Source and level of dietary iron influence semen quality by affecting inflammation, oxidative stress and iron utilization levels in boars

Background Boars fed a mixed form of inorganic and organic iron in excess of the NRC recommended levels still develop anemia,which suggested that the current level and form of iron supplementation in boar diets may be inappropriate.Therefore,56 healthy Topeka E line boars aged 15–21 months were randomly divided into 5 groups:basal diet supplemented with 96 mg/kg ferrous sulfate(FeSO_(4))and 54 mg/kg glycine chelated iron(Gly-Fe,control);80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg Gly-Fe;80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg methionine hydroxyl analogue chelated iron(MHA-Fe,from CalimetFe)for 16 weeks.The effects of dietary iron supplementation with different sources and levels on semen quality in boars were investigated.Results 1)Serum Fe and hemoglobin concentrations were not affected by reduced dietary iron levels in the 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg Gly-Fe and MHA-Fe groups compared with the control group(P>0.05).2)Serum interleukin-6(IL-6)and sperm malondialdehyde(MDA)levels in the 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe groups were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05),and higher serum superoxide dismutase levels and lower MDA levels in the 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe group(P<0.05).3)Boars in the 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg Gly-Fe and MHA-Fe groups had lower serum hepcidin(P<0.01),ferritin(P<0.05),and transferrin receptor(P<0.01)concentrations,and boars in the 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe group had higher seminal plasma Fe concentrations compared with the control group.4)Boars in the 80 mg/kg and 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe groups had lower abnormal sperm rate and in situ oscillating sperm ratio compared to the control group at weeks 12 and/or 16 of the trial.However,the effect of Gly-Fe on improving semen quality in boars was not evident.5)Serum IL-6 level was positively correlated with hepcidin concentration(P<0.05),which in turn was significantly positively correlated with abnormal sperm rate(P<0.05).Furthermore,significant correlations were also found between indicators of iron status and oxidative stress and semen quality parameters.Conclusions Dietary supplementation with 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe did not induce iron deficiency,but rather reduced serum inflammatory levels and hepcidin concentration,alleviated oxidative stress,increased body iron utilization,and improved semen quality in adult boars.

Scarcity and Mental Health—Multiple Mediators of Sleep Quality and Life Satisfaction

Background:In the current social environment,scarcity,as a universally present objective state,profoundly impacts individuals’decision-making and health through the subjective feeling it induces,known as a“scarcity mindset.”Particularly,the feeling of scarcity related to money and sleep time is not only widespread but also directly linked to an individual’s mental health.Purpose:This study aims to delve into the relationship between the feeling of scarcity and mental health,with a specific focus on the relationship between the feeling of money scarcity or sleep time scarcity and mental health,as well as the role of sleep quality or life satisfaction in this relationship.Procedure:We determined the sampling quotas based on the population and economic development levels of each province in the“China Statistical Yearbook(2021)”(National Bureau of Statistics,2021).Participants were selected using the Probability Proportional to Size(PPS)sampling method.Data was collected by distributing online questionnaires to participants,and the relationships between the main variables were explored using structural equation modeling.Results:1.In China,the feeling of sleep time scarcity is stronger than the feeling of money scarcity among the public.2.The feeling of money scarcity is positively correlated with depression and anxiety,whereas the feeling of sleep time scarcity is only positively correlated with depression.3.The feeling of scarcity mainly leads to depression and self-denial through reducing life satisfaction,and it leads to anxiety through reducing sleep quality.Conclusion:The feeling of scarcity in money and sleep time is related to different dimensions of mental health.Therefore,reasonably planning financial allocation and ensuring an adequate amount of sleep can reduce the sense of scarcity,thereby improving mental health.Additionally,improving sleep quality and increasing life satisfaction can alleviate the adverse effects of scarcity on mental health.

