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Background The intervention in the Lifestyle Medicine Clinic from La Carlota Hospital gives an opportunity to assess the clinical effect of a healthy lifestyle in an inpatient setting with emphasis in a plant-based diet, supervised daily exercise, sleep hygiene, psychological and optional spiritual therapies. This work evaluated the effect of short-term therapy on biometrics and blood profiles' risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Methods Twenty-five patients were enrolled in the intervention, 12 for the 10-day intervention and 13 for the 21-day intervention. Results The intervention improved most of the NCDs risk factors for the 10-day intervention weight decreased by -4.3% (p < .001), BMI -4.1% (p < .001), SBP -16.3% (p = .002), DBP -11.8% (p = .004), fasting glucose -31.3% (p = .041), total cholesterol -12.8% (p < .001), LDL -13.9 (p = .017), triglycerides and HDL lack statistical significance, however, there was a reduction of -7.7% and -9% respectively. For the 21-day intervention weight decreased by -8.3% (p = .016), SBP -11.2% (p = .005), DBP -11.4% (p = .022), triglycerides -39.5% (p = .034), total cholesterol -23.6% (p < .000), HDL -14.7% (p = .038), LDL -27.3% p < .000), BMI and fasting glucose presented a -15.2% and -21.2% reduction respectively without statistical significance. Conclusion The present study confirms that short-term lifestyle interventions effectively reduce the risk factors associated with NCD's.

The effects of ultrasound treatment at different temperatures (4, 10, and 25 ℃) on the brining process of Chinese cabbage were investigated based on their salt diffusion coefficients and texture profiles. Salt weight increased significantly, but water weight decreased in Chinese cabbage treated with ultrasound at increasing temperatures. According to Fick's second equation, the effective diffusion coefficient of Chinese cabbage showed a notable increase as temperature was increased. High temperature caused unfavorable texture properties, and among these, hardness showed the most significant decrease when brining temperature was set at 25 °C. Consequently, results from the texture profile analysis and brining kinetics modeling suggest that optimal brining conditions could be achieved at 10 °C. At this temperature, the diffusion coefficient of Chinese cabbage is higher, the brining time is reduced, and the preferred qualities of kimchi are preserved. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Ultrasonication is an effective technology that can be utilized in kimchi manufacturing. It presents the advantage of reducing brining time while maintaining the acceptable textural properties of kimchi. This study investigated the impact of different temperatures on the texture properties and brining times of Chinese cabbage during brining and reveal a practical application worthy of further study in food industries and provide valuable information for improving the quality of kimchi.

Keel fracture has adverse effects on welfare, behavior, health, production performance, and egg quality of laying hens. To investigate this, 90 healthy Lohmann white laying hens with normal keel bones at 17 wk of age (WOA) were used in this study and housed individually in furnished cages. All hens were marked with fractured keel (FK) or normal keel (NK) based on the keel bone status through palpation at 5 time-points (22, 27, 32, 37, and 42 WOA). After the palpation, the behavior was observed for 2 consecutive days at each time-point, and the total number of eggs produced, dirty eggs, broken eggs, and feed intake of FK and NK laying hens were recorded at 27–32, 32–37, and 37–42 WOA, respectively. After each behavioral observation, 10 fresh FK hens and 10 NK hens were randomly selected to determinate the welfare and egg quality. The results showed that the incidences of keel fracture increased with the age of laying hens. Compared with NK hens, the sitting and standing behaviors significantly increased (P 0.05). During the experiment period, the egg production rate, body weight, daily feed intake, and eggshell strength, thickness, and weight decreased (P 0.05). Therefore, keel fracture in laying hens caused changes in behavior and reduced the welfare, production performance, feed intake, and eggshell quality.

Bu araştırma, tohumluk patates yumrusu üretiminde dikim öncesi gibberellik asit uygulamaları ile dikim sıklığının etkinliklerinin belirlenmesi amacıyla Isparta koşullarında 2016 ve 2017 yıllarında yürütülmüştür. Çalışmada, dikimden önce tohumluk yumrulara 0, 1.5, 3.0 ve 4.5 ppm dozlarında GA3 uygulanmış ve yumrular 20, 25 ve 30 cm sıra üzeri mesafelerde dikilmiştir. GA3 uygulamaları patateste ana sal sayısı, ocakta yumru sayısı, tohumluk yumru verimi ve toplam yumru verimini önemli derecede arttırmıştır. Dikim sıklığı arttıkça ocakta yumru sayısı, ocak verimi ve ortalama yumru ağırlığı azalmış, tohumluk yumru verimi ile toplam yumru verimi ise artmıştır. Tohumluk yumru verimi bakımından en etkili uygulamalar 3.0 ve 4.5 ppm GA3 uygulanarak 20 cm sıklıkta yapılan dikimler olmuş, bu uygulamalar ile A sınıfı tohumluk yumru veriminde yaklaşık % 57, B sınıfı tohumluk yumru veriminde ise % 88 artış sağlanmıştır. Çalışmada patates yumrularının dikim öncesi 3.0 ppm GA3 uygulanarak 20 cm sıra üzeri mesafede dikilmeleri ile toplam yumru veriminde azalma olmadan tohumluk sınıfına giren yumru veriminin arttırılabileceği anlaşılmıştır

Background and objective: Intermittent energy restriction continues to gain popularity as a weight loss strategy; however, data assessing it's long-term viability is limited. The objective of this study was to follow up with participants 12 months after they had completed a 12-month dietary intervention trial involving continuous energy restriction and two forms of intermittent energy restriction; a week-on-week-off energy restriction and a 5:2 programme, assessing long-term changes on weight, body composition, blood lipids and glucose. Subjects and methods: 109 overweight and obese adults, aged 18-72 years, attended a 12-month follow-up after completing a 12-month dietary intervention involving three groups: continuous energy restriction (1000 kcal/day for women and 1200 kcal/day for men), week-on-week-off energy restriction (alternating between the same energy restriction as the continuous group for one week and one week of habitual diet), or 5:2 (500 kcal/day on modified fast days each week for women and 600 kcal/day for men). The primary outcome was weight change at 24 months from baseline, with secondary outcomes of change in body composition, blood lipids and glucose. Results: For the 109 individuals who completed the 12-month follow-up (82 female, 15 male, mean BMI 33 kg/m2), weight decreased over time with no differences between week-on and week-off and continuous energy restriction or 5:2 and continuous energy restriction with −4.5 ± 4.9 kg for continuous energy restriction, −2.8 ± 6.5 kg for week-on, week-off and −3.5 ± 5.1 kg for 5:2. Total cholesterol reduced over time and glucose, HDL, LDL and triglycerides were unchanged. Discussion and conclusion: Intermittent energy restriction was as successful in achieving modest weight loss over a 24-month period as continuous energy restriction Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Background and Objectives: Water scarcity is limiting for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) production, due to its sensitive to drought in the different phases of development, so irrigation should be done in an optimal way; because of this, the objective was to evaluate four levels of irrigation in greenhouse tomato varieties. Methods: A completely randomized experimental design with factorial arrangement was used and various agronomic variables, fruit quality and biomass were measured as response variables. Results: Tomatoes were significantly affected (P?0.05) by variety factors (V), irrigation (R), and their interaction. 100% of variety P presented fruits of greater weight (122 g); while weight decreased to 84, 90, 34 and 18 g when reducing water up to 25%, in varieties Cid, P, E and C, respectively. However, in terms of yield and leaf area, 100% of the Cid variety presented the highest values, around 3.3 kg/plant and 8.6 m-2. Conclusions: Variety c was tolerant to water stress and also does not present apical rotting (calcium deficiency) in the fruit.

