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Household food expenditures and dietary diversity in Mexico: The role of income, urbanization, and region
Full text linkThis study examines how income, location and regional disparities are associated with food expenditure and dietary diversity in Mexico. Using household expenditure data and an entropy-based approach, we confirm Engel’s Law: food budget shares decline with income, but do so unevenly across urban–rural areas and regions. Consistent with the Engel curve for variety, wealthier households diversify their diets, spending more on high-value foods, while poorer rural households remain reliant on staples. Quantile regression shows that income has the strongest positive effect on diversity at lower quantiles, with diminishing returns at higher levels. Household characteristics, education, region, and food prices further influence diet. The results thereby underscore the need for income-sensitive, regionally targeted nutrition policies
Examining complex gill disease in Scottish salmon
Full text linkIn recent years, Scotland’s salmon sector has been affected increasingly by gill health challenges. Across marine farms, inflamed and damaged gills have been observed which can lead to respiratory issues, reduced growth, emergency harvests, and significant economic losses.The cause of gill disorders in marine-farmed salmon is complicated and, often, gill disease is believed to be the result of many interacting factors. These factors include infectious agents such as amoebae, bacteria and viruses; and environmental stressors such as harmful plankton, in adverse water temperature, or poor water quality. When no single primary causative agent can be identified, the condition is known as complex gill disease By 2017, the term was being used widely but without a clear or consistent definition, making it difficult to compare data or design effective management strategies.Recognising the scale and complexity of the problem, the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) announced its funding of the ‘Gill Health in Scottish Farmed Salmon’ project, which brought together academic researchers, diagnostic experts, and industry partners from across Scotland. It aimed to produce an evidence-based understanding of gill disease from two complementary strands of work:Work Package 1: investigation of the epidemiology of CGD, identified risk factors, diagnostic performance, and prevalence.Work Package 2: characterisation of the community of microorganisms living on fish gills, or the microbiome, to understand its relationship with disease.Together, these studies sought to build the foundations for improved monitoring, diagnosis, understanding, and management of gill health in Scotland’s farmed salmon
Impacts of inorganic and organic fertilization on soil organic carbon and crop production: a meta-analysis
Full text linkEnhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) is critical for climate mitigation and stable crop production, yet the effectiveness of different fertilization strategies varies widely across environmental and management contexts. To clarify these inconsistencies, empirical field data from major grain-producing regions of northern China were synthesized using meta-analysis, regression models, random forest algorithms, and partial least squares path modeling to systematically evaluate the impacts of chemical fertilization (CF), organic fertilization (OF), and combined organic–inorganic fertilization (COF) on SOC dynamics. Results showed that CF, OF, and COF increased SOC content by 13%, 34%, and 39%, respectively, with long-term application (>20 years) further amplifying carbon sequestration. Pronounced spatial heterogeneity was observed. In Northeast China (NEC) with higher initial SOC, over 80% of sites showed absolute SOC gains exceeding 10 g C kg-1, with COF most effective. In Huanghuaihai Farming Region of China (HFR), characterized by lower baseline SOC, relative gains reached 63%, and OF showed stronger effects. Across soil textures, OF consistently achieved the largest SOC improvements, and under nutrient-limited conditions, SOC enhancement followed the order OF > COF > CF. Test duration emerged as the dominant driver of SOC accumulation, while climate, nitrogen availability, and initial SOC modulated responses under different regimes. Structural equation modeling indicated that SOC mediated yield responses under CF, whereas direct soil and management effects dominated under OF and COF. These findings emphasize that fertilization management strategies should fully consider regional initial SOC levels and integrate carbon-enhancing practices within broader conservation-oriented farming systems to simultaneously enhance soil carbon sequestration, sustain crop productivity, and provide actionable evidence for promoting sustainable agricultural intensification and national carbon neutrality goals
Weaning-induced behavioural changes in Sahiwal calves: a multi-test approach to assessment of social and emotional reactivity.
