Effect Of Feeding Conditions Research Articles

Random organic framework membranes with hierarchical channels for H2 separation

Novel membrane materials for H2 separation are wanted. How to overcome the “trade-off” between membrane permeability and selectivity is a tough challenge. Here we report new random organic framework membranes with benzimidazole and imine linkages to form hierarchical channels. Both high H2-selective and fast H2 transport pathways are created. The preparation parameters are thoroughly studied and the membrane structures are well characterized by SEM, AFM, NMR, XPS, gas sorption, etc. Effect of feed conditions on membrane performance, such as composition, pressure and temperature, is investigated. The membrane performance transcends the upper bounds of H2/CO2, H2/N2 and H2/CH4 with excellent stability.

Configuration of coupling methanol steam reforming over Cu-based catalyst in a synthetic palladium membrane for one-step high purity hydrogen production

Methanol steam reforming coupled with an efficient hydrogen purification technology to produce high purity hydrogen that feeds for hydrogen fuel cells is an attractive approach to realizing distributed power generation. However, the harmony of catalytic reforming and hydrogen separation with respect to thermodynamics is still an issue. In this work, in order to construct an integrated methanol steam reforming (MSR) reactor for high purity hydrogen production, CuCe/Al2O3 was synthesized by a hydrothermal-impregnated method and a Pd membrane supported by a porous ceramic using the electroless plating method. The results revealed that the catalytic activity and high temperature stability for methanol steam reforming were evidently improved by tuning the copper dispersion, porous structure and the crystal phase. The coupling range with palladium membrane operating temperature was widened. CuCe/Al2O3 presented an excellent stability with a better carbon deposition resistance for the long-term tests than Cu/Al2O3, which exhibited 836.68 μmol/gcat. min of H2 production with low carbon deposition (3.38 wt%) and lower CO emission (0.48 vol%). A 10 μm thick Pd membrane that was deposited on the ceramic support displayed dense and even surface morphology. The effect of palladium membrane structure on hydrogen separation was analyzed. In addition, the influence of temperature on coupling was discussed. Ultimately, high purity of H2 (99.36 vol%) was achieved at 400 °C by integrating the Pd membrane reactor with methanol steam reforming. The internal temperature distribution of the reactor and the effects of feeding conditions were also investigated. This work might offer certain reference for the development of the future distributed integrated hydrogen power generation system, especially in the application of electric vehicles and on-site electricity.

Use of marine vs. freshwater proteins for egg‐laying and incubation by sea ducks breeding in Arctic tundra

AbstractUnderstanding dietary nutrient sources is fundamental to conserving sensitive species, especially as climate change alters food web dynamics. Migratory species that depend on both marine and terrestrial habitats face unique challenges, as the locations and quality of resources in the two realms may respond quite differently to environmental changes, with potential for spatial and temporal carryover effects. For sea ducks (Mergini) that winter at sea but move inland to breed, body size may determine their capacity to store nutrient reserves for later use in alternative habitats. We assessed ultimate sources of protein for reproduction in four sea duck species in northern Alaska: smaller‐bodied Long‐tailed Ducks and Steller's Eiders (Clangula hyemalis and Polysticta stelleri), and larger‐bodied Spectacled and King Eiders (Somateria fischeri and Somateria spectabilis). To assess the relative use of local freshwater foods vs. marine protein for both egg production and body maintenance of incubating females, we measured stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen in egg membranes, red blood cells, marine and freshwater invertebrates, and vegetation. For egg production, isotope mixing models indicated that proteinaceous egg membranes of all four species were derived mostly (89%–95%) from freshwater foods on the breeding grounds, with broad individual variation in specific prey types selected by the larger species. For incubation, isotopes in red blood cells indicated that body maintenance of females also relied mainly (87%–91%) on freshwater foods in Long‐tailed Ducks and Steller's Eiders. However, incubating Spectacled and King Eiders obtained only about 60% of their protein from freshwater foods and the remainder from marine‐derived body tissues. The latter strategy allows the larger‐bodied species to incubate almost continuously, whereas the smaller species must take more frequent incubation breaks and generally incur higher rates of predation on eggs. Thus, depending on body size, cross‐seasonal effects of feeding conditions in marine habitats may strongly influence population processes well after the birds move to inland nesting sites. Although conservation programs on land and sea are often researched, planned, and administered by different agencies and organizations, our results emphasize the need to coordinate marine and land‐based efforts for species that integrate conditions across both environments.

