Supplementary Source Research Articles

PSXIII-12 Effects of Dietary Mixed Sources of Selenium Supplementation on Immune Responses, Stress Parameter and Gut Microbiota of Weaned Pigs

Abstract Selenium (Se) is a micro-essential mineral, following the amount of Se can be appeared as selenosis or deficiency disease. Its representative role was the main compound of glutathione peroxidase as known antioxidant enzyme. This role closely relates to health of piglets. Popular form of Se was divided into organic Se (Ose) and inorganic Se (Ise) forms. Ose has greater bioavailability and costs and reduced toxicity than Ise. Mixed Se sources can save costs and improve bioavailability compared with single-source Se. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary mixed Se supplementation on immune responses, stress parameter and gut microbiota of weaned pigs. Weaned pigs [n = 156; 7.85 ± 0.10 kg of initial body weight (BW)] were allotted to three dietary treatments (4 pigs/pen; 13 replicates/treatment) in a randomized complete block design (block: initial BW and sex) for 6 weeks. Dietary treatments were a corn-soybean based diet except for Se (CON), CON + 0.15 ppm Ose + 0.15 ppm Ise (A), and CON + 0.25 ppm Ose + 0.25 ppm Ise (B). On day 7, 14, and 42, blood samples were collected from randomly selected 6 pigs per treatment. The collected samples were used for immune responses and stress parameters like tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor beta1, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, and cortisol by using ELISA kits. On day 42, samples were collected to analyze microbial communities of pigs by 16s rRNA sequencing method. Microbial communities were analyzed using QIIME. The microbial alpha diversity indices such as number of OTUs, Chao1, Shannon, and Inverse Simpson were calculated to measure the within-sample diversity and richness at the species level. The microbial beta diversity was performed to inter-sample dissimilarities using weighted UniFrac distances based on principal coordinate analysis. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED procedure of SAS. The experimental unit was a pen. The statistical model for immune responses, stress parameters and gut microbiota included dietary treatment as main effect and initial BW as a covariate. No differences were found on immune responses and stress parameters among dietary treatments. The number of OTUs, Chao1, Shannon, and Inverse Simpson were not different among dietary treatments. The Se increased (P < 0.05) relative abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes but decreased (P < 0.05) phylum Firmicutes. In addition, the Se increased (P < 0.05) relative abundance of genus Barnesiella but decreased (P < 0.05) genus Lactobacillus. In conclusion, addition of 0.3 and 0.5 ppm mixed Se can alter gut microbiota.

346 Substitution of Modified Distillers Grains with Soybean Meal with Or Without Hulls Had Negligible Effect on Growth Performance, Efficiency and Carcass Traits in Yearling Steers

Abstract Changes to the fuel landscape in the United States have resulted in changes in long-held supplemental protein price relationships. The objective of this study was to evaluate substituting oilseed meal for corn processing co-products. Predominately Angus steers [initial shrunk body weight (BW) = 435 ± 23.6 kg] were used in a 118-d experiment using three treatments: modified distillers grains (MDGS)fed at 15% diet DM (MDGS) replaced by either soybean meal and corn (9 and 6% of DM, respectively; SBM), or soybean meal and soyhull pellets (9 and 6% of DM, respectively; SBM-SBH). Steers (n = 240) were individually weighed and allotted to one of 24 pens (n = 10 steers per pen; 8 pens per treatment) at the Southeast Research Farm located near Beresford, SD. Dietary concentrations of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber based on tabular values and weekly batching records were 12.3 and 17.6%, 12.8 and 14.5%, and 12.8 and 17.8% for MDGS, SBM, and SBM-SBH, respectively. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 with treatment and block as fixed effects; pen was the experimental unit. Pen conditions were wet and muddy during the final weeks of this experiment; consequently, final BW was calculated by dividing hot carcass weight (HCW) by a common dressing percentage of 62.5. No differences amongst treatments (P ≥ 0.11) were found for carcass-adjusted final BW, dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), or feed efficiency. Dietary treatment had no effect (P ≥ 0.11) on HCW, dressing percentage, ribeye area, rib fat, marbling score, USDA Yield Grade, percent empty body fat (EBF), or final BW adjusted to 28% EBF. Distribution of USDA Quality and Yield grades were unaffected by treatment (P ≥ 0.39). Dietary treatment did not affect liver abscess incidence and severity (P = 11). Net energy values calculated from animal performance agreed closely with tabular estimates with observed to expected ratios for net energy equaling one. In this experiment, feeding supplemental protein sources with enhanced diet conditioning attributes and greater concentrations of ruminally undegradable protein provided no advantage to cattle performance. These results indicate that protein source decisions can be based upon price per unit of delivered crude protein.

