Production Value Research Articles

Simulating the Vegetation Gross Primary Productivity by the Biome-BGC Model in the Yellow River Basin of China

In terrestrial ecosystems, the quantification of carbon absorption is primarily represented by the gross primary productivity (GPP), which signifies the initial substances and energy acquired by the ecosystem. The GPP also serves as the foundation for the carbon cycle within the entire terrestrial ecosystem. The Biome-BGC model is a widely used biogeochemical process model for simulating the stocks and fluxes of water, carbon, and nitrogen between ecosystems and the atmosphere. However, it is the abundance of eco-physiological parameters that lead to challenges in calibrating the model. The parameter optimization method of coupling the differential evolution algorithm (DE) with the Biome-BGC model was used to calibrate and validate the eco-physiological parameters of the seven typical vegetation types in the Yellow River Basin (YRB). And then we used the calibrated parameters to simulate the GPP by way of grid-based simulation. Finally, we conducted model adaptability testing and spatiotemporal analysis of GPP variations in the YRB. The results of the validation (R2, RMSE) were: temperate grasses (0.94, 24.33 g C m−2), alpine meadows (0.94, 18.13 g C m−2), shrubs (0.94, 29.20 g C m−2), evergreen needle leaf forests (0.96, 27.88 g C m−2), deciduous broad leaf forests (0.94, 32.09 g C m−2), one crop a year (0.96, 16.19 g C m−2), and two crops a year (0.90, 38.15 g C m−2). After adaptability testing, the average R2 value between the simulated GPP values and the GPP product values in the YRB was 0.85, and the average RMSE value was as low as 50.92 g C m−2. Overall, the model exhibited strong simulation accuracy. Therefore, after calibrating the model with the DE algorithm, the Biome-BGC model could effectively adapt to the ecologically complex YRB. Moreover, it was able to accurately estimate the GPP, which establishes a foundation for analyzing the spatiotemporal trends of the GPP in the YRB. This study provides a reference for optimizing Biome-BGC model parameters and simulating diverse vegetation types on a large scale.

Green Manure Rotation Combined with Biochar Application Improves Yield and Economic Stability of Continuous Cropping of Peppers in Southwest China

Crop rotation is widely recognized as a key strategy to mitigate the adverse effects associated with continuous cropping. Recent studies have demonstrated that biochar has a significant potential for preventing and controlling these challenges. However, the ameliorative effects of green manure rotation and biochar application on continuous pepper cultivation in the karst mountainous regions of Southwest China remain largely unexplored. To address this gap, a field experiment was conducted from 2020 to 2023 to investigate the effects of green manure rotation and biochar application on the continuous cropping of peppers. The experiment consisted of five treatments: CK (no green manure and no biochar), WP (winter fallow and conventional pepper production with chemical fertilization), GP (green manure and pepper rotation, the amount of fresh green manure returned to the field was about 15 t·ha−1), WP + B (winter fallow and pepper rotation with 1500 kg·ha−1 of biochar applied during the pepper season), and GP + B (green manure and pepper rotation with 1500 kg·ha−1 of biochar applied during the pepper season, the amount of fresh green manure returned to the field was about 15 t·ha−1). The results showed that all the improved measures (GP, WP + B, GP + B) increased the yield of fresh pepper and dry pepper by 26.97–72.98% and 20.96–65.70%, respectively, and the yield of dry pod pepper increased by 14.69–40.63% and 21.44–73.29% in 2021 to 2023, respectively, and significantly improved the yield stability and sustainability of continuous cropping of peppers compared with WP treatments. In addition, green manure rotation or biochar application alone or in combination enhanced the nutritional quality of pepper fruits by increasing the content of free amino acids (8.62–19.42%), reducing sugars (15.30–34.62%) and vitamin C (26.19–43.52), and decreasing the nitrate content (26.93–40.17%). Furthermore, the application of green manure rotation or biochar alone or in combination significantly improved the absorption of nitrogen (23.73–60.23%), phosphorus (18.12–61.71%), and potassium (20.57–61.48%) nutrients in the continuous cropping of peppers, which contributed to the improvement of fertilizer use efficiency. Notably, GP + B treatment not only improved the yield and quality of continuous cropping peppers but also resulted in higher production value and net income compared to the GP and WP + B treatments. In conclusion, the combination of green manure rotation and biochar application represents an effective strategy for mitigating the challenges of continuous cropping in pepper cultivation within the karst mountainous regions of Southwest China.

