Proportion Of Fibers Research Articles

Linking particle morphology and functionality of colloid-milled dietary fibre concentrates from various plant sources

Dietary Fibre Concentrates (DFCs) can be obtained from various agro-food by-products. The origin of DFCs is hypothesized to influence their functional properties and thus potential applications. The study aimed to investigate the functional behaviour of DFCs from six sources upon colloid milling. The functionality of DFCs obtained from asparagus and orange peel showed significant improvement after colloid milling, while less effect for other sources (i.e., barley bran, licorice residue, pea fibres and corn cob). All six DFCs comprised a high proportion of insoluble fibre, while the total fibre content varies from 47.12 to 86.24 g/100 g. Total fibre content affected the functional properties, whereas the DFC particle morphology appeared to have the largest effect for the six DFCs. Fibre particles obtained from asparagus and orange peel DFCs showed increased degree of fibrousness and particle elongation after colloid milling, led to the significant improvement of functionality. Conversely, fibre particles derived from other sources exhibit denser micro-structures that are unaffected by colloid milling. We therefore conclude that the change in morphological properties of DFCs particles could be linked to the functional behaviour of colloid-milled samples.

Non-invasive imaging of pathological scars using a portable handheld two-photon microscope.

Pathological scars are a disorder that can lead to various cosmetic, psychological, and functional problems, and no effective assessment methods are currently available. Assessment and treatment of pathological scars are based on cutaneous manifestations. A two-photon microscope (TPM) with the potential for real-time non-invasive assessment may help determine the under-surface pathophysiological conditions in vivo . This study used a portable handheld TPM to image epidermal cells and dermal collagen structures in pathological scars and normal skin in vivo to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment in scar patients. Fifteen patients with pathological scars and three healthy controls were recruited. Imaging was performed using a portable handheld TPM. Five indexes were extracted from two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) perspectives, including collagen depth, dermo-epidermal junction (DEJ) contour ratio, thickness, orientation, and occupation (proportion of collagen fibers in the field of view) of collagen. Two depth-dependent indexes were computed through the 3D second harmonic generation image and three morphology-related indexes from the 2D images. We assessed index differences between scar and normal skin and changes before and after treatment. Pathological scars and normal skin differed markedly regarding the epidermal morphological structure and the spectral characteristics of collagen fibers. Five indexes were employed to distinguish between normal skin and scar tissue. Statistically significant differences were found in average depth ( t = 9.917, P <0.001), thickness ( t = 4.037, P <0.001), occupation ( t = 2.169, P <0.050), orientation of collagen ( t = 3.669, P <0.001), and the DEJ contour ratio ( t = 5.105, P <0.001). Use of portable handheld TPM can distinguish collagen from skin tissues; thus, it is more suitable for scar imaging than reflectance confocal microscopy. Thus, a TPM may be an auxiliary tool for scar treatment selection and assessing treatment efficacy.

Longitudinal and vertical distribution of microplastics in various pipe scales in an operating drinking water distribution system

