Search Results (819)

Aim: Pacifiers play a critical role in the early stages of craniofacial and palate development during infancy. While they provide comfort and aid in soothing, their use can also have significant impacts on the growth and function of the oral cavity. This study aimed to simulate and predict the behavior of six different types of pacifiers and their functional interaction with the tongue and palate, with the goal of understanding their potential effects on orofacial growth and development. Materials and Methods: Biomechanical analysis using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) mathematical models was employed to evaluate the behavior of six different commercial pacifiers in contact with the palate and tongue. Three-dimensional solid models of the palate and tongue were based on the mathematical framework from a 2007 publication. This allowed for a detailed investigation into how various pacifier designs interact with soft and hard oral tissues, particularly the implications on dental and skeletal development. Results: The findings of this study demonstrate that pacifiers exhibit different interactions with the oral cavity depending on their geometry. Anatomical–functional pacifiers, for instance, tend to exert lateral compressions near the palatine vault, which can influence the hard palate and contribute to changes in craniofacial growth. In contrast, other pacifiers apply compressive forces primarily in the anterior region of the palate, particularly in the premaxilla area. Furthermore, the deformation of the tongue varied significantly across different pacifier types: while some pacifiers caused the tongue to flatten, others allowed it to adapt more favorably by assuming a concave shape. These variations highlight the importance of selecting a pacifier that aligns with the natural development of both soft and hard oral tissues. Conclusions: The results of this study underscore the crucial role of pacifier geometry in shaping both the palate and the tongue. These findings suggest that pacifiers have a significant influence not only on facial bone growth but also on the stimulation of oral functions such as suction and feeding. The geometry of the pacifier affects the soft tissues (tongue and muscles) and hard tissues (palate and jaw) differently, which emphasizes the need for careful selection of pacifiers during infancy. Choosing the right pacifier is essential to avoid potential negative effects on craniofacial development and to ensure that the benefits of proper oral function are maintained. Therefore, healthcare professionals and parents should consider these biomechanical factors when introducing pacifiers to newborns. Full article

The environmental impact of milk production, particularly its share of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is a topic under investigation in various parts of the world. This paper presents an overview of current knowledge on the carbon footprint (CF) of milk production at the farm level, with a particular focus on technological, environmental and organisational factors affecting emission levels. The analysis is based on a review of, inter alia, 46 peer-reviewed publications and 11 environmental reports, legal acts and databases concerning the CF in different regions and under various production systems. This study identifies the main sources of emissions, including enteric fermentation, manure management, and the production and use of feed and fertiliser. It also demonstrates the significant variability of the CF values, which range, on average, from 0.78 to 3.20 kg CO₂ eq kg⁻¹ of milk, determined by the farm scale, nutritional strategies, local environmental and economic determinants, and the methodology applied. Moreover, this study stresses that higher production efficiency and integrated farm management could reduce the CF per milk unit, with further intensification having, however, diminishing effects. The application of life cycle assessment (LCA) methods is essential for a reliable assessment and comparison of the CF between systems. Ultimately, an effective CF reduction requires a comprehensive approach that combines improved nutritional practices, efficient use of resources, and implementation of technological innovations adjusted to regional and farm-specific determinants. The solutions presented in this paper may serve as guidelines for practitioners and decision-makers with regard to reducing GHG emissions. Full article

In the Sahelian context characterized by the increasing scarcity of forage resources, this study investigated how climate change perceptions influence the adoption of cottonseed cake in pastoral and agro-pastoral systems in the Hauts-Bassins region of Burkina Faso. Drawing on the Subjective Expected Utility (SEU) theory and using a logit model estimated from survey data collected from 366 livestock farms, the analysis reveals that the perceived degradation of rangelands due to climate change is a key determinant of adoption. Over 40% of surveyed herders believed that climate change is negatively affecting the availability of natural forage. This heightened awareness is significantly associated with a greater likelihood of adopting cottonseed cake as a feed supplementation strategy. This study highlights the crucial role of cognitive factors in shaping adaptation decisions, beyond traditional economic and structural determinants. It underscores the importance of incorporating environmental perceptions into public policies supporting livestock systems and technological innovations in pastoral. Full article

