approached holistically, considering the interdependence of various system parameters and applying multi-objective optimization techniques to address conflicting objectives. The analysis focuses on optimizing the gearbox speed ratio to minimize the relative weight of the motor-gearbox system while maintaining operational efficiency. A systemic approach, utilizing convex surrogate modeling and multi-stage gearboxes, is proposed to improve the scalability of the solution. The results demonstrate the existence of optimal gearbox speed ratios for various motor sizes and configurations, offering insights into the best design choices for minimizing system weight and optimizing performance. These findings apply to a range of real-world systems, including electric vehicles and industrial machinery, where minimizing weight and optimizing energy efficiency are critical for improving overall system performance and reducing operational costs.

Understanding the reproductive ecology of Macrognathus aculeatus in wetland (Gajner beel) ecosystem: insights into eco-climatic influences in northwestern Bangladesh.

The lesser spiny eel, Macrognathus aculeatus (Bloch, 1786), holds substantial economic importance as a food fish in South Asia, due to its exceptional nutritional value. This study was conducted to investigate the reproductive ecology of M. aculeatus within the Gajner beel wetland ecosystem in northwestern Bangladesh, with a specific focus on size at sexual maturity, spawning season, and fecundity in relation to eco-climatic variables. A total of 649M. aculeatus female individuals were randomly collected from January to December 2018, with 440 mature selected for this study. The findings of this study revealed that the female's total length (TL) exhibited a range from 10.5 to 28.0cm. Multiple methods, including maximum length (Lmax), TL vs. gonadosomatic index (GSI), TL-standard length (SL) regression, and logistic model estimated the size at sexual maturity (Lm) at approximately 15.02cm, 14.0cm, 14.4cm, and 14.0cm, respectively. The spawning season was observed between May and August, with a peak in June-July. The Fulton's condition factor (KF) proved to be the most reliable indicator (p < 0.0001), with 50% and 90% of fish spawning at KF values of 0.38 and 0.42, respectively. Relative weight (WR) for females showed no significant deviation from 100 (p = 0.143), indicating a well-balanced M. aculeatus population. Fecundity varied from 600 to 7000 with TL and body weight (BW) that ranged from 10.5-28.0cm, to 3.33-87.05g, respectively. Fecundity was highly correlated with TL (p < 0.0001) and BW (p < 0.0001). The study also observed significant relationships between GSI and environmental factors, including temperature (p = 0.0016), dissolved oxygen (DO) (p < 0.0001), pH (p < 0.0001), alkalinity (p < 0.001), and climatic variable such as air temperature (p < 0.001) and rainfall (p < 0.001). The optimal range of DO, pH, and temperature for M. aculeatus spawning was found to be 5.82-6.10mg/l, 7.65-7.85, and 28.55-31.0°C, respectively. Additionally, our observation highlighted a robust correlation between GSI and rainfall. Moreover, data for 47years (1971-2018) indicated a gradual increase in average air temperature by 0.029°C per year and a decrease in annual rainfall by 2.96mm per year. These trends could potentially lead to a shift in the spawning season of M. aculeatus in the next 15-20years. This information holds significance for the conservation and sustainable management strategies of wild M. aculeatus stocks in the Gajner beel and its adjacent ecosystems, helping to address potential impacts of climate change.

Investigation of the Characterisation Variances of Blended Non-woven Textiles: Banana, Flax and Recycled Cotton

Objectives: The study examines natural fibers' mechanical and thermal properties, specifically cellulose-based flax and banana fibers. Flax fibers are noted for their low density, high tensile strength, and rigidity, while banana fibers are recognized for their flexural strength and damping properties. However, treatments applied to these composites can negatively affect mechanical performance and surface integrity. The objectives of the research include comparing the properties of both fiber types, enhancing tensile strength through recycled cotton blends, evaluating the micro-structural characteristics of non-woven textiles for potential applications and sustainability, analyzing the elemental composition of nanomaterials, and investigating air permeability in relation to pore structure. Methods: The Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy detector is incorporated into both transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) systems, which are employed for high-energy measurements. The analysis of the air permeability was carried out to evaluate how the pore structure affects its capacity to allow the passage of air/vapours. A testing analysis conducted by SITRA-South Indian Textile Research Association, Coimbatore utilized the Tex-test FX-3300-III, S/n:1198 Air permeability tester, following the guidelines of ASTM D 737-04 (2016) and IS 11056:2013, indicating that the static air permeability strength was notably enhanced. Findings: To determine if nanoparticles were present in the non-woven textiles, the microstructure of the non-wovens was examined at different EDS locations. Various elements were identified at each EDS site within the blended non-woven webs, along with variations in the elements' relative weights, atom counts, and K ratios. In an air permeability test, non-woven-1, made from banana-recycled cotton, exhibited higher values compared to non woven-2, which consisted of flax-recycled cotton. Novelty and applications: This research focuses on creating sustainable textiles by blending varying proportions of banana, flax, and recycled cotton, presenting an alternative to traditional single-fiber textiles. The study also introduces textile waste regeneration as a novel concept. Through the EDS Spots system, elements are identified and compared, offering valuable insights for potential technical applications. Permeability analysis evaluates the pore structure of the composite nonwoven materials, which are recognized as superior substitutes for synthetic glass fibers due to their elevated cellulose content. Their outstanding mechanical and thermal properties make them highly suitable for technical applications in the construction and automobile sectors. Keywords: Banana/flax fibers, Recycled cotton, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Air permeability, SEM-Scanning electron microscopy

