Average Fi Research Articles

Frailty Is More Predictive of Mortality than Age in Patients With Hip Fractures.

To investigate the association between the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment-based Frailty Index and adverse outcomes in older adult patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. Retrospective cohort study. Academic Level 1 Trauma Center. All patients aged 65 or older who underwent surgical repair of a hip fracture between May 2018 and August 2020 were identified through institutional database review. Data including demographics, FI, injury presentation, and hospital course were collected. Patients were grouped by FI as nonfrail (FI < 0.21), frail (0.21 ≤ FI < 0.45), and severely frail (FI > 0.45). Adverse outcomes of these groups were compared using Kaplan Meier survival analysis. Risk factors for 1-year rehospitalization and 2-year mortality were evaluated using Cox hazard regression. Three hundred sixteen patients were included, with 62 nonfrail, 185 frail, and 69 severely frail patients. The total population was on average 83.8 years old, predominantly white (88.0%), and majority female (69.9%) with an average FI of 0.33 (SD: 0.14). The nonfrail cohort was on average 78.8 years old, 93.6% white, and 80.7% female; the frail cohort was on average 84.5 years old, 92.4% white, and 71.9% female; and the severely frail cohort was on average 86.4 years old, 71.0% white, and 55.1% female. Rate of 1-year readmission increased with frailty level, with a rate of 38% in nonfrail patients, 55.6% in frail patients, and 74.2% in severely frail patients (P = 0.001). The same pattern was seen in 2-year mortality rates, with a rate of 2.8% in nonfrail patients, 36.7% in frail patients, and 77.5% in severely frail patients (P < 0.0001). Being classified as frail or severely frail exhibited greater association with mortality within 2 years than age, with hazard ratio of 17.81 for frail patients and 56.81 for severely frail patients compared with 1.19 per 5 years of age. Increased frailty as measured by the Frailty Index is significantly associated with increased 2-year mortality and 1-year hospital readmission rates after hip fracture surgery. Degree of frailty predicts mortality more strongly than age alone. Assessing frailty with the Frailty Index can identify higher-risk surgical candidates, facilitate clinical decision making, and guide discussions about goals of care with family members, surgeons, and geriatricians. Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Influence of paraspinal muscle degeneration and postoperative Roussouly classification restoration on mechanical complications in female patients with degenerative scoliosis after surgery

Objective: To investigate the impact of lumbar paraspinal muscle degeneration and postoperative failure to restore ideal Roussouly classification on the occurrence of mechanical complications (MC) following long-segment spinal correction surgery in female patients with degenerative scoliosis (DS). Methods: The clinical data of 72 female DS patients who underwent long-segment spinal correction surgery in Gulou Hospital from June 2017 to November 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether restoring the ideal Roussouly classification after surgery, the patients were divided into R group(recovery group) (n=51) and N group(non-recovery group) (n=21). According to whether mechanical complications occurred after operation within two years, the patients were divided into MC (mechanical complications)group (n=24) and NMC(non-mechanical complications) group (n=48). The RM group (n=14) experienced mechanical complications in the R group, while the RN group (n=37) did not. The NM group (n=10) experienced mechanical complications in the N group, while the NN group (n=11) did not.Radiographic assessment included Sagittal parameters of spine and pelvis, standardized cross-sectional area (SCSA) and fat infiltration rate (FI%) of paraspinal muscle at each lumbar disc level. Results: The age of DS patients in this study was (61.4±6.2) years.The incidence of MC was 33.33%(n=24)in all patients. The incidence of MC was 27.45%(n=14)in group R and 47.62%(n=10) in group N. The correction amount of pelvic tilt angle (PT) (-11.62°±10.06° vs -7.04°±8.45°, P=0.046) and T1 pelvic angle(TPA)(-12.88°±11.23° vs -7.31°±9.55°, P=0.031)during surgery were significantly higher in MC group compared to the NMC group. In group R, the FI% of paraspinal muscles in each lumbar segment of patients with postoperative MC was higher than that in patients without MC (P<0.05). In the R and N groups, there was no significant difference inthe SCSA of the lumbar paravertebral muscles between patients with postoperative MC and those without MC at each level (all P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the average FI% of lumbar PSM was correlated with the occurrence of MC after spinal fusion in DS patients.The average FI% of lumbar PSM≥22.63% was a risk factors for MC after spinal fusion (P=0.010,OR=1.088, 95%CI:1.020-1.160). Conclusions: Female DS patients with higher degree of preoperative paraspinal muscle degeneration have a higher incidence of postoperative mechanical complications. For these patients,.there is still a higher risk of mechanical complications after surgery even if the ideal Roussouly classification is restored after surgery.