Microplastics (MPs) are ingested by humans through the daily consumption of drinking water. Pipe scales are recognized as important sites of MPs occurrence in the drinking water distribution system (DWDS). Despite extensive research on drinking water, no study has been conducted to investigate the distribution of MPs in pipe scales within an operational DWDS. The underground placement of DWDSs brings challenges for sampling pipe scales. In this study, 5 tap water and 16 pipe scales samples were collected from a typical DWDS. The analysis of MPs abundance in these 21 samples filled the data gap in the distribution of MPs in both pipe scales and tap water along the DWDSs. MPs were detected in all water samples (1.74–20.88 MPs/L) and pipe scales samples (0.03–3.48 MPs/cm2). In tap water, MPs abundance increased abruptly in the stagnant-slow flow region and reached the maximum value (20.88 MPs/L), even surpassing the abundance in raw water (6.42 MPs/L). In the pipe scales, MPs abundance decreased from the upstream to downstream of DWDS and was associated with the heavy metal concentration. MPs smaller than 150 µm accounted for 91.6% of the tap water (21–971 µm) and pipe scales (20–2055 µm). The abundance of MPs showed a logarithmic increase as the size decreased. The proportion of MPs fibers in tap water was lower than that in pipe scales. A total of 35 MPs polymers were detected, with 34 polymers in pipe scales and 26 polymers in tap water. In terms of abundance, polyethylene terephthalate (50.0%) was the dominant polymer in pipe scales, while polyamide (70.3%) was the dominant polymer in tap water. Regarding detection rate, polyamide was detected in all 21 samples, followed by polyurethane in 19 samples. The distribution of MPs along the longitudinal direction of the DWDS was correlated with heavy metal. While the distribution of MPs in the vertical direction of large diameter pipe scales was dependent on their sizes, and densities. The greatest abundance, size and density of MPs were detected at the bottom 120-degree.

Reversible Effects of Functional Mandibular Lateral Shift on Masticatory Muscles in Growing Rats.

In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of functional mandibular lateral shift (FMLS) on the muscle mass, fiber size, myosin heavy chain fiber type, and related gene expression in masticatory muscles (masseter and temporalis), as well as whether the baseline levels could be recovered after FMLS correction in growing rats. The FMLS appliance was placed to shift the mandible leftward by approximately 2 mm. After FMLS placement for 2 and 4 weeks, the muscles on the left side had significantly lower wet weight, mean cross-sectional area, and proportion of type IIa fibers than those on the right side or in the control groups (p < 0.05), with downregulation and upregulation of IGF-1 and GDF-8 gene expression, respectively (p < 0.05). Following 2 weeks devoted to recovery from FMLS, the muscle parameters in the recovery group were not significantly different to those of the control group, and IGF-1 expression in the left-side muscles was enhanced and GDF-8 expression was simultaneously suppressed. These findings indicate that the masticatory muscle changes induced via FMLS tend to revert to normal conditions if the intervention is eliminated at an early stage. Therefore, appropriate orthodontic treatment for FMLS during the growth period is advisable to prevent asymmetric alterations in masticatory muscles.

Experimental investigation and numerical simulation on uniaxial tensile behavior of hybrid PVA-ECC

Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) with multiple cracking and strain-hardening characteristics can meet the high requirements of infrastructure for safety and durability, however, the high cost of oiled polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber in ECC limits the extensive application of ECC. The price of regular unoiled PVA fiber is relatively lower, therefore, hybrid PVA-ECC with redesigned mix proportion of unoiled and oiled PVA fibers can reduce the cost of PVA-ECC, and it exhibits satisfactory mechanical properties at the same time, offering a wider application prospect than the oiled PVA-ECC. The tensile stress–strain relation of hybrid PVA-ECC is an important property for structural design, however, the lack of theoretical method for predicting tensile stress–strain relation of hybrid PVA-ECC hinders the application of hybrid PVA-ECC in practical engineering. Based on the micromechanical model of multiple cracking, the crack space calculation model, the series spring model and the random probability distribution model, the numerical simulation model for predicting tensile behavior of hybrid PVA-ECC was proposed. The mix proportion of hybrid PVA-ECC was redesigned based on the characteristics of different PVA fibers. The uniaxial tensile test was conducted to investigate the uniaxial tensile behavior of hybrid PVA-ECC and to provide a reference for validating the numerical model.

Anatomical and microstructural features of rattan (Calamus caesius)

Calamus caesius, one of the most valuable high-quality rattans, has emerged as an economical material for use in commercial products. This study systematically investigated the anatomical and microstructural characteristics of Calamus caesius in terms of the frequency, radial diameter, tangential diameter, and form factor of the vascular bundles in both inner and outer regions, as well as the frequency, proportion, length, diameter, and length-diameter ratio of the vessel elements, and the size, double wall thickness, lumen diameter, and ultrastructure of the fibers. The results revealed that the sizes of both vascular bundles and vessel elements in the inner regions were larger than the outer regions, while the fiber proportions and morphological features remained relatively constant. The fibers have a multi-layered structure, most of which exhibited a four-layered structure in their secondary walls. The properties of various tissue structures reflect rattan’s desirable characteristics for use as high-quality commercial timber.

