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We present a 43-year old female patient, admitted to the intensive care unit, recovering from a Bentall procedure because of a supra-coronary aneurysm and unicuspid aortic valve. Few hours following surgery,a marked lactic acidosis, hypoxemia and increased central venous pressure developed. Pulmonary angio-CT was performed to exclude pulmonary embolism. Because of severe peripheral vasoconstriction, iodine contrast could only be administered through a narrow lumen central venous catheter, which limited the maximum flow rate to 1.5 ml/s. Images were performed with triggering in the pulmonary trunk. Review of the images showed no evidence for pulmonary embolism. Despite the low flow rate, a clear enhancement of the pulmonary artery was observed (up to 460 HU) (Fig. 1). Such an enhancement of the pulmonary artery is normally only achieved when injecting contrast at a flow rate of 4-5 ml/s. These perfect images, obtained at a low contrast flow rate in fact indicate severely impaired right ventricular function.

We report the CT findings in a case of partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) from the left upper lobe in an adult. PAPVR is an anatomic variant in which one to three pulmonary veins drain into the right atrium or its tributaries, rather than into the left atrium. This results in a left-to-right shunt with varying clinical presentation. These can range from asymptomatic patients to advanced cardiac failure.

Patients on glucocorticosteroid therapy are at increased risk of gastrointestinal perforation. The associated morbidity and mortality of perforations in this group is increased, compared with normal groups. This difference is due to the delay between onset of clinical symptoms and treatment. In the presence of steroids, gastrointestinal perforation is more difficult to diagnose clinically because signs and symptoms of perforation are masked by the anti-inflammatory effect of the steroids.

The study aimed to analyze and evaluate the production and economic performance of a broiler chicken farm in Poland during the years 2020–2023. Production performance was assessed by comparing final body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and the European Performance Efficiency Factor (EPEF). Economic results were determined using the sales value, production costs, profit (direct surplus), and profitability index (PI). During the study years, the broiler rearing period lasted on average 40 days, with six production cycles each year. The average BW was found to be 2.51 kg with an average FCR of 1.54 kg/kg. For the four production years, the EPEF was calculated, reaching a high average value of 399. Broiler chicken production in Poland was profitable despite the continuously increasing production costs. In the years studied, the cost of feed accounted for 69.6–76.1% of the total production costs, chicks 15.0–19.7%, and labor costs 1.59–2.39%. In all of the analyzed production cycles, the PI of broiler chicken rearing was above 100, averaging 120.48%, and the average profit per bird was 0.46 EUR. During the study period, several negative events occurred, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the spread of avian influenza outbreaks, and consequent fluctuations in feed and poultry prices. Despite these challenges, namely the consistently rising production costs, broiler production in the study farm remained profitable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive anthropogenic activity has led to the accumulation of organic and inorganic contaminants in diverse ecosystems, which presents significant challenges for the environment and its inhabitants. Utilizing microalgae as a bioremediation tool can present a potential solution to these challenges. Microalgae have gained significant attention as a promising biotechnological solution for detoxifying environmental pollutants. This is due to their advantages, such as rapid growth rate, cost-effectiveness, high oil-rich biomass production, and ease of implementation. Moreover, microalgae-based remediation is more environmentally sustainable for not generating additional waste sludge, capturing atmospheric CO2, and being efficient for nutrient recycling and sustainable algal biomass production for biofuels and high-value-added products generation. Hence, microalgae can achieve sustainability's three main pillars (environmental, economic, and social). Microalgal biomass can mediate contaminated wastewater effectively through accumulation, adsorption, and metabolism. These mechanisms enable the microalgae to reduce the concentration of heavy metals and organic contaminants to levels that are considered non-toxic. However, several factors, such as microalgal strain, cultivation technique, and the type of pollutants, limit the understanding of the microalgal removal mechanism and efficiency. Furthermore, adopting novel technological advancements (e.g., nanotechnology) may serve as a viable approach to address the challenge of refractory pollutants and bioremediation process sustainability. Therefore, this review discusses the mechanism and the ability of different microalgal species to mitigate persistent refractory pollutants, such as industrial effluents, dyes, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. Also, this review paper provided insight into the production of nanomaterials, nanoparticles, and nanoparticle-based biosensors from microalgae and the immobilization of microalgae on nanomaterials to enhance bioremediation process efficiency. This review may open a new avenue for future advancing research regarding a sustainable biodegradation process of refractory pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northern Nigeria has been plagued by the nefarious activities of terrorist groups, including Boko Haram, its affiliates, and armed bandits. Beyond its kinetic operations, the military has since deployed several strategies toward trust building across the region. This article contributes to the literature, by adopting process-based leadership as a social psychology conceptual and analytical lens. As a departure from traditional conceptualizations of civil–military relations, process-based leadership identifies where influence exists and how it is being exchanged toward the attainment of mutually linked security goals and objectives, between the military and society, in conflict settings. A central argument of the article is that improving civil–military relations in conflict settings is