To address the challenges of low recognition accuracy and substantial model complexity in crop disease identification models operating in complex field environments, this study proposed a novel hybrid model named ConvTransNet-S, which integrates Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and transformers for crop disease identification tasks. Unlike existing hybrid approaches, ConvTransNet-S uniquely introduces three key innovations: First, a Local Perception Unit (LPU) and Lightweight Multi-Head Self-Attention (LMHSA) modules were introduced to synergistically enhance the extraction of fine-grained plant disease details and model global dependency relationships, respectively. Second, an Inverted Residual Feed-Forward Network (IRFFN) was employed to optimize the feature propagation path, thereby enhancing the model’s robustness against interferences such as lighting variations and leaf occlusions. This novel combination of a LPU, LMHSA, and an IRFFN achieves a dynamic equilibrium between local texture perception and global context modeling—effectively resolving the trade-offs inherent in standalone CNNs or transformers. Finally, through a phased architecture design, efficient fusion of multi-scale disease features is achieved, which enhances feature discriminability while reducing model complexity. The experimental results indicated that ConvTransNet-S achieved a recognition accuracy of 98.85% on the PlantVillage public dataset. This model operates with only 25.14 million parameters, a computational load of 3.762 GFLOPs, and an inference time of 7.56 ms. Testing on a self-built in-field complex scene dataset comprising 10,441 images revealed that ConvTransNet-S achieved an accuracy of 88.53%, which represents improvements of 14.22%, 2.75%, and 0.34% over EfficientNetV2, Vision Transformer, and Swin Transformer, respectively. Furthermore, the ConvTransNet-S model achieved up to 14.22% higher disease recognition accuracy under complex background conditions while reducing the parameter count by 46.8%. This confirms that its unique multi-scale feature mechanism can effectively distinguish disease from background features, providing a novel technical approach for disease diagnosis in complex agricultural scenarios and demonstrating significant application value for intelligent agricultural management. Full article

A reliable estimation of protein requirements in lactating dairy cows is necessary for formulating nutritionally adequate diets, improving feed efficiency, and minimizing nitrogen excretion. This study aimed to develop machine learning-based models to predict net protein requirements for maintenance (NPm) and lactation (NPl) using random forest regression (RFR) and support vector regression (SVR). A total of 1779 observations were assembled from 436 peer-reviewed publications and open-access databases. Predictor variables included farm-ready variables such as milk yield, dry matter intake, days in milk, body weight, and dietary crude protein content. NPm was estimated based on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM, 2021) equations, while NPl was derived from milk true protein yield. The model adequacy was evaluated using 10-fold cross-validation. The RFR model demonstrated higher predictive performance than SVR for both NPm (R² = 0.82, RMSEP = 22.38 g/d, CCC = 0.89) and NPl (R² = 0.82, RMSEP = 95.17 g/d, CCC = 0.89), reflecting its capacity to model the rule-based nature of the NASEM equations. These findings suggest that RFR may provide a valuable approach for estimating protein requirements with fewer input variables. Further research should focus on validating these models under field conditions and exploring hybrid modeling frameworks that integrate mechanistic and machine learning approaches. Full article

