Heavy Body Research Articles

Genetics and breeding of a black-bone and blue eggshell chicken line. 1. Body weight, skin color, and their combined selection

An experimental population of chickens was developed from the cross between 2 indigenous Chinese breeds, Dongxiang blue eggshell and Jiangshan black-bone. This breeding was aimed at eventually combining dark heavy black-bone body and blue eggshell, into a single dual-purpose breed. BW was recorded and skin L∗, a∗, and b∗ color parameters were measured by a Chroma Meter at several ages (56, 105, 150, 200, 250, and 300 d). At 250 d, 3 independent observers classified skin darkness using a 3-level visual scale (1 = light, 2 = intermediate, 3 = dark). The 7-level average visual skin darkness, calculated for each chicken, was highly correlated (−0.658 and −0.612 in females and males, respectively) with skin L∗ (lightness), indicating that the accurately measured L∗ is reliable and useful reverse expression of visual skin darkness of black-bone chickens. Mean BW and skin L∗ of both sexes increased with age, to 2,063 and 1,522 g in males and females, respectively, at 300 d, and to 63 and 55 L∗ units in males and females, respectively, at 250 d. The population's full-pedigree allowed estimating heritability and genetic correlations between traits. The heritability estimates of BW were similar in both sexes, increasing from around 0.25 at 56 d, to 0.53 to 0.60 at 150 d, and 0.57 to 0.62 at 300 d. Over the 5 ages, heritability estimates of skin L∗ were moderate to high, ranging from 0.45 to 0.58 in females, and from 0.31 to 0.65 in males, and the genetic correlations between BW and L∗ ranged mostly from 0.20 to 0.45. These low-to-moderate correlations between high BW and high L∗ (low darkness) are unfavorable; hence they were combined into an index, standardized BW minus standardized L∗, allowing future selection for high BW with low L∗. With high heritability of this index, 0.487 (females at 300 d) and 0.410 to 0.555 (males at 150 d or older), simultaneous improvements in BW and skin darkness appear to be feasible. The methodology used in this study can be useful in chicken populations experimentally bred for combination of high BW and other body characteristics.

Edge chipping resistance of veneering composite resins

ObjectivesTo investigate the edge chipping resistance (ECR) of six veneering composite resins after different treatment protocols. Materials and methodsRectangular bar specimens were manufactured from Ceramage Incisal (CER; Shofu), dialog Vario Occlusal (DIA; Schütz Dental), Gradia Plus Heavy Body Enamel (GRA; GC Europe), in:joy incisal (INJ; Dentsply Sirona Deutschland), SR Nexco Paste Incisal (SRN; Ivoclar Vivadent), and Signum composite enamel (SIG; Kulzer). ECR was determined after five treatment protocols: (1) no treatment, (2) after storage in distilled water at 37 °C for 7 days, (3) storage in distilled water with an additional 10 000 thermal cycles (5 °C/55 °C), and hydrothermal treatment at 134 °C at a water vapor pressure of 0.2 MPa for a duration of (4) 3.5 min or (5) 23.5 min. Force was applied with the universal testing machine ZHU 0.2 (Zwick Roell) mounted with a Vickers diamond indenter until the chip fractured off the specimen and ECR values were computed by dividing the applied maximum force by the distance to the center of the applied force. Fracture analysis was performed employing light microscope imaging. Univariate and one-way ANOVA, Scheffé and Tukey-B post hoc, and partial eta squared (ƞp2) were computed (p < 0.05). ResultsDIA presented consistently high ECR values, while CER showed low results. For some groups, seven days’ storage in water and hydrothermal treatment for 3.5 min led to higher ECR results than observed in the initial state, while an additional 10 000 thermal cycles and hydrothermal treatment for 23.5 min resulted in lower ECR values. ConclusionsThe examined veneering composite resins differed in regard to their mechanical properties, with DIA possessing the highest resistance to chipping. While post-processing can initially increase a material's edge chipping resistance, intensified treatment protocols reduced the mechanical properties of veneering composite resins.

