This study focused on isolating tannin-tolerant yeasts from Miang, a fermented tea leaf product collected from northern Laos PDR, and investigating related food applications. From 43 Miang samples, six yeast isolates capable of ethanol production were obtained, with five isolates showing growth on YPD agar containing 4% (w/v) tannic acid. Molecular identification revealed three isolates as Saccharomyces cerevisiae (B5-1, B5-2, and C6-3), along with Candida tropicalis and Kazachstania humilis. Due to safety considerations, only Saccharomyces spp. were selected for further tannic acid tolerance study to advance food applications. Tannic acid at 1% (w/v) significantly influenced ethanol fermentation in all S. cerevisiae isolates. Notably, B5-2 and C6-3 showed high ethanol fermentation efficiency (2.5% w/v), while others were strongly inhibited. The application of tannin-tolerant yeasts in longan fruit wine (LFW) fermentation with longan seed extract (LSE) supplementation as a source of tannin revealed that C6-3 had the best efficacy for LFW fermentation. C6-3 showed promising efficacy, particularly with LSE supplementation, enhancing phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and inhibiting α-glucosidase activity, indicating potential antidiabetic properties. These findings underscore the potential of tannin-tolerant S. cerevisiae C6-3 for fermenting beverages from tannin-rich substrates like LSE, with implications for functional foods and nutraceuticals promoting health benefits. Full article

There is a scarcity of published studies on the occurrence of Staphylococcus spp. Among dogs in South Africa. The objective of the study was to characterise the Staphylococcus spp. Isolated from dog samples submitted to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory in South Africa in terms of time, place, and person. This study utilised a dataset of 1627 positive Staphylococcus isolates obtained from a veterinary diagnostic laboratory in South Africa from 2012 to 2017. Out of the 1627 confirmed isolates, 10 different species of Staphylococcus were identified. Among these, 92.0% were classified as coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS), 6.0% were coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), and 3.0% were coagulase-variable. Male dogs contributed just over half (53.2%) of the Staphylococcus isolates, while female dogs contributed the remaining 46.8%. The largest proportion of isolates (23.2%) were obtained from dogs aged ≥ 9 years, with the highest number of isolates originating from KwaZulu-Natal Province (45.0%) and the least from Northern Cape Province (0.1%). Out of the total samples included in the records, the majority (46.0%) were skin specimens. The number of Staphylococcus isolates recorded showed limited variation between the seasons (24.3% in autumn, 26.3% in winter, 26.0% in spring, and 24.0% in summer). This study highlighted the diversity of Staphylococcus spp. isolated from dogs, and the burden of staphylococcal carriage among dogs in South Africa. Further research is required to examine the factors that contribute to the observed discrepancies in the proportions of Staphylococcus spp. between the provinces. Full article

The aims of this study were (i) to determine the effect of an algoclay-based decontaminant on the oral availability of three mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol; DON, ochratoxin A; OTA, and aflatoxin B₁; AFB₁) using an oral bolus model and (ii) to determine the effect of this decontaminant on the performance, intestinal morphology, liver oxidative stress, and metabolism, in broiler chickens fed a diet naturally contaminated with DON. In experiment 1, sixteen 27-day-old male chickens (approximately 1.6 kg body weight; BW) were fasted for 12 h and then given a bolus containing either the mycotoxins (0.5 mg DON/kg BW, 0.25 mg OTA/kg BW, and 2.0 mg AFB₁/kg BW) alone (n = 8) or combined with the decontaminant (2.5 g decontaminant/kg feed; circa 240 mg/kg BW) (n = 8). Blood samples were taken between 0 h (before bolus administration) and 24 h post-administration for DON-3-sulphate, OTA, and AFB₁ quantification in plasma. The algoclay decontaminant decreased the relative oral bioavailability of DON (39.9%), OTA (44.3%), and AFB₁ (64.1%). In experiment 2, one-day-old male Ross broilers (n = 600) were divided into three treatments with ten replicates. Each replicate was a pen with 20 birds. The broiler chickens were fed a control diet with negligible levels of DON (0.19–0.25 mg/kg) or diets naturally contaminated with moderate levels of DON (2.60–2.91 mg/kg), either supplemented or not with an algoclay-based decontaminant (2 g/kg diet). Jejunum villus damage was observed on day 28, followed by villus shortening on d37 in broiler chickens fed the DON-contaminated diet. This negative effect was not observed when the DON-contaminated diet was supplemented with the algoclay-based decontaminant. On d37, the mRNA expression of glutathione synthetase was significantly increased in the liver of broiler chickens fed the DON-contaminated diet. However, its expression was similar to the control when the birds were fed the DON-contaminated diet supplemented with the algoclay-based decontaminant. In conclusion, the algoclay-based decontaminant reduced the systemic exposure of broiler chickens to DON, OTA, and AFB₁ in a single oral bolus model. This can be attributed to the binding of the mycotoxins in the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, dietary contamination with DON at levels between 2.69 and 2.91 mg/kg did not impair production performance but had a negative impact on broiler chicken intestinal morphology and the liver redox system. When the algoclay-based decontaminant was added to the diet, the harm caused by DON was no longer observed. This correlates with the results obtained in the toxicokinetic assay and can be attributed to a decreased absorption of DON. Full article

