Effect of Dietary Sugarcane Bagasse on Reproductive Performance, Constipation, and Gut Microbiota of Gestational Sows.

This experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of using sugarcane bagasse (SB) as a substitute for soybean hulls and wheat bran in the diet of pregnant sows on their reproductive performance and gut microbiota. A total of seventy-two primiparous sows were randomly divided into four treatment groups, with eighteen replicates of one sow each. The sows were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0% (CON), 5%, 10%, and 15% SB to replace soybean hulls from day 57 of gestation until the day of the end of the gestation period. The results showed that SB contains higher levels of crude fiber (42.1%) and neutral detergent fiber (81.3%) than soybean hulls, and it also exhibited the highest volumetric expansion when soaked in water (50 g expanding to 389.8 mL) compared to the other six materials we tested (vegetable scraps, soybean hulls, wheat bran, rice bran meal, rice bran, and corn DDGS). Compared with the CON, 5% SB significantly increased the litter birth weight of piglets. Meanwhile, 10% and 15% SB significantly increased the rates of constipation and reduced the contents of isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid in feces. Furthermore, 10% and 15% SB significantly disturbed gut microbial diversity with increasing Streptococcus and decreasing Prevotellaceae_NK3B31-group and Christensenellaceae_R-7-group genera in feces. Interestingly, Streptococcus had a significant negative correlation with isobutyric acid, isovaleric acid, and fecal score, while Prevotellaceae_NK3B31-group and Christensenellaceae_R-7-group had a positive correlation with them. In conclusion, our study indicates that 5% SB can be used as an equivalent substitute for soybean hulls to improve the reproductive performance of sows without affecting their gut microbiota.

A novel and apparent de novo ALAS2 missense variant associated with congenital sideroblastic anemia.

Background: Congenital sideroblastic anemia (CSA) constitutes a group of inherited erythropoietic disorders. Some affect mainly or exclusively erythroid cells; other syndromic forms occur within multisystem disorders with extensive nonhematopoietic manifestations. In this study, we have performed clinical and molecular investigations on a 10-year-old boy suspected of having CSA. Methods: Routine blood examination, peripheral blood and bone marrow smears, and serum iron tests were performed. Gene mutation analysis was conducted using whole-exome sequencing (WES) and the results were confirmed using Sanger sequencing. Furthermore, the functional impact of the identified variant was assessed/predicted with bioinformatics methods. Results: The patient presented with severe microcytic anemia (hemoglobin, 50 g/L), iron overload and ring sideroblasts in the bone marrow. Moreover, WES revealed the presence of a hemizygous missense variant in ALAS2 (c.1102C > T), changing an encoded arginine to tryptophan (p. Arg368Trp). This variant was verified via Sanger sequencing, and neither of the parents carried this variant, which was suspected to be a de novo variant. Using in silico analysis with four different software programs, the variant was predicted to be harmful. PyMol and LigPlot software showed that the p. Arg368Trp variant may result in changes in hydrogen bonds. The patient was treated with vitamin B6 combined with deferasirox. After 6 months, the hemoglobin increased to 99 g/L and the serum ferritin decreased significantly. Conclusion: We report a novel pathogenic variant in the ALAS2 gene (c.1102C > T:p. Arg368Trp), which caused CSA in a 10-year-old boy. Mutational analysis is important in patients with CSA when family history data are unavailable. Anemia due to the ALAS2 Arg368Trp variant responds to pyridoxine supplements.

Deciphering the Genetic Landscape: Insights Into the Genomic Signatures of Changle Goose.

The Changle goose (CLG), a Chinese indigenous breed, is celebrated for its adaptability, rapid growth, and premium meat quality. Despite its agricultural value, the exploration of its genomic attributes has been scant. Our study entailed whole-genome resequencing of 303 geese across CLG and five other Chinese breeds, revealing distinct genetic diversity metrics. We discovered significant migration events from Xingguo gray goose to CLG and minor gene flow between them. We identified genomic regions through selective sweep analysis, correlating with CLG's unique traits. An elevated inbreeding coefficient in CLG, alongside reduced heterozygosity and rare single nucleotide polymorphisms (RSNPs), suggests a narrowed genetic diversity. Genomic regions related to reproduction, meat quality, and growth were identified, with the GATA3 gene showing strong selection signals for meat quality. A non-synonymous mutation in the Sloc2a1 gene, which is associated with reproductive traits in the CLG, exhibited significant differences in allelic frequency. The roles of CD82, CDH8, and PRKAB1 in growth and development, alongside FABP4, FAF1, ESR1, and AKAP12 in reproduction, were highlighted. Additionally, Cdkal1 and Mfsd14a may influence meat quality. This comprehensive genetic analysis underpins the unique genetic makeup of CLG, providing a basis for its conservation and informed breeding strategies.