Experimental Characterization of Composite-Printed Materials for the Production of Multirotor UAV Airframe Parts.

In this paper, the characterization of 3D-printed materials that are considered in the design of multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for specialized purposes was carried out. The multirotor UAV system is briefly described, primarily from the aspect of system dynamics, considering that the airframe parts connect the UAV components, including the propulsion configuration, into a functional assembly. Three additive manufacturing (AM) technologies were discussed, and a brief overview was provided of selective laser sintering (SLS), fused deposition modeling (FDM), and continuous fiber fabrication (CFF). Using hardware and related software, 12 series of specimens were produced, which were experimentally tested utilizing a quasi-static uniaxial tensile test. The results of the experimental tests are provided graphically with stress-strain diagrams. In this work, the focus is on CFF technology and the testing of materials that will be used in the production of mechanically loaded airframe parts of multirotor UAVs. The experimentally obtained values of the maximum stresses were compared for different technologies. For the considered specimens manufactured using FDM and SLS technology, the values are up to 40 MPa, while for the considered CFF materials and range of investigated specimens, it is shown that it can be at least four times higher. By increasing the proportion of fibers, these differences increase. To be able to provide a wider comparison of CFF technology and investigated materials with aluminum alloys, the following three-point flexural and Charpy impact tests were selected that fit within this framework for experimental characterization.

Formulation and Thermomechanical Characterization of Earth-based Biosourced Composites: Cases of Clay-Hibiscus cannabinus L. Fiber, Clay-sawdust and Clay- Oryza sativa Husk

This work concerns the technical study of implementation, thermal and mechanical characterization of a composite material based on clay and plant fibers, in order to meet the need for bioclimatic and sustainable houses. The objective was to find the proportions of clay and fibers to obtain a mixture that would give better thermal properties. A characterization of the thermal properties was made thanks to the KD2 Pro analyzer on samples of various formulas of mixture clay-plant fibers. The results obtained showed that the thermal properties such as thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of the clay-fiber mixture samples decrease with the increase of the fiber content in the mixture. Thus, the thermal conductivity of the samples varies from 0.85 to 0.65 W/m.K; from 0.88 to 0.72 W/m.K and from 0.83 to 0.75 W/m.K respectively with Hibiscus cannabinus L. fiber, sawdust and Oryza sativa husk. As for the thermal diffusivity, it varies from 0.37 to 0.25 mm2/s; from 0.45 to 0.30 mm2/s and from 0.47 to 0.27 mm2/s respectively with the addition of Hibiscus cannabinus L. fibers, sawdust and Oryza sativa husk. In sum, the earth samples stabilized with Hibiscus cannabinus L. fibers offer better thermal properties for the construction of bioclimatic houses.

Experimental study on the pullout behaviour of rockbolts with steel fiber-reinforced grout under constant confining pressures

Deep underground excavation in civil and mining engineering motivates the development of high-strength rockbolting reinforcement. A feasible way to promote the performance of the fully grouted rockbolt is using additives to ameliorate grout properties and thus the bolt-grout interfacial behaviour. Here, we investigated the mechanical behaviour of fully grouted rockbolt specimens in the steel fiber-reinforced grout (FRG) under various constant confining pressures to pullout loading by the self-developed laboratory-scale rockbolt pullout system. We found that the bond strength of the FRG rockbolt specimen can be more than three times high of the plain grout one. The higher the fiber proportion, the greater the bond strength of the FRG rockbolt. When a constant confining pressure was applied, the bond strengths of all the grouted rockbolt specimens were considerably elevated and the bolt rod failure was observed for the FRG rockbolt specimen under 1.0 MPa confining pressure. Compared with the plain grout one, the post-peak failure of the FRG rockbolt specimen of a much higher bond strength was less brittle. The wavy steel fiber performed better in bond strength enhancement and grout cracking mitigation than the straight one mainly due to the crack bridging effect facilitated by its rough geometry. Our experimental studies suggested that FRG rockbolting is promising in reinforcing roadways/tunnels in the deep underground environment.