Is YouTube a reliable source of information on chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy? An analysis.

486 Background: YouTube is an open-access source of information with more than 2.5 billion users. It plays an important role in disseminating information especially related to health, including cancer. Chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cell therapy has significantly improved outcomes for hematologic malignancies over recent years. We aim to assess the quality and engagement parameters of the 100 most viewed videos on YouTube on CAR-T cell therapy. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on YouTube using the search terms (“CAR-T Cell therapy” AND “Cancer”). One hundred most viewed videos in English were selected. We utilized the already validated tools PEMAT and DISCERN to assess the quality of these videos on CAR-T. Additionally, we looked at the number of views, comments, and likes. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation tests were performed using R studio v2022.12.0-353. Results: The videos in our study had up to 3.4 million views (median number of views:19901), and the overall quality of information was fair (50%) by the DISCERN score. These videos were categorized into different sources academic (60%), media (22%), and industry (18%). The mean DISCERN score (44.27± 10.8), mean PEMAT actionability (47% ± 38%), mean PEMAT understandability (75.6% ± 15.5%). While benefits were mentioned by 67%, only 29% discussed the risks of CAR-T Cell therapy; 37% of videos promoted shared decision-making, and only 10% summarized the information at the end. There was no significant correlation between DISCERN and PEMAT scores with video engagement parameters, including likes, views, and comments. Interestingly, only 30% of videos discussed other treatment options except for CAR-T. While 88% of videos used everyday language, medical terminologies were defined by 73% of videos; 32 % of videos were broken into short sections with informative headers. Conclusions: This is the first study to our knowledge evaluating the quality of information on CAR-T therapy on YouTube. Compared to historical studies on YouTube 1, this study shows the quality of the information provided in these videos is valid and reliable. They also prove to be actionable and understandable; these videos focus on the benefits of CAR-T cell therapy and are less likely to discuss risks or shared decision-making. Contrary to previous studies2, we believe YouTube videos on CAR-T Cell therapy may serve as a supplementary source of providing information to patients wishing to learn more on this topic.

Anatomical and Clinical Characteristics of Scalp Acupuncture Systems: a Scoping Review and Synthesis.

Scalp acupuncture is a therapeutic procedure that involves inserting needles into the scalp to treat various medical conditions, including pain and neurological and psychological disorders. The inter-system variability of scalp acupuncture limits secondary analysis and evidence synthesis, delaying its inclusion into evidence-based healthcare policies and establishment as a treatment intervention recognized by Western medicine. This scoping review aimed to identify the range of scalp acupuncture systems, systematically collect and summarize information on their general, anatomical, and clinical characteristics, and build a framework for understanding scalp acupuncture systems. This review included all English-language publications on scalp acupuncture applied to treat any health condition in humans. Extensive searches were conducted across bibliographic databases, journals, trial registries, and supplementary sources. The detailed general, anatomical, and clinical application characteristics of 19 scalp acupuncture systems were extracted. Data were collected and analyzed using charting and image manipulation software. Framework synthesis was performed using the Standard International Acupuncture Nomenclature Scalp Acupuncture as an a priori framework. The review revealed that the heterogeneity related to scalp acupuncture methods can be attributed to the high variability among the theoretical bases of different systems, intersystem mismatch in anatomical locations of treatment points and areas on the scalp, and inconsistencies in the methods used for locating them. These discrepancies in anatomical and clinical features have limited the synthesis and development of a framework for scalp acupuncture. Discussion and agreement on the anatomical locations of scalp stimulation areas, identification of methods for precise positioning of acupuncture areas on the scalp, and further exploration of theoretical bases will aid in the standardization of scalp acupuncture and improve the quality of research in this area.

