Percentage Reduction In Weight Research Articles

Impact of baseline dietary quality on the efficacy of a dietitian-guided weight reduction program

AimThis pre-post intervention study aimed to assess the relationship between baseline dietary quality and the efficacy of a dietitian-guided weight reduction program, which has not been thoroughly documented to date.MethodsNinety-two consecutive obese or overweight patients visiting a tertiary center clinic for weight reduction were enrolled in this study. Participants received a dietitian-guided weight reduction education program aimed at reducing daily caloric intake by 500 kcal and improving adherence to the Mediterranean diet for 3 months. Baseline dietary quality was assessed using the 14-item Taiwanese Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (T-MEDAS), where a higher T-MEDAS score reflects greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Additional covariates, including dietary behaviors, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities were also recorded. The primary outcome was the percentage of weight reduction at 3 months, analyzed using restricted cubic spline models and generalized estimating equations (GEE) to account for the correlation between weight change and the baseline T-MEDAS scores.ResultsThirty-nine participants were excluded due to major illnesses, use of anti-obesity medications, or loss to follow-up. Among the remaining 53 participants (mean age 41.2 ± 12.8 years, 56.6% female), the average weight reduction was 3.9 ± 3.3% from a baseline weight of 98.5 ± 12.8 kg. Participants who did not achieve a weight reduction of more than 5% had higher baseline T-MEDAS scores compared to those who did (5.4 ± 1.7 vs. 4.1 ± 1.8, p = 0.026). A restricted cubic spline model, adjusted for covariates including age, gender, diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia, and smoking, revealed a significant inverse relationship between higher baseline T-MEDAS scores and weight loss. After controlling for various confounders, GEE analysis demonstrated that higher baseline T-MEDAS scores were significantly associated with less weight loss (beta: -4.1, 95% CI: -5.6 to -2.6, p < 0.001).ConclusionsHigher baseline dietary quality was associated with reduced effectiveness of a dietitian-guided weight reduction program. This suggests that additional strategies may be required to improve the success of weight loss interventions in individuals with higher baseline dietary quality.

Role of Brown Adipose Tissue in Metabolic Health and Efficacy of Drug Treatment for Obesity.

(1) Background: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is responsible for non-shivering thermogenesis, and its activation has become a new object as both a determinant of metabolic health and a target for therapy. This study aimed to identify the relationships between the presence of BAT, parameters that characterize metabolic health (glucose, lipids, blood pressure (BP)), and the dynamics of body mass index (BMI) during weight-reducing therapy. (2) Methods: The study included 72 patients with obesity. We investigated metabolic parameters, anthropometric parameters, and BP. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) were performed. (3) Results: Before weight-reducing therapy, BAT was revealed only in 19% patients with obesity. The presence of BAT was associated with a lower risk of metabolic deviations that characterize metabolic syndrome: shorter waist circumference (WC) (p = 0.02) and lower levels of glucose (p = 0.03) and triglycerides (p = 0.03). Thereafter, patients were divided into four groups according to the type of therapy (only lifestyle modification or with Liraglutide or Reduxin or Reduxin Forte). We did not find a relationship between the presence of BAT and response to therapy: percent weight reduction was 10.4% in patients with BAT and 8.5% in patients without BAT (p = 0.78) during six months of therapy. But we noted a significant positive correlation between the volume of BAT and the effectiveness of weight loss at 3 months (r = 0.52, p = 0.016). The dynamic analysis of BAT after 6 months of therapy showed a significant increase in the volume of cold-induced metabolically active BAT, as determined by PET/CT with 18F-FDG in the Liraglutide group (p = 0.04) and an increase in the activity of BAT standardized uptake value (SUV mean and SUV max) in the Reduxin (p = 0.02; p = 0.01, respectively) and Liraglutide groups (p = 0.02 in both settings). (4) Conclusions: The presence of brown adipose tissue is associated with a lower risk of metabolic abnormalities. In general, our study demonstrated that well-established drugs in the treatment of obesity (Liraglutide and Reduxin) have one more mechanism for implementing their effects. These drugs have the ability to increase the activity of BAT. A significant positive relationship between the total volume of BAT and the percentage of weight loss may further determine the priority mechanism of the weight-reducing effect of these medicaments.