Combretum micranthum, a plant native to Africa, has a well-documented traditional use in the treatment of various ailments such as fever, diabetes, and malaria. Its pharmaceutical benefits include nephroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, which were proven. In addition, its potential for cosmetic applications is being explored due to its depigmenting, anti-inflammatory, and UV-damage-repairing properties. This article investigates the molecular composition and new cosmetically relevant biological activity of C. micranthum and enriched fractions to begin the establishment of the structure–activity relationship. Firstly, an extract of C. micranthum was prepared and selected for its overall biological response and then fractionated to obtain simplified molecular fractions. One fraction was particularly enriched in kinkeloids, a specific family of compounds to this species. All the fractions and the crude extract were then tested on biological targets to evaluate and compare their cosmetic activities. Molecular networks were constructed from the UHPLC-MS/HRMS data to better characterize the extract and fractions and to highlight structure–activity relationships. This study highlights the metabolic profiling of a butylene glycol extract of C. micranthum, showing its main chemical families and revealing that the kinkeloids, identified by HRMS and NMR, promote an increase in collagen I synthesis, an interesting cosmetic activity neither previously described for these compounds and neither for C. micranthum extract. Full article

Micro- and nanoplastic particles, including common forms like polyethylene and polystyrene, have been identified as relevant pollutants, potentially causing health problems in living organisms. The mechanisms at the cellular level largely remain to be elucidated. This study aims to visualize nanoplastics in bronchial smooth muscle (BSMC) and small airway epithelial cells (SAEC), and to assess the impact on mitochondrial metabolism. Healthy and asthmatic human BSMC and SAEC in vitro cultures were stimulated with polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) of 25 or 50 nm size, for 1 or 24 h. Live cell, label-free imaging by holotomography microscopy and mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis assessment were performed. Furthermore, 25 and 50 nm NPs were shown to penetrate SAEC, along with healthy and diseased BSMC, and they impaired bioenergetics and induce mitochondrial dysfunction compared to cells not treated with NPs, including changes in oxygen consumption rate and extracellular acidification rate. NPs pose a serious threat to human health by penetrating airway tissues and cells, and affecting both oxidative and glycolytic metabolism. Full article

Contactless and label-free detection of urea content in aqueous solutions is of great interest in chemical, biomedical, industrial, and automotive applications. In this work, we demonstrate a compact and low-cost instrumental configuration for label-free, reagent-free, and contactless detection of urea dissolved in water, which exploits the absorption properties of urea in the near-infrared wavelength region. The intensity of the radiation transmitted through the fluid under test, contained in a rectangle hollow glass tubing with an optical pathlength of 1 mm, is detected in two spectral bands. Two low-cost, low-power LEDs with emission spectra centered at λ = 1450 nm and λ = 2350 nm are used as readout sources. The photodetector is positioned on the other side of the tubing, in front of the LEDs. The detection performances of a photodiode and of a thermal optical power detector have been compared, exploiting different approaches for LED driving current modulation and photodetected signal processing. The implemented detection system has been tested on urea–water solutions with urea concentrations from 0 up to 525 mg/mL as well as on two samples of commercial diesel exhaust fluid (“AdBlue™”). Considering the transmitted intensity in presence of the urea–water solution, at λ = 1450 nm and λ = 2350 nm, normalized to the transmitted intensity in presence of water, we demonstrate that their ratio is linearly related to urea concentration on a wide range and with good sensitivity. Full article

