Improving the nutritional values of yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor(Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) larvae as an animal feed ingredient: a review

Yellow mealworm larvae(YML;Tenebrio molitor) are considered as a valuable insect species for animal feed due to their high nutritional values and ability to grow under different substrates and rearing conditions. Advances in the understanding of entomophagy and animal nutrition over the past decades have propelled research areas toward testing multiple aspects of YML to exploit them better as animal feed sources. This review aims to summarize various approaches that could be exploited to maximize the nutritional values of YML as an animal feed ingredient. In addition, YML has the potential to be used as an antimicrobial or bioactive agent to improve animal health and immune function in production animals. The dynamics of the nutritional profile of YML can be influenced by multiple factors and should be taken into account when attempting to optimize the nutrient contents of YML as an animal feed ingredient. Specifically, the use of novel land-based and aquatic feeding resources, probiotics, and the exploitation of larval gut microbiomes as novel strategies can assist to maximize the nutritional potential of YML. Selection of relevant feed supplies, optimization of ambient conditions, the introduction of novel genetic selection procedures, and implementation of effective post-harvest processing may be required in the future to commercialize mealworm production. Furthermore, the use of appropriate agricultural practices and technological improvements within the mealworm production sector should be aimed at achieving both economic and environmental sustainability. The issues highlighted in this review could pave the way for future approaches to improve the nutritional value of YML.

Yield and Nutritive Values of Semi- and Non-Fall Dormant Alfalfa Cultivars under Late-Cutting Schedule in California’s Central Valley

California is one of the major alfalfa (Medicago sativa L) forage-producing states in the U.S, but its production area has decreased significantly in the last couple of decades. Selection of cultivars with high yield and nutritive value under late-cutting schedule strategy may help identify cultivars that growers can use to maximize yield while maintaining area for sustainable alfalfa production, but there is little information on this strategy. A field study was conducted to determine cumulative dry matter (DM) and nutritive values of 20 semi- and non-fall dormant (FD) ratings (FD 7 and FD 8 - 10, respectively) cultivars under 35-day cut in California’s Central Valley in 2020-2022. Seasonal cumulative DM yields ranged from 6.8 in 2020 to 37.0 Mg·ha−1 in 2021. Four FD 8 - 9 cultivars were the highest yielding with 3-yrs avg. DM greater than the lowest yielding lines by 46%. FD 7 cultivar “715RR” produced the highest crude protein (CP: 240 g·Kg−1) while FD 8 cultivar “HVX840RR” resulted in the highest neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD: 484 g·Kg−1, 7% greater than the top yielding cultivars) but with DM yield intermediate. Yields and NDFD correlated positively but weakly indicating some semi- and non-FD cultivars performing similarly. These results suggest that selecting high yielding cultivars under 35-day cutting schedule strategy can be used as a tool to help growers to maximize yield while achieving good quality forages for sustainable alfalfa production in California’s Central Valley.

Effect of FeSi additive in dual-chamber sample cup on thermal analysis characteristic values and vermiculating rate of compacted graphite iron

Thermal analysis plays a key role in the online inspection of molten iron quality.Different solidification process of molten iron can be reflected by thermal analysis curves,and silicon is one of important elements affecting the solidification of molten iron.In this study,FeSi75 was added in one chamber of the dual-chamber sample cup,and the influences of FeSi75 additive on the characteristic values of thermal analysis curves and vermiculating rate were investigated.The results show that with the increase of FeSi75,the start temperature of austenite formation TALfirstly decreases and then increases,but the start temperature of eutectic growth TSEF,the lowest eutectic temperature TEU,temperature at maximum eutectic reaction rate TEM,and highest eutectic temperature TERkeep always an increase.The temperature at final solidification point TEShas little change.The FeSi75 additive has different influences on the vermiculating rate of molten iron with different vermiculation,and the vermiculating rate increases for lower vermiculation molten iron while decreases for higher one.According to the thermal analysis curves obtained by a dual-chamber sample cup with 0.30wt.%FeSi75 additive in one chamber,the vermiculating rate of molten iron can be evaluated by comparing the characteristic values of these curves.The time differenceΔtERcorresponding to the highest eutectic temperature TERhas a closer relationship with the vermiculating rate,and a parabolic regression curve between the time differenceΔtERand vermiculating rateηhas been obtained within the range of 65%to 95%,which is suitable for the qualified melt.

