Economic values of reproductive and growth traits in Chinese Yiling sheep.

This study aimed to calculate the economic value (EV) of reproductive and growth traits for Yiling sheep. A bio-economic model was developed to assess the economic value of litter size (LS), litter size at weaning (LSW), age at first lambing (AFL), lambing interval (LI), birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), and 6-month body weight (6MW). The sensitivity of the economic value of traits to changes in market prices was also analyzed. In this study, the trait with the highest EV was LSW (427.97 ¥), followed by LS (419.96 ¥), BW (52.13 ¥), 6MW (14.46 ¥), WW (11.03 ¥), AFL (-0.51 ¥), and LI (-9.09 ¥). LS was the most important trait in the production system with a relative economic weight of 22.81%, followed by 6MW and LSW with relative economic weights of 18.98% and 19.01%, respectively. All traits assessed, except AFL and LI, had positive economic values, indicating that genetic improvement of these traits would have a positive impact on profitability. The results of the sensitivity analysis showed that the economic value of AFL was not sensitive to price changes. All growth traits were unaffected by price changes in labor and medical costs. In addition, the LS, LSW, LI, WW, and 6MW were sensitive to changes in liveweight and feed prices. Generally, as feed prices increased, the economic value of all traits except LI and BW decreased. Except for LI and BW, the economic value of all traits increased due to the rise in liveweight prices. This suggested that liveweight and feed prices significantly affect the profitability of the production system.

Three-dimensional radiographic assessment of different fixation methods stability after l-shaped osteotomy reduction malarplasty: A comparative retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Reduction malarplasty (RM) is a common facial contouring procedure among Orientals. Currently, fixation methods selection and placement vectors are controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of different zygomatic complex fixation methods on surgical outcomes stability after RM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, 60 consented patients (120 operated zygoma) who met inclusion criteria were included. ITK-SNAP and 3D Slicer software were used to measure the displacement of the zygomatic complex using postoperative CTs (T1: one week and T2: six months). The region of interest included zygomatic body fixation methods (ZBFm), namely: two bicortical screws (2LS); an l-shaped plate with one bicortical screw (LPLS); an l-shaped plate with short-wing on the zygoma (LPwZ) and on the maxilla (LPwM), combined with zygomatic arch fixation methods (ZAFm), including Mortice-Tenon (MT); 3-hole plate (3HP); and short screw (SS). ANOVA test was used to compare the displacement values among ZBFm/ZAFm combinations. RESULTS: The 2LS and LPLS groups showed lower displacement than the single l-shaped plate (P< 0.001, P = 0.001), which performed better when the short-wing was fixated on the maxilla (0.9 ± 0.4 mm and 1.2 ± 0.6 mm respectively). CONCLUSION: After RM, the two-bridge fixation methods (2LS and LPLS) provide better stability than the single l-shaped plate. All ZAF methods showed similar stability when combined with 2LS or LPLS as zygomatic body fixation methods.

External Exposure to BTEX, Internal Biomarker Response, and Health Risk Assessment of Nonoccupational Populations near a Coking Plant in Southwest China.

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene isomers (BTEX) have raised increasing concern due to their adverse effects on human health. In this study, a coking factory and four communities nearby were selected as the research area. Atmospheric BTEX samples were collected and determined by a preconcentrator GC-MS method. Four biomarkers in the morning urine samples of 174 participants from the communities were measured by LC-MS. The health risks of BTEX exposure via inhalation were estimated. This study aimed to investigate the influence of external BTEX exposure on the internal biomarker levels and quantitatively evaluate the health risk of populations near the coking industry. The results showed that the average total BTEX concentration in residential area was 7.17 ± 7.24 µg m-3. Trans,trans-muconic acid (T,T-MA) was the urinary biomarker with the greatest average level (127 ± 285 µg g-1 crt). Similar spatial trends can be observed between atmospheric benzene concentration and internal biomarker levels. The mean values of the LCR for male and female residents were 2.15 × 10-5 and 2.05 × 10-5, respectively. The results of the risk assessment indicated that special attention was required for the non-occupational residents around the area.

Environmental impact assessment and enlightenment of surface treatment production line during operation.

Industrial production creates material conditions for mankind, but also seriously pollutes the environment. In order to avoid pollution damage to the atmosphere, water, sound, and other environments, environmental impact assessments must be carried out before the project starts, and possible environmental pollution factors must be analyzed and predicted in advance. Company A, a manufacturer of mechanical parts, plans to build a new surface treatment production line, including two production links: anodizing and painting. The product coefficient method and the material balance method were used to evaluate and analyze the environmental pollution factors such as waste gas, wastewater, noise, solid waste, and discarded bath solution discharged during the operation period of the production line. The evaluation results show that after chromium mist recovery, spraying, filtration, and activated carbon adsorption and other measures are concentrated treatment, the concentration of various exhaust gas discharged in an organized manner is lower than the standard limit; various wastewater can be recycled after being filtered by ion exchange resin and activated carbon use, a very small amount of concentrated liquid needs to be handled by an external professional unit, and a cofferdam is installed under the production line and the ground is strengthened to prevent leakage, which will not pollute the groundwater environment; the noise level on the four plant boundaries during the operation of the production line meets the noise standard. No noise pollution will be generated; solid waste and discarded bath solutions are centrally stored by the enterprise and entrusted to an external professional unit for processing, and no other pollution will be generated.

Surgical designs and techniques for mandibular contouring based on categorisation of square face with low gonial angle in orientals.

INTRODUCTION: In East Asian population, a square face is considered unappealing as it imparts a coarse and masculine look. Therefore, Oriental women prefer to have an ovoid and slender facial contour, which is thought to be more feminine and attractive. Nowadays, mandibular contouring surgery has become a commonly performed procedure. Clinical data show that majority of patients who have severe form are characterised by a definite square-shaped face with low gonial angle. A square face is usually visualised in frontal view but the lateral view provides additional information regarding gonial angle, mandibular plane steepness, chin deficiency and more importantly, length of the ramus. These factors are the key points for a precise categorisation, design, selection of surgical methods and choosing the ostectomy line for contouring on a square face with low angle. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2005 to 2009, 94 women were diagnosed as square face with low angle. Three types of surgical design based on procedures such as mandibular 'V-Line' ostectomy, mandibular outer cortex split ostectomy, sliding genioplasty and inlay bone graft in various combinations were constructed, depending upon the presenting facial features. RESULTS: Precise categorisation, designs and techniques resulted in higher satisfaction as these procedures provided an overall narrowing and harmonising effect on the lower facial contour postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Patients with square face and low gonial angle come with multitude of features so that design and technique applied should be tailored to each individual to achieve perfection.