In this study, we developed a green and multifunctional bioactive nanoemulsion (BBG-NEs) of Blumea balsamifera oil using Bletilla striata polysaccharide (BSP) and glycyrrhizic acid (GA) as natural emulsifiers. The process parameters were optimized using particle size, PDI, and zeta potential as evaluation parameters. The physicochemical properties, stability, transdermal properties, and bioactivities of the BBG-NEs under optimal operating conditions were investigated. Finally, network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to elucidate the potential molecular mechanism underlying its wound-healing properties. After parameter optimization, BBG-NEs exhibited excellent stability and demonstrated favorable in vitro transdermal properties. Furthermore, it displayed enhanced antioxidant and wound-healing effects. SD rats wound-healing experiments demonstrated improved scab formation and accelerated healing in the BBG-NE treatment relative to BBO and emulsifier groups. Pharmacological network analyses showed that AKT1, CXCL8, and EGFR may be key targets of BBG-NEs in wound repair. The results of a scratch assay and Western blotting assay also demonstrated that BBG-NEs could effectively promote cell migration and inhibit inflammatory responses. These results indicate the potential of the developed BBG-NEs for antioxidant and skin wound applications, expanding the utility of natural emulsifiers. Meanwhile, this study provided a preliminary explanation of the potential mechanism of BBG-NEs to promote wound healing through network pharmacology and molecular docking, which provided a basis for the mechanistic study of green multifunctional nanoemulsions. Full article

Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a prevalent complication of joint replacement surgery which has the potential to decrease patient satisfaction, increase financial burden, and lead to long-term disability. The identification of risk factors for CPSP following TKA and THA is challenging but essential for targeted preventative therapy. Recent meta-analyses and individual studies highlight associations between elevated state anxiety, depression scores, preoperative pain, diabetes, sleep disturbances, and various other factors with an increased risk of CPSP, with differences observed in prevalence between TKA and THA. While the etiology of CPSP is not fully understood, several factors such as chronic inflammation and preoperative central sensitization have been identified. Other potential mechanisms include genetic factors (e.g., catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and potassium inwardly rectifying channel subfamily J member 6 (KCNJ6) genes), lipid markers, and psychological risk factors (anxiety and depression). With regards to therapeutics and prevention, multimodal pharmacological analgesia, emphasizing nonopioid analgesics like acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), has gained prominence over epidural analgesia. Nerve blocks and local infiltrative anesthesia have shown mixed results in preventing CPSP. Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptor antagonist, exhibits antihyperalgesic properties, but its efficacy in reducing CPSP is inconclusive. Lidocaine, an amide-type local anesthetic, shows tentative positive effects on CPSP. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) have mixed results, while gabapentinoids, like gabapentin and pregabalin, present hopeful data but require further research, especially in the context of TKA and THA, to justify their use for CPSP prevention. Full article

The reservoir of the M oilfield in Tarim Basin is an unconventional fracture-cave carbonate rock, encompassing various reservoir types like fractured, fracture-cave, and cave, exhibiting significant spatial heterogeneity. Despite the limited pore space in fractures, they can serve as seepage pathways, complicating the connectivity between reservoirs. High-precision fracture prediction is critical for the effective development of these reservoirs. The conventional post-stack seismic attribute-based approach, however, is limited in its ability to detect small-scale fractures. To address this limitation, a novel pre-stack fracture prediction method based on azimuthal Young’s modulus ellipse fitting is introduced. Offset Vector Tile (OVT) gather is utilized, providing comprehensive information on azimuth and offset. Through analyzing azimuthal anisotropies, such as travel time, amplitude, and elastic parameters, smaller-scale fractures can be detected. First, the original OVT gather data are preprocessed to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio. Subsequently, these data are partially stacked based on different azimuths and offsets. On this basis, pre-stack inversion is carried out for each azimuth to obtain the Young’s modulus in each direction, and, finally, the ellipse fitting algorithm is used to obtain the orientation of the long axis of the ellipse and the ellipticity, indicating the fracture orientation and density, respectively. The fracture prediction results are consistent with the geological structural features and fault development patterns of the block, demonstrating good agreement with the imaging logging interpretations. Furthermore, the results align with the production dynamics observed in the production wells within the block. This alignment confirms the high accuracy of the method and underscores its significance in providing a robust foundation for reservoir connectivity studies and well deployment decisions in this region. Full article