How Sense of Ritual in Tourism Impacts Tourists’Co-Creation of Tourism Experience Values:A Study Based on the Theory of Value Co-Creation

Establishing a sense of ritual within tourism consumption scenarios offers tourists the opportunity for interactive engagement.Drawing upon the value co-creation theory,this study constructed an influence mechanism model to examine tourists'active engagement in the process of co-creating tourism experience values.It employed Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling(PLS-SEM)to empirically test the proposed hypotheses.The findings demonstrate that the model constructed in the present study exhibits robust reliability,validity,and explanatory power.The perception of the sense of ritual in tourism exerts a significant positive influence on tourists’co-creation of tourism experience values,thereby significantly enhancing both the communitas and flow experienced by tourists during their travels.Moreover,such communitas and flow can mediate the influence of the sense of ritual in tourism on tourists’co-creation of tourism experience values.This study contributes to advancing the current research on tourists’co-creation of tourism experience values and the sense of ritual in tourism,thereby providing theoretical foundations for cultivating a sense of ritual within tourism consumption scenarios.

A Study on the Explainability of Thyroid Cancer Prediction:SHAP Values and Association-Rule Based Feature Integration Framework

In the era of advanced machine learning techniques,the development of accurate predictive models for complex medical conditions,such as thyroid cancer,has shown remarkable progress.Accurate predictivemodels for thyroid cancer enhance early detection,improve resource allocation,and reduce overtreatment.However,the widespread adoption of these models in clinical practice demands predictive performance along with interpretability and transparency.This paper proposes a novel association-rule based feature-integratedmachine learning model which shows better classification and prediction accuracy than present state-of-the-artmodels.Our study also focuses on the application of SHapley Additive exPlanations(SHAP)values as a powerful tool for explaining thyroid cancer prediction models.In the proposed method,the association-rule based feature integration framework identifies frequently occurring attribute combinations in the dataset.The original dataset is used in trainingmachine learning models,and further used in generating SHAP values fromthesemodels.In the next phase,the dataset is integrated with the dominant feature sets identified through association-rule based analysis.This new integrated dataset is used in re-training the machine learning models.The new SHAP values generated from these models help in validating the contributions of feature sets in predicting malignancy.The conventional machine learning models lack interpretability,which can hinder their integration into clinical decision-making systems.In this study,the SHAP values are introduced along with association-rule based feature integration as a comprehensive framework for understanding the contributions of feature sets inmodelling the predictions.The study discusses the importance of reliable predictive models for early diagnosis of thyroid cancer,and a validation framework of explainability.The proposed model shows an accuracy of 93.48%.Performance metrics such as precision,recall,F1-score,and the area under the receiver operating characteristic(AUROC)are also higher than the baseline models.The results of the proposed model help us identify the dominant feature sets that impact thyroid cancer classification and prediction.The features{calcification}and{shape}consistently emerged as the top-ranked features associated with thyroid malignancy,in both association-rule based interestingnessmetric values and SHAPmethods.The paper highlights the potential of the rule-based integrated models with SHAP in bridging the gap between the machine learning predictions and the interpretability of this prediction which is required for real-world medical applications.