Effects of feeding condition on the morphology, behaviour and nutritional status of

Early life stages of migratory fish in rivers rely on physical transport mechanisms to carry them from spawning sites to distant nursery areas where they find food and refuge conditions. Starvation after a prolonged downriver drift could severely affect the colonisation and predator evasion capabilities of the larvae. In this study we investigated differences in the external morphology, nutritional condition and swimming abilities of fed and unfed Prochilodus lineatus early larvae under experimental conditions. After yolk reabsorption on Day 6, larvae were either fed with nauplii of Artemia salina or left unfed for up to 10 days. Larvae from each feeding regime (i.e. fed and unfed) were sampled daily from three aquaria, and the morphometry and routine swimming activity were determined and analysed together with a previously published RNA/DNA ratio dataset. The results were in agreement with previous investigations that indicated that the larvae of this species have starvation endurance; however, prolonged food deprivation is associated with a smaller body, anal depth and head length, as well as lower RNA/DNA ratios and reduced swimming ability.

Effects of feeding condition on the myocardial and hepatic accumulation of radioiodine-labeled BMIPP in mice.

123I-15-(p-iodophenyl)-3(R,S)-methylpentadecanoic acid ([123I]BMIPP), a fatty acid analog, is widely used for the diagnosis of cardiac diseases. Feeding condition is one of the important factors in the myocardial fatty acid uptake, which may also affect myocardial accumulation of [123I]BMIPP and image quality of [123I]BMIPP scintigraphy. However, the relationship between the myocardial accumulation of [123I]BMIPP and the feeding condition is not entirely clear. Therefore, we determined the myocardial accumulation of [125I]BMIPP in mice at various metabolic statuses induced by fasting in comparison with the hepatic accumulation. Fed or fasted (6-, 12-, and 24-h fasted) mice were intravenously injected with [125I]BMIPP (35.2-75.0kBq, 4nmol). Radioactivities in the heart and liver were measured at 1, 5, 10, 30, 60, and 120min after the injection (n = 5-15/time point for each group), and then, the heart-to-liver (H/L) ratios were calculated. The myocardial accumulation level of [125I]BMIPP in the fed group was almost the same as that in the 6-h-fasted group at each time point, although it was decreased by 12- and 24-h fasting. The H/L ratios of [125I]BMIPP accumulation level were significantly decreased by fasting (1.92 ± 0.22, 1.45 ± 0.13, 1.12 ± 0.13, and 0.91 ± 0.15 at 10min, and 3.30 ± 0.62, 2.09 ± 0.35, 1.79 ± 0.34, and 1.27 ± 0.06 at 30min after the injection, respectively, for the fed group and the 6-, 12-, and 24-h-fasted groups; p < 0.0001), largely owing to the increase in the hepatic accumulation level in the fasting groups. Although short-period (6h) fasting did not affect the myocardial accumulation level of [125I]BMIPP, the hepatic accumulation level was increased. The present results indicate that the fed condition may provide higher-contrast images in myocardial [123I]BMIPP scintigraphy.

Effect of feeding conditions on the degradation of tetracycline in sewage sludge by earthworm

In this study, the changes in the enzymatic activity and bacterial communities inhabiting the earthworm gut were investigated to determine the correlation between feeding conditions and tetracycline (TC) degradation. Two TC concentrations (high and low) were fed to earthworms using either the sequential swallowing or repeated swallowing technique. The repeated swallowing feeding technique was found to have a better effect on the degradation rate of TC. The peroxidase and catalase activities in earthworms fed using the sequential swallowing technique were higher than those in earthworms fed using the repeated swallowing technique. When the sequential swallowing technique was used, the TC degradation rate was found to be negatively correlated with the abundance of Clostridium, Hyphomicrobium, and Streptomyces, whereas when the repeated swallowing technique was used for feeding the earthworms, the TC degradation rate was positively correlated with the abundance of 18 bacterial species, including Clostridium, Hyphomicrobium, and Fodinicola.