Enophthalmos is a severe complication of primary reconstruction following orbital floor fractures, oncological resections, or maxillo-facial syndromes. The goal of secondary orbital reconstruction is to regain a symmetrical globe position to restore function and aesthetics. In this article, we present a method of computer-assisted orbital floor reconstruction using a mirroring technique and a custom-made titanium or high-density polyethylene mesh printed using computer-aided manufacturing techniques. This reconstructive protocol involves four steps: mirroring of the healthy orbit computer tomography files at the contralateral affected site, virtual design of a customized implant, computer-assisted manufacturing (CAM) of the implant using Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) or Computer Numerical Control (CNC) methods, and surgical insertion of the device. Clinical outcomes were assessed using 3dMD photogrammetry and computed tomography measures in 13 treated patients and compared to a control group treated with stock implants. An improvement of 3.04 mm (range 0.3–6 mm) in globe protrusion was obtained for the patients treated with patient-specific implants (PSI), and no major complications have been registered. The technique described here appears to be a viable method for correcting complex orbital floor defects needing delayed reconstruction. Full article

(1) This document explores the impact of an interactive learning platform on students’ academic performance through a teaching innovation project. (2) The study involved 127 students in financial economics and accounting courses at a Spanish university. Preliminary and post-learning phase surveys, along with instructor evaluations, were conducted to assess students’ expectations, satisfaction, and performance using the Kahoot platform. The data underwent analysis using PLS-SEM and multivariate techniques. (3) Remarkably, 42.5% of students achieved high academic performance, surpassing their average scores. Notably, those who enjoyed using Kahoot and had higher expectations showed significantly higher performances (48.3% vs. 26.4% and 64.1% vs. 18.3%, respectively). These results highlight the positive impact of perceived usefulness on satisfaction and academic performance. The study also emphasizes the moderating role of students’ enjoyment in enhancing satisfaction and learning outcomes through Kahoot. (4) The document concludes with insights into students’ motivation to use Kahoot and its effectiveness in improving learning outcomes, providing valuable implications for interactive learning platforms in education. Full article

Over recent years, processes related to marine storms, sediment shortages and human intervention have caused the global retreat of many coastal systems and the degradation of their dunes. In this context, changes in the dune toe are commonly used as a proxy to study the interannual shoreline evolution, and it is usually analyzed using orthophotography, while high temporal- and spatial-scale resolution studies of dune toe evolution are not frequent. In this work, a quasi-monthly study of dune toe data was carried out between 2008 and 2018. These data, taken from the RTK-DGPS and UAS systems, were subjected to shoreline analysis, and they showed an average regression rate of −2.30 m/year, a higher value than the one registered until 2008 (1 m/year). This suggests an acceleration in the erosion suffered within the system, which was revealed to be more intense in the northern sector of the study area. Dune toe variability increased over the years, probably due to the presence of washover fans breaking the foredune that were reactivated and expanded during storm events. The ephemeral progradation of the dune toe was also noted, which could be explained with reference to wind events and/or beach nourishment that had been carried out over the studied period. From the analysis of the dune toe elevation, a decrease in this variable was obtained, especially in the areas affected due to washover fans. This finding is supported by the significant correlation of the dune toe elevation and erosion trend, suggesting that the areas where the dune toe was lower are prone to suffering a greater retreat. This correlation provides insight into the future evolution of the barrier, suggesting a state of degradation and a transition to a lower-resilience state. Full article

