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Background and Aim: To address the problems associated with the availability and prices of conventional feeds, researchers have started to include alternative feeds to reduce the cost of diets and increase profitability. This study examined the influences of olive cake (OC), either alone or in combination with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC), in the diet of black kids. Materials and Methods: Thirty kids were distributed into three treatments: A free OC diet (control [CON]), OC (20% OC), and OCSC (20% OC with 1 g SC head/d). While penned individually, the kids were fed daily and allowed to acclimate to their diets and pens for 7 days. After acclimation, the kids were fed the prescribed diets for 63 days. Five kids were chosen from each group on day 50 of the feeding period and moved to the metabolic cages to evaluate nutrient digestibility and N balance. At the end of the study, all kids were slaughtered to evaluate carcass characteristics and meat quality. Results: Feeding the OCSC diet increased (p = 0.035) DM intake for kids compared with the OC and CON. The CP intake was higher (p = 0.021) in the OCSC group than in the CON group. Growth performance parameters were higher (p ≤ 0.031) in the OCSC group than in the CON diet. Feed conversion efficiency was improved (p = 0.052) by incorporating OCSC compared with the CON diet. Consequently, economic return was enhanced (p = 0.003) by feeding the OC and OCSC groups. Kids fed the OCSC had a higher cold carcass weight (p = 0.054) than those fed the CON diet. The OCSC group also showed increased (p ≤ 0.027) loin cut and intermuscular fat weights compared with the OC and CON groups. All measured serum metabolites were similar in CON and groups incorporating OCs or OCSCs. Conclusion: The results showed that adding 20% OC combined with SC to the diet of growing kids improved some growth and carcass characteristic parameters without affecting their health status. Notably, using OC along with SC could be an option for feed cost reduction in kids’ diets.

This study investigated the gait metric differences between males and females aged 18 to 22. Our investigation revealed some significant changes in gait metrics between the two genders. Firstly, males exhibited greater leg and step lengths than females. Males exhibited wider strides, suggesting typical anthropometric variations. Except for BMI and cadence, males had more variation in practically every other gait metric, whereas females had more variability. There was a non-significant positive connection between BMI and gait metrics such as height, stride length, and step width, with BMI having a minor effect on those measures. Overall, both genders showed a distinct pattern of variability, revealing individual variances in gait analysis across the same genders. A direct correlation was observed between the Froude number and height, indicating that individuals with a higher Froude number exhibit a more dynamic and faster walking style. This phenomenon can be ascribed to the biomechanical superiority that taller individuals may possess, enabling them to generate longer strides and achieve higher speeds. A thorough study of walking speed and gait parameters revealed difficulty in finding the right balance between stability, efficiency, and speed in human movement. Understanding these connections will help people develop more efficient training programs, assistive technologies, and more efficient and safe walking in general.

The importance of using agro-industrial by-products in feeding livestock is important in terms of preserve the environment and conversely, reducing the cost of feeding and production. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess how feeding jojoba meal (JOJ) affected growth performance, cost of production, and carcass features of growing lambs. Twenty-four Awassi lambs weighing 16.4 kg ± 0.17 kg were randomly selected and given two diets; a control diet without the inclusion of JOJ (CON), and JOJ100 with the presence of 100 g/kg dry matter (DM) of JOJ. The experiment lasted for 63 days preceded by 10 days as a period of adaptation. As scheduled on day 49 of the trial and, to assess nutritional digestibility and N balance, five lambs were randomly selected. During this period, lambs were housed in metabolic cages that allowed the collection of total fecal and urinary outputs. Lambs were slaughtered to investigate carcass features on day 64. Acid detergent fiber and EE intakes were greater (p ≤ 0.007) in the JOJ100 than in CON diet. Nutrient digestibility, N balance, growth rate, and carcass traits were not affected (p ≥ 0.136) by consumption of JOJ100. Cost of production declined (p = 0.046) by 17% with the JOJ100 group. High-density lipoprotein was increased (p = 0.012) with lambs consuming the JOJ100 diet. In summary, adding jojoba meal to the diet of lambs appeared to have no adverse effect on their performance, carcass quality, or health. Most importantly, this dietary supplement appeared to enhance the economic efficiency by reducing the cost of production.