A Study on the Values and Strategies of English Picture Book Reading for Improving Pupils’ English Reading Literacy

Reading is one of the core skills in English learning.It is indispensable for EFL learners to develop good English reading literacy in primary schools.English picture books are consistent with pupils’cognitive and thinking modes,which is valuable to improve their English reading literacy.However,at present,most Chinese pupils have some problems in English reading.The paper aims at analyzing the current problems in Chinese pupils’English reading and digging out the values and strategies of English picture book reading,so as to stimulate their reading interests,cultivate their intercultural awareness,and improve their English reading literacy.

An In-depth Interpretation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights With the Common Values of Humanity As the Research Paradigm

Interpreting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from political,juridical and philosophical perspectives is es-sential for promoting the guiding principles of the Declaration,build-ing consensus on human rights,and advancing human rights practice in the new historical context.To conduct an academic,systematic in-terpretation of the Declaration that conforms to the trends of the times and answers the fundamental questions of the world,it is necessary to find a new research paradigm.The common values of humanity,namely peace,development,equity,justice,democracy and freedom,put forward by Xi Jinping,general secretary of the Communist Party of China(CPC)Central Committee,provide the most explanatory and penetrating scientific paradigm for reaching the issue.This paper an-alyzes and reflects on the views,value foundation and principled(con-tractual)consensus of human rights in the Declaration,and narrates and foresees the far-reaching significance of the three global initia-tives(namely,the Global Development Initiative,the Global Security Initiative,and the Global Civilization Initiative)with the common val-ues of humanity as the soul in advancing the modernization of global human rights governance and building a new form of human rights civilization.

A Literature Review on the Identification of Socialist Core Values

Socialist core values are the concentrated expression and highly condensed values of the state,society,and individuals.They are also the embodiment of the values and spiritual consensus and pursuit in the life of the state and society.This article analyzes and summarizes the research results on the identification of socialist core values in China in recent years,mainly sorting out aspects such as the significance of identification,the dialectical relationship between identification and practice,differences in identification levels among different groups,and paths to enhance identification.Finally,suggestions for further deepening future research are proposed.

Exploration of Curriculum Ideology and Politics Integrating Medical Humanities Cultivation Model to Enhance Medical Core Values

Purpose:To explore the application effect of the cultivation mode of Curriculum Ideology and Political Integration of Medical Humanities to enhance the core values of medicine in the clinical internship stage of medical students.Methods:Students in the clinical internship stage of the First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College were selected,and a total of 156 students in one random class in each grade were taken as the observation group and received the integration cultivation mode;148 students were taken as the control group and employed the traditional mode.The teaching effect of interns in the two groups was analyzed.Results:The teaching performance of students in both groups after clinical internship teaching was improved compared with that before admission;the teaching performance,teaching effect,teaching evaluation,and teaching satisfaction of the observation group were higher than that of the control group.Conclusion:The integration of the medical humanities training model with curriculum ideology and politics in the clinical internship of medical students is conducive to the improvement of teaching performance,teaching evaluation,teaching satisfaction of teachers and students,and the development and improvement of core values of medical students,which is of good value for teaching application.

基于Valued ERGMs模型的核心技术网络成长机制研究——以量子计算领域为例

对核心技术网络及其成长机制的研究有助于梳理核心技术之间的依赖和促进关系,为研究核心技术演化提供新的理论视角和方法。以技术演化相关理论为基础,归纳核心技术网络成长的影响因素,基于量子计算领域专利数据,识别以技术概念和技术关系为基础的量子计算领域核心技术网络,并基于Valued ERGMs模型构建核心技术网络成长机制模型。结果表明,技术要素中心性、专利技术研发能力、与TRIZ进化法则匹配程度以及技术要素同配性对核心技术网络成长具有正向促进作用;在技术路径方面,核心技术网络成长受到技术要素路径依赖性和技术突破的双重影响。最后,根据量子计算领域核心技术网络成长机制的实证研究结果,从技术研发层面、企业层面、政府层面为相关领域技术发展提出策略建议。