largely dependent on trust building, and achieving this is a function of the exchange of influence and the establishment of mutuality between the military and society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kernel method is a tool that converts data to a kernel space where operation can be performed. When converted to a high-dimensional feature space by using kernel functions, the data samples are more likely to be linearly separable. Traditional machine learning methods can be extended to the kernel space, such as the radial basis function (RBF) network. As a kernel-based method, support vector machine (SVM) is one of the most popular nonparametric classification methods, and is optimal in terms of computational learning theory. Based on statistical learning theory and the maximum margin principle, SVM attempts to determine an optimal hyperplane by addressing a quadratic programming (QP) problem. Using Vapnik–Chervonenkis dimension theory, SVM maximizes generalization performance by finding the widest classification margin within the feature space. In this paper, kernel machines and SVMs are systematically introduced. We first describe how to turn classical methods into kernel machines, and then give a literature review of existing kernel machines. We then introduce the SVM model, its principles, and various SVM training methods for classification, clustering, and regression. Related topics, including optimizing model architecture, are also discussed. We conclude by outlining future directions for kernel machines and SVMs. This article functions both as a state-of-the-art survey and a tutorial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Lake water pollution under anthropogenic influences exhibits characteristics of high uncertainty, rapid evolution, and complex control challenges, presenting substantial threats to ecological systems and human health. Quantitative risk prediction provides crucial support for water quality deterioration prevention and management. This study employed the Copula Bayesian Network model to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of water quality in Qilu Lake, China (2010–2020), incorporating inter-indicator correlations and multiple uncertainty sources. Analysis revealed generally "worse" water quality conditions (5.10 ± 1.35) according to established index classifications, with predicted probabilities of reaching "deteriorated" status ranging from 11.80% to 47.90%. Significant spatial and temporal variations in water quality and pollution risk were observed, primarily attributed to intensive agricultural non-point source loading and water resource deficiency. The study established early warning thresholds through key indicator concentration predictions, particularly for the southern region where "deteriorated" risk levels corresponded to specific ranges: TN (3.42–8.43 mg/L), TP (0.07–1.29 mg/L), and CODCr (27.75–67.19 mg/L). This methodology effectively characterizes lake water quality evolution while enabling risk prediction through key indicator monitoring. The findings provide substantial support for water pollution control strategies, risk management protocols, and regulatory decision-making for lake ecosystem administrators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Antimicrobials are extensively used in Pakistan's broiler farming industry. However, their improper use can contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance, posing a significant threat to both human and animal health. This study quantified antimicrobial usage at 100 broiler farms in Pakistan using four different quantification methods. The findings revealed that most treatments were administered to prevent diseases rather than to treat them, with many involving antimicrobials critical to human health. A total of 41 antimicrobial substances from 17 classes were identified, with colistin, enrofloxacin, and neomycin being the most commonly used. The majority of treatments were given during the first week of production. This study underscores the alarmingly high levels of antimicrobial use on these farms, emphasizing the need for urgent reductions, particularly in the use of antimicrobials classified as critically important for humans. Improving farm management practices and regulatory oversight can promote responsible antimicrobial use and help mitigate the risk of antimicrobial resistance, ultimately benefiting both human and animal health. Pakistan has a large, intensive broiler production industry, where antimicrobials are extensively used for both therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. Monitoring antimicrobial use (AMU) at the farm level is crucial to guide interventions for antimicrobial stewardship. The objective of this study was to comprehensively quantify AMU on commercial broiler farms in Pakistan using different metrics. Data on on-farm AMU (both therapeutic and prophylactic) were collected from intensive commercial broiler farms in Punjab, Pakistan. AMU was quantified using four different metrics: treatment incidence (TI) based on defined daily dose (TIDDDvetPK), TI based on defined course dose (TIDCDvetPK), TI based on used daily dose (TIUDDvetPK), and mg/kg biomass. The median TIDDDvetPK, TIDCDvetPK, TIUDDvetPK, and mg/kg biomass values were 57.7 (7.5–257.9), 13.3 (1.8–52.5), 75.3 (21.1–182.9), and 301 (46.8–1009.6), respectively, based on 741 group treatments given at 100 participating farms with 225 flocks. About 34% treatments were administered for therapeutic purposes, with 66% administered as prophylaxis. A total of 41 active substances, distributed across 17 antimicrobial classes, were identified from 139 commercial antimicrobial products used. The most commonly used active substances (AS), out of total 741 group treatments, were colistin (polymyxins) at 17%, enrofloxacin (quinolones) at 8%, neomycin (aminoglycosides) and amoxicillin (aminopenicillins) at 7% each, and procaine penicillin (NS penicillins) and streptomycin (aminoglycosides) at 6% each. According to the WHO categorization, 57% of the used AS were found to be critically important antimicrobials (CIAs) for human medicine. As many as 30% of treatments were administered in the first week (13% on the first day of production), and the main indication was prophylaxis for early chick mortality, followed by 21% in week 5, with main indication being feed supplements for necrotic enteritis. The average weight at slaughtering was 2.25 kg, gained after an average of 44 days of the production cycle. The alarmingly high