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A passive wedge screen, thanks to its many functional and environmental advantages, has recently become a popular type of surface water intake for municipal and industrial purposes. The design solutions proposed in this paper for a passive wedge wire screen intake model and two different deflectors have been experimentally tested under conditions that can be considered as no-flow conditions at the hydraulic flume. There was only a slight flow associated with the operation of the screen, while there was almost no flow in the hydraulic channel itself, such that it would be considered a watercourse. A hydraulic analysis was carried out, including velocity distribution around the screen as well as the determination of head losses with or without deflectors installed inside the screen. Lower inlet and inflow velocities to the surface of the water intake reduce the risk of injury or death to small fish and fry as well as attracting pollutants understood as sediments, debris, and plant remains floating in the river. In order to achieve the lowest possible maximum inlet and inflow velocities at the highest possible intake capacity, it was necessary to equalize the approach velocity distributions. It was shown that by using the proposed deflectors, the approach velocity distributions were equalized and the maximum values of inflow and inlet velocities were reduced. A water intake screen with a deflector with an uneven porosity distribution equalized the approach velocities better than a deflector with equal openings, but the differences were small. Installing the wedge screen model reduced the maximum inlet velocity from exceeding 2 m/s to a value of 0.08 m/s, and after installing deflectors with equal and unequal openings to values of 0.06 m/s and 0.05 m/s, respectively. In addition to laboratory tests, the paper describes the numerical simulations performed in ANSYS Fluent software. The results of the simulations made it possible to obtain a broader study, as well as to compare the velocity values obtained at the measuring points during the laboratory tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the continuous development of economy and society, great changes have taken place in the national water intake situation. In order to adapt to the requirements of high-quality development of water resources management in the new situation and respond to the needs of building a smart water digital twin data base, the construction of the national water resources monitoring and measurement system needs to be strengthened. As the main water intake form in China at this stage, it is necessary to study the technical methods to improve its monitoring and measurement capacity. This paper investigates and studies the data of more than 5.5 million water intakes nationwide collected in 2021 by combining field investigation and data collection. From the national and typical provincial levels, the current situation of water intake monitoring and metering is analyzed according to different water intake scales, water intake purposes, water intake projects, monitoring and metering facilities and water transmission type, and the comparison and selection of monitoring and metering facilities, improvement of monitoring accuracy. Technical methods are proposed to improve the stability and durability of monitoring, improve the application of system platform functions, and promote the improvement of pipeline type water intake monitoring and metering capacity. The research shows that: ➀ The number and distribution of water intakes across the country are significant. The number of water intakes is huge and the spatial distribution is uneven. There are many water intakes in the north, mainly groundwater intakes, and few water intakes in the south, mainly surface water intakes. ➁ The national water intake monitoring and metering work should be further strengthened. At this stage, the focus should be on improving the pipeline type water intake monitoring and metering capacity. The monitoring and metering methods and facilities used are different due to different conditions such as water intake scale, water intake scene and water intake purpose. The error, environmental adaptability, measurement cost, advantages and disadvantages and unique application scenarios of different monitoring and measurement facilities are quite different. ➂ The monitoring and metering lifting of pipeline type water intakes is a comprehensive task. It is necessary to comprehensively improve the monitoring and metering capacity of the water intake from four aspects: metering accuracy, stability and durability, system platform application capability, and the introduction of relevant technical standards. The research findings provide an important basic data reference for comprehensively understanding the current situation of water intake monitoring and metering in China, a technical reference for improving the monitoring and metering capacity of pipeline water intakes, and a technical support for the next step of water intake supervision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Existing activity recognition focuses on a special scale activity with special sensors. In recent years, the sensorless sensing method which uses wireless signal to recognize activities by refraction and reflection of human body has been widely concerned. However, human activities in real situations are often concurrent (e.g., breathing is associated with motion state). These observations motivate us to answer the question of how to effectively recognize an activity that relies on concurrent cross-scale activities