<div>Background: There were reports that M. pruriens was edible and natural source of Levodopa used in the treatment of Parkinson&rsquo;s disease, but the identity of the variety used for the treatment is uncertain. Hence, the present study is important to provide their diagnostic characters for further studies by prospective researchers.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The qualitative study was carried out by observing and recording the features of the taxa while the quantitative was obtained as the leaflet length and width were measured using a metre rule. From each specimen, leaves were randomly selected and measured using metre rule. Standard methods were used in this study. 
 
Result: The three taxa possess trifoliate leaves in common and the flower colours are as follows: Yellow in M. flagellipes, purple in M. puriens var. pruriens and white in M. pruriens var. utilis. Testa colours are black, black and white in the M. flagellipes, M. pruriens var. pruriens and M. pruriens var. utilis, respectively. The highest average leaflet length was 17.5 recorded in M. pruriens var. pruriens while the lowest average leaflet length of 8.4 was recorded in M. pruriens var. utilis. The three taxa could be eaten based on review. Petal and testa colour could be used to distinguish the taxa studied.</div>

Could the Three Be Edible and Natural Sources of Levodopa? Morphological Characterization of Three Taxa of Mucuna (Fabaceae) in Ebonyi State, Southeastern Nigeria

<div>Background: Cross-breeding is the main strategy for improving the economic traits of livestock and poultry within a short time. But there are only a few studies on the comparative assessment of different cross-breeding methods to poultry reproductive performance. 
 
Methods: Here, intersect, back, upgrading and three-way cross-breeding strategies are employed for quantitative comparison of male reproductive performance using Carlos goose, Jilin White goose and Siji goose. The fertility rates and testis weight were analyzed and compared among the five cross-breeding groups. Also, the seminiferous tubule diameter and sperm concentration were measured. The mRNA levels of two reproduction-related genes, GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) and PRL (prolactin) were quantitatively measured and compared using the qPCR technique. 
 
Result: Finally we found that the three-way cross strategy had the biggest advantage for improving male reproductive performance according to the analysis of fertility rate and testis structure. Also all these data we measured suggested that the three-way cross strategy was beneficial to male reproductive performance and thus we provided a theoretical basis for making appropriate cross-breeding plans.</div>

The Effects of Three-way Cross Strategy on the Gander Reproductive Performance

<div>Background: The present study was conducted to measure the dimensions of the adrenal glands in apparently healthy dogs for obtaining reference values via ultrasonographic modality. 
&nbsp;</div>

<div>Methods: This study was carried out on 18 apparently healthy dogs divided into three groups of six each viz., Group I, II and III. Ultrasonographic examination was performed in all the animals in lateral recumbency. Ultrasound images of adrenal glands were reported in the sagittal plane and different measurements of both the adrenal glands were determined. 
 
Result: Both the adrenal glands were longest in Group III and shortest in Group I. Similarly, the cranial pole diameter and caudal pole diameter was thickest in Group III and thinnest in Group I. The measurements recorded during this study can be used as reference values.</div>

<div>Ultrasonographic Reference Values of Different Dimensions of Adrenal Glands in Healthy Dogs</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Burfi was manufactured in three-stage scraped surface heat exchanger by adding sugar directly into preheated milk by varying scraper speed in all three stages with different steam pressure in all three stages. The performance evaluation of the machine was evaluated during continuous mechanized manufacturing of Burfi. The average overall heat transfer coefficient were 1600, 950, and 410 W/m2 K for first, the second and third stage of TFSSHE, respectively. The specific steam consumption was found out to be 1.12 to 0.93 kg steam per kg of milk processed with mean value of 1 kg steam per kg of milk processed. The electricity consumption was found out to be 6.0 to 8.34 kWh per 1000 kg of milk processed with a mean value of 6.83 kWh per 1000 kg of milk processed. The sensory evaluation score of the burfi manufactured in the SSHE was obtained 20.6 out of a total of 25.&nbsp;</div>

Performance Evaluation of Three-Stage SSHE for Continuous Manufacturing of Burfi

Background: This experiment was aimed to research the intestinal &alpha;-amylase and lipase activities of three local chicken breeds from Jiangxi&nbsp;Province&nbsp;in&nbsp;South China and to investigate the highest enzyme activity sites of digestive enzymes. 
 
Methods: Six each of Taihe silky fowls, Ningdu three-yellow chickens and Chongren partridge chickens with similar body weights were selected and slaughtered. For each chicken, six portions of chyme were respectively taken from duodenum and jejunum at equal distances and then &alpha;-amylase and lipase activities were determined in these 12 portions of chyme. 
 