弹性退休制度下谁更愿意延迟退休?——基于Option Value模型的微观模拟

人口老龄化背景下延迟退休年龄、建立弹性退休制度是大势所趋。养老金激励是弹性退休制度的重要内容。建立期权价值模型和养老金给付及奖惩因子模型,基于中国家庭收入调查项目(CHIP2018)的数据,对不同特征人群的养老金峰值、期权价值、内部报酬率进行模拟。研究发现:养老金总财富随退休年龄“先增后减”,男性的峰值年龄早于女性;引入养老金“奖惩”机制有助于提高最优退休年龄,激励劳动者延迟退休;考虑闲暇偏好的异质性,男性参保者更倾向于早退休,而女性参保者特别是女性较高收入群体更愿意延迟退休;厌恶风险的参保者更有可能选择早退休。建议尽早建立弹性退休年龄政策体系,增加劳动者的选择权和制度灵活性;引入精算调节因子构建养老金奖惩机制,完善养老保险待遇计发办法。

Fertility Values among Women of Childbearing Age in Hunan Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: China is facing with a crisis of the aging population. After the implementation of the latest fertility policy, the research on fertility related issues is urgent. Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the fertility values among women of childbearing age and the socio-demographic factors associated with it under the background of three-child policy, which is helpful to cope with the aging of the population. Methods: This study was conducted among 383 women of childbearing age who met the inclusion criteria using a general information questionnaire and the fertility values questionnaire from May to August 2021 in Hunan Province, China. Data were collected on the women’s socio-demographic characteristics and fertility values. The descriptive statistics, t-test and analysis of variance were used for data analysis. Results: The total mean score of the positive values was 43.55 ± 10.10, and that of the negative values was 50.87 ± 13.85. There were significant differences in the scores of the overall positive and negative values, as well as scores of each dimension (p The item mean score of the overall negative values (3.38 ± 0.93) was higher than that of the overall positive values (2.90 ± 0.67). Among the positive values, “emotional value” (4.26 ± 0.93) scored the highest, while “worrying about life changes” (3.88 ± 1.10) scored the highest among the negative values. There were significant differences in both the positive and negative values in terms of age, marital status, and “only-child” women or not (p Conclusion: The fertility values among women of childbearing age in Hunan Province were relatively negative, especially, excessive worries about life change since having a child, which may lead to further declines in fertility levels. Relevant support measures are urgently needed from the government to adapt to the three-child policy.

Evaluation of the value of combined detection of tumor markers CA724,carcinoembryonic antigen,CA242,and CA19-9 in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is a global health concern that poses a significant threat to human well-being.AIM To detecting serum changes in carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),carbohydrate antigens(CA)724,CA242,and CA19-9 expression among patients with gastric cancer.METHODS Eighty patients diagnosed with gastric cancer between January 2020 and January 2023 were included in the observation group,while 80 patients with benign gastric diseases were included in the control group.Both groups were tested for tumor markers(CA724,CEA,CA242,and CA19-9].Tumor marker indicators(CA724,CEA,CA242,and CA19-9)were compared between the two groups,assessing positive rates of tumor markers across various stages in the observation group.Additionally,single and combined detection of various tumor markers were examined.RESULTS The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value observed for the combined detection of CA724,CEA,CA242,and CA19-9 were higher than those of CA724,CEA,CA242,and CA19-9 individually.Therefore,the combined detection of CA724,CEA,CA242,and CA19-9 has a high diagnostic accuracy and could reduce the occurrence of missed or misdiagnosed cases,facilitating the early diagnosis and treatment of patients.CONCLUSION CA724,CEA,CA242,and CA19-9 serum levels in gastric cancer patients significantly surpassed those in non-gastric cancer patients(P<0.05).Their combined detection can improve the diagnostic accuracy for gastric cancer,warranting clinical promotion.