Growth and Seedling Quality of Grafted Cucumber Seedlings by Different Cultivars and Supplemental Light Sources of Low Radiation Period and Early Yield of Cucumber after Transplanting

Growth and Seedling Quality of Grafted Cucumber Seedlings by Different Cultivars and Supplemental Light Sources of Low Radiation Period and Early Yield of Cucumber after Transplanting

Health, safety, and socioeconomic impacts of cannabis liberalization laws: An evidence and gap map.

Globally, cannabis laws and regulations are rapidly changing. Countries are increasingly permitting access to cannabis under various decriminalization, medicalization, and legalization laws. With strong economic, public health, and social justice incentives driving these domestic cannabis policy reforms, liberalization trends are bound to continue. However, despite a large and growing body of interdisciplinary research addressing the policy-relevant health, safety, and socioeconomic consequences of cannabis liberalization, there is a lack of robust primary and systematic research that comprehensively investigates the consequences of these reforms. This evidence and gap map (EGM) summarizes the empirical evidence on cannabis liberalization policies. Primary objectives were to develop a conceptual framework linking cannabis liberalization policies to relevant outcomes, descriptively summarize the empirical evidence, and identify areas of evidence concentration and gaps. We comprehensively searched for eligible English-language empirical studies published across 23 academic databases and 11 gray literature sources through August 2020. Additions to the pool of potentially eligible studies from supplemental sources were made through November 2020. The conceptual framework for this EGM draws upon a legal epidemiological perspective highlighting the causal effects of law and policy on population-level outcomes. Eligible interventions include policies that create or expand access to a legal or decriminalized supply of cannabis: comprehensive medical cannabis laws (MCLs), limited medical cannabidiol laws (CBDLs), recreational cannabis laws (RCLs), industrial hemp laws (IHLs), and decriminalization of cultivations laws (DCLs). Eligible outcomes include intermediate responses (i.e., attitudes/behaviors and markets/environments) and longer-term consequences (health, safety, and socioeconomic outcomes) of these laws. Both dual screening and dual data extraction were performed with third person deconfliction. Primary studies were appraised using the Maryland Scientific Methods Scale and systematic reviews were assessed using AMSTAR 2. The EGM includes 447 studies, comprising 438 primary studies and nine systematic reviews. Most research derives from the United States, with little research from other countries. By far, most cannabis liberalization research focuses on the effects of MCLs and RCLs. Studies targeting other laws-including CBDLs, IHLs, and DCLs-are relatively rare. Of the 113 distinct outcomes we documented, cannabis use was the single most frequently investigated. More than half these outcomes were addressed by three or fewer studies, highlighting substantial evidence gaps in the literature. The systematic evidence base is relatively small, comprising just seven completed reviews on cannabis use (3), opioid-related harms (3), and alcohol-related outcomes (1). Moreover, we have limited confidence in the reviews, as five were appraised as minimal quality and two as low quality. More primary and systematic research is needed to better understand the effects of cannabis liberalization laws on longer-term-and arguably more salient-health, safety, and socioeconomic outcomes. Since most research concerns MCLs and RCLs, there is a critical need for research on the societal impacts of industrial hemp production, medical CBD products, and decriminalized cannabis cultivation. Future research should also prioritize understanding the heterogeneous effects of these laws given differences in specific provisions and implementation across jurisdictions.

Perch essence prevents cell death to improve skeletal muscle mass and strength: Evidence from in vitro and human model

Background:Fish protein supplementation may maintain muscle strength and prevent sarcopenia as it contains a complex array of macro- and micronutrients essential for building the skeletal muscle. Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of perch essence (PE) supplementation on muscle mass and muscle function of through human and cell model. Methods:The open label clinical trial was conducted to assess the therapeutic effect of PE on muscle mass improvement. The mouse skeletal muscle cell (C2C12) model of muscle atrophy was analyzed for cell viability. Results:Our results showed PE contained abundant branched chain amino acid, taurine, hydroxyproline and collagen. After one month of supplementation with PE in our human model, there was a significant increase in muscle mass in the whole body and all parts of the body, with an increase of 1.55 % in the whole body, 1.79% in the trunk, 1.64% in the arms and 1.38% in the legs. The percentage of subcutaneous fat in the trunk, arms and legs also decreased significantly by 2.49%, 3.21% and 3.40% respectively. PE supplementation also improves muscle grip strength, especially with the dominant hand. The cell model results demonstrated that PE could effectively prevent skeletal muscle cell from death induced by dexamethasone. Conclusion:This study suggests that the branched chain amino acids, taurine, hydroxyproline and collagen in PE have the potential to serve as a good source of dietary supplements for the improvement of skeletal muscle mass and strength through cell protection.Keywords:branched chain amino acid, collagen, perch, skeletal muscle, sarcopenia

