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The demand for particleboard has been increasing over the years. Currently, most particleboards are produced from wood which may not be sustainable in the long term. Therefore, there is need of exploring alternative materials such as making particleboards from waste materials. This study investigated the mechanical properties of particleboard consisting of waste leather shavings and waste papers blended together by unsaturated polyester. A single-layered particleboards were manufactured using compression method. Different resin contents (60%, 70%, 80%, and 90%) and leather/paper ratios (100:0, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25) were used to determine the effects on the mechanical properties (internal bond, bending strength, compression, and impact strength) of fabricated boards. From the results of this study, it was found that leather shavings and waste papers can be used as alternative raw materials for particleboard production and that mechanical properties were depended on the resin content and the blend ratio. Also, mechanical properties were reduced with resin content increment, except for impact strength, and improved by high paper blend ratio. It could be concluded that the produced particle panels could be used for indoor application or interior equipping. Additionally, it is recommended that further studies can be done on morphological analysis to establish the bonding between the particles and matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The article studies the research output on sheep and goats from Greece; a country where small ruminant farming is the most important terrestrial animal farming business. Milk production from sheep and goats exceeds that from cattle and over 90% of total milk produced from sheep and goats is used for dairy products. Research output on sheep and goats have increased significantly from 1997 to 2022. The bulk of publications, 87.5% of relevant papers, has originated from four establishments: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; University of Thessaly; Agricultural University of Athens and Hellenic Agricultural Organization—Dimitra. Papers were published most frequently in the journals Small Ruminant Research and Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society. The most frequent general topics of study were animal health-welfare and animal products. The findings have indicated that research has focused on milk production and diseases of the udder of small ruminants; moreover, there was accumulation of relevant research in Greece in some establishments only. The findings of the study can be used by researchers; stakeholders and Government entities to improve relevant research and to better allocate resources in the country. The study is a scientometrics evaluation of published articles performed in Greece on sheep and goats during the last 25 years, a period coinciding with implementation of reforms to shape and consolidate tertiary education and research establishments in the country. Objectives were: evaluation of the relevant publications and presentation of quantitative characteristics regarding scientific content and bibliometric details. The Web of Science platform was used (search terms: [[sheep OR goat*] OR [Ovis aries OR Capra hircus]] (1997–2022)) and 1080 papers were considered in detail. Throughout the study period, there was a clear progressive increase in numbers of papers published. The papers originated from 39 different entities, most from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (34.0%), University of Thessaly (28.0%), Agricultural University of Athens (21.2%) and Hellenic Agricultural Organization—Dimitra (13.6%). Papers were published in 318 different journals. Journals with more published papers were Small Ruminant Research and Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society. The most frequent general topic of study in the papers was health and welfare (46.7% of papers); second most frequent topic was animal products (18.6%). The papers have received 16,558 citations, i.e., οn average 15.4 citations per paper; the h-index was 56, the i10-index was 518 and the yearly citations per paper were 1.71. Papers on goats had higher impact than papers on sheep. There were 1711 individual authors, of which 728 were first or last authors. In total, 24 authors have each co-authored ≥2.5% of all papers; five authors were each first or last in that proportion of all papers. The findings have indicated that relevant research has focused on milk production and diseases of the udder of small ruminants; moreover, there was accumulation of relevant research in Greece in some establishments only. The findings of the study can be employed to initiate improved relevant research approaches in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silage quality remains an important issue in farming, as do limitations in the range of products suitable for animal fodder. We therefore explored the microorganisms that are critical for the fermentation quality of paper mulberry silage. Low (unwilted) and high (wilted) dry matter (DM) paper mulberry were harvested at two cutting times. These were ensiled for 0, 3, 7, 14, and 56 days, respectively. Compared with unwilted silages, wilting significantly decreased (p < 0.05) silage pH value, ammonia‐N concentration, and yeast counts but increased (p < 0.05) lactic acid content. In addition, higher (p < 0.05) crude protein (CP) contents were also observed in wilted silages. Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) analysis revealed that wilting reduced the abundance of Enterobacter, while increasing that of Lactobacillus. Single‐molecule real‐time sequencing (SMRT) revealed that the silage was enriched in the lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Lactobacillus rhamnosus after wilting, which showed a positive correlation with CP and lactic acid content. We conclude that wilting may help preserve paper mulberry silage, facilitating its use as a new fodder resource. Moreover, L. rhamnosus has the potential to be developed as a new inoculant for the modulation in wilted silages, particularly paper mulberry silage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitroxynil (NTX) is a common anthelmintic veterinary drug for the management of fascioliasis in food-producing sheep and cattle. Since excessive NTX residue in food can lead to several adverse side effects, such as allergic skin reaction and respiratory irritation, it is of great importance to develop an efficient analytical method for NTX determination. Herein, we report a simple fluorescent detection method based on a novel supramolecular probe capable of detecting NTX with a fast response (5 s), high sensitivity (107 nM), high selectivity, and acceptable anti-interference property. Moreover, the portable paper-based test strips were facilely prepared and successfully realized on-site determination of NTX in real edible animal products simply with the aid of a smartphone. To the best of our knowledge, this is the very first report on the portable detection of NTX. This study