Investigation of dental elastomers as oral mucosa simulant materials.

ObjectiveTo measure mechanical properties of dental soft liners in tensional stress to identify their suitability as human oral mucosa simulant materials.MethodsEleven different dental elastomers were subjected to tensile testing to obtain their tensile strength and elastic moduli (n = 15/group) according to the ISO‐527 method. Fractured surfaces of one specimen per sample group were examined under the light microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) was performed for the elemental analysis or chemical characterization of each sample group. The obtained data were quantitatively and qualitatively analysed. They were also statistically analysed using SPSS version 25.ResultsThe tensile strength of dental elastomers ranged from 0.43 MPa (±0.09) to 7.41 MPa (±1.11) and had statistically significant differences between tested groups (p = 0.001). Vertex soft heat‐cure soft liner, GC impression silicones and Silagum soft liners were found to have tensile strengths close to that of the oral mucosa reported by previous studies. SEM analysis revealed that the elastomers with higher filler contents showed rough fractured surface with plucking of particles after tensile fracture.ConclusionThis is the first study assessing the suitability of dental elastomers as human oral mucosa simulant materials which can be used for in vitro, mathematical modeling and finite element analysis (FEA) to study masticatory force distribution in oral mucosa. Out of 11 studied, six (Vertex Soft, GC heavy and Light body, Molloplast B, Algin X Ultra and Exaclear) dental elastomers showed similar mechanical properties to the Theil embalmed gingival tissues. Vertex Soft, GC Light body, and Molloplast B may be used for the majority of oral mucosal model when considering tensile strength as the primary factor for mechanical stimulation.

Expression and function analysis of crustacyanin gene family involved in resistance to heavy metal stress and body color formation in Exopalaemon carinicauda.

Crustacyanin has the function of binding astaxanthin which is the best antioxidant, and plays an important role in the body color variation of crustaceans. To investigate the causes of body color variation of the ridgetail white prawn, Exopalaemon carinicauda, the present study obtained four subtypes of crustacyanin gene: C1, C2, A1, and A2. Based on fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, lipocalin-C1 is mainly expressed in the eyestalk, lipocalin-C2 is in the ventral nerve cord, and lipocalin-A1 and lipocalin-A2 are in subcutaneous adipose tissues. Under the inhibiting effect of Cd2+ stress, the expression of four subtypes first increases and then decreases within 24 h, and reaches the maximum at 6 or 12 h. RNA interference experiments showed a decrease in the expression of lipocalin genes in subcutaneous adipose tissue for each subtype, with the body color changing from transparent to red, and the dark red spots on the epidermis changing to bright red. Moreover, the blue protein in the subcutaneous adipose tissue largely disappeared, based on the light micrographs. In view of these findings, the crustacyanin gene appears to fulfill some function in the resistance to heavy metal stress and body color formation of E. carinicauda.

Determination of relative economic weights of growth and egg production traits in Nigerian indigenous chicken