An exploration of patient and pharmacist willingness to utilize a food insecurity screening tool in supermarket-based pharmacies

BackgroundFood insecurity (FI) is a disturbance of eating patterns due to lack of resources, preventing consistent access to healthy foods. FI negatively impacts health outcomes and increases care cost. ObjectivesThe primary objective was to (a) explore patient willingness to screen with the 2-question Hunger Vital Sign tool and (b) accept education regarding food assistance programs at their community pharmacy. The secondary objective was to gauge pharmacy personnel’s comfort with utilizing the screener and providing education. Practice descriptionScreenings occurred from February to May 2023 at supermarket-based pharmacies in counties above state average FI prevalence. Practice innovationThis study evaluated responses to a 9-item FI screening questionnaire that was offered to patients presenting to the pharmacy. Personnel offered patients education about resources and documented responses. Pharmacies provided survey responses to detail their experiences. Evaluation methodsThis mixed-methods observational pilot study received approval from Idaho State University’s institutional review board. Objective 1(a) was assessed by recording the number of patients agreeing or declining to participate. Objective 1(b) was evaluated by recording the number of patients who accepted education. The secondary objective was appraised by gathering survey responses from personnel. Results were analyzed with descriptive statistics. ResultsOf patients asked to participate, 163 (73.1%) agreed. Forty-one agreed but did not submit responses. Of patients agreeing, 123 (75.5%) accepted education. Of patients submitting responses, 56 (49.5%) screened as at-risk for FI. Regarding comfort engaging in the innovation, 4 pharmacies (50.0%) reported being comfortable, 3 (37.5%) neither comfortable nor uncomfortable, and 1 (12.5%) uncomfortable. Qualitative information collected from personnel highlighted meaningful interactions and how this will change their approach to pharmacy practice. ConclusionSupermarket-based pharmacists may be able to detect and educate on FI. Patients in the study screened at a higher rate of at-risk for FI than their counties reported. Many patients accepted education regardless of screening results.

Evaluation of transfection with gemini nanoparticles for retinal neuroprotection in a dynamic microfluidic cell culture system

&lt;img src=” https://s3.amazonaws.com/production.scholastica/article/94464/large/prnano_1252024ga.jpg?1709170827”&gt; Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease of the retina and optic nerve with elevated intraocular pressure as one of the main contributing factors. The traditional in vitro methods to evaluate new gene delivery systems for neuroprotective treatments of glaucoma require testing in cell monolayers under static conditions. Therefore, a microfluidic technology that provides a dynamic simulation of cell exposure to nanoparticles (NPs) could be a useful model for rapid screening. In this study, CellASIC ONIX2 microfluidic platform was used to evaluate and optimize culture and transfection conditions to assess cell viability and transfection efficiency (TE) of gemini NPs carrying GFP-encoding plasmid in A7 astrocytes, one of the targeted retinal cells for glaucoma treatment. The average TE (inlet-middle-outlet of culture chambers) by gemini nanoplexes, 18-7NH-18 NPXs and 18-7Np3-18 NPXs was &gt; 85% and &gt; 25%, respectively, after 5 h of perfusion with a combined average FI (caFI) of about 600 and &lt; 100, respectively, whereas TE after Lipofectamine 3000 was &gt; 70% and caFI of &lt; 100. The results have shown that comparatively to 2D monolayers, the microfluidics technique provides better exposure of cells to NPs, suitable for kinetic mapping of gene expression, and a useful tool for cell growth and live evaluation of gene delivery system interaction with cells.