Debridement efficacy of serine protease and formulated cream by In Vitro assessment against artificial wound eschar

Chronic wounds typically comprise of necrotic tissue and dried secretions, often culminating in the formation of a thick and tough layer of dead skin known as eschar. Removal of eschar is imperative to facilitate wound healing. Conventional approach for eschar removal involves surgical excision and grafting, which can be traumatic and frequently leads to viable tissue damage. There has been growing interest in the use of enzymatic agents for a gentler approach to debridement, utilizing proteolytic enzymes. In this study, a purified intracellular recombinant serine protease from Bacillus sp. (SPB) and its cream formulation were employed to evaluate their ability to degrade artificial wound eschar; composed of collagen, fibrin, and elastin. Degradation was assessed based on percentage weight reduction of eschar biomass, analysis via sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both SPB and its cream formulation were able to degrade up to 50 % artificial wound eschar, with the SPB cream maintaining its degradation efficiency for up to 24 hours. Additionally, the SPB-based cream demonstrated the ability to hydrolyze proteinaceous components of eschars individually (fibrin and collagen) as determined through qualitative assessment. These findings suggest that SPB holds promise for the debridement of wound eschar.

Multi-objective optimization of weight reduction process parameters of micropolyester woven fabrics using Taguchi gray relational analysis

The weight loss process variables of alkali-treated micropolyester woven fabrics were optimized and reported in this study. The gray relational analysis with the help of the Taguchi technique was efficiently used to optimize the key variables of this process. The caustic soda concentration, treatment temperature, and weight loss machine speed were considered the control or design parameters. The weight reduction percentage, air permeability, tensile strength, and thermal resistance of alkali-treated woven polyester fabrics were also considered as responses in this study. The experiments were implemented according to a 33 full factorial design. The levels of the control parameters which yield the maximum weight reduction, tensile strength, air permeability, and minimum thermal resistance of the treated polyester fabrics were found to be the sodium hydroxide concentration, and treatment temperature with the highest levels, and machine speed with the lowest level. This means that a 27% caustic soda concentration, treatment temperature of 125°C, and machine speed of 40 m/min exhibited the optimum properties of the treated micropolyester fabrics. It was also proved that the treatment temperature is the most influential factor affecting the micropolyester fabric’s properties. The confirmation test, which was carried out in this study, confirmed that the gray relational analysis improved the alkali-treated polyester fabric properties.

Aerothermal and aerodynamic characteristics of reusable hypersonic vehicles with heat transfer minimised sweepback

AbstractEstablishing aerothermal criteria for swept leading-edge hypersonic vehicle design is the predominant purpose of this work. This study is focused on two different configurations of vehicles based on the swept-back angle ( $\varLambda$ ) viz. minimum drag ( $\varLambda$ Drag-min), and minimum heat transfer to vehicle ( $\varLambda$ HT-min). Maximum wall temperatures obtained from the simulation performed in ANSYS 2020 with the k-epsilon turbulence model are 1,013 and 970K for $\varLambda$ Drag-min and $\varLambda$ HT-min, respectively. These temperatures are used to obtain the corresponding thicknesses of thermal protection systems to maintain inner wall temperature at 323K. Further study is divided into two cases depending on the direction of thickness of thermal protection system with respect to vehicle body. For constant payload capacity, the direction of thickness is outside; whereas for constant overall volume case, direction of thickness is inside. For constant payload volume case, the percentage weight reduction of thermal protection system is 4.8%. For constant overall volume case, the percentage payload capacity increases with design at $\varLambda$ HT-min by 4.04% in addition to thermal protection system weight reduction. The lift-induced drag on vehicles with design at $\varLambda$ HT-min is significantly reduced for both cases, by 47.68% (for constant payload volume) and 45.27% (for constant overall volume).

Performance Evaluation of Micro-Irrigation Systems in Coconut Plantations

Most of the coconut farmers in Sri Lanka are reluctant to adopt micro-irrigation systems, complaining about low performance. A field study was conducted to verify the claim. The performance was evaluated in two subunits at the inlet and distal end of two micro-irrigation systems with drippers and mini sprayers. The subunit at the inlet of the system with drippers showed a fair Emission Uniformity (78%) and all other tested subunits in both systems showed poor Emission Uniformity, falling below the 70% threshold set by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. In the drip irrigation system, the increase of Emission Uniformity in the subunit at the distal end was approximately 33%. The increase of Emission Uniformity in all subunits of both systems was 4-6% after replacing the emitters with new emitters. The system with drippers showed severe clogging risk and the system with mini sprayers showed minor clogging risk. Despite the water being in the low clogging risk category, the mini sprayer exhibited the highest percent weight reduction (2%) after washing to remove clogging substances. The coefficient of manufacturer’s variation of the new drippers was in the marginal category of the classification. The Emitter Flow Variation of all the subunits were unacceptable level (&gt;25%) with the existing drippers and mini sprayers. Only the subunit at the inlet of the drip irrigation system showed acceptable Emitter Flow Variation with new emitters. This study revealed that the low performance in both systems was due to emitter clogging and poor hydraulic design.