P0078 The role of epithelial STING in a genetic IBD Model of autophagy deficiency and its interplay with the Integrated stress response

Abstract Background Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) regulates intestinal homeostasis and inflammation by detecting cytoplasmic double-stranded DNA, driving type-1 interferon (IFN) responses.1 The autophagy-related gene ATG16L1, a major risk factor for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), links to STING overactivation in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC), causing inflammation via IFN1, NF-κB, and TNFα signaling.2 Excessive STING activity is associated with autoinflammatory disorders1, whereas a full-body Sting knockout (Tmem173gt/gt) protects against dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis.3 STING and ATG16L1, key regulators of cellular stress and inflammation, may interact with the integrated stress response (ISR). Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), a central ISR mediator, is induced by intestinal inflammation4 and could be affected by STING activation through mitochondrial stress and autophagy dysfunction caused by ATG16L1 deficiency. This study investigates the so far unknown role of STING in IEC and its interplay with autophagy deficiency and ATF4-mediated ISR. Methods Murine IEC (ModeK cells) were treated with DNA fractions, pro-inflammatory stimuli, and STING agonists to analyse responses via WB and RT-qPCR in vitro. In vivo, we used epithelial STING deficient mice (Tmem173dIEC) for clinical and histopathological analysis in DSS-induced colitis and steady-state, the latter also with combined Atg16l1 deficiency. Mice were analyzed at 12 and 52 weeks of age. Protein and RNA analyses of crypt cells were performed via WB and RT-qPCR. Results Unlike Tmem173gt/gt mice, Tmem173dIEC mice were not protected from DSS-induced colitis, suggesting that epithelial STING alone is less critical to immune responses. However, aged untreated Tmem173dIEC mice showed reduced epithelial inflammation and cell death compared to wildtype mice. In Atg16l1-deficient ModeK cells, silencing Sting reduced pro-inflammatory responses to STING agonists and pro-inflammatory stimulants. To assess if STING deficiency ameliorates inflammation in Atg161ldIEC mice, we created Atg161ldIEC/Tmem173dIEC mice, observing reduced relative liver and spleen weights in young animals. We observed increased Atf4 expression in DSS-treated colitis, while Atf4 was absent in Sting-deficient ModeK cells, indicating STING regulates proinflammatory cytokine induction via ATF4. Silencing Atf4 decreased the activation of Sting, supporting a bidirectional link between STING signalling and the ISR, which will be further explored in aged and DSS-treated Tmem173dIEC and Atg161ldIEC/Tmem173dIEC mice. Conclusion We show that STING essentially coordinates pro-inflammatory cytokine induction in response to Atg16l1 deficiency in intestinal epithelial cells via a mechanism involving ATF4.

Relation Between Food Intake Pattern, Body Weight Status and Severity of COVID 19 Infection in Benghazi, Libya

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) isolation has altered individuals’ food purchasing behavior and dietary intake patterns. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the changes in the nutritional status and body weight in relation to severity of the disease in Benghazi city during the COVID-19 lockdown. This cross-sectional study involved 206 young adults in Benghazi got previous infection. The changes in dietary intake patterns were assessed using the Dietary Diversity Questionnaire with slight modifications, while anthropometric measurements including body height, body weight before the pandemic and current body weight were self-reported. The analyzed by Chi square or T test at α&lt; 0.05 for statistically differences. Overall, nearly one third of the respondents (48.8%) gained weight during the confinement, with an average increment of 4.06 ± 3.23 kg. The subjects reported consuming less fruits and 60.2% had higher plain water intake during the pandemic. It is observed that 41.0% to 66.8% of the young adults changed their dietary intake patterns during the pandemic. Decreased consumption of cereals and grains and other foods were associated with weight loss during the pandemic. On the contrary, an increased water and other soft drink intake were associated with weight gain during the lockdown (P&lt; 0.05). The relation between degree of symptoms and body weight status revealed that with increased the diseases severity the body weight and BMI sharply increased (P&lt; 0.05). Increase the severity of diseases associated with significant reduced food intakes. In spit body weight increased. Furthermore, decreased food intake have been noticed for all food stuffs and also dietary intake patterns changed.