Neuromuscular compartmentation of the subscapularis muscle and its clinical implication for botulinum neurotoxin injection

In this study, using immunohistochemistry with fresh cadavers, deliberate histological profiling was performed to determine which fibers are predominant within each compartment. To verify the fascial compartmentation of the SSC and elucidate its histological components of type I and II fibers using macroscopic, histological observation and cadaveric simulation for providing an anatomical reference of efficient injection of the BoNT into the SSC. Seven fixed and three fresh cadavers (six males and four females; mean age, 82.5 years) were used in this study. The dissected specimens revealed a distinct fascia demarcating the SSC into the superior and inferior compartments. The Sihler’s staining revealed that the upper and lower subscapular nerves (USN and LSN) innervated the SSC, with two territories distributed by each nerve, mostly corresponding to the superior and inferior compartments of the muscle, although there were some tiny communicating twigs between the USN and LSN. The immunohistochemical stain revealed the density of each type of fiber. Compared with the whole muscle area, the densities of the slow-twitch type I fibers were 22.26 ± 3.11% (mean ± SD) in the superior and 81.15 ± 0.76% in the inferior compartments, and the densities of the fast-twitch type II fiber were 77.74% ± 3.11% in the superior and 18.85 ± 0.76% in the inferior compartments. The compartments had different proportions of slow-fast muscle fibers, corresponding to the functional differences between the superior compartment as an early-onset internal rotator and the inferior compartment as a durable stabilizer of the glenohumeral joint.

Effects of voluntary running on the skeletal muscle of rats with pulmonary artery hypertension.

The effects of voluntary running on the skeletal muscle of rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) were tested in the present study. PAH was induced in rats by a single injection of monocrotaline (MCT, 60mg/kg). Rats in the sedentary hypertension (HS) group had their tolerance to physical exertion reduced throughout the experiment, while those in the sedentary control (SC), exercise control (EC), exercise hypertension (EH) and median exercise (EM) groups maintained or increased. Despite that, the muscular citrate synthase activity was not different between groups. The survival time was higher in the EH (32days) than in the SH (28days) (p = 0.0032). SH and EH groups showed a lower percentage of muscle fiber and a higher percentage of extracellular matrix compared to control groups (p < 0.0001). However, the EM and EH groups presented higher percentage of muscle fiber and lower percentage of extracellular matrix than SH group (p < 0.0001). Regarding muscular gene expression, the SH and EM groups showed a lower expression of PGC1-α (p = 0.0024) and a higher expression of VEGF (p = 0.0033) compared to SC, while PGC1-α was elevated in the EH. No difference between groups was found for the carbonylated protein levels (p > 0.05), while the TNF-α/IL-10 ratio was augmented in the EH (p = 0.0277). In conclusion, voluntary running augments the proportion of fiber and affects the gene expression of inflammatory and mitochondrial biogenesis' markers in the skeletal muscle of rats with MCT-induced PAH, which benefits their survival and tolerance to physical effort.

CDK4-E2F3 signals enhance oxidative skeletal muscle fiber numbers and function to affect myogenesis and metabolism.

