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This experiment aimed to study the effects of guanidine acetic acid (GAA) on reproductive performance, lactation performance and blood biochemical indices of sows, as well as the performance of offspring piglets. A total of 20 sows (Landrace × Yorkshire, parity 4) were used. Half of the sows in each parity were fed a control diet (CG; basic diet, n = 10) or GAA diet (basic diet +1 g/kg GAA, n = 10) from the 85th day of gestation until weaning. The study results are presented as follows: Supplementation of GAA from late gestation to lactation did not adversely affect sow feed intake, backfat thickness, or blood routine indexes (p > 0.05). GAA supplementation showed a tendency to increase the number of healthy piglets and their birth activity (p = 0.06; p = 0.08), while significantly increasing the IUGR score of piglets (p < 0.05). GAA supplementation significantly increased colostrum protein content (p < 0.05) and tended to increase daily milk yield in sows (p = 0.07). GAA supplementation increased the level of immunoglobulin A in sow colostrum (p < 0.05) and showed a tendency to increase proline content (p = 0.10). GAA supplementation significantly decreased triglyceride content in sow cord blood (p < 0.05), with no significant effects observed on HDL-C, LDL-C, TC, and GLU (p > 0.05). GAA supplementation significantly increased eNOS levels in sow cord blood (p < 0.05), while showing no significant effects on IL-6 and IL-10 (p > 0.05). GAA supplementation did not significantly affect the α diversity of sow intestinal flora (ACE, Shannon, Chao1, Simpson, observed_otus, pielou_e, and good_cover), but PCoA analysis revealed differences in intestinal flora structure between groups. Additionally, GAA decreased the relative abundance of Sarciha and unidentified_ruminococcaceae and increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus , Parabacteroides , and Pedobacter in the gut. GAA boosts nitric oxide synthase in sows' umbilical cord blood, enhancing placental blood vessel development. This improves piglet health and vitality, increases beneficial gut bacteria (Lactobacillus , Parabacteroides , Pedobacter), and raises colostrum protein levels and lactation volume, leading to better piglet growth and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The creation of hydrogen using the lower‐cost feedstock, waste organics (WOs), e. g. kitchen waste bio‐oil, is a win‐win solution, because it can both solve energy problems and reduce environmental pollution. Ultrasound has received considerable interest in organic decomposition; however, the application of ultrasound alone is not a good choice for the hydrogen production from WOs, because of the energy consumption and efficiency. To boost the hydrogen production based on ultrasonic cavitation cracking of bio‐oil, photothermal materials are introduced into the hydrogen production system to form localized hot spots. Materials carbon black (CB), carbon nanotubes (CNT), and silicon dioxide (SiO2) all exhibit significant enhancing effects on the hydrogen production from bio‐oil, and the CB exhibits the most significant strengthening effect among these materials. When the dosage of CB is 5 mg, hydrogen production rate is 180.1 μmol h−1, representing a notable 1.7‐fold increase compared to the production rate without CB. In the presence of light and ultrasound, the hydrogen production rate can be increased by 66.7‐fold compared to the situation where only light is present without ultrasound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's pilot free trade zones play an important role in promoting deep-level reform and high-standard opening up. Based on the panel data of 284 prefecture-level cities in China from 2009 to 2021, the article explores the impact of pilot free trade zones on urban innovation using the multi-period difference-in-differences model, mediation effect model, and spatial difference-in-differences model, treating the pilot free trade zone as a quasi-natural experiment. The study shows the following: the establishment of pilot free trade zones boosts sustained growth in urban innovation, and the results still hold after a series of robustness tests; the enabling effect of pilot free trade zones on urban innovation is most significant in eastern regions and large-scale cities; and the role of pilot free trade zones in promoting innovation varies by stage. The mediation impact study revealed that pilot free trade zones can influence urban innovation via talent concentration, foreign direct investment, market scale, and financial support. The pilot free trade zones enhance the innovation performance of its geographically adjacent cities with economic ties and the innovation level of the region. The analysis offers a policy basis for the sustainable growth of urban innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Body metabolism and colonic microbiota collectively controlled lipid metabolism in finishing pigs. Diminishing standardized ileal digestible lysine to net energy ratio in high-wheat diets may regulate lipid metabolism via AMP-activated protein kinase α1/sirtuin 1/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α pathway and farnesol X receptor/small heterodimer partner pathway, ultimately increased the marbling score of longissimus dorsi muscle. The present study aimed to investigate the impacts of dietary standardized ileal digestible lysine to net energy (SID Lys:NE) ratio on lipid metabolism in pigs fed high-wheat diets. Thirty-six crossbred growing barrows (65.20 ± 0.38 kg) were blocked into two treatment groups, fed high-wheat diets with either a high SID Lys:NE ratio (HR) or a low SID Lys:NE ratio (LR). Each treatment group consisted of three replicates, with six pigs per pen in each replicate. The diminishing dietary SID Lys:NE ratio exhibited no adverse impacts on the carcass trait (p > 0.05) but increased the marbling score of the longissimus dorsi muscle (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, LR diets tended to increase the serum triglyceride concentration (p < 0.1). LR diets upregulated fatty acid transport protein 4 and acetyl-coA carboxylase α expression levels and downregulated the expression level of adipose triglyceride lipase (p < 0.05). LR diets improved energy metabolism via decreasing the expression levels of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α1, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) (p < 0.05). Additionally, LR diets stimulated hepatic bile acid synthesis via upregulating the expression levels of cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily A member 1 and cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily A member 1, and downregulating farnesol X receptor (FXR) and small heterodimer partner (SHP) expression levels (p < 0.05). A lowered SID Lys:NE ratio affected the colonic microbial composition, characterized by increased relative abundances of YRC22, Parabacteroides, Sphaerochaeta, and Bacteroides, alongside a decreased in the proportion of Roseburia, f_Lachnospiraceae_g_Clostridium, Enterococcus, Shuttleworthia, Exiguobacterium, Corynebacterium, Subdoligranulum, Sulfurospirillum, and Marinobacter (p < 0.05). The alterations in microbial composition were accompanied by a decrease in colonic butyrate concentration (p < 0.1). The metabolomic analysis revealed that LR diets affected primary bile acid synthesis and AMPK signaling pathway (p < 0.05). And the mantel analysis indicated that Parabacteroides, Sphaerochaeta, f_Lachnospiraceae_g_Clostridium, Shuttleworthia, and Marinobacter contributed to the alterations in body metabolism. A reduced dietary SID Lys:NE ratio improves energy metabolism, stimulates lipogenesis, and inhibits lipolysis in finishing pigs by regulating the AMPKα/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway and the FXR/SHP pathway. Parabacteroides and Sphaerochaeta benefited bile acids synthesis, whereas f_Lachnospiraceae_g_Clostridium, Shuttleworthia, and Marinobacter may contribute to the activation of the AMPK signaling pathway. Overall, body metabolism and colonic microbiota collectively controlled the lipid metabolism in finishing pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the stability of open-air slope with fault under seepage, this paper uses FLAC3D numerical simulation technology to establish a mechanical model of the sliding body under fault action, and deduce the expression of the stability coefficient of the longitudinal slope, to simulate the stability of the slope with fault under seepage action. The results show that the sensitivity analysis is carried out on four influencing factors such as elastic modulus of rock mass strength, cohesion, internal friction Angle, and tensile strength of rock mass. By analyzing the displacement, stress, strain and safety factor of slope under different working conditions of these four factors, the sensitivity analysis curve of each parameter is obtained. It can be seen from the sensitivity analysis curve that the cohesion of rock mass has the greatest influence on the slope stability, and the elastic modulus has the least influence on the slope stability. The main influencing factors of slope stability are different at different excavation stages. In the early stage of excavation, the main factor affecting slope stability is fault, which gradually changes to seepage in the later stage. This study provides a scientific basis for the future analysis of open-pit slope stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most phosphorus (P) in soil exists in nonlabile forms, leading to poor soil P supply capacity and limiting crop growth. This study evaluated the effect of 10 years of rice straw return on rice yield, soil P budget, P fractions, and phosphatase activity to establish the relationship between soil P fractions and related microbial communities. Four treatments, i.e., no rice straw return (S0), low amount of rice straw return (S1), high amount of rice straw return (S2), and abandoned farmland (AL), were used in the evaluation. The results showed that rice straw return had no effect on the rice yield and P uptake, and the P budget was positive in the S2 treatment. Rice straw return increased the phosphatase activity and content of soil Olsen-P, total P, NaHCO3-, and NaOH-extractable P, and the phosphatase activity and P fractions were both increased with the amount of straw returned. There was a positive correlation between most soil P fractions and active organic carbon fractions. Rice straw return changed the composition and abundance of soil phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB). The findings showed that straw return decreased the proportion of soil nonlabile P, enhancing the soil P supply capacity, and they further showed that the abundance of PSB was not consistent with soil P content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]