No full textWeaning is a significant event in the life of Sahiwal calves, often leading to notable behavioural and emotional changes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dam–calf contact on behavioural responses and adaptability in Sahiwal calves, focusing on fear responses, social interactions and reactivity to humans. A total of 16 newborn calves were assigned to 2 rearing systems: fenceline mother-calf contact (FMC) and separated mother-calf (SM), with 8 calves in each group. The FMC group received natural suckling and fenceline contact with their dams, while the SM group was separated at birth and fed via nipple bottles. Behavioural assessments were conducted through a series of tests, including social reactivity tests, social preference tests, umbrella-based fear elicitation and interaction with a familiar human. Key behavioural parameters such as time spent idle, exploratory behaviour, escape attempts, vocalizations, latency to resume feeding and preference for conspecifics or humans were recorded. Data were statistically analysed using independent t-tests to compare behavioural responses between groups. The results revealed distinct behavioural differences between the FMC and SM calves, indicating that dam contact influences social behaviour, reduces fearfulness and improves calves’ adaptability to novel or stressful situations
Lactobacillus salivarius SNK-6 improves egg quality, yolk nutrient composition, and yolk flavor profile in laying hens via modulation of tissue metabolites and Cecal microbiomes
Full text linkThis study aimed to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus salivarius SNK-6 (L.a-SNK-6) supplementation on the laying performance, egg quality and yolk nutrition composition, including amino acid (AAs), fatty acids, and flavor profile, of Wenshang Barred hens. A total of 432 healthy 40-week-old hens were randomly assigned to three groups with 6 replicates each: control group (CON), a group supplemented with 2.0 × 10 CFU/kg L.a-SNK-6 (T1), and a group supplemented with 2.0 × 10 CFU/kg L.a-SNK-6 (T2). Compared with the CON group, both the T1 and T2 groups showed a reduction in the broken egg rate and increases in serum alkaline phosphatase, calcium (Ca) and calcitonin levels (P < 0.05). These groups also exhibited higher Haugh unit, eggshell strength and eggshell Ca content (P < 0.05). Furthermore, egg yolks from the T1 and T2 groups contained higher levels of α-linolenic acid, and oleic acid than those of the CON group. Total AAs content in the egg yolks was markedly elevated in both T1 and T2 groups, particularly the glutamic acid and aspartic acid (P < 0.05). Twenty volatile compounds that differed significantly among the three groups were identified, including d-limonene and β-pinene. Metabolomic analyses revealed 326, 237, and 108 differential metabolites in plasma, liver, and cecal content, respectively, between the T1 and CON group. These metabolites were significantly enriched in the tryptophan metabolism (map00380) pathway in both plasma and cecal content. 16S rRNA sequencing indicated that cecal microbiome diversity and abundance were higher in T1 group compared with the CON group, although the differences were not statistically significant. Combined analysis showed seventy-five host metabolite-microbiota pairs were significantly correlated (P-adjust < 0.05). Collectively, L.a-SNK-6 supplementation modulated metabolites across multiple host tissues and the cecal microbiome, leading to improved egg quality, enhanced yolk nutrient composition, and alterations in yolk volatile compounds. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
High Wood Content / Poly(Butylene Succinate) Composites 3D-Printed by Fused Granulate Fabrication
Full text linkThe development of high bio-content materials for additive manufacturing is limited by restricted filler loadings and poor melt processability in filament-based extrusion. This work demonstrates fused granulate fabrication (FGF) of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) composites incorporating up to 55 wt% industrial birch wood dust without chemical compatibilizers. The influence of filler content on rheology, print quality, thermal behavior, and mechanical performance was systematically evaluated. Increasing wood content resulted in progressively higher melt viscosity and a transition from Newtonian to pronounced shear-thinning flow above 20 wt%, enabling improved dimensional stability during deposition. Optimal surface consolidation and interlayer fusion were achieved at 30–45 wt% filler, defining an effective processing window for highly filled PBS–wood composites. The Young’s modulus increased from 0.34 GPa for neat PBS to approximately 1.3 GPa at 25 wt% wood, and then remained at a similar level for higher filler loadings up to 55 wt%. Tensile strength exhibited a non-linear dependence on filler loading, reaching a maximum of 28.9 MPa at 35 wt% wood. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed enhanced crystallinity up to 25 wt% wood, followed by a decline at higher concentrations. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that all compositions remained thermally stable within the 200–220 °C processing window used for FGF. The established structure–property and processing relationships confirm that PBS–wood composites can be processed at exceptionally high loadings without compromising printability, representing a significant advance toward high bio-content materials for additive manufacturing
Research on Polysaccharide–Protein Composite Hydrogels for Gastrointestinal Targeted Delivery: A Review