Infestation of Rice Striped Stem Borer (Chilo suppressalis) Larvae Induces Emission of Volatile Organic Compounds in Rice and Repels Female Adult Oviposition.

Plants regulate the biosynthesis and emission of metabolic compounds to manage herbivorous stresses. In this study, as a destructive pest, the pre-infestation of rice striped stem borer (SSB, Chilo suppressalis) larvae on rice (Oryza sativa) reduced the subsequent SSB female adult oviposition preference. Widely targeted volatilomics and transcriptome sequencing were used to identify released volatile metabolic profiles and differentially expressed genes in SSB-infested and uninfested rice plants. SSB infestation significantly altered the accumulation of 71 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including 13 terpenoids. A total of 7897 significantly differentially expressed genes were identified, and genes involved in the terpenoid and phenylpropanoid metabolic pathways were highly enriched. Correlation analysis revealed that DEGs in terpenoid metabolism-related pathways were likely involved in the regulation of VOC biosynthesis in SSB-infested rice plants. Furthermore, two terpenoids, (-)-carvone and cedrol, were selected to analyse the behaviour of SSB and predators. Y-tube olfactometer tests demonstrated that both (-)-carvone and cedrol could repel SSB adults at higher concentrations; (-)-carvone could simultaneously attract the natural enemies of SSB, Cotesia chilonis and Trichogramma japonicum, and cedrol could only attract T. japonicum at lower concentrations. These findings provide a better understanding of the response of rice plants to SSB and contribute to the development of new strategies to control herbivorous pests.

Macrothrombocytopenia with leukocyte inclusions in a patient with Wilson disease: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in ATP7B. Clinical manifestations primarily involve liver and nervous system lesions, with rarely observed hematologic manifestations. CASE PRESENTATION: In the present case, a patient with WD presented with thrombocytopenia, giant platelets, and Döhle-like cytoplasmic inclusions in the leukocytes. Initially, the May-Hegglin anomaly was considered; however, whole-exome sequencing did not reveal any mutation in the MYH9 gene but a heterozygous mutation was found in (C.2804 C > T, p.T935M) in the ATP7B gene. After two years, the patient developed tremors in his hands, lower limb stiffness, and foreign body sensation in the eyes. Additionally, Kayser-Fleischer rings in the corneal limbus were detected by slit-lamp examination. Copper metabolism test indicated a slight decrease in serum ceruloplasmin. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the inclusion bodies of leukocytes were swollen mitochondria. Mass spectrometry analysis showed that the copper levels were almost 20-fold higher in the leukocytes of the patient than in those of the control group. Based on the Leipzig scoring system, a diagnosis of WD was confirmed. Zinc sulfate treatment ameliorated the patient's symptoms and enhanced platelet, serum ceruloplasmin, and albumin levels. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this case represents the first documented instance of WD presenting as thrombocytopenia, giant platelets, and Döhle-like cytoplasmic inclusions in the leukocytes. Excessive cellular copper accumulation likely underlies these findings; however, understanding precise mechanisms warrants further investigation.

Engineering biomimetic silk fibroin hydrogel scaffolds with "organic-inorganic assembly" strategy for rapid bone regeneration.

Although natural polymers have been widely used in constructing bone scaffolds, it still remains challenging to fabricate natural polymer-derived bone scaffolds with biomimetic mechanical properties as well as outstanding osteogenic properties for large-size and weight-bearing bone defects regeneration. Herein, an "organic-inorganic assembly" strategy is developed to construct silk fibroin (SF)-based bone scaffolds with the aforementioned merits. After secondary structure reshuffling, the 3.3-fold increment of ß-sheet structures in SF hydrogel resulted in a 100-fold improvement of mineral-assembly efficacy via influencing the ion adsorption process and providing templates for mineral growth. Notably, abundant minerals were deposited within the hydrogel and also on the surface, which indicated entire mineral-assembly, which ensured the biomimetic mechanical properties of the digital light processing 3D printed SF hydrogel scaffolds with haversian-mimicking structure. In vitro experiments proved that the assembly between the mineral and SF results in rapid adhesion and enhanced osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. In vivo experiments further proved that the mineral-assembled SF hydrogel scaffold could significantly enhance integration and bone regeneration at the weight-bearing site within one month. This SF-based "organic-inorganic assembly" strategy sheds light on constructing cell-free, growth factor-free and natural polymer-derived bone scaffolds with biomimetic 3D structure, mechanical properties and excellent osteogenic properties.