in sensorless pattern. To understand and attack this problem, this paper takes the daily activity recognition of drinking water into account. On the one hand, the measurement of drinking water quantity is of great significance to the determination of hydration state of human body. On the other hand, the micro-scale movements (i.e., respiration and deglutition) and meso-scale actions (i.e., arm movements) during drinking are typical concurrent cross-scale activities. A concurrent cross-scale activities recognition system is designed and implemented by taking the advantage of the ubiquitous channel state information, namely, DW-health, which can detect breath and drinking, estimate the water intake with commercial Wi-Fi devices. DW-health adopts the novel filter design which engenders better performance of noise elimination. Moreover, the activity segmentation method based on subcarrier correlation and dynamic threshold is proposed to recognize concurrent recognition of cross-scale activities. The experimental results indicate that the drinking and non-drinking detection accuracy of DW-health can reach 97% and 84.83%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat stress in dairy cows is an increasing problem because of climate change. Even though South Africa has a warm to hot climate, little research on this topic has been done locally. Currently, while intensive housing is increasing being used in large dairy production systems, a shade structure provides the first step to protect cows against heat stress improving production performance and welfare. This paper provides results on the production performance, physiological parameters and behaviour of Holstein-Friesian cows with and without access to a shade structure during summer. The effects of heat stress on primiparous Holstein-Friesian and Jerseys cows in a breed comparison study are also shown. The milk yield of Holstein-Friesian cows with access to shade was significantly higher than that of cows without shade. Although the difference in milk yield was small (5.5%), the difference between the accumulative milk yield between shade and no shade cows increased over time for each of the three summer seasons, indicating a decreasing ability of cows without shade to withstand heat stress conditions. The internal rate of return on the capital outlay for the construction of a shade structure showed a positive return on investment within three summer seasons. Jersey cows displayed a higher tolerance to heat stress than Holstein-Friesian cows suggesting that they would be more suitable for a hot environment. However, the large difference (ca 30%) in production performance should be taken in account when considering a change in breed. Ways to alleviate the effect of heat stress on dairy cows are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper considers the issues of controlling the surface and ground water drainage in combined drainage-irrigation systems. The most common ways of regulating the drainage of surface waters, aimed at preventing the land waterlogging, creating conditions for timely agrotechnical measures, and protecting the soil from erosion, are represented. The main directions of developments associated with the control of the ground water level under non-black earth conditions are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this changing climate scenario, the availability of potable water has become scarce for both humans and animals in many parts of the world. Continuous supply of water is crucial for animals’ life as well as different body and sanitary maintenance needs. Water availability has a direct and indirect role in clenching thirst, feeding, cleaning of animals and their environment, and other dairy operations. Water intake by dairy animals is affected by several factors including body weight of animals, genetic makeup, dry matter intake, mineral content of feed offered, milk productivity, environmental conditions, and water temperature. Behavioral patterns of dairy animals are adversely affected by restriction of water supply to them. Researchers have recommended that ad libitum water supply should be assured to the farm animals to avoid any negative effect on their health and performances. In the recent years, there is growing interest in quantifying the effects of restricted water supply to dairy animals. Many studies have demonstrated that the availability of potable water for animals will be a great challenge soon. Therefore, the present review paper has been formulated to gain better understanding of the factors affecting water intake in dairy animals and management strategies to ensure availability of water resources essential for their health, production, and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animals during the period of intensive growth and development need large amounts of nutrients. Young animals, especially newborns, are exceptionally vulnerable to potentially deleterious effects of nutritional deficiencies. Water is the main component of animal rations. Many dairy calves do not have sufficient access to drinking water. All calves, even those consuming large volumes of milk, should have access to drinking water. Milk does not meet their water requirements. Sick calves and calves reared in high ambient temperatures require free access to drinking water at all times. It is reasonable to offer free drinking water immediately after birth. The aim of this paper was to present the aspects connected with drinking water in calf nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the management of modern water supply facilities, it is essential to achieve the