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Copyright of Summa, Animali da Compagnia is the property of Point Veterinaire Italie s.r.l. 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.)

Can meaningful connections between academics, consultants, and practitioners of workplace democracy be created to bring about critically inspired change? This article presents an exploration of our experiment in producing a practical and engaged form of Critical Management Studies (CMS) through a case study of a 2-day event. The event brought together academics, consultants, and practitioners of workplace democracy to examine the possibilities and challenges of creating meaningful connections between these groups. It served as a platform for investigating and reflecting on the efforts made to bridge the gap between academia and practice in CMS. Drawing on pre-event documents, recordings of the event and interviews with participants after the event, we provide an account of academics out of their comfort zone struggling to feel authentic and useful; suspicion and uneasiness between groups leading to inter and intra group struggles; and lingering difficulties around power and control. Our event suggests that CMS scholars seeking more practical engagement should pursue a: (i) deliberative research perspective of co-production alongside multiple stakeholders (academics, consultants, and practitioners) to practically seek to bring about change; (ii) democratization of the research process so that the democratic intentions of the research outcomes are built into the research process; (iii) fluid research position breaking down and blurring of boundaries between academics and practitioners to increase the possibilities for creating meaningful connections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioassembly encompasses various techniques such as bioprinting, microfluidics, organoids, and self-assembly, enabling advances in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Advancements in bioassembly technologies have enabled the precise arrangement and integration of various cell types to more closely mimic the complexity functionality of the neurovascular unit (NVU) and that of other biodiverse multicellular tissue structures. In this context, bioprinting offers the ability to deposit cells in a spatially controlled manner, facilitating the construction of interconnected networks. Scaffold-based assembly strategies provide structural support and guidance cues for cell growth, enabling the formation of complex bio-constructs. Self-assembly approaches utilize the inherent properties of cells to drive the spontaneous organization and interaction of neuronal and vascular components. However, recreating the intricate microarchitecture and functional characteristics of a tissue/organ poses additional challenges. Advancements in bioassembly techniques and materials hold great promise for addressing these challenges. The further refinement of bioprinting technologies, such as improved resolution and the incorporation of multiple cell types, can enhance the accuracy and complexity of the biological constructs; however, developing bioinks that support the growth of cells, viability, and functionality while maintaining compatibility with the bioassembly process remains an unmet need in the field, and further advancements in the design of bioactive and biodegradable scaffolds will aid in controlling cell adhesion, differentiation, and vascularization within the engineered tissue. Additionally, integrating advanced imaging and analytical techniques can provide real-time monitoring and characterization of bioassembly, aiding in quality control and optimization. While challenges remain, ongoing research and technological advancements propel the field forward, paving the way for transformative developments in neurovascular research and tissue engineering. This work provides an overview of the advancements, challenges, and future perspectives in bioassembly for fabricating neurovascular constructs with an add-on focus on bioprinting technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to Act Consequentialism, an act is right if and only if its outcome is not worse than the outcome of any alternative to that act. This view, however, leads to deontic paradoxes if the alternatives to an act are all other acts that can be done in the situation. A typical response is to only apply this rightness criterion to maximally specific acts and to take the alternatives to a maximally specific act to be the other maximally specific acts that can be done in the situation. (This view can then be supplanted by a separate account for the rightness of acts that are not maximally specific.) This paper defends a rival view, Binary Act Consequentialism, where, for any voluntary act, that act is right if and only if its outcome is not worse than the outcome of not doing that act. Binary Act Consequentialism, which dates back to Jeremy Bentham, has few supporters. A number of seemingly powerful objections have been considered fatal. In this paper, I rebut these objections and put forward a positive argument for the view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrite, a collective term for a group of inorganic compounds containing nitrite ions (NO2−), is widely present in the natural environment and in the human body. It has a wide range of applications in the medical, food and environmental fields, such as food additives, water treatment agents and drugs. However, the excessive intake of nitrite poses indirect carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic risks to humans. With the in-depth study of the functional properties of nitrite, there is an increasing demand for accurate and efficient methods for its detection. This paper presents a review of methods for the detection of nitrite, which will cover different principles and technologies, including traditional methods, optical methods, electrochemical sensors, and biosensors, and their prospects. By comparing and evaluating the different methods, it will provide references and valuable suggestions for