The relative economic weight (REW) of a trait is the additional gain/loss from a unit change in the trait relative to other traits in an individual. They are used to calculate aggregate economic values for purposes of genetic improvement in animals. The present study was designed to evaluate the bio-economic variables of growth and 16 weeks egg production parameters: egg number (EN16) egg weight (EWT16) body weight at first egg (BWTFE), body weight at 16 week of lay (BWTE16), cost of feed, and revenue from eggs and chicken carcass, 16 feed conversion ratio (FCR ), and body weight gain (BWG16) in the Nigerian indigenous chicken, and to determine the economic weights (EW) and REW of EN16, EWT16 and BWTE16 for G0, G1, and G2 generations. A total of 250 pullets (20 week old, point of lay) from a population of heavy body weight local chickens were used for the study. The birds were housed individually in cages, fed optimally on layers mash (G and G : 100g/bird/day; G : 0 1 2 125g/bird/day) and given water ad libitum. Data included EN , EWT , BWTE , BWTFE, 16 16 16 and prices of feed, eggs and spent hens, FCR , and BWG . Data on EN , EWT , BWTE , 16 16 16 16 16 and BWTFE were compared across generations using ANOVAand with other variables were used to generate the EW of the traits. The EW were then standardized relative to that of BWTE . Results showed that EW and REW of EN , EWT , and BWTE were 7.47 and 3.15, 16 16 16 16 13.67 and 5.77 and -2.37 and -1.00, respectively in G ; 13.07 and 3.82, 23.69 and 6.93, and - 0 3.42 and -1.00, respectively in G ; 16.80 and 2.89, 30.75 and 5.28 and -5.82 and -1.00, 1 respectively in G generation. Thus EN and EWT enhanced while BWTE depressed the 2 16 16 16 worth of the hen as a layer. EWT was more important than EN and both were more 16 16 important than BWTE economically. Therefore, EWT and EN are the major bio-economic 16 variables of the local hen as an egg chicken.

Assessment of Effect of Different Sterilization Agents on Dimensional Accuracy of Different Impression Materials in Implant Prosthesis - An In vitro Study.

Aim:Sterilization of impression materials is of paramount importance. The present study was conducted to compare the effect of different disinfectants on dimensional accuracy of elastomeric impression materials used for implant prosthesis and other routine treatments.Materials and Methods:The present study was conducted with polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) (regular body), PVS (medium body), PVS (heavy body), and polyether (medium body) impression materials. Glutaraldehyde (2%) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl, 0.525%) were the disinfectant solutions employed in the study. After 16 h, the specimens were measured under Leica WILD stereomicroscope and dimensions were compared with master die.Results:The dimensional change in the Controls, 2% glutaraldehyde (Group I), and 0.525% NaOCl (Group II) was non significant where as Group III and Group IV showed statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Results also showed significantly higher tear strength (newton/millimeter) in Control group followed by Group I and Group II.Conclusion:PVS (heavy body) was found to be most stable, and polyether was seen to be stable of all the impression materials.

Weight/carapace length relationship and condition factor of the roughneck shrimp, Rimapenaeus constrictus (Stimpson, 1874), on the southeastern Brazilian coast.

Rimapenaeus constrictus is a penaeid shrimp widely distributed in the Western Atlantic, frequently captured as bycatch in trawling activities. Here we describe the weight vs. carapace length relationship and the condition factor of the species. Shrimps were sampled in the Ubatuba region, northern littoral of São Paulo State, monthly. We analyzed 4,952 individuals (1,371 males and 3,581 females). We measured the individuals' weight and carapace length, and the condition factor (CF) was calculated for both sexes. Females had a heavier body when compared to males, probably due to their greater maximum body size achieved. Both sexes presented a negative allometric growth in weight, probably due to their reproductive pattern and activities. We found similar mean CF values for males and females. From temporal analysis, the highest CF values for females were observed during the seasons with lower water temperatures. Such a situation may happen because females' CF tend to be influenced by a greater food availability in the environment, induced by the intrusion of the South Atlantic Central Water during the spring and early summer in the Ubatuba. The information presented here could be used as subside in protection actions and management of bycatch species.

On the Orbital Stability of Pendulum-like Oscillations of a Heavy Rigid Body with a Fixed Point in the Bobylev – Steklov Case

The orbital stability of pendulum-like oscillations of a heavy rigid body with a fixed point in the Bobylev – Steklov case is investigated. In particular, a nonlinear study of the orbital stability is performed for the so-called case of degeneracy, where it is necessary to take into account terms of order six in the Hamiltonian expansion in a neighborhood of the unperturbed periodic orbit.

Application of the Kovacic algorithm to the study of the motion of a heavy rigid body with a fixed point in the Hess case

Application of the Kovacic algorithm to the study of the motion of a heavy rigid body with a fixed point in the Hess case

Standardized experimental model for cement dust exposure; tissue heavy metal bioaccumulation and pulmonary pathological changes in rats.

