Large Mass Loss Research Articles

Preoperative risk factors for skeletal muscle mass loss in patients with biliary tract cancer.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC)-related procedures, usually performed before biliary tract cancer (BTC) surgery, are associated with increased risk for various complications, which can cause sarcopenia. No study has previously elucidated the relationship between preoperative ERC-related procedures and sarcopenia/skeletal muscle mass loss. Patients with BTC who underwent radical surgical resection following ERC-related procedures were included. Skeletal muscle mass was evaluated using the psoas muscle mass index (PMI), which was determined using computed tomography images, and the change in PMI before the initial pre-ERC and surgery (ΔPMI) was calculated. Risk factors for advanced skeletal muscle mass loss, defined as a large ΔPMI, were evaluated. The study cohort included 90 patients with a median age of 72 (interquartile range, 65-75) years. The median PMI pre-ERC and surgery was 4.40 and 4.15 cm2/m2, respectively (p < .01). The median ΔPMI was -6.2% (interquartile range, -10.9% to 0.5%). By multivariate analysis, post-ERC pancreatitis and cholangitis before surgery were independent predictive factors for large PMI loss (odds ratio, 4.57 and 3.18, respectively; p = .03 and p = .02, respectively). Skeletal muscle mass decreases preoperatively in most patients with BTC undergoing ERC. Post-ERC pancreatitis and cholangitis before surgery were independent risk factors for large skeletal muscle mass loss.

Temperature dependence of the friction and wear behavior of pure tungsten

In this work, the friction and wear characteristics of rolled pure tungsten were investigated by using atomic force microscope (AFM) and field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM) with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) characterization techniques. A ductile to brittle transition (DBT) related frictional wear behaviors have been discovered. The results indicated that the coefficient of friction maintains an almost constant value of 0.45 at low temperatures (≤ 400 °C), whereas it consistently decreases at 600 °C due to the generation of a surface oxide. The wear rate varies with temperatures and reaches a maximum at 200 °C due to the transition of the tungsten matrix from brittleness to pseudoplasticity, which leads to severe adhesive wear and large mass loss. In addition, the evolution of sub-grains underneath the friction layer and Vickers microhardness were evaluated as well. This work provides insight into understanding the relationship between temperatures, microstructure and the frictional properties of tungsten materials, and thus provides guidance for improving frictional wear behaviors in tungsten materials.

The Physical Origin of the Periodic Activity for FRB 20180916B

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are transient radio signals with millisecond-duration, large dispersion measure and extremely high brightness temperature. Among them, FRB 20180916B has been found to have a 16 days periodically modulated activity. However, the physical origin of the periodicity is still a mystery. Here, we utilize the comprehensive observational data to diagnose the periodic models. We find that the ultralong rotation model is the most probable one for the periodic activity. However, this model cannot reproduce the observed rotation measure (RM) variations. We propose a self-consistent model, i.e., a massive star binary containing a slowly rotational neutron star and a massive star with large mass loss, which can naturally accommodate the wealth of observational features for FRB 20180916B. In this model, the RM variation is periodic, which can be tested by future observations.

Liquid metal compatibility of pre-oxidized FeCrAl in flowing Sn

A flowing Sn thermal convection loop (TCL) experiment was conducted in FeCrAlMo (Kanthal alloy APMT) tubing for 1000 h with a peak temperature of 400 °C. Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) Fe-(10–12)Cr-6Al and APMT specimens were exposed and all were pre-oxidized to form an external alumina scale. Unlike static exposures at 400° and 500 °C where pre-oxidation prevented dissolution, large mass losses were observed in the TCL hot leg after the specimens were cleaned in Li. The observed pitting suggests that localized failure of the pre-formed alumina surface oxide caused significant metal loss. Specimen mass gains were not observed on the cold leg implying that mass transfer did not occur and the small levels of Fe and Cr in the Sn after the experiment implies that Sn-rich phases may have formed. Post exposure room temperature tensile testing showed limited impact of the Sn exposure on the 12Cr ODS FeCrAl alloy, comparable to a 1000 h anneal in Ar at 400 °C. These results suggest that pre-oxidation is not sufficient to protect FeCrAl alloys in contact with flowing liquid Sn at 350°-400 °C.