Establishing environmental background values of selected trace elements and environmental quality assessment of fi negrained sediments in the Jiaozhou Bay catchment,China

With the development of economy,the impact of human activities on ecological environment is increasing,and environmental protection work is important.Trace elements(Co,Ni,Cu,Pb,Zn,Cd,Cr,and Sc)in surface fi ne-grained sediment samples from the Jiaozhou Bay catchment were selected to evaluate their 2015 environmental background values and the environmental quality.Using statistical analysis,the environmental background values(ranges)of Sc,Co,Ni,Cu,Pb,Zn,Cd,and Cr were calculated,being 13.1(10.8-15.4),12.4(8.6-16.2),32.0(22.9-41.2),29.6(13.5-64.9),24.1(13.0-44.6),77.6(38.5-156.5),0.07(0.02-0.20),and 82.5(66.5-104.0)mg/kg,respectively.The enrichment factor,contamination factor,and pollution load index were used to evaluate the pollution status of the Jiaozhou Bay catchment.The environmental background values of most elements are higher than those of the upper continental crust and lower than those of global shale.At present,the pollution in the eastern Jiaozhou Bay is much higher than that in the western part.The results shall be helpful for future management for trace element pollution monitoring in the Jiaozhou Bay catchment.

Influence of Sorbent Type on Drying Efficiency, Production Costs and Nutritional Values of Mango By-Products Feeds for Livestock

The aim of the study was to determine the best food absorbents between wheat, rice and maize bran and palm kernel cake, from a technical and economic point of view, in order to make a better recommandation for their use in the production process of food based on mango by-products (peels, peels + pulp). To this end, series of 18 kg of fresh feed were prepared and spread out in a stall for sun-drying using a randomized Fisher system. Preparations were made using either mango peels (75%) + absorbent (25%) or pulp + mango peels (67%) + sorbent (33%). The results show that mango Peel feed loses more water (WL) with lover production yields (PY), higher mango incorporation rates into dry feed (MRI), longer drying times (UDT) and lower production costs (CPkgPD) than mango peel + pulp. The average DM, MAT, ADF and NDF fiber contents were almost equal to those of mango peels + pulp feed. The average Crude Fiber (CF) (25.13%) and DEp (2839 kcal/kgDM) contents were higher for mango skin feed than for mango skin + pulp feed, at 8.59% and 2536 for MAT and DEp respectively. Mango peels + wheat bran (PSB25) and whole mango (MESB33) feeds recorded the highest and almost equal levels of TCP, NDF and MM. Production costs per kg of feed dry mater (CPkgDM) for feed produced at 25% were on average 33% higher than for whole mango (WM) feed. Excluding mango raw material, palm kernel meal (PK), rice bran (RB), maize bran (MB) and wheat bran (WB) can be ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in terms of cumulative performance of production parameters. Producers can then choose the type of sorbent they wish to use according to this ranking and the local availability of the sorbent. These feeds can be used for both ruminants and monogastrics, but are better suited to ruminant feeding due to their high fiber content.

Estimates on the eigenvalues of complex nonlocal Sturm-Liouville problems

The present paper deals with the eigenvalues of complex nonlocal Sturm-Liouville boundary value problems.The bounds of the real and imaginary parts of eigenvalues for the nonlocal Sturm-Liouville differential equation involving complex nonlocal potential terms associated with nonlocal boundary conditions are obtained in terms of the integrable conditions of coefficients and the real part of the eigenvalues.

A Color Image Encryption Scheme Based on Singular Values and Chaos

The security of digital images transmitted via the Internet or other public media is of the utmost importance.Image encryption is a method of keeping an image secure while it travels across a non-secure communication medium where it could be intercepted by unauthorized entities.This study provides an approach to color image encryption that could find practical use in various contexts.The proposed method,which combines four chaotic systems,employs singular value decomposition and a chaotic sequence,making it both secure and compression-friendly.The unified average change intensity,the number of pixels’change rate,information entropy analysis,correlation coefficient analysis,compression friendliness,and security against brute force,statistical analysis and differential attacks are all used to evaluate the algorithm’s performance.Following a thorough investigation of the experimental data,it is concluded that the proposed image encryption approach is secure against a wide range of attacks and provides superior compression friendliness when compared to chaos-based alternatives.

