Physiological Characters and Alimentary Needs of Both Divergent Lines of the Barbary Partridge (Alectoris barbara, Bonnaterre, 1792) in Algeria

Background: The Barbary partridge (Alectoris barbara) is a wild endemic species of North-Africa. The lack of information about this species, allows putting research focus in the hunting center of Zeralda, on the selection of a line for an improvement on the zootechnical characteristics of this population. Methods: Over 13 weeks of follow-up, we have performed weekly measurements on 3 successive generations F12-F14 with daily measurements of food intake. We are interested at the fundamental level of the biological characterization of both divergent lines. The analysis of the effects of selection pressures on the growth to estimate the metabolizable energy of each line. Result: During 273 days of study period, we noticed that the metabolizable energy has an average divergence between the fast line and the slow one with 0.328 Kcal/day since birth and an average divergence of 8.899 Kcal/day towards the 13th week in favour of the fast line. Significance noticed between males and females with a favour of the males which are more important. In addition to that, the values of weight-based consumption index imply higher indices for the slow line compared to the values of the fast line. Our results highlight the efficiency of the selection scheme. This progress will allow developing the restoration methods and/or the natural restocking populations on scientific bases.

Analysis of Selected Service Industries in Terms of the Use of Photovoltaics before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Previous analyses of the PV market (and the impact of the pandemic on it) have focused on the market as a whole. The literature does not contain analyses of selected services sectors (e.g., catering, hotel services) in terms of the use of photovoltaics. There are no studies that would show in which segments the demand profile for electricity most closely matches the production from photovoltaic installations (not to mention the impact of the pandemic). The authors analyzed selected service sectors (catering and hotel) in terms of the use of photovoltaics before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper proposes a comparative methodology for the use of photovoltaics for self-consumption, including statistical analyses and calculations of the self-consumption index for representatives of various selected services sectors. The highest value of the self-consumption ratio at the level of 52% was shown for cafes and restaurants (during the pandemic). Surprisingly, in the pandemic, the self-consumption rate increased for restaurants and cafes for the same size of installations (compared to pre-pandemic times).

Investigation of secondary metabolites in bean cultivars and their impact on the nutritional performance of Spodoptera littoralis (Lep.: Noctuidae)

Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd) is globally recognized as a destructive polyphagous insect pest of various crops in the world. It is commonly managed by chemical pesticides, which can cause deleterious effects such as environmental pollution, toxicity to non-target organisms and the emergence of secondary pests. Hence, investigations into alternative pest control strategies such as the use of resistant host plant cultivar against S. littoralis is important. This study aimed to explore the nutritional performance of S. littoralis larvae in dependence on total anthocyanin, flavonoid, and phenol levels across 11 bean cultivars (Phaseolus and Vigna spp.) under laboratory conditions. The results revealed that the Mashhad cultivar accumulated the highest amount of total phenols (13.59 mg ml−1), whereas Yaghout and Arabi cultivars posed the lowest total phenols contents (1.80 and 1.90 mg ml−1, respectively). Across larval instars (third to sixth), the highest consumption index and relative consumption rate were recorded on the Mashhad cultivar. The lowest values of efficiency of conversion of ingested food and the efficiency of conversion of digested food of total larval instars were detected in the larvae which were reared on the Mashhad cultivar. Likewise, the lowest value of the index of plant quality (IPQ) was obtained in the Mashhad cultivar; however, IPQ was figured out at the highest level in the Arabi cultivar. Our findings show that the differential accumulation of secondary metabolites would change the nutritional quality of plants for S. littoralis. Based on the findings, the Mashhad cultivar may serve as a candidate for either integrated pest management or breeding programs aiming at controlling this pest.

Reviewing Before Reading? An Empirical Investigation of Book-Consumption Patterns and Their Effects on Reviews and Sales

Prior research on online reviews has taken for granted that consumers submit reviews only after they have fully consumed purchased products or services. Contrastingly, this study uncovered the hidden truth that many book consumers post assessments before, during, and after consumption. Interestingly, many provide numerical review ratings, even with no consumption at all. We also found that review comments formed after incomplete product engagement adversely affect subsequent sales. Consequently, online evaluations crafted on the basis of fragmentary encounters can become a new source of challenges to managers and policymakers who are responsible for preserving the accuracy and informativeness of product critiques. Digital platforms may leverage our findings to improve their design of review systems and policies in ways that enhance the trustworthiness of peer evaluations and correct potential inaccuracies from inadequately informed assessments. For example, managers can revise their review “sorting” structure so that consumers can flexibly reposition text-based reviews in accordance with a consumption index. Managers can likewise take advantage of these study’s insights to effectively re-establish review-posting policies and schemes that encourage consumers to submit reviews after a sufficient amount of products have been consumed.