A Large and Variable Leading Tail of Helium in a Hot Saturn Undergoing Runaway Inflation

Atmospheric escape shapes the fate of exoplanets, with statistical evidence for transformative mass loss imprinted across the mass–radius–insolation distribution. Here, we present transit spectroscopy of the highly irradiated, low-gravity, inflated hot Saturn HAT-P-67 b. The Habitable Zone Planet Finder spectra show a detection of up to 10% absorption depth of the 10833 Å helium triplet. The 13.8 hr of on-sky integration time over 39 nights sample the entire planet orbit, uncovering excess helium absorption preceding the transit by up to 130 planetary radii in a large leading tail. This configuration can be understood as the escaping material overflowing its small Roche lobe and advecting most of the gas into the stellar—and not planetary—rest frame, consistent with the Doppler velocity structure seen in the helium line profiles. The prominent leading tail serves as direct evidence for dayside mass loss with a strong day-/nightside asymmetry. We see some transit-to-transit variability in the line profile, consistent with the interplay of stellar and planetary winds. We employ one-dimensional Parker wind models to estimate the mass-loss rate, finding values on the order of 2 × 1013 g s−1, with large uncertainties owing to the unknown X-ray and ultraviolet (XUV) flux of the F host star. The large mass loss in HAT-P-67 b represents a valuable example of an inflated hot Saturn, a class of planets recently identified to be rare, as their atmospheres are predicted to evaporate quickly. We contrast two physical mechanisms for runaway evaporation: ohmic dissipation and XUV irradiation, slightly favoring the latter.

Slow pyrolysis experimental investigation on the tar formation and its pyrolysis behavior characteristics

The problems of safety, environment and cost caused by biomass tar hinder the development of biomass-to-syngas technology. In this paper, the characteristics of biomass tar formation and pyrolysis behavior were studied by using a tubular furnace and a thermogravimetric analyzer. The activation energy and pyrolysis mechanism function of different pyrolysis tar samples were determined. Results indicated that phenols, furan-containing structures, ketones and other oxygen-containing organic compounds were the main components. The tar yield reached its maximum at 700 °C. Before 500 °C, the change of tar composition was mainly related to the decomposition of biomass structure. After 500 °C, the tar underwent homogeneous transformation, and after 700 °C, the secondary reaction of tar intensified. Among the three stages of tar pyrolysis, the first stage had the largest mass loss. And the pyrolysis mechanism functions followed by first stage of the two different tar were obviously different. 600 °C pyrolysis tar followed the Diffusion model, while 800 °C pyrolysis tar followed the Order of reaction model.

Raw Materials Used in Traditional Pottery from Northern Morocco: Possible Alternative Material for a Sustainable Future in the Fran Ali Area

AbstractThe colluvium and saprolite deposits in the Fran Ali area (Oued Laou, northern Morocco) constitute the main source of raw materials used in traditional pottery. These materials are becoming scarce, however, so alternative materials with the same characteristics are needed; this would ensure the sustainability of pottery activities in the area. The objective of the present study was to examine ten representative samples of clayey materials extracted from the Fran Ali area, i.e. the Ikhadimene, Dar Haddoune, Ihadounene, Aqqbat Ajjoua, and Isalahene sites. The geological materials consist mainly of grayish to brownish phyllites, thin layers of yellowish clay, thicker intervals of reddish-yellow soils ranging in depth from 1 to 4 m, and reddish colluvium soils. The physical properties of these materials were determined using semi-wet sieving and Atterberg limit tests, while chemical, mineralogical, and thermal properties were obtained from the methylene blue test (MBT), the calcimetry test, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric and differential thermal (TGA/DTGA) analysis. The results suggest that the soils contain 21–35% clay, 28–34% silt, and 37–52% sand. They are moderately plastic, with methylene blue adsorption capacities ranging from 3 to 7% and minimal CaCO3 carbonate contents (1–4%). Samples are dominated by SiO2 (51–57%), Al2O3 (17–21%), and Fe2O3 (8–10%). Mineralogically, they are composed of illite (19–27%), chlorite (0–22%), kaolinite (5–9%), and quartz (29–32%). Thermal analysis showed a relatively large mass loss of ~10%. The samples are deemed to be moderately plastic. The results indicate that this raw material is acceptable for pottery fabrication, given the small proportion of irregular interlayer content and its average geotechnical properties. In addition, extraction of the colluvium material is not sustainable because of the relative scarcity of the material. Given the mineralogical similarity between the weathered layers (colluvium) and their parent rock (shales), the present results suggest that the latter is a suitable alternative to the former.

