Variability In Composition Research Articles

The Healthspan Project: A Retrospective Pilot of Biomarkers and Biometric Outcomes after a 6-Month Multi-Modal Wellness Intervention.

Wellness-centric proactive healthcare is increasingly sought after, with individuals frequently embracing complementary modalities to achieve this goal. In this six-month study, healthy adult participants (n = 25) received specific therapies, including whole-body cryotherapy, infrared sauna, and photobiomodulation, along with guidance on physical activity, diet, and alcohol intake. Serum biomarkers were measured for all participants, while a subset also received biometric assessments for body composition (n = 10) and heart rate variability (n = 7). Over the course of the study (mean (SD) follow-up days = 174 (130)), participants exhibited significant improvements in health. LDL cholesterol (-9.77 (15.43) md/dL) and hsCRP (-1.75 (2.66) mg/L) decreased significantly (p < 0.05). HbA1c increased slightly (p < 0.05), but the effect size was small (0.12 (0.13)%). The body composition subset lost overall body weight (-3.29 (3.75) kg), primarily body fat, while preserving lean muscle mass (p < 0.05). Heart rate variability increased for those with existing cardiovascular risk factors (p < 0.05). In conclusion, participation in the multimodal Healthspan protocol is associated with substantial improvements in health-related biomarkers and biometrics.

Neodymium isotope composition and rare earth element distribution of East Antarctic continental shelf and deep waters

Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) and Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) play key roles in the Earth's climate system. Both water masses form critical components of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and Meridional Overturning Circulation and therefore directly influence the large-scale redistribution of heat, nutrients and carbon. Reconstruction of past CDW transport and AABW production and export has been a key target in palaeoceanography. One promising proxy to achieve this has been the neodymium (Nd) isotope composition of seawater. The biogeochemical processes controlling Nd in the ocean, however, remain underconstrained, and modern observations of Nd isotopes in the Southern Ocean are still geographically limited.To overcome this limitation, 61 seawater samples were collected for Nd isotope and rare earth element (REE) analysis at nine stations along the Wilkes Land continental margin and in the Australian-Antarctic Basin (65°S 125°E) near East Antarctica. The results show that the different water masses have the following Nd isotope characteristics: Antarctic Surface Water (AASW), εNd = −9.0 ± 1.0 (2SD; n = 22); Modified CDW (MCDW), εNd = −8.8 ± 0.8 (2SD; n = 22); AABW, εNd = −8.3 ± 0.5 (2SD; n = 17).There is no evidence of continental REE inputs to surface waters on the Wilkes Land margin. Observed zonal variability of Nd isotope composition in AASW can be attributed to seasonal competition between the poleward flow of warm AASW from the AAG and the westward export of cold surface shelf waters by the Antarctic Slope Current.In terms of deep and bottom waters, mixing of upwelled CDW with AASW and AABW exclusively controls the Nd isotope composition of MCDW, with no indication of boundary processes modifying the Nd isotope composition of MCDW as it encroaches the shelf or slope. The regional Nd isotope signature for AABW is intermediate between published data for the Atlantic sector AABW (εNd = −9.1 ± 0.7) and Pacific sector AABW (εNd = −7.4 ± 0.9). In the absence of active convection, this Nd isotope signature can be explained by a mixture of advected AABW from the Adélie Land coast with a more dominant component of local MCDW and CDW.The data presented in this study constitute the first Nd isotope data set in this part of the Southern Ocean and suggest conservative behaviour of Nd in proximity to the old East Antarctic continent.

Theoretical and Experimental Determinations of the Hydrophilic–Lipophilic Balance (HLB) of Representative Oils and Lecithins

The hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) is a valuable parameter used to determine the relative hydrophobicity of a compound based on its chemical structure. This semi-empirical parameter has been instrumental in formulating oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions using well-characterized ingredients with known HLB values. However, recent trends toward the use of minimally processed “virgin” oils of therapeutic or nutritional value may render the reported “required HLB” values inaccurate. Minimally processed oils can contain numerous compounds at varying or unknown concentrations, rendering the HLB value incalculable. Factors such as regional source, growing season, and processing method contribute to the variability in oil composition. Furthermore, the solubilization of lipophilic bioactives in oils can significantly alter the HLB of the oil phase in a concentration-dependent manner. This complicates the formulation of emulsions, as the HLB values of both the oil phase and emulsifiers must be closely matched to achieve stable formulations. This study presents a simple and efficient experimental method to determine an HLB value of a complex ingredient without resorting to lengthy Design-of-Experiment (DoE) matrices and trial-and-error approaches. The optimal HLB of a formulation can be determined from a series of experiments in which two well-characterized surfactants of known HLB values are mixed at varying proportions with an unknown oil phase, where the HLB of the oil is considered to match the HLB value of the surfactants combined at the proportion at which nanoemulsions with the smallest, most stable oil droplets are formed. Similarly, when the HLB values of the oil phase and other contributing components are precisely known, the unknown HLB of a complex natural surfactant can be calculated. These calculations assist in formulating emulsions efficiently and effectively by ensuring optimal compatibility among all the components.

Body Composition and Anthropometric Measurements in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case-Control Study in Lebanon.

The occurrence of overweight and obesity among individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has become a worldwide epidemic. However, there is limited research on this topic in the Lebanese population. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the differences in anthropometric measurements and body composition variables among Lebanese children, pre-adolescents, and adolescents diagnosed with ASD in contrast to typically developing peers across various developmental stages. Additionally, it aimed to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity within this population. A total of 86 participants with ASD and 86 controls were involved in this case-control study, conducted between June 2022 and June 2023. Anthropometric measurements and body composition variables were assessed, followed by statistical analyses to examine the differences between these two groups. The results revealed a significantly higher prevalence of overweight and obesity among individuals with ASD, particularly evident during childhood and pre-adolescence. Additionally, this group exhibited a higher body fat mass and total body fat percentage compared to controls. However, there were no significant differences observed between the two groups during adolescence. These findings emphasize the significance of monitoring and addressing weight status in individuals with ASD to improve their overall health outcomes. Future research directions could focus on investigating the underlying mechanisms contributing to the heightened prevalence of overweight and obesity in this population, ultimately enhancing their quality of life and well-being.

Menopausal transition alters female skeletal muscle transcriptome

Abstract Objectives Although skeletal muscle is a target of hormonal regulation, the muscle transcriptome, including messenger-RNA (mRNA), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and microRNAs (miRNAs) has not previously been studied across the menopausal transition. Thus, we took a multi-RNA-omics approach to get insight into transcriptome-wide events of menopause. Methods We included baseline and follow-up muscle samples from seven early (EarlyMT) and 17 late perimenopausal (LateMT) women transitioning to early postmenopause during the study. Total RNA was sequenced and differential expression (DE) of the transcriptome was investigated. Gene functions were investigated with pathway analyses and protein level expression with Western Blot. Results We found 30 DE mRNA genes in EarlyMT and 19 in LateMT participating in pathways controlling cell death, growth, and interactions with the external environment. Lack of protein level changes may indicate a specific role of the regulatory RNAs during menopause. 10 DE lncRNA transcripts but no DE lncRNA genes were identified. No DE miRNAs were found. We identified putative regulatory networks likely to be affected by estradiol availability. Changes in gene expression were correlated with changes in body composition variables, indicating that muscularity and adiposity regulators are affected by menopausal transition. We also found correlations between gene expression and physical activity levels. Conclusions The observed DE genes and their regulatory networks offer novel mechanistic insights into factors affecting body composition during and after menopause. Our results imply that physiological deteriorations orchestrated by the muscle transcriptome likely depend on the magnitude of hormonal change and are influenced by physical activity.

Burial and thermal history modeling of basins in convergent oblique-slip mobile zones: A case study of the Ardmore Basin, southern Oklahoma