choosing the most suitable nitrite detection methods and the scientific selection of alternatives for nitrite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study considers ways to increase the consumption of sustainable fashion given the significant environmental and social damages associated with the industry. A series of experiments were conducted examining the impacts of choice architecture (nudges) under field conditions in collaboration with one of Israel's largest shopping centers. This study sought to identify which interventions at the retail level successfully motivate sustainable fashion behavioral change regarding purchases and willingness to pay more, along with agreement with several statements regarding the climate crisis and sustainable fashion. Among the types of nudges examined in this field study were providing information, increasing accessibility to sustainable alternatives and appealing to social identity in relation to demographics and green self-image. This study found that offering alternatives to consumers constituted the most effective way to "nudge" consumers toward more sustainable purchasing behavior. Nonetheless, this does not negate the contribution of providing information and strengthening social norms regarding sustainable fashion. Additionally, in all groups, most participants reported that they did not know how to distinguish between sustainable and non-sustainable fashion, nor did they believe that the clothes they purchased were actually sustainable. The findings emphasize the need for policies that will increase the accessibility of sustainable fashion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Executive Summary: US political discourse characterizes the US-Mexico border as a site of threat and, of necessity, exclusion. This frame ignores the importance of borders to economies, families, and culture in our increasingly interconnected world. Moreover, it leads to policies that place people at risk of victimization and death. In conceiving of the border solely in terms of exclusion, nations forego the opportunity to strengthen relationships across borders. This paper argues that the politics of humane migration require a vision of borders as sites of encounter, engagement, and relationship, rather than solely exclusion. This reconceptualization of the US-Mexico border, in particular, would strengthen relationships across borders, and prioritize cooperation between Latin America/the Caribbean and the United States, starting with regulated legal flows. It would also respond to the shared contexts of migration, including contraband in arms and drugs, criminal violence, and climate change. It articulates an alternative vision of borders as a "commons" in which mutual needs can be addressed (a commons is an issue or resource in which every one has access and involvement). Migration itself provides a perfect example of such a need. It takes place in a political climate partially but powerfully shaped by racism and classism. Thus, it has become a polarized "issue" that appears insolvable. In fact, it may not be a problem at all. Rather, in our current demographic-economic situation, as well as for our cultural well-being, migration should be treated as an asset. Insofar as it needs to be addressed, this paper delineates many possibilities. The options are not perfect and magical — the challenges are hard and diverse — but they an advance a vision of a shared cross-border space on migration. That might be a crucial move, not only for migration, but along a path that recognizes relationships and commitments of many kinds across the hemisphere and world. Recognition is not enough; real change in resources and power needs to follow. But a vision of connection rather than exclusion provides the political starting point needed for change to happen. In every political instance in which borders are used to frame migration in terms of who, how, and how much to exclude, connectedness loses ground. A politics of humane migration can only emerge if rooted in a positive vision of borders as sites of engagement and encounter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The balanced development of the hydrocarbon potential in the Arctic is currently a strategic priority for Russia. Given the present conditions of the global energy sector, alongside new geopolitical challenges and trends towards low-carbon and ecologically balanced development, there is a need for a system of coordinated strategies across the industry, regional, and corporate levels. To effectively develop Arctic oil and gas resources, it is necessary to ensure technological sovereignty, which involves equipping oil and gas companies with domestically produced equipment and software. Strategies should also focus on the development of industries that produce high value-added products, particularly in the petrochemical sector. Public administrators and corporate managers responsible for key decisions must have a clear, long-term vision for the development of the Arctic oil and gas sector and employ established methodological approaches in strategy design. The goal of this study is to substantiate the specific characteristics of multilevel strategies and assess the feasibility of using a matrix approach when designing strategic alternatives relevant to the current economic environment. The research methodology is based on the approaches, methods, and tools of strategic management and planning, with a particular focus on methods for designing strategic alternatives. The novelty of the research lies in the development of a system of criteria for comparing strategies and their target priorities at the industry, regional, and corporate levels. The study identifies current trends and challenges arising from the energy transition, stringent sanctions policies, and growing technological capabilities. It proposes an approach to designing alternative strategies of related and unrelated diversification for oil and gas companies. Developing a holistic concept of coordinated industry and corporate strategies is identified as a promising area for further research.