Water quality monitoring plays a crucial role in urban water supply systems for the production of safe drinking water. However, the traditional approach to water monitoring in Norway relies on a periodic (weekly/biweekly/monthly) sampling and analysis of biological indicators, which fails to provide a timely response to changes in water quality. This research addresses this issue by proposing a data-driven solution that enhances the timeliness of water quality monitoring. Our research team applied a case study in Ålesund Kommune. A sensor platform has been deployed at Lake Brusdalsvatnet, the water source reservoir in Ålesund. This sensor module is capable of collecting data for 10 different physico-chemical indicators of water quality. Leveraging this sensor platform, we developed a CNN-AutoEncoder-SOM solution to automatically monitor, process, and evaluate water quality evolution in the lake. There are three components in this solution. The first one focuses on anomaly detection. We employed a recurrence map to encode the temporal dynamics and sensor correlations, which were then fed into a convolutional neural network (CNN) for classification. It is noted that this network achieved an impressive accuracy of up to $99.6\%$. Once an anomaly is detected, the data are calibrated in the second component using an AutoEncoder-based network. Since true values for calibration are unavailable, the results are evaluated through data analysis. With high-quality calibrated data in hand, we proceeded to cluster the data into different categories to establish water quality standards in the third component, where a self-organizing map (SOM) is applied. The results revealed that this solution demonstrated significant performance, with a silhouette score of 0.73, which illustrates a small in-cluster distance and large intra-cluster distance when the water was clustered into three levels. This system not only achieved the objective of developing a comprehensive solution for continuous water quality monitoring but also offers the potential for integration with other cyber–physical systems (CPSs) in urban water management. Full article

The advent of immunotherapy has transformed the treatment paradigm for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the past few years, several studies have investigated the potential role of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in resectable and unresectable locally advanced disease, achieving remarkable results that led to their approval in clinical practice. However, there is limited evidence on immunotherapy rechallenge after recurrence, with the majority of available knowledge coming from retrospective studies which involve heavily pretreated patients with advanced NSCLC. The recent introduction in the curative setting and the potential regulatory restrictions raise questions about the optimal choice of first-line and subsequent therapies for patients with systemic relapse. The role of immunotherapy readministration in this new scenario needs to be clarified, as well as the identification of patients for whom it is more appropriate, including clinical characteristics, duration of response, switching to other ICIs, reasons for discontinuation and immune-related toxicity. Here, we review literature on rechallenge with immunotherapy, including efficacy, safety profile and potential predictive factors of response. Full article

In this study, the influence of initial microstructure and deformation temperature on the flow stress behavior and microstructural evolution of TIMETAL^®407 (Ti-407) alloy are investigated. For this purpose, compression cylinders were β-annealed at 940 °C and then cooled to room temperature using furnace cooling, static air, and water quenching to promote three initial microstructures with different α lath thicknesses. The annealed cylinders were compressed isothermally in the range of 750 °C to 910 °C at a constant crosshead speed of 0.05 mm/s up to an engineering strain of −0.8. The resulting stress–strain curves are discussed in terms of the morphology and distribution of the α and β phases. It was found that flow stress is inversely proportional to deformation temperature for all initial microstructures. At the lowest temperatures, compressive yield strength was higher in water-quenched and air-cooled samples than in furnace-cooled specimens, suggesting that the acicular α-phase morphology obtained by rapid cooling could enhance mechanical strength by hindering dislocation motion. Two high-temperature flow regimes were determined based on the shape of the flow stress curves, indicating microstructural changes occurring during deformation. At higher temperatures, the effect of the initial microstructure is negligible as the primary α phase is transformed to the β phase at around 850 °C irrespective of the initial α-lath thickness. Full article