Based on non-targeted metabolomics for differential components screening of Rosae Chinensis Flos and Rosae Rugosae Flos and their quality evaluation

Background:Rosa chinensis Jacq.and Rosa rugosa Thunb.are not only of ornamental value,but also edible flowers and the flower buds have been listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia as traditional medicines.The two plants have some differences in efficacy,but the flower buds are easily confused for similar traits.In addition,large-scale cultivation of ornamental rose flowers may lead to a decrease in the effective components of medicinal roses.Therefore,it is necessary to study the chemical composition and make quality evaluation of Rosae Chinensis Flos(Yueji)and Rosae Rugosae Flos(Meigui).Methods:In this study,40 batches of samples including Meigui and Yueji from different regions in China were collected to establish high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprints.Then,the fingerprints data was analyzed using principal component analysis,hierarchical cluster analysis,and partial least squares discriminant analysis analysis chemometrics to obtain information on intergroup differences,and non-targeted metabolomic techniques were applied to identify and compare chemical compositions of samples which were chosen from groups with large differences.Differential compounds were screened by orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis and S-plot,and finally multi-component quantification was performed to comprehensively evaluate the quality of Yueji and Meigui.Results:The similarity between the fingerprints of 40 batches roses and the reference print R was 0.73 to 0.93,indicating that there were similarities and differences between the samples.Through principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis of fingerprints data,the samples from different origins and varieties were intuitively divided into four groups.Partial least-squares discriminant analysis analysis showed that Meigui and Yueji cluster into two categories and the model was reliable.A total of 89 compounds were identified by high resolution mass spectrometry,mainly were flavonoids and flavonoid glycosides,as well as phenolic acids.Eight differential components were screened out by orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis and S-plot analysis.Quantitative analyses of the eight compounds,including gallic acid,ellagic acid,hyperoside,isoquercitrin,etc.,showed that Yueji was generally richer in phenolic acids and flavonoids than Meigui,and the quality of Yueji from Shandong and Hebei was better.It is worth noting that Xinjiang rose is rich in various components,which is worth focusing on more in-depth research.Conclusion:In this study,the fingerprints of Meigui and Yueji were established.The chemical components information of roses was further improved based on non-targeted metabolomics and mass spectrometry technology.At the same time,eight differential components of Meigui and Yueji were screened out and quantitatively analyzed.The research results provided a scientific basis for the quality control and rational development and utilization of Rosae Chinensis Flos and Rosae Rugosae Flos,and also laid a foundation for the study of their pharmacodynamic material basis.

Ordering and Pricing Strategies for Fresh Products with Multiple Quality Levels Considering Consumer Utility

In this paper, considering a scenario in which there are two quality levels of fresh products and introduction of consumer utility function, we studied the optimal ordering and pricing strategies under certain quantity. Our results showed that, facing the two quality levels of fresh products, retailers would not benefit from sales of lower quality of fresh products with the deterministic demand. In the pursuit of profit maximization, the initial order quantity is smaller than the potential demand for market.

The Effect of Varied Dietary Crude Protein Levels with Balanced Amino Acids on Performance and Egg Quality Characteristics of Layers at First Laying Phase

Four diets were formulated to study the influence of varying crude protein levels on the performance, egg quality, serum and haematological characteristics at the first phase of laying cycle of sixty Bovan Nera laying birds that were randomly allotted to dietary treatments. The four experimental diets had five replicates each and three birds per repli-cate. Diet 1 contained 14% crude protein (CP), while diet 2 contained 15% CP, diets 3 and 4 contained 16% and 17% CP respectively. The experimental birds were fed for 10 weeks and the data collected were statistically analysed. Apparent variations recorded for all the performance characteristics such as Egg number, Hen-day production, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) and weight gain were significantly different (p < 0.05). The best FCR value were recorded by birds fed 17% CP (3.45), while the highest weight gain mean value were also recorded by birds fed 17% CP value. Findings indicated a direct relationship between dietary crude protein values and performance.