AMU in Pakistani broiler production emphasizes the urgent need to reduce AMU, particularly involving CIAs and the prophylactic use of antimicrobials. This can be achieved by improving farm management practices and strengthening regulatory oversight to enable prudent antimicrobial use, eventually reducing the risk of AMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetlands serve as crucial habitats for diverse bird species, playing a vital role in maintaining the ecosystem. Geographical location, climate, hydrology, and vegetation composition of wetlands determine the diversity of birds. This study investigated species richness, seasonal diversity, and composition of wetland birds in three prominent water bodies of western Nepal, namely Ghodaghodi, Rani, and Jokhar lakes, from 2021 to 2022 in summer and winter using the point count method. We observed 59 wetland bird species across three wetlands, where both the richness and diversity were significantly higher in the winter. Paired t‐tests revealed significant seasonal differences (p < 0.001) in diversity, species richness, and abundance at both Ghodaghodi and Rani lakes. The highest species richness was observed at Ghodaghodi (n = 58), reflecting its significance as a vital bird habitat. In contrast, diversity was higher in Rani Lake during both seasons (Winter H = 2.98, Summer H = 2.79). NMDS followed by ANISOM test also showed that bird community structure varies across lakes and seasons. Indicator species analysis showed that out of 59 species, 26 species are associated with one or different sites, whereas 18 of them are associated with the summer or winter season. We observed the Anatidae family with the highest relative diversity (RDI = 28.81%) and reported 1 globally vulnerable species and 7 globally near‐threatened species. While in Jokhar Lake, the abundance does not vary between the seasons. This study revealed substantial differences in bird species across seasons and lakes showing that each wetland offers a distinct ecological niche for bird species. The findings reinstate the importance of these wetlands as crucial habitats for the diversity of birds and species composition. This research contributes to the conservation and management of these ecosystems, aiding the protection of wetland birds in Nepal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Poultry management prior to transport can result in animal stress, injuries, and mortality. Here, we aimed to gather information from Flemish poultry farmers about their current pre-transport practices (i.e., selection of unfit chickens, catching preparation, catching, and crating) for spent hens and broilers. The results showed that a minority of farmers performed catch preparation, such as pre-selecting chickens unfit for transport. Practices on layer farms were less aligned with the EU legislation for water and feed withdrawal than on broiler farms. All birds were caught inverted except for one broiler farmer who used mechanical catching. Although mechanical catching may involve extra costs, increased biosecurity risks, and specific recommendations for the stable (height and width), it was reported as the preferred method for broiler catchers' well-being. Upright catching was considered better for animal welfare than catching more than three chickens by one/two legs, mechanically, or by the wings. Poultry farmers should be sensitized about the need for pre-catch selection, including clear guidelines about judging which birds are fit for transport. Pre-catch measures (e.g., closing the area under the aviary system, removing litter) can streamline the catching process and reduce animal suffering. The pre-transport phase induces stress, fear, and injury in poultry, but management choices greatly influence this. Pre-transport practices for spent hens and broilers in Flanders (Belgium) were studied. Poultry farmers (31 of 156 layers and 48 of 203 broiler farmers completed the survey) were surveyed on the selection of unfit chickens, catching and crating, and farmer opinion. A minority of farmers made a specific selection of chickens unfit for transport prior to catching (layers 25%: 5.1 ± 5.9 h, broilers 39%: 6.8 ± 7.0 h). More layer (69%) than broiler farmers (19%) withdrew feed too early (EU regulations stipulate max. 12 h before expected slaughter time). Layer farmers withdrew water earlier than broiler farmers (47.9 ± 51.1 min vs. 20.6 ± 23.3 min). More broiler than layer farmers believed that the container type affects the birds' welfare (48% vs. 27%; p < 0.05). On broiler farms, mechanical catching was preferred for catchers' well-being, while upright catching was considered better for animal welfare than catching more than three chickens by one/two legs, wings, or mechanically. Poultry farmers should be sensitized about the need for additional selection before catching, including clear guidelines about judging which birds are fit for transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the combined treatment system of domestic sewage and leachate by serial stabilization ponds in a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). The WWTP had two parallel pond modules, one receiving (module II—pond M10) and the other not receiving leachate (module I—pond M5). Physical, chemical, and biological monitoring parameters collected from January 2017 to December 2021 were evaluated. High reducing efficiency for ammonium nitrogen was found, with an average of 95.7 ± 2.5%. BOD5 and COD can be considered statistically different for a 95% confidence level in the two pond modules. The phytoplankton community was composed of 46 taxa distributed in four taxonomic classes: 6 belonging to the Cyanobacteria group (13%), 22 to the Green Algae group (48%), 4 to the Diatoms group (9%), and 14 to the Phytoflagellate group (30%). No ecotoxicity was detected for the evaluated pond effluent samples. Thus, although the insertion of leachate impacted the quality of the final effluent of the ponds and the organic matter, it may not have affected the effluents' ecotoxicity. This research helps to understand the impacts of long-term leachate insertion in a real treatment system using stabilization ponds for combined treatment. In addition to the usual efficiency evaluation parameters, ecotoxicological tests and phytoplankton are also evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Procedural coding presents a taxing challenge for clinicians. However, recent advances in natural language processing offer a promising avenue for developing applications