also provides a promising strategy for the fast and portable detection of analyte based on the host-guest system, which will lead to improved fluorescent probe design for food analysis. [Display omitted] • An albumin-based supramolecular probe for nitroxynil detection was reported. • This probe enabled detecting nitroxynil with fast response and high sensitivity. • A portable paper-based testing device was fabricated based on this probe. • On-site determination of nitroxynil in real food samples was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The link between news and investor decision making is widely discussed in the literature. Utilising unique U.S. firm-level news data between 1979 and 2016, we document a cross-sectional difference in the speed of the diffusion of information contained in news. We distinguish news articles as being either slowly or quickly incorporated into contemporaneous stock prices. The return spread between stocks classified according to these two types of news yields a statistically significant profit of 139 basis points per month. This abnormal return cannot be explained by other well-known risk factors and is robust when allowing for trading costs. Overall, our research refines the role of news regarding information dissemination in the financial markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In white wine production, for some grape varieties, it is beneficial to technologically reduce the concentration of the polyphenols to make the final wine less bitter and astringent. Normally, the removal of excessive polyphenols is addressed by fining the wine with polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP), a synthetic polymer, or animal proteins, which bind the tannins. However, the nowadays trend is to replace the products of animal or synthetic origin with vegetal or inorganic ones. In this paper innovative technologies based on treatments with pea protein, alone and in combinations with other vegetal or inorganic products, were tested. Also, as another innovation, the treatments were performed directly on the must, to remove some of the polyphenols before they can be oxidized. Six variants of Tamâioasa romaneasca, treated with pea proteins and combinations of agents, were compared with a non-treated variant and with the classical treatment with PVPP. The resulting wines were evaluated by professional tasters based on a complex sensory evaluation sheet and sensory profiles were determined for all variants. Multivariate statistics analysis was also applied to determine the most promising alternative treatments acceptable for the wine consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzed the evolution animal sector regarding livestock and production in Romania in the period 2007-2020. Two sub-periods: P1- 2007-2013 and P2 2014-2020 were compared for assessing if the achievements in P2 were superior. The data from the National Institute of statistics regarding livestock and production by species were processed using fixed basis index, structural index, regression equations, coefficient of determination, multi annual mean per decade, absolute and relative differences between P2 and P1, in order to emphasize the trends and changes during the studied period. The results emphasized the following: the number of bovines, pigs and poultry decreased, while the number of sheep and goats and bee families increased both in P2 and P1. The total animal live weight at slaughter diminished due to the lower and lower live weight of bovines and pigs. However, the increased live weight at slaughter of sheep, goats and poultry had a positive impact. Milk and egg production declined and continued in P2, while wool and honey production increased. Despite that agricultural production value in animal sector increased by +20,420 trillion Lei in 2020 versus 2007, it was by 68.61% smaller than the agricultural production value achieved in the vegetal sector. In consequence, the contribution of animal sector to agricultural output was just 31.39% in the year 2020. The gaps in domestic production have to be covered by imports to meet consumers' requirements and this will deepen the deficit in agro-food trade balance. The reduction of CO2 emissions in agriculture, where 50% come from animal sector, obliges farmers to set up strategies destined to promote animal products obtained from more environment friendly technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzed the EU agri-food trade based on Eurostat data in the period 2013-2022 in order establish in what measure its commerce is efficient in terms of total trade, export, import, coverage ratio, trade-to GDP, export ratio, net export, share of groups of products in export and import value, growth rate and regression equations. The results highlighted an increase in agricultural output value by 33.77% which enhanced export. The total agri-food trade increased by +61.3% in the analyzed interval, accounting for Euro 424.6 Billion in 2022. Export value reached Euro 229.1 Billion in 2022, being by 58% higher, while import value raised by 65.53%, attaining Euro 195.5 Billion. Net exports were positive and varied between Euro 25.6 Billion in 2015 and Euro 46.9 Billion, the peak attained in 2021. Also, the coverage ratio was over 100% in the whole interval. The exported amounts were higher than the imported ones till 2016, but then imports exceeded exports, except the year 2021. The average export price was superior to the average import price every year. In the analyzed interval, the average export price increased by 37.13%, while import price by 25.71%. Export ratio was over 100 ranging between 119 in 2015, 131 in 2020 and 117 in 2022. The variations in export and import quantities and values produced changes in the share of the groups of products reflecting that in 2022, the hierarchy for export was: Foodstuffs, Animal products, Vegetal products, Fats and Oils, and for import: Vegetal products, Food stuffs, Animal products and Fats and oils. A positive trade balance and coverage ratio over 100 were found in case of Animal products and Food stuffs, and a negative trade balance and a coverage ratio below 100 was registered for Vegetal products and Fats and oils. Agrifood export accounted for 42.9% in agricultural output value in 2022, but the peak was 44.6% in 2018. The regression equation Y = 0.5259 X - 46.0376 shows that an increase by Euro 1 Billion in agricultural output value could raise export value by Euro 0.52 Billion. This research work highlighted the high efficiency in the agri-food trade of the EU in the period 2013-2022. To preserve its position of world leader in agri-food trade, the EU has to continue its CAP reforms oriented to a high performance from an economic, social, environment and food security point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses how a consumer social movement employs prefigurative practices to resist a dominant market logic and drive market changes in the here and now. We based our research on one year of ethnographic fieldwork with vegetarian and animal welfare activists embedded in a cultural milieu that predominantly supports the