Identification of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head biomarkers based on immunization and animal experiments.

BACKGROUND: Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head (SONFH) is a severe health risk, and this study aims to identify immune-related biomarkers and pathways associated with the disease through bioinformatics analysis and animal experiments. METHOD: Using SONFH-related datasets obtained from the GEO database, we performed differential expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to extract SONFH-related genes. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was then constructed, and core sub-network genes were identified. Immune cell infiltration and clustering analysis of SONFH samples were performed to assess differences in immune cell populations. WGCNA analysis was used to identify module genes associated with immune cells, and hub genes were identified using machine learning. Internal and external validation along with animal experiments were conducted to confirm the differential expression of hub genes and infiltration of immune cells in SONFH. RESULTS: Differential expression analysis revealed 502 DEGs. WGCNA analysis identified a blue module closely related to SONFH, containing 1928 module genes. Intersection analysis between DEGs and blue module genes resulted in 453 intersecting genes. The PPI network and MCODE module identified 15 key targets enriched in various signaling pathways. Analysis of immune cell infiltration showed statistically significant differences in CD8 + t cells, monocytes, macrophages M2 and neutrophils between SONFH and control samples. Unsupervised clustering classified SONFH samples into two clusters (C1 and C2), which also exhibited significant differences in immune cell infiltration. The hub genes (ICAM1, NR3C1, and IKBKB) were further identified using WGCNA and machine learning analysis. Based on these hub genes, a clinical prediction model was constructed and validated internally and externally. Animal experiments confirmed the upregulation of hub genes in SONFH, with an associated increase in immune cell infiltration. CONCLUSION: This study identified ICAM1, NR3C1, and IKBKB as potential immune-related biomarkers involved in immune cell infiltration of CD8 + t cells, monocytes, macrophages M2, neutrophils and other immune cells in the pathogenesis of SONFH. These biomarkers act through modulation of the chemokine signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and other pathways. These findings provide valuable insights into the disease mechanism of SONFH and may aid in future drug development efforts.

Non-equilibrium transport in polymer mixed ionic-electronic conductors at ultrahigh charge densities.

Conducting polymers are mixed ionic-electronic conductors that are emerging candidates for neuromorphic computing, bioelectronics and thermoelectrics. However, fundamental aspects of their many-body correlated electron-ion transport physics remain poorly understood. Here we show that in p-type organic electrochemical transistors it is possible to remove all of the electrons from the valence band and even access deeper bands without degradation. By adding a second, field-effect gate electrode, additional electrons or holes can be injected at set doping states. Under conditions where the counterions are unable to equilibrate in response to field-induced changes in the electronic carrier density, we observe surprising, non-equilibrium transport signatures that provide unique insights into the interaction-driven formation of a frozen, soft Coulomb gap in the density of states. Our work identifies new strategies for substantially enhancing the transport properties of conducting polymers by exploiting non-equilibrium states in the coupled system of electronic charges and counterions.

ScnML models single-cell transcriptome to predict spinal cord neuronal cell status.

Injuries to the spinal cord nervous system often result in permanent loss of sensory, motor, and autonomic functions. Accurately identifying the cellular state of spinal cord nerves is extremely important and could facilitate the development of new therapeutic and rehabilitative strategies. Existing experimental techniques for identifying the development of spinal cord nerves are both labor-intensive and costly. In this study, we developed a machine learning predictor, ScnML, for predicting subpopulations of spinal cord nerve cells as well as identifying marker genes. The prediction performance of ScnML was evaluated on the training dataset with an accuracy of 94.33%. Based on XGBoost, ScnML on the test dataset achieved 94.08% 94.24%, 94.26%, and 94.24% accuracies with precision, recall, and F1-measure scores, respectively. Importantly, ScnML identified new significant genes through model interpretation and biological landscape analysis. ScnML can be a powerful tool for predicting the status of spinal cord neuronal cells, revealing potential specific biomarkers quickly and efficiently, and providing crucial insights for precision medicine and rehabilitation recovery.