objectives of sustainable development. Recent monitoring devices, together with Information and Communication Technology tools, enable the design and use of methods ensuring that a variety of requirements will be met. This paper presents an original methodology for creating control scenarios for a water intake with managed aquifer recharge while meeting a set of operational criteria. An operational scenario is understood as the control of pump operation in the process of water intake from wells in barriers consisting of several dozen pumps each. The most important criterion is the need to collect infiltrated water from the aquifer evenly over the entire length of the wells in barriers; this is enabled by the introduction of the Sum of Neighborhood Factors. The development of the method was preceded by the identification of objects and processes together with the determination of control and controlled parameters to establish limitations and criteria. The proposed solution was implemented in the form of an algorithm that takes into account the current state of the facility and uses an established knowledge base as a function of a Decision Support System. The proposed methodology was applied to an exemplary water intake facility with an artificial recharge system. The topic of this paper refers to the problem of applying expert systems in the management of water supply systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-yielding dairy cows have exceptionally high water requirement. These animals may drink up 100 L of water per day. Water is the main component of animal rations. Dairy cow free water intake significantly exceeds dry matter intake. Access to drinking water determines animal health, welfare and performance. Even short-term water deprivation may negatively affect dairy cows. Factors influencing dairy cow water intake include body weight, milk yield, dry matter intake, diet composition, ambient temperature and physiological state. The aim of this paper was to present the aspects connected with drinking water in dairy cow nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

My fluid diary as an alternative tool for daily recording fluid intake: cross over study among adolescent girls Background: Water plays a vital role in the human body. The respondents found the fluid intake record using paper-based excessively burdensome, so a smartphone-based application was developed as a drink intake recording tool. Objective: Assessing the validity of My Fluid Diary as a fluid intake recording tool using 7-day records as a reference method. Methods: A crossover study was conducted involving 38 female students of SMKN 1 Banyumas. Total water intake was recorded for seven days for each method (smartphone-based and paper-based), with 14 days washout period between the two methods. To determine the difference in water intake between the two methods, the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was used; Bland-Altman plots and linear regression tests were used to determine the agreement between the two methods; and the Spearman test was used to determine the relationship between water intake and hydration status. Results: Water intake was significantly higher with smartphone application-based recording than with paper-based recording (1008.3 (421.3 – 2363) and 763.2 (435 – 1875.5); p 0.0001), with agreement limit of 1, 11 – 3.00 and ß -value (0.296) p-value 0.05 in the regression test, indicating no fixed bias. The findings of recording water intake and hydration status were significantly correlated with the two methods (p-value

A passive wedge screen, thanks to its many functional and environmental advantages, has recently become a popular type of surface water intake for municipal and industrial purposes. The design solutions proposed in this paper for a passive wedge wire screen intake model and two different deflectors have been experimentally tested under conditions that can be considered as no-flow conditions at the hydraulic flume. There was only a slight flow associated with the operation of the screen, while there was almost no flow in the hydraulic channel itself, such that it would be considered a watercourse. A hydraulic analysis was carried out, including velocity distribution around the screen as well as the determination of head losses with or without deflectors installed inside the screen. Lower inlet and inflow velocities to the surface of the water intake reduce the risk of injury or death to small fish and fry as well as attracting pollutants understood as sediments, debris, and plant remains floating in the river. In order to achieve the lowest possible maximum inlet and inflow velocities at the highest possible intake capacity, it was necessary to equalize the approach velocity distributions. It was shown that by using the proposed deflectors, the approach velocity distributions were equalized and the maximum values of inflow and inlet velocities were reduced. A water intake screen with a deflector with an uneven porosity distribution equalized the approach velocities better than a deflector with equal openings, but the differences were small. Installing the wedge screen model reduced the maximum inlet velocity from exceeding 2 m/s to a value of 0.08 m/s, and after installing deflectors with equal and unequal openings to values of 0.06 m/s and 0.05 m/s, respectively. In addition to laboratory tests, the paper describes the numerical simulations performed in ANSYS Fluent software. The results of the simulations made it possible to obtain a broader study, as well as to compare the velocity values obtained at the measuring points during the laboratory tests.