Understanding how skeletal muscle fiber proportions are regulated is vital to understanding muscle function. Oxidative and glycolytic skeletal muscle fibers differ in their contractile ability, mitochondrial activity, and metabolic properties. Fiber-type proportions vary in normal physiology and disease states, although the underlying mechanisms are unclear. In human skeletal muscle, we observed that markers of oxidative fibers and mitochondria correlated positively with expression levels of PPARGC1A and CDK4 and negatively with expression levels of CDKN2A, a locus significantly associated with type 2 diabetes. Mice expressing a constitutively active Cdk4 that cannot bind its inhibitor p16INK4a, a product of the CDKN2A locus, were protected from obesity and diabetes. Their muscles exhibited increased oxidative fibers, improved mitochondrial properties, and enhanced glucose uptake. In contrast, loss of Cdk4 or skeletal muscle-specific deletion of Cdk4's target, E2F3, depleted oxidative myofibers, deteriorated mitochondrial function, and reduced exercise capacity, while increasing diabetes susceptibility. E2F3 activated the mitochondrial sensor PPARGC1A in a Cdk4-dependent manner. CDK4, E2F3, and PPARGC1A levels correlated positively with exercise and fitness and negatively with adiposity, insulin resistance, and lipid accumulation in human and rodent muscle. All together, these findings provide mechanistic insight into regulation of skeletal muscle fiber-specification that is of relevance to metabolic and muscular diseases.

Optimization of Manufacturing Parameters and Experimental Study of Rice Straw Fiber-Based Plant Fiber Seedling Pots

In order to improve and alleviate environmental pollution caused by the disposal of seedling pots, a rice straw fiber-based headed vegetable seedling pot material, which is suitable for mechanical transplantation and biodegradable, was studied. Used rice straw as the main raw material, a five-factor and five-level (1/2 full implementation) quadratic regression orthogonal rotation central of rotation combination test method. The experimental factors included the beating degree of rice straw fiber, quantity, the proportion of rice fiber, neutral sizing agents, and wet strength agent mass fraction. The performance evaluation index included dry and wet tensile strength, burst strength, tear strength, air permeance, and degradation period. The results showed that when the parameter combination of the beating degree of rice straw fiber was 50 ± 1°SR, the quantity was 87.5 ± 4 g/m2, the proportion of fiber in rice was 70%, the neutral sizing agents mass fraction was 1 ± 0.25%, and the wet strength agent mass fraction was 1.5 ± 0.1%. The dry tensile strength was ≥ 1.8 kN·m−1, the wet tensile strength was ≥ 0.7 kN·m−1, the burst strength was ≥ 140 kPa, the tear strength was ≥ 350 m·N, the air permeance was ≤ 1.33 μm/Pa·s, and the degradation period was ≤ 80 d. The dry tensile strength reduction rate was 0.0274 kN/(m·d) and the wet tensile strength reduction rate was 0.0113 kN/(m·d), during the nursery period [30, 40], while the dry tensile strength was ≥ 1 kN·m−1 and the wet tensile strength was ≥ 0.4 kN·m−1 during the transplanting period.

Construction of Canal Lining Using Nylon Net

Abstract: The nylon fibers are used in manufacture of various products like carpet, rope, clothes, tires and other durable materials. The reason for using nylon fiber is that it has good hardness, resilience and durability; is readily available in different colors, can be dyed, resistant to soil and dirt, good abrasion and wearing characteristic, availability in different cross-section. The Nylon fiberproduction, though, affects the environment and the disposal of these fibers poses more severe threat. In this regard, use of nylon fiber as ingredient in cement concrete is promising as it provided an alternative method of disposal and fibers, owing to their alsoimprove strength and durability of concrete. The addition of nylon fiber has also been reported to improved durability of concrete,the fibers protect concrete cover from spilling due to bonding character. In present study, nylon fibers are added to normal strengthcement concrete in various proportions andits effects onworkability, compressive strength, and tensile strengthisreported. The nylon fiber is used in variety of applications owing to its high strength, resilience and durability but its disposal poses a serious threat in environment. The use of nylon fiber in concrete hence gives good alternative to the disposal and fibers in turnimpart useful characteristics to concrete. In present study, various proportions of nylon fiber are added in concrete and its effect onworkability, compressive strengthand tensile strengthisreported.