Single-stage freezing desalination study with slurry pressing piston and enhanced vacuum for brine extraction

Freezing desalination has gained interest due to its potential to reduce energy use. The freezing process faces challenges that limit its wide use. Washing product ice causes a large mass loss. Most freezing processes involve crushing to generate the appropriate ice form, limiting large-scale production. A vacuum pump and pressing piston are experimentally utilized to collect brine during melting to avoid washing and crushing ice. Five brine separation processes are needed to produce 2 %-salinity water. The studies used salinity-varying feed water. From the results, utilizing a vacuum pump and piston for brine separation during melting and a relatively small number of separation steps has considerably enhanced the quality of the produced water without causing significant mass loss. It is observed that 1000 ml of 15,000 ppm feed water produces freshwater with salinity and volume equal to 114 ppm and 185 ml, respectively. Results indicate that when the COP varied from 4 to 6, the system performance ratio increased from 31.74 to 47.62 and 7.94 to 11.90, with a recovery ratio equal to 0.9 and 0.6, respectively. Compared to previously described freeze desalination, MSF, MED, and MD desalination systems, the specific energy consumption increases by 71.5 %, 66.4 %, 54.5 %, and 36.1 %.

Changes in glacier albedo and the driving factors in the Western Nyainqentanglha Mountains from 2001 to 2020

AbstractGlacier surface albedo dominates glacier energy balance, thus strongly affecting the glacier mass balance. Glaciers in the Western Nyainqentanglha Mountains (WNM) experienced large mass losses in the past two decades, but long-term changes of glacier albedo and its drivers are less understood. In this study, we retrieved glacier albedo with MODIS reflectance data to characterize the spatiotemporal variability of albedo from 2001 to 2020. Air temperature, rainfall, snowfall and deposition of light-absorbing impurities (LAIs) were evaluated as potential drivers of the observed variability in glacier albedo. The results showed that: (1) the glacier albedo experienced large inter-annual fluctuations, with the mean albedo being 0.552 ± 0.002 and a clear decreasing trend of 0.0443 ± 2 × 10−4 dec−1 in the WNM. The fastest decline was observed in autumn and in the vicinity of the equilibrium line altitude, indicating an extended melt season and an expansion of the ablation region to higher elevation; (2) local meteorology and LAIs deposition are the main drivers of glacier albedo change, but their effects on seasonal albedos are different due to different glacier processes. Both air temperature and the balance between liquid and solid precipitation affect summer and autumn albedos due to glacier ablation. Air temperature is the main driver of spring and winter albedos due to sublimation and metamorphism of snow, while snowfall carried by westerlies has limited influence on these two seasonal albedos due to less snowfall. LAIs mainly affect spring albedo due to high concentration coupled with the southerly wind in spring. These findings highlight the significance of changes in glacier albedo and the key role of local meteorology and LAIs deposition in determining such changes, which play an important role in glaciological and cryosphere processes.

Synthesis and Performance Evaluation of Alginate-Coated Temperature-Sensitive Polymer Gel Microspheres.