Background: The prevalence of hypogonadism is particularly high in men with obesity and T2DM. Methods: Of 356 men with hypogonadism and T2DM, 288 (80.9%) were obese, 61 (17.1%) overweight and 7 (2.0%) had normal weight. 178 received TU 1000 mg/12 weeks (T-group) following an initial 6-week interval, 178 opted against treatment (CTRL). Changes over time between groups were compared and adjusted for age, weight, WC, fasting glucose, blood pressure, lipids and quality of life to account for baseline differences between groups. Results: Mean baseline age: 62.6±5.2 years, mean follow-up: 8.2. T-group: weight decreased by 22.1±0.5 kg at 11 years. CTRL: weight increased by 6.8±0.5. Estimated adjusted difference between groups: 28.9 kg (p Conclusions: Treatment with testosterone undecanoate injections results in profound weight loss that is maintained long-term with continued testosterone therapy. Disclosure A. Haider: None. K.S. Haider: None. F. Saad: Consultant; Self; Bayer AG. Stock/Shareholder; Self; AbbVie Inc., Bayer AG. Funding Bayer AG

Background Figs are highly perishable after harvest, and their storability and marketability are relatively short. This study aimed to determine the effects of fruit maturity on the physiological quality and targeted metabolites of 'Masui Dauphine' figs in two maturation stages (75% versus 100% commercial maturity) during cold storage. Results Fruit size and weight decreased during cold storage. Fruit respiration rate and color variables were lower at 100% maturity than at 75% maturity. Contents of soluble carbohydrates and organic acids differed according to fruit maturity. The levels of most free amino acids were decreased during cold storage; however, the levels of glutamine, serine and alanine were elevated in 100% mature fruits at the end of cold storage. The results of multivariate analyses indicated that the physiological properties of fruit and responses of targeted metabolites differed depending on fruit maturity during cold storage. Conclusions The results suggested that fruit maturity plays a key role in controlling fruit quality of figs during cold storage. In practice, fruit maturity should be highly considered for the fresh fig market. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Today the main source of unsaturated fatty acids especially omega-3 is still from marine fish oil. In this research, Rhizopus oligosporus will be used to produce PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids). This research used submerged fermentation method and temperature shift strategy to optimize the production of PUFA. In this result, batch culture of R.oligosporus for PUFA production at various temperatures (22, 26, 32, and 37°C). Result showed that R.oligosporus has different optimum temperature for growth and PUFA production, 26°C and 22°C respectively. Based on the result temperature-shift strategy was applied, in which the culture temperature was controlled at 26°C at the first 5 days, and then switched to 22°C for two days. By applying such a temperature-shift strategy, the dry cell weight decreased from 0,55 g to 0,47 g and the concentration of PUFA increased from 19,8% to 22,5%.

Objective Weight stigma is associated with poor dietary adherence, yet adherence is essential for weight loss and maintenance. This study aimed to determine differences in dietary adherence and perceived hunger between lean individuals and two groups of individuals with obesity. Methods In a 6-week outpatient dietary intervention (23 males; aged 48 [SD 14] years), lean participants (n = 23; BMI 23 [SD 2] kg/m2 ) received a weight-maintaining energy needs (WMEN) diet, and participants with obesity (BMI 36 [SD 7]) were randomized to either WMEN (n = 18) or a 35% calorie-reduced (CR) diet (n = 19). All food was provided, and multiple adherence and hunger ratings were assessed daily and weekly on an outpatient basis and in person at twice-weekly visits (e.g., 24-hour recall, diaries). Results Weight decreased more in the group of CR individuals with obesity (β = -0.301 kg/wk, P = 0.02) compared with the group of lean individuals and the group of WMEN individuals with obesity. However, total percent adherence did not differ between groups (P = 0.60), and hunger scores did not change across groups over time (P = 0.08). Conclusions Results indicate that there are no differences in dietary adherence between lean individuals and individuals with obesity and adherence is not associated with adiposity or hunger. Thus, the belief that nonadherence (e.g., lack of willpower) is unique to obesity is untrue and may perpetuate weight bias and stigma.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess weight trends and diabetes prevalence among US veterans. METHODS Information from the Veterans Affairs Informatics and Computing Infrastructure Corporate Data Warehouse was used to construct data sets that included demographic data, diabetes status, and weight observations for males and females. Secular and longitudinal trends in mean weight were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 4,527,865 patients born from 1915 to 1984 with weight data during 2000 to 2014 were included; 36.8% had diabetes. Mean weight at baseline was higher in men and women with diabetes (97 kg and 88 kg, respectively) than in men and women without diabetes (86 kg and 76 kg, respectively). Mean weight increased from 2000 to 2014 (P

Currently only limited materials, such as common metals and plastics, are recovered from waste flat-panel displays, thus necessitating the development of a comprehensive recycling process. This study aims to establish a statistical database about the types and amounts of valuable resources in waste liquid crystal display (LCD) products. To obtain these data, the waste LCD products were disassembled into four components: plastics, printed circuit boards, metals, and other materials, including their panels, and the weight of each component was measured. Overall, the product weight decreased with increasing manufacturing year regardless of the product screen size; however, the decreasing rate varied from 14 to 73%. The metal weight ratios decreased significantly by 24–31%. Meanwhile, regardless of the manufacturing year, the plastic weight ratios remained almost constant at about 20%. On the other hand, the weight ratio of the other components increased by 26–46% with increasing manufacturing year suggesting that rare-earth metal recycling has become more important. These statistical analyses are expected to contribute to the development of an eco-friendly, high-efficiency dismantling/separation process that will enable higher value recycling and minimal waste disposal.

Waste glass (WG) generates severe environmental problems, indeed owing to the inconsistency of WG Rivers. With increasing environmental challenges to decrease solid wastes and reuse them as much as possible, concrete manufacturing has utilized several techniques to accomplish this objective. The principal goal of this study is to search the appropriateness and the effect of using waste glass powder (WGP) as a partial substitution of cement weight for three main types of concretes. These three essential types are ordinary concrete, concrete containing silica fume (SF), and concrete containing fly ash (FA). The WGP replacement ratios from cement weight were 0 %, 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, and 20 %. Some mechanical and other concrete properties have been investigated at both hardened and fresh stages. The test results showed the appropriateness of WGP utilization as cement in concrete. Utilizing a 5 % WGP proportion raises the compressive and tensile strengths of ordinary concrete (group 1) by about 8 % and 13 %, respectively, related to the control mix [without waste glass powder]. At all ratios of WGP replacement, the compressive and tensile strengths of silica fume and fly ash concrete (groups 2, 3) decreased compared to control concretes. This reduction was about 13 %–14 %, respectively, at a 20 % WGP ratio. Additionally, the water absorption and density of plain, SF, and FA concrete mixes incorporating the proportions 5 %–20 % WGP as a partial replacement of cement weight decreased compared to reference concretes [0%WGP].The fresh and dry density of ordinary concrete (group 1) lessened by around 3 % compared to control concrete at a 20 % WGP ratio. The decreasing ratios in water absorption of groups 1,2, and 3 specimens made of 20 % WGP compared to control concrete [0%WGP] are 27.78 %, 14.75 %, and 18.75 % respectively. The workability increased by increasing the WGP content for all concrete types utilized in this study.