An ultra-robust fingerprinting method for quality assessment of traditional Chinese medicine using multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry

Chromatographic fingerprinting has been perceived as an essential tool for assessing quality and chemical equivalence of traditional Chinese medicine.However,this pattern-oriented approach still has some weak points in terms of chemical coverage and robustness.In this work,we proposed a multiple reaction monitoring(MRM)-based fingerprinting method in which approximately 100 constituents were simultaneously detected for quality assessment.The derivative MRM approach was employed to rapidly design MRM transitions independent of chemical standards,based on which the large-scale fingerprinting method was efficiently established.This approach was exemplified on QiShenYiQi Pill(QSYQ),a traditional Chinese medicine-derived drug product,and its robustness was systematically evaluated by four indices:clustering analysis by principal component analysis,similarity analysis by the congruence coefficient,the number of separated peaks,and the peak area proportion of separated peaks.Compared with conventional ultraviolet-based fingerprints,the MRM fingerprints provided not only better discriminatory capacity for the tested normal/abnormal QSYQ samples,but also higher robustness under different chromatographic conditions(i.e.,flow rate,apparent pH,column temperature,and column).The result also showed for such large-scale fingerprints including a large number of peaks,the angle cosine measure after min-max normalization was more suitable for setting a decision criterion than the unnormalized algorithm.This proof-of-concept application gives evidence that combining MRM technique with proper similarity analysis metrices can provide a highly sensitive,robust and comprehensive analytical approach for quality assessment of traditional Chinese medicine.

Effects of Different Dietary Energy and Protein Levels on Meat Performance and Meat Quality of Jinghai Yellow Chickens

To investigate the effect of different dietary energy and protein levels on meat performance and meat quality of Jinghai yellow chickens, 480 43-day old Jinghai yellow chickens with similar weight were randomly divided into four experimental groups： experimental group 1 （protein 15%, metabolic energy 9.95 MJ/kg）, experimental group 2 （protein 16%, metabolic energy 10.95 MJ/kg）, experimental group 3 （protein 17%, metabolic energy 12.65 MJ/kg） and experimental group 4 （ protein 18%, metabolic energy 13.95 MJ/kg）, respectively. All chickens were slaughtered at 112-day old. The breast and leg muscles of Jinghai yellow chickens were collected, to determine the slaughter performance, conventional meat quality and muscle chemical indicators. The results indicated that dressing-out percentage and eviscerated yield percentage in four experimental groups were above 87.27% and 67.00%, respectively; other slaughter performance indicators exhibited no significant differences among various groups （P 〉 0.05 ） ; breast muscle color of hens in experimental group 4 varied significantly from that in other three groups （ P 〈 0.05 ） ; leg muscle color of hens in experimental group 2 varied extremely significantly from that in other three groups （ P 〈 0.01 ） ; water-holding capacity of breast muscles of hens in experimental group 3 was significantly higher than that in experimental group 4 （P 〈 0.05 ） ; thiamine content of breast muscles of cocks in experimental group 3 was significandy higher than that in experimental group 2 （ P 〈 0.05 ） ; however, other properties exhibited no significant differenees among various groups （P 〉 0.05 ）.

Bacterial graphical user interface oriented by particle swarm optimization strategy for optimization of multiple type DFACTS for power quality enhancement in distribution system

This study proposes a graphical user interface(GUI) based on an enhanced bacterial foraging optimization(EBFO) to find the optimal locations and sizing parameters of multi-type DFACTS in large-scale distribution systems.The proposed GUI based toolbox,allows the user to choose between single and multiple DFACTS allocations,followed by the type and number of them to be allocated.The EBFO is then applied to obtain optimal locations and ratings of the single and multiple DFACTS.This is found to be faster and provides more accurate results compared to the usual PSO and BFO.Results obtained with MATLAB/Simulink simulations are compared with PSO,BFO and enhanced BFO.It reveals that enhanced BFO shows quick convergence to reach the desired solution there by yielding superior solution quality.Simulation results concluded that the EBFO based multiple DFACTS allocation using DSSSC,APC and DSTATCOM is preferable to reduce power losses,improve load balancing and enhance voltage deviation index to 70%,38% and 132% respectively and also it can improve loading factor without additional power loss.