A controlled experimental model of exposure to aerosols particularly for cement dust was recently invented in a study from the laboratory that found high serum levels of heavy metals, decrease gastrointestinal motility, and altered hematological variables in cement dust exposed rats. However, reproducibility was not considered. This work aims at standardizing the model and investigating preliminary toxicological indicators. Thirty male rats used in this study were divided into 3 groups (n = 10). Group 1; control, while groups 2 and 3 were exposed to cement dust for 14 days and 28 days respectively. We assessed clinical signs of toxicity, tissue heavy metal concentration, histopathological, and body weight (BW) changes. We observed poor movement coordination, abnormal posture, cephalic fur loss. Evidence of ischemia and fibrotic pneumoconiosis were grossly observed in the lungs of the exposed groups. There was a significant increase in tissue level of heavy metals with pulmonary and gastric heavy metal content showing a trendy relationship during the period of the exposure as the value of Lead, Chromium, Cadmium, Iron, Calcium, and Nickel increased by nearly similar percentages in both tissues. Organs weights increased; the 14-day exposed (198 ± 31; 168 ± 22) and 28-day exposed (198 ± 22; 187 ± 26) groups had significantly reduced body weight at the first and second weeks of exposure compared to the control group (265 ± 26; 357 ± 40) respectively. Exposure to cement dust induced low bone density in the exposed rats (p < 0.05). Histopathological alterations include necrosis, inflammatory cellular infiltration, and alveolar hyperplasia suggestive of the proliferative response of pulmonary tissue to the dust. The operation of the standardized apparatus mimics a typical occupational exposure and the findings show that cement dust induces systemic toxicity via respiratory perturbation and body/organ weight discordance mediated by heavy metal bioaccumulation.

Evolution of a heavy rigid body rotation under the action of unsteady restoring and perturbation torques

The paper develops an approximate solution to the system of Euler’s equations with additional perturbation term for dynamically symmetric rotating rigid body. The perturbed motions of a rigid body, close to Lagrange’s case, under the action of restoring and perturbation torques that are slowly varying in time are investigated. We describe an averaging procedure for slow variables of a rigid body perturbed motion, similar to Lagrange top. Conditions for the possibility of averaging the equations of motion with respect to the nutation phase angle are presented. The averaging technique reduces the system order from 6 to 3 and does not contain fast oscillations. An example of motion of the body using linearly dissipative torques is worked out to demonstrate the use of general equations. The numerical integration of the averaged system of equations is conducted of the body motion. The graphical presentations of the solutions are represented and discussed. A new class of rotations of a dynamically symmetric rigid body about a fixed point with account for a nonstationary perturbation torque, as well as for a restoring torque that slowly varies with time, is studied. The main objective of this paper is to extend the previous results for problem of the dynamic motion of a symmetric rigid body subjected to perturbation and restoring torques. The proposed averaging method is implemented to receive the averaging system of equations of motion. The graphical representations of the solutions are presented and discussed. The attained results are a generalization of our former works where µ and Mi are independent of the slow time τ and Mi depend on the slow time only.

Qualitative Analysis of Some Libration Points in the Restricted Four-body Problem

We consider the situation where three heavy gravitational bodies form the Lagrange configuration rotating in a fixed plane and the fourth body of negligible mass moves in this plane. We present three cases of so-called libration points and we study their stability using linear approximation and KAM theory. In some situations we prove the Lyapunov stability for generic values of some parameter of the problem.

Equilibria and oscillations in a reversible mechanical system

The paper investigates symmetric periodic motions (SPM) of reversible mechanical systems. A solution is given to the problem of bilateral continuation of a nondegenerate SPM to the global family of such SPMs. The result is applied to the general case of Euler’s problem on a heavy rigid body, when the body parameters are not bound by equality conditions and two families of pendulum oscillations are found connecting the lower and upper equilibria.