Análise de informações genealógicas de bovinos Gir e Nelore da Costa Rica

ABSTRACT: The objectives were to analyze the genealogical information of Gyr (GY) and Nelore (NL) cattle from Costa Rica. Analyzed: pedigree integrity (GY, 13272; NL, 18153); number of complete, maximum traced and equivalent complete generations; inbreeding (FI); generation interval (GI) through four selection routes; average additive genetic ratio (AGR); effective number of founders (fe); effective number of ancestors (fa); effective population size (Ne). The analysis was performed with the ENDOG software. The maximum proportion of unknown parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents was 18.6%, 39.9%, and 59.3%, respectively. The average FI for NL was 8.87% and 2.85% in GY. The average consanguineous population (%) and FI was 53.9 and 16.5% in NL, 28.9 and 9.9% in GY. The average and maximum values of AGR for NL were 3.5 and 12.8, 1.4 and 5.6 in GY. The fe and fa for NL were 65.0 and 38.0, in GY 145.7 and 59.0. The Ne indicated increases in FI in the range of 1 to 2% in GY, for NL greater than 2%, with a status of care to monitor the evolution of F and AGR and their possible implications in genetic improvement. The GI ranged from 6.3 to 7.9 years with a general average of 6.9 years. These results show a summary of the genetic and reproductive management those breeders have carried out.

Design and Development of Manually Operated Single Row Planter for Groundnut Seeds

India is one among the most important producers of oilseeds within the world and occupies a crucial position within the Indian agricultural economy. Groundnut is also called as wonder nut and cashew nut of poor man. Groundnut is one among the foremost important cash crops of our country. Farm mechanization is an important element of agriculture. Mechanization of groundnut farming is an essential input in modern agriculture. The level of farm mechanization in India stands at about 40-45 per cent with states such as UP, Haryana and Punjab having very high mechanization levels, but north-eastern states having negligible mechanization. This level of farm mechanization is still low as compared to the countries such as the U. S. (95%), Brazil (75% and China (57%). While the level of mechanization lags behind other developed countries, it has seen an average agriculture growth rate of 3.56 per cent through the last decade.A single row planter for groundnut seeds, operated by hand, was designed to enhance planting effi ciency and reduce drudgery involved in manual planting method of groundnut seed. The major components of the planter are seed hopper, seed metering device, jaw clutch, seed delivery tube, furrow opener, furrow covering wheels and drive wheel. The diameter of seed metering device was found as 11.66 cm and number of cells on the periphery of seed metering device was found as 6. The theoretical volume of designed seed hopper was found as 0.024472 m3. The overall dimensions of the designed planter were found as 1474 × 960 × 330 mm. The average speed of operation was found as 2.24 km/h during the fi eld testing. The average theoretical fi eld capacity, eff ective fi eld capacity and fi eld effi ciency was found as 0.101 ha/h, 0.081 ha/h and 81.35 per cent respectively. Average seed rate was found as 65.08 kg/ha during the fi eld testing of developed planter. This planter is considered economical with ease of operation, requiring no special skill to operate and can be adopted by the farmers for the planting of groundnut seed.

Associations Between Habitat Quality and Body Size in the Carpathian-Podolian Land Snail Vestia turgida (Gastropoda, Clausiliidae): Species Distribution Model Selection and Assessment of Performance

Species distribution models (SDMs) are generally thought to be good indicators of habitat suitability, and thus of species’ performance. Consequently SDMs can be validated by checking whether the areas projected to have the greatest habitat quality are occupied by individuals or populations with higher than average fi tness. We hypothesized a positive and statistically signifi cant relationship between observed in the fi eld body size of the snail V. turgida (Rossmässler, 1836) and modelled habitat suitability, tested this relationship with linear mixed models, and found that indeed, larger individuals tend to occupy high-quality areas, as predicted by the SDMs. However, by testing several SDM algorithms, we found varied levels of performance in terms of expounding this relationship. Marginal R2 expressing the variance explained by the fi xed terms in the regression models, was adopted as a measure of functional accuracy, and used to rank the SDMs accordingly. In this respect, the Bayesian additive regression trees (BART) algorithm gave the best result, despite the low AUC and TSS. By restricting our analysis to the BART algorithm only, a variety of sets of environmental variables commonly or less used in the construction of SDMs were explored and tested according to their functional accuracy. In this respect, the SDM produced using the ENVIREM data set gave the best result.