Fish production faces various challenges throughout its cycle, from rearing to consumption. Organic acids have emerged as an effective fish feed and meat treatment solution. They promote health and well-being, control pathogens, improve digestion, and contribute to food preservation. This study was therefore carried out to evaluate the evolution of publications on the use of organic acids in aquaculture over time, identifying the leading journals, authors, countries, and relevant organizations associated with the publications and determining the keywords most used in publications and research trends on this type of accommodation using bibliometric analysis. For this analysis, the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases were used, with the keywords and Boolean operators “organic acid*” AND (“pathogens” OR “microorganism*” OR “bacteria” OR “fungi”) AND (“fish” OR “fry” OR “pisciculture”). Ninety-six articles were found in 44 journals, with the participation of 426 authors and 188 institutions, from 1995 to 2024. The most crucial publication source with the highest impact factor was the journal Aquaculture, with 14 articles, 2 of which were written by the most relevant author, Koh C., who received the highest number of citations and had the highest impact factor among the 426 authors. China had the most scientific production, with 26 publications on organic acids in aquaculture. However, Malaysia was the country that published the most cited documents, a total of 386. The most relevant affiliation was the University of Sains Malaysia, which participated in the publication of eight articles. The 10 most frequent keywords were fish, organic acids, citric acid, article, bacteria, growth, microorganisms, Oncorhynchus mykiss, animals, and digestibility. The results indicate increased publications on the benefits of using organic acids in aquaculture, highlighting their effectiveness as antibacterial agents and promoters of zootechnical development. However, gaps still require more in-depth research into the ideal dosages, mechanisms of action, and long-term impacts of these compounds. Full article

Neonatal calves possess an immature and naïve immune system and are reliant on the intake of maternal colostrum for the passive transfer of immunoglobulins. Maternal antibodies delivered to the calf via colostrum, are crucial to prevent calfhood diseases and death. Failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) is a condition in which calves do not acquire enough maternal antibodies, mostly in the form of IgG, due to inadequate colostrum quality or delayed colostrum feeding. The diagnosis and risk factors for FTPI have been widely studied in dairy cattle; however, in beef calves, the research interest in the topic is relatively recent, and the most adequate diagnostic and preventative methods are still in development, making it difficult to define recommendations for the assessment and prevention of FTPI in cow–calf operations. The objective of this scoping review is to identify the published literature on best practices for colostrum management and transfer of passive immunity (TPI) in neonatal beef calves. The literature was searched using three electronic databases (CAB Direct, Scopus, and PubMed) for publications from 2003 to 2025. The search process was performed during the period from May to July 2023, and was repeated in January 2025. All screening processes were performed using Covidence systematic review software (Veritas Health Innovation, Melbourne, Australia). A total of 800 studies were initially identified through database searches. After removing duplicates, 346 studies were screened based on their titles and abstracts, leading to the exclusion of 260 studies. The remaining 86 studies underwent full-text screening, and 58 studies were considered eligible for data extraction. Hand-searching the references from published review papers on the subject yielded an additional five studies, bringing the total to 63 included articles. The prevalence of FTPI has been estimated to be between 5.8% and 34.5% in beef calves. Factors studied related to colostrum management include quality and quantity of colostrum intake, the timing and method of colostrum feeding, and the microbial content of the colostrum. Studies on risk factors related to the calf include the topics calf sex, twin status, calf vigor, weight, month of birth, cortisol and epinephrine concentrations, and the administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to calves after difficult calving. The dam-related risk factors studied include dam body condition score and udder conformation, breed, parity, genetics, prepartum vaccinations and nutrition, calving area and difficulty, and the administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at C-section. Most importantly for beef systems, calves with low vigor and a weak suckling reflex are at high risk for FTPI; therefore, these calves should be given extra attention to ensure an adequate consumption of colostrum. While serum IgG levels of < 8 g/L or < 10 g/L have been suggested as cutoffs for the diagnosis of FTPI, 16 g/L and 24 g/L have emerged as cutoffs for adequate and optimal serum IgG levels in beef calves. Several field-ready diagnostics have been compared in various studies to the reference standards for measuring indicators of TPI in beef calves, where results often differ between models or manufacturers. Therefore, care must be taken when interpreting these results. Full article