consumption of animal products. We used the storytelling method for the description and data analysis. Our findings reveal that activists challenge the market logic of animal abuse in three ways. First, they work to revolutionise the so-called meat culture. Second, they pro-actively demand laws that protect animal rights. Third, they establish singular modes of community-based exchange that detach themselves from the doxa of the consumption of animal products. By opposing the mainstream culture, the mainstream policy and the mainstream marketplace, these activists develop influential arenas of consumption that resemble their ideal world and impact the market as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents experimental and statistical research carried out on products from the category of animal resources from the mountain area, especially those with the character of functional foods such as yogurt, kefir and sana. The purpose of analyzing these products resides in their qualitative, quantitative, territorial and agronomic development. The mountain area offers a healthier ecosystem than other areas, through the lens of a less polluted ecosystem. The soil is an important dimension in the realization of the mentioned animal products, but for higher quality results the entire ecosystem must meet certain standards, which is valid in the case of the mountain area. The paper presents experimental research carried out on the mentioned animal products, agronomic research on the traditional production of these products (traditional products are the best sellers), as well as statistical research on their distribution in the Romanian mountain area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of quality of animal products is one of the most relevant for consumers. based on the characteristics of our country are the product of everyday meat and dairy products, which make up most of the minimum consumer basket of Kazakhstan's population. In experiments were used as the sample locally produced and imported from neighboring countries. Product quality control shows the current situation on the food market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Processing is an inevitable step in the manufacturing of animal-based foods (ABF) and animal by-products (ABP). However, our society has reached a point where our food systems have reached unsustainable levels. The impact of ABF/ABP processing on sustainability has been arguably overlooked in comparison with production. This perspective paper aims to discuss and identify research gaps regarding the assessments of the sustainability of ABF/ABF processing. First, we describe why processing techniques can have various levels of complexity, with uses that are more or less impactful on the environment depending on the products and possible synergies. In the second part, we review how impacts on sustainability have been evaluated at global and local scales using life cycle assessments (LCA). To contribute to such an approach, we suggest novel or recently introduced types of indicators that would improve future LCA studies by capturing relevant information. In the third part, we encourage a systemic view of sustainability by considering the complexity of the whole supply chains of ABF and ABP. We highlight the current gaps or challenges in evaluating sustainability across supply chains and point the readers toward recent studies that address these limitations. We hope this perspective will help improve the design of academic and industrial studies or evaluation of ABF and ABP sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of farming communities worldwide to provide balanced diets for the growing world population is enunciated clearly in the second of the United Nation's sustainable development goals, namely 'End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture'. Success will be dependent on our ability to preserve the economic sustainability of livestock production in small-holder farming systems which will require regenerative approaches to reverse land degradation and retain biodiversity. Animal products are important components of world food baskets because their nutrient profile most closely resembles the dietary requirements of mankind. Key micronutrients, including iron, vitamin A, vitamin B12, zinc and iodine, are more readily available from animal-sourced foods, which are critical for a balanced diet for those with higher nutrient requirements such as growing children and pregnant and lactating women. The developing Asian economy of Laos, together with that of the Pacific Island nations of Vanuatu and Samoa provide some interesting contrasts in servicing the nutritional needs of their predominantly rural populations as their respective governments address the issues of undernutrition and hidden hunger. The paper explores some of the challenges that governments face in sustaining resilient animal production to supply essential nutrients for food baskets across our region. These include the broader contexts of resource availability, education, cultural traditions, socioeconomic status, gender equality and women's empowerment. The role of animal products in providing balanced diets to minimise nutrient deficiencies in the peoples of Laos, Vanuatu and Samoa is reviewed in this perspective. This article belongs to the Collection Sustainable Animal Agriculture for Developing Countries 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Intellectual property right constitutes play a forceful role to promote economic growth and create a fortune. However, it is not yet clear to what extent the agricultural intellectual property rights represented by geographical indications of agricultural products (AGIs) can affect the development of regional economy. The purpose of this paper is to analyze this impact and its mechanism as well as to draw policy implications from this empirical analysis. Design/methodology/approach: Using county-level panel data from 2006 to 2020, this paper employed the difference-in-differences (DID) model. Findings: The authors find that AGIs can significantly improve economic development at the county level. The AGIs can stimulate the flow of commercial and industrial capital to the countryside, thus fueling county-level economic development. Unlike AGIs for cereals and cash crops, AGIs for aquatic products and animal products cannot influence or have a negative impact on county-level economic. Compared with Eastern regions, the acquisition of AGIs in Western regions can more significantly boost county-level economic development. Therefore, AGIs can pronouncedly narrow down the gap of cross-county economic growth. Originality/value: Conclusions of this paper can provide references for building the county-level countryside into a main ground of agricultural economic development and brand construction, continuously promoting the agricultural supply-front structural reform and boosting realization of all-around rural revitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There was lively debate of some key issues at an online meeting of BVA Council on 20 April (see pages 346 and 348). Other