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The ultrastructure of the mouthparts of Haematobia irritans (L.) was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The morphological characteristics of the maxillary palps, labium (prementum and postmentum), labrum, hypopharynx, haustellum, and labellar lobes are described, as well as of the sensilla evidenced on all the surface of the mouthparts, and the set of different positions assumed by the mouth apparatus of this fly. Based on their morphology, 12 well-differentiated sensilla were identified, among three types of cuticular sensilla: trichoidea, coeloconica, and campaniformia. A slight sexual dimorphism in the sensilla patterns found in the mouthparts of H. irritans was evidenced. These observations are discussed with reference to the current literature on the functional morphology of sense organs of Insecta. These results could facilitate the recognition of the chemosensory sensilla by electrophysiological techniques, and foment future taxonomic and phylogenetic studies to better elucidate the evolution of Diptera, Muscomorpha.

The effects of specific feeding positions upon the horse’s shape variations of the back and neck postures as well as the variations of the mandibular angle have never been objectively studied. For this reason, geometric morphometrics was applied. Six horses, aged 14 ± 8 years (mean ± standard deviation, SD), were video-recorded while using three different feeding positions: on the ground—control position (CP); neck held 15 ± 3° below withers height with low hay net position (LP); neck held 15 ± 3° above withers height with high hay net position (HP). Data were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA), multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), and partial least squares (PLS). A mixed model procedure was applied to evaluate differences in the magnitude of the mandibular angle. Whilst differences between individual horses were confirmed by canonical variate analysis (CVA), PCA analysis showed that a characteristic feeding position could also be identified on a group level. During the HP hay net position, the back and neck postures as well the mandibular angle were different compared to those exhibited by horses feeding from CP. In LP hay net position, the back posture more closely resembled those exhibited while feeding from CP; however, no similarity between LP and CP was found for neck posture and mandibular angle. Since only a few degrees of variation of the feeding position can influence back and neck postures, this aspect should be further investigated. The right compromise between horse welfare, horse safety, and management practices need to be further explored and long-term effects should be investigated.

The NO x emission of coal slime burned in circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boilers could hardly meet the increasingly strict standards in China. Feeding coal slime from the top of furnace led to uneven combustion in furnace and cyclones, short residence time and overheated tail heating surface. The effects of feeding positions on the combustion uniformity and pollutant emission characteristics of coal slime were studied. The experimental results showed that the coal slime combustion was more uniform when feeding from the front wall and longer residence time was conducive to the control of NO x emission. When the boiler temperature and excess air ratio were almost identical, the initial NO x emissions were 45.0 mg·m −3 and 70.7 mg·m −3 when feeding from the front wall and the top of furnace, respectively; the NO x emission was cut down 36.35% when feeding from the front wall, successfully meeting the ultra-low NO x emission standard of China. The adoption of feeding from the front wall greatly reduced the original emission of NO x ; the operation costs in the practical applications were saved to a large extent.

With the growing demand for energy saving, emission reduction, and green metallurgy, we had designed a new C–H 2 smelting reduction reactor. In order to solve the key problem that the heat transfer efficiency from high temperature oxidation zone in upper region to low temperature reduction zone in lower region is low in traditional metallurgical reduction reactor, a water simulation was adopted to optimize the mean residence time and to improve the transmission efficiency within the reactor. According to the modified Froude similarity, a water model experimental reactor with a ratio of 1:1 to the prototype was constructed. In the prototype, the feed port was used to feed preheated ore and flux. In order to simulate the effect of different feeding positions of the tracer on the mixing behavior in the molten pool, four points of tracer feeding position were arranged for a systematic study. At the same time, based on double-row side nozzle with thick slag layer in a C–H 2 smelting reduction reactor, nine influencing factors, including relative angle between upper and lower side nozzles, were studied. The experimental results showed that the tracer feeding position had a great influence on the mean residence time, and the relative angle also had a great influence on tracer feeding position. Finally, through comprehensive analysis, the optimal condition parameters were obtained under different tracer feeding positions. These results provide valuable help for the design and optimization of the C-H 2 smelting reduction reactor.