With the long-term water-flooding development of the reservoir, the non-homogeneity of the formation is increasing and the reservoir environment is deteriorating; the microspheres used for deep plugging have shown disadvantages, such as poor temperature and salt resistance and faster expansion. In this study, a polymeric microsphere was synthesized that is resistant to high temperature and high salt and can achieve slow expansion and slow release for deep migration. P(AA-AM-SA)@TiO2 polymer gel/inorganic nanoparticle microspheres were prepared by reversed-phase microemulsion polymerization using acrylamide (AM) and acrylic acid (AA) as monomers, 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH-570)-modified TiO2 as the inorganic core, and sodium alginate (SA) as a temperature-sensitive coating material. Through single-factor analysis of the polymerization process, the optimal synthesis conditions were determined as follows: the oil(Cyclohexane)-water volume ratio was 8:5, the emulsifier mass ratio (Span-80:Tween-80) was 3:1 (10 wt% of the total system amount), the stirring speed was 400 r/min, the reaction temperature was 60 °C, and the initiator (ammonium persulfate and sodium bisulfite) dosage was 0.6 wt%. The size of the dried polymer gel/inorganic nanoparticle microspheres prepared by the optimized synthesis conditions was 10~40 μm with uniform particle size. The observation of P(AA-AM-SA)@TiO2 microspheres reveals that the Ca elements are uniformly distributed on the microspheres, and FT-IR indicates that the synthesized product is the target product. TGA shows that the polymer gel/inorganic nanoparticle microspheres have better thermal stability after the addition of TiO2, with a larger mass loss at 390 °C, which can adapt to the medium-high permeability reservoir environment. The thermal and aqueous salinity resistance of the P(AA-AM-SA)@TiO2 microspheres was tested, and the cracking temperature of P(AA-AM-SA)@TiO2 microsphere temperature-sensitive material was 90 °C. It still has favorable water absorption and swelling performance under the sodium salt concentration of 2.5 × 104 mg/L and can tolerate calcium salt up to 2.0 × 104 mg/L. Plugging Performance Test results show that the microspheres have good injectability between the permeability of 1.23 and 2.35 μm2 and good plugging effect near the permeability of 2.20 μm2. At high temperature and high salinity, P(AA-AM-SA)@TiO2 microspheres have a remarkable effect on profile control and water shutoff, the plugging rate reaches 95.3%, and the oil recovery rate is increased by 12.89% compared with water flooding, achieving the effect of slow swelling and slow release.

Examination of the decomposition of willow (Salix sp.), poplar (Populus sp.), reed (Phragmites australis) and mixed leaf litter with litterbag technique

Leaf litter decomposition is one of the main ecological material cycle processes in waterfront areas. In this microcosm experiment, the rate of decomposition of the most frequently occurring dominant waterside plants were examined in the summer months of 2022 in a class “A” evaporation pan, using litterbag technique. The study provides information about the decomposition dynamics of willow (Salix sp.), poplar (Populus sp.), reed (Phragmites australis) and different leaf litter mixture combinations. Dry mass, exponential decay coefficient and the chemical parameters of the water (pH, conductivity, NH4+, PO43-, SO42-) were determined during the 84 days long experimental period. The weight loss curves showed negative exponential pattern in every case. On average, the different samples lost ~ 57% of their initial dry mass during the experimental period. The largest mass loss was measured in case of poplar (67.2%), while reed leaves had the smallest mass loss (47.25%). Based on the results, it cannot be proven, that mixed leaf litter accelerates the rate of decomposition.

Thermal behavior and thermolysis mechanisms of graphene oxide-intercalated energetic complexes of carbohydrazide

Graphene-based carbohydrazide coordination polymers are beneficial for improving solid propellants’ energy level and safety, so the study of their thermal decomposition mechanism is promoted for their wide application. In this paper, graphene oxide (GO) intercalated transition metal (Cu2+, Co2+, and Ni2+) complexes of carbohydrazide (CHZ) have been evaluated by using DSC/TGA apparatus and the TG-FTIR technique. Both isoconversional and combined kinetic methods were employed to calculate the kinetic parameters. The components inside GOCHZ-M would react with each other to cause a large mass loss rate and lead to a larger heat-releasing value than pure GO. The types of metal ions could affect their reaction model. Compared with GO, G-CHZ-Co shows a two-sided effect (stabilization and catalytic) on its decomposition. For G-CHZ-Co, the reaction model of each peak is close to the random 2d nucleation and nucleus growth model.