Full text linkPolysaccharide–protein composite hydrogels have demonstrated remarkable potential in targeted gastrointestinal delivery owing to their excellent biocompatibility, adjustable physicochemical characteristics, and intelligent responsiveness. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the underlying mechanisms and diverse applications of these composite hydrogels in gastrointestinal targeted delivery, with a particular emphasis on their stimuli-responsive release behaviors triggered by internal and external factors such as pH, enzymes, magnetic fields. Special attention is also given to their advantages in protecting sensitive bioactive ingredients, including curcumin, EGCG, probiotics. Furthermore, this review highlights their capabilities in achieving high encapsulation efficiency, smart controlled release and targeted delivery, while also presenting current challenges associated with material stability, targeting precision, large-scale production, and clinical translation. Finally, future perspectives are discussed, focusing on the development of multi-response system design, innovative biomaterials, advanced manufacturing technology applications, and AI-assisted optimization. These directions aim to provide theoretical foundations and technical strategies for advanced research and practical applications of polysaccharide–protein composite hydrogels in a targeted gastrointestinal delivery system. Overall, this review underscores the significant promise of polysaccharide–protein composite hydrogels as intelligent gastrointestinal delivery platforms and provides a systematic reference for their rational design and future translational development
National BVDV eradication programme: Assessing the utility of the spot test
Full text linkWe examined the BVDV test records of 3769 farm holdings from one laboratory involved in a national BVDV eradication programme with the objectives (1) to investigate the utility of the spot test to identify BVDV infected herds correctly; (2) to explore the possible reasons for false positive results and (3) to examine the frequency with which herds subsequently had a BVDV persistently infected (PI) calf born. During the 12-month study, 283 (7.5%) farm holdings were identified as BVD not negative based on the presence of antibodies to BVDV. Follow-up testing was carried out in 131 (3.5%) and in 79 (2.1%) of those, results were not consistent with BVDV infection. The main cause of false positive spot tests was transient antibodies in animals younger than 270 days of age, consistent with the persistence of maternally derived antibodies. BVDV PI births were found on 34 farm holdings (0.9%), in herds that were identified by the spot test as BVD not negative, as well as in herds identified as BVD negative. Farm holdings with spot tests with more than 40% of the samples positive for antibody and those with more than 20% and less than 40% were, respectively, 27.7 and 25.0 times more likely to have a PI born than those that had a negative spot test. However, farm holdings with at least one positive, but no more than 20% of the samples positive for antibody, were 3.9 times more likely to have a PI born than those in which no antibody positive animals were detected. We concluded that ignoring the presence of single antibody positives in the spot test could be counterproductive to the objective of national BVDV eradication
Determinants of yield variation of organic cereals in productive agricultural areas
Full text linkContextOrganic farming aims to make agriculture more sustainable, but its sustainability benefits may be offset by lower yields compared to conventional farming. Avenues to increase organic yields have been studied extensively, but there is a lack of research using integrated approaches that consider co-variation between different organic management practices within commercial farming systems. Moreover, organic farmers face diverse bio-physical constraints that experimental, plot-level studies, often fail to address in a system-level context.ObjectiveOur aims were to highlight and utilise existing variation among organic farms to understand the factors that limit yields, considering the entire cropping system and its context. This included crop management, biophysical conditions and spatio-temporal context.MethodsFor 56 commercial organic farms in southern Sweden, we mapped between-farm variation in management and how it related to cereal yields. We obtained data on crop yield and management practices from farmers, conducted field measurements of crop performance, available nutrients, and pests, and retrieved data on farming context from public land-use databases. In a two-step approach we investigated how management practices affect yield through the observed field constraints.Results and conclusionsThere was considerable variation in management practices between organic farms, which is often overlooked. Variation in cereal yields was primarily related to nutrient application and, to some extent, weed management. Yields were also explained by factors affected by more long-term management or even beyond the control of the farmer, such as soil organic matter, soil texture and weather. We conclude that there is potential to increase organic cereal yields, but that this requires consideration of the whole management system and adaptations to local conditions by individual farmers.SignificanceThe yield-differential between organic and conventional farming has been argued to be an Achille's heel for organic farming. This study shows a large between-farm variation in management practices and yields in organic crop production that can help realizing the organic yield potential at farm and field level, strengthening organic farming as a tool for agricultural sustainability