matters discussed included two new BVA position papers and potential changes to BVA governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cattle breeding is a very important branch of agriculture because it provides a large volume of animal products needed by humans, a large share of raw material for the food industry and light industry. The achievement of increased production and higher quality in line with market requirements is the focus of livestock specialists who, through their research work, contribute to the improvement and refinement of breeding, maintenance, feeding and breeding technologies. The present study aimed to analyse the influence of the feed ration administered to cattle, in a dairy cow breeding farm in the South-Eastern Romania, on milk production but also the economic calculation of feed costs to obtain one litre of milk. The ration is designed and formulated according to the needs of the cattle categories, their health, productive performance and age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of sustainable development appeared in the attempt to reconcile agri-food production with measures to conserve non-renewable resources, but also the attempt to protect the environment, and in this process the farmer has an important role given the effects that specific activities have so much on the environment. Because of this, more and more actors involved in this process, from farmers to consumers, but also politicians have begun to pay more attention to organic farming, as an advantageous means of reconciliation between man and nature. In this paper we aim to analyze the production costs recorded in six crops, both in the case of applying the conventional production system and in the case of applying the ecological system in Romania, in order to determine the profitability of those crops. The research methodology involved the use of existing data in domestic and international databases, but also data collected through the project ADER 23.1.1. Technical and economic substantiation of the production costs and estimates regarding the capitalization prices of the main vegetal and animal products, obtained in conventional system and in ecological agriculture, data that were processed, analyzed and which formed the basis for formulating conclusions. The conclusion was that sugar beet and sunflower are profitable crops both in the conventional and organic system, while rape, soybean, rice and hemp registered losses which have to be covered by subsidies. Income depends on production performance and selling price, in the both systems, and case of organic products is inversely proportional. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

T-2 is one of the most toxic type A trichothecene mycotoxins produced by several fusarium species, which causes a deep harm to the immune system, liver, kidney and brain cells. It is widely found in cereals, cereal products and animal feed. Consequently, it is very important to establish a rapid, efficient and low-cost method for detecting T-2 toxin. In this study, a time-resolved fluorescent immunotomography (TRFIA) paper-based sensor was established. Sheep anti-mouse IgG can protect monoclonal antibody and amplify fluorescence signal. Polystyrene fluorescent microspheres were combined with sheep anti-mouse IgG to prepare fluorescent probes (IgG@Eu). During the detection process, the target-specific monoclonal antibody binds to fluorescence probe (IgG@Eu) to form a complex (mAb-IgG@Eu), which is then captured by the target substance and fixed on the C line. The uncaptured complex (mAb-IgG@Eu) is fixed on the T line by the original coating. Monoclonal antibody can protect its activity by indirect binding with Eu fluorescent beads (FBS). This labeling method improved the binding ratio between the fluorescent microspheres and the monoclonal antibodies. The results of the test strip were compared with liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), and showed low test line and high recovery rate. With the outstanding augment response, the limit of detection reached 0.01 ng/mL and a wide linear range from 0.0625 to 50 ng/mL was presented. Experimental results show that the detection limit was 0.052 ng/mL and 0.071 ng/mL in corn substrate and feed substrate. The recoveries were between 95.31 and 119.03%, and the relative standard deviations were less than 6.02%. The method was verified by LC–MS/MS, and the results showed that the method had good accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, Cr (8 μm)/Ta (3 μm) bilayer coatings deposited on a Zr-1Nb alloy substrate were investigated and compared with a Cr-coated alloy under high-temperature steam oxidation at 1200–1400 °C. The bilayer coatings with α- and β-Ta interlayers were obtained by magnetron sputtering. The Cr/Ta-coated samples were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and optical microscopy (OM). The coating with an α-Ta interlayer can suppress the interdiffusion of chromium and zirconium more effectively up to 1330 °C in comparison with the coating having a β-Ta interlayer. The weight gain of the α-Ta-coated samples after oxidation at 1200 °C for 2000 s was 5–6 times lower than that of the Cr-coated Zr alloy samples. Oxidation at 1400 °C for 120 s showed no significant difference in the weight gain of the Cr- and Cr/Ta-coated Zr-1Nb alloy samples. It was shown that the effect of suppression of Zr-Cr interdiffusion by the barrier coating (α- and β-Ta) is only short-term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because they hold information about cultural identity, foodways have been the focus of a variety of disciplines in archaeology. However, each approach documents different stages of culinary preparation and is constrained by the preservation specificities of each type of artefact and ecofact. Difficulties in achieving an interdisciplinary approach may explain the scarcity of such studies. In this paper, we propose a methodology that combines archaeozoological, carpological and microbotanical analysis of ecofacts retrieved in the sediment, with use-alteration, organic residue and microbotanical analysis carried out on pottery vessels, recovered during the excavation of a XXth century archaeological dump site in Lower Casamance (Senegal). The results demonstrate the strength of this multiproxy approach in reconstructing past foodways by characterising the importance of aquatic, terrestrial animals and plant products in the Diola Kassa diet. In addition, this study questions the modalities of food transformation by assessing the preparation techniques of animal and vegetal products (cutting marks, heating processes etc.) and the function of pottery vessels (transport, storage, cooking etc.). Aquatic products and rice were a significant part of the diet of the users of the dump (from archaeozoology, carpology, phytoliths and organic residue analysis) and wet cooking (boiling?), salty and acidic foods seem to have been particularly prevalent (from use-alteration). The absence of specific animal and plant parts in the archaeological record, as well as some pottery function, is also questioned. Beyond