Background/Aim of Study: Identifying the effect of adherence to a routine postoperative follow-up program on weight loss after surgery. Methods: Eighty-six patients who underwent a bariatric procedure were included. According to their compliance to follow-up visits, patients were classified into two groups: the Drop-Out group (patients who did not attend the follow-up appointments n = 45) and regular follow-up group (patients compliant with their scheduled postoperative appointments n = 41). Both groups were compared in terms of weight loss at four fixed time points: time of operation (T0), next to last (T1), last follow-up appointments (T2), and time of interview (T3). Results: Weight decreased in the time interval between T0 and T2 without a significant difference between both groups. A significant difference, however, was observed during the time interval T2 to T3, as weight continued to decrease among the regular follow-up patients versus a rise within the Drop-Outs patients (62.7 ± 24.1% vs. 49.9 ± 2...

We investigated the predictors of plasma mid-dose concentrations (C12) of efavirenz by enrolling 456 HIV-positive patients who had received 2 nucleos(t)ide reverse-transcriptase inhibitors plus efavirenz (600 mg daily) for 2 weeks or longer and had their CYP2B6 516G>T polymorphism and efavirenz C12 determined. The median efavirenz C12 was 2.41 mg/L (IQR, 1.93–3.14). In analysis of covariance models, patients with CYP2B6 516GT and TT genotypes compared to those with GG genotype had higher efavirenz C12 (for GT genotype, an increase by 0.976 mg/L [95%CI, 0.765–1.188], and TT genotype, 4.871 mg/L [95%CI, 4.126–5.616]), while per 10-kg increment in weight decreased C12 by 0.199 mg/L (95%CI, 0.111–0.287). Models incorporating CYP2B6 516G>T polymorphism and weight had moderate predictive values in predicting efavirenz C12 ≥ 2 mg/L (ROC area under curve = 0.706 [95%CI, 0.656–0.756]). In the absence of CYP2B6 516G>T polymorphism, weight ≤58 kg provided better predictabilities for efavirenz C12 ≥ 2 mg/L (probability, 77.1% [95%CI, 69.0–83.5%] for weight = 50 kg and 70.6% [95%CI, 64.1–76.4%] for weight = 58 kg).

The experimental work was carried out in Defra at Gharbia governorate, Egypt, during 2014 to 2016.The wheat milling production line consists of many stages such as (receiving, cleaning, separator, tempering ,milling, processes).The experiments were monitoring the performance of wheat milling production line and determined the optimum parameters and conditions for operating production line under using Egyptian wheat. The physical characteristics for wheat kernel and flour were tested, Also adjustments the machines through all line to maximize milling efficiency addition to give high the quality of the final product. The results showing the physical properties of wheat sample, the length ranged from 6.48 to 7.43 mm, width were 3.16 to 4.02 and seeds thickness ranged from 3.29 mm to 3.67 mm. while the maximum value of 1000 grains weight about 50.60 g .The maximum value of cleaning efficiency at the third machine when using Egyptian wheat. The cleaning efficiency ranged from 94.00 to 99.80% . The cleaning efficiencies for separator, dry stoner and tiruer machines must to be more than 99%. The results obtained from damping condition showed increased the moisture content from 10.50 to 13.50 % at the first condition to reach15.5 % at the second condition. Also increased 1000 grains weight, form 50.6 to 61.40 g. at the first condition to reach at the second condition to 65.20 g. While hectoliter weight decreased from 80.90 to 78.20 Kg/m3 at the first condition to reach at the second condition to 77.50 Kg/m3%. Also the break system must adjust milling machine to finished the standard break release percentage value with 30%,as the last stage.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to provide basic information as reference and guidelines for the implementation of abdominal muscle exercise programs for people with intellectual disabilities residing in residential care facilities. [Subjects and Methods] The study period was 12 weeks, from July 1, 2015, to September 30, 2015. The study participants comprised of 10 people with intellectual disabilities who were residing in a residential care facility. An occupational therapist measured each subject's weight and physical fitness (muscle strength and flexibility). Collected data were encoded by using items and analyzed using SPSS ver.18.0. [Results] Weight decreased significantly, and physical fitness (muscle strength and flexibility) increased significantly. [Conclusion] To actively improve abdominal muscle strength and health management in people with intellectual disabilities residing in residential care facilities, consistent implementation of abdominal muscle exercise programs and improvements are indispensable, as these could lead to the development of systematic programs for rehabilitation physical activities.

The plasticization of stereocomplex polylactide (scPLA) with poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) is described. The poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), poly(D-lactide) (PDLA) and PPG were completely blended in chloroform before film casting to prepare scPLA/PPG blend films. The PLLA/PDLA ratio was fixed at 50/50 (w/w). The PPG blending enhanced the stereocomplex formation of the scPLA films. The stereocomplex crystallinities of the scPLA films increased as the PPG blend ratio increased, the PPG molecular weight decreased and the PDLA molecular weight decreased. The PPG blending significantly decreased the T g and film transparency, and improved the elongation at break of the scPLA films. The results indicated that the PPG blending had an effect on the stereocomplexation and it improved the flexibility of the scPLA films.

A five-year study was carried out in central Italy (Region of Umbria) to quantify the biomass investment in flowering in relation to the total biomass investment for fruit production. In all the years the inflorescences started growing in mid April and showed intense growth, especially in the last 20 days before the beginning of flowering. The inflorescence fresh and dry weights, recorded just before flowering (at the “white stage” of development), ranged between 155–349 mg and 53–96 mg, respectively, corresponding to a biomass expressed in glucose equivalents of 66–120 mg. After full bloom, inflorescence weight decreased remarkably due to flower drop. At the whole-tree level, fresh weight, dry weight and glucose equivalents of inflorescences (just before the beginning of flowering) and fruits (at harvest) ranged, respectively, from 0.8 to 4.2, 0.3–1.2 and 0.4–1.5 kg tree−1 and 7.4–15.5, 3.5–9.0 and 7.7–20.1 kg tree−1. Inflorescence mass was 8–39% of the fruit mass when expressed on a fresh weight basis per tree, 5–24% when expressed on dry weight and 3–16% when expressed as glucose equivalents. The results showed a relatively important cost of flowering, especially in some years and considering that most of the biomass was accumulated in a short time (about 20 days). In fact, the daily inflorescence biomass accumulation during the last 20 days before bloom, expressed as glucose equivalents, ranged from 14 to 126 g tree-1 day-1, showing that in years of high production of flowers, when the highest rates of biomass accumulation were recoded, it reaches values similar to the average daily biomass accumulation in fruits (expressed in glucose equivalents), which was 47–122 g tree-1 day-1. Given the significant effort in flower production in olive, the consequences and the function of the redundant flowering (i.e. fruit set is very low in olive) is discussed.