Safety Assessment of Concurrent Vaccination with the HPV Vaccine and the COVID-19 Vaccine in Fujian Province, China: A Retrospective Study.

During acute respiratory infections, women may concurrently receive human papillomavirus (HPV) and respiratory vaccines, as observed during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in China. However, few studies have assessed the safety of such concurrent administration, which could impact HPV vaccination schedules. This study analyzes the safety and optimal sequence of concurrent HPV and COVID-19 vaccinations. For this purpose, we surveyed women with both vaccines from January to October 2023 in Fujian Province, China. During this process, we collected vaccination history and adverse event (AE) data via telephone or interviews. Participants were grouped as Before, Concurrent, or After based on their vaccination sequence. A Chi-squared test, exact Fisher tests, and logistic regression were used to analyze the incidence of AEs and factors influencing vaccine safety. Overall, 1416 eligible participants were included. Although overall AE risk with the HPV vaccine was unaffected by vaccination sequence, individual AEs varied statistically between groups, including pain at the vaccination site (p < 0.001) and prolonged menstruation duration (p = 0.003). Based on the results, the optimal sequence would be to receive the HPV vaccine after the COVID-19 vaccine (After group). This insight may guide future emergency vaccination sequences for HPV and other respiratory infectious diseases.

Python tooth-inspired fixation device for enhanced rotator cuff repair.

Rotator cuff repair surgeries fail frequently, with 20 to 94% of the 600,000 repairs performed annually in the United States resulting in retearing of the rotator cuff. The most common cause of failure is sutures tearing through tendons at grasping points. To address this issue, we drew inspiration from the specialized teeth of snakes of the Pythonoidea superfamily, which grasp soft tissues without tearing. To apply this nondamaging gripping approach to the surgical repair of tendon, we developed and optimized a python tooth-inspired device as an adjunct to current rotator cuff suture repair and found that it nearly doubled repair strength. Integrated simulations, 3D printing, and ex vivo experiments revealed a relationship between tooth shape and grasping mechanics, enabling optimization of the clinically relevant device that substantially enhances rotator cuff repair by distributing stresses over the attachment footprint. This approach suggests an alternative to traditional suturing paradigms and may reduce the risk of tendon retearing after rotator cuff repair.

Circulating metabolites and coronary heart disease: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization.

Background: Numerous studies have established a link between coronary heart disease and metabolic disorders. Yet, causal evidence connecting metabolites and Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) remains scarce. To address this, we performed a bidirectional Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis investigating the causal relationship between blood metabolites and CHD. Methods: Data were extracted from published genome-wide association studies (GWASs) on metabolite levels, focusing on 1,400 metabolite summary data as exposure measures. Primary analyses utilized the GWAS catalog database GCST90199698 (60,801 cases and 123,504 controls) and the FinnGen cohort (43,518 cases and 333,759 controls). The primary method used for causality analysis was random inverse variance weighting (IVW). Supplementary analyses included MR-Egger, weighted mode, and weighted median methods. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate heterogeneity and pleiotropy. Reverse MR analysis was employed to evaluate the direct impact of metabolites on coronary heart disease. Additionally, replication and meta-analysis were performed. We further conducted the Steiger test and colocalization analysis to reflect the causality deeply. Results: This study identified eight metabolites associated with lipids, amino acids and metabolite ratios that may influence CHD risk. Findings include: 1-oleoyl-2-arachidonoyl-GPE (18:1/20:4) levels: OR = 1.08; 95% CI 1.04-1.12; P = 8.21E-06; 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-GPE (16:0/20:4) levels: OR = 1.07; 95% CI 1.04-1.11; P = 9.01E-05; Linoleoyl-arachidonoyl-glycerol (18:2/20:4): OR = 1.08; 95% CI 1.04-1.22; P = 0.0001; Glycocholenate sulfate: OR = 0.93; 95% CI 0.90-0.97; P = 0.0002; 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl-GPE (OR = 1.07; 95% CI 1.03-1.11; P = 0.0002); N-acetylasparagine (OR = 1.04; 95% CI 1.02-1.07; P = 0.0030); Octadecenedioate (C18:1-DC) (OR = 0.93; 95% CI 0.90-0.97; P = 0.0004); Phosphate to linoleoyl-arachidonoyl-glycerol (18:2-20:4) (1) ratio (OR = 0.92; 95% CI 0.88-0.97; P = 0.0005). Conclusion: The integration of genomics and metabolomics offers novel insights into the pathogenesis of CHD and holds significant importance for the screening and prevention of CHD.

