Search Results (264)

Reproductive inefficiency remains a major constraint in Penaeus vannamei hatcheries due to high rates of non-spawning females. This study presents the first two-generational quantitative genetic analysis of female reproductive performance under standardized SPF (Specific Pathogen-Free) conditions. A total of 986 females across two generations (2021–2022) from 198 full-sib and 68 half-sib families were evaluated. Traits analyzed included spawning frequency (SF), mean spawning interval (MSI), number of eggs laid for the first time (NE1), average spawning (AS), total spawning (TS), and spawning success (SS). Heritability estimates for SF, SS, and TS were moderate (0.30 ± 0.06, 0.23 ± 0.06 and 0.28 ± 0.07, respectively), while MSI, NE1, and AS showed low heritability (0.10–0.16). When analyzed separately by year, heritability estimates declined substantially for most traits in the second generation. Strong positive genetic correlations were observed between SF, MSI, NE1, AS, and TS, with pairwise estimates ranging from 0.82 to 0.99, indicating that these traits are under shared genetic control. Despite not being direct selection objects, all reproductive traits exhibited relative genetic progress (246–488% per generation), which is attributable to the high selection intensity applied to the parental generation. Our findings provide a robust foundation for integrating reproductive performance into breeding programs for P. vannamei, particularly under biosecurity and commercial feed-dominated conditions. Full article

Ruminant livestock production faces increasing pressure to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining productivity and food security. This comprehensive review examines current strategies and emerging technologies for enhancing environmental sustainability in ruminant systems. The review synthesizes recent advances across four interconnected domains: genetic and genomic approaches for breeding environmentally efficient animals, rumen microbiome manipulation, nutritional strategies for emission reduction, and precision management practices. Specifically, genetic and genomic strategies demonstrate significant potential for long-term sustainability improvements through selective breeding for feed efficiency, methane reduction, and enhanced longevity. Understanding host–microbe interactions and developing targeted interventions have also shown promising effects on optimizing fermentation efficiency and reducing methane production. Key nutritional interventions include dietary optimization strategies that improve feed efficiency, feed additives, and precision feeding systems that minimize nutrient waste. Furthermore, management approaches encompass precision livestock farming technologies including sensor-based monitoring systems, automated feeding platforms, and real-time emission measurement tools that enable data-driven decision making. Integration of these approaches through system-based frameworks offers the greatest potential for achieving substantial environmental improvements while maintaining economic viability. In addition, this review identifies key research gaps including the need for standardized measurement protocols, long-term sustainability assessments, and economic evaluation frameworks. Future directions emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, policy support, and technology transfer to accelerate adoption of sustainable practices across diverse production systems. Full article

This work presents a direct conversion transmitter (DCT) for 5G new radio (NR) that eliminates the RF driver by directly feeding a single stage cascode PA through a baseband buffer amplifier and passive up-conversion mixer. The baseband interface uses Class-AB buffers to hold the output capacitor voltage, enabling accurate sampling at the PA input. A mixer switch is selected for minimal on-resistance variation over the required baseband swing. The PA is designed with separate I and Q voltage inputs and a current summing structure. The PA operates at 2.5 V; other blocks use 1.2 V. Post-layout two-tone simulations at 5 GHz indicate 21 dBm output saturation power and −36.1 dBc of IMD3 at 9 dB PBO power while removing the driver to inter stage matching network of a two-stage design. The results validate a compact, driverless architecture for integrated transmitters. Full article

Extensive goat farming is the dominant livestock system in the Mediterranean region, where woody rangelands represent essential forage resources for goats. Understanding how goats move and select vegetation within these heterogeneous landscapes–and how these patterns are shaped by herding decisions-is critical for improving grazing management. This study investigated the spatio-temporal movement behavior of a goat flock in a complex woody rangeland using GPS tracking combined with GIS-based vegetation and land morphology mapping. The influence of seasonal changes in forage availability and the shepherd’s management on movement trajectories and vegetation selection was specifically examined over two consecutive years. Goat movement paths, activity ranges, and speed differed among seasons and years, reflecting changes in resource distribution, physiological stage, and herding decisions. Dense oak woodland and moderate shrubland were consistently the most selected vegetation types, confirming goats’ preference for woody species. The shepherd’s management—particularly decisions on grazing duration, route planning, and provision or withdrawal of supplementary feed—strongly affected movement characteristics and habitat use. Flexibility in adjusting grazing strategies under shifting economic conditions played a crucial role in shaping spatial behavior. The combined use of GPS devices, GIS software, vegetation maps, and direct observation proved to be an effective approach for assessing movement behavior, forage selection and grazing pressure. Such integration of technological and classical methods provides valuable insights into diet composition and resource use and offers strong potential for future applications in precision livestock management. Real-time monitoring and decision support tools based on this approach could help farmers optimize grazing strategies, improve forage utilization, and support sustainable rangeland management. Full article