Result: The results indicated that the &alpha;-amylase and lipase activities of the three local chicken breeds did not change significantly in the duodenum, while in the jejunum they gradually increased and then declined. In the meantime, the highest &alpha;-amylase activities were found in the 2nd&nbsp;section of the jejunum in Ningdu three-yellow chicken and Chongren partridge chicken and &alpha;-amylase activity in Taihe silky fowl was highest in the 3rd&nbsp;section of the jejunum. The highest lipase activity was observed in the 3rd&nbsp;section of the jejunum for both Taihe silky fowl and Chongren partridge chicken, whereas Ningdu three-yellow chicken exhibited the highest lipase activity in the 2nd&nbsp;section of the jejunum. Both &alpha;-amylase and lipase activities reached their maximum in the mid-anterior jejunum of the three chickens, but the location of their highest enzyme activities and digestive enzyme activities were different, with the highest &alpha;-amylase activity in Ningdu three-yellow chicken and the highest lipase content in Taihe silky fowl.

<h3>Study on the Characteristics of Intestinal Digestive Enzymes Activities of Three Local Chicken Breeds in South China</h3>

Background: Accurate identification of the larval stages of Wohlfahrtia nuba, a flesh fly species within the Sarcophagidae family, is crucial in forensic and medical entomology. This species may contribute to estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) and is associated with causing myiasis in livestock and humans. The insufficient data regarding the morphology of the immature stages of W. nuba hinders the taxonomic identification of this species&rsquo; larvae in carcasses without raising adults. Therefore, this study provides a comprehensive examination of the morphological characteristics of three instars of W. nuba larvae using light microscopy. 
 
Methods: It includes an examination of the cephalopharyngeal skeleton, pseudocephalon, antennal complex, oral ridges, anterior spiracles and their papillae number and arrangement, thorax and abdomen spinulation, number and distribution of papillae around the entrance of the spiracular cavity and posterior spiracles. 
 
Result: The present study&rsquo;s findings demonstrate the distinct morphological characteristics that differentiate the three larval instars, facilitating accurate identification and developmental staging. The three larval stages have two curved mouth hooks. A large median hook is absent. The labrum is a reduced structure exhibiting four highly sclerotized teeth between the mouth hooks. The dorsal arch is short, curved and does not extend to the parastomal sclerite. The anterior spiracles, located laterally on the first thoracic segment, exhibited variability in the number of papillae across the three instar larvae. The first larval instar exhibited a total of eight papillae, which increased to 10 in the second instar and reached 11 in the third instar. These papillae are arranged in a row resembling an arch. The spines encircling the cephalic collar are thin and set into 6-7 rows, separating the first segments of the thorax. The posterior spiracle contains two incomplete peritremes hidden in a deep cavity. It is characterized by a single aperture divided at its upper section and shielded by thin hair-like structures during the first larval instar. Each incomplete peritreme contained two slits for the second larval instar and three slits for the third larval instar. The peritreme lacks a ventral arch and the button is not easily noticeable. A ring of 12 cuticular papillae encircles the anal cavity. These data add new morphological features to differentiate between W. nuba larvae in clinical and forensic contexts. This will help with taxonomic and forensic species identification studies and benefit farmers and veterinarians. 
&nbsp;

Morphological Description of the Three Larval Instars of Wohlfahrtia nuba (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

<div>Background: Yak as a unique domestic animal that has extremely important social value and influence on the local culture and economy in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The current study aimed to evaluate the genotype distribution of a series of economic traits (growth, meat quality and lactation) related to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in three Tibetan yak populations. 
 
Methods: A total of 238 yaks from three populations [Sibu (SB), Chawula (CWL) and Jiali (JL) yaks] including 34 SB, 104 JL and 100 CWL yak individuals were collected. All samples were genotyped for 12 SNP markers by using SNaPshot technology. 
 
Result: All loci had abundant polymorphisms in the three populations, except for the Hesx1_G618C locus. The dominant growth-related genotype was MyoD1_C1710T (C/T), which had the highest frequency in the three Tibetan yak populations. However, the growth-related dominant genotypes at UCP2_T1499C (C/T) and CYP4A11_G4806A (G/A) loci were rare genotypes in the three Tibetan yak populations. Results of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) analysis showed that all sites did not deviate from the HWE within the population. This finding indicated that these populations belonged to a natural one without having been subjected to artificial selection on economic traits. Overall, this study provided valuable reference for the future molecular breeding of yak based on the genotype distribution of economic-trait candidate markers in three yak populations in Tibet.</div>

​Dominant-genotype Frequency Analysis of Economic Traits Related to SNP Candidate Markers in Three Yak Populations

Background: Ambient temperature is one of the important factors affecting the survival of small mammals in the wild and different animals have different ways of regulating when face the same environmental temperature and different temperatures will also make the same species adjust the energy budget. Therefore, it is helpful to further understand the survival and adaptation patterns of different animals to study the different adjustment modes of animals in the same region in the face of high temperature environment. 
 