The Analysis of Determinants of Production and Optimization of Garlic Farming in Sembalun District East Lombok Regency

Each farming aims to maximize farming income but is constrained by the quantity of inputs. The limited quantity of input is faced by farmers who cultivate garlic plants. One solution is to utilize production inputs available at the location where farmers live, such as organic fertilizers, to reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers. The purpose of the study is to analyze the influence of the use of production inputs on production quantity and to determine the level of efficiency of the use of each production input. The purpose of the research was achieved through the collection of primary data from the results of the garlic farming survey in Sembalon District, East Lombok Regency. As a respondent, 71 farmers cultivate garlic. The research location is in Sembalun Bumbung village and Sembalun Lawang village. The number of sampling units in each village was selected using a proportional random sampling technique of 44 farmers in Sembalun Bumbung village and 27 farmers in Sembalon Lawang village. Production quantity and input quantity data were analyzed by multiple regression followed by an analysis of the ratio of marginal production value to the price per input unit to determine the status of efficiency in the use of production inputs. The results of the study showed that the use of organic fertilizer inputs, ZA fertilizers, and phonska fertilizers had a real effect on the production quantity. The use of organic fertilizers is not optimal, while the use of ZA fertilizers and phonska fertilizers needs to be reduced to increase efficiency.

Efficacy of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Using Juniperus phoenicea in Controlling Rice Weevil (Sitophilus oryzae) and Its Effect on the Microbial Contents and Nutritive Value of Grains

The rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae is a primary pest attack many kinds of crops. It causes a lot of loss and reduces the economic values of products. The study investigated to determine the insecticidal effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles using Juniperus phoenicea (TiO2 NPs) against the insect, and the nutritional and antimicrobial value of rice grains after treatment by TiO2 NPs was estimated. Adult was the target of bioassay of the biocomponent. Four concentrations were prepared as 30, 50, 80 and 100%. Some biochemical components were evaluated as response indicators of insect. Obtained data demonstrated significant differences between the four concentrations, where the highest mortality was recorded after 120 h. On the adults (85%). Treatment with the titanium dioxide nanoparticles inhibited the activities of acetylcholine esterase and total soluble protein. While it increases the activity of catalase as antioxidant enzyme. Nutritional values increased with increasing the proportion of TiO2 NPs, except for the decrease in protein. No colonization of coliform bacteria and fungi cell was recorded in 80% of TiO2 NPs, aerobic bacteria were reduced to a lower number 12 CFU/g 103 at 100%. Biosynthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles with J. phoenicea extract is promising bio-insecticide and antimicrobial in integrated pest management control, preserving the nutritional value of grains during storage.

Booming solar energy drives land value enhancement: Evidence from 648 photovoltaic projects in China

Land use of photovoltaic (PV) facilities has always been a pressing research field, as the transition to renewable energy requires balancing between land productivity and energy generation. A comprehensive assessment of PV land use benefits is crucial for informed deployment decisions. Here, we propose a multidimensional land use analysis framework, focusing on power generation, production, ecology, and their co-benefits, aiming to assess the impact of PV applications on land use and to quantify the ensuing changes in land value. The results show that PV deployment significantly increases land values. Specifically, the power generation value of PV land in China ranges from 1.90×105 to 5.09×105CNY/hm2; the production value brought by agricultural development ranges from 6.28×104 to 1.53×105CNY/hm2, and the value of ecosystem services provided by the land ranges from 2.43×104 to 8.95×104CNY/hm2. From a power station type perspective, the development potential for agricultural PV systems in optimizing layout and flexible use is infinite. This system can create tremendous increments in land value. Building desert-based PV plants provides the highest appreciation multiple for arid areas’ land resources while bringing sustainable economic and ecological prosperity. This study contributes to a better understanding of the current impact of PV deployment on land resources, and helps policymakers and stakeholders find intrinsic linkages between energy and the economy, ecology, and the environment, thus guiding and steering a more sustainable development of renewable energy planning and land use optimization in China.