Optical properties of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) levels in constructed water treatment wetland systems in southern California, USA

Many removal mechanisms in treatment wetlands involve absorption to organic matter. Optical properties and DOC levels of waters entering and exiting 4 treatment wetland systems in Orange County, Southern California, were measured to characterize the dissolved organic matter pool. Average DOC levels decreased between the inlets and outlets, except for Forge Street (FS), which increased. For 3 wetlands, absorption coefficients decreased between inlet and outlet; the exception was FS, which increased. Average spectral slopes for the inlets and outlets were similar. Average intensities of terrestrial humic peaks A and C from 3D EEM fluorescence spectra decreased between the inlets and outlets for most wetlands. No EEM protein peaks were observed. Average flu/abs ratios for inlets and outlets were similar (high point for FS inlet excluded), suggesting chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) of a similar composition was present. The average FI value for the inlets and outlets was ∼1.5, consistent with terrestrial sources of CDOM. Average BIX values for the inlets and outlets were ∼0.8, suggesting limited contributions from autochthonous production of CDOM. Dominant plant species in the wetlands were cattail and bulrush. Humic peaks A and C, along with protein peaks, were observed in plant leachates. Protein peaks rapidly degraded with solar simulator irradiation. Results indicate that most of the wetlands are a net sink for CDOM, possibly due to absorption to sediments. The FS wetland appears to have a source of non-CDOM optically active organic carbon, possibly from a pollutant.

INFLUENCE OF NATURAL CAROTENOIDS SUPPLEMENTATION IN DIET ON EGG YOLK COLOR AND SOME PRODUCTIVE PARAMETERS OF LOCAL HEN LAYERS

The present study was conducted to study the effect of adding different levels of lutein powder pure (LP),dried tomato pulp (DTP) and dried sweet red pepper powder (DSRP) (as natural colour additives) on some productive, egg quality parameters and economical efficiency of Silver Montazah (SM) local hen layers from the beginning of 40 to 48 weeks of birds age. A 2x3x3 factorial arrangement design was used in this experiment including two levels supplementation of LP (0 and 30 mg/kg diet), three levels of DTP (0, 15 and 30 g/kg diet), and three levels of DSRP (0, 2 and 4 g/kg diet) .A total number of 162 laying hens of Silver Montazah (SM) local strain were used in this experiment. All selected birds were randomly distributed into 18 treatments equal in number (9hens / each treatment). Laying hens of each treatment were nearly of an equal average body weight and similar average daily egg production .All birds of the experimental treatments were individually housed in wire-caged batteries and kept under the same managerial, hygienic and environmental conditions. Results obtained at the end of the experiment showed that the average live body weight of layers at the end of the experimental period was significantly (P≤0.05) affected by dietary LP levels, whereas, dietary DTP, DSRP levels had no significant effect on average live body weight of hens. The heavier live body weight was attained by layers fed 0 mg / kg diet LP and layers fed 30 g / kg diet DTP recorded the average higher LBW. While, layers fed the 0 g / kg diet DSRP showed the higher average LBW. Dietary LP and DTP levels had significant (P≤0.01) effect on average daily feed intake of layers. However, the higher average of daily feed intake was recorded by hens fed dietary 0 mg/ kg diet LP, 0 g/ kg diet DTP level and 2 g / kg diet DSRP levels. Dried sweet red pepper levels had no significant effect on average daily FI of layers during most of experimental periods. The higher average daily FI was shown by layers fed 2 g / kg diet DSRP level. No significant differences were found in average feed conversion of layers attributed to the dietary DTP and DSRP levels. However, the best average FCR values (3.37g feed/g egg mass) was recorded by layers fed the diet contained 0 mg/kg diet lutein powder level. Dietary LP and DTP levels had significant (P≤0.01) effects on average egg production (EP) rate, egg weight and egg mass of layers at the end of the experimental period. While, dietary DSRP levels had no significant effect on averages of egg production rate and egg mass of layers at the end of the experimental period (40-48 weeks of age). The higher averages of egg production rate and egg mass were recorded by layers fed the diet of 0 mg/kg diet LP, 30 g/kg diet DTP and 2 g/kg diet DSRP levels, while, the higher average of egg weight was recorded by hens fed the dietary 0 mg/kg diet LP, 30 g/kg diet DTP and 0 g/kg diet DSRP levels . Dietary supplementation of LP, DTP and DSRP showed significant (P≤0.01) effect on Roche yolk color fan score at all the different experimental periods. Roche yolk color fan score increased with increasing the rate of LP, DTP and DSRP levels in the diet of laying hens. Diets contained 0 mg LP /kg diet, 0 g DTP /kg diet and 4 g DSRP /kg diet levels recorded the higher (best) relative economical efficiency percentage for egg production.