Water resource conservation and management is vital as well for humankind, as for nature and economy, and is exposed to anthropogenic and climatic pressures, transcends national boundaries. The EU Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC establishes a legal framework to protect and restore clean water in the EU and to secure its long-term sustainable use and mitigate the effects of floods and drought. In this regard, EU member-states are developing river basin management plans based on current characteristics and water status and programs with measures. In the planning process were identified different types of pressures on the surface waters, defining the significant management issues, such as pollution with biogenic substances, organic and chemical pollution, pressure from water intake and climate pressure. These problems solutions require both science-based approaches and specific target measures definitions to improve the water resources status and the level of their management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Dopamine and fluid intake systems have anatomical and behavioral links. • Several bioregulators modulate mesolimbic dopamine to influence motivated behavior. • More research is needed to better understand links between dopamine and fluid intake. • Appetitive and consummatory phases of intake offer a framework for future studies. Maintaining fluid balance is critical for life. The central components that control fluid intake are only partly understood. This contribution to the collection of papers highlighting work by members of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior focuses on the role that dopamine has on fluid intake and describes the roles that various bioregulators can have on thirst and sodium appetite by influencing dopamine systems in the brain. The goal of the review is to highlight areas in need of more research and to propose a framework to guide that research. We hope that this framework will inspire researchers in the field to investigate these interesting questions in order to form a more complete understanding of how fluid intake is controlled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First morning urine (FMU) assessment would be a practical and convenient solution for clinically acceptable detection of underhydration prior to competition/training, and for the general public. Thus, we thus sought to determine the diagnostic accuracy of FMU as a valid indicator of recent (previous 24 hr, 5 days average) hydration practices. For 5 consecutive days and one final morning, 67 healthy women (n = 38) and men (n = 29; age: 20 [1] years, body mass index: 25.9 [5.5]) completed 24-hr diet logs for total water intake (from beverages and foods, absolute and relative to body mass), 24-hr urine and FMU collection (last morning only) for osmolality (Osm), specific gravity (SG), and color (Col), and morning blood sampling for plasma osmolality and copeptin. Correlations determined significance and relationship strength among FMU and all other variables. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curves, sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratios were employed using previously reported values to indicate underhydration (total water intake < 30 ml/kg, osmolality > 500, and >800 mOsm/kg, specific gravity > 1.017, and copeptin > 6.93 pmol/L). FMU_Osm and FMU_SG were significantly correlated (p <.05) to all variables except the previous 5-day plasma osmolality. FMU_Col was only significantly correlated with other color time intervals and total water intake per gram. FMU_Osm held greatest utility (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity >80%) overall, with the best outcome being FMU_Osm indicating a previous 24-hr osmolality threshold of 500 mOsm/kg (FMU_Osm criterion >710 mOsm/kg and positive likelihood ratio = 5.9). With less effort and cost restriction, FMU is a viable metric to assess underhydration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formulation of the problem. The paper is the beginning of scientific papers series of authors on an actual environmental topic – multidimensional system geomonitoring of groundwater in water intakes areas. The purpose of article is a substantiation of application possibility of the method of objects trajectory modeling in the normalized phase space, which has been developed at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University for socio-geographical monitoring tasks, for hydrogeological objects geomonitoring. Materials and methods. The research is based on the method of objects trajectory modeling in the normalized phase space. To achieve the purpose of this study, geomonitoring data of five water intakes in Poltava city, which operate Cenomanian-Lower Cretaceous aquifer, has been used. Changes in the average chemical composition of groundwater for each water intake have been analyzed according to 12 indicators: pH, hardness, dry residue, ammonium, fluorine, chlorine, sulfates, bicarbonates, calcium, magnesium, sodium+potassium, ferrous iron. The initial data have been collected from 1981 to 2008 according to an irregular pattern