Background: The emergence of telehealth has transformed healthcare delivery across multiple disciplines, with tele-nutrition representing a rapidly evolving field that addresses nutritional assessment, counseling, and management through digital platforms. Objective: This narrative review examines the current landscape of pediatric tele-nutrition services, exploring technological platforms, clinical applications, evidence for effectiveness, implementation considerations, and future directions. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science databases from January 2010 to October 2025. A total of 114 relevant sources were selected, encompassing randomized controlled trials, observational studies, systematic reviews, implementation studies, clinical guidelines, and policy documents. Results: This review synthesized 114 sources, predominantly from the United States (54%) and European nations (21%), with evidence expansion accelerating post-COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence suggests pediatric tele-nutrition demonstrates clinical outcomes comparable to traditional in-person care across diverse populations including obesity management, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, feeding difficulties, metabolic conditions, and preventive nutrition services. Multiple technology platforms are utilized, with synchronous video consultations most common (60–85% of encounters). Benefits include enhanced access to specialized care, increased frequency of contact, reduced family burden, and high satisfaction rates (>80% across most studies). Challenges include limitations in physical assessment, digital equity concerns affecting vulnerable populations, variable reimbursement policies, and the need for provider training. Hybrid models combining virtual and in-person care appear optimal for many conditions. Conclusions: Pediatric tele-nutrition represents a viable and effective care delivery model with particular advantages for families facing geographic, logistic, or access barriers. Continued attention to digital equity, provider training, regulatory frameworks, sustainable reimbursement policies, and rigorous evidence generation will optimize implementation and outcomes. Future directions include artificial intelligence applications, precision nutrition approaches, and expanded global health applications. Full article

In this paper, a pattern reconfigurable quasi-Yagi antenna and array for 3-D full-space coverage is proposed. The antenna element consists of hook-shaped radiating patches, parallel-coupled branches, a circular metal patch, and a windmill-shaped metal ground, where four diodes are integrated with the feed lines. By switching the diodes’ operation states, the antenna element can operate in both omnidirectional and directional modes. In the omnidirectional mode, the antenna exhibits a bandwidth of 5.02–5.89 GHz, with a maximum gain of approximately 0.8 dBi. While in the directional mode, the antenna provides a bandwidth of 4.93–5.81 GHz and a maximum gain of 2.4 dBi. In array configuration, directional pattern reconfiguration for azimuth and elevation planes for 3-D full-space coverage can be achieved through excited elements selection and diode states switching, with a peak gain of 4.9 dBi in the directional mode and a pattern non-circularity of 3.1 dB in the omnidirectional mode. The proposed antenna offers advantages such as compact size, light weight, and excellent omnidirectionality, which has great potential in the application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Full article