HUBUNGAN ASUPAN KARBOHIDRAT DAN STATUS GIZI DENGAN TINGKAT KEBUGARAN JASMANI PADA ATLET BASKET REMAJA SISWA SEKOLAH MENENGAH PERTAMA

Good physical fi tness in athletes is essential in order to reach maximum performance during the game. Factors which affect the physical fi tness are nutrition intake, nutritional status dan age. The role of carbohydrates in sports is very important to spare muscle glycogen during exercise. This study purpose was to analyze the correlation between carbohydrate intake, nutritional status and physical fi tness in adolescent athletes of junior high school. This study used a cross-sectional study design. Total subjects in this study using a total population of about 37 people who are members of basketball team in junior high school 2 Ngamprah West Bandung District. Data of Carbohydrate intake was obtained through semi quantitative food frequency questionnaire method. Nutritional status was obtained by measuring body weight using digital bathroom scales and measuring height using microtoise tools. The average intake of carbohydrates was 375.4 grams which was 29.7% have a less carbohydrate intake and 70.3% have a adequate carbohydrate intake, average BMI for age z-score was -0.166 SD as much as 2.7% have a very thin nutritional status, 5.4% have a thin nutritional status, 70.3% have a normal nutritional status, 13.5% overweight and 8.1% obese. The average fi tness score was 14.9 (range 5-20) that means average they have a good physical fi tness which was as much as 13.5% have a lack physical fi tness and 86.5% have a good physical fi tness. Results revealed that there is correlation between carbohydrate intake and physical fi tness (p=0.025 and r= -0.367), nutritional status and physical fi tness (p =0.038 and r = 0.342). The conclusion of this study is carbohydrate intake and nutritional status related to the physical fi tness of adolescence basketballs athletes. Adolescent basketball athletes are advised to provide carbohydrate intake and maintain their nutritional status in the normal category in order to have good physical fi tness.

The effect of neurotransplantation of various allogeneic tissue types to motor function restore after experimental spinal cord injury

Objective. To examine the effect of different tissue type of neurotransplantation on the locomotor function restoration after experimental spinal cord injury. Materials and methods. Animals: inbred albino male rats ( 5.5 months, 300 g ); experimental groups: 1 — spinal cord injury + immediate homotopical transplantation of olfactory bulb tissue (TOBT, n=34), 2 — spinal cord injury + analogous transplantation of fetal (E18) cerebellum tissue (TFСT, n=15), 3 — spinal cord injury + analogous transplantation of fetal (E18) kidney tissue (TFKT, n=8 ), 4 — spinal cord injury only in similar (control–1, n=16) and different (control–2, n=40) experimental seasons. Model of injury — left-side spinal cord hemisection at Т XI level; monitoring the ipsilateral hindlimb function indicator (IHL FI) — the Вasso–Вeattie–Вresnahan scale (BBB). Results. The predominance (p> 0.05) of the IHL FI after approved types of neurotransplantation has been noted when comparing with the control group–1 — at the 1 st –5 th week (ТОBT), 1 st –2 nd and 6 th –7 th week (TFСT), and at the end of the 8 th week (TFKT); when comparing with the control group–2 — at the 1 st –3 rd (ТОBT) and 1 st (TFСT) week of the experiment. The maximum value of the IHL FI has been observed at the 2 nd (ТОBT, 3,7±0,5 points ВВВ), 1 st , 6 th –7 th (TFСT, 3,6±0,8 points ВВВ), 12 th and 20 th (TFKT, 3,6±1,2 points ВВВ) weeks, minimum value of the IHL FI — at the 24 th (ТОBT, 2,4±0,6 points ВВВ), 3 rd (TFСT, 3,0±0,9 points ВВВ) and 1 st (TFKT, 1,9±1,1 points ВВВ) week of the experiment. Average IHL FI values of the three experimental groups at the 24 th week of the experiment have been amounted to 2,4–3,3 points BBB and comprised in a range of control groups final mean values (1,6–3,4 балла ВВВ). Significant differences between the IHL FI values of the groups ТОBT, TFСT and TFKT have not been observed during the experiment. In the case of TOBT significant changes of IHL FI have been noted during the 2 nd (increase), 6 th –7 th and 16 th –24 th week (reduced to a level below the 1 st week); in the case of TFKT — at the 1 st –3 rd week (increase); in the case of TFСT no significant changes have been identified. A common feature of the dynamics of the three experimental groups is prevalence of IHL FI values over the control during the first few weeks and lack of progression during further period of observation, that can be interpreted in a view of angiogenic, neurotropic, proinflammatory and mediator effects of the grafts. Conclusion. Approved types of neurotransplantation provide a temporary effect, continuing during the first month of the traumatic process; the study of the pathophysiological mechanisms of this effect can significantly improve understanding of tissue processes after multicomponent neuroengineering interventions.