The response of broilers to various conditions of expander processing of full-fat soybeans (FFSB) was studied in an experiment involving 5040 birds allocated to 10 dietary treatments with six replicates. In treatments 1-8, the proportions of FFSB in starter, grower, and finisher diets were 40, 39-43, and 34-37%, respectively. Diets for treatments 9 and 10 contained commercial soybean meal (SBM) as a main protein source. All diets were isocaloric and were formulated to contain standardized ileally digestible amino acids at levels corresponding to 95% (treatments 1-7 and 10) or 100% (treatments 8 and 9) of requirement. In treatment 1, raw FFSB was used while diets for treatments 2-8 contained FFSB processed by various combinations of times and temperatures used during conditioning and expanding. Urease activity, protein dispersibility index, and trypsin inhibitor activity of FFSB decreased as processing time and/or temperature increased while protein solubility remained relatively unchanged. Concurrently, growth performance of chickens improved and their relative pancreas weight decreased. The best results in terms of feed intake, growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and carcass quality of FFSB-fed birds were obtained using expanding for 15 s at 125 degC preceded by short-term (1 min, 100 degC) and long-term (5 min, 100 degC) conditioning. These results were not significantly different from those achieved with SBM-based diets. Numerically better performance was found in 100% amino acid diets as compared with 95% diets. Switching the raw FFSB diet to SBM diet caused relative pancreas weight decrease by 31% during 3 days. An opposite switch resulted in a 65% increase in relative pancreas weight during 4 days.

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a commonly used bariatric procedure in severely obese adolescents. Weight loss after SG is associated with marked changes in body composition, but factors associated with such changes have not yet been described in adolescents.To identify factors associated with changes in body weight and composition in adolescents 1 year after SG.University Hospital, Tel Hashomer, Israel.Age, sex, weight, height, preoperative body mass index (BMI), and body fat percent measured by bioimpedance were collected in 25 adolescents (16 males, 9 females, age 16.6±1.5 yr) before and 1 year after SG. Obesity-related complications, preoperative weight loss, and physical activity after surgery were also recorded. Repeated-measures analyses of variance and linear mixed model analyses were performed.One year after SG, weight decreased by 32%, fat mass by 55%, and fat-free mass by 9% from baseline. Male participants lost significantly more weight than female participants, with larger decreases in fat mass (-65% versus -41%, P.001) and body fat percent (-48% versus -21%, P.001). The amount of physical activity at 1-year follow-up was also associated with larger reductions in body fat percent in both genders. Age or baseline BMI, fat mass, and fat-free mass were not associated with changes in BMI or body composition.Among obese adolescents 1 year after SG, the only modifiable factor associated with larger decreases in body fat percent was physical activity. Larger studies are needed to formally identify other possible predictors of body composition changes after SG.

The main objective of this article was to study the physical and mechanical properties of watermelon fruits as influenced by storage temperatures. Watermelon fruits with different sizes were stored at two temperatures (15 and 30°C). The results indicated that, the length, major diameter and minor diameter of watermelon fruit value ranged from 22.18 to 28.77 cm, 21.34 to 27.07 cm and 18.92 to 23.01cm, respectively. The spherical coefficient and the geometric mean diameter of the watermelon fruits decreased from 0.933 to 0.907 and 20.70 to 26.08 cm, respectively. The surface area and volume of watermelon fruit values ranged from 1487.10 to 2447.61cm2 and 5393.90 to 11389.44 cm3, respectively. The density of the watermelon fruits ranged from 927.84 to 973.57 kg m-3. The thickness of rind of the watermelon fruits ranged from 12.11 to 20.28 mm. The mass of flesh, seeds and rind of watermelon fruit values ranged from 2.929 to 6.277 kg, 0.096 to 0.208 kg and 1.992 to 4.603 kg, respectively. The repose angle and the crushing load of the watermelon fruits increased from 49.67 to 71.00o and 2.333 to 4.600 kN. The change of watermelon fruits dimensions and weight decreased with increasing storage temperature and time. The crushing load of the watermelon fruits decreases with decreasing storage temperature and decreasing watermelon fruit sizes. The marketable watermelon fruits percentage ranged from 75.67 to 90.00% at 15 oC and from 25.00 to 48.00% at 30oC.

In this article, the effect of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) stabilized platinum nanoparticles (Pt:PVP) on seed germination and growth performance of Pisum sativum (Pea) was investigated. Healthy mature Pea seeds were immersed for 1, 2 and 3 h into 1.0 mM concentrated Pt:PVP hydrosol and were sowed into soil. After immersing the seeds for 3 h into this solution, the germination rate decreased by 45% and the dormancy period increased from 2.5 days to 7 days. After 30 days of germination of saplings from seeds treated for 3 h, the root to shoot lengths were 20% less than the saplings from untreated seeds. 1 and 2 h of treatment did not have any significant impact on the germination rate, dormancy and plant growth. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobial colonization in treated plants significantly decreased with soaking time prolongation. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi root colonization was significantly reduced in the plants from 3 h treated seeds group. The yield and biomass content of the produced plants were also calculated. For pea plants from seeds of the 3 h treatment group, the average number of seeds produced per plant increased by 163.5%, but the average seed weight decreased by 66.7%. Comparing with reported observations, it is inferred that either the modification of growth regulatory hormones or biochemicals associated with Pt:PVP during seed germination is responsible for such changes. 3.2 ± 0.8 nm Pt:PVP were prepared by high temperature ethanolic reduction of hexachloroplatinic acid solution containing PVP and were characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy, X-ray Diffractometry and Ultraviolet–Visible Spectrophotometry.

This study aimed to evaluate the shock absorption ability of trial face guards (FGs) incorporating a glass-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (GF) and buffering space. The mechanical properties of 3.2 mm and 1.6 mm thick commercial medical splint materials (Aquaplast, AP) and experimental GF prepared from 1.6 mm thick AP and fiberglass cloth were determined by a three-point bending test. Shock absorption tests were conducted on APs with two different thicknesses and two types of experimental materials, both with a bottom material of 1.6 mm thick AP and a buffering space of 30 mm in diameter (APS) and with either (i) 1.6 mm thick AP (AP-APS) or (ii) 1.6 mm thick GF (GF-APS) covering the APS. The GF exhibited significantly higher flexural strength (64.4 MPa) and flexural modulus (7.53 GPa) than the commercial specimens. The maximum load of GF-APS was 75% that of 3.2 mm AP, which is widely used clinically. The maximum stress of the GF-APS only could not be determined as its maximum stress is below the limits of the analysis materials used (

This study investigated changes in body composition over 1 competitive football season in D-I collegiate football players (N = 53; by position, 21 linemen vs. 32 nonline; or by seniority, 30 upperclassmen vs. 23 underclassmen) and additional changes by the following spring season (N = 46; 20 linemen vs. 26 nonline; 27 upperclassmen vs. 19 underclassmen). Body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was completed pre- and post-season and the following spring. For the team as a whole, player weight decreased 1.3 kg (1.2%) and lean mass decreased 1.4 kg (1.6%) over the season. Absolute fat mass showed no change; however, percent body fat showed a 0.5% increase. There was an interaction between player position and seniority for changes in lean mass (p < 0.01). In nonline positions upperclassmen lost more lean mass than underclassmen, whereas in line positions underclassmen lost more lean mass than upperclassmen. Spring measures indicate that weight did not increase during the off-season, but improvement in body composition was noted. Lean mass increased by 2.2 kg (2.6%), whereas absolute fat mass decreased by 1.4 kg (6.7%). Although weight and lean mass losses during the competitive season were recovered in the off-season, changes in collegiate football programs that include nutrition counseling, dietary recommendations, monitoring of weight, and skin-fold testing as an estimate of body fat change would be beneficial to players. Strength and conditioning coaches and staff need to consider strategies to incorporate these practices into their programs.