in time (39 points in time). Research results. The following indicators of systemic development of hydrogeological system have been calculated for each water intake: a) for each period of time – the path length traveled by the water intake hydrogeological system, which characterizes the intensity of changes in the groundwater chemical composition; b) for each control time – the projection of current trajectory point on the optimal trajectory (main diagonal), the deviation of point from the optimal trajectory, the progress coefficient (the ratio of point projection to the length of main diagonal). The main trends in the systemic development of hydrogeological system for all studied water intakes have been identified: - the intensity of changes in the groundwater chemical composition at water intakes Nos. 1-5 decreases over time, which can be explained by the reduction of water withdrawal and hydrodynamic factors associated with the formation of depression funnel, in particular the spreading of quasi-stationary filtration regime; - according to the absolute values of changes intensity in the groundwater chemical composition, the water intake No. 3 is highlighted, the value of which is significantly less than the values of other water intakes; - groundwater at the water intake No. 1 has the greatest variability in the changes intensity of chemical composition over time both in amplitude and in absolute values; - there is a very noticeable synchronization of movement intensity graphs of water intakes hydrogeological systems in the normalized phase space and the average intensity of changes in the groundwater chemical composition, but a detailed analysis reveals some deviations from this pattern, which may be due to abrupt changes in operation mode of water intakes.

The basis for the research was the GIS project, which includes groundwater monitoring data on the territory of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania. The paper presents generalized materials on fresh groundwater and comparative analysis of their quality change during water intake exploitation on the territory of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania. Special geoinformation system (GIS) including groundwater parameters data for about 20 years of monitoring was developed. The results of chemical analyzes of groundwater for different years are systematized. The characteristics of deformation changes in aquifers and their relationship to surface waters are given. The evaluation of the groundwater protection against natural and anthropogenic pollution is given. The methodology for calculating of protective sanitary zones for water intakes with various hydrogeological conditions is developed, and measures for sanitary protection and revealing of pollution sources are offered (reasons for increasing hardness and mineralization of fresh groundwater in the industrial zone of Vladikavkaz city). Based on the investigation results, the conclusions on possible sources of hardness increase and deterioration of groundwater quality in the Ossetian artesian aquifer were drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydration status plays a key role in healthy ageing, and it is potentially affected by several factors, including drug consumption. However, research on this issue to date is scarce, especially in highly vulnerable groups, such as the elderly. We aimed to study the relationship linking hydration status, analysed by means of a validated questionnaire, 24 h urine analysis, body composition assessment, and drug consumption in a sample of old adults. A total of 144 elders were included in the study. Cardiovascular drug consumption was significantly associated with a lower water intake in men (β = −0.282, p = 0.029). Moreover, urinary analysis revealed that total drug intake as well as the consumption of diuretics and cardiovascular drugs were associated with poorer hydration status, whereas genito-urinary drugs were associated with an opposite effect, and these results were confirmed in terms of body composition. Hence, total drug consumption (β = −0.205), diuretic (β = −0.408), cardiovascular (β = −0.297), and genito-urinary drugs (β = 0.298) were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with total body water. The obtained results confirmed the impact of chronic treatment with certain drugs on hydration status. Nutritional interventions may be of great interest in certain population groups in order to prevent complications due to altered hydration status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Both short and long sleep durations are associated with decreased kidney function; however, few studies have examined the relationship between sleep, hydration status, and plain water intake. This study aimed to assess the relationship between sleep quality, hydration status, and plain water intake in pregnant women. Methods: A cross-sectional study method was used to collect data from 380 pregnant women with regular examinations at the hospital between May 2019 and February 2021. Results: There were statistically significant differences in daily plain water intake (x2 = 14.118, p = 