Search

This study examined the effect of LED light colors and intensities on production performance and economic feasibility of 720 Babcock® White layers. The layer birds were reared for 13 weeks from 17 to 30 weeks of age during the layer production cycle. Light treatments of 6 different colors, i.e., cool white (control group), red, blue, green, yellow, and warm white light with 3 different levels of light intensities (15, 20 and 25 lx), were provided. Weekly growth parameters, egg production, egg quality characters and economics were evaluated. Hormonal profile (FSH, LH, GnRH, estrogen, progesterone, cortisol) and antibody titers against Newcastle Disease (ND) and Infectious Bronchitis (IB) were also evaluated. The graphical presentation was done by Origin Pro 2024. The results showed that red light increased feed intake (p < 0.05) but led to lower body weights and inefficient feed conversion ratios (FCR), whereas birds under warm white light at 25 lx gained higher weight (p < 0.05), had better FCR (1.89 in the 30th week), laid more eggs (97.34% by the 30th week), with improved egg quality (p < 0.05). Mortality rates and hormonal levels also varied notably with light conditions, with warm white light showing the lowest mortality (p < 0.05) and optimal hormonal balances conducive to productivity. Birds kept under yellow and warm white light having 15 lx intensity may be applied during (17–30) weeks of age to reduce the cost of production for better profitability in commercial layer farming in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant differences in life-history traits between the southern population (S) and northern (N) population of the cabbage beetle Colaphellus bowringi make it an excellent model for studying inheritance in this insect. In the present study, we observed the life-history traits of pure strains, F1, reciprocal backcross and reciprocal F2 progeny under a photoperiod of L:D 15:9 h at 22 °C. The S population had shorter larval development time, longer pupal time, higher body weight, growth rate and weight loss compared with the N population. In the F1 testing, the larval development time and body weight in hybrid populations were intermediate between the parents, and the paternal parents played a greater role in determining the larval development time, while the maternal parents exhibited a greater role in determining the body weight. The pupal time of hybrid populations was significantly shorter than that of the parents. In the reciprocal backcross testing, both father and grandfather affected the larval development time, while both mother and grandmother affected the body weight. Consistently, in the reciprocal F2 cross testing, the grandfather was more influential in determining the larval development time, and grandmother was more important in determining the body weight. In all tested populations, females had greater body weight, higher growth rate and weight loss than males. Hybridization pattern did not affect sex dimorphism and sex ratio. Overall, these findings suggest that different pathways (maternal or paternal effects) were involved in the inheritance of various life-history traits in C. bowringi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five species of Alexandrium (A. affine, A. fraterculus, A. leei, A. pseudogonyaulax, and A. tamiyavanichii) are commonly found in Vietnamese waters. They were distinguished based on their apical pore complex (A.P.C), precingular first plate (1′), ventral pore (Vp), and sulcal platelets. A genetic analysis was conducted using nuclear rDNA sequences of ITS and LSU (D1–D3, D8–D10). The growth rates of A. fraterculus, A. leei, A. tamiyavanichii, and A. pseudogonyaulax were quite similar. Specifically, these four species had the highest growth rates at two temperature levels of 24 °C and 27 °C, at salinities ranging from 25 psu to 35 psu. Furthermore, these species were able to adapt to a low salinity of 20 psu at temperatures from 18 °C to 27 °C. No Paralytic Shellfish Toxins (PSTs) were found in the two Alexandrium affine strains, VINVN01-1 and VINVN01-2. The detection limit for PSTs ranged from 0.45 to 15.5 fg cell−1, depending on the molecular response and available biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA methylation is a critical mechanism for regulating gene expression in bacteria and plays an essential role in bacterial pathogenesis. A mutant, WC1535ΔhsdM, lacking hsdM encoding a DNA methyltransferase was constructed using homologous recombination technology. The growth, hemolytic activity, and capsule formation of the mutant were analyzed. The dynamic distribution of the wild-type (WT) and mutant strains in tilapia tissues after artificial infection was determined. The adhesion, invasion, anti-phagocytic, and whole-blood survival abilities of the WT and mutant strains were analyzed. Tilapia were intraperitoneally injected with the WT or mutant strains, and the LD50 values were determined. The expression levels of the immune-related genes in tilapia were analyzed by qRT-PCR. The mutant showed faster growth during the logarithmic growth period (5–10 h) and lower hemolytic activity than the WT strain. Mutant loads in tilapia tissues were significantly lower than those of the WT strain. Mutant strain adhesion to epithelial cells was significantly reduced, it was more easily engulfed by macrophages, and it had decreased intracellular survival. The LD50 of the mutant was 2.06 times higher than that of the WT strain, indicating decreased