Methods: In the present study, three rodents, Apodemus chevrieri, Eothenomys miletus and E. olitor, were exposed to a high temperature (Ta) of 30&deg;C for 28 days. And then body mass, body temperature (Tb), resting metabolic rate (RMR) and thermal conductance (C) were measured at Ta from 5&deg;C to 35&deg;C. 
 
Result: The results showed that Tb of all three mammals increased significantly with the increase of Ta. And thermal neutral zones (TNZ) among three animals were all 25&deg;C-30&deg;C. Moreover, RMR increased with the increase of Ta above the upper critical temperature Within the range of 30&deg;C to 35&deg;C. C values in three mammals maintained stable within the Ta of 5&deg;C-25&deg;C, which increased with the increase of Ta above 25&deg;C. All of the results suggested that three sympatric rodent species raised their Tb, narrowed their TNZ and changed C values to adapt to the high temperature. Moreover, change amplitudes of thermoregulation characteristics in E. olitor were small, indicating that E. olitor may have the strong adaptability under high temperature acclimation.

Comparative Study of Thermoregulatory and Thermogenic Characteristics of Three Sympatric Rodent Species: The Impact of High-temperature Acclimation

Background: Climate change is the most critical and contentious issue confronting the globe today. Changes in rainfall patterns and temperature have already influenced the fisheries sector unfavourably. This bibliometric analysis examined the publications on climate change&rsquo;s effects on fisheries from 2008 to 2022, using Dimension-listed journals with DOIs. Keywords, authors, co-citations and journal trends are studied.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A total of 180 research articles were analysed using Dimension (https://dimension.ai) with search terms&rsquo; climate change,&rsquo; &lsquo;fishery&rsquo;, &lsquo;fisheries&rsquo; and &lsquo;aquaculture&rsquo;. The dataset was updated on May 20, 2022. A bibliometric map was created using the R Biblioshiny package.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The number of articles discussing climate change and its influence on fisheries has risen dramatically. Several journals cover this topic, the most prominent of which is Fisheries Oceanography. Animals, fisheries, climate change, ecosystems and fishes are among the most often used keywords. Cheung WWL is the most prolific author and has published the most publications over the 15-year study period. Among countries, Canada has the most popular articles and China has the most authors. This research summarises the most popular authors, publications and keywords used in papers on climate change subjects. Furthermore, their impact on fisheries gives information to researchers interested in climate change research and its impact on fisheries. Finally, ample scope exists for developing adaptation strategies through insightful research and funding.

Bibliometric Investigation of Climate Change Literature in Fisheries using Dimensions.AI Database

<div>Background: A two-year study was conducted at Giza Agricultural Research Station, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Egypt, to evaluate the productivity of six genotypes of soybeans under three mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates, as well as their resistance to insects, in comparison to four check varieties. 
 
Methods: The study took place during the 2021 and 2022 summer seasons. The treatments included three mineral N fertilizer rates (N1=67% of N fertilizer rate &ldquo;71.4 kg N/ha&rdquo;, N2=33% of N fertilizer rate &ldquo;35.7 kg N/ha&rdquo; with seed inoculation by Bradyrhizobium japonicum and N3=100% of N fertilizer rate of the recommended rate &ldquo;107.1 kg N/ha&rdquo;) and ten soybean genotypes (H4L4, H6L198, H18L54, H29L115, H129, Misr 10, along with Dr101 and Giza 111 &ldquo;resistant&rdquo; and Giza 82 and Crawford &ldquo;susceptible&rdquo;). The experiment used a split plot design with three replications. The main plots were assigned the mineral N fertilizer rates, while the subplots, were assigned the soybean genotypes.&nbsp; &nbsp; 
 
Result: Fewer cotton leaf worms, whiteflies and leaf miners were found after applying N1 or N2. In the 6th week from sowing, Misr 10 and Dr 101 had fewer cotton leaf worms and whiteflies. In contrast, throughout the 7th, 8th and 9th weeks from sowing, Misr 10 and H6L198 had fewer cotton leaf worms. Misr 10 had fewer leaf miners in every week and fewer whiteflies in the 7th, 8th and 9th weeks from sowing. In the 6th week of the first season, Misr 10, Dr101, H18L54 and Giza 111 that received N1 or N2 had fewer cotton leaf worms; in the 7th and 9th weeks from sowing, Misr 10, Dr101 and H6L198 harbored fewer whiteflies. The lowest pod weight/plant, seed yield/plant, 100-seed weight, seed yield/ha and HI were obtained by using N3. Higher biological yield/ha, seed yield/plant, 100-seed weight, seed yield/ha and HI were attained by Misr 10. In the second season, seed yield per plant and seed yield per hectare were significantly affected by the interaction between soybean genotypes and mineral N fertilizer rates. Growing Misr 10 with 67 per cent N of the recommended rate increased seed yield/plant and seed yield/ha, along with fewer cotton leaf worm, whiteflies and leaf miners compared to the commercial cultivar Giza 111 receiving the recommended mineral N fertilizer rate.</div>