Vigilance often decreases with increasing group size, due to lower predation risk or greater scramble competition for food. A group size effect on vigilance is seldom seen in primates, perhaps because scanning and feeding often occur simultaneously or because the distinction between routine and induced vigilance has not been investigated. We analyzed feeding and resting observations separately while distinguishing between routine and induced scans in four groups of wild ursine colobus monkeys (Colobus vellerosus) experiencing scramble competition for food and infanticide risk. We used linear mixed-effect models to test the effect of group size, age-sex class, number of neighbors, number of adult male neighbors, and height in the canopy on scanning rates (vigilance) with and without evident conspecific threat. Food type was also examined in the feeding models. Perceived prédation risk affected vigilance more than scramble competition for food and infanticide risk. Routine and induced vigilance were greatest at lower canopy heights during feeding and resting and increased when individuals had fewer neighbors while resting. A group size effect was found on induced vigilance while resting, but scanning increased with group size, which probably indicates visual monitoring of conspecifics. Scanning rates decreased while feeding on foods that required extensive manipulation. This supports the idea that vigilance is relatively cost free for upright feeders when eating food that requires little manipulation, a common feature of folivore diets. In the presence of threatening conspecific males, close proximity to resident males decreased individual vigilance, demonstrating the defensive role of these males in the group.

Inter-annual variation in the feeding habits and food sources of Japanese sardine and mackerel at age-0 and age-1+ caught in the Kuroshio-Oyashio transition zone of the Western North Pacific were investigated based on analyses of bulk stable isotopes ( δ 13 C, δ 15 N) and amino acid nitrogen isotopes ( δ 15 N AA ). Differences in δ 13 C and δ 15 N between Japanese sardine and mackerel were small for age-0, and inter-annual variation trends were similar, suggesting they depend on similar food sources in the same food web at this age. In contrast, inter-annual variation in δ 13 C and δ 15 N were significantly different between both species at age-1+, and both δ 15 N of phenylalanine ( δ 15 N Phe : an indicator of nitrogen source) and trophic position estimated from δ 15 N AA (TP AA ) were higher in mackerel, suggesting that the two species depend on distinct food webs as they age. Inter-annual variations in δ 15 N Phe were considered to have different causes for the two species; differences in food web structure due to the degree of southward intrusion of the Oyashio Current for Japanese sardine, compared to a shift in migration area and depth for mackerel. Furthermore, competition for food due to the recent increases in the population densities of both fishes appeared to be reflected in increased TP AA of mackerel. Although they are caught in the same region, the mechanism of variation in food sources differs because of differences in migration area, depth, and feeding habits. Differences in the feeding habits of Japanese sardine and mackerel may affect trophic status and spawning characteristics, potentially leading to different shifts in stock abundances.