Minimizing Radiation Exposure in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Approach on X-Ray Practices

Purpose: Radiographic examinations are frequently performed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). However, concerns are emerging regarding the safety of radiation exposure, especially in vulnerable preterm infants in periods of rapid cellular division. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to reduce radiation hazards in level-IV NICU.Methods: We established an "X-ray prescription protocol" and educated the physicians to ensure that only essential radiographs were obtained. Additionally, we discouraged full-body infantograms and emphasized the prescription of targeted radiographs, such as chest or abdominal radiographs. Furthermore, to reduce the dose-area product (DAP, Gy·cm<sup>2</sup>) values, which act as a surrogate for radiation exposure, we provided training to radiologic technologists on meticulous collimation for each radiography session. We aimed to achieve a 30% reduction in the average monthly cumulative DAP per patient, which was calculated by dividing the total monthly DAP from radiographs in the NICU by the monthly average of patient admissions. Retrospective baseline data were collected 8 months pre-intervention and prospectively for 4 months post-interventions.Results: The average monthly X-ray count per patient was 28.3 in the pre-intervention period (October 2022 to May 2023), which decreased to 25.4 in the post-intervention period (June 2023 to September 2023), reflecting a 10.2% reduction (<i>p</i>=0.109). The average monthly infantogram count per patient showed an 18.0% reduction (25.9% to 21.2%, <i>p</i>=0.016), and the proportion of infantograms in the total X-ray counts decreased from 91.5% to 83.3% (<i>p</i>=0.017). The DAP value per X-ray decreased by 42.6%, from an average of 0.25 to 0.14 (<i>p</i>=0.011). The primary outcome, the average monthly cumulative DAP value per patient, showed a substantial reduction of 48.6%, dropping from 7.00 to 3.60 (<i>p</i>=0.004). The baseline characteristics and short-term morbidities of the patients did not differ significantly between the pre- and post-intervention period.Conclusion: Our QI approach, which included discouraging excessive prescriptions of infantograms and promoting optimal collimation, significantly reduced the average monthly radiation exposure in the NICU, benefiting both patients and healthcare workers.

Determination of Carotenoid Bioavailability from Palm Oil Microencapsulation

Indonesia is the largest palm oil supplier in the world with a total production value of 20.97 million tons. Palm oil has a high content of carotenoids that act as antioxidants in the body. However, carotenoids and their derivatives have a conjugated structure that is unstable to oxidation and easily damaged. One of the optimal efforts to maintain the stability of carotenoids is by microencapsulation. This study aims to determine the efficiency of the palm oil microencapsulation method in maintaining the carotenoid components in it. The method used in this research is Systematic Literature Review based on Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Springer databases with predetermined inclusion criteria. The results showed that all palm oil microencapsulation methods produced good efficiency values and stable physicochemical characteristics of carotenoids even including other micronutrients such as vitamin E, moisture content, fatty acids, etc. which were also classified as stable. Overall, the supercritical carbon dioxide (SEDS) method produced the best quality while the spray drying method is a good choice for commercial microencapsulation. The conclusion of this study is that microencapsulation is able to protect the bioavailability of carotenoids in palm oil in a stable condition with values that are still within the standard range so as to produce better palm oil products as food ingredients for further use in a food product

Ionic Character and Alkyl Chain Length of Surfactants Affect Titanium Dioxide Dispersion and Its UV-Blocking Efficacy

The dispersion of titanium dioxide (TiO2) determines the performance of TiO2-based formulations in cosmetic and coating applications. In particular, the chemical and structural characteristics of the surfactants used to prepare TiO2 dispersions are significant. However, the influence of surfactants on TiO2 dispersion quality has not been systematically investigated. In this study, we observed the effects of the ionic character of commercial surfactants on the dispersion stability and UV-blocking efficacy of TiO2. Among the experimental surfactant groups, anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate was efficient in stabilizing TiO2 as a water-in-oil formulation and enhancing its UV-blocking efficacy. Furthermore, an anionic fatty acid as a surfactant with a longer alkyl chain length was sufficient to stabilize the TiO2 formulation, which also displayed the highest UV-blocking efficacy, comparable to the values of commercial TiO2-based cosmetic products.

Toxicity Assessment of Local Tobacco Products Bidi and Gul of Bangladesh Using Brine Shrimp (Artemia salina) Lethality Assay

Abstract Background: Bidi and gul are two locally produced nicotine-containing tobacco consumables with considerable negative health and environmental impacts, while at the same time, there is a dearth of published data on their toxicology. The LD50 (lethal dose, 50%) approach was employed in this investigation, which is the first study of its type in Bangladesh. As far as, the authors are aware. Aims and Objectives: The study determined and compared the toxicity levels of nicotine present in locally manufactured bidi and gul products. Materials and Methods: Nicotine extracts from bidi and gul were tested on Artemia salina bioassay. We found that there was significant variation in the LD50 values of the different tobacco products within their respective categories. Of the bidis tested, the most toxic brand was found to have an LD50 of 40.85 ppm, while in case of gul brands, it was 45.09 ppm which is more than double of the average nicotine content in a cigarette. Conclusion: Our results indicated that locally manufactured tobacco products (bidi and gul) have significant toxicity risk to health and environment.