Case A 38-year-old mentally retarded woman was transported to the emergency room for marked undernutrition. Two months prior, she had developed tooth decay and her food intake decreased severely. Over 2 months, her weight decreased from 47 to 31 kg (−16 kg). Computed tomography (CT) revealed extensive subcutaneous, mediastinal, and retroperitoneal emphysema. She was hospitalized and treatment with central venous hyperalimentation and antibiotics was initiated. CT performed 3 weeks after hospitalization showed that the systemic emphysema had completely disappeared. Outcome She progressed favorably and was transferred to a specialized psychiatric hospital for further treatment. Conclusion Regardless of the cause, this rare complication must be taken into account when treating patients suffering from long-term starvation or undernutrition. Whole-body management including nutritional management and careful follow-up observations are appropriate for treating this condition.

Accelerated in vitro biostability studies are useful for making relativistic comparisons between materials. However, no in vitro study can completely replicate the complex biochemical and biomechanical environment that a material experiences in the human body. To overcome this limitation, three insulation materials [Optim™ insulation (OPT), Pellethane® 55D (P55D), and silicone elastomer] from cardiac leads that were clinically implanted for up to five years were characterized using visual inspection, SEM, ATR-FTIR, GPC, and tensile testing. Surface cracking was not observed in OPT or silicone samples. Shallow cracking was observed in 17/41 (41%) explanted P55D samples. ATR-FTIR indicated minor surface oxidation in some OPT and P55D samples. OPT molecular weight decreased modestly (∼20%) at 2-3 years before stabilizing at 4-5 years. OPT tensile strength decreased modestly (∼25%) at 2-3 years before stabilizing at 4-5 years. OPT elongation at 4-5 years was unchanged from controls. P55D had no significant changes in molecular weight or tensile properties. Overall, results for OPT and P55D were consistent with and limited to cosmetic surface oxidation. Silicone demonstrated excellent biostability with no identifiable degradation. This study of explanted cardiac leads revealed that OPT, P55D, and silicone elastomer demonstrate similar and excellent biostability through five years of implantation in human patients.

The use of standard external measurements is pervasive in mammalogy, due in part to their applicability to both living and dead animals. Nevertheless, comparisons of measurements made between animals in different pre- and postmortem body states may be problematic. To investigate the impact of body state on standard measurements and their associated variances, we took 5 external measurements on 70 Mus musculus while living and in 3 postmortem body states (primary flaccidity, rigor mortis, and secondary flaccidity). Total length, tail length, and hind-foot length were significantly longer in states of primary and secondary flaccidity than when measured on live individuals or those in rigor mortis. Ear length increased from living to primary flaccidity, after which it decreased. Weight decreased between each postmortem body state, likely as an artifact of desiccation. Variance was always greater for measurements taken in the living state than during postmortem body states. Irrespective of body state, variance was particularly high for ear length and hind-foot length, which are prone to observer bias and should be used with caution. Additional tests using field-collected data from populations of Peromyscus leucopus and Peromyscus maniculatus confirmed our lab-based results from M. musculus. External measurements taken during a postmortem state should not be compared to measurements from live animals and could lead to incorrect species identification. Additionally, comparisons among individuals measured in different postmortem body states may confound efforts to assess changes in body size over space or time.

Background Operating room efficiency can be compromised because of surgical instrument processing delays. We observed that many instruments in a standardized tray were not routinely used during thyroid and parathyroid surgery at our institution. Our objective was to create a streamlined instrument tray to optimize operative efficiency and cost. Materials and methods Head and neck surgical instrument trays were evaluated by operating room team leaders. Instruments were identified as either necessary or unnecessary based on use during thyroidectomies and parathyroidectomies. The operating room preparation time, tray weights, number of trays, and number of instruments were recorded for the original and new surgical trays. Cost savings were calculated using estimated reprocessing cost of $0.51 per instrument. Results Three of 13 head and neck trays were converted to thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy trays. The starting head and neck surgical set was reduced from two trays with 98 total instruments to one tray with 36 instruments. Tray weight decreased from 27 pounds to 10 pounds. Tray preparation time decreased from 8 min to 3 min. The new tray saved $31.62 ($49.98 to $18.36) per operation in reprocessing costs. Projected annual savings with hospitalwide implementation is over $28,000.00 for instrument processing alone. Unmeasured hospital savings include decreased instrument wear and replacement frequency, quicker operating room setup, and decreased decontamination costs. Conclusions Optimizing surgical trays can reduce cost, physical strain, preparation time, decontamination time, and processing times, and streamlining trays is an effective strategy for hospitals to reduce costs and increase operating room efficiency.

Vegetable soybean (Edamame) blanching with hot water/steam is an energy- and water- intensive process that may also result in compromised product quality. The effectiveness of infrared (IR) heating to dry and simultaneously blanch Edamame was investigated at heating intensities of 11.06, 8.43 and 6.99 kW/m2. Temperature, weight, texture, and green intensity of heated samples for various durations were determined. In general, product weight decreased during IR heating. The largest weight reduction (9.5 %) was achieved after 100 s of heating at the highest IR heating intensity. Hardness was reduced alongside treatment duration, reaching the lowest values (11172.9–10847 N) at 100 or 120 s despite heating intensity. The highest green intensity was recorded (0.33) for treatments at 100 or 120 s. The new process combined drying and blanching into one step which potentially improves processing efficiency and product quality.