This paper explores a puzzling polarity-based asymmetry in the use of even in sentences that deny presuppositions. It argues that this asymmetry is produced by the interaction of even's controversial additive presupposition with the alternatives that are salient in the relevant contexts and demonstrates that this proposal makes good crosslinguistic predictions. Along the way, this paper shows that presupposition denials are a fruitful testing ground for uncovering details about the behaviour of even and the role of presuppositions triggered within focus alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dialogue involves a complex negotiation of commitments, wherein listeners interpret and determine the speaker's degree of commitment to inferred meanings. In the current study, we examine factors that affect speaker's perceived commitment, focusing on alternative interpretations. We propose the Alternative-Based Commitment (ABC) hypothesis, suggesting that alternative interpretations to the inferred meaning can modify the perception of commitment. In Experiment 1, we assess this hypothesis prior to the disclosure of the speaker's actual intended meaning. Experiment 2 further investigates the ABC hypothesis, as well as the overall effect of knowing the actual state of affairs, both when the intended meaning is voided (Experiment 2.a) and when it is affirmed (Experiment 2.b). Across all state of affairs, alternatives influenced perceived commitment, provided the alternative was both salient and likely. Perceived commitment was also modulated by the state of affairs: it was highest when it affirmed the inferred meaning, intermediate when it was not yet disclosed, and lowest when it voided the inferred meaning. These results suggest that we incorporate alternatives in our speaker's model, which in turn impacts perceived commitment to inferences. However, this incorporation depends on what we consider as a likely alternative. All taken together, perceived commitment is moderated both by the alternative interpretation and by the perpetually shifting dynamics of conversation. • Introduction of the ABC hypothesis: Alternatives alter speaker commitment. • Two experiments test this hypothesis across different state of affairs (SOAs). • State of affairs (SOAs) influence commitment. • Salient, and likely alternatives influence commitment across all SOAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was carried out during the period 2016 - 2018 in farms of the UBPC "José MaceoGrajales", Baracoa municipality, Guantánamo Province with the aim of evaluating the effect of different alternatives for agroecological soil management in the fragile mountainous agroecosystem of Theobroma cacao L. Four treatments were studied, with four replications in a Random Block Design. The treatments were: 1. Live barriers + dead barriers, 2. Live barriers + dead barriers + organic matter, 3. Live barriers + dead barriers + organic matter + organic fertilizer generated from the Canavalia ensiformis and 4. Control without conservation measures. Evaluations such as chemical analysis of the soil (pH, organic matter, phosphorus and potassium), soil losses and cocoa crop yields were carried out in 2016, two years later the same evaluations were repeated. The results obtained show that the application of agroecological management alternatives significantly influences the improvement of the studied chemical properties of the brown sialitic, ochric soil and the reduction of soil losses to permissible limits in the cocoa agroecosystem. The most efficient alternative in agroecological soil management for Theobroma cacao L., was the combination of living and dead barriers plus organic fertilizers generated from the legume Canavalia species, with agricultural yields of 1, 18 t ha-1, higher than the national average. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combination of crop protectants is an important approach to increase insecticidal efficacy and reduce the application rates. In this study, the insecticidal efficacy of spinosad and seven monoterpenes, alone and in binary combinations, was evaluated against Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in stored wheat. Spinosad was tested at application rates of 0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg while monoterpenes were tested at 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg. Mortality of adults after 7, 14 and 21 days, progeny reduction after 45 and 90 days, and grain weight loss were recorded for all treatments. The results showed that the complete mortality (100.0%) of S. oryzae adults was observed in wheat treated with 0.5 mg/kg of spinosad + 2.0 g/kg of carvone or P-cymene or menthone after 21 days. At the same time, no progeny of S. oryzae was resulted in the combined treatments (0.5 mg/kg of spinosad + 2.0 g/kg of carvone or 0.5 mg/kg of spinosad + 2.0 g/kg of P-cymene) after 45 and 90 days. The same trends were observed for grains weight loss as the binary treatments at highest application rates preserved the wheat seeds free from damage caused by S. oryzae for 90 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New strategies have to be introduced for the management of agricultural and public health insects to overcome the problems associated with long-term use of synthetic insecticides. Plant-based natural products are among the possible and available alternatives to be applied for insect management. Among the plant secondary metabolites, monoterpenes have been widely studied for their applications in insect control. In this review, we focus on the studies describing the insecticidal and grain protection activities of monoterpenes against stored product insects. In addition, the biosynthesis and chemistry of monoterpenes as well as their possible modes of action and commercialization opportunities are summarized. The present review emphasizes the importance of monoterpenes as target-specific, biodegradable, environmentally safe grain protectants as well as their possible practical use as a tool in integrated pest management programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to apply Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) at the strategic action. Plan and program of the mass transit system in Uttaradit province, Thailand. Some steps of SEA process were applied to such strategic action by focusing on the development and assessment of the appropriate alternatives together with the selected appropriate indicators. The alternatives for mass transit development plan were proposed as following; Alternative 1: No Development Plan (or No Action Plan), Alternative 2: Conventional Mass Transit System Development Plan (Conventional Plan), Alternative 3: Smart and Environmentally Friendly Mass Transit Development Plan (Smart plan). With the Pairwise Comparison and the Impact Matrix Analysis, the Smart Plan