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF SMALL-SCALE RICE PROCESSING AMONG WOMEN IN LAFIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

This research investigates the technical efficiency, challenges, and contributions of women in the small-scale rice processing sector in Lafia Local Government Area (L.G.A.), highlighting their dominance in the rice production value chain. Using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), the study determined a mean technical efficiency of 57%, indicating significant room for improvement, as inefficiencies suggest a potential 43% increase in processed rice output if less efficient processors adopt better strategies and techniques. The analysis identified multiple challenges faced by women in the sector, including epileptic power supply (87%), the adverse impact of foreign rice on local demand (30%), poor pricing of polished rice (27%), high levels of impurities and broken grains (26%), lack of access to credit facilities (17%), and the poor state of infrastructure, particularly outdated or insufficient rice mills (15%). Furthermore, societal constraints related to marriage and childcare, though less significant, were mentioned by a minority. Despite these limitations, women play a central role in the processing sector, with their resilience and entrepreneurial efforts sustaining small-scale rice production. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted policy interventions to address infrastructural deficits, improve access to credit, stabilize local rice pricing, and enhance technical capacity through training and innovation. By resolving these issues, the efficiency and output of women processors can be greatly enhanced, contributing to improved livelihoods and greater food security in the region.

Enhancing the hydrogen production of tetragonal silicon carbide (t-SiC) with biaxial tensile strain and pH

In this study, according to the density functional theory, we examined the optical, electrical, photocatalytic, and hydrogen production properties as a function of the strain of tetragonal silicon carbide (t-SiC). Our results showed that the tetragonal silicon carbide (t-SiC) has a bandgap of 3.23 eV according to the HSE06. In addition, the photocatalytic properties and hydrogen production for tetragonal silicon carbide (t-SiC) are improved under biaxial tensile strain, so at 8 % the value of hydrogen production is 23.23 104 µmol/g. Moreover, the band gap and the optoelectronic properties are altered by the application of strain. Our findings reveal that biaxial strain is used to change the electronic, optical, and electrical properties, with us identifying a decrease in the band gap as a function of the biaxial tensile strain applied to t-SiC. We predict that t-SiC under tensile strain and a suitable pH will be suitable for photocatalytic applications.

The Effect of Simulating Virtual Scenes using Artificial Intelligence Techniques in Producing Various Media Materials

Our current era is witnessing continuous change and rapid development in various aspects of life, including technical development and scientific progress. Modern technologies like simulation and artificial intelligence (AI) significantly enhance media content creation and distribution in various ways: Content Creation: AI tools can generate scripts, edit videos, create animations, and produce music, allowing creators to streamline the production process and reduce costs. Personalization: AI algorithms analyze user preferences and behavior to deliver personalized content recommendations, improving user engagement and satisfaction. Simulations: Simulation technologies can create realistic virtual environments for training, gaming, and storytelling, providing immersive experiences for users. Quality Enhancement: AI can automatically enhance audio and video quality, detect errors or inconsistencies, and improve overall production value. Data Analysis: AI helps analyze audience data to inform content strategies, predict trends, and optimize marketing efforts. Simulation and AI are transforming media content by making it more efficient, engaging, and tailored to audiences. The study aims to identify the impact of using these modern technologies in the field of media, which includes the latest technological developments, by utilizing virtual viewer simulations through artificial intelligence techniques, and achieving the highest levels of awareness for producing various media materials. The research also addresses the key stages that a designer goes through and how we can benefit from the study to develop these stages in order to enhance the role of visual communication and interaction between the recipient and the sender through the use of digital media designed within the media content via artificial intelligence to convey the advertising message, and its role in influencing consumer motivations to attract and guide them in making decisions through artificial intelligence techniques that provide a clear vision of the design environment. The research highlights the importance of graphic design as an essential element in improving viewers’ experience of modern digital media and achieving a more realistic simulation, pointing to the development of the concept of simulation used in modern digital media and Computer-Generated Image (CGI) techniques. This research also aims to explore the vital role that graphic design plays at every stage of the production of digital technologies to achieve a more realistic simulation of virtual scenes in digital media. Hence, the research problem the extent to which media content, in terms of form and substance, benefits from these modern technologies (simulation - Artificial intelligence) and the impact of these technologies in making media content more credible through their use. The research hypotheses: Has the media content become more attractive with the use of these technologies (simulation Artificial intelligence)? Has the media content become more shareable across different platforms in form and substance with the use of these technologies (simulation - Artificial intelligence)? Has the media content become more appealing with the use of these technologies (simulation - Artificial intelligence)? Has the media content become more effective in the visual communication process with the use of these technologies (simulation - Artificial intelligence)? Has the use of these technologies (simulation - Artificial intelligence) provided competitive advantages for various media outlets? Has the use of these technologies (simulation - Artificial intelligence) offered marketing and promotional advantages for various media outlets? What are the positives and negatives of these technologies (simulation - Artificial intelligence) in the media? The main aim of the research the extent to which media content, in terms of form and substance, benefits from modern technologies (simulation – Artificial intelligence) and the impact of these technologies on enriching, supporting, and developing media content to make it more competitive and credible through their use. The importance of research in studying the role and impact of modern technologies, such as virtual scene simulation, using artificial intelligence techniques to produce various types of media content. It emphasizes the role of these technologies in influencing different media outlets regarding competitive advantages, marketing, and promotion, as well as highlighting the positives and negatives of these technologies. The research methodology is based on the analytical description approach.