Running cadence is crucial in running biomechanics and physiology, impacting performance and injury risk. The relationship between running cadence, height, weight, and gender is explored using data from 29 participants (14 males, 15 females) with varying attributes. Taller individuals tend to have a lower cadence due to longer stride length, while fewer steps are required by heavier individuals at the same pace. A higher cadence is observed in males, possibly due to differences in leg length and muscle fiber composition, although considerable variability exists among individuals of both genders. Linear regression analysis revealed robust models for both genders, with negative correlations between cadence and height, indicating that increased cadence correlates with decreased height for males and females. Females typically have higher BMI than males, with BMI variability in the population. Weight influences running cadence by affecting ground force. Heavier individuals may take fewer steps, but risk increased strain on joints and muscles, raising injury risk. Furthermore, the connection between running cadence and injury risk is investigated. It is found that adjusting cadence significantly reduces stress on weight-bearing joints and prevents common overuse running injuries. It is demonstrated by several reputable studies in the field that even minor cadence increases greatly reduce stress on knee and hip joints during running, making it a commendable method for injury prevention. In conclusion, while height and weight impact running cadence, each person's cadence is unique and influenced by various factors beyond gender alone. Understanding the relationship between running cadence and its impact on injury prevention is crucial for runners seeking to improve performance and avoid injuries.

Straw pretreatment enhances the cellulose accessibility and increases the methane yield from anaerobic digestion. This study investigated the effects of alkali pretreatments with different chemical agents (NaOH, KOH, and Na2CO3) on the physicochemical and thermal characteristics of barley straw, as well as methane production from codigestion with sewage sludge. Artificial neural network modeling with a feedforward neural network (FFNN) and slime mold optimization (SMO) techniques were used to predict methane production. NaOH pretreatment was shown to be the best pretreatment for removing hemicellulose and lignin and for increasing the cellulose accessibility. Moreover, there was a 2.57-fold higher level of methane production compared to that from codigestion with untreated straw. The removal ratios for the total solids, volatile solids, and chemical oxygen demand reached 59.3, 67.2, and 73.4%, respectively. The modeling results showed that the FFNN-SMO method can be an effective tool for simulating the methane generation process, since training, validating, and testing produced very high correlation coefficients. The FFNN-SMO accurately predicted the amount of methane produced, with an R2 of 0.998 and a 3.1x10-5 root mean square error (RMSE).

AbstractThis paper investigates the impact of openness to experience (OE) on the two distinct dimensions of creativity; radical creativity (RC) and incremental creativity, with promotion focus (PF) as regulatory factor and as the mediating mechanism. Drawing on the recent re-conceptualization of creativity as a multi-dimensional phenomenon; the current study attempts to explain the relationship of OE and PF with two dimensions of creativity. Sample is drawn from employees of advertising agencies working in creative departments. A three wave time lagged survey of 293 creative employees of advertising agencies in Karachi, Pakistan was conducted. SPSS Process Macro and AMOS software were used to analyze the data. OE was found to have an impact on both dimensions of creativity, but mediation effects of PF were confirmed between OE and RC only. The findings may assist the managers to better plan, hire and manage their creative workforce according to the jobs that require different forms of creativity. Future directions and limitations are discussed following the findings.

Background: Trichohepatoenteric syndrome (THES) is a very rare disorder that is characterized by intractable congenital diarrhea, woolly hair, intrauterine growth restriction, facial dysmorphism, and short stature. Our knowledge of THES is limited due to the small number of reported cases. Methods: Thirty patients diagnosed with THES, all molecularly confirmed by whole exome sequencing (WES) to have biallelic variants in TTC37 or SKIV2L, were included in the study. Clinical, biochemical, and nutritional phenotypes and outcome data were collected from all participants. Results: The median age of THES patients was 3.7 years (0.9–23 years). Diarrhea and malnutrition were the most common clinical features (100%). Other common features included hair abnormalities (96%), skin hyperpigmentation (87%), facial dysmorphic abnormalities (73%), psychomotor retardation (57%), and hepatic abnormalities (30%). Twenty-five patients required parenteral nutrition (83%) with a mean duration of 13.34 months, and nearly half were eventually weaned off. Parenteral nutrition was associated with a poor prognosis. The vast majority of cases (89.6%) had biallelic variants in SKIV2L, with biallelic variants in TTC37 accounting for the remaining cases. A total of seven variants were identified in TTC37 (n = 3) and SKIV2L (n = 4). The underlying genotype influenced some phenotypic aspects, especially liver involvement, which was more common in TTC37-related THES. Conclusion: Our data helps define the natural history of THES and provide clinical management guidelines.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is ever-evolving concept and gaining significance in the business world. This research proposes a research model that elucidates the mechanism by which Corporate social responsibility (CSR), ethical leadership, and moral reflectiveness promote pro-environmental behavior among employees of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). In today’s ever-changing environment, small and medium companies (SMEs) are critical for any economy to thrive and prosper. SMEs account for more than 30% of the GDP in Pakistan. However, little is known about the processes by which type of leadership influence the pro-environmental behavior, or the circumstances under which such impacts are strengthened or mitigated. The current study attempted to fill the gap by investigating a dual process model in which ethical leadership and a moral reflectiveness acted as two explanatory mechanisms in the impact of Corporate social responsibility (CSR) on pro-environmental behavior among employees working in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The structural equation modeling technique was used to test the research model’s hypothesized relationships. A survey was used to collect data from 390 employees. Results showed that perceived CSR directly impacted moral reflectiveness and ethical leadership. Moreover, the moral reflectiveness and ethical leadership mediated the relationship between the perceived CSR and pro-environmental behavior. These findings contributed significantly to perceived CSR, ethical leadership, moral reflectiveness, and pro-environmental behavior among employees by exploring and integrating the holistic research work into one framework to add to the body of knowledge. Practical implications and future research directions are also highlighted.