Macronutrient Intake, Sleep Quality, Anxiety, Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet and Emotional Eating among Female Health Science Undergraduate Students.

COVID-19 provoked a myriad of challenges for people's health, poor life satisfaction and an unhealthy diet that could be associated with serious negative health outcomes and behaviours. University is a stressful environment that is associated with unhealthy changes in the eating behaviours of students. The association between diet and mental health is complex and bidirectional, depending on the motivation to eat; emotional eaters regulate their emotions through the increased consumption of comfort foods. The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional habits, alcohol consumption, anxiety and sleep quality of female health science college students. A cross-sectional study of 191 female undergraduate students in Madrid was used. Their body mass index and waist hip ratio were measured. The questionnaires used included the Mediterranean Diet Adherence test, AUDIT, Emotional Eater Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Food Addiction, Perceived Stress Scale and STAI questionnaires. We observed a high intake of protein, fat, saturated fatty acids and cholesterol. Overall, 9.5% never had breakfast, and 66.5% consciously reduced their food intake. According to Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, they mainly slept 6-7 h, and 82% presented with a poor sleep quality; 13.5% presented moderate-high food addiction, and 35% had moderate Mediterranean Diet Adherence score. Female students' macronutrient imbalances were noted, with a high-level protein and fat intake diet and a low proportion of carbohydrates and fibre. A high proportion of them need alcohol education and, depending on the social context, they mainly drank beer and spirits.

"Biqi" Bayberry Extract Promotes Skeletal Muscle Fiber Type Remodeling by Increasing Fast Myofiber Formation via the Akt/FoxO1 Pathway in Mice.

Bayberry is known to be a rich source of natural flavonoids and has been reported to have various health-promoting abilities. However, its function on regulating skeletal muscle fiber type remains unclear. This study examined whether bayberry extract affects skeletal muscle fiber type by promoting fast myofiber formation, as well as the potential molecular mechanism. After eight weeks, the "Biqi" bayberry extract (BBE) groups mice displayed markedly enhanced grip strength and improved metabolic rate compared to the control group mice. BBE also significantly increased myofibers size, LDH activity, MyHC-IIb (fast-twitch mRNA) expression, and the percentage of fast-twitch myofibers, while decreasing SDH activity, MyHC-I (slow-twitch mRNA) expression, and slow-twitch myofibers percentage in the skeletal muscle of the mice. The effect of BBE on regulating skeletal muscle fiber type remodeling is likely attributed to its activation of the Akt-FoxO1 pathway. Our findings indicated that BBE can effectively regulate the expression and proportion of fast-twitch fibers, making it a potential therapy for improving glucose homeostasis of skeletal muscle.

Elastomeric coatings reinforced with fibers for metallic surfaces

Polymeric coatings are widely used on metallic pipes in the mining industry, mainly to prevent corrosion and wear. In this study, natural rubber composite reinforcements were prepared with two different proportions of synthetic, mineral and natural fibers and then evaluated. The composites were initially processed in a closed mixer, followed by homogenization in a cylinder. One of the natural fibers used was assessed with and without previous chemical treatment. The treatments were evaluated with thermogravimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The rheological, mechanical and wear data for all formulations were also addressed. The glass fiber, polyamide, basalt, and natural jute fiber samples showed reinforcing capabilities similar to that the standard sample (fiber-free composition). The formulations prepared with the chemically treated jute fiber, on the other hand, showed the best mechanical results, adhesion with the metal and abrasion wear resistance. In summary, these formulations prepared with natural raw materials could be alternatives for the composites used to coat industrial pipes.