was assessed as the appropriate alternative when compared with the Conventional Plan and No Action Plan as for 49.36%, 32.17%, and 18.47 % respectively. The mass transit system under the Smart Plan were proposed as Road, Railway, and Road with Railway systems. On the same assessment procedure, the impact score of the Road with Railway, Railway and Road system were 36.64 %, 33.90% and 29.46% respectively. The appropriate alternative mass transit system was road and railway system. SEA was practical tool applied to the strategic level of the mass transit development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, 98% of all plastics are fossil-based and non-biodegradable, and globally, only 9% are recycled. Microplastic and nanoplastic pollution is just beginning to be understood. As the global demand for sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics continues to rise, biobased and biodegradable plastics have emerged as a promising solution. This review article delves into the pivotal concept of carbon recycling as a pathway towards achieving a zero-waste future through the production and utilization of high-value bioplastics. The review comprehensively explores the current state of bioplastics (biobased and/or biodegradable materials), emphasizing the importance of carbon-neutral and circular approaches in their lifecycle. Today, bioplastics are chiefly used in low-value applications, such as packaging and single-use items. This article sheds light on value-added applications, like longer-lasting components and products, and demanding properties, for which bioplastics are increasingly being deployed. Based on the waste hierarchy paradigm—reduce, reuse, recycle—different use cases and end-of-life scenarios for materials will be described, including technological options for recycling, from mechanical to chemical methods. A special emphasis on common bioplastics—TPS, PLA, PHAs—as well as a discussion of composites, is provided. While it is acknowledged that the current plastics (waste) crisis stems largely from mismanagement, it needs to be stated that a radical solution must come from the core material side, including the intrinsic properties of the polymers and their formulations. The manner in which the cascaded use of bioplastics, labeling, legislation, recycling technologies, and consumer awareness can contribute to a zero-waste future for plastics is the core topics of this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article shows the result of the research carried out on the El Jardín farm belonging to the Provincial Flora and Fauna Company, located at km 15 of the Palmar - La Tagua highway, in the Manuel Tames municipality of the province. from Guantánamo, where the bioproducts azotobacter, phosphorin, an efficient microorganism are used as alternatives for the production of bean crops, with the objective of evaluating the response of bean plants to the application of alternative products under conditions of La Tagua. A randomized block design was used, with four treatments and four replications. The variables of plant height, stem thickness, number of leaves, number of legumes per plant and number of seeds per legume were evaluated. On the different days of evaluations, the best plant responses were recorded in treatment four, where an efficient microorganism was used, achieving an increase in general, highlighting that the other variants evaluated were superior to the production control. Therefore, the application of bioproducts would be an alternative to increase the yields of bean crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poisoning caused by pesticides is widely recognized as a major public health problem among smallholder farmers and rural communities, including in the Caribbean. However, a lack of quality data impedes understanding of the problem and hampers the development of effective strategies for its management. To better understand the prevalence of unintentional acute pesticide poisoning (UAPP) in Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica and the pesticides and practices involved, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 197 and 330 vegetable farmers in Trinidad and Jamaica, respectively. The findings from this study revealed a high incidence of self-reported health effects from occupational pesticide exposure, with 48 and 16% of respondents, respectively, experiencing symptoms of UAPP within the previous 12 months. Furthermore, the substantial proportion of UAPP incidents were associated with a few highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs), particularly lambda-cyhalothrin, acetamiprid, and profenofos in Jamaica, and alpha-cypermethrin, paraquat and lambda-cyhalothrin in Trinidad. Given the well-documented adverse effects of these chemicals on human health, the results of this study should be of significant concern to health authorities in Jamaica and Trinidad. This clearly indicates an urgent need for improved regulation and safer alternatives to the use of HHPs, as well as the promotion of alternatives. We provide policy recommendations and identify alternatives to HHPs for tropical vegetable production.

Mycoproteins (MP), as novel alternative protein sources produced by fungi, have become popular as healthier and more sustainable protein-rich substitutes. In this study, multifunctional sponge cakes were made using MP at various levels (0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 % w/w) and effects on the product's physicochemical characteristics, texture and acceptability were assessed. The MP addition modified physicochemical, color and sensory characteristics of the cakes. Compared with the control sample, protein (16.04 ± 0.50) and fiber (1.98 ± 0.09) quantities of the resultant mixed wheat flour significantly increased in all treatments (especially in MP 50 % = 24.79 ± 0.50 and 4.72 ± 0.18, respectively).Replacement of wheat flour with MP (50 %) significantly enhanced hardness (23.34 N ± 2.03), chewiness (0.34 J ± 0.44) and gumminess (12.12 N ± 0.75) of the cakes while decreased springiness (6.86 mm ± 0.21) and specific volume (1.30 ± 0.01), compared to the control sample. The sponge cake shell color characteristics of browning index (107.3164) and ΔE (11.65 ± 0.59) were higher in the 50 MP-enriched cakes than in the control cakes (0 and 66.40181, respectively). Compared to the control sample, enriched cakes prepared with 10 % MP (10-MP) in substitute of wheat flour included 29 % more proteins, 25 % more fibers and 33 % less cooking losses. No significant variations were seen in the sensory evaluations of 10-MP and control sample, suggesting that the cakes were well accepted. Overall, the study results showed that mycoproteins at optimize substituting ratios could be used as an alternative of wheat flour to produce highly nutritious and rheologically acceptable sponge cakes.