pathogenicity. Expression levels of immune-related genes IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in tilapia induced by the mutant were lower than those by the WT strain. In conclusion, the WC1535ΔhsdM mutant exhibited an increased growth rate and decreased hemolytic activity, tissue colonization, and pathogenicity, indicating that HsdM could regulate S. agalactiae growth and pathogenicity. This study provides new insights into the pathogenesis of piscine S. agalactiae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Business Consultant / Poslovni Konsultant is the property of FINconsult Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Bamboo, characterized by its high growth speed and short maturation period, occupies 0.875% of the global forest area and significantly contributes to terrestrial carbon cycling. The state of shoot growth can essentially indicate a bamboo forests' health and productivity. This study explored the potential of backpack laser scanning (BLS) for monitoring the growth of Moso bamboo shoots (Phyllostachys edulis), a key economic species in subtropical China. Initially, the accuracy of BLS in extracting attributes of bamboo and shoots (including diameter at breast height (DBH), height, and real-world coordinates) was validated. An optimized method was developed to address the lower precision of BLS in extracting the DBH for thinner species. Subsequently, this research analyzed the impact of spatial structure and other indicators on shoot emergence stage and growth rate using a random forest model. The results indicate that BLS can accurately extract Moso bamboo and shoot height (RMSE = 0.748 m) even in dense bamboo forests. After optimization, the error in DBH extraction significantly decreased (RMSE = 0.835 cm), with the average planar and elevation errors for Moso bamboo being 0.227 m and 0.132 m, respectively. The main indicators affecting the coordinate error of Moso bamboo were the distance to the start (DS) and the distance to the trajectory (DT). The emergence time of shoots was mainly influenced by the surrounding Moso bamboo quantity, with the leaf area index (LAI) and competition index (CI) positively related to the growth rate of shoots. The importance ranking of spatial structure for the carbon storage of shoots was similar to that of the growth rate of shoots, with both identifying LAI as the most significant indicator. This study has validated the value of BLS in monitoring the growth of shoots, providing a theoretical support for the sustainable management and conservation of bamboo forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In boreal and temperate forests, symbiotroph and saprotroph soil fungi must survive months of low temperatures or freezing during winter. In the temperate biome, this is particularly the case for high-elevation mountain forests. Soil freezing is thus an important stress factor in these forests. The objective of this study was to assess how temperature and freezing conditions affect the growth and survival of symbiotic and saprotrophic fungi. To assess the cold and freezing tolerance of ectomycorrhizal (EM) and saprotrophic (SAP) fungi, we conducted a study from 2021 to 2023, using isolates from forests located at lower and high-elevation mountain sites, as well as from forests in Mongolia, at altitudes ranging from 525 m to 1800 m. The isolates were grown in vitro at temperatures of 22, 15, and 4 °C and exposed to freezing conditions at −4 or −18 °C. The response to temperature and freezing was determined based on radial growth. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) reduction was used to measure relative metabolic activity and viability. Fungi that originated from higher-elevation mountain sites, and thus colder climate conditions, tended to have a lower response to temperature and a higher tolerance to freezing. We could find no evidence of a higher freezing tolerance among different exploration types of ectomycorrhizal fungi. Sensitivity to low temperatures appears to be taxa-specific rather than exploration-type-specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ascidians have successfully colonized numerous environments around the world. Despite the broad knowledge on distribution and population dynamics of introduced ascidians in man-made environments, little is known about these same traits in natural environments. Styela clava, an ascidian originally described from northeast Asia, was introduced in San Matías Gulf, Northern Patagonia Argentina, around 2013. The aim of the present study was to examine the spatio-temporal variability of population traits and growth rates over two years, through monthly field samplings at two contrasting intertidal sites (exposed vs. sheltered) in San Matías Gulf. We also considered two environment types: tidal pools and rocky ledges. Additionally, we extended the annual samplings for another 4 years, as part of a monitoring program for the species. Population density was higher on rocky ledges than in tidal pools in the two sites studied. Annual densities of S. clava increased on rocky ledges in both sites. The length frequency distribution was uni- or bimodal at the exposed site, whereas at the sheltered site it showed a bi- or trimodal pattern. In the exposed site, two-peak recruitment occurred, while at the sheltered site, up to three peaks were observed, suggesting that S. clava could reproduce at least twice a year. The growth rates did vary spatio-temporally in a year. These results highlight