Термические свойства дипиколиновой кислоты и натриевой соли дипиколиновой кислоты NaH(COO)2C5H3N • H2(COO)2C5H3N • 3H2O

Pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (dipicolinic acid) are actively studied by scientists. Dicarboxylic acid can be used as a special biomarker of anthrax. The crystal structure of NaH(COO)2C5H3N•H2(COO)2C5H3N•3H2O (1) was redetermined from single crystal. In the structure of the sodium salt of dipicolinic acid, sodium is the central atom having two molecules of dipicolinic acid and three molecules of water as ligands. The dipicolinic anion coordinate sodium cation by both oxygens and one nitrogen atom. A network of hydrogen bonds connects water and dipicolinic acid molecules. Hydrogen bonds take part in the formation of building blocks and arranging them into chains which, in their turn, make up layers. The sodium salt of dipicolinic acid as well as its precursor – dipicolinic acid were studied by IR spectroscopy and simultaneous thermal analysis. According to thermal analysis dipicolinic acid is anhydrous substance, that decompose on melting at 252 °C forming only gaseous products, presumably CO2 and pyridine. Opposite to that, thermolysis of its sodium salt follow much more complicated way. According to thermogram the 1 has first stage of three water molecules removal at 105 °C. The measured mass loss is very close to expected mass loss. Heat of dehydratation reaction is 151 kJ/mole. On a further heating the sodium salt of dipicolinic acid was melted at 256 °C with large mass loss. The nature of products at 268 and 315 °C is hard to state. EDX elemental analysis of black residue after 700 °C state brutto-formula of “NaNC5O2” – Na cyanate or carbonate in glassy carbon matrix.

Persistent mass loss of Triangular Glacier, James Ross Island, north-eastern Antarctic Peninsula

AbstractThe retreat rates of Triangular Glacier since 1979 and its mass changes during the period 2014/15–2019/20 indicate the sensitive response of small ice masses on the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula to air temperature evolution. This cirque glacier in the northern part of James Ross Island receded rapidly during the period of regional warming in the late 20th century, losing 30.8% of its surface area between 1979 and 2006 (−1.7% a−1). The retreat rate then dropped to −0.3% a−1following the regional cooling trend, but started to accelerate again (−0.8 to −2.3% a−1) with increasing air temperature since the summer 2014/15. Since the glaciological year 2015/16, Triangular Glacier has experienced enhanced snow melt, wind scour and permanent mass loss with annual mass balance ranging from −0.08 ± 0.35 to −0.56 ± 0.25 m w.e. The largest mass loss was observed in the glaciological year 2019/20, which included the warmest summer of the observation period. The cumulative mass balance of −1.66 ± 0.83 m w.e. over the years 2014/15–2019/20 is consistent with the termination of the positive mass-balance period that occurred in the north-eastern Antarctic Peninsula from 2009/10 to 2014/15.

Field mixtures of currently used pesticides in agricultural soil pose a risk to soil invertebrates