Effect of feed conditions and added solutes on the performance of membrane nanofiltration of succinic acid solutions

Fermentation is an alternative for the large-scale production of succinic acid, obtained nowadays from petroleum. However, the fermentation process still needs improvement. Nanofiltration has been studied as a post-fermentation step to enhance the purification and to intensify the production process. In this work, the transport of succinic acid through nanofiltration membranes was investigated. The effects of the operating pressure, pH, concentration of succinic acid and the presence of glucose (as a neutral solute) and salts (NaCl and MgSO4) on acid retention and permeate flux were evaluated. It was found that acid retention increases with both pH and gauge pressure. Permeate flux increases with pressure and decreases with pH. From pH around the membrane isoelectric point (IEP), succinic acid retentions increase when either NaCl or MgSO4 are present.

Effect of Feeding Conditions on the Methylation Status of Fatp1 Gene in Chicken Breast Muscle

Effect of Feeding Conditions on the Methylation Status of Fatp1 Gene in Chicken Breast Muscle

Functional analysis of five trypsin-like protease genes in the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Insect midgut proteases catalyze the release of free amino acids from dietary proteins and are essential for insect normal development. To date, digestive proteases as potential candidates have made great progress in pest control. To clarify the function of trypsin-like protease genes in the digestive system of Bactrocera dorsalis, a serious pest of a wide range of tropical and subtropical fruit and vegetable crops, five trypsin genes (BdTry1, BdTry2, BdTry3, BdTry4 and BdTry5) were identified from transcriptome dataset, and the effects of feeding condition on their expression levels were examined subsequently. RNA interference (RNAi) was applied to further explore their function on the growth of B. dorsalis. The results showed that all the BdTrys in starving midgut expressed at a minimal level but up-regulated upon feeding (except BdTry3). Besides, RNAi by feeding dsRNAs to larvae proved to be an effective method to cause gene silencing and the mixed dsRNAs of the five BdTrys slowed larvae growth of B. dorsalis. The current data suggest that trypsin genes are actively involved in digestion process of B. dorsalis larvae and thereafter play crucial roles in their development.

Soluble Dietary Fiber Can Protect the Gastrointestinal Mucosa Against Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Mice.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced small intestinal damage is a serious problem in patients, but effective therapy is not available at present. The effects of feeding conditions and dietary fiber (DF) on NSAID-induced gastrointestinal lesions were examined in mice. NSAIDs (indomethacin, diclofenac, loxoprofen, aspirin) were administered to male mice in various feeding conditions. Gastrointestinal lesions were examined 24h after NSAID dosing. Regular diets, dietary-fiber-free diet (FFD), and diets supplemented with various types of DF were given to mice. NSAIDs produced marked ulcers and perforations selectively in the gastric antrum when they were administered after feeding of regular diet for 2h after a 22-h fast. When NSAIDs, except for aspirin, were administered in unfasted conditions, they caused marked lesions in the small intestine. When mice were given FFD, antral ulcers and intestinal lesions induced by indomethacin (30mg/kg, s.c.) markedly decreased, but when cellulose, an insoluble DF, was added to FFD, the lesions appeared again. The addition of pectin, a soluble DF, to regular diet containing 4.1% crude fiber significantly inhibited the formation of antral ulcers as well as intestinal lesions caused by indomethacin or diclofenac (100mg/kg, s.c.). The results indicated that NSAIDs given after feeding of diet produced ulcers selectively in the gastric antrum. The severity of the gastrointestinal lesions depended on the concentration of soluble or insoluble DF in food. Our results suggest that soluble DF such as pectin may be a safe means for protecting the gastrointestinal mucosa against NSAIDs.

The Role of Food for the Formation and Prevention of Gastrointestinal Lesions Induced by Aspirin in Cats

The effects of feeding conditions (fasted or fed) and dietary fiber (DF) in the diet on gastrointestinal (GI) damage induced by aspirin (ASA) were examined in cats. Plain ASA (P-ASA, 20 mg/kg) or one enteric-coated ASA tablet (EC-ASA, containing 100 mg ASA) was administered p.o. once daily for 3 or 7 days just after morning meal, 3 h after the evening meal, or in the morning without a morning meal (fasted). Several types of diet, dry food (DRY, DF: 2.8 %), canned food (CAN, DF: 0.4 %), and diets with added cellulose or pectin were provided twice daily. P-ASA or EC-ASA administered just after feeding of DRY caused marked lesions in the GI tract, although EC-ASA did not produce any lesions in the stomach. GI damage was markedly decreased when ASA was administered 3 h after the evening meal. The induction of lesions by EC-ASA was markedly decreased in cats that ate CAN, but lesions were induced in cats fed CAN with added cellulose (6 %). The addition of pectin (6 %) to the DRY markedly decreased the induction of lesions by EC-ASA. The results indicate that the induction of GI lesions by ASA was highly dependent on the feeding conditions and DF. To minimize the induction of GI damage, it would be better to take ASA 3 h after the evening meal, or after consuming diets that contain low amounts of insoluble DF and high amounts of soluble DF.