Health state utilities associated with weight loss: preferences of people with type 2 diabetes and obesity in Japan

Aims Health state utilities associated with weight change are needed for cost-utility analyses (CUAs) examining the value of treatments for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Previous studies have estimated the utility benefits associated with various amounts of weight reduction in the US and Europe, but preferences for weight change in Asian cultures may differ from these published values. The purpose of this study was to estimate utilities associated with reductions in body weight based on preferences of individuals with type 2 diabetes and obesity in Japan. Methods Health state vignettes represented type 2 diabetes with respondents’ own current weight and weight reductions of 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5%, 15%, and 20%. Utilities were elicited in time trade-off interviews with a sample of respondents in Japan with type 2 diabetes and body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 (the cutoff for obesity in Japan). Results Analyses were conducted with data from 138 respondents (84.8% male; mean age = 58.0 years; mean BMI = 29.4 kg/m2) from all eight regions of Japan. Utility gains gradually increased with rising percentage of weight reductions ranging from 2.5% to 15%. Weight reductions of 2.5% to 15% resulted in utility increases of 0.013 to 0.048. The health state representing a 20% weight reduction yielded a wide range of preferences (mean utility increase of 0.044). Equations are recommended for estimating utility change based on any percentage of weight reduction (up to 20%) in Japanese people with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Limitations This study was conducted in a sample with limited representation of patients with BMI >35 kg/m2 (n = 13) and relatively few women (n = 21). Conclusion Results may be used to provide inputs for CUAs examining the value of treatments that are associated with weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity in Japan.

Pemanfaatan Limbah Kayu Ulin (Eusideroxylon zwageri) sebagai Bahan Pengawet untuk Mencegah Serangan Rayap Kayu Kering pada Kayu Jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba)

Eusideroxylon zwageri wood is a type of wood wich have high natural durability that contains extractive compounds such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, and phenolics that are toxic to wood-destroying organisms. The ironwood sawmill industry produces waste in the form of sawdust that has not been used but only disposed of into the environment. Therefore, that wood sawdust waste can be used as a natural wood preservative to preserve wood whish have low natural durability such as Anthocephalus cadamba. In this study, A. cadamba wood preservation was carried out with irondust extract with various solution formulas, namely 5%, 10%. 15% and 20%. The purpose of this study was to know the effect of irondust extract solution formula as a preservative on the results of jabon wood preservation which includes absorption and retention of preservatives, mortality of dry wood termites, and the percentage of weight reduction of test samples after being fed to dry wood termites. The results of this research showed that the irondust extract solution formula had a significant effect on the absorption and retention of preservatives and the mortality of dry wood termites. The 20% irondust extract solution formula resulted in a higher preservative retention and drywood termite mortality value than the 5%, 10% and 15% solution formula, which was 12.13 Kg/m3 for retention and 88% for drywood termite mortality.

Oil Filter Machine for Deep Frying with Smartphone Control and Monitoring using Client-Server Communication Protocol

The prevalence of fried snack consumption in our surroundings has become a widespread phenomenon. These fried snacks, commonly relished by many, are frequently served as side dishes with our main meals and are also a popular choice for satisfying quick hunger cravings. By utilizing the client-server communication method, this device can be assisted in its operation. The device employs ESP8266 as both the transmitter and receiver, while a smartphone serves as the control and monitoring tool. The primary purpose of this setup is to enhance the efficiency of oil-based food consumption, promoting healthier habits. The data collected from the device is split into two categories. Firstly, the communication data consists of the average RSSI (-52dBm) measured at a distance of 1 meter, with RSSI values increasing and becoming more susceptible as the distance grows. Secondly, the machine was tested for oil drainage in food, resulting in a weight decrease of 2.6% after 60 seconds of device usage, and the percentage of weight reduction increased with the given time.