A study was conducted to determine the fungi associated with sheath rot disease, caused by Sarocladium oryzae, in relation to health and quality of rice seed. Panicles of rice variety BR5 were collected from sheath rot infected fields and sorted according to six severity scales. The percentage of healthy seeds and seed weight decreased with increasing disease severity, measured by the scale, while the percentage of discoloured, unfilled and partially filled seeds increased with increasing severity of the disease. Among fungi associated with seed, the incidence of S. oryzae was predominant. The quantity of seed infected by S. oryzae increased with an increase in disease severity. At the highest disease severity level, more than 93% of seed was infected by S. oryzae. Incidence of C. lunata, N. oryzae and T. padwickii decreased with increased disease severity. Germination of discoloured, partially discoloured and spotted seed was reduced by 40.61%, 27.96% and 17.93%, respectively. A positive correlation was obtained between discolouration of seed and the incidence of S. oryzae and C. cladosporioides.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the duration of high-fiber ingredient removal from finishing pig diets before marketing to restore carcass yield and carcass fat iodine value (IV), similar to pigs continuously fed a corn-soybean meal diet. In experiment 1, 288 pigs (initially 38.4 ± 0.3 kg body weight [BW]) were used in an 88-d study and fed either a low-fiber corn-soybean meal diet from day 0 to 88 or a high-fiber diet containing 30% corn distillers dried grains with solubles and 19% wheat middlings until day 20, 15, 10, 5, or 0 before slaughter and switched to the low-fiber corn-soybean meal diet thereafter. Diets were not balanced for net energy. From day 0 to 88, pigs continuously fed the high-fiber diet tended to have increased average daily feed intake (P = 0.072) and decreased G:F and carcass yield (P = 0.001) compared with pigs fed the low-fiber corn-soybean meal diet. Pigs continuously fed the high-fiber diet had greater (P < 0.010) IV of jowl, backfat, belly, and ham collar fat than those fed the low-fiber corn-soybean meal diet throughout. As days of withdrawal increased, pigs previously fed the high-fiber diet had increased carcass yield (quadratic; P = 0.039). Pigs continuously fed the high-fiber diet had heavier (percentage of hot carcass weight [HCW]) full large intestines (P = 0.003) than pigs fed the corn-soybean meal diet. Full large intestine weight decreased (linear; P = 0.018) as withdrawal time increased. Belly fat IV tended (linear; P = 0.080) to improve as withdrawal time increased. In experiment 2, a total of 1,089 pigs (initially 44.5 ± 0.1 kg BW) were used in a 96-d study with the same dietary treatments as in experiment 1, except pigs were fed the high-fiber diet until day 24, 19, 14, 9, or 0 before slaughter and then switched to the corn-soybean meal diet. Pigs fed the high-fiber diet throughout had decreased average daily gain and G:F (P = 0.001) compared with those fed the low-fiber corn-soybean meal diet. For pigs initially fed the high-fiber diet and then switched to the low-fiber corn-soybean meal diet, G:F tended to improve (linear; P = 0.070) as withdrawal period increased. Pigs fed the high-fiber diet throughout had decreased HCW (P = 0.001) compared with those fed the low-fiber corn-soybean meal diet and HCW marginally increased (quadratic; P = 0.077) as withdrawal period increased. In summary, switching pigs from a high-fiber diet to a corn-soybean meal diet for up to 24 d before market increased carcass yield (experiment 1) or HCW (experiment 2) with the improvement most prominent during the first 5 to 9 d after withdrawal.

The objective of the study was to determine growth performance, viscera organ development, economic benefit and sensory characteristics of meat from broilers finished on Acacia anguistissima leaf meal-based diets. One hundred and eighty Cobb 500-day-old chicks were used in the study. Acacia anguistissima was used as a protein source and included in broiler diets at 0, 50 and 100 g/kg. Total feed intake (TFI), average daily gain (ADG), and gain to feed ratio (G:F) and cost benefit analysis were determined. There were no differences in TFI of broilers across treatments diets. Average daily gain and gain to feed (G:F) ratio were low (P

In order to research the drying and adsorption characteristics of banana. Experiment on banana slice drying and absorption were analyzed in the article. The vacuum drying was used in the banana slice drying experiment. In drying experiment, moisture of banana slices decreased at 75°C in 151 minute. G1 weight decreased from 33.95g to 28.99g and G2 weight decreased from 33.51g to 28.8g. In absorption experiment, the weight of banana slice increased from 28.99g to 30.75g.When the humidity reached balance between the banana slice and the atmosphere, banana slice weigh had no changes. Banana slice surface has a huge difference in character before and after drying. The sorption process in some materials was irreversible because the entropy changed during the adsorption and desorption process.

Background and Objectives Patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) nude-mouse models replicate the behavior of clinical cancer, including metastasis. The objective of the study was to determine the efficacy of zoledronic acid (ZA) on metastasis of a patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) nude-mouse model of pancreatic cancer. Methods In the present study, we examined the efficacy of ZA on pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis in a PDOX nude-mouse model. Results ZA monotherapy did not significantly suppress primary tumor growth. However, the primary tumor weight of gemcitabine (GEM) and combination GEM + ZA-treated mice was significantly decreased compared to the control group (GEM: P = 0.003; GEM + ZA: P = 0.002). The primary tumor weight of GEM + ZA-treated mice was significantly decreased compared to GEM-treated mice (P = 0.016). The metastasis weight decreased in ZA- or GEM-treated mice compared to the control group (ZA: P = 0.009; GEM: P = 0.007. No metastasis was detected in combination GEM + ZA-treated mice compared to the control group (GEM + ZA; P = 0.005). Conclusions The results of the present study indicate that ZA can selectively target metastasis in a pancreatic cancer PDOX model and that the combination of ZA and GEM should be evaluated clinically in the near future for this highly treatment-resistant disease. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:311–315. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The goal of this work was to study the influence of daily 3-hr vibrostimulation of the supporting zones of the foot and 3-hr of usual locomotion on the functional state of the soleus, gastrocnemius, and tibial anterior muscles in rats after 7 and 14 days of hindlimb unloading. After 7 days of unloading the soleus weight decreased, while the weight of gastrocnemius and tibial anterior remained unchanged. After 14 days of hindlimb unloading a weight reduction was observed in all studied muscles. Vibrostimulation of the foot and supporting afferentation prevented the loss of weight in gastrocnemius and tibial anterior during the first week of unloading and reduced the negative effect of hindlimb unloading in 14 days. Our results demonstrate that the amplitude of the M-response after 7 days of hindlimb unloading was decreased predominantly in soleus as compared to gastrocnemius and tibial anterior. By the 14 day we observed restoration of the amplitude of the M-response in gastrocnemius and tibial anterior, and the increased amplitude of the M-response in soleus. Different techniques for foot stimulation in rats during hindlimb unloading demonstrated the positive effect in regard to M-response restoration — the amplitude of the M-response was increased in all studied muscles. Thus, our results demonstrate that foot vibrostimulation or supporting afferentation can completely prevent atrophy caused by hindlimb unloading in gastrocnemius and tibial anterior and decrease atrophy in soleus in rats.

Based on mass spectrum-based orthogonal projection (MSOP) method, the exogenous metabolite signal from Huang-Yao-Zi (HYZ) was obtained, and its effect on metabonomics model and toxicity evaluation was studied. The exogenous metabolite signal increased with prolonged administration time, showing an accumulative effect. Meanwhile, the exogenous metabolites with low molecular weight decreased but the ones with high molecular weight increased and the concentration of exogenous metabolites with high molecular weight rose notably, suggesting that the metabolic way of HYZ has changed. Metabonomics model revealed that the distance between the control and HYZ groups decreased after eliminating the exogenous metabolite signals. In addition, the potential biomarkers were preliminary studied. These results indicated that exogenous metabolite signal led to a stronger expression of the evaluated liver toxicity from HYZ and MSOP method would be of great significance for toxicity evaluation in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC), son herramientas que han permitido evolucionar en el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje, innovación, difusión de información, adquisición y generación de conocimiento. El objetivo de la investigación fue desarrollar un “Software Educativo Agroforestal - SEAf”, dirigido a jóvenes de instituciones educativas rurales, como estrategia pedagógica para la enseñanza agroforestal. Mediante Investigación Acción Participativa (IAP), se diagnosticó el conocimiento agroforestal de estudiantes de dos instituciones educativas municipales de la subcuenca alta del río Pasto, implementando talleres participativos, encuestas semi-estructuradas y mapas parlantes; se realizó un análisis de correspondencias múltiples (ACM), que permitió diseñar y estructurar el SEAf con el programa Flash Cs4, el cual fue evaluado con pruebas Alfa y Beta. Como resultado se logró diseñar un software educativo agroforestal denominado “Mundo Agroforestal” que incluyó los gustos y preferencias de los jóvenes; de acuerdo al color, actividades lúdicas, paisajes y personajes animados que fueron plasmados en las interfaces. El software fue altamente aceptado (94%) respecto a las variables diseño, facilidad de navegación, pertinencia de color, temáticas abordadas e ilustraciones; lo que permitió la validación de éste.