gathering the results of each approach, this study focuses on the interweaving of different research methods to depict past foodscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finding out how diet impacts health and metabolism while concentrating on the functional qualities and bioactive components of food is the crucial scientific objective of nutritional research. The complex relationship between metabolism and nutrition could be investigated with cutting-edge "omics" and bioinformatics techniques. This review paper provides an overview of the use of omics technologies in nutritional research, with a particular emphasis on the new applications of transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and genomes in functional and biological activity research on ruminant livestock and products in the tropical regions. A wealth of knowledge has been uncovered regarding the regulation and use of numerous physiological and pathological processes by gene, mRNA, protein, and metabolite expressions under various physiological situations and guidelines. In particular, the components of meat and milk were assessed using omics research utilizing the various methods of transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and genomes. The goal of this review is to use omics technologies—which have been steadily gaining popularity as technological tools—to develop new nutritional, genetic, and leadership strategies to improve animal products and their quality control. We also present an overview of the new applications of omics technologies in cattle production and employ nutriomics and foodomics technologies to investigate the microbes in the rumen ecology. Thus, the application of state-of-the-art omics technology may aid in our understanding of how species and/or breeds adapt, and the sustainability of tropical animal production, in the long run, is becoming increasingly important as a means of mitigating the consequences of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global population growth in recent decades, combined with evolving industrialization, and climate change has an immediate negative impact on the environment. Organic farming is a widespread alternative production practice having serious interrelationship with the society, economy, and ecology state worldwide. The aim of this scientific research is to prove the organic agriculture as an environmental protection approach. The paper is also an appeal to farmers, citizens, scientists, and governments for more understanding, applying, and supporting the organic farming to spare the nature. Organic farming today is close to the agriculture practiced by our ancestors. Namely, the production of agricultural products and animal husbandry in a way that protects human health and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of current crises, the competitiveness of Moldova's agri-food exports emerges as a primary topic of interest, given that they account for over 50% of the nation's total exports. This study investigates the competitiveness of Moldova's agri-food exports compared to three EU candidate countries - Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine - and two EU member states - Poland and Romania. Using the Balassa Index, it analyzes the comparative advantages of these nations in the agri-food sector, with particular attention to the sub-categories of food products and vegetables. The results indicate a high competitiveness of Moldova in the exports of food products and vegetables, while the category of animal products shows comparative disadvantages. The study contributes to the literature by highlighting the dynamics of comparative advantages and recommends focusing on the development of the agri-food processing industry to improve the external trade structure. The research emphasizes the need for a strategic approach in adapting and integrating national agricultural and food systems into global value chains to maximize economic benefits in a changing regional and global landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in hard artificial structures in the marine environment is contributing to ocean sprawl. As well as adding hard structure to the seabed, mussel aquaculture adds rope droppers and anchor lines to the water column, where such structure would otherwise be absent. This paper aims to monitor the effects of mussel headlines on the pelagic fish community over time, as well as to investigate whether there is an interaction between the age of cultivated mussels with the number of epibiota species and the abundance of pelagic fishes. Two surveys were carried out: a time series monitoring survey to assess whether the mussel headlines change the surrounding fish species relative to control areas over time, and a fish aggregation device effect survey to investigate whether older and larger mussels support greater abundances of pelagic fishes and epibiota. The most abundant fish species was Atlantic horse mackerel, Trachurus trachurus, with significantly greater numbers recorded around ropes growing older mussels. Results from the surveys show that the physical farm infrastructure has provided a substrate for colonisation by a variety of epibiota: A total of 21 species were recorded growing on the mussel ropes. Furthermore, the older and larger the mussels become, the greater the numbers of epibiota taxa that can colonise, coupled with a greater abundance of pelagic fish recorded around the ropes. The sustainable development of offshore Blue Industries is essential to produce renewable resources. This study brings essential evidence for marine managers and regulators that offshore mussel farming can provide benefits for pelagic and benthic species of both conservation and commercial importance while producing sustainable protein to feed a growing population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate assessment of vitamin A in animal feed and tissues is vital for safeguarding animal well-being and ensuring high-quality nutritional feed. However, challenges in achieving precise results persist, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the influencing factors. This review delves into the historical progression of analytical techniques, from colorimetric assays and spectrophotometry to advanced chromatographic methods and non-destructive spectroscopic approaches. Factors influencing analytical precision are scrutinized, encompassing sample preparation, storage conditions, interfering substances, and human errors. The crucial role of quality control and standardized protocols in ensuring the reproducibility and reliability of results is emphasized. Moreover, this review highlights the need for tailored analytical approaches to account for the complexities of sample matrices and the significance of cutting-edge technologies, including on-site analysis and data science integration, in enhancing analytical precision. By acknowledging the challenges and prospects in vitamin A analysis, this paper provides insights for optimizing analytical methodologies and promoting animal welfare and product safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of