the plasticity of S. clava, which allows it to colonize diverse environments, and the importance of population studies to reflect the colonization processes of introduced species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Over recent decades, the swine industry has achieved substantial productivity gains through advancements in genetics, nutrition, and management practices. However, at the same time, there has been a concerning rise in the number of sows being culled earlier than expected and an increase in sow mortality rates. The longevity of sows is crucial for sustainable pig production as it improves productivity and reduces costs. This early removal raises ethical and welfare concerns. Several factors influence sow longevity, making nutritional strategies critical for addressing these challenges and improving sow health and welfare. This article highlights key nutritional approaches to support sow development and longevity while identifying information gaps that warrant further research. For instance, young female pigs (gilts) should be fed separately from other pigs to ensure proper growth and bone development. Special diets are particularly important around the time sows give birth, as this is when they face the highest health risks. The use of fiber, probiotics or antioxidants can help improve the health and resilience of sows during these critical stages. These approaches are promising nutritional tools to improve sow health and welfare and can also benefit the industry's profitability. Modern hyperprolific sows are increasingly susceptible to health challenges. Their rapid growth rates predispose them to locomotor disorders, while high metabolic demands, reduced backfat thickness, and increased protein accretion heighten their vulnerability to heat stress and dystocia. Additionally, prolonged farrowing negatively affects the oxidative and inflammatory status of these females. Additionally, prevalent conditions such as gastric ulcers and cystitis raise ethical, welfare, and economic concerns. Despite the several studies related to sow nutrition, there are no studies which compile and extrapolate nutrition approaches from the rearing period and their impact on sows' health and longevity. Also, the aim of our review was to shed light on gaps that require further investigation. Controlling body condition scores is crucial for maximizing productivity in sows. During gestation, high-fiber diets help maintain optimal body condition and prevent constipation, particularly during the peripartum period. Antioxidants offer a range of beneficial effects during this critical phase. Additionally, probiotics and acidifiers can enhance gut health and lower the risk of genitourinary infections. On the day of farrowing, energy supplementation emerges as a promising strategy to reduce farrowing duration. Collectively, these strategies address major health challenges, enhancing welfare and promoting sow's longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Aquaculture production in Uganda is dominated by Nile tilapia. With the recent growth of commercial cage aquaculture, Nile tilapia currently contributes up to 70% of the total farmed fish in Uganda. It is, therefore, a major source of animal protein and livelihood for at least 30% of the population. Although Nile tilapia is endemic to Uganda, it attains slower growth rates than the improved strains in other countries. The slow growth rate results in longer feeding periods, higher feed conversion ratios (FCRs), slow turnover, longer payback periods, and a depressed rate of return. Due to poor growth rates, a Ugandan farmer can only achieve one production cycle of 9 and 11 months in cages and ponds, respectively, compared to two cycles with the improved tilapia strains. This increases the cost of production, reduces profitability, and renders Ugandan tilapia farming less competitive compared with other producing countries using improved strains. As such, there is a need to establish a systematic selective breeding program focusing on strain improvement to guarantee the supply of fast-growing quality seed. This will contribute to the sustainable growth of Nile tilapia aquaculture in Uganda. Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) aquaculture continues to significantly contribute to the growth of the aquaculture sector in Uganda. However, its production is beset by erratic and unreliable seed supply. Also, most hatcheries practice inbreeding of broodstock, resulting in inferior seed characterized by low growth rates. As such, a selective breeding program is necessary to readily avail fast-growing seed that respond to farmers' needs. The present review consolidates available information on developing a Nile tilapia breeding program in Uganda. The article discusses the significance of genetic improvement, drawing lessons from successful Nile tilapia selective breeding programs in other countries. From a literature review, no systematic Nile tilapia selective breeding program was traceable in Uganda. Scanty information on the selective breeding efforts of the species was available, with little evidence of selection for improved performance. Overall, the national capacity for aquaculture research and development, including fish breeding and strain improvement, was weak and poorly funded. The review recommends purposive support for developing a systematic strain improvement breeding program, which will be a source of improved broodstock and seed for hatcheries and farmers, respectively. The