that assist clinicians, thereby alleviating their administrative burdens. This study seeks to create an application capable of predicting procedure codes by analysing clinicians' operative notes, aiming to streamline their workflow and enhance efficiency. We downstreamed an existing and a native German medical BERT model in a secondary use scenario, utilizing already coded surgery notes to model the coding procedure as a multi-label classification task. In comparison to the transformer-based architecture, we were levering the non-contextual model fastText, a convolutional neural network, a support vector machine and logistic regression for a comparative analysis of possible coding performance. About 350,000 notes were used for model adaption. By considering the top five suggested procedure codes from medBERT.de, surgeryBERT.at, fastText, a convolutional neural network, a support vector machine and a logistic regression, the mean average precision achieved was 0.880, 0.867, 0.870, 0.851, 0.870 and 0.805 respectively. Support vector machines performed better for surgery reports with a sequence length greater than 512, achieving a mean average precision of 0.872 in comparison to 0.840 for fastText, 0.837 for medBERT.de and 0.820 for surgeryBERT.at. A prototypical front-end application for coding support was additionally implemented. The problem of predicting procedure codes from a given operative report can be successfully modelled as a multi-label classification task, with a promising performance. Support vector machines as a classical machine learning method outperformed the non-contextual fastText approach. FastText with less demanding hardware resources has reached a similar performance to BERT-based models and has shown to be more suitable for explaining the predictions efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, vector‐borne diseases are increasing in distribution and frequency, affecting humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Science‐based management and prevention of these diseases requires a sound understanding of the distribution and environmental requirements of the vectors and hosts involved in disease transmission. Integrated Species Distribution Models (ISDM) account for diverse data types through hierarchical modeling and represent a significant advancement in species distribution modeling. We assessed the distribution of the soft tick subspecies Ornithodoros turicata americanus. This tick species is a potential vector of African swine fever virus (ASFV), a pathogen responsible for an ongoing global epizootic that threatens agroindustry worldwide. Given the novelty of this method, we compared the results to a conventional Maxent SDM and validated the results through data partitioning. Our input for the model consisted of systematically collected detection data from 591 sampled field sites and 12 historical species records, as well as four variables describing climatic and soil characteristics. We found that a combination of climatic variables describing seasonality and temperature extremes, along with the amount of sand in the soil, determined the predicted intensity of occurrence of this tick species. When projected in geographic space, this distribution model predicted 62% of Florida as suitable habitat for this tick species. The ISDM presented a higher TSS and AUC than the Maxent conventional model, while sensitivity was similar between both models. Our case example shows the utility of ISDMs in disease ecology studies and highlights the broad range of geographic suitability for this important disease vector. These results provide important foundational information to inform future risk assessment work for tick‐borne relapsing fever surveillance and potential ASF introduction and maintenance in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transportation duration and distance are significant concerns for animal welfare, particularly in the poultry industry. However, limited proteomic studies have investigated the impact of transport duration on poultry welfare. In this study, mass spectrometry based bottom up proteomics was employed to sensitively and impartially profile the liver tissue proteome of chickens, addressing the issue of animal stress and welfare in response to transportation before slaughter. The liver exudates obtained from Ross 508 chickens exposed to either short or long road transportation underwent quantitative label-free LC-MS proteomic profiling. This method identified a total of 1,368 proteins, among which 35 were found to be significantly different (p < 0.05) and capable of distinguishing between short and long road transportation conditions. Specifically, 23 proteins exhibited up-regulation in the non stressed group, while 12 proteins showed up-regulation in the stressed group. The proteins identified in this pilot study encompassed those linked to homeostasis and cellular energetic balance, including heat shock proteins and the 5′-nucleotidase domain-containing family. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of the proteome in broiler liver tissues, shedding light on poultry adaptability to transport stress. Furthermore, the identified proteins present potential as biomarkers, suggesting promising approaches to enhance poultry care and management within the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of fat type and mango peel powder (MP) on the physicochemical properties of cooked beef patties during cold storage and after in vitro digestion. Beef patties were prepared with saturated beef fat (BF) and pre‐emulsified avocado oil (AO) or pre‐emulsified safflower oil (SO). MP was added at 0% or 1%. The treatments were as follows: T1 (BF, no added MP), T2 (AO, no added MP), T3 (SO, no added MP), T4 (BF + 1%MP), T5 (AO + 1%MP), and T6 (SO + 1%MP). Substituting saturated fat with AO and SO improved the fatty acid profile of beef patties. The addition of pre‐emulsified oils increased (p < 0.05) the L∗, a∗, and b∗ values. Moreover, the incorporation of MP in the meat formulation decreased (p < 0.05) lipid oxidation during cold storage. Adding MP to the meat formulation decreased (p < 0.05) lipid oxidation before and after in vitro digestion. Replacement of saturated fat with vegetable oils and incorporation of MP may be an alternative strategy to improve the quality of beef patties during cold storage and decrease lipid oxidation after in vitro digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interest in natural fibres and biopolymers for developing