Massive use of pesticides in conventional agriculture leads to accumulation in soil of complex mixtures, triggering questions about their potential ecotoxicological risk. This study assessed cropland soils containing pesticide mixtures sampled from conventional and organic farming systems at La Cage and Mons, France. The conventional agricultural field soils contained more pesticide residues (11 and 17 versus 3 and 11, respectively) and at higher concentrations than soils from organic fields (mean 6.6 and 10.5 versus 0.2 and 0.6 μg kg−1, respectively), including systemic insecticides belonging to neonicotinoids, carbamate herbicides and broad-spectrum fungicides mostly from the azole family. A risk quotient (RQi) approach evaluated the toxicity of the pesticide mixtures in soil, assuming concentration addition. Based on measured concentrations, both conventional agricultural soils posed high risks to soil invertebrates, especially due to the presence of epoxiconazole and imidacloprid, whereas soils under organic farming showed negligible to medium risk. To confirm the outcome of the risk assessment, toxicity of the soils was determined in bioassays following standardized test guidelines with seven representative non-target invertebrates: earthworms (Eisenia andrei, Lumbricus rubellus, Aporrectodea caliginosa), enchytraeids (Enchytraeus crypticus), Collembola (Folsomia candida), oribatid mites (Oppia nitens), and snails (Cantareus aspersus). Collembola and enchytraeid survival and reproduction and land snail growth were significantly lower in soils from conventional compared to organic agriculture. The earthworms displayed different responses: L. rubellus showed higher mortality on soils from conventional agriculture and large body mass loss in all field soils, E. andrei showed considerable mass loss and strongly reduced reproduction, and A. caliginosa showed significantly reduced acetylcholinesterase activity in soils from conventional agriculture. The oribatid mites did not show consistent differences between organic and conventional farming soils. These results highlight that conventional agricultural practices pose a high risk for soil invertebrates and may threaten soil functionality, likely due to additive or synergistic “cocktail effects”.

Co-combustion behaviors and NO formation characteristics of semi-coke and antibiotic filter residue under oxy-fuel condition

The oxy-fuel combustion technology is helpful to realize the carbon neutrality and reduce the CO2 emission. Antibiotic filter residue (AFR) is a kind of biomass solid waste from medical treatment with a high-level of volatile matter but a low content of fixed carbon. Semi-coke (SC) is the by-product from coal-chemical industry with poor combustion feature, and the SC powder is usually regarded as a carbon-based solid waste. The co-combustion of SC and AFR in oxy-fuel atmosphere could take advantages of both physical–chemical features of two solid wastes. However, few scholars have focused on the oxy-fuel co-firing features of AFR and SC blend, especially the NO formation characteristics and the effects of interactions between two samples on co-combustion behavior. Here, a drop-tube furnace co-firing experimental system is mainly employed to elucidate the co-combustion features of two solid wastes under oxy-fuel condition, together with the physical–chemical properties and reactivity of solid samples. The physical–chemical features of AFR and SC are quite different due to the additives during fermentation and extraction process of antibiotic. The high volatile matter of AFR leads to a much larger mass loss than SC. The conversion ratio of fuel-N to NO (XNO) of blend rises with the proportion of SC, and the increase of XNO reaches by 17.1% with the SC blending ratio raised from 80% to 100%. The XNO of blend in oxy-fuel atmosphere is lower than that in O2/N2 and O2/Ar atmospheres. The XNO and combustion efficiency both increase with the oxygen content in O2/CO2 atmosphere, and the effects of oxygen concentration elevated on co-firing characteristics are raised with the volatile content of blend reduced. The effects of increasing temperature could enhance the combustion reactivity of blend, which are more significant on blend with low-volatile matter. The present studies could provide guidance for effective and clean utilization of solid wastes, and be beneficial for the carbon neutrality and large-scale CO2 reduction.

Experimental study on flame spread characteristics of double PE-insulated wires with different spacing distances

In this paper, three types (typeⅠ, type Ⅱand type III) of polyethylene-insulated wires with copper core diameters of 6 mm, 8 mm and 10 mm and thickness of polyethylene of 2 mm respectively, were used to research the flame spread of double wires with spacing sizes of 0 mm,1 mm,2 mm,3 mm,5 mm,7 mm,10 mm,12 mm, 15 mm and 18 mm. The results showed that with the increase of spacing, the flame changed from “less propagating” to “quasi-intermittent merging” stage, to “continuous merging” stage, then to “intermittent merging” stage, and finally to “non-merging” stage. For type III of the largest Cu core diameter, the flame could not spread when s = 1 mm and 2 mm.After that, the same transition from"continuous merging” stage to “non-merging” stage was found. The flame width showed the similar trend with FSR for typeⅠand type Ⅱ, while for type III the correlation between flame width and FSR was not closely related. The mass loss rate and mass dripping rate showed the similar trends with FSR. The faster FSR, the larger mass loss and dripping rates. The “re-burning” phenomena were found during the process of flame spread with small spacing distances, which made the residual material PE ignite again, and the flame width increase.