program would guide the formulation of standard operating procedures for quality seed production towards ensuring sustainable aquaculture growth in Uganda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chaetoceros muelleri and Isochrysis zhanjiangensis, known for their rapid reproduction, small size, and rich nutritional content, are commonly used as feed microalgae in aquaculture. This study aimed to sterilize these microalgal species and assess the effects of antibiotics on their algal cell density. Phycospheric bacteria were isolated and identified using the spread plate method and 16S rDNA sequencing, and antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted using four antibiotics: ampicillin, streptomycin, kanamycin, and gentamicin sulfate. A sterile system was established for C. muelleri using ampicillin, streptomycin, and gentamicin, and for I. zhanjiangensis using kanamycin, ampicillin, and streptomycin. Based on the results, antibiotics with sterilization effects were selected and added to the algal cultures. Their effects on cell density were evaluated during a six-day co-culture. Ampicillin and streptomycin effectively inhibited bacteria associated with C. muelleri, initially increasing algal cell density but later causing a decline. For I. zhanjiangensis, kanamycin and ampicillin were effective, with kanamycin significantly promoting growth throughout the cycle, achieving a 36.92% higher cell density on day six (p < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the effect of short-acting growth hormone (GH) supplementation on bone age and growth rate of children with idiopathic short stature. Methods: The authoritative databases such as PubMed, Medline, and Web of Science were extensively searched through the systematic and comprehensive literature retrieval strategy to compile the clinical research data on the treatment of idiopathic short stature with short-acting GH. The study will be strictly screened to ensure that all enrolled research subjects are patients with idiopathic short stature, and the intervention method is defined as short-acting GH replacement therapy, and a reasonable control group is set, such as placebo treatment, to ensure the scientificity and comparability of research results. Outcome index data such as basic characteristics, sample size, follow-up time, and total effective rate of the included studies were extracted. In this study, RevMan 5.3, a professional statistical software tool, was used to systematically perform the meta-analysis process. Weighted average difference (WMD) was calculated as the primary outcome to evaluate the effect of bone age and growth rate, and the WAD in adverse reactions was considered as the secondary outcome. Results: Nine studies were included in the study, and 491 patients with idiopathic short stature were included in the study. The results of the meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference in bone age but a significant difference in growth rate when compared with the control group. Conclusion: Short-acting GH supplementation can significantly improve the growth rate of children with idiopathic short stature, but has little effect on bone age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored the growth rate and morphological characteristics of graphene nanowalls (GNWs) on copper (Cu), stainless steel (SUS), quartz and silicon (Si) substrates by changing the growth time using microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MWPCVD). Furthermore, we investigated the impact of catalytic and non-catalytic substrates on the growth features of GNWs. The properties of GNWs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy. The growth of GNWs occurred just after supplying the precursor on the Cu substrate, but those on SUS, quartz and Si delayed about 5 min, 10 min and 15 min, respectively, due to the low catalytic activity of the substrate. Once the growth started, there was not much of a difference in the growth rate. The average growth rate was about 2 nm/s. The crystallinity of GNW was improved with increasing growth time. It was found that Cu is the best substrate to get high-quality GNWs, but MWPCVD is a suitable technique to obtain GNWs on a variety of substrates at relatively low temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A considerable research effort has been concerned combustion dynamics of systems fed with hydrocarbon fuels. The case of pure hydrogen/air flames deserves to be specifically considered because hydrogen is highly reactive, has a tendency to develop thermo-diffusive instabilities, is envisaged in many future applications, most notably in gas turbines, and is less well documented. Thermo-acoustic instabilities of pure hydrogen flames are here investigated in a configuration where hydrogen is injected in-crossflow in a swirling stream of air. The study is focused on operating conditions that lead to oscillatory regimes. Using Abel-transformed phase-averaged images of OH* emission and visible light emission in burnt gases, it is shown that the OH* signal evolves approximately in phase with the heat release rate. This signal is then used to determine the local Rayleigh source term that feeds acoustic energy in the oscillation. The contributions of this term are examined using a space-time analysis based on an integration of the source term in the transverse direction. This procedure allows a detailed analysis of the processes that contribute to the acoustic energy in the system, showing, in