Green preparation of high-efficiency mesoporous MoP electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution

The production of hydrogen generation catalysts through inexpensive, green and sustainable route is urgently needed in the context of “double carbon”. In this work, a new mesoporous transition metal phosphide (P–MoP@C) as electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution catalyst was prepared by a soft template method using polyoxometalate (POM), biomass gallic acid and ammonium polyphosphate through one-step phosphating and calcination process. The mesoporous structure is formed by organic-organic self-assembly strategy facilitated by strong hydrogen bonding between the pyrogallol group on gallic acid and the block copolymer. P–MoP@C shows good catalytic and stability properties, with overpotentials of 149 and 162 mV in alkaline and acidic solutions, respectively, at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. The mesoporous structure adds up to the quantity of exposed active sites, accelerates the electron transfer rate, and improves the catalytic performance of P–MoP@C. The use of plant polyphenols as a carbon source for the synthesis of green and environmentally friendly hydrogen evolution catalysts provides some reference value for large-scale industrial production.

The metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli for the high-yield production of hypoxanthine

BackgroundHypoxanthine, prevalent in animals and plants, is used in the production of food additives, nucleoside antiviral drugs, and disease diagnosis. Current biological fermentation methods synthesize quantities insufficient to meet industrial demands. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a strain capable of industrial-scale production of hypoxanthine.ResultsDe novo synthesis of hypoxanthine was achieved by blocking the hypoxanthine decomposition pathway, thus alleviating transcriptional repression and multiple feedback inhibition, and introducing a purine operon from Bacillus subtilis to construct a chassis strain. The effects of knocking out the IMP(Inosine 5’-monophosphate) branch on the growth status and titer of the strain were then investigated, and the effectiveness of adenosine deaminase and adenine deaminase was verified. Overexpressing these enzymes created a dual pathway for hypoxanthine synthesis, enhancing the metabolic flow of hypoxanthine synthesis and preventing auxotrophic strain formation. Introducing IMP-specific 5’ -nucleotidase addressed the issue of adenylate accumulation. In addition, the metabolic flow of the guanine branch was dynamically regulated by the guaB gene. The supply of glutamine and aspartic acid precursors was enhanced by introducing an exogenous glnA mutant gene, overexpressing aspC, and replacing the weaker promoter to regulate the aspartic acid branching pathway. Ultimately, fermentation in a 5 L bioreactor for 48 h produced 30.6 g/L hypoxanthine, with a maximum real-time productivity of 1.4 g/L/h, the highest value of hypoxanthine production by microbial fermentation reported so far.ConclusionsThe intracellular purine biosynthesis pathway is extensive and regulated at multiple levels in cells. The IMP branch in the hypoxanthine synthesis pathway has a higher metabolic flux. The current challenge lies in systematically allocating the metabolic flux within the branch pathway to achieve substantial product accumulation. In this study, E. coli was used as the chassis strain to construct a dual pathway for IMP and AMP(Adenosine 5’-monophosphate) synergistic hypoxanthine synthesis and dynamically regulate the guanine branch pathway. Overall, our experimental efforts culminated in a high-yield, plasmid- and defect-free engineered hypoxanthine strain.