The flow field evolution in the first turn of the spiral concentrator is decisive for the separation efficiency of solid particles. A laboratory-scale Φ300 mm spiral concentrator was employed as the study subject. The fluid phase was simulated using the RNG k-ε (Renormalization Group) turbulence model and the VOF (Volume of Fluid) multiphase model, while the particles were calculated with an Eulerian multi-fluid VOF model that incorporates the Bagnold effect. The influence of the cross-sectional curve equation on the evolution of flow field parameters in the first turn and on the separation behavior of hematite and quartz particles was systematically investigated. The results indicated that the evolution characteristics of fluid parameters, such as the depth of flow film, the tangential velocity of surface flow, the velocity of secondary circulation, and radial flux, were similar. All parameters were observed to undergo an initial decrease or increase, eventually stabilizing as the longitudinal travel progressed. A negative correlation was identified between the index of the cross-sectional curve equation and both the depth of flow film and the tangential velocity of surface flow in the inner half of the trough, whereas an inverse relationship was noted in the outer half. With an increase in the index of the cross-sectional curve equation, the outward circulation velocity in the initial stage and its radial flux in the outer zone were enhanced, while the fluctuations in the evolution of local fluid parameters were suppressed, with more active fluid radial migration observed at the indices of the cross-sectional curve equation of 2.5 and 3. As the flow field evolved, axial separation between hematite and quartz particles was progressively achieved by gravity due to their density difference. In the middle and inner-outer zones, the migration directions of hematite and quartz were observed to become opposite in the later stage of evolution, while the difference in their migration magnitudes was also found to be widened. With an increase in the index of the cross-sectional curve equation, the disparity in the axial separation and movement between hematite and quartz was enhanced, albeit with a diminishing rate of increase. The maximum separation efficiency between hematite and quartz particles was significantly improved with increased longitudinal travel, reaching over 60% by the end of the first turn; higher indices were determined to be more favorable for achieving this performance. Based on the previous research, the variation in separation indices in the third turn was investigated under both independent adjustment of the index of the cross-sectional curve equation and its combined adjustment with the downward bevel angle. Relatively high and stable separation performance was achieved with the indices of the cross-sectional curve equation of 2.5 and 3, where a maximum separation efficiency of 82.02% was obtained, thereby validating the high efficiency and suitability of the selected spiral concentrator profile. This research elucidated the decisive role of the flow field evolution through the first turn in particle separation behavior from the perspective of quantitative description of hydrodynamic parameters, providing beneficial references for the cross-sectional structure design of spirals and the prediction of the separation index of specific feed. Full article

Low-quality fine-grained coal cannot be effectively separated in a conventional gas–solid fluidized bed. To enhance the density stratification and separation of low-quality fine-grained coal, this paper introduces a vibration force field to create a vibrating airflow composite force field. By investigating the force characteristics and sorting behavior of particles within this vibrating airflow composite force field, we reveal the mechanical properties of both high-density and low-density particles. An energy dissipation model for the vibrational energy among particles in the bed is established, clarifying how vibration acceleration varies between the front and rear sections of the bed. The experimental results indicate that acceleration at the feeding end is significantly greater than that at the discharging end. This higher acceleration at the feeding end facilitates the stratification and segregation of selected particles, while acceleration at the discharging end provides the necessary energy for the transport of gangue. The acceleration curve for low-density particles exhibits greater fluctuations compared to that for high-density particles; additionally, the forces acting on these particles along the y-axis direction promote density segregation. The forces tend to decrease gradually along the z-axis direction, which aids in particle migration and movement. The particle-sorting effectiveness within this vibrating airflow composite force field initially increases with rising vibration frequencies and gas velocities before subsequently decreasing. Under a frequency of 30 Hz and a gas velocity of 35 cm/s, the ash content and yield of the clean coal product from the bed are 7.1% and 52.6%, respectively, achieving the maximum degree of ash separation. Full article

Methane pyrolysis produces hydrogen (H₂) with solid carbon black as a co-product, eliminating direct CO₂ emissions and enabling a low-carbon supply when combined with renewable or low-carbon heat sources. In this study, we propose a hybrid geothermal pyrolysis configuration in which an enhanced geothermal system (EGS) provides base-load preheating and isothermal holding, while either electrical or solar–thermal input supplies the final temperature rise to the catalytic set-point. The work addresses four main objectives: (i) integrating field-scale geothermal operating envelopes to define heat-integration targets and duty splits; (ii) assessing scalability through high-pressure reactor design, thermal management, and carbon separation strategies that preserve co-product value; (iii) developing a techno-economic analysis (TEA) framework that lists CAPEX and OPEX, incorporates carbon pricing and credits, and evaluates dual-product economics for hydrogen and carbon black; and (iv) reorganizing state-of-the-art advances chronologically, linking molten media demonstrations, catalyst development, and integration studies. The process synthesis shows that allocating geothermal heat to the largest heat-capacity streams (feed, recycle, and melt/salt hold) reduces electric top-up demand and stabilizes reactor operation, thereby mitigating coking, sintering, and broad particle size distributions. High-pressure operation improves the hydrogen yield and equipment compactness, but it also requires corrosion-resistant materials and careful thermal-stress management. The TEA indicates that the levelized cost of hydrogen is primarily influenced by two factors: (a) electric duty and the carbon intensity of power, and (b) the achievable price and specifications of the carbon co-product. Secondary drivers include the methane price, geothermal capacity factor, and overall conversion and selectivity. Overall, geothermal-assisted methane pyrolysis emerges as a practical pathway to turquoise hydrogen, if the carbon quality is maintained and heat integration is optimized. The study offers design principles and reporting guidelines intended to accelerate pilot-scale deployment. Full article