particular, that a strong positive addition of acoustic energy results from a roll-up of the flame tip and from the quick cyclic back propagation of the flame to the injector tip. A global integration of the Rayleigh source term is then used together with a volume-integrated acoustic energy to estimate the growth rate associated with these driving processes and estimate the damping rate. A special experimental method is then exploited to determine the effective growth rate of the instability. The system allowing a sweep in frequency, self-sustained instabilities obtained at different frequencies are used to extract the specific instability frequency band of the burner. Finally, the flame is externally forced in order to measure its flame-describing function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to Richards' hypothesis, the presence of a nonpigmented unicellular alga in the intestinal tract of tadpoles is believed to be the inhibitory factor that affects their growth. It is proposed that thecanimals eat their fecal material containing these algal cells, which are then reintroduced into their systems when the alga is shed with the feces and dropped to the bottom. In this study, we aimed to investigate the plasticity of metamorphic traits in the Asiatic toad (Bufo gargarizans) under different combinations of fecal material and food levels. Our findings revealed that B. gargarizans tadpoles reared at high food levels exhibited accelerated larval periods but had smaller metamorphic sizes compared to those reared at low food levels. This suggests that the tadpoles prioritize rapid development at the expense of body mass during metamorphosis. Furthermore, our study discovered evidence supporting the positive effect of fecal material on tadpole growth, as indicated by the investigation of growth rate. Importantly, the presence of feces did not result in smaller body mass on average for Asiatic toad tadpoles compared to those raised in the absence of fecal material. The difference in body mass between fecal material treatments tended to be smaller at low food levels, implying that feces does not inhibit growth in B. gargarizans tadpoles. Therefore, our results contradict Richards' hypothesis and provide support for a novel mechanism that is selected for in areas where coprophagy is likely to be advantageous, particularly in times of food scarcity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age and growth‐related data are basic biological parameters, essential in population ecology, evolution, and conservation biology. There is a growing body of published information on reptile demography derived from sclerochronology, a technique based on counting the growth layers deposited in bones (skeletochronology) and other hard body structures. Since the data are not always easily available, we compiled the existing published data, described the current status of knowledge, synthetized the conclusions of disparate studies, and identified patterns of research and information gaps, prioritizing the needs for future research. Our database includes the results of 468 published studies covering 236 reptile species from 41 families. These represent less than 2% of the total number of known extant species. Turtles and crocodiles are proportionally better studied, while snakes are the least examined group. The distribution of the research does not reflect conservation needs; we found an important geographic bias, with an overrepresentation of Northern temperate species. Only 23% of the studies checked the assumption of periodicity of growth marks deposition, and the method was found to be reliable or adequate in 79% of the cases. Overall, the data obtained through sclerochronology can be considered robust, especially if validation methods are employed, since the general goal is to characterize population parameters, trends, and dynamics, rather than determining the exact age of any specimen in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangrove forests have exceptional carbon sequestration capacity for mitigating climate change impacts. Increased atmospheric CO2 can accelerate crop growth, improve water-use efficiency, and disrupt soil-plant balance. The performance of Avicennia alba in terms of morphometrics and biomass under environmental stresses such as elevated CO2 was poorly understood. Thus, this study aims to determine the growth response and survivability of A. alba by examining height, leaf number, and growth rate under elevated CO2 in the early stages of development. A number of 120 seed samples of A. alba was divided into two groups; 60 germinated seeds were placed in a CO2 incubator and 60 in a shade house as a control. The growth rate, plant height, leaf number, and mortality were compared between the two groups and statistical analyses were conducted. The treated seedlings exhibited significantly greater mean height (11.98 ± 1.09 cm), improved growth rates (1.09 ± 0.76 vs. 1.07 ± 0.46), and higher survivability (U = 1470, p-value < 0.05). There is a significant positive relationship between height and number of leaves (β = 0.298, R² = 0.535, p-value < 0.001), indicating that taller seedlings tend to produce more leaves. A comprehensive understanding of the balance between enhanced growth and reduced leafproduction under elevated CO2 levels provides valuable insights into how plants may adapt or respond to changing environmental conditions in future climate change scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]