The burial and thermal history of sedimentary basins within oblique-slip mobile zones are unique and multifaceted, with irregular periods of subsidence that are closely related to compressional and shear stress. Modern basin modeling techniques can constrain the timing of tectonic events and thermal history as well as determine rates and magnitudes of basin subsidence, which in turn, helps guide exploration for hydrocarbons. The work presented here is the first modern basin modeling effort in the Ardmore Basin in southern Oklahoma. The study uses 12 one-dimensional burial history models to evaluate the thermal maturity of the Late Devonian (Famennian)–Early Mississippian (Tournaisian) Woodford Shale and the Early–Late Mississippian (Tournaisian–Serpukhovian) Caney Shale hydrocarbon source rocks. All models display a similar tectonic evolution with subsidence during and following Cambrian Iapetan rifting, tectonic stability during a Silurian–Late Mississippian passive margin phase, Pennsylvanian synorogenic subsidence, Permian post-orogenic subsidence, Late Permian–Early Cretaceous regional uplift and unroofing, and Early Cretaceous–Paleogene subsidence of the Gulf of Mexico Basin. Episodic Pennsylvanian subsidence appears to have been synchronous with sequential uplift of the Wichita Uplift and the Arbuckle Uplift in response to major left-lateral transpression. Rapid and high magnitude Late Mississippian–Permian subsidence (>250 m/m.y.; 820 ft/m.y. in basin synclines) suggests the Ardmore Basin functioned episodically as an elevator basin, which is typical of sedimentary basins in oblique-slip mobile zones. The Devonian–Mississippian shale section has a broad range of thermal maturity (vitrinite reflectance, 0.40–2.00% Ro), which is strongly dependent on structural position. Isoreflectance lines are subhorizontal and cross-cut structure, indicating post-kinematic thermal maturation in which strata are thermally immature in uplifts and thermally overmature in the deepest synclines. The post-kinematic pattern is a product of a rapid, early phase of synkinematic thermal maturation that has been obscured by a prolonged period of post-kinematic thermal maturation. Variations in basal heat flow, structural history, and general variability of hydrocarbon source rock organic composition, particularly at low thermal maturity levels, have resulted in a modest degree of scatter in the vitrinite reflectance-depth data.

Low-carbon embodied alkali-activated materials for sustainable construction: A comparative study of single and ensemble learners

Abstract Popular and eco-friendly alkali-activated materials (AAMs) replace Portland cement concrete. Due to the considerable compositional variability of AAMs and the inability of established materials science methods to understand composition–performance relationships, accurate property forecasts have proved impossible. This study set out to develop AAM compressive strength (CS) evaluation machine learning (ML) models using techniques including extreme gradient boosting (XGB), bagging regressor (BR), and multi-layer perceptron neural network (MLPNN). Ten input variables were used with a large dataset of 676 points. Statistical and K-fold studies were also used to evaluate the developed models’ correctness. XGB predicted the CS of AAM the best, followed by BR and MLPNN. The MLPNN and BR models had R 2 values of 0.80 and 0.90, respectively, whereas the XGB model had 0.94. Results from statistical analyses and k-fold cross-validation of the used ML models further attest to their validity. The built models can potentially compute the CS of AAMs for a variety of input parameter values, reducing the requirement for costly and time-consuming laboratory testing. Researchers and businesses may find this study useful in determining the necessary quantities of AAMs’ raw components.

Patterns of variability of species composition of catches from the russian fishing vessels in the south-eastern Pacific ocean for 2015–2022

The work provides information on the patterns of species composition of catches from the Russian fishing vessels conducted fishing of jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi Nichols 1920), chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus Houttuyn 1782) and redbait (Emmelichthys spp.) in the South-Eastern Pacific Ocean outside the economic zones of the coastal States. According to scientific observations, an analysis of the composition of species caught by the Russian fishing vessels is given. When fishing in the pelagic zone over ocean depths, jack mackerel was the main target species, chub mackerel formed the bycatch. At the same time, the proportion of chub mackerel in catches in the northern parts was higher than in the southern ones. When fishing on seamounts of the Nazca Ridge, catches were dominated by redbait with jack mackerel and alfonsino (Beryx splendens Lowe, 1834) as bycatch. According to the similarity of the species composition of catches, three areas – 1) all the Southern and Central subareas and part of the Northern subarea; 2) seamounts of Nazca ridge; 3) part of the Northern subarea near the border of the EEZ of Peru between 17–20°S, were singled out using the cluster analysis method.

Sorghum protein ingredients: Production, compositional variability and enhancement of aqueous dispersibility through homogenization

Sorghum protein ingredients show promising applications, given that sorghum is a resilient grain with high protein content and bioactive components, such as tannins, in certain genotypes. This study aimed to investigate the production and characterization of sorghum protein ingredients extracted from both tannin-free and tannin-rich cultivars, along with an examination of their behavior in aqueous suspensions. The use of high-pressure homogenization to improve ingredient dispersibility was also assessed. Protein extracts exhibited protein contents ranging from 50 to 67 g/100 g (wet basis), with the highest values obtained in tannin-free samples. Total lipid contents were between 18 and 26 g/100 g (wet basis), with a high contribution of free fatty acids (68–76 g/100 g lipids), and tocopherol contents ranged from 1080 to 2039 µg/g total lipids. This is substantially higher than the lipid content in flours, implying an accumulation of lipids during the protein extraction process. While the dispersibility of the protein extracts in aqueous media was initially limited, high-pressure homogenization proved effective in reducing the average size of the particles in suspension, from 9–66 µm to 1.8–2.5 µm. This processing step significantly enhanced protein dispersibility by up to 288 %, especially for the tannin-rich samples.