QTL mapping for fiber quality and yieldrelated traits across multiple generations in segregating population of CCRI 70

Background:Cotton is a significant economic crop that plays an indispensable role in many domains.Gossypium hirsutum L.is the most important fiber crop worldwide and contributes to more than 95%of global cotto n production.Identifying stable quantitative trait locus(QTLs)controlling fiber quality and yield related traits are necessary prerequisites for marker-assisted selection(MAS).Results:A genetic linkage map was constructed with 312 simple sequence repeat(SSR)loci and 35 linkage groups using JoinMap 4.0;the map spanned 1 929.9 cM,with an average interval between two markers of 6.19 cM,and covered approximately 43.37%of the cotton genome.A total of 74 QTLs controlling fiber quality and 41 QTLs controlling yield-related traits were identified in 4 segregating generations.These QTLs were distributed across 20 chromosomes and collectively explained 1.01%?27.80%of the observed phenotypic variations.In particular,35 stable QTLs could be identified in multiple generations,25 common QTLs were con sistent with those in previous studies,and 15 QTL clusters were found in 11 chromosome segments.Conclusion:These studies provide a theoretical basis for improving cotton yield and fiber quality for molecular marker-assisted selection.

Inclusive Multiple Models(IMM)for predicting groundwater levels and treating heterogeneity

An explicit model management framework is introduced for predictive Groundwater Levels(GWL),particularly suitable to Observation Wells(OWs)with sparse and possibly heterogeneous data.The framework implements Multiple Models(MM)under the architecture of organising them at levels,as follows:(i)Level 0:treat heterogeneity in the data,e.g.Self-Organised Mapping(SOM)to classify the OWs;and decide on model structure,e.g.formulate a grey box model to predict GWLs.(ii)Level 1:construct MMs,e.g.two Fuzzy Logic(FL)and one Neurofuzzy(NF)models.(iii)Level 2:formulate strategies to combine the MM at Level 1,for which the paper uses Artificial Neural Networks(Strategy 1)and simple averaging(Strategy 2).Whilst the above model management strategy is novel,a critical view is presented,according to which modelling practices are:Inclusive Multiple Modelling(IMM)practices contrasted with existing practices,branded by the paper as Exclusionary Multiple Modelling(EMM).Scientific thinking over IMMs is captured as a framework with four dimensions:Model Reuse(MR),Hierarchical Recursion(HR),Elastic Learning Environment(ELE)and Goal Orientation(GO)and these together make the acronym of RHEO.Therefore,IMM-RHEO is piloted in the aquifer of Tabriz Plain with sparse and possibly heterogeneous data.The results provide some evidence that(i)IMM at two levels improves on the accuracy of individual models;and(ii)model combinations in IMM practices bring‘model-learning’into fashion for learning with the goal to explain baseline conditions and impacts of subsequent management changes.

Sound Quality Prediction of Vehicle Interior Noise under Multiple Working Conditions Using Back-Propagation Neural Network Model

This paper presents a back-propagation neural network model for sound quality prediction (BPNN-SQP) of multiple working conditions’ vehicle interior noise. According to the standards and regulations, four kinds of vehicle interior noises under operating conditions, including idle, constant speed, accelerating and braking, are acquired. The objective psychoacoustic parameters and subjective annoyance results are respectively used as the input and output of the BPNN-SQP model. With correlation analysis and significance test, some psychoacoustic parameters, such as loudness, A-weighted sound pressure level, roughness, articulation index and sharpness, are selected for modeling. The annoyance values of unknown noise samples estimated by the BPNN-SQP model are highly correlated with the subjective annoyances. Conclusion can be drawn that the proposed BPNN-SQP model has good generalization ability and can be applied in sound quality prediction of vehicle interior noise under multiple working conditions.