The big five personality traits and entrepreneurial mindset (EM) are crucial individual-level elements that determine entrepreneurial intention (EI). This study examines the impact of big five personality traits and EM, on EI using the theory of planned behavior. Besides, this study examined the role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) and attitude toward entrepreneurship (ATE) influences EI. To achieve the research objectives, a quantitative approach was used. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and path analysis were conducted using SmartPLS software. Data were collected from 270 respondents through online questionnaires. Findings of the study revealed that big five personality traits influence ESE and ATE which led to EI. Finally, the moderating role of entrepreneurial passion was also found to have strong effect on influence ESE and ATE. This study offers evidence and insights that academics, educators, and others involved in the creation or expansion of entrepreneurial knowledge can use as a reference point.

For countries and organizations to achieve sustainable development, radical green creativity is required. Despite the fact that the influencing elements of green creativity have received a lot of attention, there is little research on the antecedents of green creativity. The current study attempted to fill the gap by exploring the underlying mechanism of green thinking and green organizational identity as mediators. This study aimed to examine the impact of green transformational leadership on green creativity through mediators, such as green thinking and creative organizational identity in SMEs. We gathered data from 460 respondents from SMEs operating in Pakistan using a survey questionnaire. The findings revealed that green transformational leadership had a significant impact on green organizational identity, which cultivated green creativity in SMEs. Additionally, results portrayed that green organizational identity performed mediation in the relationship between green transformational leadership and green creativity. Moreover, green thinking mediates the association between green transformational leadership and green creativity. This study offers novel insights into how to stimulate green transformational leadership and cognitive processes in SMEs to encourage green creativity. The implications for management and practitioners are discussed in light of the study's findings.

This study investigated the gait metric differences between males and females aged 18 to 22. Our investigation revealed some significant changes in gait metrics between the two genders. Firstly, males exhibited greater leg and step lengths than females. Males exhibited wider strides, suggesting typical anthropometric variations. Except for BMI and cadence, males had more variation in practically every other gait metric, whereas females had more variability. There was a non-significant positive connection between BMI and gait metrics such as height, stride length, and step width, with BMI having a minor effect on those measures. Overall, both genders showed a distinct pattern of variability, revealing individual variances in gait analysis across the same genders. A direct correlation was observed between the Froude number and height, indicating that individuals with a higher Froude number exhibit a more dynamic and faster walking style. This phenomenon can be ascribed to the biomechanical superiority that taller individuals may possess, enabling them to generate longer strides and achieve higher speeds.A thorough study of walking speed and gait parameters revealed difficulty in finding the right balance between stability, efficiency, and speed in human movement. Understanding these connections will help people develop more efficient training programs, assistive technologies, and more efficient and safe walking in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proprotein convertase (PC) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1). It is characterized by severe malabsorptive early-onset diarrhea, obesity, and systemic endocrinopathies. Only few cases have been reported in the literature; we have add two female sisters with some difference in clinical progress. Herein, we describe two sisters with congenital osmotic diarrhea diagnosed with PC1/3 deficiency, causing malabsorptive diarrhea and enteroendocrine dysfunction, who presented with chronic enteropathy with hypernatremia but with different expressivity. PC1/3 deficiency presents with symptoms and signs that mimic glucose-galactose malabsorption. Because of the clinical paucity and heterogeneity of congenital enteropathies, whole-exome sequencing may be of great help towards early diagnosis and effective treatment.

Abstract Background Investigators from different parts of the world are calling for a re-evaluation of the role of liver biopsy (LB) in the evaluation of infantile cholestasis (IC), especially in the light of emerging non-invasive diagnostic technologies. Therefore, this retrospective single-center study was conducted to determine the impact of LB on the diagnosis and management of IC in a cohort from Arabs. Methods From 2007 until 2019, 533 cases of IC were referred for evaluation. All infants who underwent LB were included in the study. We categorized the yield of LB into: (1) defined specific diagnosis; (2) excluded an important diagnosis. A single pathologist reviewed and made the histology report. Results 122 LB specimens met the inclusion criteria. The main indication for LB was a high suspicion of biliary atresia (BA) [high gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) cholestasis and pale stool] in 46 cases (37.8%). Liver biopsy had sensitivity of 86.4%, specificity (66.7%), PPV (70.4%), NPV (84.2%) in diagnosing BA. LB had a direct impact on clinical management in 52 cases (42.6%): (1) The true diagnosis was suggested by LB in 36 cases; (2) LB excluded BA and avoided intraoperative cholangiogram in 16 cases with high suspicion of BA. Among the 76 cases with low suspicion of BA, LB suggested the true diagnosis or helped to initiate specific management in 8 cases only (10.5%). In contrast, molecular testing confirmed the diagnosis in 48 (63%). Conclusion LB continues to be an important tool in the workup of cases with a high suspicion of BA. The low yield of LB in cases with low suspicion of BA calls for a re-evaluation of its role in these cases in whom early incorporation of cholestasis sequencing gene panels can have a better diagnostic yield.