International provisions are in place to restrict marketing practices that idealise the use of commercial milk formula (CMF) and discourage breastfeeding. In high‐income countries, women of lower socioeconomic position (SEP) are less likely to breastfeed. This study aimed to characterise the nature of exposure to CMF marketing in the UK, the extent to which women hold positive beliefs about CMF and examine the relationship between exposure to CMF marketing, holding positive beliefs about CMF and SEP. Data on these topics were collected for 1052 pregnant women and mothers of children under 18 months of age between February 2020 and February 2021. Participants were assigned a ‘CMF marketing score’ according to the number of locations where they recalled seeing advertisements, engaging with companies or receiving promotional activity. The extent to which women held positive beliefs about CMF (‘CMF positivity score’) was determined by level of agreement with 17 statements. Principal component analysis, analyses of covariance and regression analyses were applied. Every woman reported exposure to CMF marketing from multiple channels. CMF marketing score did not vary across SEP groups (p = 0.342). Women of lower and middle SEP held stronger CMF positive beliefs than women of higher SEP, including ‘Breastfeeding and formula feeding provide a baby with the same health benefits’ (p < 0.005). CMF marketing score was not associated with CMF positivity score. Marketing suggesting CMF provides benefits similar to, or greater than, breastfeeding should be restricted to help mitigate current inequalities in infant feeding practices. All women in this UK study reported exposure to formula milk marketing. Women of lower and middle socioeconomic position (SEP) were more likely than those of higher SEP to believe formula provides equal or greater benefits than breastfeeding. Tighter legislation is needed to restrict marketing suggesting formula is breastmilk equivalent/superior. Summary Every woman in this UK sample reported exposure to commercial milk formula (CMF) marketing, including frequently seeing advertisements on TV and receiving pop‐up advertisements on social media. Women of lower and middle socioeconomic position held stronger beliefs that CMF provides the same or greater benefits than breastfeeding than women of higher SEP. No association was found between the number of forms of CMF marketing women were exposed to and holding more positive beliefs about CMF. To support a reduction in infant feeding inequalities, detailed legislation is needed to restrict marketing that suggests CMF provides equal or superior benefits to breastfeeding.

Breast-feeding is associated with positive maternal and infant health and development outcomes. To assist identifying women less likely to meet infant nutritional guidelines, we investigated the role of socio-economic position and parity on initiation of and sustaining breast-feeding for at least 6 months. Prospective cohort study. Australia. Parous women from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (born 1973-78), with self-reported reproductive and breast-feeding history (N 4777). While 89 % of women (83 % of infants) had ever breast-fed, only 60 % of infants were breast-fed for at least 6 months. Multiparous women were more likely to breast-feed their first child (~90 % v. ~71 % of primiparous women), and women who breast-fed their first child were more likely to breast-feed subsequent children. Women with a low education (adjusted OR (95 % CI): 2·09 (1·67, 2·62)) or a very low-educated parent (1·47 (1·16, 1·88)) had increased odds of not initiating breast-feeding with their first or subsequent children. While fewer women initiated breast-feeding with their youngest child, this was most pronounced among high-educated women. While ~60 % of women breast-fed their first, second and third child for at least 6 months, low-educated women (first child, adjusted OR (95 % CI): 2·19 (1·79, 2·68)) and women with a very low (1·82 (1·49, 2·22)) or low-educated parent (1·69 (1·33, 2·14)) had increased odds of not breast-feeding for at least 6 months. A greater understanding of barriers to initiating and sustaining breast-feeding, some of which are socio-economic-specific, may assist in reducing inequalities in infant breast-feeding.

Background /Objectives: Socioeconomic disparities in diet quality are well established. This study tested the hypothesis that such disparities are mediated, in part, by diet cost. Subjects/Methods: The Seattle Obesity Study (S.O.S) was a cross-sectional study based on a representative sample of 1266 adults of King County, WA, conducted in 2008–09. Demographic and socioeconomic variables were obtained through telephone survey. Income and education were used as indicators of socioeconomic position. Dietary intake data were obtained using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Diet cost was calculated based on retail prices for FFQ component foods. Energy density (KJ/g) and mean adequacy ratio (MAR) were used as two indices of overall diet quality. Results: Higher income and education were each associated with lower energy density and higher MAR scores, adjusting for covariates. Higher income and education were also associated with higher energy adjusted diet cost. Higher quality diets were in turn associated with higher diet costs. All these associations were significant ( P <0.0001). In formal mediation analyses, diet cost significantly mediated the pathway between income and diet quality measures, adjusting for covariates ( P <0.05 each). Further, income–diet cost–diet quality pathway was found to be moderated by education level. Conclusions: The social gradient in diet quality may be explained by diet cost. Strategies to improve diet quality among lower socioeconomic strata may need to take food prices and diet cost along with nutrition education into account.