Standardisation and toxicity assessment of Dioscorea hispida (Dennst) tubers: Acute and subchronic dosage studies

People worldwide have used Dioscorea hispida Dennst to treat various skin diseases. However, Dioscorea hispida tubers are known to be poisonous because they contain cyanide and dioscorine. This research aimed to standardise Dioscorea hispida dried powder and examine tuber extract toxicity effects (acute and subchronic). This research was carried out with sample standardisation according to the Indonesian Herbal Pharmacopoeia II. The Regulations of the Republic of Indonesia Food and Drug Supervisory Agency carried out acute and subchronic toxicity studies. Wistar rats were administered different doses of the extract, and observations were made for toxic symptoms, body weight changes, mortality, relative organ weights, and histopathological changes in liver and kidney tissues. Serum creatinine, ALT, and AST levels were also measured. Dioscorea hispida tubers from North Sumatra and Lampung met the quality standards, whereas those from West Java did not due to high mold/yeast counts. Acute toxicity studies indicated that doses of 300 mg/kg BW and 1000 mg/kg BW caused toxic symptoms and death, classifying the extract as toxic with an LD50 range of 50-500 mg/kg BW. No toxic symptoms were observed at 50 mg/kg BW. Subchronic studies revealed that elevated doses led to significant liver and kidney damage, evidenced by increased creatinine, ALT, AST levels, and histopathological changes. Dioscorea hispida tubers from North Sumatra and Lampung meet quality standards, but those from West Java do not. The tubers have medicinal potential but exhibit high toxicity at elevated doses, necessitating cautious use and further research to ensure safe application and reduce contaminants.

The state of the rat liver during the toxic period of intoxication with polychlorinated biphenyls

BACKGROUND: Polychlorinated biphenyls have various toxic effects on the body of humans and animals, causing a violation of the liver barrier function. AIM: To study the dynamics of the relative liver mass and the morphology of liver tissue in experimental rats during the toxic period after subacute administration of polychlorinated biphenyls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The model of intoxication with polychlorinated biphenyls was carried out on white male rats (n=60) weighing 200±15 g aged 3–4 months. The following experimental groups of animals were formed: experimental group “1st day” (n=10), experimental group “28th day” (n=10) and experimental group “56th day” (n=10). For each experimental group of rats, a comparison group “control group” (n=10) was created. The experimental groups (n=30) of animals were orally administered an oil suspension of polychlorinated biphenyls at a dose of 300 mg/kg of rat body weight for 28 days. Control rats received sunflower oil. For morphological examination, pieces of rat liver were taken on the 1st, 28th and 56th days of the experiment. The relative liver mass, percentage of normal, abnormal and degenerative forms of hepatocytes were calculated. Descriptive statistics with calculation of the median Me (Q1 25%, Q3 75%) were used for all data; the Mann–Whitney U-test was used for nonparametric samples. Differences were considered significant at p0.05. RESULTS: On the 1st day of the toxicogenic period, the relative liver weight of rats increased by 1.2 times (p=0.0496) compared to the control group. On the 28th day, the relative liver weight of the experimental group of rats statistically significantly decreased by 1.2 times (p=0.0152) compared to the control. By the end of the study (day 56), the relative liver weight statistically significantly increased by 1.5 times (p=0.0049) compared to the control value and by 1.8 times compared to day 28 (p=0.0036). Morphological analysis of the liver tissue of the experimental rats revealed abnormally enlarged hepatocytes (14%) on the 1st day after cessation of biphenyl administration. During the toxic period, the number of such cells increased: on the 28th day it was 35% (p=0.0002) and on the 56th day — 47% (p=0.0002), respectively. By the end of the experiment, necrotizing hepatocytes were determined (22%). In the liver, lymphoid cells were diffusely located along the intralobular sinusoidal capillaries; they were found in the interlobular loose connective tissue along the portal zone of the liver. CONCLUSION: In subacute intoxication of experimental animals with polychlorinated biphenyls, inflammatory and destructive histomorphological changes in the liver and an increase in its relative mass were revealed.

Kadozan Chitosan Formulation Enhances Postharvest Quality of Fresh Indian Jujube Fruit.