bio-composites has greatly increased in recent years, motivated by the need to reduce the environmental impact of traditional synthetic, fossil fuel-derived materials. However, several limitations associated with the use of natural fibres and polymers should be addressed if they are to be seriously considered mainstream fibre reinforcements. These include poor compatibility of natural fibres with polymer matrices, variability, high moisture absorption, and flammability. Various surface treatments have been studied to tackle these drawbacks, such as alkalisation, silane treatment, acetylation, plasma treatment, and polydopamine coating. This review paper considers the classification, properties, and limitations of natural fibres and biopolymers in the context of bio-composite materials. An overview of recent advancements and enhancement strategies to overcome such limitations will also be discussed, with a focus on mechanical performance, moisture absorption behaviour, and flammability of composites. The limitations of natural fibres, biopolymers, and their bio-composites should be carefully addressed to enable the widespread use of bio-composites in various applications, including electronics, automotive, and construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrospinning of pure chitosan nanofibers is highly sensitive to environmental humidity, which limits their production consistency and applicability. This study investigates the addition of sodium chloride (NaCl) to chitosan solutions to enhance spinnability and mitigate the effigurefects of low humidity. NaCl was incorporated into the electrospun chitosan solution, leading to increased conductivity and decreased viscosity. These modifications improved the electrospinning process. Comparative analyses between chitosan membranes (CM) and sodium-chloride-added chitosan membranes (SCM) revealed no significant differences in chemical structure, mechanical strength, or in vitro cell proliferation. This indicates that the addition of 1% (w/v) NaCl does not adversely affect the fundamental properties of the chitosan membranes. The findings demonstrate that NaCl addition is a viable strategy for producing electrospun chitosan nanofibers in low-humidity environments, maintaining their physicochemical properties while enhancing spinnability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective water resource management is crucial for sustainable development, particularly in Ecuador, where diverse geographical and climatic conditions create unique challenges. This review article examines the advancements, challenges, and opportunities in integrated watershed management across various river basins in Ecuador. By analyzing critical issues such as pollution, deforestation, erosion, and resource exploitation, the study highlights the complexities involved in managing water resources. The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) strategies is emphasized as vital tools for addressing these challenges. The article also explores the importance of stakeholder coordination, equitable water distribution, and the need for robust environmental regulations. Through a comprehensive review of scientific literature and case studies, this study provides valuable insights and recommendations for developing future policies and strategies that ensure sustainable water management and ecosystem conservation in Ecuador. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine the physicochemical variables that influence macroinvertebrate assemblages in wetlands of the Fetam River watershed. Macroinvertebrates and water quality samples were collected from 20 sampling stations across four wetlands between February and May 2022. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to elucidate the physicochemical gradients among datasets and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was applied to explore the relationship between taxon assemblages and physicochemical variables. Aquatic insects such as Dytiscidae (Coleoptera), Chironomidae (Diptera), and Coenagrionidae (Odonata) were the most abundant families, and they comprised 20-80% of the macroinvertebrate communities. As demonstrated by cluster analysis, three site groups including slightly disturbed (SD), moderately disturbed (MD), and heavily disturbed (HD) sites were identified. PCA showed a clear separation of slightly disturbed sites from moderately and highly impacted sites. Differences in physicochemical variables, taxon richness and abundance, and Margalef diversity indices were observed along the SD to HD gradient. Phosphate concentration was an important predictor that influenced richness and diversity. The extracted two CCA axes of physicochemical variables accounted for 44% of the variability in macroinvertebrate assemblages. Nutrient concentration (nitrate, phosphate, and total phosphorus), conductivity, and turbidity were the main drivers of this variation. This suggested the need for sustainable wetland management intervention at the watershed level, ultimately benefiting invertebrate biodiversity., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

The evaluation of the ecological consequences of anthropogenic stressors is a critical challenge in the management of the environment. Multimetric indices (MMIs) are one of the biomonitoring tools that have been widely explored to assess the ecological health of riverine systems globally, as MMIs have proven to be extremely effective, owing to their ability to incorporate data and information from both structural and functional assemblages of organisms and the entire ecosystem. Currently, there are very few MMIs developed in Nigeria to assess the ecological health of riverine systems, and none of the MMIs was developed for river stations draining urban and agricultural catchments. In order to close this gap, we developed and validated a macroinvertebrate-based MMI for assessing the ecological health of river systems in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria draining urban and agriculture catchments. Furthermore, we also compared the effectiveness of both continuous scoring and discrete systems for the development of MMI. Physico-chemical variables and macroinvertebrates were collected from 17 well-marked out stations that spread throughout 11 different river systems. The stations were classified into three categories based on the degree of impact: least-impacted stations (LIS), moderately impacted stations (MIS), and heavily impacted stations (HIS). Sixty-seven (67) candidate