0.001), PSQI score (x2 = 77.708, p < 0.001), sleep duration (x2 = 67.569, p > 0.001), subjective sleep quality (x2 = 67.441, p = 0.001), time to fall asleep (x2 = 64.782, p < 001), sleep disorders (x2 = 70.853, p < 0.001), and daytime dysfunction (x2 = 38.441, p < 0.001) among different hydration status groups. Ordinal logistic regression results indicated that the intake of plain water ≥1500 mL/d (OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.24~0.67), good subjective sleep quality (OR = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.07~0.32), short time to fall asleep (OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.14~0.70), 8 h of sleep (OR = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.02~0.17), 6–7 h of sleep (OR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.07~0.54), no sleep disturbance (OR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.11~0.89), and high sleep efficiency (OR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.03~0.79) were factors that were correlated with optimal hydration status. Sleep duration and daytime dysfunction partially mediated the effect of plain water intake on hydration status. The mediating effect of sleep duration was −0.036, accounting for 14.006% of the overall effect. The mediating effect of daytime dysfunction was −0.024, accounting for 9.459% of the overall effect. Conclusion: The hydration status in pregnant women may be affected by daily plain water intake and sleep quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice bean [Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi and Ohashi], an annual legume in the genus Vigna, is a promising crop suitable for cultivation in a changing climate to ensure food security. It is also a medicinal plant widely used in traditional Chinese medicine; however, little is known about the medicinal compounds in rice bean. In this study, we assessed the diuretic effect of rice bean extracts on mice as well as its relationship with the contents of eight secondary metabolites in seeds. Mice gavaged with rice bean extracts from yellow and black seeds had higher urinary output (5.44–5.47 g) and water intake (5.8–6.3 g) values than mice gavaged with rice bean extracts from red seeds. Correlation analyses revealed significant negative correlations between urine output and gallic acid (R = −0.70) and genistein (R = −0.75) concentrations, suggesting that these two polyphenols negatively regulate diuresis. There were no obvious relationships between mice diuresis-related indices (urine output, water intake, and weight loss) and rutin or catechin contents, although the concentrations of both of these polyphenols in rice bean seeds were higher than the concentrations of the other six secondary metabolites. Our study findings may be useful for future research on the diuretic effects of rice bean, but they should be confirmed on the basis of systematic medical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the application of the simulation-optimization approach to optimize groundwater intake for the water supply of Tarnów agglomeration (southern Poland). Tarnów agglomeration is supplied with water from extensively exploited surface and groundwater intakes located at the confluence of the rivers Dunajec and Biała. Groundwater intakes capture water from the Quaternary aquifer, which is recharged by rainfall and direct infiltration from the rivers and irrigation ditches. Hydrogeological conditions occurring within the area under consideration were mapped by using a single-layer numerical model in Processing Modflow software. After calibrating the simulation model, a simulation-optimization approach was developed with the aim of aiding the process of searching for the best scheme of exploitation of groundwater intake. The unit response matrix method was used to connect the simulation model with the optimization procedure. In the optimization task the objective functions concerning the total volume of groundwater intake discharge and infiltration amount from the River Dunajec or irrigation ditches were applied. Several constraints concerned both the maximum and minimum capacity of individual wells and the entire intake, as well as desirable or undesirable drawdown values in selected control points and control areas. Finally, twelve variants of optimization tasks, for different boundary conditions and different objective functions, were solved and optimal schemes of well discharge distribution within the intake were calculated. The results of optimization show that, depending on the intended objective and the constraints imposed, the best exploitation scenario under the given conditions may be found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Water consumption is believed to be a key factor in weight management strategies, yet the existing literature on the subject yields inconsistent findings. To systematically assess the scientific evidence regarding the effect of water intake on adiposity, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) among overweight and obese populations. Methods: PubMed and Embase were searched for relevant articles published up to