A method for determining the recycling value of unprocessed municipal solid waste in one cubic meter waste composition analysis technique

The transition from conventional landfill-centric waste management to resource-centric methodologies necessitates an enhanced comprehension of municipal solid waste (MSW) composition and its inherent value. Existing methodologies documented in the literature exhibit a lack of standardization, impending the formulation of a systematic engineering approach for MSW characterization and valuation. This study introduces a methodology specifically tailored to discern the composition of waste origination from urban households and evaluate its recyclability within the confines of a circular economy framework, Employing a volume-based measurement approach, aims to estimate the recycling value of waste materials. The study's outcomes contribute significantly to quantifying the potential recycling value that accrues to society. Furthermore, the validation of the proposed protocol elucidates the dynamic nature of recyclable value as it traverses the intricate pathways of the waste supply chain. This insight facilitates the formulation of commercial models grounded in circular economy principles for the effective management of household solid waste. Empirical findings reveal that the total recycling value fluctuates within the range of USD 3.39 and USD 5.76 per cubic meter of waste volume, contingent upon the specific waste composition at the experiment site. Additionally, the proposed methodology uncovers the nuanced variability in MSW composition and recycling value across diverse household collection patterns, identifying mixed plastic, paper, cardboard, mixed MSW, and clothing as primary constituents. The application of this methodology extends beyond mere quantification, providing a foundational framework for simulating the latent recycling value embedded within MSW samples. This, in turn, offers invaluable support to strategy developers, policymakers, and entrepreneurial ventures engaged in the sustainable management of household solid waste. In essence, this study establishes the groundwork for a comprehensive understanding of MSW composition and its recyclability, facilitating informed decision-making in the pursuit of a circular economy.•Novel methodology based on one cubic meter (1m3) composition analysis of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW).•A new method to evaluate the recycling value of Municipal Solid Waste.•A basis for business model development for the waste-to-resource conversion model.

Effect of exercise-induced body fluid redistribution on body composition in males using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry

ABSTRACT We studied the effect of exercise-induced body fluid redistribution on dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) body composition scores. Thirty males completed 30-min of upper-body exercise (UBE), lower-body exercise, and seated non-exercise control (NEC). ANOVA determined interactions between experimental conditions and measurements on body composition variables. For UBE, mean pre to post differences were found on tissue fat (M = 0.35 ± 0.12%; CI95%diff = 0.10 to 0.59%; p = 0.007), region fat (M = 0.32 ± 0.11%; CI95%diff = 0.09 to 0.55%; p = 0.008), lean mass (M = 0.27 ± 0.01 kg; CI95%diff = 0.18 to 0.37 kg; p ≤ 0.0001), and total mass (M = 0.27 ± 0.05 kg; CI95%diff = 0.17 to 0.36 kg; p ≤ 0.0001). Mean tissue pre to post differences were found for the total body in the NEC (M = 0.10 ± 0.04 kg; CI95%diff = 0.03 to 0.18 kg; p = 0.008), UBE (M = 0.19 ± 0.03 kg; CI95%diff = 0.14 to 0.24 kg; p ≤ 0.0001), and LBE (M = 0.31 ± 0.04 kg; CI95%diff = 0.24 to 0.39 kg; p ≤ 0.0001) conditions. High absolute reliability was found within experimental conditions. These findings have practical implications for technicians, since acute exercise elicited small changes in body composition scores using DXA.