Functionalized selenium nanoparticles ameliorated acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity through synergistically triggering PKCδ/Nrf2 signaling pathway and inhibiting CYP 2E1

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have been demonstrated potential for use in diseases associated with oxidative stress. Functionalized SeNPs with lower toxicity and higher biocompatibility could bring better therapeutic activity and clinical application value. Herein, this work was conducted to investigate the protective effect of Pleurotus tuber-regium polysaccharide-protein complex funtionnalized SeNPs (PTR-SeNPs) against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced oxidative injure in HepG2 cells and C57BL/6J mouse liver. Further elucidation of the underlying molecular mechanism, in particular their modulation of Nrf2 signaling pathway was also performed. The results showed that PTR-SeNPs could significantly ameliorate APAP-induced oxidative injury as evidenced by a range of biochemical analysis, histopathological examination and immunoblotting study. PTR-SeNPs could hosphorylate and activate PKCδ, depress Keap1, and increase nuclear accumulation of Nrf2, resulting in upregulation of GCLC, GCLM, HO-1 and NQO-1 expression. Besides, PTR-SeNPs suppressed the biotransformation of APAP to generate intracellular ROS through CYP 2E1 inhibition, restoring the mitochondrial morphology. Furthermore, the protective effect of PTR-SeNPs against APAP induced hepatotoxicity was weakened as Nrf2 was depleted in vivo, indicating the pivotal role of Nrf2 signaling pathway in PTR-SeNPs mediated hepatoprotective efficacy. Being a potential hepatic protectant, PTR-SeNPs could serve as a new source of selenium supplement for health-promoting and biomedical applications.

Optimizing Micro Gas Turbine Operation in a Microgrid System With Natural Gas and Hydrogen Fuel: An Artificial Intelligence-Based Approach

Abstract In the coming years, decentralized power generation systems with renewables are expected to take a leading role, and micro gas turbines will serve as backup sources to compensate for times of low inputs from other sources. In order to deal with the unpredictable energy inputs from renewables, the micro gas turbine must be capable of running under varying load conditions and making fast transitions between them. The operation of a micro gas turbine in an integrated microgrid (MG) has the potential to reduce operational costs and ensure the delivery of demanded heat and power to consumers. This paper investigates the operation of a micro gas turbine in a MG, serving as a supplementary power source for a municipal building. The building's required energy is initially provided by wind turbine power, and the micro gas turbine serves as a backup source during times of wind power deficiency. The micro gas turbine can operate using a natural gas/hydrogen fuel blend ranging from zero to 100% hydrogen. Furthermore, a water electrolyzer with a hydrogen tank is available to operate as a storage system within the MG. The study's results demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of using hydrogen storage and optimizing operational planning in the MG. The primary objective of the paper is to highlight the feasibility and benefits of employing micro gas turbines and hydrogen storage systems within a MG as a renewable energy backup power source.

Application of alkali-heated corncobs enhanced nitrogen removal and microbial diversity in constructed wetlands for treating low C/N ratio wastewater.

Lack of carbon source is the main limiting factor in the denitrification of low C/N ratio wastewater in the constructed wetlands (CWs). Agricultural waste has been considered as a supplementary carbon source but research is still limited. To solve this problem, ferric carbon (Fe-C) + zeolite, Fe-C + gravel, and gravel were used as substrates to build CWs in this experiment, aiming to investigate the effects of different carbon sources (rice straw, corncobs, alkali-heated corncobs) on nitrogen removal performance and microbial community structure in CWs for low C/N wastewater. The results demonstrated that the microbial community and effluent nitrogen concentration of CWs were mainly influenced by the carbon source rather than the substrate. Alkali-heated corncobs significantly enhanced the removal of NO2--N, NH4+-N, NO3-N, and TN. Carbon sources addition increased microbial diversity. Alkali-heated corncobs addition significantly increased the abundance of heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria (Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota). Furthermore, alkali-heated corncobs addition increased the copy number of nirS, nosZ, and nirK genes while greenhouse gas fluxes were lower than common corncobs. In summary, alkali-heated corncobs can be considered as an effective carbon source.