macroinvertebrate metrics were potentially tested, and only five metrics were deemed significant and ultimately retained for integration into the final Niger Delta urban–agriculture MMI. The following five metrics were chosen to remain in use for the MMI development: Chironomidae/Diptera abundance, %Odonata, Margalef index, Oligochaete richness and logarithmic-transformed relative abundance of sprawler. Notable performance rates of 83.3% for the least-impacted stations and 75% for the moderately impacted stations were found during the index's validation using a different dataset. However, for the stations that were most affected (i.e., the HIS), a 22.2% performance rate was noted. The Niger Delta urban–agriculture MMI was adjudged to be suitable as a biomonitoring tool for riverine systems subjected to similar combined stressors of urban and agricultural pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Positive and negative pressure ventilation systems are widely used in poultry farming to control the internal environment of poultry houses, especially in tropical regions, in which hot and humid climates can pose challenges to the thermal regulation of animals. Knowing that thermal stress impacts the quality of animal meat, this study aimed to evaluate the thermal performance and quality of poultry meat in these two types of shed. The main results found here were that the negative pressure system presents lower temperatures and air enthalpy, and the animals reared in this system have better quality meat. We recommend the negative ventilation system for broiler producers in tropical regions due to its ability to provide better thermal indicators and chicken meat quality. This study aimed to evaluate the thermal performance and meat quality in broilers reared in positive pressure tunnel ventilation (PP) and negative pressure tunnel ventilation (NP) in production houses. 320 Cobb broilers (40 broilers per house) were used. Pectoralis major muscles from 40 broilers (10 broilers per house) were randomly selected and analysed for L* (lightness), a* (redness), b* (yellowness), pH, drip loss (DL), cooking loss (CL) and shear force (SF). Air temperature and humidity of the transportation and slaughterhouse waiting room were recorded in the last week of rearing. Subsequently, the enthalpy comfort index (ECI) was calculated. Air temperature and ECI were higher (p < 0.05) in positive pressure sheds, whereas relative humidity was higher (p < 0.001) in negative pressure sheds. There was no statistically significant difference between the enthalpy comfort index during transport and lairage (p > 0.005). Meat quality defects (high L*, DL, CL, SF) were found in PP and NP. It was observed that b* was higher in PP, although pH and CL were higher in NP. Differences in pH, b* and CL indicate that broilers from PP had a higher level of heat stress. In conclusion, differences in pH, b*value and cooking loss in breast broilers indicate that birds in PP had a higher level of heat stress. Additional studies investigating pre-slaughter handling methods to minimise injuries and heat stress are recommended in order to improve animal welfare and meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dried rice, an organic waste recycling product, is made from dried rice leftovers. With a carbohydrate content nearly equivalent to corn but at a lower price, it has potential as an energy-generating feed, especially in poultry farming. The nutrient content and price of dried rice were evaluated to assess its efficiency for animal feed use. Dried rice samples from three areas in East Java, Indonesia, were analyzed for moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber content. Additionally, this research assesses the effectiveness of dried rice as a corn substitute in broiler feed by observing its impact on feed intake, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, and broiler performance index. Proximate analysis showed insignificant differences among treatments, with moisture content ranging 12.45–12.71%, ash content 0.55–1.31%, crude protein 10.34–10.64%, crude fat 0.12–2.48%, and crude fiber from 0.81 to 1.55%. Although all samples were assessed as efficient, products from Lumajang and Pasuruan were preferred for feed production due to their similarity to corn nutrient content. Dried rice costs approximately USD 213–228 per ton, significantly lower than corn. Dried rice production reduces both organic waste and poultry production costs concurrently, serving as a sustainable waste management model in Indonesia and other rice-producing countries, shifting towards a bioeconomy from a linear economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broiler chicks are typically hatched in a hatchery, exposing them to handling and transportation before being placed on the farm where (dry) feed and water is offered. This study compared different early life systems, including: (1) typical practice (control), (2) typical practice with wet feed offered upon placement, (3) access to water at the hatchery, (4) access to feed and water at the hatchery, (5) hatching on the farm. Birds were placed in groups of approximately 500 (day 0), with six replicates per treatment. Measures were taken between placement and slaughter (day 39) and included chick quality (navel and red hock scores), body weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality, gait and litter conditions scores, and behavioral and post-mortem assessments. There were no apparent treatment effects on gait score, play behaviour or novel object test measures, and no consistent effects on litter quality. Chick quality was only evaluated in Treatments 1 and 5 and was numerically worse in Treatment 5. Body weight at slaughter was lowest in Treatment 2, and did not differ between other treatments. Overall FCR was lowest (best) in Treatment 1, and did not differ between other treatments. There was higher overall mortality in Treatments 3 and 4 than in other treatments apart from Treatment 5. Treatment 4 appeared to promote feeding behaviour upon placement, and Treatment 5 birds rested the most, significantly more than in Treatment 2. Treatment 5 birds had the greatest bursa weights, and tibial dyschondroplasia appeared worse in Treatment 4. There were no consistent effects of early access to feed and water on gastrointestinal tract weight measures at slaughter. Compared to the control, there were few benefits in providing feed and/or water in the hatchery, or wet feed. Some benefits of in-house hatching were found, but