Single Well Production Prediction Model of Gas Reservoir Based on CNN-BILSTM-AM

In the prediction of single-well production in gas reservoirs, the traditional empirical formula of gas reservoirs generally shows poor accuracy. In the process of machine learning training and prediction, the problems of small data volume and dirty data are often encountered. In order to overcome the above problems, a single-well production prediction model of gas reservoirs based on CNN-BILSTM-AM is proposed. The model is built by long-term and short-term memory neural networks, convolutional neural networks and attention modules. The input of the model includes the production of the previous period and its influencing factors. At the same time, the fitting production and error value of the traditional gas reservoir empirical formula are introduced to predict the future production data. The loss function is used to evaluate the deviation between the predicted data and the real data, and the Bayesian hyperparameter optimization algorithm is used to optimize the model structure and comprehensively improve the generalization ability of the model. Three single wells in the Daniudi D28 well area were selected as the database, and the CNN-BILSTM-AM model was used to predict the single-well production. The results show that compared with the prediction results of the convolutional neural network (CNN) model, long short-term memory neural network (LSTM) model and bidirectional long short-term memory neural network (BILSTM) model, the error of the CNN-BILSTM-AM model on the test set of three experimental wells is reduced by 6.2425%, 4.9522% and 3.0750% on average. It shows that on the basis of coupling the empirical formula of traditional gas reservoirs, the CNN-BILSTM-AM model meets the high-precision requirements for the single-well production prediction of gas reservoirs, which is of great significance to guide the efficient development of oil fields and ensure the safety of China’s energy strategy.

DESEMPENHO DA PRODUTIVIDADE DE MILHO A PARTIR DE APLICAÇÃO DE FUNGICIDA EM DIFERENTES ESTÁGIOS FENOLÓGICOS

Corn (Zea mays L.) is a crucial crop in terms of global production and economic value, but it is susceptible to fungal diseases such as common rust (Puccinia sorghi) and cercosporiosis (Cercospora zeae-maydis), which can reduce grain production and quality. Effective control of these diseases is vital for food security and agricultural economy. Proper management of corn fungal diseases depends on the plant's phenological stages, from planting to grain maturity. The application of fungicides at strategic moments during the plant's life cycle is essential to prevent infections and reduce disease impact. A study conducted in Patos de Minas, Minas Gerais, during 2023, evaluated the effect of fungicide application at different phenological stages of corn on final productivity. The results showed that fungicide application at multiple phenological stages (V4, V8, and VT) resulted in greater above-ground height, lower severity of fungal diseases, higher productivity, and uniform stalk diameter compared to the control treatment. This integrated disease management method proved effective in protecting plants against fungal diseases, promoting healthier and more vigorous growth, and increasing final corn productivity. These findings highlight the importance of fungicide application at strategic moments in the corn development cycle to maximize productivity and promote more efficient and sustainable agriculture.

Heat Penetration Characteristics and Quality Evaluation of Pangasius (Pangasius hypophthalmus) Chunks in Masala Using Retort Pouches

A South Indian dish was developed using Pangasius fish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) fillet chunks in masalas as a medium. The aim of the current study was to optimize the various F₀ values for Pangasius fillet chunks packed in masala, using flexible, retortable pouches. After being processed at different lethality levels, the product showed a similar heating and cooling lag factor. For F₀ values of 7.37 and 8.12 minutes, the total process time were 26.94 and 31.37 minutes, respectively. The fh values for products processed at F₀ values of 7.37 and 8.12 minutes were 13 and 16.5 minutes, respectively. The cook value obtained for the thermally processed product was 64.70 minutes for F₀ 7.37 minutes and 65.87 minutes for F₀ 8.12 minutes. Over a storage duration of up to 90 days, all instrumental texture indicators exhibited a declining pattern. The product processed at Fo value of 7.37 and 8.12 minutes were achieved commercial sterility. The product processed at F₀ 7.37 minutes was considered more favourable based on organoleptic assessment.

Correlation between antihypertensive drugs and cerebral hemodynamic parameters: insights from observational findings using transcranial Doppler.