Effects of Feeding Conditions on Activated Sludge Characteristics and Anaerobic Digestion

Effects of Feeding Conditions on Activated Sludge Characteristics and Anaerobic Digestion

A common garden experiment with larval Northeast Arctic and Norwegian coastal cod cohorts in replicated mesocosms

Abstract A replicated mesocosm experiment was carried out to evaluate differential effects of feeding conditions for larval Northeast Arctic (NA) cod and Norwegian coastal (NC) cod. The two populations were (1) reared together with a 6-day older NA cohort (mixed) in high (HC) and low prey concentration (LC; 2000 and 200 prey/L initially), and (2) reared separately in HC treatments (non-mixed) to be able to evaluate both the effect of feeding conditions and possible effects of size interaction within mesocosms. The larvae were fed natural zooplankton, and the two stocks were identified in the mixed mesocosms by otolith marking. NA larvae hatched at a larger size, had higher growth rates, and survived better than NC larvae in both mixed and non-mixed mesocosms in the HC treatment. The second cohort clearly survived better in the non-mixed than in the mixed mesocosms, indicating the presence of an interaction effect before cannibalism could occur. We found a significant higher weight-at-length between NC and NA larvae (

Enhancement of microfiltration of yeast suspensions using gas sparging – effect of feed conditions

Experiments of crossflow microfiltration enhanced with gas sparging were performed through a multi-tubular microfilter using washed and unwashed yeast suspensions, and yeast–bentonite mixture as test solutions. The washed yeast suspension was prepared by diafiltration to remove protein molecules in the solution. The addition of bentonite particles simulated the effect of co-existence of other microparticles on the yeast microfiltration. In the experiment, the effects of the feed concentration, solution pH and composition in the two-phase and single-phase flow filtration were examined in each feed suspension, at different flow rates and transmembrane pressures. The comparison of the permeate fluxes between the washed and unwashed yeast suspensions was made to reveal the effect of protein fouling on microfiltration membranes. Finally, the effect of the additional microparticles (bentonite) on the microfiltration of yeast suspension was studied over different range of feed composition. The experimental results show that (a) gas sparging can significantly increase the permeate flux of yeast microfiltration, (b) the feed pH has a profound effect on the permeate flux of yeast microfiltration, (c) the removal of extracellular substances results in much higher permeate flux (washed yeast) confirming that these were the major foulants and (d) the addition of inert particles can affect the microfiltration permeate flux and adding bentonite particles reduces the permeate flux of yeast microfiltration.

The effects of feeding condition and dietary lipid level on lipoprotein lipase gene expression in liver and visceral adipose tissue of red sea bream Pagrus major

The effects of feeding condition and dietary lipid level on lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene expression in the liver and visceral adipose tissue of red sea bream Pagrus major were investigated by competitive polymerase chain reaction. Not only visceral adipose tissue but also liver of red sea bream showed substantial LPL gene expression. In the liver, starvation (at 48 h post-feeding) drastically stimulated LPL gene expression in the fish-fed low lipid diet, but had no effect in the fish fed high lipid diet. Dietary lipid level did not significantly affect the liver LPL mRNA level under fed condition (at 5 h post-feeding). In the visceral adipose tissue, LPL mRNA number per tissue weight was significantly higher in the fed condition than in the starved condition, irrespective of the dietary lipid levels. Dietary lipid levels did not affect the visceral adipose tissue LPL mRNA levels under fed or starved conditions. Our results demonstrate that both feeding conditions and dietary lipid levels alter the liver LPL mRNA levels, while only the feeding conditions but not dietary lipid levels cause changes in the visceral adipose LPL mRNA level. It was concluded that the liver and visceral adipose LPL gene expression of red sea bream seems to be regulated in a tissue-specific fashion by the nutritional state.