Analysis of Sports Injury Estimation Model Based on Mutation Fuzzy Neural Network.

In recent years, with the gradual development of sports, the competition between athletes is becoming more and more fierce. The long training time and heavy body load of athletes lead to the increase of the incidence of sports injury, and the evaluation and analysis of athletes' sports injury need a lot of manpower and material resources. In order to improve the calculation efficiency of sports injury estimation results and save the cost of estimation and analysis, we propose a sports injury estimation model based on the algorithm model of mutation fuzzy neural network. The sports injury model constructed in this paper can not only systematically evaluate and analyze the degree of sports injury of athletes, but also improve the accuracy and efficiency; at the same time, it has universality for the evaluation and analysis of the degree of sports injury. The construction of this model provides the theoretical basis of big data algorithm for the prevention of sports injury and the application of mutation fuzzy neural network in the field of sports.

Effects of prolonged walking with body borne load on knee adduction biomechanics

BackgroundSoldiers that suffer a service-related knee musculoskeletal injury routinely develop joint osteoarthritis. Knee osteoarthritis is a substantial and costly problem among soldiers, yet it is unknown how body borne load and duration of walking impact knee adduction biomechanics linked to progression and severity of osteoarthritis. Research questionThis study determined the adaptations in magnitude and variability of knee adduction joint angle (KAA) and moment (KAM) during prolonged walking with body borne load. MethodsThirteen recreationally active participants had knee biomechanics quantified while walking over-ground for 60-min at 1.3 m/s with three body borne loads (0, 15, and 30 kg). Magnitude and variability of KAA and KAM measures were quantified and submitted to a RM ANOVA to test the main effect and interactions between load (0, 15 and 30 kg) and time (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min). ResultsBody borne load increased peak KAM (p < 0.001), whereas time increased peak and range of KAA (both: p < 0.001). Specifically, peak KAM increased with each addition of body borne load (all: p < 0.025), and peak and range of KAA increased after 30 min of walking (both: p < 0.040). Neither body borne load, nor time had a significant effect on KAA or KAM variability (both: p > 0.05). SignificanceProlonged walking with heavy body borne load increased knee adduction biomechanics related to osteoarthritis. Adding heavy body borne load increased in peak KAM whereas duration of walking increased KAA, knee biomechanics that may increase loading of the medial knee joint compartment and risk of OA at the joint.

Effects of prolonged load carriage on angular jerk of frontal and sagittal knee motion

BackgroundDuring training, service members routinely walk with heavy body borne loads for long periods of time. These loads alter knee biomechanics and may produce jerky knee motions that reportedly increase joint loading and risk of musculoskeletal injury. Yet, it is unknown if service members use jerky knee motions during prolong walking with body borne load. Research questionTo quantify the effects of body borne load and duration of walking on the jerkiness of sagittal and frontal plane knee motion. MethodsEighteen participants had angular jerk of knee motion quantified while they walked (1.3 m/s) for 60-min with three body borne loads (0, 15, and 30 kg). Peak and cost of angular jerk for sagittal and frontal plane knee motion was quantified and submitted to a repeated measures linear model to test the main effects and interaction of load (0, 15, and 30 kg) and time (0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 min). ResultsBody borne load increased peak and cost of angular jerk for sagittal plane knee motion up to 35 % and 110 %, respectively, and frontal plane knee motion up to 20 % and 51 %, respectively (all p<0.001), while jerk cost of frontal plane knee motion (p=0.001) increased 31 % after walking 45 min. SignificanceBody borne load produced large (between 20 % and 110 %), incremental increases in angular jerk for both sagittal and frontal plane knee motion; whereas, duration of walking led to a 31 % increase in jerkiness of frontal plane knee motion. Service members who often walking for long periods of time with heavy body borne loads may have greater risk of developing musculoskeletal injury and disease due to large increases in jerky knee motions.