Short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins in T-shirts and socks

The short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs and MCCPs) are complex mixtures of persistent compounds used mainly as plastic additives. They can have a negative impact on human health as they are suspected of disrupting the endocrine system and being carcinogenic, which is why monitoring their presence in the human environment is desirable.Clothing was selected for this study because they are produced in large quantities worldwide and the final products are worn for long periods throughout the day, in direct contact with human skin. The concentrations of CPs in this type of sample have not been sufficiently reported.We determined SCCPs and MCCPs in 28 samples of T-shirts and socks by gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry in negative chemical ionisation mode (GC–NCI–HRMS). CPs were found above the limits of quantification in all samples, with concentrations ranging from 33.9 to 5940 ng/g (mean 1260 ng/g, median 417 ng/g). The samples with a substantial proportion of synthetic fibres contained higher CP concentrations (22 times higher mean for SCCPs and 7 times higher mean for MCCPs) than garments composed exclusively of cotton.Finally, the effect of washing in the washing machine was investigated. The individual samples behaved differently: (i) excessively emitting CPs; (ii) being contaminated; (iii) retaining the original CP levels. The CP profiles also changed for some samples (with a substantial proportion of synthetic fibres and samples composed exclusively of cotton).

Evaluation of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy in domestic and feral horse populations in Australia using histologic and immunohistochemical analysis: A pilot study.

Little is known about potential differences in the left recurrent laryngeal nerve (Lrln) and left cricoarytenoideus dorsalis (LCAD) muscle between domestic and feral horse populations. If a difference exists, feral horses may provide a useful control population for research related to recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) and increase our understanding of potential population pressures influencing the incidence RLN. The objective of this study was to compare the Lrln and LCAD of domestic and feral horses using histological and immunohistochemical techniques (IHC). Sixteen horses, domestic (n = 8) and feral (n = 8), without clinical or ancillary examinations that were processed at an abattoir had the Lrln and LCAD muscle harvested immediately following death. Carcass weights were recorded. Subjective and morphometric histologic assessment were performed on Lrln sections. The LCAD was assessed for myosin heavy chain (fibre type proportion, diameter and grouping using IHC. Fibre-type grouping consistent with RLN was seen in both groups. Regenerating fibre clusters were more common in domestic compared to feral horses (p = 0.04). No other histologic differences occurred between groups. Muscle fibre typing demonstrated a lower mean percentage of type IIX fibres in the feral group compared to the domestic group (p = 0.03). There was no difference in type I or IIA proportions or mean diameter of any fibre type between the groups. The domestic population showed evidence of nerve regeneration suggesting RLN in this group, yet this was not supported by the higher proportion of type IIX muscle fibres compared to the feral population. Further evaluation to clarify the significance and wider occurrence of the differences is indicated.

Characterization of White Lupin Seed Coats

White lupin (Lupinus albus L.), a winter legume crop with tremendous potential as a food crop, has been evaluated at Virginia State University for several years. This effort has developed several winter-hardy, high-yielding lines, which vary in alkaloid concentration in the seeds. Current study was conducted to characterize various component of lupin seed especially seed coat and cotyledon portion in seeds of five lupin lines (VSU-1, VSU-1X, VSU-5, VSU-10, and VSU-101). Five hundred seeds of each line were separated into seed coats and cotyledons to record relative proportions. Whole seeds, seed coats, and cotyledons were analyzed to determine concentrations of protein, fiber, fat, iron and zinc. Significant differences were observed among five lines for seed coat proportion, which varied from 22.6 to 25.6 percent. Proportions of protein (7.8, 41.6, and 34.3 percent), fiber (44.7, 1.0, and 12.2 percent), fat (1.3, 10.4, and 8.6 percent), and zinc (14.5, 61.9, and 50.8 percent) concentrations varied significantly for seed coats, cotyledons, and whole seed, respectively but not for iron concentration. Results of this study indicate that separation of seed coats from white lupin seed could be used to develop value-added products; to increase nutritional quality of white lupin seeds; and enhance white lupin&amp;rsquo;s suitability as a plant protein source.