Indian jujube fruit is prone to perishing, resulting in a shorter shelf life after harvest. Kadozan is a liquid chitosan formulation that has a significant effect on fruit preservation. In order to explore its efficacy, the quality, and storability indicators of Indian jujube fruit were evaluated during storage at 15 ± 1 °C for 18 days. Results showed that Kadozan-treated fruit exhibited lower respiration rate, relative electrolyte leakage rate, weight loss, and decay index, along with higher firmness and commercially acceptable rate. Furthermore, Kadozan-treated fruit showed higher vitamin C, total sugar, titratable acid, total soluble solids, chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents, L* and h° values, but lower a* and b* values. Principal component analysis and comprehensive score revealed that Kadozan treatment helped preserve the appearance and nutritional qualities of Indian jujube fruit. The best effect was seen with 1:600 Kadozan among three concentrations (1:300, 1:600, 1:900). It was discovered that the commercially acceptable rate of 1:600 Kadozan-treated fruit was 37.5% higher than control fruit while the decay index was 30.5% lower than control fruit at 18 days. Therefore, Kadozan treatment has great substantial implications for the preservation of Indian jujube fruit, providing practical guidance for reducing its postharvest losses.

From Practice to Science: Assessment Soil Nutrient Status Using “Minus One Element Technique (MOET)” for Early Growth of Maize

Soil nutrient deficiency will influence maize growth, so it is necessary to add nutrients based on the fertility status of the soil. One way to find out the nutrient soil status using a simple method is using the minus one element technique (MOET). The minus one element technique (MOET) determines which element is the limiting factor. This study was carried out to confirm the nutrient soil status using the minus one element technique (MOET) with the early growth of maize as the indicator. The research was conducted in greenhouse, Polytechnic of Lamandau, Central Borneo, Indonesia, at an altitude of 50 m above sea level. The research used a non-factorial design arranged in a completely randomized block design and five fertilizer treatments based on the minus one element technique consisting of control (without fertilization), PK, NP, NK, and NPK with three replications. The results showed that the deficiency of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus reduced the growth of maize, leaf greenness, photosynthetic rate, and especially the total dry weight of the plant. The dry weight of maize roots decreased by 18.85% - 75.47% when N, P, and K fertilizer were not applied. Then the decrease in photosynthesis rate ranged from 18.23% to 46.21% when N, P, and K fertilizer were not applied. The low of photosynthesis rates resulted in the accumulation of plant dry weight was hampered, and there was a decrease of 8.00% -74.43%. The results of the evaluation of fertility status are based on the results of the relative dry weight of the plant, which was

Функціональний стан нирок за гострого перорального впливу на організм n-оксид 2,6-диметилпіридину (Івіну)

When exposed to the body, pesticides and plant growth regulators (PGRs) can cause oxidative stress, intensify lipid peroxidation, change the activity of a number of enzymes, which can lead to disruption of the functions of various organs and systems of the body under a long-term exposure. In the agricultural practices of Ukraine, PGRs based on methyl derivatives of pyridine N-oxide are widely applied; the mechanisms of their toxic action have not yet been sufficiently studied, in particular, the effect on the morphofunctional state of kidneys. Therefore, finding out the functional state of kidneys under the exposure to methyl derivatives of pyridine N-oxide of is an urgent task for the development of preventive measures aimed at preventing the negative effects of xenobiotics on human health. Aim. To study the morphofunctional state of kidneys under acute oral exposure to the plant growth regulator 2.6-Dimethylpyridine Noxide (Ivin). Materials and Мethods. The research was conducted on sexually mature male Wistar Han (SPF) rats. 2.6-Dimethylpyridine N-oxide (Ivin), 99.9% was administered orally, at a single dose in the form of an aqueous solution (5 animals in a group) at doses of 650 mg/kg and 13 mg/kg, which corresponds to 1/2 and 1/100 LD50. The control group received distilled water at the same volume as the experimental groups. The clinical condition of the animals, body weight and body weight gain, absolute and relative weight of the kidneys, indicators characterizing the functional state of the kidneys were researched, macroscopic and histological examination of kidney tissues was performed. The results. Under the exposure to Ivin at a dose of 650 mg/kg on the 7th day a decrease in body weight and weight gain, in the absolute weight of the kidneys, and an increase in the pH level of urine were observed. At a dose of 13 mg/kg, Ivin caused a slight but probable increase in the content of urea in the blood serum on the 1st and 7th day, a tendency towards a decrease in the content of urea and urea nitrogen in the urine has been observed on the 1st day of the research. A tendency towards an increase in creatinine clearance was registered at a dose of 13 mg/kg after the 1st and 7th days, and at a dose of 630 mg/kg on the 1st day of the research. No toxicologically significant macroscopic and histological changes in kidney tissues were registered. Conclusions. Under the acute oral exposure to the body at the maximum tested dose (650 mg/kg), Ivin has a general toxic effect on the body of male rats, which is manifested by a decrease in body weight and absolute kidney weight, and a decrease in body weight gain. Ivin at the investigated doses does not cause toxicologically significant disruptions of kidney functions in male rats. A slight increase in urea in the blood serum while preserving the functional activity of the kidneys can indicate an increase in protein metabolism, and a tendency towards an increase in creatinine clearance indicates an intensification of glomerular filtration in the kidneys aimed at homeostasis stabilizing. Morphological changes in kidney tissues of rats are mainly characterised by mild or moderate blood plethora in the corticomedullary zone and in the medulla, which are not specific manifestations of the toxic effect of Ivin, since the specified effects are also manifested in the control group of animals. Keywords: plant growth regulator, 2.6-Dimethylpyridine N-oxide, morphofunctional state of kidneys.