Application of Nanobubble-Based Ultrasound Combined with General Anesthesia for the Treatment of Colon Cancer Patients

The nanobubble has recently become a new method to diagnose tumors. In this paper, nanobubble was prepared as follows. First, distearoylphosphatidylcholine and polyethylene glycol-distearyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine were dissolved in 8:1 chloroform/ethanol, and then PBS buffer was added, followed by ultrasonic dispersion for 30 s, and a 65 °C water bath to completely evaporate the organic solvent. Next, 1.5 mL liposome suspension obtained was transferred in a 5 mL conical flask, with 2.5 mL perfluoropropane injected, followed by sonication for 1 min. Finally, the nanobubble was obtained. In this study, 30 patients with colon cancer who underwent radical resection of colon cancer divided into 2 groups with 15 patients in each group. Controls were treated with sham irradiation, while ultrasonic treatment group (DUS treatment group) was treated with ultrasonic irradiation (1 W/cm2 + 3 min) combined with intravenous injection of nanobubbles. The outcome indexes of the two groups were recorded before anesthesia induction (T1), after surgery (T2), 3 days after surgery (T3), and 7 days after surgery (T4). It was found that, the concentration of nanobubble was 1.5 × 108/mL, and the average particle size was 457.23 ±6.24 nm. Control group and DUS treatment group had lower heart rates (HR) at T2 versus that at T1 (P < 0.05). Also, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) of two groups at T2 (89.67±8.69 mmHg, 96.24 ±8.54 mmHg) was also lower versus that at T1 (P < 0.05). For the saturation of central venous oxygen (ScvO2), O2 transport index (DO2I), and O2 consumption index (VO2I) of two groups, the values at time T2–T4 were all superior to those at time T1 (P < 0.05). Ultrasonic technology based on nanobubble combined with general anesthesia can better maintain the stability of hemodynamics during surgery than conventional ultrasound.

CHANGE OF CHARACTERISTICS OF HEATING PERIOD IN ULYANOVSK FOR 2000-2020

In this paper we considered the Ulyanovsk heating period characteristics in the period from 2000 to 2020 and their changes. Daily meteorological observations of the Ulyanovsk Civil Aviation Meteorological Station were used as the initial data. Statistical analysis showed that during the period under review, there was a noticeable warming of the cold part of the year, as a result of which the fuel consumption index decreased. It is revealed that the duration of the heating period increases due to its later finish in the spring.

Control of the use of Sogobalo in the production of growth feeds for broiler chickens in Cote D'ivoire

In poultry farming, the management of feed inputs is decisive in production. This study is to optimize the feed use of sogobalo in breeding broilers to improve growth performance. To do this, five feeds different by their proportion of sogobalo were formulated and used to feed five batches of broilers in the growth phase. Each of the five batches received a specific feed. The five feeds under study consist of a growth staple supplemented respectively with 0%; 2.5%; 5%; 7.5% and 10% of sogobalo. In order to assess the effect of the supplementation rate of sogobalo, body weight, feed intake, weight gain, and consumption index and mortality rate were determined. The results showed that the animals which received the incorporation of sogobalo at 10% were the heaviest (3282 g ± 17.00). The consumption index was lower in the batch of chicken whose sogobalo supplementation was 10% (3.17 ± 1.00) compared to the other batches (3.36 ± 1.00; 3.54 ± 1, 00; 3.76 ± 1.00 and 3.95 ± 1.00 respectively for animals of the batches of 7.5%; 5%; 2.5% and 0%). The weight gain was significantly (P˂0.05) higher for the 10% supplemented group (529 g ± 10.00). No mortality was observed in the supplemented batch. On the other hand, in the control batch, a higher mortality rate (4%) was recorded. The supplementation with 10% of sogobalo optimizes the growth performance and the health of broilers.

Analisis Neraca Air dan Prasarana Tampungan Air di DAS Ciujung

Peningkatan jumlah penduduk, laju pertumbuhan ekonomi dan pengembangan wilayah berdampak pada kondisi sumber daya air. Keterbatasan prasarana tampungan air menjadi penyebab pentingnya distribusi sumber daya air secara berkelanjutan. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui kondisi neraca air dan prasarana tampungan air yang ada di DAS Ciujung. Metode yang digunakan adalah menghitung kebutuhan dan ketersediaan air, Neraca surplus-defisit, Indeks Pemakaian Air (IPA) dan Indeks ketersediaan air per kapita berdasarkan metode SNI 6728.1.2015 serta indikator tampungan air. Ketersediaan air dihitung berdasarkan debit andalan 80% (Q80). Kebutuhan air dihitung dari kebutuhan rumah tangga, perkotaan, industri (RKI), irigasi, peternakan, perikanan dan pemeliharaan sungai. Prasarana tampungan air dihitung melalui indikator tampungan bangunan konservasi air yang ada. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa kebutuhan air di DAS Ciujung sebesar 37,52 m3/detik sedangkan ketersediaan airnya sebesar 36,57 m3/detik. Hal ini mengindikasikan adanya defisit air sebesar 0,95 m3/detik. Indeks Pemakaian Air sebesar 1,03 (kategori jelek). Indeks ketersediaan air per kapita sebesar 623,05 (indikasi kelangkaan air). Sedangkan indikator tampungan air sebesar 31,34% (kategori baik). ABSTRACTThe population growth, the rapid rate of economic growth and regional development will have an impact on the condition of water resources. Limited water storage infrastructure is the importance cause of allocating water resources. The objective of study is to know the water balance and water storage infrastructure in Ciujung Watershed. The analysis methods was used to calculate the amount of water supply and demand, to calculate the surplus-deficit balance, Water Consumption index (IPA), Water Availability Index per Capita refers to SNI 6728.1.2015 and water storage indicator. Water supply calculation based on the mainstay discharge of 80% (Q80). Water demands calculation from the demand of households, cities and industries (RKI), irrigation, livestock, fisheries and river maintenance. Capacity of existing water conservation storage used to predict the water storage infrastructure. The results of analysis show that the water demands in Ciujung Watershed is 37,52 m3/second, while the water supply is 36,57 m3/second. This indicates there is a water deficit of 0,95 m3/second. According to calculation, Water Consumption Index is 1,03 (bad category), It resulted that Water availability index per capita is 623,05 (water scarcity indicator). On the other hand, Indicator for water storage is 31,34% (good category).