Porcine intestinal mucosa hydrolysates (PIMHs) are by-products of heparin production obtained through a specific enzymatic hydrolysis process, which can theoretically generate bioactive peptides (BAPs). This study aimed to identify, characterize, and quantify BAPs in two Palbio products manufactured by Bioiberica S.A.U. (Palafolls, Spain), which are PIMH protein sources used for animal feed: Palbio^® HP (PHP) and Palbio^® 62 SP^® (P62). Using mass spectrometry (MS)-based peptidomics, we analyzed three samples from each product, fractionated based on molecular weight (<3 kDa, 3 to 10 kDa, and >10 kDa). The <3 kDa fraction was analyzed directly, while the other two fractions were enzymatically digested before MS analysis. The workflow identified 961 peptides in PHP and 1134 in P62. Subsequent bioinformatic analysis using public databases (APD2, StraPep, AHTPDB, and BIOPEP-UWM) led to the identification of six significant BAPs in both PHP and P62, with respective quantified amounts (pg peptide/μg sample): DAVEDLESVGK (0.1626, 0.1939), EGIPPDQQRLIFAGK (0.2637, 0.1852), TITLEVEPSDTIENVK (0.3594, 0.4327), TNVPRASVPDGFLS (1.4596, 0.1898), TNVPRASVPDGFLSEL (8.0500, 0.9224), and VHVVPDQLMAF (0.0310, 0.0054). The first three BAPs are related to antimicrobial activity, while the latter three are associated with cytokine/growth factor-like, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities. These bioactivities align with previously reported in vivo benefits observed in animal nutrition using Palbio products. Our findings demonstrate that PHP and P62 are valuable sources of BAPs, supporting their potential role in improving animal health and performance. Full article

It has been proven that the performance of fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), as the most important oil refining process for converting low-value heavy oils into high-value transportation fuels, light olefins, and feedstocks for petrochemicals, depends strongly on the quality of the feedstock. For this reason, characterization of feedstocks and their relationships to FCC performance are issues deserving special attention. This study systematically reviews various publications dealing with the influence of feedstock characteristics on FCC performance, with the aim of identifying the best characteristic descriptors allowing prediction of FCC feedstock cracking capability. These characteristics were obtained by mass spectrometry, SARA analysis, elemental analysis, and various empirical methods. This study also reviews published research dedicated to the catalytic cracking of biomass and waste oils, as well as blends of petroleum-derived feedstocks with sustainable oils, with the aim of searching for quantitative relationships allowing prediction of FCC performance during co-processing. Correlation analysis of the various FCC feed characteristics was carried out, and regression techniques were used to develop correlations predicting the conversion at maximum gasoline yield and that obtained under constant operating conditions. Artificial neural network (ANN) analysis and nonlinear regression techniques were applied to predict FCC conversion from feed characteristics at maximum gasoline yield, with the aim of distinguishing which technique provided the more accurate model. It was found that the correlation developed in this work based on the empirically determined aromatic carbon content according to the n-d-M method and the hydrogen content calculated via the Dhulesia correlation demonstrated highly accurate calculation of conversion at maximum gasoline yield (standard error of 1.3%) compared with that based on the gasoline precursor content determined by mass spectrometry (standard error of 1.5%). Using other data from 88 FCC feedstocks characterized by hydrogen content, saturates, aromatics, and polars contents to develop the ANN model and the nonlinear regression model, it was found that the ANN model demonstrated more accurate prediction of conversion at maximum gasoline yield, with a standard error of 1.4% versus 2.3% for the nonlinear regression model. During the co-processing of petroleum-derived feedstocks with sustainable oils, it was observed that FCC conversion and yields may obey the linear mixing rule or synergism, leading to higher yields of desirable products than those calculated according to the linear mixing rule. The exact reason for this observation has not yet been thoroughly investigated. Full article

Aflatoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced primarily by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, pose a significant global health concern due to their frequent presence in crops, food, and feed—especially under climate change conditions. This review addresses the growing threat of aflatoxins by analyzing recent advances in detection and mitigation. A comprehensive literature review was conducted, focusing on bioremediation, physical and chemical detoxification, and fungal growth inhibition strategies. The occurrence of aflatoxins in water systems was also examined, along with current detection techniques, removal processes, and regulatory frameworks. Emerging technologies such as molecular diagnostics, immunoassays, biosensors, and chromatographic methods are discussed for their potential to improve monitoring and control. Key findings highlight the increasing efficacy of integrative approaches combining biological and technological solutions and the potential of AI-based tools and portable devices for on-site detection. Intelligent packaging and transgenic crops are also explored for their role in minimizing contamination at the source. Overall, this review emphasizes the importance of continued interdisciplinary research and the development of sustainable, adaptive strategies to mitigate aflatoxin risks, thereby supporting food safety and public health in the face of environmental challenges. Full article

The objective was to conduct a review and meta-analysis of questionnaire-based surveys of dengue knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and practices (KAP)s among the general public in Sri Lanka as no prior island-wide survey existed. The electronic database PubMed and other bibliography were searched for literature on dengue questionnaire-based KAP surveys in Sri Lanka from 2000–2023. Data pertaining to the three domains were extracted from sixteen eligible articles, pooled, and analyzed separately using random effect models. Meta-analyses of the three domains were performed using R version 3.6.3. The population surveyed (8955) was <0.045% of the total Sri Lankan population. The publication frequency increased over time and surveys were distributed in Colombo and suburbs 43.7% (7/16), Kandy 25% (4/16,) Gampaha 12.5% (2/16), and 6.3% (1/16) one each in Kurunegala, Matara, Batticaloa, and Jaffna. Knowledge on dengue transmission, vector breeding, and fever as a symptom was >80%, while on vector species, preferred feeding times, recurrence of dengue it was > 55% and on warning signs of severity it was 25%. Attitudes towards community participation in dengue prevention activities and knowledge of dengue risk factors (avoidance of aspirin and dark colored drinks) were poor, while practice of control measures (removal of water collecting receptacles, roof-gutter management) lacked regularity. Full article

Background: Obesity is a major public health issue in developed countries, primarily managed through dietary interventions and physical activity. Food portion sizes influence the estimation of energy intake, particularly through bites, of which characteristics remain insufficiently defined. This study investigates the variability in bite energy content. Methods: This observational study was conducted over 14 months. Thirteen types of packaged food were provided to 30 Italian healthy volunteers (mean age 26.8 ± 8.5 years) in a semi-naturalistic dietary feeding setting. Participants’ anthropometric measurements were recorded. A total of 1850 bites were weighed and 420 bites were assessed for volume and energy content. Results: Bite volume and mass explained bite energy content at different rates. The most influential anthropometric feature was waist circumference. Gender modified the association between waist circumference and bite characteristics; males showed increased bite volume, mass, and energy content as waist circumference increased, whereas females showed little or no association. Age was inversely associated with bite volume and mass, with younger participants having larger bites. Gender significantly influenced average bite size, with females showing lower values than males. The use of a fork was associated with higher bite volume, mass, and energy compared to a spoon. Food eaten with bare hands had lower mass but higher energy content compared to food eaten with a spoon. The variability in bite energy was considerably greater per bite than per gram, reflecting the combined influence of food texture, bite size, and cutlery used. Conclusions: Bite energy variability, influenced by intrinsic factors (gender, age, waist circumference) and extrinsic factors (cutlery, food texture), significantly impacts portion size effect. Future bite counters should consider these elements for accurate dietary assessment. Full article