The interlaminar drilling of CFRPs is a new machining method different from traditional drilling, in which the feed direction of the drill bit is parallel to the interlayer interface. To reasonably select tools for CFRP interlaminar drilling, four different types of tool structures, including twist drills, dagger drills, candlestick drills, and step drills, are employed to conduct interlaminar drilling. The axial force and the morphologies of material damage are extracted, the comprehensive damage factors are calculated, and the relation among tool structures, machining parameters, and outlet damage is analyzed. Results show that the peak axial force induced by the four types of tool structures reduces sequentially. The dagger drill and the candlestick drill tend to cause burrs and large-area surface tears, respectively, while the twist drill and the step drill will lead to more significant 3D tears. Among the four tools, the average comprehensive damage factor produced by twist drills is the smallest, making it more suitable for CFRP interlaminar drilling. In addition, this study establishes a mathematical prediction model for the peak axial force and the comprehensive damage factor and optimizes the process parameter combination of twist drills, with the spindle speed set to 4732.87 r/min and the feed speed to 0.137 mm/r. Full article

In industrial bamboo machining, the suboptimal selection of cutting parameters leads to elevated cutting power and increased surface roughness. To enhance the machinability of bamboo, a multi-objective optimization of cutting parameters was conducted using orthogonal experimental methods, with special focus on the influences of fiber direction, feed per tooth, and cutting speed on cutting power and surface roughness. The main findings of this study are summarized as follows: feed per tooth exhibited the greatest effect on cutting power, followed by cutting speed and fiber direction. In contrast, fiber direction exerted the most substantial influence on surface roughness, with feed per tooth and cutting speed ranking second and third, respectively. Furthermore, the optimal milling parameters for minimizing both cutting power and surface roughness were identified as a fiber direction of 0°, a feed per tooth of 0.2 mm/z, and a cutting speed of 400 m/min. Therefore, the obtained optimal parameters are recommended for industrial bamboo machining to achieve reduced cutting power and improved surface quality. Full article

Maize is crucial for food, feed, and industrial materials. The seed purity directly affects yield and quality. Advancements in automation have led to the lightweight unmanned maize detasseling vehicle (UDV). To boost UDV’s efficiency, this paper proposes a dual-route and dual-mode adaptive ant colony optimization (DRDM-AACO) for the detasseling route planning in maize seed production fields with hybrid spatial constraints. A mathematical model is established based on a proposed projection method for male flower nodes. To improve the performance of the ACO, four innovative mechanisms are proposed: a dual-route preference based on the dynamic selection strategy to ensure the integrity of the route topology; a dynamic candidate set with the variable neighborhood search strategy to balance exploration and exploitation; a non-uniform initial pheromone allocation based on the principle of intra-row priority and inter-row inhibition, and direction-constrained adaptive dual-mode pheromone regulation through local penalty and global evaporation strategies to reduce intra-row turnback routes. Comparative experiments showed DRDM-AACO reduced the route by 6.2% compared to ACO variants, verifying its effectiveness. Finally, experiments with various sizes and actual farmland compared DRDM-AACO to other various algorithms. The route was shortened by 32%, confirming its practicality and superiority. Full article