Distribution Characteristic and Environment Response of DOM in Different Regions of Northern City

To explore the source information and composition characteristics of dissolved organic matter （DOM） in different regions of water bodies in northern cities, considering the urban water system of Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province as an example, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy （UV-vis） and three-dimensional fluorescence parallel factor analysis （EEM-PARAFAC） were used to explain the optical parameters, abundance, and proportion of different components of DOM in water bodies of different regions. The results showed that： ① The concentrations of NO3--N, NO2--N, NH4+-N, TN, TP, and COD in the upstream were significantly lower than those in urban water bodies and downstream （P&lt;0.01）, and TSIM increased after the water entered the city. ② The ultraviolet parameter a254 indicated that the concentration of DOM significantly increased after entering the city （P&lt;0.001）. E2/E3 showed that the relative molecular weight of DOM in different regions was： upstream&lt;urban water&lt;downstream, and the SR of DOM in different regions was &gt;1, indicating that the main source of DOM was endogenous input. ③ Three fluorescent components were identified, namely C1 （visible light region fulvic acid）, C2 （tryptophan）, and C3 （long wave humic substance）. The upstream and urban water bodies were mainly composed of protein-like components （C2）, while the downstream humic substances （C1+C3） accounted for a relatively high proportion （80.1%）. The PCA analysis showed significant spatial distribution differences. According to the results, SR&gt;1, FI&gt;1.8, and HIX&lt;4 indicated that DOM exhibited low humification and strong autogenesis in different regions. ④ A significant correlation （P&lt;0.01） was observed between C1 and C3 in the upstream and downstream. C1, C2, and C3 in urban water bodies were all significantly correlated （P&lt;0.01）. In addition, C1 and C3 posed a significant correlation with NO3--N in different regional water bodies. RDA indicated that NO2--N, TDN, TDP, and COD were the main environmental driving factors for DOM distributions. In summary, the multiple pressures of the city exhibited a significant influence on the spectral properties of DOM in the flowing water system.

Effect of Ideal Amino Acid Ratio of Arginine to Lysine on Intake, Nutrient Digestibility, Growth Performance, Antibody Titers of Newcastle Disease and Infectious Bronchitis Disease, and Carcass Characteristics of Broilers.

This study aimed to assess the effects of different arginine (Arg) to lysine (Lys) ratios on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, growth performance, carcass characteristics, and antibody titers of Newcastle disease (ND) and infectious bronchitis (IB) disease in broilers during 35 days of trial. For this purpose, a total of 816 day-old broiler birds having an average weight of 38 ± 3 g were divided into six dietary treatments in such a way that each treatment had eight replicates and each replicate had 17 birds. The treatments were 0.95 (1.19/1.25, 1.12/1.18, and 1.05/1.1), 1 (1.25/1.25, 1.18/1.18, and 1.1/1.1), 1.05 (1.31/1.25, 1.24/1.18, and 1.17/1.1), 1.10 (1.38/1.25, 1.30/1.18, and 1.23/1.1), 1.15 (1.44/1.25, 1.36/1.18, and 1.28/1.1), and 1.20 (1.50/1.25, 1.42/1.18, and 1.34/1.1) Arg/Lys divided into different amounts according to the nutritional needs of starter, grower, and finisher diets, respectively. The results showed that in the finisher phase, the FI was influenced cubically, while in the overall period, a quadratic effect was observed for the FI (p < 0.05). The results of BWG showed that BWG was linearly increased in birds given different Arg/Lys in the grower, finisher, and overall period (p < 0.05). The results also showed that during the grower, finisher, and overall phases, the body weight gain (BWG) was better in birds fed with 1.05 and 1.10 Arg/Lys (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a better feed conversion ratio (FCR) was shown in the starter and grower phases at 1.10 and 1.15 Arg/Lys (p < 0.05). The results of nutrient digestibility explored showed that the experimental treatments had a better effect (p < 0.05) on dry matter and crude fat digestibility in birds fed with 1.19/1.25, 1.12/1.18, and 1.05/1.1 and 1.25/1.25, 1.18/1.18, and 1.1/1.1 Arg/Lys in their diets while the crude protein digestibility remained unaffected with different treatments (p > 0.05). The treatments had no effect (p > 0.05) on relative organ weights, immune organs, and carcass characteristics. However, higher titers of ND and IBD were observed in birds fed with Arg/Lys of 1.38/1.25, 1.30/1.18, and 1.23/1.1 and 1.50/1.25, 1.42/1.18, and 1.34/1.1 in their diets (p < 0.05). Based on the results of the current study, it is concluded that the inclusion levels of 1.38/1.25, 1.30/1.18, and 1.23/1.1, and 1.44/1.25, 1.36/1.18, and 1.28/1.1 Arg/Lys resulted in better growth performance and immune response in the broiler birds, respectively. Therefore, adjusting the levels of Arg/Lys in feed is recommended to enhance broilers' growth performance and immune response.