The research problem was in teaching a foreign language separate from its culture, considering that this method does not effectively benefit learners. The aim of this study was an attempt to identify the role of linguistic awakening in establishing a culture of openness in children based on cultural empathy. This study reported encouraging results after qualitative analysis. Interview data revealing the effects of empathy through emotional, behavioural and mental responses to online video clips. The study emphasizes the importance of cultural empathy as an aspect of cultural awareness that underlies foreign language teaching in primary school. This importance not only concerns the pedagogical implications of preparing children for a future language learning in advanced school classrooms, but also inculcating a culture of tolerance and openness to diversity. Cultural is a broader framework for consolidating citizenship, and for this to happen, there are those who justify new educational alternatives that are based on the concept of discovery and investigation, where teachers awaken children towards the languages and cultures underlying them, away from the restrictions directed towards traditional competence, and in the same way. It is also appreciated that multimedia is presented as an easy-touse resource for both teachers and children that provides opportunities for greater interaction in close proximity to real-life situations as well as the possibility of administering a different type of teaching in the past. In the spirit of promoting cultural awareness in the field of follow-up research on empathy, the promising results have been Possible through the implementation of web technologies that enable children to learn via the computer to communicate with the world. It is also possible to create more realistic and direct intercultural encounters with the world with the aim of conducting research on a large scale and more comprehensively about cultural awareness that contains knowledge, attitudes and skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magri (2009a , b) proposed a generalization according to which a sentence is infelicitous whenever exhaustification over the full set of formal alternatives of the sentence leads to contextual contradiction. While Magri proposes an account of obligatory implicatures which explains some cases where this generalization expects infelicity, he does not provide a general account of this generalization. In this paper I argue for a perspective on the 'pruning' of alternatives which predicts this generalization, building on the counter-intuitive idea that contradictions are relevant in every context (Lewis 1988). I further argue, using disjunction in the scope of a universal quantifier as a test case, that an extension of this view to obligatory ignorance inferences provides a new perspective on the Logical Integrity Generalization put forward by Anvari (2018b) , while avoiding some empirical problems for this generalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Listy Cukrovarnicke a Reparske is the property of VUC Praha a.s. 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.)

Introduction: Veterinary vaccines against Clostridium perfringens type C need to be tested for absence of toxicity, as mandated by pharmacopoeias worldwide. This toxicity testing is required at multiple manufacturing steps and relies on outdated mouse tests that involve severe animal suffering. Clostridium perfringens type C produces several toxins of which the b-toxin is the primary component responsible for causing disease. Here, we describe the successful development of a new cell-based in vitro assay that can address the specific toxicity of the b-toxin. Methods: Development of the cell-based assay followed the principle of in vitro testing developed for Cl. septicum vaccines, which is based on Vero cells. We screened four cell lines and selected the THP-1 cell line, which was shown to be the most specific and sensitive for b-toxin activity, in combination with a commercially available method to determine cell viability (MTS assay) as a readout. Results: The current animal test is estimated to detect 100 - 1000-fold dilutions of the Cl. perfringens type C non-inactivated antigen. When tested with an active Cl. perfringens type C antigen preparation, derived from a commercial vaccine manufacturing process, our THP-1 cell-based assay was able to detect toxin activity from undiluted to over 10000-fold dilution, showing a linear range between approximately 1000- and 10000-fold dilutions. Assay specificity for the b-toxin was confirmed with neutralizing antibodies and lack of reaction to Cl. perfringens culture medium. In addition, assay parameters demonstrated good repeatability. Conclusions: Here, we have shown proof of concept for a THP-1 cell-based assay for toxicity testing of veterinary Cl. perfringens type C vaccines that is suitable for all vaccine production steps. This result represents a significant step towards the replacement of animal-based toxicity testing of this veterinary clostridial antigen. As a next step, assessment of the assay's sensitivity and repeatability and validation of the method will have to be performed in a commercial manufacturing context in order to formally implement the assay in vaccine quality control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), acknowledged by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a major global public health concern, refers to the ability of microorganisms to persist and proliferate despite the presence of antimicrobial agents. The misuse of these drugs has significantly contributed to the emergence of AMR in both human and animal populations. Microorganisms develop resistance through various mechanisms, necessitating innovative approaches to target these resistance mechanisms effectively. One such alternative is the utilization of essential oils (EOs), natural and volatile compounds produced by aromatic plants as secondary metabolites. Lemongrass oil (LGO) is among these essential oils, known for its broad spectrum of therapeutic properties, including antimicrobial, anticancer, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant activities. However, LGO is highly volatile and susceptible to degradation when exposed to environmental factors such as heat, humidity, light, and oxygen. Nanoencapsulation of LGO presents a promising solution to overcome these challenges, offering benefits such as enhanced stability, controlled release, and improved cellular uptake. This article focuses on the optimization and standardization of LGO-loaded chitosan and TPP nanoparticles through the process of ionic gelation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for