Temporal variations of stable isotopic compositions in atmospheric water vapor on the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau and their controlling factors

Stable isotopic compositions in atmospheric water vapor (δ18OV, δDV and d-excessV) are effective tracers that provide new insights into the local and regional hydrological cycle on the Tibetan Plateau. One-year continuous measurements of the isotopic compositions in near-surface atmospheric water vapor on the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau are reported. Our results demonstrated the relative impacts of moisture source shifts, large scale moisture transport, and local processes on the variability of the isotopic compositions in atmospheric water vapor. The observed seasonal variations in δ18OV and d-excessV exhibit low values in the monsoon period and high values in the non-monsoon period due to the predominance of large-scale atmospheric circulations. Local processes significantly modulate diurnal cycles of δ18OV and d-excessV. The sharp decrease in δ18OV and increase in d-excessV is related to the synoptic process. Moreover, the seasonality of moisture sources and transport, including moisture uptake and upstream rainout strongly affects the atmospheric moisture and the isotopes. These findings will improve our understanding of the regional hydrological cycle on the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau and provide reference to validate the simulated stable water isotopes.

Artificial intelligence measured 3D body composition to predict pathological response in rectal cancer patients.

The treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is moving towards total neoadjuvant therapy and potential organ preservation. Of particular interest are predictors of pathological complete response (pCR) that can guide personalized treatment. There are currently no clinical biomarkers which can accurately predict neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) response but body composition (BC) measures present as an emerging contender. The primary aim of the study was to determine if artificial intelligence (AI) derived body composition variables can predict pCR in patients with LARC. LARC patients who underwent NAT followed by surgery from 2012 to 2023 were identified from the Australian Comprehensive Cancer Outcomes and Research Database registry (ACCORD). A validated in-house pre-trained 3D AI model was used to measure body composition via computed tomography images of the entire Lumbar-3 vertebral level to produce a volumetric measurement of visceral fat (VF), subcutaneous fat (SCF) and skeletal muscle (SM). Multivariate analysis between patient body composition and histological outcomes was performed. Of 214 LARC patients treated with NAT, 22.4% of patients achieved pCR. SM volume (P = 0.015) and age (P = 0.03) were positively associated with pCR in both male and female patients. SCF volume was associated with decreased likelihood of pCR (P = 0.059). This is the first study in the literature utilizing AI-measured 3D Body composition in LARC patients to assess their impact on pathological response. SM volume and age were positive predictors of pCR disease in both male and female patients following NAT for LARC. Future studies investigating the impact of body composition on clinical outcomes and patients on other neoadjuvant regimens such as TNT are potential avenues for further research.

Single‐Layer Carbon Nitride as an Efficient Metal‐Free Organic Electron‐Transport Material with a Tunable Work Function

AbstractSingle‐layer carbon nitride (SLCN) is introduced as a metal‐free organic electron transport material (ETL) for organic solar cells, delivering a performance comparable to that of the benchmark nanocrystalline ZnO. SLCN is produced in the form of stable aqueous inks and can serve as an efficient electron transport layer for three different types of active layers, showing high stability to photodegradation. A lower conductivity of SLCN films as compared to ZnO is counter‐balanced by their higher transparency and lower light scattering losses. The SLCN ETL provides a unique opportunity to tune the work function from ca. −4.1 to −4.6 eV by varying the annealing temperature due to partial thermal oxidation of the SLCN film. The PL band position follows the oxidation‐induced changes of the work function allowing PL properties of SLCN to be used to predict the PV efficiency. The 2D structure of SLCN coupled with unique structural and compositional variability, and tunability of the work function show a high promise for emerging organic PV devices.

Modeling the spatial distribution of numbers of coral reef fish species and community types in the Western Indian Ocean faunal province

Predicting and mapping coral reef diversity at moderate scales can assist spatial planning and prioritizing conservation activities. We made coarse-scale (6.25 km2) predictive models for numbers of coral reef fish species and community composition starting with a spatially complete database of 70 environmental variables available for 7039 mapped reef cells in the Western Indian Ocean. An ensemble model was created from a process of variable elimination and selectivity to make the best predictions irrespective of human influences. This best model was compared to models using preselected variables commonly used to evaluate climate change and human fishing and water quality influences. Many variables (~27) contributed to the best number of species and community composition models, but local variables of biomass, depth, and retention connectivity were dominant predictors. The key human-influenced variables included fish biomass and distance to human populations, with weaker associations with sediments and nutrients. Climate-influenced variables were generally weaker and included median sea surface temperature (SST) with contributions in declining order from SST kurtosis, bimodality, excess summer heat, SST skewness, SST rate of rise, and coral cover. Community composition variability was best explained by 2 dominant community richness axes of damselfishes-angelfishes and butterflyfishes-parrotfishes. Numbers of damselfish-angelfish species were ecologically separated by depth, and damselfishes declined with increasing depth, median temperature, cumulative excess heat, rate of temperature rise, and chronic temperature stresses. Species of butterflyfish-parrotfish separated by median temperature, and butterflyfish numbers declined with increasing temperature, chronic and acute temperature variability, and the rate of temperature rise. Several fish diversity hotspots were found in the East African Coastal Current Ecoregion centered in Tanzania, followed by Mayotte, southern Kenya, and northern Mozambique. If biomass can be maintained, the broad distributions of species combined with compensatory community responses should maintain high diversity and ecological resilience to climate change and other human stressors.