Identifying the limitations for growth in low performing piglets from birth until 10 weeks of age

The evolution of hyper-prolific pig breeds has led to a higher within-litter variation in birth weight and in BW gain during the nursery phase. Based on an algorithm developed in previous research, two populations from a pool of 368 clinically healthy piglets at 6 weeks of age were selected: a low (LP) and a high (HP) performing population and their development was monitored until the end of the nursery phase (10 weeks of age). To understand the cause of the variation in growth between these populations we characterized the LP and HP piglets in terms of body morphology, behaviour, voluntary feed intake, BW gain, and apparent total tract and ileal nutrient digestibility. Piglets were housed individually and were fed a highly digestible diet. At selection, 6 weeks of age, the BW of LP and HP piglets were 6.8±0.1 and 12.2±0.1 kg, respectively. Compared with the LP piglets the HP piglets grew faster (203 g/day), ate more (275 g/day) from 6 to 10 weeks of age and were heavier at 10 weeks (30.0 v. 18.8 kg, all P<0.01). Yet, the differences in average daily gain and average daily feed intake disappeared when compared per kg BW0.75. Assuming similar maintenance requirements per kg BW0.75 the efficiency of feed utilization above maintenance was 0.1 g/g lower for the LP piglets (P=0.09).The gain : feed ratio was similar for both groups. LP piglets tended to take more time to touch a novel object (P=0.10), and spent more time eating (P<0.05). At 10 weeks, LP piglets had a higher body length and head circumference relative to BW (P<0.01). Relative to BW, LP had a 21% higher small intestine weight; 36% longer length, and relative to average FI, the small intestinal weight was 4 g/kg higher (both P=<0.01). Apparent total tract and ileal dry matter, N and gross energy digestibility were similar between groups (P>0.10). We concluded that the low performance of the LP piglets was due to their inability to engage compensatory gain or compensatory feed intake as efficiency of nutrient utilization and feed intake per kg BW0.75 was unaffected. LP piglets tend to be more fearful towards novel objects. The morphological comparisons, increased body length and head circumference relative to BW imply that LP piglets have an increased priority for skeletal growth.

Effect of the Dietary By-Product Camelina Meal on Performances and Carcass Quality of TOPIGS Pigs

Camelina meal (CM) is a new and valuable by-product for finishing pigs . The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of repl acing sunflower meal (SM) with a C18:3-n3-rich by- product, CM on the performances (body weight, BW; feed intake, FI; average daily gain, ADG, feed efficiency, FE), carcass quality (fat thickness, FT ; eye muscle area, EMA; lean meat proportion in carcass (LMP, on live and slaughter animals) and cl asses of quality (CC) in fattening TOPIGS pigs. The fattening TOPIGS pigs (N=22; 68.45 kg ± 3.83, average weight) were assigned into 2 groups (C and E1). Group C received a compound feed with 12% sunflower meal, group E1 received the same compound feed but the sunflower meal was replaced by 12% CM, during 33 days. Fat thickness, EMA and LMP were assess on live animals using ultrasoni c equipment PIGLOG 105. Animal performances such as: final average body weight (C-98.00 kg; E1- 95.10 kg), FI (C-3.31 kg/day; E1-3.03 kg/day), ADG (C-0.866 kg/day; E1-0.836 kg/day) and FE (C-3.82 kg/kg; E1-3.62 kg/kg) weren't significantly affected (P>0.05) by CM. Fat thickness decreased (- 23%, P 0.05; + 6%, P<0.05) in the E1 group comparing to C group. Both trial groups were included in E classes according to EUROP system. In the pres ent research work, we demonstrated that feeding finishing pigs with CM improved their quality carca ss with possible benefits for human nutrition. To obtain more favorable results concerning bio-produc tive performances lower levels of CM inclusion are recommended.