Effects of Sapindus mukorossi Seed Oil on Bone Healing Efficiency: An Animal Study.

Natural products have attracted great interest in the development of tissue engineering. Recent studies have demonstrated that unsaturated fatty acids found in natural plant seed oil may exhibit positive osteogenic effects; however, few in vivo studies have focused on the use of plant seed oil for bone regeneration. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of seed oil found in Sapindus mukorossi (S. mukorossi) on the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and bone growth in artificial bone defects in vivo. In this study, Wharton-jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs) were co-cultured with S. mukorossi seed oil. Cellular osteogenic capacity was assessed using Alizarin Red S staining. Real-time PCR was carried out to evaluate ALP and OCN gene expression. The potential of S. mukorossi seed oil to enhance bone growth was assessed using an animal model. Four 6 mm circular defects were prepared at the parietal bone of New Zealand white rabbits. The defects were filled with hydrogel and hydrogel-S. mukorossi seed oil, respectively. Quantitative analysis of micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) and histological images was conducted to compare differences in osteogenesis between oil-treated and untreated samples. Although our results showed no significant differences in viability between WJMSCs treated with and without S. mukorossi seed oil, under osteogenic conditions, S. mukorossi seed oil facilitated an increase in mineralized nodule secretion and upregulated the expression of ALP and OCN genes in the cells (p < 0.05). In the animal study, both micro-CT and histological evaluations revealed that new bone formation in artificial bone defects treated with S. mukorossi seed oil were nearly doubled compared to control defects (p < 0.05) after 4 weeks of healing. Based on these findings, it is reasonable to suggest that S. mukorossi seed oil holds promise as a potential candidate for enhancing bone healing efficiency in bone tissue engineering.

Exploring the evolutionary mechanism of hepatitis B and gastric cancer based on Mendelian randomization combined with bioinformatics analysis.

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) infection appears to be associated with extrahepatic cancers. This study aims to evaluate the causality and evolutionary mechanism of chronic HBV infection and gastric cancer through Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis and bioinformatics analysis. We conducted 2-sample MR to investigate the causal relationship between chronic HBV infection and gastric cancer. We identified 5 independent genetic variants closely associated with exposure (chronic HBV infection) as instrumental variables in a sample of 1371 cases and 2938 controls of East Asian descent in Korea. The genome wide association study (GWAS) data for the outcome variable came from the Japanese Biobank. Bioinformatics analysis was used to explore the evolutionary mechanism of chronic HBV infection and gastric cancer. Differential expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were performed to identify key targets that are commonly associated with both diseases, and their biological functions were investigated. Multiple machine-learning models were employed to select hub genes. The MR analysis showed a positive causal relationship between chronic HBV infection and gastric cancer (IVW: OR = 1.165, 95% CI = 1.085-1.250, P < .001), and the result was robust in sensitivity analysis. According to the bioinformatics analysis, the 5 key targets were mainly enriched in Toll-like receptor signaling and PI3K-Akt signaling. Two hub genes, CXCL9 and COL6A2, were identified, and a high-performing predictive model was constructed. Chronic HBV infection is positively associated with gastric cancer, and the evolutionary mechanism may be related to Toll-like receptor signaling. Prospective studies are still needed to confirm these findings.

Defence and nutrition synergistically contribute to the distinct tolerance of rice subspecies to the stem borer, Chilo suppressalis.

Damage caused by the rice striped stem borer (SSB), Chilo suppressalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is much more severe on indica/xian rice than on japonica/geng rice (Oryza sativa) which matches pest outbreak data in cropping regions of China. The mechanistic basis of this difference among rice subspecies remains unclear. Using transcriptomic, metabolomic and genetic analyses in combination with insect bioassay experiments, we showed that japonica and indica rice utilise different defence responses to repel SSB, and that SSB exploited plant nutrition deficiencies in different ways in the subspecies. The more resistant japonica rice induced patterns of accumulation of methyl jasmonate (MeJA-part of a defensive pathway) and vitamin B1 (VB1-a nutrition pathway) distinct from indica cultivars. Using gene-edited rice plants and SSB bioassays, we found that MeJA and VB1 jointly affected the performance of SSB by disrupting juvenile hormone levels. In addition, genetic variants of key biosynthesis genes in the MeJA and VB1 pathways (OsJMT and OsTH1, respectively) differed between japonica and indica rice and contributed to performance differences; in indica rice, SSB avoided the MeJA defence pathway and hijacked the VB1 nutrition-related pathway to promote development. The findings highlight important genetic and mechanistic differences between rice subspecies affecting SSB damage which could be exploited in plant breeding for resistance.