food and feed is more and more in the first place of research, being tightly related to the health state of humans and animals. Due to these features, antibiotics used in animals are no longer agreed to be used, and natural supplements are encouraged to be used to increase the meat's nutritional quality. One of the natural immunoglobulins used as a replacement for antibiotics is egg yolk immunoglobulin Y (IgY), which is added in diet supplementation for feeding animals. The combination of probiotics and other substances with an immunological role, especially some natural immunoglobulins - such as IgY, has multiple advantages. Thus, it can be increased meat production, improve the immunological status of animals which decreases the stress effects, improve infection resistance, increase the quality of carcasses - which implicitly also leads to economic growth, and also obtaining animal products without the addition of antibiotics or growth stimulants, or even obtaining organic products. There are several cost-effective methods to extract natural immunoglobulin IgY from egg yolk: using dextran blue, polyethylene glycol, chloroform, and cryo-ethanol treatment followed by precipitation with ammonium sulfate. In this paper, we will present some features regarding the methods of extracting IgY immunoglobulins from the egg yolk, the way of using these immunoglobulins in animal breeding and improvement technologies, as well as the biotechnological advantages that derive from the use of this natural product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of antimicrobial residues in animal products must be lower than maxim residue level (MRL), other way may have adverse effects on consumer health such as allergic reactions and resistance development. Withdrawal periods are used to avoid animas to be slaughter before the concentration of MRL declines with respect for public health's and waste food. The paper investigates the use of oxytetracycline in pigs and poultry with a focus on the differences on the withdrawal periods for different products used in Romania. The original question is whether compliance with the withdrawal period can be used to judge compliance with the MRL and its applicability for pigs and poultry industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raising animals at the household level occupies an important place in the rural economy, providing families with a relatively constant income and a source of food. The demand for organic products of animal origin, the prohibition or limitation use of medicinal substances for various treatments and the search for alternatives to feed additives, are the key factors that determine the pursuit for natural solutions to increase milk production. Herbal spices can influence the way animals are fed and ultimately have the beneficial effect of stimulating the level of secretory tissue of the mammary gland, which would result in an improvement in milk production. The paper aims to contribute to the review of various studies on galactogenic plants with effect on milk production. The study considered the follow-up of research published in the last few years. Galactogenic plants have triggered a special interest because of their availability, low cost and no toxic residues left in milk. Phyto-pharmacological research on medicinal plants can contribute to the discovery of some new ways of using galactogenic plants in the diet of dairy animals. Following the bibliographic study carried out in the paper, it was established that there are several milk-producing species that can be fed galactogenic effect plants (cows, goats, sheep, buffaloes) and there are a series of medicinal plants more common in making feed mixtures in order to stimulate the growth of milk production (Asparagus racemosus, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Cuminum cyminum, Carum carvi, Nigella sativa). Researches about natural alternatives to increase milk production in dairy animals is still limited. It is necessary to carry out further studies about plants with a galactogenic effect on the physiology of milk production in livestock species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper offers an exploratory review of how the UK's leading food retailers have publicly addressed animal welfare. The findings reveal that six interlinked themes, namely, strategic corporate commitment, animal welfare as good business policy, a focus on supply chains, policies on specific categories of animals and animal products, antibiotics, and auditing, illustrated the food retailers' approach to animal welfare. The authors raise a range of issues about the companies approach to animal welfare, including the aspirational nature of their commitments, the emphasis on regular audits, the role of external assurance in the reporting process, animal welfare pressure groups, and the impact of COVID-19. The paper offers an accessible review how some of the UK's leading food retailers have publicly addressed the issue of animal welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In India, mental health rehabilitation centers run income generation programs (IGP) for therapeutic engagement, skills training, and income generation of clients. The centers have evolved IGP models relevant to their settings. There is a paucity of published literature on practices employed by the centers. Methods: This paper compiles data gathered from visits to 13 centers between November 2018 and April 2019. Information was collected through observation and interviews with staff involved in IGP, using a semi-structured pro forma designed for study. Results: Most centers were based in south India (n = 11) and urban areas (n = 12). Each center ran two to seven IGP. Each center involved 20–50 clients in IGP. Clients involved in IGP were aged 20–60 years. The centers ran a range of IGP, including the manufacturing of household consumables, paper products, textile products, handicraft products, food products, and jute products; animal husbandry and horticulture initiatives; and running cafeterias and petty shops. IGP were mostly selected based on market demand and sales value of products (n = 11); ease of doing (n = 5); interests, abilities, exposure, and experience of clients (n = 5); and availability of resources (n = 3). Products were priced primarily to cover input and labor costs (n = 8), and many centers sold products below the market rates (n = 5). Running stalls during public events was a common strategy for the sale of products (n = 9). Personal contacts and "word of mouth" publicity were used for advertisement (n = 6). Four centers involved family members in IGP. Conclusion: The nature of IGP varied in terms of setting, available resources, and profile of clients availing the services. Marketing and sales were a challenge. A supportive framework of policies and schemes is essential to promote IGP at mental health rehabilitation centers. This report may be helpful for professionals and centers planning to set up an IGP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The increase in the intensity of livestock industries, by improving the technology of animal