Experimental study on municipal solid waste incineration fly ash as a component of coal gangue geopolymer and the feasibility of making geopolymer mortar

In this study, municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI FA) was used as a component to supplement the missing element of Ca in the coal gangue (CG) to synthesize CG-MSWI FA geopolymer (CG-MFG). The mixed NaOH and Na2SiO3 solution is adopted as alkali activator. The influence of MSWI FA content, NaOH/ Na2SiO3 ratio, liquid–solid ratio and NaON concentration on the strength and reaction on the CG-MFG is studied by unconfined compressive strength (UCS), XRD, FTIR, TGA and SEM-EDS tests. The heavy metal leaching concentration of the CG-MFG is investigated by ICP-OES test. The test results show that MSWI FA acted as a supplementary calcium source for CG is capable of effectively improving the UCS of the CG-MFG. The optimal dosage of MSWI FA is 15 %. The NaOH/ Na2SiO3 ratio significantly affects the strength of the CG-MFG and its optimal proportion is 25:75. The CG-MFG with 15 % MSWI FA content, 25:75 NaOH/ Na2SiO3, 0.45 liquid–solid ratio and 8 mol/L NaON concentration acquires the highest UCS of 30.28Mpa. The immobilization efficiency of heavy metals from MSWI FA in the CG-MFG is larger than 84.66 %. The energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission of preparing the CG-MFG is much lower than those of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) with reduction of 71.9 % ∼ 78.0 % and 70.1 % ∼ 82.9 %, respectively. The amorphous geopolymeric gels are observed as the main geopolymerization product of the CG-MFG. The UCS of the CG-MFG mortar reaches 4 MPa, showing possibilities of replacing cement by the CG-MFG in construction industry and shedding light on recycling of hazardous and solid wastes of MSWI FA and coal gangue.

Global Analysis of 2-Hydroxy Fatty Acids by Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Reveals Species-Specific Enrichment in Echinoderms.

Abnormal levels of 2-hydroxy fatty acids (2-OH FAs) are characterized in multiple diseases, and their quantification in foodstuffs is critical to identify the sources of supplementation for potential treatment. However, due to the structural complexity and limited available standards, the comprehensive profiling of 2-OH FAs remains an ongoing challenge. Herein, an innovative approach based on gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was developed to determine the full profile of these FA metabolites. MS and MS/MS spectra of the trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives of 2-OH fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were collected for peak annotation by their signature fragmentation patterns. The structures were further confirmed by validated structure-dependent retention time (RT) prediction models, taking advantage of the correlation between the RT, carbon chain length, and double bond number from commercial standards and pseudostandards identified in the whole-brain samples from mice. An in-house database containing 50 saturated and monounsaturated 2-OH FAs was established, which is expandible when additional molecular species with different chain lengths and backbone structures are identified in the future. A quantitation method was then developed by scheduled multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and applied to investigate the profiling of 2-OH FAs in echinoderms. Our results revealed that the levels of total 2-OH FAs in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicas (8.40 ± 0.28 mg/g dry weight) and starfish Asterias amurensis (7.51 ± 0.18 mg/g dry weight) are much higher than that in sea urchin Mesocentrotus nudus (531 ± 108 μg/g dry weight). Moreover, 2-OH C24:1 is the predominant molecular species accounting for 67.9% of the total 2-OH FA in sea cucumber, while 2-OH C16:0 is the major molecular species in starfish. In conclusion, the current innovative GC-MS approach has successfully characterized distinct molecular species of 2-OH FAs that are highly present in sea cucumbers and starfish. Thus, these findings suggest the possibility of developing future feeding strategies for preventing and treating diseases associated with 2-OH FA deficiency.