Convective Drying of Beech Lumber without Color Changes of Wood

This paper presents the results of analyzing the infl uence of suggested regimes of chamber drying of beech lumber with the thickness h = 40 mm, h = 60 mm and h = 80 mm from the initial moisture content W p = 70 % to the fi nal moisture content W k = 8 %. The regimes ensure the preservation of the natural color of the wood. The study results show that the drying of beech lumber according to the suggested regimes causes no changes in the chromophoric compounds of the wood and the beech lumber preserves its original white-yellow color. Quality parameters of the dried lumber, such as: difference between the average fi nal moisture content and the required fi nal moisture content, and the range of the fi nal moisture and moisture gradient in dried beech lumber, classify this dried lumber into the fi rst quality class. The suggested regimes for drying beech lumber using hot air in the temperature range t s = 37 ÷ 65 °C has a negative impact on the duration of the drying process. In comparison with the regimes of beech lumber drying according to ON 49 0651, carried out at temperatures t = 60 ÷ 80 °C, the duration of drying beech lumber with the thickness h = 40 mm according to the suggested regime is 1.9 times longer, the duration of drying beech lumber with the thickness h = 60 mm is 2.3 times longer and the duration of drying beech lumber with the thickness h = 80 mm is 2.9 times longer. The specifi c heat energy consumption of beech lumber with the initial moisture content W p = 70 % to the fi nal moisture content W k = 8 % in a chamber type KWC 121, according to the suggested regimes, is equals to Q TZN = 514.46 kWh⋅m -3 for the thickness h = 40 mm, Q TZN = 557.62 kWh⋅m -3 for lumber with the thickness h = 60 mm, and Q TZN = 643.16 kWh⋅m -3 for lumber with the thickness h = 80 mm. The specifi c heat energy consumption needed for the drying of 1 m 3 of beech lumber with the thickness h = 60 mm according to the suggested regime is by 26.89% higher than the specifi c heat energy consumption used to dry beech lumber of the same thickness according to the regime of beech lumber drying by Vzduchotechnika a.s. which does not preserve the natural color of the wood.

Effects of Ontogeny, Ethnicity, Gender and Loss of Companion Cells on Ex-Vivo Expansion of Erythroid Cells for Transfusion

Abstract 1261The observation that CD34pos and mononuclear cells (MNC) from cord (CB) and adult (AB) blood generate great numbers of erythroid cells (EBs) in human erythroid massive amplification (HEMA) cultures (cultures stimulated with human SCF, IL-3, erythropoietin, dexamethasone and estradiol) led to the hypothesis that EBs generated ex-vivo from currently discarded stem cell sources (low volume CB and MNC from leukoreduced AB) may serve as transfusion products. Studies on ex-vivo EB expansion performed primarily with cells from de-identified Caucasian donors have demonstrated donor variability on the number of EBs generated. Alloimmunized patients of African descendent often require antigen-matched transfusion products which can only be found among ethnically-matched donors. The aim of this study was to determine how the variability in ex-vivo EB expansion under HEMA conditions is affected by ontogeny, ethnicity, gender and loss of companion cells during preparation procedures. Effect of ontogeny and ethnicity:EBs expansions in 3 replicate cultures from the same AB (3 donors) differed only by 10%. By contrast, average day 14 FI in HEMAser cultures from 27 AB (26 Caucasians and 1 African-american) and 7 CB (all Caucasians) varied widely. By day 15, FI ranged from 1.7–30 for AB (FI=30 for the African-american AB) and 7.5–337 for CB. The average FI observed with CB was greater than that observed with AB (51±63 vs 12±10, p<0.05) in spite of similar colony forming cell (CFC) content [123±82 (n=5) vs 73±28 (n=18) CFC/105 MNC). Effect of gender:AB MNC from females (n=3) contained lower numbers of CFC than those from males (n=3)(79±35 vs 164±36 total CFC/105 MNC, p<0.05). However, day 15 FI observed in the corresponding HEMAser (11±3 vs 11±7) and HEMAdef (media formulated with human components, 80±20 vs 82±10) cultures were similar. The FI observed with AB under HEMAdef conditions are not statistically different from those obtained from CB. Effect of loss of companion cells:Both AB and CB MNC generate ∼10-times more EBs than CD34pos cells. This effect may be ascribed either to loss of CD34neg erythroid precursors (van den Akker et al. Haematologica, 95:1594, 2010) and/or to the fact that current purification procedures recover only 30–50% of the total number of CD34pos cells present in MNC. To clarify the effect of loss of companion cells (CD34pos and/or CD34neg) on EB expansion, the frequency and EB expansion potential of cells sorted according to the CD34/CD36 profile from AB and CB were compared. Total MNC were cultured in parallel as control. In AB, 3 populations (A, CD34posCD36neg, 0.1±0.05%; B, CD34posCD36pos, barely detectable-0.1% and C, CD34negCD36low, 2±0.8%) with EBs expansion potential were identified. Populations A, B and C generated EBs with day 15 FI of ∼9,500, 113 and 60, respectively which matured (>10% CD235ahigh) by day 8, 7 and <7. The frequency of B and C cells transiently increased (up to 0.3–0.9%) during the first 6 days of HEMAser culture of population A. These results suggest that population A, B and C are linked in a mother-daughter relationship and that transition from A to C involves major losses in expansion potential. Due to this loss of expansion potential, the contribution of CD34neg cells to the total number of EBs generated from AB MNC is negligible. Calculations of the total EB numbers generated from an entire AB unit and from individual purified fractions indicated that AB MNC generated more EBs than the purified fractions in combination (total EBs numbers=2.7×109 vs 7×108). Therefore, for AB, loss of CD34pos cells, rather than of CD34neg precursors, is the main reason for the lower numbers of EBs generated by CD34pos cells than MNC. Population A (1.3±0.9%), B (0.4±0.3%) and C (6.8±4.8%) were also recognized in CB but they generated similar numbers of EBs (day 16 FI ∼600 in all cases). Since in CB, transition from population A-B and C was not associated with restriction in proliferation potential, the greater numbers of EBs generated by MNC than by CD34pos cells are due both to loss of CD34neg (CD36low) precursors and of CD34pos cells during purification.These studies indicate that, in spite of individual variability in EBs expansion, cell losses during sample processing and media used for expansion have greater impact on the number of EBs expanded ex-vivo than demographic properties (ontogeny, ethnicity and/or gender) of the donor. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