Seasonal and geographical impact on the Irish raw milk microbiota correlates with chemical composition and climatic variables.

The microbiota of raw milk is influenced by many factors that encourage or prevent the introduction and growth of both beneficial and undesirable microorganisms. The seasonal and geographical impacts on the microbial communities of raw milk have been previously seen, but the relationships with environmental factors and the chemical composition has yet to be investigated. In this year-long study, we found that while raw milk is highly diverse, a core microbiota was detected for Irish raw milk, with strong evidence of seasonal and geographical influence. We also found associations between groups of microorganisms, environmental factors, and milk composition, which expand current knowledge on the relationships between microbial and chemical composition and the climate. These results provide evidence for the development of a tool to allow for the prediction of raw milk quality and safety.

Can the genetic background modulate the effects of feed additives? Answers from gut microbiome and transcriptome interactions in farmed gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) fed with a mix of phytogenics, organic acids or probiotics

The synergies between selective breeding and feed additives remain under-explored in farmed fish, despite their sustainability. Reference (REF) and selected gilthead sea bream for growth (GS) were fed with the control (CTRL) diet during 14 days. CTRL diet was oil-coated with three functional additives (PHY: phytogenic based on garlic and medium chain fatty acid; OA: organic acid mixture with a 70% of butyric acid sodium salt; PROB: probiotic based on Bacillus subtilis, pumillus and licheniformes species). These experimental diets were then sequentially administered at high (PHY/OA = 7.5 g/kg, PROB = 2 × 1011 CFU/kg; 2 weeks) and low (PHY = 5 g/kg, OA = 3 g/kg, PROB = 4 × 1010 CFU/kg; 10 weeks) additive doses. The capacity of a given genotype and additive to modify the fish growth performance, gut health and the host interaction with its anterior intestine (AI) microbiota was evaluated as a whole population or individually (9 fish/diet/genetics). GS fish showed a better growth and feed conversion ratio, linked to a reduced individual variability of gut microbial composition. The PHY additive had a major impact upon the intestinal transcriptome of GS-PHY fish, with the up-regulation of markers of epithelial integrity, sphingolipid and cholesterol/bile salt metabolism. With the OA additive, impaired growth performance, reduced AI goblet cell area and enhanced AI granulocyte infiltration were concomitant with a down-regulation of neutrophil degranulation markers associated with a decrease of pathogenic genera (Staphylococcus/Streptococcus/Neisseria), and an over-representation of acetone/butanol/ethanol fermentation and vitamin K biosynthesis inferred pathways. Bacillus establishment and lack of AI inflammation were parallel in PROB fish of both genetic backgrounds. However, GS fish grew and utilized feed better with the additive, whereas a worsening appeared in REF fish. This amelioration was related with a higher abundance of the nitrate-reducer Kocuria, an up-regulation of markers of epithelial cell maintenance and proliferation, and a down-regulation of microbiota-correlated protein synthesis and ubiquitination markers, supporting a reduced epithelial turnover and improved intestinal barrier function. Overall, the success of nutritional innovations in gilthead sea bream is largely dependent on the host genome predisposition, but also on the intestinal microbiota according to the hologenome theory.