Socioeconomic and Environmental Effects of Gold Mining in Paring Lahung, Montallat District, North Barito Regency

This study aims to assess the impact of gold mining operations on the socioeconomic well-being of the Paring Lahung Village community in the Montallat District of North Barito Regency. The research utilizes both secondary and primary data sources. Secondary data is collected from many sources, such as the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), sub-district offices, villages/districts, and private entities. On the other hand, primary data is directly received from respondents residing in Paring Lahung Village, Montallat District, North Barito Regency. For a sample size of 30 participants. The research findings indicate that there is a discernible public impression regarding the presence of unauthorized gold mining operations in Paring Lahung Village. The findings indicate that the residents of Paring Lahung Village have a predominantly neutral stance towards gold mining operations. Out of the total number of respondents, 14 individuals (46%) expressed a positive attitude towards gold mining activities in the vicinity of the Paring Lahung Village forest area. Additionally, 9 respondents (30%) had a neutral view, while 7 respondents (24%) exhibited a negative attitude towards such activities. The present study examines the social, economic, and environmental conditions associated with the presence of gold mining activities in Paring Lahung Village. The analysis of social situations reveals that individuals distribute their wealth towards several sectors, including education, health, and housing. The economic conditions demonstrate a tendency towards above-average performance and have exhibited growth subsequent to the implementation of gold mining operations. This can be attributed to the augmentation of respondents' primary income, as well as the acquisition of supplementary sources of revenue. In Paring Lahung Village, the prevailing environmental conditions indicate the utilization of a method to separate combined gold and sand, alongside a minority engaging in conventional processing techniques. As per the accounts of certain inhabitants, the procedure of gold extraction involves the utilization of quicksilver, often known as mercury. Mercury is categorized as a heavy metal with the capacity to be designated as B3 trash

The Role of Public Debt in Economic Growth: An Empirical Analysis Evidence for Western Balkans and European Countries

Public debt was often considered as a supplementary source of public finances. In six Western Balkan states, a fixed regression model was employed to gauge the effect of public debt on economic growing using panel data. Findings demonstrate that public debt significantly affects economic growth. It was found too that direct foreign investments have a substantial influence into the economic growth. As an option for financing, state governments use external and internal public debt, which is often part of the debate approximately how much public debt should be used. Use of public debt varies from country to country and depends on economic growth and budgetary factors and economic and social demands. Reviewing the literature, it can be observed impact of public debt on overall economy and its growth and this was too used by states as an opportunity for economic growth. This is also reflected in the case of our study where we analyzed the data for EU member countries and Great Britain compared to the Western Balkans countries. During the research it is observed influence of public debt in economic growth on these countries and as such many states have exceeded the limits of the use of public debt based on legal frameworks, with the sole purpose of financing public demands and influence of economic growth. Public debt in this paper identifies the affiliation with economic growth through the specification of linear and non-linear time series models using the panel model for the years 2012-2021 for 35 countries in total. Also, the regression analysis shows us a support and correlation among public debt versus economic growth of countries part of this study. This is observed in developed countries, which have a higher potential and possibility of financing economic activity through public debt, while the Western Balkans countries are often challenged with the possibilities of financing from public debt. As variables we have GDP, Foreign Direct Investments and Inflation.

Tinkering with nature: craft, domesticity and female labour in F Percy Smith’s ‘Data’ notebooks (1925–1944)

This article examines two notebooks belonging to the scientific filmmaker F Percy Smith, labelled ‘Data A’ and ‘Data B’, which are held at the National Science and Media Museum (NSMM) in Bradford. These notebooks offer valuable insights into Smith’s working process in the last two decades of his life – between 1925 and 1945 – and they detail the wide array of materials, tools and equipment that he used to produce his films. The article suggests some of Smith’s uses for the notebooks, such as noting down locations for collecting specimens or describing how to construct tanks and troughs for filming individual organisms. Using a wide range of supplementary sources, including images, videos and an interactive map, I argue that Smith’s work amounted to a form of scientific ‘craft’, which blended across his experimentation with photographic media and scientific observation. Dismantling the long-held belief that F Percy Smith worked entirely alone, the article uses the notebooks as an opportunity to highlight for the first time the role that two women played in Smith’s studio-laboratory: his wife, Kate Smith, and his assistant, Phyllis Bolté. The notebooks are a key source for understanding the production of natural history films of the interwar period, including the popular Secrets of Nature (1922–1933) series. The article reflects on what media scholars can learn from taking a closer look at the materials and methods used for making films of this kind.