Antihypertensives (AHD) can influence cerebral autoregulation (CA) and attenuate hypertrophic concentric remodelling of arterioles. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between AHD, CA and structural and functional properties of cerebral arteries. In this observational, cross-sectional study 115 volunteers were divided in group 1 (non-hypertensive) [n = 30]; group 2 (hypertensive with systolic blood pressure [SBP] < 140 and diastolic blood pressure [DBP] < 90 mmHg) [n = 54]; group 3 (hypertensive with SBP ≥ 140 or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg) [n = 31] and simultaneous measurements of systemic blood pressure (BP) and middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity (CBFV) were obtained from digital plethysmography and transcranial Doppler. Beat-to-beat, critical closing pressure (CrCP), resistance-area product (RAP) and autoregulation index (ARI) values were extracted by linear regression analysis of instantaneous BP and CBFV waveforms using computerised analysis. Pulsatility index (PI) was calculated and CO2 reactivity was assessed by the breath-holding test. Despite their higher RAP (1.7 [±0.7], p < 0.001) compared to groups 1 and 2, uncontrolled hypertensive using diuretics (p = 0.047) and α2-agonists (p = 0.009) had significantly lower PI. Impaired CO2 reactivity was common between the two hypertensive groups (p = 0.008), however ARI, CrCP and CBFV did not differ between them and non-hypertensive individuals and also did not correlate with any AHD used. Unlike the RAP, PI does not seem to reflect the real cerebrovascular resistence resulting from chronic arterial remodelling. Despite impaired CO2 reactivity, hypertensivehavearterial tonus and CA comparable to non-hypertensive. Experimental studies involving an untreated hypertensive control group are required to robustly make definitive conclusions about these questions.

Feasibility of snakehead fish hatchery (Channa striata) using a round pond in Labuan Amas Selatan district, Hulu Sungai Tengah regency, Kalimantan Selatan province, Indonesia

&lt;p&gt;This study aims to determine the technicalities and analyze the feasibility of &lt;em&gt;snakehead fish&lt;/em&gt; (&lt;em&gt;Chana striata&lt;/em&gt;) hatchery using round ponds in Labuan Amas Selatan District. The data collection methods used are observation, interviews, and documentation. The data analysis used is a qualitative descriptive analysis to determine the technical aspects of the fish hatchery, financial analysis to determine the feasibility of the business with profit analysis, Payback Period (PP), Break Event Point (BEP), Net Present Value (NPV), Net Benefit Cost (Net B/C), and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). The study results show that &lt;em&gt;snakehead fish&lt;/em&gt; hatchery using round ponds produces &lt;em&gt;snakehead fish&lt;/em&gt; seed in 7 cycles in one year; in each cycle, 6–10 pairs of &lt;em&gt;snakehead fish&lt;/em&gt; are used, which can be spawned with an average nursery time of 1.5 months. &lt;em&gt;Snakehead fish&lt;/em&gt; cultivation techniques include broodstock maintenance, broodstock selection, spawning, larval transfer and maintenance, nursery, harvesting, and marketing. The results of the business feasibility analysis obtained a profit value of IDR 63,465,000/year with a speedy return on investment for 1.64 years, the BEP value of production = 20,742 seed &amp;lt; the production value = 56,000 seed, and the BEP price of IDR 667/seed &amp;lt; the current price = IDR 1,800/seed. The NPV value at the hatchery reached IDR 366,007,925, meaning NPV &amp;gt; 0, Net B/C &amp;gt; 1 value of 4.62, and IRR value of 62.81%, which means it is greater than the current interest rate of 6%. Based on various financial analyses, the &lt;em&gt;snakehead fish&lt;/em&gt; hatchery business using round ponds is profitable and feasible.&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Improving Egg Production, Quality and Eggshell Hygiene by Supplementation of Sage (Salvia officinalis) and Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Essential Oils

ABSTRACT Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the effects of sage (Salvia officinalis) and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oils (EO) supplementation into drinking water on egg production, quality and eggshell hygiene in laying hens. Material and Methods: A total of 300 Nick Brown laying hens between 30 and 38 of age were used in a completely randomized design in three treatments and ten replicates. The treatments consisted of: control group, sage EO, lavender EO supplementation group. EOs were supplemented into drinking water (0.3 mL/L). Results: A lower value of egg production, egg weight, egg mass and deteriorations in feed efficiency, eggshell breaking strength and thickness were observed in lavender EO group (P