The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of immunocastration and ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) supplementation on growth performance and carcass traits of male pigs slaughtered 21 days after the second immunization. Sixty-four pigs (Landrace × Large White, initial body weight 103.05 ± 0.67 kg) were individually tagged and randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design, con...

Odour and contact chemical traces play central roles in the sexual communication of mites, mediating partner encounter and recognition of the female reproductive status. We investigated the mating behavior of Raoiella indica Hirst and the role of female-associated chemical cues in male attraction. Behavioral observations were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions, and three complementary bioassays were performed: (i...

Effective air quality monitoring is essential for ensuring urban environmental comfort and protecting public health, especially within smart-city frameworks. In Lisbon, the performance of low-cost NO₂ and PM 10 sensors was assessed using a novel Correlation-Distance Index (CDI) coupled with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) weighting, alongside a demographic-weighted spatial association technique, benchmarked against referenc...

Fipronil (FIP), an insecticide widely used in crop protection, animal health, and indoor pest control, may present a significant risk factor for the environment, wildlife, and human health due to its high lipophilicity. The current research looked at the sublethal effects of FIP on Danio rerio embryos, using a novel approach that integrates two different behavioural responses of organisms: the measurement of locomotory activit...