Health Disparities Among Family Decision-Makers in China: An Ordered Probit Analysis of the China Family Panel Studies.

Purpose: The family decision-makers serve as the backbone of the family, and their health status warrants consideration. This study aims to explore how the health status of this group of people, namely the family decision-making group, is affected, and to delve into the mechanisms of influence based on this. The goal is to provide reliable evidence and strategies for the health management of the family decision-makers group, contributing to the achievement of the "Healthy China 2030" Planning Outline. Patients and Methods: Drawing on data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this study utilizes an Ordered Probit Model to analyze and compare the health status of family decision-makers and non-decision-makers. Results: The findings indicate that decision-makers tend to experience poorer health outcomes than other family members, with increased pressure related to decision-making identified as a significant contributor to their declining health. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the negative effect is less pronounced in households with higher net worth but more pronounced in those with more significant housing, education, and medical spending pressures. Moreover, this study analysis highlights that enhancing individual or family socioeconomic status can alleviate the adverse health effects experienced by family decision-makers. Conclusion: The study reveals the presence of certain health adverse effects among family decision-makers. The implications drawn from this research hold significance for the health management of this demographic, underscoring the necessity for tailored interventions aimed at addressing the distinctive challenges confronted by this group.

Estimation of Protein and Amino Acid Requirements in Layer Chicks Depending on Dynamic Model.

Four trials were conducted to establish a protein and amino acid requirement model for layer chicks over 0-6 weeks by using the analytical factorization method. In trial 1, a total of 90 one-day-old Jing Tint 6 chicks with similar body weight were selected to determine the growth curve, carcass and feather protein deposition, and amino acid patterns of carcass and feather proteins. In trials 2 and 3, 24 seven-day-old and 24 thirty-five-day-old Jing Tint 6 chicks were selected to determine the protein maintenance requirements, amino acid pattern, and net protein utilization rate. In trial 4, 24 ten-day-old and 24 thirty-eight-day-old Jing Tint 6 chicks were selected to determine the standard terminal ileal digestibility of amino acids. The chicks were fed either a corn-soybean basal diet, a low nitrogen diet, or a nitrogen-free diet throughout the different trials. The Gompertz equation showed that there is a functional relationship between body weight and age, described as BWt(g) = 2669.317 × exp(-4.337 × exp(-0.019t)). Integration of the test results gave a comprehensive dynamic model equation that could accurately calculate the weekly protein and amino acid requirements of the layer chicks. By applying the model, it was found that the protein requirements for Jing Tint 6 chicks during the 6-week period were 21.15, 20.54, 18.26, 18.77, 17.79, and 16.51, respectively. The model-predicted amino acid requirements for Jing Tint 6 chicks during the 6-week period were as follows: Aspartic acid (0.992-1.284), Threonine (0.601-0.750), Serine (0.984-1.542), Glutamic acid (1.661-1.925), Glycine (0.992-1.227), Alanine (0.909-0.961), Valine (0.773-1.121), Cystine (0.843-1.347), Methionine (0.210-0.267), Isoleucine (0.590-0.715), Leucine (0.977-1.208), Tyrosine (0.362-0.504), Phenylalanine (0.584-0.786), Histidine (0.169-0.250), Lysine (0.3999-0.500), Arginine (0.824-1.147), Proline (1.114-1.684), and Tryptophan (0.063-0.098). In conclusion, this study constructed a dynamic model for the protein and amino acid requirements of Jing Tint 6 chicks during the brooding period, providing an important insight to improve precise feeding for layer chicks through this dynamic model calculation.

Effects of Funneliformis mosseae on Growth and Photosynthetic Characteristics of Camellia oleifera under Different Nitrogen Forms.