Co-pyrolysis of coal slime and cattle manure by TG–FTIR–MS and artificial neural network modeling: Pyrolysis behavior, kinetics, gas emission characteristics

In this study, Thermogravimetric-Mass spectrometry-Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (TG-MS-FTIR) were used to study the co-pyrolysis behavior and gaseous products of coal slime (CS) and cattle manure (CM). By establishing different artificial neural network (ANN) prediction models, it was found that MLP13 model is the best prediction model. It was determined that the pyrolysis process of CM and CS can be divided into three stages, of which the second stage has the largest mass loss. Due to the different mixing ratio, there will be synergistic interaction or inhibitory effect during co-pyrolysis of CM and CS. Adding CM to CS will improve the pyrolysis performance of CS. The Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) and Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) methods were used to calculate the activation energy. The activation energy was the lowest when the mixing ratio is CM:CS = 7:3, which was 195.377 kJ/mol (FWO) and 195.008 kJ/mol (KAS), respectively.

Bariatric surgery on obese walking: mass(ive) changes akin to load carrying and hypogravity for normal-weight adults.

Bariatric surgery on obese walking: mass(ive) changes akin to load carrying and hypogravity for normal-weight adults.

Effect of very large body mass loss on energetics, mechanics and efficiency of walking in adults with obesity: mass-driven versus behavioural adaptations.

Understanding the mechanisms involved in the higher energy cost of walking (NCw: the energy expenditure above resting per unit distance) in adults with obesity is pivotal to optimizing the use of walking in weight management programmes. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the mechanics, energetics and mechanical efficiency of walking after a large body mass loss induced by bariatric surgery in individuals with obesity. Nine adults (39.5 ± 8.6 year; BMI: 42.7 ± 4.6 kg m–2) walked at five fixed speeds before (baseline) and after the bariatric surgery (post 1 and post 2). Gas exchanges were measured to obtain NCw. A motion analysis system and instrumented treadmill were combined to assess total mechanical work (W tot). Mechanical efficiency (W tot NCw –1) was also calculated. Participants lost 25.7 ± 3.4% of their body mass at post 1 (6.6 months; P < 0.001) and 6.1 ± 4.9% more at post 2 (12 months; P = 0.014). Mass‐normalized NCw was similar between baseline and post 1 and decreased at post 2 compared to that at baseline (−6.2 ± 2.7%) and post 1 (−8.1 ± 1.9%; P ≤ 0.007). No difference was found in mass‐normalized W tot during follow‐up (P = 0.36). Mechanical efficiency was similar at post 1 and post 2 when compared to that at baseline (P ≥ 0.19), but it was higher (+14.1 ± 4.6%) at post 2 than at post 1 (P = 0.013). These findings showed that after a very large body mass loss, individuals with obesity may reorganize their walking pattern into a gait more similar to that of lean adults, thus decreasing their NCw by making their muscles work more efficiently. Key points A higher net (above resting) energy cost of walking (lower gait economy) is observed in adults with obesity compared to lean individuals.Understanding the mechanisms (i.e. mass driven, gait pattern and behavioural changes) involved in this extra cost of walking in adults with obesity is pivotal to optimizing the use of walking to promote daily physical activity and improve health in these individuals.We found that very large weight loss induced by bariatric surgery significantly decreased the energy cost of walking per kg of body mass after 1 year with similar total mechanical work per kg of body mass, resulting in an increased mechanical efficiency of walking.Individuals with obesity may reorganize their walking pattern into a gait more similar to that of adults of normal body mass, thus decreasing their energy cost of walking by making their muscles work more efficiently.