CMLP: Exploiting Caches at Multiple Levels of Proxies to Enhance Seamless Mobility Support in Information-Centric Networks

The recent evolution of the Internet towards "Information-centric" transfer modes has renewed the interest in exploiting proxies to enhance seamless mobility. In this work, we focus on the case of multiple levels of proxies in ICN architectures, in which content requests from mobile subscribers and the corresponding items are proactively cached to these proxies at different levels. Specifically, we present a multiple-level proactive caching model that selects the appropriate subset of proxies at different levels and supports distributed online decision procedures in terms of the tradeoff between delay and cache cost. We show via extensive simulations the reduction of up to 31.63% in the total cost relative to Full Caching, in which caching in all 1-level neighbor proxies is performed, and up to 84.21% relative to No Caching, in which no caching is used. Moreover, the proposed model outperforms other approaches with a flat cache structure in terms of the total cost.

Prediction of lute acoustic quality based on soundboard vibration performance using multiple choice model

The vibrational performance of wood materials critical affects the acoustic quality of a lute. The purpose of this research was to apply a multiple choice model to predict the quality of musical instruments based on data on lute soundboard vibrational properties of Paulownia wood. In the lute production, lute material selection mainly depends on the subjective evaluation of technicians, which is not only inefficient, but inaccurate. In this study, nine lutes were fabricated. Using the multiple selection model, the lute tone quality was predicted by the soundboard wood vibration data. Compared with the actual value, the dependent value predicted by the count of observations with the maximum probability had 22 erroneous judgments. The model precision is 87.78%. The results confirmed that the prediction model can be used as a guideline for the selection of the soundboard wood in musical instrument plants.

Multiple description video coding using GOB alternation and low quality macroblock update

To combat packet loss and realize robust video transmission over Intemet and wireless networks, a new multiple description （MD） video coding method is proposed. In the method, two descriptions for each video frame is first created by group of blocks （GOB） alternation. Motion information is then duplicated in both the descriptions and a process called low quality macroblock update is designed to redundantly encode textures in each frame using standard bit stream syntax. In this way, the output bit streams are standard compliant and better trade-offs between redundancy and single charmel reconstruction distortion are achieved. The proposed method has much better performance than the well-known MD transform coding （MDTC） method both in terms of redundancy rate distortion, and in the packet loss scenario.

Multiple Levels of Abstraction in the Simulation of Microthreaded Many-Core Architectures

Simulators are generally used during the design of computer architectures. Typically, different simulators with different levels of complexity, speed and accuracy are used. However, for early design space exploration, simulators with less complexity, high simulation speed and reasonable accuracy are desired. It is also required that these simulators have a short development time and that changes in the design require less effort in the implementation in order to perform experiments and see the effects of changes in the design. These simulators are termed high-level simulators in the context of computer architecture. In this paper, we present multiple levels of abstractions in a high-level simulation of a general-purpose many-core system, where the objective of every level is to improve the accuracy in simulation without significantly affecting the complexity and simulation speed.

Identification and Classification of Multiple Power Quality Disturbances Using a Parallel Algorithm and Decision Rules

A multiple power quality(MPQ)disturbance has two or more power quality(PQ)disturbances superimposed on a voltage signal.A compact and robust technique is required to identify and classify the MPQ disturbances.This manuscript investigated a hybrid algorithm which is designed using parallel processing of voltage with multiple power quality(MPQ)disturbance using stockwell transform(ST)and hilbert transform(HT).This will reduce the computational time to identify theMPQdisturbances,whichmakes the algorithm fast.A MPQ identification index(IPI)is computed using statistical features extracted from the voltage signal using the ST and HT.IPI has different patterns for various types of MPQ disturbances which effectively identify the MPQ disturbances.A MPQ time location index(IPL)is computed using the features extracted from the voltage signal using ST and HT.IPL effectively identifies the initiation and end of PQ disturbances and thereby locates the MPQ events with respect to time.Classification of MPQ disturbances is performed using decision rules in both the noise-free and noisy environments with a 20 dB noise to signal ratio(SNR).The performance of the proposed hybrid algorithm using ST and HT with rule-based decision tree(RBDT)is better compared to the ST and RBDT techniques in terms of accuracy of classification of MPQ disturbances.MATLAB software is used to perform the study.