This study intends to evaluate the influence of social advertising, individual factors, and brand image on the buying behavior of Malaysian consumers toward the fashion clothing brands along with mediation of brand image. Using the convenience sampling technique, data was collected from 288 respondents. Questionnaires were self-administered and data was analyzed via Smart PLS-SEM. Social advertising, individual factors, and brand image are significantly related to the buying behavior of Malaysian consumers toward fashion clothing brands. Social advertising and individual factors have also a positive significant relationship with the brand image. Moreover, brand image mediates the relationship between social advertising, individual factors, and buying behavior. This study provides interesting insights about Malaysian consumers by evaluating the influence of social advertising, individual factors, and brand image on their buying behavior toward the fashion clothing brands along with the mediating role of brand image. These useful insights would enable marketers to develop more influential advertising strategies. By assimilating social advertising, individual factors, and brand image literature, the main contribution of this study is the analysis of social advertising, individual factors, and brand image among Malaysian consumers in enhancing the buying behavior toward the fashion clothing brands and building brand image among communities. Precisely, this study has evaluated the influence of some unique characteristics of social advertising (such as informative, entertainment, credibility, ease of use, privacy, and contents), individual factors (such as market maven, stability, open-minded, agreeable, and materialism), and brand image on the buying behavior of Malaysian consumers.

Abstract One of the most important thin film deposition techniques on a silicon, quartz or sapphire substrate in the world is the spin coating method. Hematocrit centrifuge was used to elaborately manufacture the spin coating machine from affordable materials without vibrations. The vacuum holder substrate in this system is used for substrate adhesion. This method provides a dimensionally free substrate with appropriate adhesion for sedimentation upon high-speed spinning. A platinum thin film was deposited on a fluorine-doped tin oxide glass (FTO) substrate with a specific concentration of hexa-chloro-platinic acid. Platinum thin films were investigated by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. FESEM displays successfully produced platinum thin films. The results showed a platinum film transmittance decrement with increasing of hexachloro-platinic acid content. Therefore, the suggested spin coater in this work can deposit platinum thin films with high transmittance up to (98 a.u.).

In this study, we address challenges in the biocompatibility of nickel‐based (NiCr) alloys, prevalent in the dental industry, due to toxic metal ion release impacting corrosion resistance and cytotoxicity. Employing magnetron sputtering and cathodic cage plasma nitriding (CCPN), a duplex plasma treatment (DPT) is introduced to the NiCr alloy. The novel approach enhances surface morphology, notably reducing ion leakage compared with untreated samples. Specifically, the CCPN‐TiN‐treated sample significantly improves corrosion resistance and minimizes metal ion leakage. This transformative DPT emerges as a promising solution for surface modification, particularly mitigating toxic ion leaching in aggressive electrolytes. This research demonstrates a major stride in enhancing NiCr alloy biocompatibility, emphasizing the vital role of innovative surface modification techniques for biomedical applications and challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agro-waste management processes are evolving through the development of novel experimental approaches to understand the mechanisms in reducing their pollution levels efficiently and economically from industrial effluents. Agro-industrial effluent (AIE) from biorefineries that contain high concentrations of COD and color are discharged into the ecosystem. Thus, the AIE from these biorefineries requires treatment prior to discharge. Therefore, the effectiveness of a continuous flow bioreactor system (CFBS) in the treatment of AIE using hybrid waste sludge biochar (HWSB) was investigated. The use of a bioreactor with hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 1–3 days and AIE concentrations of 10–50% was used in experiments based on a statistical design. AIE concentration and HRT were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) as the process variables. The performance of CFBS was analyzed in terms of COD and color removal. Findings indicated 76.52% and 66.97% reduction in COD and color, respectively. During biokinetic studies, the modified Stover models were found to be perfectly suited for the observed measurements with R2 values 0.9741 attained for COD. Maximum contaminants elimination was attained at 30% AIE and 2-day HRT. Thus, this study proves that the HWSB made from biomass waste can potentially help preserve nonrenewable resources and promote zero-waste attainment and principles of circular economy.