December 2023. The summary weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using the DerSimonian–Laird random-effects model. Results: In this meta-analysis of eight RCTs, interventions to promote water intake or to substitute water for other beverages as compared to the control group resulted in a summary WMD of −0.33 kg (95% CI = −1.75–1.08, I2 = 78%) for body weight, −0.23 kg/m2 (95% CI = −0.55–0.09, I2 = 0%) for body mass index (BMI), and 0.05 cm (95% CI = −1.20–1.30, I2 = 40%) for waist circumference (WC). Among RCTs substituting water for artificially sweetened beverages, summary WMD was 1.82 kg (95% CI = 0.97–2.67, I2 = 0%) for body weight and 1.23 cm (95% CI = −0.03–2.48, I2 = 0%) for WC. Conversely, among RCTs substituting water for sugar-sweetened beverages, summary WMD was −0.81 kg (95% CI = −1.66–0.03, I2 = 2%) for body weight and −0.96 cm (95% CI = −2.06–0.13, I2 = 0%) for WC. Conclusions: In conclusion, water intake may not significantly impact adiposity among overweight and obese individuals. However, replacing sugar-sweetened beverages with water might offer a modest benefit in inducing weight loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the experimental study of a behavioural barrier consisting of a bubble curtain placed near an ecological river water intake, aiming to assess the bubble curtain's influence on the velocity field of water flowing in the water intake proximity. The scientific novelty is given by the water intake solution operating in tandem with the dedicated bubble curtain generator used for avoiding fish entrapment. The water intake solution used in the present research is based on a run-of-river intake without a dam in the riverbed, maintaining the mountain rivers longitudinal connectivity. An experimental setup was designed and built to study the behavioural barrier for ecological water intakes in different operating conditions. Thus, tests were performed for two water velocities (0.33 m/s and 0.535 m/s) in the experimental setup, two water depths (92 mm and 119 mm) and two air flow rates (10.5 LPM and 15 LPM). The results were compared with the case when no air is injected through the bubble curtain generator. The assessment of the bubble curtain influence on the water flow inside the channel was made by measuring and analysing the velocity variation in vertical and horizontal direction. The results showed a significant velocity gradient in the bubble curtain proximity, which can contribute to influencing the behaviour of the fish by deterring them from the water intake area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In the near future, several areas of the world will be affected by climate change, reducing their water availability. More than 90% of goats are found in Asia and Africa, and it is believed that these animals would be more resilient to climate change. Their milk is a good source of nutrients, contributing to the food security of the poorest and rural communities. Considering that milk is mostly water, it is essential to understand how the goat mammary gland can respond at a productive, cellular, hormonal, and blood level when faced with reduced water intake scenarios, as well as analyzing prospects in terms of more sustainable goat milk production. Due to climate change, diverse territories of the planet will suffer from water restrictions. Goats are perceived as the most resilient ruminants in this scenario. So, various studies have focused on describing how a lower water intake influences milk production, especially in breeds adapted to desert environments. In water-stress situations, goats lose up to 32% of their body weight (BW), the rate of passage is reduced, and the digestibility of the feed increases. When goats consume water again, the rumen prevents hemolysis and osmotic shock from occurring. Regarding milk production, the response varies depending on the breed and the level of water restriction, maintaining the milk volume or reducing it by up to 41%. Systemically, it decreases the urinary volume and glomerular filtration rate, increasing blood osmolality and the vasopressin (ADH) concentration. Studies are scarce regarding changes in blood flow to the mammary gland, but there would be a reduction in blood flow velocity of up to 40% without changing blood pressure. New studies must be undertaken to determine which breeds or crosses are the best adapted to changing environmental conditions and to improve our understanding of the changes that occur at the morphophysiological level of the caprine mammary gland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To estimate the economic impact of preventing urinary tract infections (UTI) by increasing water intake among women with recurrent UTI and low fluid intake across seven countries: France, United Kingdom, Spain, United States of America, Mexico, China and Australia. Methods: A Markov model was developed to compare costs and outcomes of UTIs associated with low fluid intake in women versus a strategy of primary prevention by increasing water intake. Model inputs were based on randomized controlled trial data which found that increasing water intake by 1.5 L/day