Derivation of Economic Values for Breeding Objective Traits of Chinese Holstein Dairy Cows Using a Bio-Economic Model.

Holstein cattle account for the largest proportion of dairy cattle in China. The current China Performance Index (CPI) consists mainly of production traits. To derive economic values (EV) of additional traits for balanced breeding programs, a bio-economic model is necessary. Landless and intensive dairy farms are dominant in China, wherein all feed is purchased, and in-farm technicians and veterinarians are employed. Therefore, in the present study, a tailored bio-economic model was developed using the parameters of a typical dairy farm in North China. The typical farm had 1500 cows and 1400 youngstock, with a replacement rate of 33.5% per year and a productive life of 1090 days. The bio-economic model was on a per cow per year basis and described the revenues and costs from different animal categories. The EVs of 17 traits, including production, calving, fertility, longevity, and health traits, were derived and used to develop a more balanced selection index. Results showed that the bio-economic model can represent the typical dairy farm system in North China. The EVs of production traits were 2.39 Chinese Yuan (CNY), 32.85 CNY, and 89.60 CNY per kg milk yield, fat yield and protein yield, respectively. The EVs of production traits were two to three times higher than those in some European countries, due to the higher prices on milk volume and milk solids in China. The EVs of health traits ranged from -0.45 CNY to -11.95 CNY and were nearly half of those in other countries, due to the lower in-farm veterinarian labour costs. The EVs of most other functional traits were in line with the published values of other countries with similar economic assumptions in the model. Using the calculated EVs, a more balanced selection index was derived by including functional traits. This index had higher relative weight (46.8%) on functional traits than the current CPI (12.5%). With the high milk prices, it is still most profitable to allow for a decline in functional traits, although the decline is considerably smaller with the developed balanced index than with the CPI. Collectively, the bio-economic model and EVs provided the foundations for implementing balanced breeding programs in the Chinese Holstein population.

Spatial land degradation vulnerability assessment in a plateau fringe river basin of Jharkhand, India.

This study assesses land degradation vulnerability in the Jainti River basin, Jharkhand, Eastern India, incorporating environmental, socio-economic, and soil health parameters. Using the fuzzy-analytical hierarchical process (AHP), fuzzy transformations and membership functions were applied to target land degradation. AHP determined the relative weight of each parameter based on parameter's relevance toland degradation. Maps were developed for environmental (ELDV), socio-economic (SELDV), and soil-health (SHLDV) land degradation vulnerability through a linear combination of weighted parameters. The final combined land degradation vulnerability (LDV) map classified the basin into five categories. Results showed that 15.09% and 16.26% of the ELDV area were highly and very highly vulnerable, with SELDV indicating 16.93% and 12.68%area as high and very high vulnerability. SHLDV classified 13.42% and 18.13% as highly and very highly vulnerable. Overall, the LDV map indicated that 16.75% of the basin was very highly vulnerable and 14.58% highly vulnerable. These insights may support effective stakeholder responses to degradation issues.

Effects of in ovo feeding of vitamin C on embryonic development, hatching process, and chick rectal temperature of broiler embryos.