novel natural antibiotic alternatives is continuous and crucial to overcome the antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In this study, the isolation and identification of Paenibacillus xylanexedens MS58 (PX) on the gene level as a new probiotic, antibiotic alternative, and feed additive has been assessed. The effects of PX on growth performance, blood biochemical parameters, immune response, gut microbiota and meat quality of broilers were also evaluated. The selected isolate, Paenibacillus xylanexedens MS58, inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria with MIC of 5-15 %. One hundred sixty chicks were casually divided into four equal experimental groups: the control group (CON) delivered the basal diet, group 1 received a basal diet supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg PX, and groups 2 and 3 provided a basal diet fortified with PX at 0.9 and 1.5 mg/kg, respectively. Adding PX at 1.5 mg/kg to the diet of chicks significantly enhanced the highest body weight influenced all growth parameters during 35 days (2.304 kg) with a relative increase of 10 % compared to control. Additionally, the dietary PX enhanced the liver and kidney enzymes; ALT activity decreased by 25% and AST by 67% compared to control. The uric acid was lowered by dietary PX with a relative decrease of 18 %. In response to adding dietary PX, the abdominal fat reduced from 1.1 to 0.8 in the PX 1.5 treatment with a relative reduction of 25 %, and total cholesterol decreased by 33 %; however, HDL increased. Additionally, the immune response and beneficial gut microbiota of chicks significantly improved with the addition of the dietary PX compared to the control group. The chicken meat's moisture and protein content were enhanced, influenced by the juiciness and tenderness properties compared to control; also, the lightness of meat was enhanced with PX addition. Generally, adding dietary PX to broilers could enhance growth, blood biochemical properties, and immune response, modulate the gut microflora structure, and improve meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Göttingen minipig is fast becoming the standard for assessing dermal chemical hazards because, like most swine, its skin is predictive of human skin response and because this strain's smaller size makes laboratory manipulations and husbandry easier. Unfortunately, standard behavioral tests and apparatus have not been developed for behavioral assessments of this swine strain. Indeed, computer-controlled automated behavioral testing procedures are much needed. The present research advanced this goal by producing a home-cage behavioral testing system that could accommodate minipigs of various sizes (ages). An aluminum frame housed three levers for recording operant responses, and LEDs above and below each lever served as discriminative stimuli. A commercially available food pellet dispenser was attached to a specialized pellet receptacle capable of measuring pellet retrieval. Two behavioral tests were selected and adapted from our commonly used non-human primate behavioral assessments: delayed match-to-sample (a memory test) and temporal response differentiation (a time-estimation test). Minipigs were capable of learning both tests and attaining stable performance. Next, scopolamine was used to validate the sensitivity of the behavioral tests for gauging behavioral perturbations in this swine strain. Scopolamine dose-effect functions were comparable to those observed in other species, including non-human primates, wherein 37.5 µg/kg of scopolamine (administered intramuscularly) reduced responding approximately 50%. Thus, we were successful in developing the apparatus and automated operant behavioral tests necessary to characterize drug safety in this swine strain. This capability will be valuable for characterizing chemical agent toxicity as well as the safety and efficacy of medical countermeasures. • Swine may provide a good large animal research alternative to canines and monkeys. • Standard, automated behavioral tests for swine are needed. • We developed an adaptable system for testing operant behavior in swine. • Methods were validated using scopolamine on memory and timing tests. • Results demonstrated the success of the methods and sensitivity of both tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article develops an empirically grounded frame for analysing varieties of alternativeness, using the case of such collaborative housing groups in Vienna (so-called Baugruppen) which aim to overcome the commodification of housing as well as the standardisation in social housing provision. Through experimenting with alternative ways of organising and living together they strive for social and political change. Taking inspiration from literature on commoning and alternative spaces, the article draws on French pragmatist sociology as well as post-actor-network theory (ANT) and assemblage approaches to focus on relational practices and different kinds of commonality as a basis for collective action. It analyses varieties of alternativeness as relational constellations by tracing how different groups compose commonality amongst each other, and how they relate to various actors. In doing so, it contributes to a situated understanding of the relations and relational practices that sustain alternatives, as well as the possibilities of scaling and transformation that specific variations of alternative housing hold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2012, 20 key questions related to hazard and exposure assessment and environmental and health risks of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the natural environment were identified. A decade later, this article examines the current level of knowledge around one of the lowest‐ranking questions at that time, number 19: "Can nonanimal testing methods be developed that will provide equivalent or better hazard data compared with current in vivo methods?" The inclusion of alternative methods that replace, reduce, or refine animal testing within the regulatory context of risk and hazard assessment of chemicals generally faces many hurdles, although this varies both by organism (human‐centric vs. other), sector, and geographical region or country. Focusing on the past 10 years, only works that might reasonably be considered to contribute to advancements in the field of aquatic environmental risk assessment are highlighted. Particular attention is paid to methods of contemporary interest and importance, representing progress in (1) the development of methods which provide equivalent or better data compared with current in vivo methods such as bioaccumulation, (2) weight of evidence, or (3) ‐omic‐based applications. Evolution and convergence of these risk assessment areas offer the basis for fundamental frameshifts in how data are collated and used for the protection of taxa across the breadth of the aquatic environment. Looking to the future, we are at a tipping point, with a need for a global and inclusive approach to establish consensus. Bringing together these methods (both new and old) for regulatory assessment and decision‐making will require a concerted effort and orchestration. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:559–574. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying the solutions defined in the axiomatic bargaining theory to actual bargaining problems is a challenge when the problem is not described by its Utility Possibility Set (UPS) but as a social choice environment specifying the set of alternatives and utility profile underlying the UPS. It requires computing the UPS, which is an operational challenge, and then identifying at least one alternative that actually achieves the bargained solution's outcome. We introduce the axioms of Independence of Non-Strongly-Efficient Alternatives (resp. Weakly) and Independence of Redundant Alternatives. A solution satisfying these axioms can be applied to a simplified problem based on any reduced set of alternatives generating the strong (resp. weak) Pareto frontier of the initial problem, without changing the outcome, making the application of bargaining solutions to actual problems easier. We compare our axioms to usual independence axioms, and discuss their consistency with usual bargaining solutions. Then, we introduce monotonicity conditions corresponding to the existence of an interest group, i.e., agents ranking the alternatives in the same order. For such monotonic social choice environments, we provide a parameterized family of alternatives that generates the Pareto frontier of the bargaining problem, in line with our previous results. Our analysis illustrates that an axiomatic approach can be useful to foster the application of bargaining solutions, in complement to usual computational methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Balancing in general and balancing alternatives and variants can be seen as a core component of the work of planners. Against the backdrop of current social challenges, the complexity of these balancing processes is increasing. From a planning science perspective, however, the question of the balancing process has only begun to be analysed. To date, there are only a few empirical studies that have explicitly focussed on balancing processes in Germany. This is where this paper starts by focusing on urban planning, investigating what planners understand by balancing alternatives and variants and how the balancing process is presented in everyday planning. To this end, 19 qualitative interviews were conducted with public and private sector planners. A qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data. The results confirm the central role of balancing processes in everyday planning and emphasise the need for further research to understand these processes’ complexity and significance.

Experimentation, and street experiments in particular, have led to considerable academic and policy advances in sustainable and inclusive (mobility) planning over the past years. With increased popularity and confidence, the street experiments field has recently begun to turn to in-depth discussions on design and upscaling, more than questions of its own legitimacy or relevance. This commentary nevertheless explores four recurring critiques of (street) experimentation and proposes how looking more deeply at them might empower, rather than weaken, such initiatives. Engaging with these critiques is therefore not meant as a renewed criticism, per se, of (street) experiments. Rather, it recognizes that getting into the technicalities and specific designs and elements that might improve street experiments and their capacity to impact change advances knowledge in the field, but argues that advocates must not forget some key baseline critiques they might face - and be ready to either defend or amend their choices accordingly. This commentary is a call to be more creative and less conforming, and to come back again to the deeper motivations for what (street) experiments are meant to do; or develop a better understanding of those motivations. This commentary also leaves open questions that will require further research. Disconfirming some of the hypotheses emerging here would be no less interesting than confirming them. I hope the readers will thus see this commentary as an invitation for debating and exploring these critiques and reflections further.

Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) is widely recognized as an effective approach for identifying optimal solar energy sites. However, a common challenge with MCDM lies in the ambiguity surrounding the criteria framework and the importance assigned to each criterion, often based on expert judgment. This reliance on human judgment can introduce vagueness and bias. To address these limitations, researchers have begun deriving the order of importance for criteria by analyzing influential, high-impact journals. By quantifying the frequency of criteria mentioned in these journals, this method aims to reduce the influence of subjectivity and bias. Therefore, this review paper critically examines the influential criteria for identifying optimal solar energy sites, based on high-impact journals published between 2020 and 2023. It analyzes the relative importance of sub-criteria using citation frequency to address gaps in the current state of the art. From the five main criteria (climatic, technical, accessibility, environmental, and social), a comprehensive framework comprising 47 sub-criteria is developed. The paper also assesses 17 prominent MCDM algorithms, highlighting their strengths and limitations in the context of solar energy site selection. Additionally, a comparative analysis of five prominent MCDM methods is conducted to evaluate geographic divisions in Sarawak based on specific criteria. Spearman’s rank correlation is employed to measure the agreement among these MCDM methods. The results reveal that normalization methods or preference functions within each MCDM method achieved a consistency level greater than 70 %. However, the low average correlation value of 0.1105 (out of a maximum of 1) among different MCDM methods indicates significant variations in rankings. This underscores the importance of carefully selecting the most appropriate MCDM method based on the specific decision context and the desired level of consistency.