Reference values of gait parameters in healthy Chinese university students: A cross-sectional observational study

BACKGROUND Gait is influenced by race,age,and diseases type.Reference values for gait are closely related to numerous health outcomes.To gain a comprehensive understanding of gait patterns,particularly in relation to race-related pathologies and disorders,it is crucial to establish reference values for gait in daily life considering sex and age.Therefore,our objective was to present sex and age-based reference values for gait in daily life,providing a valuable foundation for further research and clinical applications.AIM To establish reference values for lower extremity joint kinematics and kinetics during gait in asymptomatic adult women and men.METHODS Spatiotemporal,kinematics and kinetics parameters were measured in 171 healthy adults(70 males and 101 females)using the computer-aided soft tissue foot model.Full curve statistical parametric mapping was performed using independent and paired-samples t-tests.RESULTS Compared with females,males required more time(cycle time,double-limb support time,stance time,swing time,and stride time),and the differences were statistically significant.In addition,the step and stride lengths of males were longer.Compared to males,female cadence was faster,and statures-per-second and stride-per-minute were higher.There were no statistical differences in speed and stride width between the two groups.After adjusting for height,it was observed that women walked significantly faster than men,and they also had a higher cadence.However,in terms of step length,stride length,and stride width,both genders exhibited similarities.CONCLUSION We established reference values for gait speed and spatiotemporal gait parameters in Chinese university students.This contributes to a valuable database for gait assessment and evaluation of preventive or rehabilitative programs.

Diagnostic value of serum vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-17 in primary hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Despite significant advancements in the medical treatment of primary hepato-cellular carcinoma(PHC)in recent years,enhancing therapeutic effects and im-proving prognosis remain substantial challenges worldwide.AIM To investigate the expression levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and interleukin(IL)-17 in patients with PHC and evaluate their diagnostic value while exploring their relationship with patients’clinical characteristics.METHODS The study included 50 patients with confirmed PHC who visited Wuhan Han-yang Hospital from January 2021 to January 2022,and 50 healthy individuals from the same period served as the control group.Serum VEGF and IL-17 levels in both groups were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay,and their diagnostic value was assessed using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Pearson correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between serum VEGF and IL-17 levels.Pathological data of the PHC patients were analyzed to determine the relationship between serum VEGF and IL-17 levels and pathological characteristics.RESULTS Serum VEGF and IL-17 levels were significantly higher in the study group com-pared to the control group(P<0.05).No significant association was observed between serum VEGF and IL-17 levels and gender,age,combined cirrhosis,tumor diameter,or degree of differentiation(P>0.05).However,there was a significant relationship between clinical TNM stage,tumor metastasis,and serum VEGF and IL-17 levels(P<0.05).Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between serum VEGF and IL-17(P<0.05).ROC analysis demonstrated that both serum VEGF and IL-17 had good diagnostic efficacy for PHC.CONCLUSION Serum VEGF and IL-17 levels were significantly higher in PHC patients compared to healthy individuals.Their levels were closely related to pathological features such as tumor metastasis and clinical TNM stage,and there was a significant positive correlation between VEGF and IL-17.These biomarkers may serve as valuable reference in-dicators for the early diagnosis and treatment guidance of PHC.

Valuing the Core Values

Wisdom and Belief of the East-Understanding the Chinese Values Author:Han Zhen Price:RMB 95 Paperback,207 pages Published by Foreign Languages Press China is increasingly taking center stage in the international arena,and people from around the world are particularly interested in the path the country has taken and the direction it is heading in.More importantly,they want to know what China can contribute to the world.All this curiosity may be boiled down to a seemingly simple question:How to understand China?However,it is not a question that is easily answered in just a few words.