Maternal nutritional status plays a crucial role in embryonic development and has persistent effects on postnatal chicks. Vitamin C (VC) plays an important role in embryonic and postnatal development involved in nutri-epigenetics. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of in ovo feeding (IOF) of VC on embryonic development, egg hatching time, and chick rectal temperature. Trial 1 was conducted under normal incubation conditions without the IOF procedure and was designed to analyze the characteristics of embryonic development and establish the scoring standards for yolk absorption and the rupture of the shell membrane. The results showed that the relative weight of the embryo and residual yolk and the organ indexes were reliable indicators of embryonic development. Yolk absorption was scored 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, with a higher score indicating more complete absorption. In addition, the rupture of the shell membrane was divided into two cases: YES and NO. Trial 2 included three groups, control (CON), normal saline (NS), and vitamin C (VC), and was designed to detect the effects of IOF of VC on the indicators in trial 1, as well as the plasma biochemical indicators. At embryonic age 11 (E11), each egg in the CON group was non-injected, each egg in the NS group was injected with 0.1 mL of sterile normal saline, and each egg in the VC group was injected with 0.1 mL of sterile normal saline containing 3 mg vitamin C. The whole day of E21 was evenly divided into three time periods: early (incubation hours 480-488), middle (incubation hours 488-496), and late (incubation hours 496-504). Among the CON, NS, and VC groups, the percentages of the early-hatched chicks (egg hatching time) were 29.31, 12.00, and 33.90%, respectively. The proportions of early and middle hatched chicks in these groups were 51.72, 42.00, and 38.27%, respectively. The rectal temperature of chicks was lower (p < 0.05) in the VC group than in the CON and NS groups. Compared to the NS group, the plasma biochemical indicators in the VC group showed significantly lower levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), GLB, total bilirubin (TBIL), TBA, uric acid (UA), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and corticosterone (CORT) (p < 0.05). Additionally, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) had an increasing trend (p = 0.059) in the VC group. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that VC accelerated the hatching process and reduced chicks' rectal temperature, which may be related to the improvement of liver function and changes in metabolism, as indicated by blood biochemical indicators.

Zinc-L-Selenomethionine Improves Growth and Hemato-Biochemical Parameters at Low but not at High Stocking Density for Nile Tilapia Males.

The study aimed to examine the interaction between diets supplemented with zinc-L-selenomethionine (ZnSeMet) and two stocking densities (SD) on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) males. Four extruded diets were formulated: 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0mg ZnSeMet kg-1. Fish (58.00g) were reared at a low SD (LSD) (15 fish tank-1 or 4,35kgm-3) and a high SD (HSD) (45 fish tank-1 or 13,05kgm-3). They were randomly distributed in eight treatments in triplicate in a recirculatory aquaculture system (200 L) and were fed until apparent satiation thrice daily for 65days. The interaction between LSD and 1.0 or 2.0mg ZnSeMet kg-1 was better than other treatments for final weight (116.50-174.83 vs. 97.33-139.17g), weight gain (108.83.50-116.83 vs. 39.00-80.83g), relative weight gain (188.03-201.18 vs. 66.25-139.40%), total final length (20.12-20.63 vs. 17.33-19.00cm), specific growth rate (1.76-1.83 vs. 0.85-1.45% day-1) (p < 0.05). In general, the interaction between LSD and 1.0mg ZnSeMet kg-1 compared to several treatments, showed an increase in plasma total protein (3.23 vs. 2.67-2.78g dL-1) and total cholesterol (93.67 vs. 68.50-76.67mg dL-1) levels and a reduction in aspartate aminotransferase activity (14.83 vs. 145.67-155.17 U L-1) (p < 0.05). The highest values for albumin (0.83 vs. 0.57g dL-1), glucose (56.00 vs. 45.09mg dL-1), and triglycerides (122.33 vs. 68.87mg dL-1) in the plasma, erythrocytes (2.22 vs. 2.13 × 106 µL-1), hemoglobin (9.82 vs. 9.26g dL-1), and hematocrit (33.09 vs. 30.21%) were observed in LSD than HSD-reared fish (p < 0.05). In conclusion, adding 1.0mg ZnSeMet kg-1 at LSD improved fish growth and hemato-biochemical parameters, but it was not effective at HSD.

Antidepressants and Weight Gain: An Update on the Evidence and Clinical Implications.

To highlight recent research on antidepressant use and weight change and explore best clinical practices for reducing weight gain and obesity risk in individuals with depression. Research on antidepressant use and weight gain suggests that genetic and biological factors including metabolizer phenotypes and inflammation can help to predict an individual's threshold for weight change among specific agents. For individuals with increased susceptibility to metabolic complications, medications including bupropion, fluoxetine, and newer agents (e.g., gepirone) have shown to be efficacious in improving depressive symptoms while concurrently reducing metabolic risks. Additional areas of focus following antidepressant related weight gain include switching to a weight neutral drug alternative, integrated behavioral interventions, and/or pharmacotherapy including GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., metformin, liraglutide). Individuals experiencing depression are at heightened risk of metabolic disorders and weight gain, which may be further exacerbated by antidepressant treatment. The increased support of weight neutral antidepressant agents in addition to innovative lifestyle interventions, breakthroughs in drug mechanisms, anti-obesity medications and overall familiarity with the side effects of each antidepressant class will help clinicians make appropriate decisions when treating patients with depression.