decreased the risk of developing cystitis by 48% in women with low fluid intake and recurrent UTI. A time horizon of 10 years was used; outcomes were from the payer perspective and included both direct and indirect costs, reported in 2019 United States dollars ($). Discounting rates varied by country. Scenarios of increasing levels of compliance to the increased water intake strategy were evaluated. Results: The total cost of one UTI episode, including diagnostics, treatment and complications, ranged from $2164 (Mexico) to $7671 (Australia). Assuming 80% compliance with the increased water intake strategy over a 10-year time horizon, the number of UTIs prevented ranged from 435,845 (Australia) to 24150,272 (China), resulting in total savings of 286 million (Australia) to $4.4 billion (China). Across all countries, increased water intake resulted in lower cost and fewer UTIs compared with low water intake. Conclusion: Preventing recurrent UTIs by increasing water intake would reduce both the clinical and economic burden associated with UTI. Public, healthcare professionals and patients should be made aware about the preventive positive impact of appropriate water intake on UTIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frazil and anchor ice cause blockage of water intakes and icing of other type of submerged objects. In this paper, the physical mechanisms that control these phenomena are discussed and analyzed. Our conclusions are somewhat different from the views presented earlier. 1) Ice crystals in water may originate from microbubbles and turbulence, so that nucleation may occur regardless of an external source 2) The number concentration of ice crystals may not necessarily increase much during an active frazil ice event, 3) The heat transfer from a frazil ice crystal is controlled by its relative rise velocity, not by water turbulence, 4) The collision efficiency of frazil ice crystals on grid components is so small that frazil typically causes no blockage of submerged water intakes, and 5) Blockage is largely caused by ice platelets that grow in-situ on the structural components. We model frazil and anchor ice formation theoretically and find that the uncertainty about the concentration of ice crystals is the main obstacle to accurate modelling. Within these limits, our model results agree well with the available experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to its renal and cardiovascular functions, angiotensin signalling is thought to be responsible for the increases in salt and water intake caused by hypovolaemia. However, it remains unclear whether these behaviours require angiotensin production in the brain or liver. Here, we use in situ hybridization to identify tissue‐specific expression of the genes required for producing angiotensin peptides, and then use conditional genetic deletion of the angiotensinogen gene (Agt) to test whether production in the brain or liver is necessary for sodium appetite and thirst. In the mouse brain, we identified expression of Agt (the precursor for all angiotensin peptides) in a large subset of astrocytes. We also identified Ren1 and Ace (encoding enzymes required to produce angiotensin II) expression in the choroid plexus, and Ren1 expression in neurons within the nucleus ambiguus compact formation. In the liver, we confirmed that Agt is widely expressed in hepatocytes. We next tested whether thirst and sodium appetite require angiotensinogen production in astrocytes or hepatocytes. Despite virtually eliminating expression in the brain, deleting astrocytic Agt did not reduce thirst or sodium appetite. Despite markedly reducing angiotensinogen in the blood, eliminating Agt from hepatocytes did not reduce thirst or sodium appetite, and in fact, these mice consumed the largest amounts of salt and water after sodium deprivation. Deleting Agt from both astrocytes and hepatocytes also did not prevent thirst or sodium appetite. Our findings suggest that angiotensin signalling is not required for sodium appetite or thirst and highlight the need to identify alternative signalling mechanisms. Key points: Angiotensin signalling is thought to be responsible for the increased thirst and sodium appetite caused by hypovolaemia, producing elevated water and sodium intake.Specific cells in separate brain regions express the three genes needed to produce angiotensin peptides, but brain‐specific deletion of the angiotensinogen gene (Agt), which encodes the lone precursor for all angiotensin peptides, did not reduce thirst or sodium appetite.Double‐deletion of Agt from brain and liver also did not reduce thirst or sodium appetite.Liver‐specific deletion of Agt reduced circulating angiotensinogen levels without reducing thirst or sodium appetite. Instead, these angiotensin‐deficient mice exhibited an enhanced sodium appetite.Because the physiological mechanisms controlling thirst and sodium appetite continued functioning without angiotensin production in the brain and liver, understanding these mechanisms requires a renewed search for the hypovolaemic signals necessary for activating each behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]