Restaurant clientele have a task of making critical decisions concerning their choices of food and drinks. The decision-making process involves, firstly, the selection of the restaurant in which to have a meal and, secondly, the selection of food items from the menu to constitute their meals. Thus, it requires cognitive and physical effort for restaurant clientele to make decisions concerning their restaurant choices and ultimately a final purchase decision. This study applied the Engel–Kollat–Blackwell-consumer purchase decision model to investigate restaurant clientele’s purchase decision-making process among commercial eateries in Kakamega County in Kenya. For the purpose of this study, a five-stage customised EKB model was applied. The study employed a descriptive research survey design, while Fisher’s formula was utilised, giving a sample size of 384 respondents. The study results show a high positive correlation (R = 0.892) between the study variables. The study results indicate that 79.6% of the total variation in consumer ratings was because of the restaurant customer purchase decision-making process, in addition to the overall regression model predicting the outcome variable (p < 0.05). In relation to the contribution of studied predictor variables, a manual search gave the greatest contribution (B = 0.545, p < 0.001, t = 9.105), while sense of belonging/ class of the eatery gave the least contribution (B = −0.584, p < 0.001, t = −12.505). To yield positive results, eatery managers will be required to adjust these predictor variables depending on the contribution of each on the outcome variables, given the predictor variables to be tested account for the most variance in the outcome variable.

Nitrite, a collective term for a group of inorganic compounds containing nitrite ions (NO2−), is widely present in the natural environment and in the human body. It has a wide range of applications in the medical, food and environmental fields, such as food additives, water treatment agents and drugs. However, the excessive intake of nitrite poses indirect carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic risks to humans. With the in-depth study of the functional properties of nitrite, there is an increasing demand for accurate and efficient methods for its detection. This paper presents a review of methods for the detection of nitrite, which will cover different principles and technologies, including traditional methods, optical methods, electrochemical sensors, and biosensors, and their prospects. By comparing and evaluating the different methods, it will provide references and valuable suggestions for choosing the most suitable nitrite detection methods and the scientific selection of alternatives for nitrite.

Simple Summary: There is a need to explore alternative feed ingredients to reduce feed costs in the context of international maize price fluctuation. Rice is a staple cereal grain for human consumption. Currently, the self-sufficiency rate for rice is close to 100% in China. Due to the high yield production and poor taste quality, there is a serious backlog of early indica rice in China, especially in the southern rice-producing provinces. Thus, rice may have the potential to be used as an alternative energy source for pigs in the context of international maize price fluctuation. As a result of evaluating the effects of replacing corn with paddy rice in pig diets, using paddy rice in swine diets at up to 15% for growing pigs, 20% for early-finishing pigs, and 30% for late-finishing pigs did not cause adverse impacts on growth performance. Therefore, paddy rice can be evaluated as a valuable feed ingredient for swine diets during the growing–finishing period, if favorably priced. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate paddy rice as an alternative energy feedstuff in low-protein diets for pigs. In Experiment 1, a total of 400 growing pigs (20.68 ± 0.29 kg initial bodyweight), were randomly allocated four dietary treatments with 0, 10, 15, and 20% paddy rice for 30 days. Feeding 10% or 15% paddy rice had no adverse impacts on average daily gain (ADG) and feed to gain ratio (F:G), while the inclusion of 20% rice in diets significantly influenced the growth performance of pigs. In Experiment 2, 364 early-finishing pigs (42.25 ± 0.47 kg) were divided into four treatments with 0, 15, 20, and 25% paddy rice for 35 days. Feeding 15% or 20% paddy rice had no negative consequences on growth performance, while pigs fed with 25% rice had the lowest ADG and the greatest F:G. In Experiment 3, 364 late-finishing pigs (79.52 ± 1.28 kg) were divided into four treatments with 0, 20, 25, and 30% paddy rice for 60 days. Paddy rice can be included at up to 30% in diets without compromising growth performance, while feeding with 25% rice significantly improved the performance for pigs compared with the corn-fed control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques are increasing in product recommendation decisions, which typically entail several factors. This study aims to demonstrate the application of a novel strategy based on MCDM techniques as the core element of a consumer Decision Support System by suggesting the most appropriate items from a given set of alternatives. Ranking products based on online product ratings and consumer preferences is an important area of study, but there are currently few studies on this topic. This paper proposes a method for ranking products using multi-attribute online ratings. We propose a novel mobile recommendation-ranking system-based (MCDM) method to recommend the best alternative. Our proposed model differs from previous works in the following ways: (a) Rating information of each feature is used to identify user preferences and complementary criteria; (b) Criteria weights are determined by Shannon entropy (c) The complex proportional assessment method is employed to rank the alternatives and solve the best mobile recommendation problem. (d) The sensitivity study results showed that the rankings produced by the various MCDM approaches were highly consistent with the rankings of the evaluated compromise candidates. Demonstration of the proposed approach through a mobile phone selection case study. In our experiments, we have found that our approach provides a reliable ranking while reducing time and space complexity, indicating that our optimization model is accurate and efficient. With its superior product comparison skills and ability to offer a recommendation to the user as a final ranking of alternatives, a decision-making system like this may prove to be the optimal long-term answer for e-commerce sites and websites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]