Impact of Agroindustrial Waste Fermented with Bacteria and Yeasts and Their Effect on Productive, Hematological, and Microbiota Indicators in Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus)

In the last decade, the production of guinea pig meat in Andean countries has increased due to the growing number of consumers of this meat. Objective: To evaluate the effect of including different doses (0.50, 1.00, and 1.50 mL) of agro-industrial substrates (molasses distillery waste) fermented with lactic acid bacteria and yeasts on productive performance, hematological profile, relative weight changes in digestive tract organs, and changes in the intestinal microbiota in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Materials: A total of 300 guinea pigs, Kuri breed, aged 20 days and weighing 330 g, were distributed into 10 groups of 30 animals each. Ctrl, Control. La, substrate fermented with Lactobacillus acidophilus (8.1 × 107 CFU/mL). Kf, substrate fermented with Kluyveromyces fragilis (7.4 × 106 CFU/mL). La + Kf, substrate fermented with bacteria and yeasts; the evaluated doses were 0.50, 1.00, and 1.50 mL/animal. The indicators evaluated in the study included weight gain, health, hematological profile, relative weight of digestive tract organs, and changes in the intestinal microbiota. Results: The parameters evaluated were toxicity, productive parameters, occurrence of diarrhea and mortality, and blood profile. The results showed a significant increase in the weight of the animals consuming probiotics, especially at higher doses. Additionally, an improvement in the intestinal microbiota was observed, with an increase in beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and a decrease in pathogenic bacteria. Probiotics also influenced the hematological parameters and the weight of digestive tract organs, suggesting a positive effect on the overall health of the animals. Conclusions: Supplementation with probiotics proved to be a promising strategy for improving productive performance and intestinal health in guinea pigs. Supplementation with L. acidophilus and K. fragilis significantly enhances guinea pig growth and modulates the intestinal microbiota. The combination of strains and appropriate doses maximizes benefits. These results promise applications in animal production, requiring further studies to confirm their efficacy in other species and developmental stages.

A distance-based three-way conflict analysis for fuzzy multiset

Fuzzy multisets(FMs), as an extension of fuzzy sets, serve as an effective tool in real-life scenarios for describing uncertain information, effectively mitigating the loss of information. In combination with conflict situations, FMs can adequately represent agents’ attitudes in decision-making. However, current research rarely explores conflict analysis(CA) within the framework of fuzzy multiset situation tables(FMSTs). In this paper, we introduce a three-way conflict analysis model(TWCAM) by combining three-way decision theory(TWDT) and CA based on fuzzy multiset information systems(FMISs). First of all, the proposed TWCAM incorporates the concepts of conflict, neutral, and alliance sets for both single and multiple issues, utilizing conflict distance and conflict function to compute these sets. Moreover, a new method is proposed to objectively determine issue weights by considering both absolute and relative weights. According to Bayesian minimum risk theory, this study presents a new way of determining thresholds to trisect the agents. Additionally, we propose the notion of maximal coalitions(MCs) in FMSTs as a generalization of Pawlak’s model. Finally, we utilize a case study to prove the practicability of our model and some comparative analyses to illustrate its effectiveness and superiority.

Archetypal analysis for visual field loss characterization of leber hereditary optic neuropathy

Aims/Purpose: Characterization of Visual Field (VF) loss patterns of chronic stage Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) patients by application of machine learning (ML).Methods: For chronic stable LHON patient, at least 2 years after disease onset, 24‐2 and 30‐2 VFs tests performed by SITA standard Humphrey VF analyzer (Carl Zeiss Meditec) were collected. Two groups were considered: with visual acuity (VA) recovery, when a change of more than 0.2 decimal or from off‐chart to on‐chart vision after initial loss of vision; and without VA recovery. Resorting to Python, archetypal analysis (AA) was implemented to each group using the VFs total deviations (TDs). Spearman correlations were performed between each archetype (AT) relative weight and the VFs mean deviation (MD).Results: From 117 patients (203 eyes), 104 VFs made up the Recovered Group, and 115 VFs the Not Recovered Group. Both AA models were made up of 7 ATs. For the Recovered Group, the normal VF AT had the highest weight (33.40%), followed by different severity central scotoma ATs (AT2, 16.32%; AT3, 11.82%; AT5, 10.37%). For the Non‐Recovered Group, first the widespread loss AT (47.87%), followed by enlarged central scotoma ATs (AT2, 11.13%; AT5, 8.97%). For the Recovered Group, AT3 (Cecocentral Scotoma), AT4 (Fenestration) and AT6 (Widespread loss) weights decreased with increasing MD; and AT1 (normal VF) and AT5 (Central Scotoma) increased with increasing MD. The AT1 (Widespread Loss) weight of the Non‐Recovered Group decreased with increasing MD, while AT5 (Enlarged Central Scotoma) weight increased with increasing MD.Conclusions: Implementation of AA‐ML allowed the association of more severe and widespread visual loss patterns to LHON patients without visual recovery, whereas less severe and more centralized patterns to recovered patients, as expected. Therefore, the presented VF analysis might present as a standardized method for LHON visual loss characterization, providing further characterization of patients with and without vision recovery.