Revisiting the Petrogenesis of Pyroclastic Glass Bead Deposits at the Apollo 15 and 17 Sites

Abstract The Apollo 15 low-titanium and Apollo 17 high-titanium pyroclastic glass beads are among the most primitive magmatically derived samples obtained from the Moon. Two key samples, the low-Ti Apollo 15426 green glass clod and the high-Ti Apollo 74220 orange glass are morphologically distinct, where the Apollo 15 beads are larger (~107 μm along maximum axis) and more fractured, and the Apollo 17 are smaller (~42 μm) and less fractured. In this study, holohyaline beads as well as crystallized beads were examined from both samples using petrography, electron microprobe analysis, and laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Crystallized beads show compositional variability in major, minor, and trace elements and enable examination of magmatic mineral fractionation processes during cooling of both deposits. The Apollo 15426 beads experienced variable olivine crystallization, whereas the Apollo 74220 beads experienced both olivine and ilmenite crystallization. Holohyaline beads from both deposits show more limited major, minor, and trace element variability than their crystallized counterparts. Trace element abundance data for individual holohyaline beads show that in Apollo 74220, they are tightly clustered at ~30× Carbonaceous Ivuna chondrite [CI] with negative Eu anomalies and subchondritic Nb/Ta, interpreted to reflect the presence of late-stage magma ocean cumulates overturned into an otherwise primitive mantle source. Incompatible trace element abundances for holohyaline beads in 15426 are supra-chondritic from ~8× CI, to &amp;gt;80× CI, with pronounced relative depletions in Sr and Eu for the most incompatible element enriched beads, which represent a distinct bead group within the deposit. Apollo 15426 beads have elevated Ni and Co abundances at the edges of the beads compared to their centers. These data are interpreted to reflect a more complex magmatic evolution of the 15426 deposit, beginning with (i) initial magma generation, storage, and assimilation within shallower low- and high-Ca pyroxene bearing magma ocean cumulates (15B,C); (ii) mobilization of the earlier magmas by more recently generated primitive magmas (15A); (iii) eruption and crystallization of some beads (15D,E); and (iv) later jumbling of the deposit, possible impact contamination and addition of exotic basaltic bead components (J Group). In contrast, the 74220 data show no discernable difference between Ni and Co abundances at the edges and centers supporting prior observations for limited melt fractionation and an absence of meteoritic components. Both deposits are likely to have been formed in the presence of a transient atmosphere. Using 74220 melt compositions from this study, post-entrapment crystallization abundances range from 266 to 1130 μg/g for H2O, 36 to 68 μg/g for F, 441 to 832 μg/g for S, and 0 to 2.31 μg/g for Cl, consistent with prior studies and suggesting up to ~0.1 wt % H2O in the melt, with considerably less in the source. The role that late-stage magma ocean cumulates rich in ilmenite and high-Ca pyroxene might play in modifying this volatile element estimate, however, casts remaining doubt on the volatile element abundance and evolution of the primitive Moon.

College music students during COVID-19: Examining the moderating effect of access to resources and stability of living on the relationship between perceived social support and mental health

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived social support (PSS) and general mental health in collegiate music students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, perception of access to academic resources and stability of living was analyzed as a moderator in the relationship between PSS and general mental health. Participants completed a survey that included the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and questions adapted from the “access to necessary resources” and “stability of living” section of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) COVID Survey. In the final sample, PSS explained a statistically significant amount of the variance in general mental health. Moderation analysis was conducted using PSS as the predictor variable, mental health as the criterion variable, and access to resources and stability of living as a composite variable as the moderator. The interaction between PSS and the composite variable was statistically significant. Access to resources and stability of living proved a positive moderator between PSS and general mental health. PSS positively predicted general mental health in collegiate music students during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, access to resources and stability of living (composite variable) were positive moderators, with a higher perception of both creating a stronger positive relationship between PSS and general mental health.

Properties of donuts enhanced by gum and apple pomace powder for development of low-fat fried food

The development of low-fat donuts with the addition of gum (guar gum and arabic gum) and apple pomace powder was carried out in this study. The purpose of this study was to improve the nutritional content of the donuts, especially in reducing the fat content of the donuts by using gum and adding apple pomace powder. The variables in this study were the composition of gum as an ingredient for donuts and the addition of apple pomace powder. Analysis of the dough and donuts characteristics, as well as the donuts appearance and nutritional content, was carried out. Analysis of the donuts texture profile, such as the hardness, and springiness, increased when the composition of apple pomace powder was increased. The proximate composition of donuts (% water, ash, fat, protein and carbohydrates) was analyzed, and there was reduction of fat in the donuts. This study established that adding gum (guar gum and arabic gum) and apple pomace powder can improve the properties of the donuts. Overall, there are significant differences in consumer acceptance, especially in texture and crumb color.