negative effects were also apparent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water is an essential element for agricultural sustainability. In volcanic islands, freshwater sources are limited, challenging the local farming water supply. Rainfall dependence in the Galapagos Islands limits continuous agriculture, and despite using natural water sources, their irrigation quality is little known. This study aimed to carry out a control–diagnosis of irrigation water quality of the natural sources of the four agrarian islands of the Galapagos, considering water quality parameters for the proposal of sustainability strategies in the water and agricultural context. The workflow included (i) freshwater supply situation diagnosis, (ii) physicochemical parameters measurement and hydrochemical characterisation, and (iii) irrigation analysis and sustainability strategies configuration. Results indicated that of the 34 sources analysed, 55.88% are suitable for irrigation and are located in San Cristobal and Santa Cruz. The remaining 44.12% showed problems with parameters such as faecal coliforms, salinity, metals, carbonates, BOD5, and COD above the national permitted limits. Six strategies for water and agricultural sustainability are proposed, including periodic water monitoring, academy–government–community projects, community water board creation, water sowing and harvesting systems, effective management of effluent, and agricultural strengthening. The study guides comprehensive hydric management initiatives to benefit agrarian development and food security, aligning with SDGs 2 and 6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac remodeling and ventricular pacing represent intertwined phenomena with profound implications for cardiovascular health and therapeutic interventions. This review explores the intricate relationship between cardiac remodeling and ventricular pacing, spanning from the molecular underpinnings to biomechanical alterations. Beginning with an examination of genetic predispositions and cellular signaling pathways, we delve into the mechanisms driving myocardial structural changes and electrical remodeling in response to pacing stimuli. Insights into the dynamic interplay between pacing strategies and adaptive or maladaptive remodeling processes are synthesized, shedding light on the clinical implications for patients with various cardiovascular pathologies. By bridging the gap between basic science discoveries and clinical translation, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of cardiac remodeling in the context of ventricular pacing, paving the way for future advancements in cardiovascular care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult learning is a complex phenomenon that takes place over an adult's lifetime and is not limited to a particular age. It includes a set of activities to enhance life through improving skills, knowledge and capabilities. The foundational theories of adult learning, such as andragogy theory, place the individual adult centre stage and differentiate adult learning from formal learning. They also shift the focus from the individuals to the environment in which adult learning takes place. In line with this movement, online communities of practice (OCOPs) have evolved from being considered as online environments for learning to specialised forums that allow practitioners to collaborate around a project of mutual interest. The principles of adult learning are directly applicable to engagement in OCOPs because they include practical methods founded on the belief that adults are self-directed, autonomous learners and that learning is most effective when the environment plays the role of a facilitator, rather than being just a supportive and traditional setting for learning. However, how individual adults engage in OCOPs and benefit from them is not well understood. This paper draws on social cognitive theory to examine: how environmental, personal and behavioural factors shape engagement in OCOPs. To answer this question, twenty-one interviews were conducted with members of GitHub, a large online community of practice for IT professionals. The findings revealed that adults' engagement in OCOPs involves project-based activities on mutual interests and willingness to help others. The findings also show that engaging in online communities does not only satisfy intrinsic, well-defined, expected outcomes and shape adults' engagement, but also has an impact on adults' lifelong learning achievements, such as professional experience and credit recognition. Based on these findings, a revised framework for adults' engagement in OCOPs is presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban malaria has become a challenge for most African countries due to urbanization, with increasing population sizes, overcrowding, and movement into cities from rural localities. The rapid expansion of cities with inappropriate water drainage systems, abundance of water storage habitats, coupled with recurrent flooding represents a concern for water-associated vector borne diseases, including malaria. This situation could threaten progress made towards malaria elimination in sub-Saharan countries, including Senegal, where urban malaria has presented as a threat to national elimination gains. To assess drivers of urban malaria in Senegal, a 5-month study was carried out from August to December 2019 in three major urban areas and hotspots for malaria incidence (Diourbel, Touba, and Kaolack) including the rainy season (August-October) and partly dry season (November–December). The aim was to characterize malaria vector larval habitats, vector dynamics across both seasons, and to identify the primary eco- environmental entomological factors contributing to observed urban malaria transmission. A total of 145 Anopheles larval habitats were found, mapped, and monitored monthly. This included 32 in Diourbel, 83 in Touba, and 30 in Kaolack. The number of larval habitats fluctuated seasonally, with a decrease during the dry season. In Diourbel, 22 of the 32 monitored larval habitats (68.75%) were dried out by December and considered temporary, while the remaining 10 (31.25%) were classified as permanent. In the city of Touba 28 (33.73%) were temporary habitats, and of those 57%, 71% and 100% dried up respectively by October, November, and December. However, 55 (66.27%) habitats were permanent water storage basins which persisted throughout the study. In Kaolack, 12 (40%) permanent and 18 (60%) temporary Anopheles