Background/Objectives: Despite progress in antiretroviral therapy, HIV remains a major global health challenge with over one million new infections annually. An effective vaccine is urgently needed. Germline-targeting immunogens show promise in initiating broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) precursors. This study developed a scalable, cGMP-compliant process to manufacture the HIV vaccine booster immunogen HxB2.WT.Core-C4b, a nanoparticle designed to direct bNAb precursor maturation after priming. Methods: A CHO cell platform was established through single-cell cloning from a high-producing stable pool. Upstream and downstream processes were optimized for scalability and yield. Three scales were tested 10 L, 40 L, and 400 L. Key parameters (pH, temperature, feeding, metabolite profiles) were systematically refined. Analytical characterization included glycosylation profiling, electron microscopy, and antigenicity testing. Viral clearance was evaluated per ICH Q5A guidelines. Results: Optimization ensured consistent yields above 130 mg/L, with titers up to 250 mg/L. The selected clone (4E22) demonstrated strong growth, viability, and reproducibility. Glycan occupancy at 18 N-linked sites, including bNAb epitopes (N276, N332), was stable across scales. Over 70% of self-assembling nanoparticle were fully assembled at the GMP level. Antigenicity and purity met cGMP release criteria. Viral clearance achieved >13-log reduction for enveloped and >7-log for non-enveloped viruses. Conclusions: This work establishes a robust, scalable platform for HIV nanoparticle immunogens. Consistent quality and yield across scales support clinical development of HxB2.WT.Core-C4b and provide a model for other glycosylated nanoparticle vaccines. The immunogen is being evaluated in clinical study HVTN 320 (NCT06796686), enabling early testing of next-generation vaccines designed to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies. Full article

Background: Parents make vital decisions regarding their children’s health and safety. Poor parental self-efficacy is associated with unfavorable health outcomes among their children. This study aims to investigate parental self-efficacy in managing pediatric medications and treatments in Jordan. Methods: This is an online cross-sectional survey study that was conducted in Jordan between 20 April and 4 July 2025. Self-efficacy in managing medications and treatments for children was assessed utilizing a previously validated questionnaire, including healthcare information or decision-making, symptom identification or management, general treatment management, general healthcare navigation, and feeding management. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of a higher level of self-efficacy. Results: A total of 597 parents were included in this study. The majority of parents reported high levels of confidence (self-efficacy) in managing various aspects of their child’s care. The highest proportion of parents indicated they were very confident in knowing when their child needs to visit a healthcare provider (35.2%) and in following their child’s diet or nutrition plan (36.9%). Very confident was the most selected response for knowing how to contact healthcare providers (38.4%) and scheduling an appointment (37.0%). Higher income was strongly linked to greater self-efficacy, with parents earning 1001–1500 Jordanian dinars (JOD) showing significantly higher odds (odds ratio (OR) = 4.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.42–8.15, p < 0.001) compared to those earning less than 500 JOD. Parents working in medical fields also had higher odds (OR = 3.30, 95% CI: 1.69–6.45, p < 0.001) compared to those not working. Parents with 2–3 children (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.00–3.00, p = 0.049) or 4–5 children (OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.05–3.63, p = 0.03) had greater odds of self-efficacy compared to those with one child. Conclusions: The majority of the parents in this study expressed strong self-efficacy in managing their child’s care, specifically in healthcare-related tasks. Higher self-efficacy was significantly associated with parents’ socioeconomic characteristics such as marital status, medical employment, income, insurance coverage, and number of children. At the same time, lower confidence levels and self-efficacy were observed among divorced parents. More support should be directed towards low-income families and parents who work outside the medical field to enhance their self-efficacy and ultimately the health outcomes of their children. Full article

The administration of enteral nutritional therapy (ENT), combined with the use of probiotics, is considered a proactive therapeutic strategy that can modulate the intestinal microbiota, resulting in beneficial effects on intestinal integrity and function, as well as on the immune system of patients. This review aimed to find evidence on the clinical effects of probiotic administration in treating patients using ENT. An integrative search was performed to select scientific articles on the use of probiotics in ENT published in the last 10 years (2014–2025) using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases. The descriptors used in the search were “probiotics” AND “enteral nutrition” OR “tube feeding” AND “adults” AND “critical illness”. Retrospective studies, pilot single/double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials, and randomized trials investigating the effects of probiotic supplementation in enteral nutrition were included. A review of 21 manuscripts was conducted, in which all patients received ENT with probiotics, with 14 monitored in the ICU, 4 in the ward, and 3 at home. All 21 studies reviewed included a control group using enteral nutrition alone or a placebo, and some also included the study of other treatments. All studies demonstrated clinical benefits of some nature for patients who received enteral nutrition associated with the use of probiotics, such as reduced hospitalization time, improvement in the gastrointestinal tract, reduction in diarrhea associated with the use of antibiotics and inflammatory and immunological responses, and reduction in the incidence of pneumonia associated with mechanical ventilation. Probiotic supplementation in adult patients using enteral nutritional therapy demonstrates benefits that help promote health and improve intestinal microbiota composition. No side effects or adverse risks have been reported. Full article