Validity of Actigraph for Measuring Energy Expenditure in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the validity of the Actigraph triaxial accelerometer device in measuring physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) in healthy adults, with indirect calorimetry (IC) serving as the validity criterion. A comprehensive search was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, and sportdiscuss databases, in addition to manual searches for supplementary sources. Search strategies were employed that involved conducting single keyword searches using the terms "gt3x" and "Actigraph gt3x". The literature search encompassed the timeframe spanning from 1 January 2010 to 1 March 2023. The methodological quality of the studies included in the analysis was evaluated using both the Downs and Black checklist and the Consensus-Based Criteria for Selection of Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist. The meta-analysis was conducted using the Review Manager 5.4 software. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated and expressed as a 95% confidence interval (CI). The significance level was set at α = 0.05. A systematic assessment of the Actigraph's performance was conducted through the descriptive analysis of computed effect sizes. A total of 4738 articles were retrieved from the initial search. After eliminating duplicate articles and excluding those deemed irrelevant, a comprehensive analysis was conducted on a total of 20 studies, encompassing a combined sample size of 1247 participants. The scores on the Downs and Black checklist ranged from 10 to 14, with a mean score of 11.35. The scores on the COSMIN checklist varied from 50% to 100%, with an average score of 65.83%. The meta-analysis findings revealed a small effect size (SMD = 0.01, 95% CI = 0.50-0.52, p = 0.97), indicating no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). The meta-analysis revealed a small effect size when comparing the Actigraph and IC, suggesting that the Actigraph can be utilized for assessing total PAEE. Descriptive analyses have indicated that the Actigraph device has limited validity in accurately measuring energy expenditure during specific physical activities, such as high-intensity and low-intensity activities. Therefore, caution should be exercised when utilizing this device for such purposes. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between the activity counts measured by the Actigraph and the PAEE, indicating that activity counts can be utilized as a predictive variable for PAEE.

Irrigation Salinity Affects Water Infiltration and Hydraulic Parameters of Red Soil

Unconventional water resources (e.g., saline water, etc.) for irrigation as a promising supplementary water source can alleviate the freshwater shortage in the agriculture of red soil areas in Southern China. It should be noted that the presence of soluble salt in this water source may have detrimental influences on soil water infiltration and crop growth. Understanding the effect of unconventional water irrigation (UWI) on water infiltration in red soil is important. Previous studies have shown that the salinity of UWI can alter soil hydraulic properties to change soil water movement in saline soils. However, the underlying mechanism and factors of water infiltration in red soil under UWI with different salinity levels remain limited. Therefore, a laboratory experiment (one-dimensional vertical infiltration experiment and centrifuge method) was conducted to evaluate the effect of UWI with different salinity levels [0 (the distilled water, CK), 1 (S1), 2 (S2), 3 (S3), 5 (S5), and 10 (S10) g L−1] on the soil water infiltration process, soil water characteristic curve (SWCC), soil water constants estimated using the SWCC, saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity (KS and K) as well as the soil chemistry of soil profile [pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and Na+ and Cl− contents]. The primary factors of soil water infiltration were identified using stepwise regression and path analysis methods. The results showed that UWI salinity decreased water infiltration by 1.53–7.99% at the end of infiltration in red soil, following the order of CK > S1 > S5 > S2 > S3 > S10. Moreover, UWI could enhance soil water availability with an increase of 8.55–12.68% in available water capacity. In contrast, lower KS and K were observed in S1–S10, and there was a negative linear relationship between irrigation salinity and KS. UWI also produced the EC, Na+, and Cl− accumulations in the soil profile. As the salinity level of UWI increased, the accumulations aggravated. Soil acidification was found in S1–S5, while soil alkalization was observed in S10. Additionally, α, PWP, and KS were the primary factors influencing the water infiltration of red soil. This study can help optimize the soil infiltration model under UWI and establish a foundation for unconventional water management in the red soil regions of Southern China and other similar regions. In addition, the undisturbed red soil under agricultural unconventional water irrigation and the long-term effect of unconventional water application should be considered.