product manufacturing, largely depends on the correct organization of herd reproduction and the intensity of using the biological capabilities of the animal organism. Various diseases, including such common diseases as mastitis, complicate the successful reproduction and growth of enterprise productivity. The widespread use of antibiotic-containing drugs for the treatment of mastitis creates a number of inevitable consequences for the body. The relevance of the study is due to the fact that the residual content of antibiotics in the collected milk after the course of treatment poses a serious danger to human health and reduces the quality of dairy products obtained from such milk. Aim: The authors set the task of developing a new, antibiotic-free method of treating bovine mastitis. This paper is devoted to the problem of improving methods of treating the subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle by alternative methods during the interlactation period. Methods: The leading method for the study of this problem is an experimental method that allows to develop and test a veterinary homeopathic substance for the treatment of subclinical mastitis in cows during the interlactation period. Results: This paper presents materials on the typification of microflora in the milk of cows with subclinical mastitis and the effectiveness of a veterinary homeopathic substance developed by the authors. The use of the veterinary homeopathic substance provided a high therapeutic effect, and did not cause side effects and complications in cows. Conclusion: The resulting veterinary substance was tested and introduced into the "Izhevskiy" natural complex of Akmola region as a new alternative method of treating subclinical mastitis in cows. Based on this substance, a drug for the treatment of mastitis will be developed and proposed for production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The myostatin (MSTN) gene is a negative regulator of animal muscle growth and development. This gene not only inhibits muscle cell growth and reduces fat accumulation but also exerts a significant effect on back fat thickness, birth weight and carcass traits. MSTN gene mutation, an important factor that influences economic traits, directly affects the growth and development of animals and consequently the quality of animal products. This paper reviews the structural and functional characteristics of the MSTN gene. The genetic variation of the MSTN gene is then compared among four domestic animals (cattle, sheep, goat and pig) and its correlation with important economic traits is analysed. The mechanism and structural characteristics of MSTN gene mutants are further discussed. This paper provides explication on the application of MSTN gene research in breeding and its importance to the advancement of animal husbandry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Alternative proteins, including plant-based and cell-based meat and dairy analogues, are discursively positioned as a new form of meat and dairy and as a solution to the myriad of issues associated with conventional animal agriculture. Animal agricultural industries across various nations have resisted this positioning in regulatory spaces by advocating for laws that restrict the use of meat and dairy terms on the labels of alternative proteins products. Underlying this contestation are differing understandings of, and vested interests in, desirable futures for animal agriculture. In Australia, this broader contestation led to a national-level inquiry by a Senate parliamentary committee entitled Definitions of meat and other animal products (the Inquiry). This paper reports findings from a study of the problematizations developed through the Inquiry using a framework for policy discourse analysis referred to as Bacchi's 'What's the Problem Represented to be' methodology. It shows how the dominant discourse throughout the Inquiry moved away from the initial problematization of alternative proteins as a threat to animal agriculture. Instead, both industries were ultimately positioned as not in competition and only labelling laws were problematized with the solution being amendments to ensure 'consumer clarity'. This outcome ignored a range of alternative problematizations related to the ethical, environmental, health, social and economic issues raised by animal agriculture and by alternative proteins. This lack of scrutiny benefits both industries, by closing off the policy discourse to consideration of a range of alternative interests, voices, and potential solutions, such as stricter health and welfare regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delineates a distinctly post-1960s expression of hunger and desire for food in Cuban and Egyptian cultural production. Hunger has always been present in aesthetic renditions of everyday life in both locales. Following the early-1960s socialist expansion of the role of the state, a new expression of hunger for animal protein emerged that relied on vegetarian tropes and parodied official discourse. Expressions of this "new hunger" captured the contradictory state of being conditioned, through state food programs, to see the consumption of animal products as the epitome of a healthy diet that endows one with the status of being "developed" and "modern" while simultaneously not being afforded satisfactory access to those food items due to conditions beyond one's individual control. In such contexts, the average citizen is primarily vegetarian and not by choice, while those with access to power live the promised dream of carnivorous plenty. This article analyzes several political speeches, cartoons, jokes, and songs to map the rhetorical and aesthetic characteristics of such satiric expressions and demonstrate how they were informed by the growing gap between early revolutionary official promises of food for all and actual food shortages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global environmental impact of rising consumption of animal products presents significant challenges to sustainable land use. One alternative to the production of animal products is a set of technologies for culturing meat and dairy alternatives referred to as "cellular agriculture"; in the case of dairy, "cellular dairy". Optimism around the benefits of these technologies is widespread, and they fit within a larger narrative of land sparing, in which high‐yield farming allows the protection of habitats and the return of fallow land to ecological uses. However, questions remain as to whether cellular dairy is truly land sparing because although lab dairy could offer significant ecological benefits, these could be countered by increases in agricultural activity in other regions for the production of feedstocks. In addition, considerations around broader impacts to individuals, communities, and the environment are needed to understand whether/how cellular dairy aligns or conflicts with local, regional, and global sustainability goals. This paper employs the concept of telecoupling, which refers to socioeconomic and environmental interactions over distances, to examine the potential cellular