The base of Parallel loading device withstand the pressure of hundreds of tons, Limited by the conditions of use, All components of the device must be manual handling, so Its weight becomes very sensitive. The initial design weight of base are about 170 kg, By handling environmental constraints, four men lift is also very convenient, Therefore it's urgent to reduce weight. In this paper, a powerful modeling capabilities of UG combined ANSYS topology optimization module on the base for a topology optimization, We refer to the shape of topology optimization design of the final design of the structure. Through finite element analysis, the structural stiffness and strength to meet the design requirements, And weight decreased from about 170 kg to 120 kg, reduced by nearly 30%.

To evaluate and compare growth parameters (weight, length and head circumference) of discordant preterm twins during the first year of life.Retrospective data were collected on 78 pairs of10% discordant preterm twins. Data regarding short-term neonatal outcome were recorded. Growth parameters were recorded at birth and again at 1 year of age, as collected by phone interview.At 1 year of age, the gap was significantly reduced between the group of smaller twins and the group of larger twins on all the parameters studied. Discordance in weight decreased from a mean of 22% at birth (calculated from the weight of the larger twin) to 8.9%, in length from 6.5% to 2.5% and in head circumference from 5.5% to 1.3% at 1 year of age. While length and head circumference (HC) z-scores improved in both the large and the small siblings, weight z-score decreased significantly among the large twins and decreased mildly among the small twins.The gaps in growth parameters between the smaller twins of preterm discordant twins and their larger siblings are significantly reduced during the first year of life. The impact of the differential growth patterns between the two siblings should be further evaluated.

Aims: This study was conducted to study the effects of sowing date and plant density on yield and yield components of lentil cv. Sistan. Study Design: Experimental design was factorial based on randomized complete block with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was carried out in a personal farm in Zabol, Iran, in 2009. Methodology: The factors included sowing date at four levels (November 21, December 5, December 19 and January 2) and plant density at four levels (18, 24, 36 and 71 plants. m). Results: The results of analysis of variance showed that sowing date significantly affected pod number per plant and per m, seed yield per unit area and per plant and harvest index, but its effect was not significant on seed number per pod, 100-seed weight and biological yield per unit area and per plant, while the change in plant density significantly affected all of them at 1% level. The interaction between sowing date and plant density did not significantly affect the measure traits. Means comparison showed that the delay in sowing Research Article Annual Research & Review in Biology, 4(1): 296-305, 2014 297 from November 21 to January 2 decreased pod number per plant, pod number per m and seed yield by 15.6, 14.7 and 10.3%, respectively. Also, with the increase in population from 18 to 72 plants. m, pod number m increased by 2.15 times and seed number per pod, seed yield and biological yield increased by 11.4, 104.4 and 178.9%, respectively, but pod number per plant and 100-seed weight decreased by 45.6 and 16.7%, respectively. The delay in sowing date as well as the increase in plant density/m2 significantly decreased harvest index. Conclusion: In total, according to the results of the current study it is recommended to use sowing date of November 21 with the population of 72 plants. m in order to realize optimum yield of lentil in Sistan, Iran.

One hundred and eighty 1-d-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned four dietary treatments. The first treatment group was fed a basal diet containing soya oil (Control-SO) but the other treatments were fed tallow-containing basal diets supplemented with no medicinal plants (Control-T), 10 g/kg sun-dried garlic (SDG) or 10 g/kg psyllium seeds (PS). Growth performance in starter, grower and finisher periods, serum at 28-, 35- and 42-d-old and carcass characteristics at 42-d-old chicks were measured. Growth performance was unaffected by addition of 10 g/kg SDG or PS to diets (P >0.10). Gizzard weight decreased in PS-containing diet rather than Control-T (P

Freeze-thaw experiments were conducted to evaluate changes in surface roughness and physical properties in samples of granite from Ilgwang and Imki mines, Korea. The temperature range in the experiments was to , based on typical summer and winter temperatures in Korea, and the surface was observed every 20 cycles. One cycle comprised 1 hour of heating or cooling of the samples and 1 hour during which the target temperature was maintained. With increasing repetitions of the freeze-thaw experiment, porosity increased by 0.05%-0.15% in the two samples and the dry weight increased, whereas the volume of the soil and saturation weight decreased. Observations by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) revealed that line and surface roughness parameters showed a tendency to increase and decrease, respectively, with elapsed time. Changes in surface roughness were apparent on the CLSM images.

The base of Parallel loading device withstand the pressure of hundreds of tons, Limited by the conditions of use, All components of the device must be manual handling, so Its weight becomes very sensitive. The initial design weight of base are about 170 kg, By handling environmental constraints, four men lift is also very convenient, Therefore it's urgent to reduce weight. In this paper, a powerful modeling capabilities of UG combined ANSYS topology optimization module on the base for a topology optimization, We refer to the shape of topology optimization design of the final design of the structure. Through finite element analysis, the structural stiffness and strength to meet the design requirements, And weight decreased from about 170 kg to 120 kg, reduced by nearly 30%.

Background: Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) is used to treat exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in cystic fibrosis. Results/Methods: Efficacy and safety of a unique enteric-coated (EC) bicarbonate-buffered PERT product (PERTZYE®/PANCRECARB®; Digestive Care, Inc., Bethlehem, PA, USA) was studied in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over design. Subjects were stabilized on EC-bicarbonate-buffered PERT and a high-fat diet. During two treatment periods, subjects were randomized to EC-bicarbonate-buffered PERT or placebo, followed by a 72-h stool collection employing an ingested stool dye marker. Mean coefficient of fat absorption with EC-bicarbonate-buffered PERT was 82.5% compared with 46.3% with the placebo (absolute difference 36.2%; p < 0.001), a 78.2% improvement for active over placebo. Similar improvements in nitrogen absorption were observed. Overall stool frequency and stool weight decreased (p < 0.001). No safety concerns were identified. Summary: EC-bicarbonate-buffer...

Preparations of a Ti–Cr–V alloy were tried by applying pulsed electric current through compacted mixtures of TiO 2 , V 2 O 5 , Cr 2 O 3 and C, and of TiH 2 , Cr and V after ball-milling into fine powder. TGA and DTA curves for a mixture of TiO 2 , V 2 O 5 , Cr 2 O 3 and C showed that weight decreased up to about 1423 K. The Ti–Cr–V alloy could not be prepared from a mixture of TiO 2 , V 2 O 5 , Cr 2 O 3 and C. However, from a mixture of TiH 2 , Cr and V, the Ti–Cr–V alloy formed together with phases of Cr 1.93 Ti 1.07 , Ti or C.