The potential use of Indonesian glutinous rice flour as nanoparticles organic filler for dental impression materials

Indonesia as a third largest rice producer has glutinous rice as one of its natural resources, which can be used as the advantage in organic fillers production. Organic and inorganic fillers are commonly added to reinforce the mechanical properties of the polymer in impression materials. Organic fillers made from glutinous rice flour can be produced due to its high amylopectin content and unique characteristics of morphological and structural of the source plant. Moreover, it is abundant in production, low cost, non-toxic and biodegradable. However, this type of filler is not common in dental area, especially in impression materials. This study aims to exercise the probability of the use of organic fillers made from Indonesian glutinous rice as filler component of the viscosity the dental impression materials. Nano-size, morphology, and amount of glutinous rice organic filler shall affect the consistency of viscosity, which will be provided as light, medium, heavy body and putty consistency. The study can be used as a reference in the future research of Indonesian glutinous rice development for organic nanofillers production that could be used for dental impression materials reinforcement towards better mechanical properties.

Structural optimization of the heavy haul wagon body based on MPSO-BP algorithm

Fatigue cracks usually occur at the welded joints of the heavy haul wagon body. To effectively limit the occurrence of such problems at the design stage, this study moves from the structural design strategy to the structural optimization method. First, when analyzing the results of the finite element simulation, the new structural design strategy not only considers the maximum stress, which can reflect the stress concentration position, but also focuses on the stress distributions at the key welded joints. Second, in order to further reduce the stress at the key positions, the study presents an optimization method that integrates an orthogonal experimental design, BP network, and MPSO algorithm. Finally, an 80 t gondola car body is optimized from the whole structure to the local area by the proposed method. Further, it is also verified that the structural optimization method of the heavy haul wagon body is reasonable and feasible.

Study the Effect of Microinjection of Zn, Fe, and Cu Loaded in Montmorillonite on Development Activities in Fertilized Chicken Eggs.

This study aims to reduce embryonic mortality, increase body weight, and improve immune system in chicken. A total of 240 eggs were assigned to three treatments (n = 60) and injected with cooper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) loaded by montmorillonite (Mnt), and one untreated group (n = 60). Some hormones and enzymes related with growth were measured in terms of serum, and expression of some genes related to growth, immune, and programmed cell deaths that were determined in the liver and spleen of chicken by RT-qPCR. The embryonic death on the fifth and seventh days after injecting eggs with Fe-Mnt was less obvious than in other groups. The heaviest body weight was recorded for Fe-Mnt and Cu-Mnt treatment. Fe-Mnt treatment had higher serum GSH, SOD, GH, and Myostatin contents and lower MDA than those in the other treatments. Cu-Mnt treatment included the highest contents of CAT enzyme and IGF-1 hormone in serum. The highest expression of IGF-1, GH, BCL6, and SYK genes in liver tissue were recorded by Zn-Mnt, IGFBP2, FGF8, and IFNW1 genes by Cu-Mnt, and TC1RG1 and IFNW1 genes by Fe-Mnt in spleen tissue. In conclusion, Fe-Mnt was the best treatment for reducing embryonic mortality, and increasing body weight of chickens and expression of growth and immune genes, followed by Cu-Mnt treatment.

How Body Size Cues Judgments on Person Perception Dimensions

Many people in Western societies pursue a thin body. Among the multiple reasons to lose weight, concerns about social perceptions play a prominent role in the desire to shed pounds. Previous research associates thinness with attractiveness, especially in Western societies. The current work demonstrates that moderate deviations from the average body size cue judgments on person perception dimensions. Results from three studies show that whereas moderately thin (vs. heavy) individuals are rated as more competent, moderately heavy (vs. thin) people are rated as more warm. The studies present mediation- and manipulation-based evidence that these effects occur because a thin (vs. heavy) body signals self-control—a construct instrumental in drawing competence inferences—and that a heavy (vs. thin) body signals emotional expressiveness—a construct that triggers inferences of warmth.