The effect of feed conditions in the emulsion catalytic chain transfer polymerization of alkyl methacrylates

([bis[μ-[(2,3-butanedione dioximato)(2-)-O:O′]] tetrafluorodiborato(2-)-N,N′,N″,N‴] cobalt), CoBF, has been used for the effective catalytic chain transfer of alkyl methacrylate homo- and copolymers under emulsion polymerization conditions. The catalytic chain transfer process reduces the rate of polymerization such that when the monomer is fed over 60 min the instantaneous conversion is low enough for the particle to be swollen with monomer, allowing diffusion of the catalysts between the aqueous and monomer phases. When the amount of the catalyst is reduced, the rate is increased, eventually leading to viscous, glassy particles that prevent catalyst mobility, which is observed as a breakdown in the polymerization mechanism. This can be circumvented by the addition of a 20% shot of monomer at the start of the reaction. The effective chain transfer coefficient decreases on increasing the length of the ester group of the methacrylate. The analysis of the polymers made by the technique described shows that the Tg of the polymers observe a broad transition due to the effect of chain length being pronounced at low molecular mass. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3549–3557, 1999

The effect of feed conditions in the emulsion catalytic chain transfer polymerization of alkyl methacrylates

([bis[μ-[(2,3-butanedione dioximato)(2-)-O:O′]] tetrafluorodiborato(2-)-N,N′,N″,N‴] cobalt), CoBF, has been used for the effective catalytic chain transfer of alkyl methacrylate homo- and copolymers under emulsion polymerization conditions. The catalytic chain transfer process reduces the rate of polymerization such that when the monomer is fed over 60 min the instantaneous conversion is low enough for the particle to be swollen with monomer, allowing diffusion of the catalysts between the aqueous and monomer phases. When the amount of the catalyst is reduced, the rate is increased, eventually leading to viscous, glassy particles that prevent catalyst mobility, which is observed as a breakdown in the polymerization mechanism. This can be circumvented by the addition of a 20% shot of monomer at the start of the reaction. The effective chain transfer coefficient decreases on increasing the length of the ester group of the methacrylate. The analysis of the polymers made by the technique described shows that the Tg of the polymers observe a broad transition due to the effect of chain length being pronounced at low molecular mass. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3549–3557, 1999

Effects of Feeding Conditions on Chimpanzee Behavior

One goal of environmental enrichment in zoo is to make the behavioral repertoires and the activity budgets of captive animals as close to those of wild animals as possible. This study first described the behavioral patterns of 5 chimpanzees reared at the Maruyama Zoo, Sapporo, Japan. The observation was taken place in 1996 using focal animal sampling method. This result elucidated that zoo chimpanzees exhibited extremely different behavioral patterns compared with wild counterparts. Especially the duration of feeding behavior was much less. Therefore, this study further attempted to increase the duration of feeding by the control of the frequency of feeding provision during a day. This experiment showed that, even though total volume of food was equal, multi-frequency feeding is more effective for the prolongation of feeding time than single operation.

Early metamorphosis in common frog Rana temporaria tadpoles at risk of drying: an experimental demonstration

AbstractDoes the development rate of common frog tadpoles accelerate if their habitat dries? To study this, the water level in experimental tanks was reduced shortly before time of metamorphosis. Water level remained high in control tanks. The experiment was performed at two different tadpole densities and replicated four times, with tadpoles from different source ponds. The experimental treatment, simulating a drying pond, resulted in earlier metamorphosis while no significant difference in size at metamorphosis was found. Resources per capita decreased as a result of the decreased water level so the increase in development rate was not an effect of feeding conditions. Temperatures in the tanks were such that it is unlikely that the increased development rate was due to temperature effects. I interpret the advancement of metamorphosis as an adaptive response to the threat of drying. This response has been documented for several other anuran species. All those breed in temporary water bodies, supporting the hypothesis that the trait is an evolved adaptation for breeding in such waters.

Effects of imperfect mixing on low‐density polyethylene reactor dynamics

AbstractEarlier work considered the effect of feed conditions and controller configuration on the runaway behavior of LDPE autoclave reactors assuming a perfectly mixed reactor. This study provides additional insight on the dynamics of such reacton by using an imperfectly mixed reactor model and bifurcation analysis to show the changes in the stability region when there is imperfect macroscale mixing. The presence of imperfect mixing substantially increases the range of stable operation of the reactor and makes the process much easier to control than for a perfectly mixed reactor. The results of model analysis and simulations are used to identify some of the conditions that lead to unstable reactor behavior and to suggest ways to avoid reactor runaway or reactor extinction during grade transitions and other process operation disturbances.