The Accuracy Levels of Vehicle Detectors Commonly Used in Korea Based on the Results of Quality Certification Test

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of Korea introduced the ITS system performance evaluation about six and a half years ago. The main purpose is to make sure that accurate and reliable real-time traffic data are collected from the ITS system installed. There are three types of performance evaluations, which are Quality Certification Test, Pre-Delivery Test and Periodic Check in Operation. In this paper the accuracy levels of vehicle detectors commonly used in Korea are analyzed based on the results of quality certification tests conducted during 2008-2012. The test items consist of volume, speed and occupancy. The analysis shows that loop detectors have the best levels of accuracy in all three test items and their levels of accuracy have been steady. Video image detectors do not have so good levels of accuracy as loop detectors, but the levels of accuracy have improved as time passes. Radar detectors do not have good levels of accuracy. However, their levels of accuracy have improved as time passes. The last vehicle detectors, geomagnetism detectors have the worst accuracy in the occupancy item.

Effect of psychological nursing intervention on anxiety level and quality of life in patients with gastrointestinal peptic ulcer

BACKGROUND Peptic ulcer is a common gastrointestinal disease,and psychological intervention has an important influence on its occurrence and development.AIM To investigate the effect of psychological nursing intervention on the anxiety level and quality of life of patients with gastrointestinal peptic ulcers.METHODS Two groups of patients with peptic ulcer were selected from January to December 2012,with 60 cases in each group,and psychological nursing intervention and routine treatment were respectively performed.Psychological nursing interven-tions include cognitive behavioral therapy,psychological support and relaxation training.Self-rating anxiety scale(SAS)and quality of life questionnaire were used to evaluate the anxiety level and quality of life of patients before,during and after treatment.RESULTS The SAS scores of the experimental group significantly decreased over the course of treatment,from 52.3 before treatment to 30.5 after treatment,while SAS scores of the control group did not change significantly.Meanwhile,the experimental group's quality of life score(SF-36)significantly improved over the course of treatment,from 65.2 to 85.2,while the control group remained stable.Further analysis showed that sex and age had no significant influence on the effect of psychotherapy.Both men and women,young and old,showed similar trends in anxiety relief and improved quality of life after treatment.CONCLUSION Psychological nursing-based intervention program has a positive effect on the anxiety level and quality of life of patients with gastrointestinal peptic ulcer.

Affordability, Accessibility, and Quality of Maternal Health Care Services and Level of Satisfaction of Mothers in Rural Areas in China

Objective:This study aimed to understand the affordability,accessibility,and quality of maternal and child health services for postpartum mothers,and their impact on satisfaction.Methods:The study utilized the Anderson model and revised the Maternal Pregnancy and Perinatal Health Service Questionnaire.A survey was conducted among 289 mothers aged 20–49 in Feicheng City.Results:Regarding accessibility,most respondents(133)reported that travel time to healthcare services exceeded 60 minutes,while 99 respondents indicated a travel time of 16–30 minutes.The issue of affordability was highlighted,with 86.85%of participants perceiving maternal healthcare services as costly,indicating a significant financial burden.More than 50%of respondents were satisfied with two specific dimensions(P<0.05)regarding the quality of maternal healthcare services.Conclusion:The study found that accessibility,affordability,and quality significantly affect mothers’satisfaction with maternal health services.Future research should focus on developing more suitable service pathways for rural mothers.

Importance of Proficiency Testing in Water Quality Monitoring

The monitoring data is undoubtedly important to the water quality monitor- ing department. The proficiency testing is an important way to improve the monitor- ing capacity and enhance the quality management of laboratories. It plays an impor- tant role in ensuring the accuracy, integrity and comparability of monitoring data. In this paper, the positive role of proficiency testing in the water quality monitoring was analyzed. In addition, how to improve the water quality monitoring capacity and the quality management level of laboratories through the proficiency testing was also discussed.