dairy may have for contributing to sustainable food production and consumption. The research uses British Columba, Canada as a case study, and it explores three policy scenarios: (1) incentives for the growth of a cellular dairy industry, (2) cellular dairy incentivization with eco‐certification, and (3) cellular dairy incentivization with local sourcing of feedstock. The work is exploratory rather than predictive, meaning rather than forecasting outcomes, it stimulates ideas on potential direct and indirect impacts, feedback processes, and social and institutional changes associated with each scenario. The research demonstrates that exploring scenarios through a telecoupling lens can be useful for policy‐makers and analysts because it facilitates comprehensive and multi‐scalar thinking on the ecological, social, economic, and political factors associated with different policy options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Red sea bream iridoviral disease (RSIVD) generates serious economic losses by causing mass mortality events of rock bream during the season with high water temperature in the Republic of Korea and other Asian countries. However, very few studies have investigated RSIV kinetics in rock bream under various rearing water temperatures. In this paper, we investigated the viral load shedding of RSIV into seawater after artificially infecting rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) with the virus. Overall, our data suggest that the viral load shedding of RSIV into seawater varies depending on water temperature and virus inoculation concentration. Our results reveal the potential of non-invasive virus detection approaches, such as the utilization of environmental DNA in fish farms. In addition, we showed that the quantitative analysis of seawater viruses can indirectly improve our understanding of disease progression in fish, potentially contributing to enhanced disease control. Red sea bream iridoviral disease (RSIVD) causes serious economic losses in the aquaculture industry. In this paper, we evaluated RSIV kinetics in rock bream under various rearing water temperatures and different RSIV inoculation concentrations. High viral copy numbers (approximately 103.7–106.7 RSIV genome copies/L/g) were observed during the period of active fish mortality after RSIV infection at all concentrations in the tanks (25 °C and 20 °C). In the group injected with 104 RSIV genome copies/fish, RSIV was not detected at 21–30 days post-infection (dpi) in the rearing seawater. In rock bream infected at 15 °C and subjected to increasing water temperature (1 °C/d until 25 °C) 3 days later, the virus replication rate and number of viral copies shed into the rearing seawater increased. With the decrease in temperature (1 °C/d) from 25 to 15 °C after the infection, the virus replicated rapidly and was released at high loads on the initial 3–5 dpi, whereas the number of viral copies in the fish and seawater decreased after 14 dpi. These results indicate that the number of viral copies shed into the rearing seawater varies depending on the RSIV infection level in rock bream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the impacts of the Farm to Fork strategy (F2F) target of 25% organic farmland by 2030 in the EU using a farm level model. Two approaches are deployed to model conversion to organic agriculture. The first one, the endogenous approach, operates under the assumption that farm conversions to organic production result from assessing the utility difference between organic and conventional production systems. The exogenous approach relies on econometric estimation of the likelihood of farms to convert to organic driven by a combination of monetary and non-monetary drivers. The simulated impacts of the F2F target at the EU level vary depending on the chosen methodology. Gross income changes range from +3.8% under the endogenous approach to -1.3% under the exogenous approach. Both approaches forecast decreased production (-0.5% to -15%) for most crops and animal products upon achieving the organic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of emerging technologies often focus on disagreements between the technology's proponents and opponents. However, to understand the dynamics of an evolving technology, it is also useful to look at debates going on among stakeholders involved in a technology's creation and promotion. This paper presents a content analysis of videos and transcripts of arguably the most important conferences on alternative animal products, the Good Food Conferences of 2018 and 2019. The project's goal is to empirically sort out and analyze debates among those interested in and engaged with this technology. A considerable range of topics are covered at these conferences--in addition to many internal disagreements. Coding categories are created and discussed, along with two debates that took place during each year of the conferences studied. This paper aims to use internal disagreements and debates at the Good Food Conferences to highlight how the alternative animal product space is attempting to construct itself as an industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consequently, the animals are not only better equipped to endure potential health challenges but also thrive, achieving their growth potential and manifesting their genetic traits to the fullest, showing the profound correlation between the growth performance and nutritional quality of animal diets. Feeding strategies play a crucial role in determining the nutritional quality of animal products. The findings of this study highlighted the advantageous impact of the investigated feed additives on health status by reducing total cholesterol levels when compared with synthetic feed additives. Animal health is a comprehensive concept that encompasses various factors that contribute to the overall well-being of animals, with a critical focus on gut health and the immune system. [Extracted from the article]

The enhancement mechanism of the fillet on brazing joints is of great significance for vacuum brazing technology. Although a lot of research on the enhancement mechanism of the fillet has been carried out, some key components of a comprehensive systematic enhancement mechanism for brazing fillets have yet to be established. In this paper, the enhancement mechanism for brazing fillets of SS304/pure copper brazing joints was studied by both experimental and numerical simulations. The SEM and tensile experiments were used to characterize the microstructure and shear strength of the brazing joints. The results show that the brazing joints, using 60 µm thick pure copper filler metal, exhibit a good microstructure in the brazing seam; however, its mechanical properties are lower than those found in specimens with a thickness of 90 µm. The fracture behaviors of brazing joints were also investigated, the fracture of the brazing seam was a fracture of mode II due to shear stress, while the fracture of the brazing fillet was caused by a combination of tensile stress and shear stress (mode I and mode II). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]