Is the Urban Landscape Connected? Construction and Optimization of Urban Ecological Networks Based on Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis

Urban green ecological space is an important measure of sustainable urban development. Among them, landscape connectivity is one of the key factors in maintaining landscape function. Ecological networks can effectively improve regional ecological quality and promote urban landscape connectivity. However, previous studies on ecological networks have mainly focused on biodiversity conservation and lack research on landscape connectivity. This study used morphological spatial pattern analysis methods and utilized connectivity indices to identify ecological sources in the Chaoyang and Nanguan districts of China’s Changchun City and selected environmental and anthropogenic factors to construct an integrated resistance surface. The minimum cumulative resistance model and network structure index were used for urban ecological network construction and node optimization. The results show that the potential ecological network comprises 17 ecological sources and 34 potential corridors, primarily located in forests and water bodies in the east and south regions. However, the northwest has poor habitat quality and uneven distribution of ecological corridors, that warrant prioritization in future planning, construction, and protection efforts. By introducing six supplemental sources and 25 additional corridors, the function and overall connectivity of the regional ecological network can be improved. The study confirmed that the selection of appropriate connectivity thresholds can improve the accuracy of ecological sources identification, and that the influence of anthropogenic factors on ecological resistance cannot be ignored. This study will provide a scientific basis for promoting urban construction and ecological balance.

Assessing the potential of forest stands for edible mushrooms productivity as a subsistence ecosystem service in Ethiopia

Wild edible mushrooms are recognized as a fundamental component of forest management and rural development initiatives, offering farmers a substantial supplementary source of income. Thus, exploring the valuable wild mushrooms and modeling fungal fruiting in different forest systems in the tropics could provide additional insight into fungal responses to environmental factors and allow for better decision making related to forest management in the face of climate change. In many parts of the world, edible wild mushrooms are considered economically valuable non-timber forest products (NTFPs). In Ethiopia, forest management policies based on NTFPs are needed to make better use of these resources. A thorough assessment of wild mushroom as NTFPs that occur in Ethiopian forests and their uses is key to understanding what actions are needed to manage forests at the local level. We aimed (1) to record the fresh weight of edible wild mushrooms produced in natural and plantation forests in Ethiopia and (2) to develop models to predict sporocarp production in these two forest systems. We established 63 sample plots of 100 m2. All mature and young edible wild mushrooms were harvested weekly during the main rainy season to quantify their abundance and fresh weight. Composite soil samples collected from each plot and climate data recorded for each study area were used to develop models. In total, 64 edible fungal species were collected. The average annual total fresh weight production in plantations (2097.57 kg ha–1) was significantly greater than that produced in natural forests (731.18 kg ha–1). Six alternative models were fitted, and three yield categories were also defined as possible responses. Latitude, soil organic matter and minimum daily temperature were identified as relevant explanatory factors. Our yield classification models were fitted to predict the annual yields of edible fungi based on climate, soil and area-specific information in Ethiopia. The developed models should serve as a basis for further studies in Ethiopian forests to optimize forest management based on NTFPs, specifically edible wild mushrooms.

The Contribution of Agricultural Waste to the Production Performance of Free-Range Chickens in the Easternmost Region of Indonesia

Purpose: This research aims to investigate the production performance of free-range chickens fed with banana peel flour as a substitute for bran in the ration.
 Theoretical framework:
 Free-range chickens, commonly known as "non-purebred chickens", are closely related to the community. These chickens exhibit diverse genetic traits and are commonly found in the wider community, for both animal protein consumption and as a supplementary source of income to improve their economy.
 Design/methodology/approach: The research was conducted in Merauke from October to December 2022, and the materials used included 48 three-week-old free-range chickens with a weight of 150-200g, concentrate, yellow corn, bran, and banana peel flour. A Randomized Block Design was used with 4 treatments namely P0 = control diet (0% banana peel flour), as well as P1 = 25%, P2 = 50%, and P3 = 100% banana peel flour substituting bran, distributed into 4 groups based on body weight. The observed variables were ration consumption, weight gain, and ration conversion. Meanwhile, data were analyzed using analysis of variance and further tested with the least significant difference (LSD) test
 Findings: The results showed that the use of banana peel flour as a substitute for bran significantly reduced ration consumption (P<0.05) but did not have a significant effect (P>0.05) on weight gain and ration conversion.
 Research, Practical & Social implications: Utilization of banana peel waste as animal feed will have an impact on reducing environmental pollution and changing the socio-economic conditions of farmers.
 Originality/value:Research using banana peel waste as poultry feed is the first time it has been conducted in Merauke Regency