Nuclear fusion is a potential source of energy that could supply the growing needs of the world population for millions of years. Several experimental thermonuclear fusion devices try to understand and control the nuclear fusion process. A very interesting diagnostic called Thomson scattering (TS) is performed in the Spanish fusion device TJ-II. This diagnostic takes images to measure the temperature and density profiles of the plasma, which is heated to very high temperatures to produce fusion plasma.Each image captures spectra of laser light scattered by the plasma under different conditions. Unfortunately, some images are corrupted by noise called stray light that affects the measurement of the profiles. In this work, we propose the use of deep learning models to reduce the stray light that appears in the diagnostic. The proposed approach utilizes a Pix2Pix neural network, which is an image-to-image translation based on a generative adversarial network (GAN). This network learns to translateimages affected by stray light to images without stray light. This allows for the effective removal of the noise that affects the measurements of the TS diagnostic, avoiding the need for manual image processing adjustments. The proposed method shows a better performance, reducing the noise up to $98\%$ inimages, which surpassesprevious works that obtained $85\%$ for the validation dataset. Full article

(1) Background: The liver-first approach may be indicated for colorectal cancer patients with synchronous liver metastases to whom preoperative chemotherapy opens a potential window in which liver resection may be undertaken. This study aims to present the data of feasibility and short-term outcomes in the liver-first approach. (2) Methods: A prospective observational study was performed in Spanish hospitals that had a medium/high-volume of HPB surgeries from 1 June 2019 to 31 August 2020. (3) Results: In total, 40 hospitals participated, including a total of 2288 hepatectomies, 1350 for colorectal liver metastases, 150 of them (11.1%) using the liver-first approach, 63 (42.0%) in hospitals performing <50 hepatectomies/year. The proportion of patients as ASA III was significantly higher in centers performing ≥50 hepatectomies/year (difference: 18.9%; p = 0.0213). In 81.1% of the cases, the primary tumor was in the rectum or sigmoid colon. In total, 40% of the patients underwent major hepatectomies. The surgical approach was open surgery in 87 (58.0%) patients. Resection margins were R0 in 78.5% of the patients. In total, 40 (26.7%) patients had complications after the liver resection and 36 (27.3%) had complications after the primary resection. One-hundred and thirty-two (89.3%) patients completed the therapeutic regime. (4) Conclusions: There were no differences in the surgical outcomes between the centers performing <50 and ≥50 hepatectomies/year. Further analysis evaluating factors associated with clinical outcomes and determining the best candidates for this approach will be subsequently conducted. Full article

As a core component for efficient variable speed transmission and energy saving, wet clutches are widely used in the transmission systems of energy-saving and new energy vehicles. However, with an increase in the service mileage of the wet clutch, the friction coefficient undergoes alterations. This leads to a deterioration of the control accuracy of the clutch transmission torque, which ultimately has a negative impact on the dynamic characteristics and driving safety of the entire vehicle. In order to understand the service behavior of the friction coefficient in a wet clutch, wet clutches with different service mileages were investigated experimentally and theoretically. The results show that as the service mileage increased, the hydrodynamic lubrication phase was extended. Analyses of the three-dimensional profile of the friction plate and the theoretical simulation of the friction revealed that the edge ridges of the friction pads were flattened. This increased the clutch engagement force when the asperities on the separator and friction plates came into contact. Full article