Hatched larvae, juveniles, and adults of the Omani abalone Haliotis mariae were cultivated in land-based tanks with filtered running seawater during 3 experiments: (1) from January 2001 to December 2005, (2) from January 2006 to November 2009, and (3) from January 2009 to December 2011. Larvae and early juveniles were fed daily with diatoms, whereas late juveniles and adults were fed with artificial food and the green algae Ulva fasciata. Shell length and total wet weight from 40–80 randomly selected specimens in various experiments were measured monthly, and sex and gonad maturity stage were defined visually. The water parameters in tanks reflected the ambient condition of the Arabian Sea. The growth pattern of the abalone was very similar in the 3 experimental trials. Larvae and early juveniles have very fast growth rates, reaching an average 53–56 mm and 19–25 g after 1 y. Better results were obtained in the second and third experiments, when at the end of 2 y of rearing, abalone mean length was 67–72 mm and the weight was 46–54 g. At the age 3 y, abalone attained a mean length of 83–85 mm and a weight of 89–93 g. After 6 y, the abalone from the first experiment (2001 to 2005) showed, on average, 88.5 mm and 110.9 g. The length increments were the highest during the first year of the culture, whereas weight increments reached maximum values during the third (second and third trials) and fourth year (first trial) of rearing. After 4 y, abalone growth increments in weight decreased significantly. Males generally but not always have larger increments in length and weight when compared with females. During cultivation, a decrease in abalone weight was sometimes observed that, in most cases, coincided with decrease in water temperature during the southwest monsoon period (June to September). Some abalone sexually matured in tanks after 1 y, and mature males and females occurred almost year-round, with peaks in April to May and November to December. The length at first maturity was found to be 65.2 mm for males and 67.1 mm for females. Growth parameters for a von Bertalanffy function were calculated using data from different experiments. The growth rate coefficient in the first experiment was lower (K = 0.65), but in third experiment it appeared higher (K = 0.80) than in natural conditions from data other authors calculated based on length-frequency distribution analysis, which indicates faster growth rates of abalone in tanks when compared with those in the wild. Results of the trials showed that it is feasible to produce Omani abalone in land-based farms from eggs to commercial size during a 3 4-y cycle.

Determinou-se o efeito do regime alimentar para ganho compensatório sobre a composição regional e tecidual da carcaça de cordeiros terminados em confinamento. Foram utilizados 40 ovinos Santa Inês, machos, com média de 17±1,7kg de peso vivo (PV) e 100 dias de idade. Ao final do período de confinamento, os cordeiros foram abatidos, e a meia carcaça esquerda foi seccionada em cinco cortes comerciais primários: pescoço, paleta, costilhar, lombo e perna. A perna foi dissecada em músculos, ossos e gorduras, e, em seguida, teve seu índice de musculosidade determinado. Foi mensurada a hipertrofia muscular por meio da média do diâmetro das fibras musculares. O peso (g) da meia carcaça esquerda, do pescoço, da paleta, do costilhar, do lombo e da perna diminuiu linearmente, à medida que aumentou o nível de restrição prévia, de 0% até 60%, variando, respectivamente, de 11497,4 a 8888,5; de 1453,8 a 1211,4; de 1955,4 a 1560,9; de 3420,0 a 2604,6; de 1669,4 a 1161,6 e de 2998,8 a 2350,0. No rendimento dos cortes, apenas o lombo sofreu efeito do regime alimentar, diminuindo de 14,5 para 13,1%. O índice de musculosidade da perna (0,42 a 0,39) e o diâmetro das fibras musculares (46,0 a 43,4µm) também diminuíram com o aumento da restrição prévia. A restrição alimentar seguida por realimentação diminui o peso dos cortes e não afeta seu rendimento; diminui também a proporção de gordura da carcaça, produzindo, assim, cortes mais leves e carne com menor teor de gordura. The effect of diets for compensatory gain on the commercial cut yield and carcasses tissue composition of finished feedlot lambs was determined. A total of 40 Santa Inês lambs, with mean body weight (BW) of 17±1.7kg and 100 days old were used. The lambs were slaughtered; the left half carcass was sectioned into five primary commercial cuts: neck, shoulder, rib, loin and leg. The leg was dissected into muscle, bone and fat, and then the muscularity of the leg was determined. Muscle hypertrophy was measured by the mean diameter of muscle fibers. The left half carcass, neck, shoulder, rib, loin and leg weight decreased linearly between 0 and 60% of previous food restriction levels, ranging, respectively, from 11497.4 to 8888.5g; from 1453.8 to 1211.4g; from 1955.4 to 1560.9g; from 3420.0 to 2604.6g; from 1669.4 to 1161.6g and from 2998.8 to 2350.0g, as well as loin yield (from 14.5 to 13.1%), leg musculosity index (from 0.42 to 0,39) and muscle fiber diameter (from 46.0 to 43.4µm). Food restriction followed by refeeding promoted decreasing in the weight of cuts and did not affect the yield, and it also decreased the proportion of fat in the carcass, resulting in lighter cuts and leaner meat.

Soft tissues are important for aesthetic considerations in implant therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate soft tissue augmentation by using porous poly-DL-lactic acid (PDLLA)shaped as a tablet, with a diameter of5.0 mmand a height of2.0 mm. Porous PDLLA was implanted between the periosteal and epithelial tissues in 25 rats that were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4, 12, and 24 weeks. The average height of the PDLLA scaffolds at approximately 24 weeks was 1.85 ±0.08 mm, and the molecular weight decreased with time. Sinusoidal capillaries at 1 week, connective tissues at 4 weeks, and necrotic tissues at 24 weeks were observed more than other periods. At 24 weeks, the connective tissue surviving in the pores was confirmed to contain blood vessels; therefore, blood vessels are considered to be critical for the survival of soft tissue in scaffold pores. In this study, PDLLA was found to be useful for soft tissue augmentation in the long term. Although the molecular weight of PDLLA decreased with time, the height of the PDLLA scaffolds was preserved. The connective tissue surviving in the pores of the scaffolds at 24 weeks were associated with blood vessels. Further studies are necessary to investigate the optimal scaffold shape and surface characteristics to improve the penetration of blood vessels.

One of the most damaging actions affecting concrete is the abrupt temperature change (freeze-thaw cycles). The types of deterioration of concrete structures by cyclic freeze-thaw can be largely classified into surface scaling (characterized by the weight loss) and internal crack growth (characterized by the loss of dynamic modulus of elasticity). The present study explored the durability of concrete made with air-entraining agent subjected to 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 cycles of freeze-thaw. The experimental study of C20, C25, C30, C40, and C50 air-entrained concrete specimens was completed according to “the test method of long-term and durability on ordinary concrete” GB/T 50082-2009. The dynamic modulus of elasticity and weight loss of specimens were measured after different cycles of freeze-thaw. The influence of freeze-thaw cycles on the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity and weight loss was analyzed. The findings showed that the dynamic modulus of elasticity and weight decreased as the freeze-thaw cycles were repeated. They revealed that the C30, C40, and C50 air-entrained concrete was still durable after 300 cycles of freeze-thaw according to the experimental results.