Dairy farm profitability in the European Union has become increasingly volatile following market deregulation, complicating farm operations and undermining food security amid geopolitical tensions. To address the need for a streamlined analytical tool, this study develops a simulation model of milk production profitability tailored to small, open economies, using Poland as a case study. The model defines a profitability coefficient as the ratio of sector-level milk revenues to feed costs and decomposes it into three dynamic components: production efficiency (milk yield per feed unit), the price spread between milk and feed, and the net effect of policy interventions on revenues and costs. Exogenous variables (milk prices, feed prices, and policy support indices) are projected under baseline, optimistic, and pessimistic scenarios, while endogenous variables (profitability, herd size, and yield) evolve recursively based on estimated lags reflecting biological and economic responses. Simulation results for 2023–2027 indicate that profitability trajectories hinge primarily on price spreads, with policy measures playing a stabilizing but secondary role. Optimistic scenarios yield significant increases in profitability, whereas pessimistic assumptions lead to significant declines. These findings highlight the need to balance key market drivers—such as the relationship between milk prices and feed costs—with appropriately designed support instruments for milk producers. The model provides policymakers with a tool to adjust interventions so that support instruments are effective but do not lead to excessive reliance on public assistance. Full article

The 8th revised edition of the Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle was released in 2016, with the recommendations provided in the publication being used extensively in both research and production settings. In the context of research needs identified in that publication, our objective was to review research on beef cattle nutrient requirements published since 2016 and identify knowledge gaps that should be addressed. Relative to energy requirements, the effects of environmental temperature and grazing activity, along with stress and disease, on maintenance requirements are inadequately characterized or defined. In addition, relationships between retained energy and protein should be more fully elucidated, and additional guidance on body weight at a target compositional endpoint is needed. Areas of continuing concern include accurately and precisely predicting microbial protein supply, predicting N recycling, and the metabolizable protein requirements for maintenance. Mineral and vitamin requirements are often challenging because of a lack of consistency in models used to determine requirements and potential effects of unique production settings on requirements. Based on recent research with feedlot cattle, zinc and chromium requirements should be examined more closely. Because predictions of dry matter intake are critical to supplying nutrients, additional development of prediction equations is needed, especially for beef cows and grazing beef cattle in general. Given considerable research in prediction of greenhouse gases, reevaluation of 2016 recommendations is warranted, along with a need for the updating of equations to predict excretions of N and P. Composition of feeds, particularly byproducts from ethanol production or other industrial streams, represents a knowledge gap, with obtaining reliable energy values of these feeds being a notable challenge. Nutritional models provide the means to integrate nutrient requirement recommendations into practice, and moving towards mechanistic models that take advantage of artificial intelligence and precision livestock farming technologies will be critical to developing future modeling systems. Full article

Obesity and metabolic disorders remain major global health concerns, traditionally attributed to excessive caloric intake and poor diet quality. Recent studies emphasize that the timing of meals plays a crucial role in determining metabolic health. This review explores chrononutrition, a growing field that examines how food intake patterns interact with endogenous circadian rhythms to influence energy balance, glucose and lipid metabolism, and cardiometabolic risk. The circadian system, which includes a central clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and peripheral clocks in metabolic tissues, regulates physiological functions on a 24 h cycle. While light entrains the central clock, feeding schedules act as key synchronizers for peripheral clocks. Disrupting this alignment—common in modern lifestyles involving shift work or late-night eating—can impair hormonal rhythms, reduce insulin sensitivity, and promote adiposity. Evidence from clinical and preclinical studies suggests that early time-restricted eating, where food intake is confined to the morning or early afternoon, offers significant benefits for weight control, glycemic regulation, lipid profiles, and mitochondrial efficiency, even in the absence of caloric restriction. These effects are particularly relevant for populations vulnerable to circadian disruption, such as adolescents, older adults, and night-shift workers. In conclusion, aligning food intake with circadian biology represents a promising, low-cost, and modifiable strategy to improve metabolic outcomes. Integrating chrononutrition into clinical and public health strategies may enhance dietary adherence and treatment efficacy. Future large-scale studies are needed to define optimal eating windows, assess long-term sustainability, and establish population-specific chrononutritional guidelines. Full article