The exploration of novel biomarkers to assess poultry health is of paramount importance, not only to enhance our understanding of the pathogenicity of zoonotic agents but also to evaluate the efficacy of novel treatments as alternatives to antibiotics. The present study aimed to investigate potential gut health biomarkers in broiler chicks challenged by Campylobacter jejuni and subjected to a continuous water disinfection program. A total of 144 one-day-old hatched broiler chicks were randomly allocated to four treatment groups with four replicates each, according to the following experimental design: Group A received untreated drinking water; Group B received drinking water treated with 0.01–0.05% v/v Cid 2000™ (hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid and paracetic acid); Group C was challenged by C. jejuni and received untreated drinking water; and Group D was challenged by C. jejuni and received drinking water treated with 0.01–0.05% v/v Cid 2000™. The use of Cid 2000™ started on day 1 and was applied in intervals until the end of the experiment at 36 days, while the C. jejuni challenge was applied on day 18. Potential biomarkers were investigated in serum, feces, intestinal tissue, intestinal content, and liver samples of broilers. Statistical analysis revealed significant increases (p < 0.001) in serum cortisol levels in C. jejuni-challenged broilers. Serum fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-d) increased significantly (p = 0.004) in broilers challenged by C. jejuni and treated with drinking water disinfectant, while fecal ovotransferrin concentration also increased significantly (p < 0.001) in broilers that received the drinking water disinfectant alone. The gene expression levels of occludin (p = 0.003) and mucin-2 (p < 0.001) were significantly upregulated in broilers challenged by C. jejuni, while mucin-2 significantly increased in birds that were challenged and received the drinking water disinfectant (p < 0.001). TLR-4 expression levels were significantly (p = 0.013) decreased in both groups that received the drinking water disinfectant, compared to the negative control group. Finally, the C. jejuni challenge significantly increased (p = 0.032) the crypt depth and decreased (p = 0.021) the villus height-to-crypt-depth ratio in the ileum of birds, while the tested disinfectant product increased (p = 0.033) the villus height in the jejunum of birds. Furthermore, the counts of C. jejuni in the ceca of birds (p = 0.01), as well as its translocation rate to the liver of broilers (p = 0.001), were significantly reduced by the addition of the water disinfectant. This research contributes to novel insights into the intricate interplay of water disinfection and/or C. jejuni challenge with potential intestinal biomarkers. In addition, it emphasizes the need for continued research to unveil the underlying mechanisms, expands our understanding of broiler responses to these challenges and identifies breakpoints for further investigations. Full article

This observational pilot study examined the association between diet, meal pattern and glucose over a 2-week period under free-living conditions in 26 adults with dysglycemia (D-GLYC) and 14 with normoglycemia (N-GLYC). We hypothesized that a prolonged eating window and late eating occasions (EOs), along with a higher dietary carbohydrate intake, would result in higher glucose levels and glucose variability (GV). General linear models were run with meal timing with time-stamped photographs in real time, and diet composition by dietary recalls, and their variability (SD), as predictors and glucose variables (mean glucose, mean amplitude of glucose excursions [MAGE], largest amplitude of glucose excursions [LAGE] and GV) as dependent variables. After adjusting for calories and nutrients, a later eating midpoint predicted a lower GV (β = −2.3, SE = 1.0, p = 0.03) in D-GLYC, while a later last EO predicted a higher GV (β = 1.5, SE = 0.6, p = 0.04) in N-GLYC. A higher carbohydrate intake predicted a higher MAGE (β = 0.9, SE = 0.4, p = 0.02) and GV (β = 0.4, SE = 0.2, p = 0.04) in N-GLYC, but not D-GLYC. In summary, our data suggest that meal patterns interact with dietary composition and should be evaluated as potential modifiable determinants of glucose in adults with and without dysglycemia. Future research should evaluate causality with controlled diets. Full article

To accurately depict inventory management over time, this paper introduces a fractional inventory management model that builds upon the existing classical inventory management framework. According to the definition of fractional difference equation, the numerical solution and phase diagram of an inventory management system are obtained by MATLAB simulation. The influence of parameters on the nonlinear behavior of the system is analyzed by a bifurcation diagram and largest Lyapunov exponent (LLE). Combined with the related indexes of time series, the complex characteristics of a quantization system are analyzed using spectral entropy and C0. This study concluded that the changing law of system complexity is consistent with the LLE of the system. By analyzing the influence of order on the system, it is found that the inventory changes will be periodic in some areas when the system is fractional, which is close to the actual conditions of the company’s inventory situation. The research results of this paper provide useful information for inventory managers to implement inventory and facility management strategies. Full article

This study investigates the impact of the Canadian government’s decision to reduce the supply of farm-raised salmon in British Columbia (BC) on domestic prices, the level of imports, and the environment. By drawing upon data from diverse sources, this study employs the SARIMAX model to forecast future trends in salmon prices up to 2026. The forecasted results reveal that retail salmon prices will exhibit greater unpredictability and a predicted price increase of over CAD 30 per kilogram by 2026. In addition, increased consumption of imported salmon due to BC farm closure is expected to contribute to heightened carbon emissions and result in job losses within rural and indigenous communities. In short, BC salmon farm closure carries profound consequences for both the environment and market dynamics. Full article