ECG Signal Pretreatment and ECG Analysis

本文介绍了在一种便携式心电监护仪器中是如何对心电数据进行预处理和智能分析的.为了适应便携式仪器的特征,我们在心电信号预处理中采用了FFT滤波和滑动平均滤波的方法去除各种干扰并使图像得以平滑,同时采用了差分阈值法提取特征点.考虑到监护仪器的实用性,在心电信号分析阶段,我们采用了分析特征间期异常情况的方法来替代对病症的智能诊断功能。

Trend changes in use and current intakes of tropical oils in the United States

To evaluate the need for and potential public health impact of selective labeling of foods containing tropical oils (TOs), we examined trend changes in use of TOs in the United States from 1963 to 1985 and estimated current intakes of total fat (FI) and saturated fatty acids (SFAI) attributable to TOs. Although world production of TO has increased rapidly since 1970, use in the United States has not followed the world trend. A large portion of TOs in the United States was used in nonfood products. Estimates of current intake of TOs by selected US population groups revealed only minor contribution of TOs to the daily FI and SFAI in the United States. In 1985 the most reasonable estimate of the average FI from all three TOs represented less than 4% of total daily FI or less than 2% of daily energy intake. Three TOs combined contributed less than or equal to 8% to the daily SFAI of the three sex and/or age groups examined.

1.25 /spl mu/m Deep-Groove-Isolated Self-Aligned Bipolar Circuits

This paper concerns the design and characteristics of the high-performance bipolar switching devices and circuits for digital applications at lithographic dimensions of about 1 /spl mu/m. The impurity profile of the transistors is optimized for speed while maintaining sufficient current gain and punchthrough voltage. The circuits were fabricated on epitaxial wafers of a 0.5 /spl mu/m flat zone in an advanced bipolar technology featuring self-aligned polysilicon base and emitter contacts, deep-groove device isolation, and electron beam lithography. The experimental results show that n-p-n transistors exhibit a current gain greater than 40 at current densities as high as 1.3 mA//spl mu/m/sup 2/. As a result of reduced line width and polysilicon contacts, the current gain of Iateral epi-base p-n-p transistors is greater than 20 at low-current levels and remains greater than 1 at a current density as high as 0.12 mA//spl mu/m emitter edge. ECL (FI = FO = 1) circuits show a gate delay as low as 114 pS at a power dissipation of 4.9 mW. High-density I/sup 2/L/MTL circuits (average FI = 2, FO = 2.5, C/sub w/ = 90 fF) show delay of 0.91 ns at 0.17 mW. These results demonstrate that the present bipolar technology provides not only high-speed circuits, but also circuits for VLSI applications with density comparable to MOSFET.