larval habitats were found and monitored during the study. Three malaria vectors (An. arabiensis, An. pharoensis and An. funestus s.l.) were found across the surveyed larval habitats, and An. arabiensis was found in all three cities and was the only species found in the city of Diourbel, while An. arabiensis, An. pharoensis, and An. funestus s.l. were detected in the cities of Touba and Kaolack. The spatiotemporal observations of immature malaria vectors in Senegal provide evidence of permanent productive malaria vector larval habitats year-round in three major urban centers in Senegal, which may be driving high urban malaria incidence. This study aimed to assess the presence and type of anopheline larvae habitats in urban areas. The preliminary data will better inform subsequent detailed additional studies and seasonally appropriate, cost-effective, and sustainable larval source management (LSM) strategies by the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The rising burden of mosquito-borne diseases in Europe extends beyond urban areas, encompassing rural and semi-urban regions near managed and natural wetlands evidenced by recent outbreaks of Usutu and West Nile viruses. While wetland management policies focus on biodiversity and ecosystem services, few studies explore the impact on mosquito vectors. Methods: Our research addresses this gap, examining juvenile mosquito and aquatic predator communities in 67 ditch sites within a South England coastal marsh subjected to different wetland management tiers. Using joint distribution models, we analyse how mosquito communities respond to abiotic and biotic factors influenced by wetland management. Results: Of the 12 mosquito species identified, Culiseta annulata (Usutu virus vector) and Culex pipiens (Usutu and West Nile virus vector) constitute 47% of 6825 larval mosquitoes. Abundant predators include Coleoptera (water beetles) adults, Corixidae (water boatmen) and Zygoptera (Damselfy) larvae. Models reveal that tier 3 management sites (higher winter water levels, lower agricultural intensity) associated with shade and less floating vegetation are preferred by specific mosquito species. All mosquito species except Anopheles maculipennis s.l., are negatively impacted by potential predators. Culiseta annulata shows positive associations with shaded and turbid water, contrary to preferences of Corixidae predators. Conclusions: Tier 3 areas managed for biodiversity, characterised by higher seasonal water levels and reduced livestock grazing intensity, provide favourable habitats for key mosquito species that are known vectors of arboviruses, such as Usutu and West Nile. Our findings emphasise the impact of biodiversity-focused wetland management, altering mosquito breeding site vegetation to enhance vector suitability. Further exploration of these trade-offs is crucial for comprehending the broader implications of wetland management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of urbanization has accelerated economic growth while also presenting social challenges. Urban renewal is crucial for achieving sustainable urban development, especially by preserving traditional villages as cultural heritage sites within cities. This study employs Python algorithm programming and visual analysis functions to conduct a bibliometric analysis of 408 research papers on the preservation of traditional village cultural heritage in urban renewal from 1999 to 2023 in the Web of Science core database. The objective is to examine the historical background, current status, and future trends in this area. The analysis explores cooperation networks, co-citation relationships, co-occurrence patterns, and emerging characteristics of research on traditional village cultural heritage protection in urban renewal. It focuses on various aspects, such as authors, institutions, countries, journals, documents, and keywords. The results indicate that the study of traditional village cultural heritage protection in urban renewal can be divided into three developmental stages. "Sustainable development", "cultural heritage", "historic urban landscapes", and "rural revitalization" are the research hotspots and future trends in this field. The results of this study provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution of research hotspots in this field and can help researchers willing to work in this research area quickly understand the research frontiers and the general situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to provide an updated review and current understanding of the impact of extreme temperatures—focusing on heat stress (HS)—on the quality of pork and poultry meat, particularly amidst an unprecedented global rise in environmental temperatures. Acute or chronic HS can lead to the development of pale, soft, and exudative (PSE) meat during short transportation or of dark, firm, and dry (DFD) meat associated with long transportation and seasonal changes in pork and poultry meat. While HS is more likely to result in PSE meat, cold stress (CS) is more commonly linked to the development of DFD meat. Methods aimed at mitigating the effects of HS include showering (water sprinkling/misting) during transport, as well as control and adequate ventilation rates in the truck, which not only improve animal welfare but also reduce mortality and the incidence of PSE meat. To mitigate CS, bedding on trailers and closing the tracks' curtains (insulation) are viable strategies. Ongoing efforts to minimize meat quality deterioration due to HS or CS must prioritize the welfare of the livestock and focus on the scaleup of laboratory testing to commercial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of decentralized wastewater treatment technologies is a reasonable solution for rural areas. As a decentralized treatment technology, the multi-soil-layering (MSL) system has recently drawn an increasing amount of attention owing to its merits, such as a high hydraulic load rate, small land area occupation, low probability of clogging, low investment, and low operation cost. This review summarizes the progress in MSL systems in the past decade, focusing on the directions of efforts for system optimization, the latest applications of MSL systems to various wastewater treatments, and the integration of MSL with other technologies. The great application potential of MSL systems is illustrated, and future research directions regarding better application of MSL systems are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]