Nitrogen fertilizer increases agricultural yields but increases economic costs and causes a series of environmental problems. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have the potential to be used as biological fertilizer. However, the influence of nitrogen form on plant growth responsiveness to AMF inoculation is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of Funneliformis mosseae on growth, root morphology and photosynthetic characteristics of Camellia oleifera under different nitrogen forms during three harvest periods and clarified the most suitable nitrogen form for C. oleifera-AMF symbiosis. The results showed that urea, ammonium and nitrate nitrogen promoted plant growth and photosynthetic capacity, among which urea treatment had the highest value in all three harvests. No significant difference in plant growth parameters was observed between ammonium and nitrate nitrogen treatments in the first two harvests, while the plant height was significantly lower under ammonium nitrogen treatment than nitrate nitrogen treatment in the third harvest. Inoculation with F. mosseae in the presence of indigenous AMF could promote AMF colonization and plant growth at all three harvest times. Inoculation with F. mosseae significantly increased gas exchange parameters, the maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) and the actual photochemical efficiency (ΦPSII). Inoculation with AMF increased the photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) better under urea treatment and improved the non-photochemical quenching coefficient (qN) better under ammonium nitrogen treatment. Principal component analysis showed that urea is the most beneficial nitrogen fertilizer for C. oleifera-AMF symbiosis. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the combination use of AMF and nitrogen fertilizer in agroforestry.

Dry Ball-Milled Quinoa Starch as a Pickering Emulsifier: Preparation, Microstructures, Hydrophobic Properties and Emulsifying Properties.

This research supplied a "cleaner-production" way to produce "clean-label" quinoa starch-based Pickering emulsifier with excellent emulsifying properties. The effects of dry ball-milling time and speed on the multi-scale structures and emulsifying properties of quinoa starch were studied. With increasing ball-milling time and speed, particle size first decreased and then increased, the crystallinity, lamellar structure and short-range ordered structure gradually decreased, and contact angle gradually increased. The increased contact angle might be related to the increased oil absorption properties and the decreased water content. The emulsification properties of ball-milled quinoa starch (BMQS)-based Pickering emulsions increased with the increase in ball-milling time and speed, and the emulsions of BMQS-4 h, 6 h, 8 h, and 600 r reached the full emulsification state. After 120 days' storage, the oil droplets of BMQS-2 h (BMQS-400 r) deformed, the oil droplets increased, and the emulsification index decreased. The emulsification index and the oil droplets of BMQS-4 h, 6 h, 8 h and 600 r-based emulsions did not show obvious changes after storage, indicating the good emulsifying stability of these BMQS-based emulsions, which might be because that the relatively larger amount of starch particles that dispersed in the voids among the oil droplets could act as stronger network skeletons for the emulsion gel. This Pickering emulsifier was easily and highly efficiently produced and low-cost, having great potential to be used in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Efficient Multi-Sound Source Localization Algorithm for Transformer Faults Based on Polyphase Filters.

Power transformers play a critical role in power systems, and the early detection of their faults and defects, accounting for over 30%, can be achieved through abnormal sound analysis. Sound source localization based on microphone arrays has proven effective in focusing on the troubleshooting scope, preventing potential severe hazards caused by delays in fault removal, and significantly reducing operational and maintenance difficulties and costs. However, existing microphone array-based sound source localization algorithms face challenges in maintaining both accuracy and simplicity and especially suffer from a sharp decrease in performance when dealing with multiple sound sources. This paper presents a multi-sound source localization algorithm for transformer faults based on polyphase filters, integrating the sum-difference monopulse angle measurement technique into the microphone array. Firstly, the signals received from the transformers are divided into multiple subbands using polyphase filters, allowing for multi-source separation and reducing the sampling rate of each subband. Next, the time-domain signals in subbands subject to noise suppression are processed into sum and difference beams. The resulting beam outputs are transformed into frequency-domain signals using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), effectively enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for separate sound sources. Finally, each subband undergoes sum-difference monopulse angle measurement in the frequency domain to achieve the high-precision localization of specific faults. The proposed algorithm has been demonstrated to be effective in achieving higher localization accuracy and reducing computational complexity in the presence of actual amplitude-phase errors in microphone arrays. These advantages can facilitate its practical applications. By enabling early targeting of fault sources when abnormalities occur, this algorithm provides valuable assistance to operation and maintenance personnel, thereby enhancing the maintenance efficiency of transformers.