Investigation on the effects of changing automotive vehicles leaf springs from steel to hybrid polymer composite leaf springs

Weight reduction is a critical factor in the vehicles and numerous researchers worked on better materials and design optimization to achieve that goal. This paper is focused to design a natural fibre reinforced hybrid polymer composite mono leaf parabolic spring to replace the existing steel multi-leaf semi-elliptical spring in an attempt of reducing the unsprung mass and to investigate its characteristics. The spring so designed is analyzed for its deflection and stiffness, by Virtual work method, whose complex integral was solved numerically by Gauss Quadrature. Along with this, SolidWorks was used to construct a model and ANSYS tests were used to compute the deflection, analyze the stress pattern and verify that the fail proof condition is met. Subsequently, three prototypes of the springs were fabricated by hand lay-up method. These springs were subjected to a static load test which results in deflection values similar to that of laminated steel springs with an appreciable 83 percent weight reduction. Modal Analysis conducted ensures that the fundamental frequencies of different modes are conveniently away from values of human discomfort and also from the nominal driving engine speed of 2000 rpm. The responses to harmonic disturbances which were studied experimentally, analytically and by ANSYS which indicates that vibration amplitudes due to average road undulations are under control, limiting the amplitude within 12 mm. The newly designed spring shall be recommended as a potential replacement, which can further be augmented by future works to be carried out on pot holes and studying the force transmitted on to the vehicle.

Reduction of Citrus Fruit Fungal Rot Disease using the Commercial Bio-Agent Bacillus subtilis

The results of the laboratory experiment on PDA media showed that B. subtilis at all concentrations (0.1ml, 0.5ml, 1ml/plate) led to a significant reduction in the fungal growth of the two pathogenic fungi, P. polonicum and G. candidum, with an inhibition rate that increased with increasing concentration. The effect of B. subtilis on the growth of P. polonicum was higher than that of G. candidum. In the experiment of storing fruits under natural conditions, the results showed the significant effect of B. subtilis in reducing the severity of infection in injured (artificially wounded) citrus fruits (orange, lemon, sour orange) when treated with the spore suspension of G.candidum and P. polonicum, compared to the significantly higher infection severity in the absence of the biological agent B. subtilis. The percentage of spoilage (reduction of the final fruit weight) increased in the fruits due to infection after 7 days of storage in the spore suspension treatments of G. candidum in oranges, especially in the wounded fruits compared to the normal, uninjured fruits. The same is the case with lemon and orange, as it was observed, in general, that the percentage of weight reduction in wounded fruits increased even in the control treatments than in the normal (uninjured) fruits, while the presence of bacteria B. subtilis reduced the spoilage to normal limits that did not differ from the final fruit weight in the control treatment.

Potential of Nanocellulose as a Dietary Fiber Isolated from Brewer's Spent Grain.

Steady growth in beer production is increasing the number of by-products named brewers' spent grain. Such by-products are a source of several components, where cellulose is usually present in high amounts. The aim of this study was to develop a protocol to obtain a mix of cellulose microfibers with an average diameter of 8-12 µm and cellulose nanoplatelets with an average thickness of 100 nm, which has several applications in the food industry. The process comprised one alkaline treatment followed by acid hydrolysis, giving a new mix of micro and nanocellulose. This mix was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and laser scanning microscopy corroborating the presence and measurements of the cellulose nanostructure, showing an aspect ratio of up to 500. Finally, we demonstrated that the administration of this new type of nanocellulose allowed us to control the weight of mice (feed intake), showing a significant percentage of weight reduction (4.96%) after 15 days compared with their initial weight, indicating the possibility of using this material as a dietary fiber.

Wood decay fungi show enhanced biodeterioration of low-density polyethylene in the absence of wood in culture media.

The involvement of microorganisms in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) degradation is widely studied across the globe. Even though soil, landfills, and garbage dumps are reported to be promising niches for such organisms, recently the involvement of wood decay fungi in polyethylene degradation is highlighted. In light of this, 50 fungal samples isolated from decaying hardwoods were assessed for their wood degradation ability and for their depolymerization enzymatic activities. For the LDPE deterioration assay, 22 fungal isolates having wood decay ability and de-polymerization enzymatic activities were selected. Fungal cultures with LDPE sheets (2 cm x 10 cm x 37.5 μm) were incubated in the presence and in the absence of wood as the carbon source (C) for 45 days. Degradation was measured by weight loss, changes in tensile properties, reduction in contact angle, changes of functional groups in Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopic imaging, and CO2 evolution by strum test. Among the isolates incubated in the absence of wood, Phlebiopsis flavidoalba out-performed the other fungal species showing the highest percentage of weight reduction (23.68 ± 0.34%), and the lowest contact angle (64.28° ± 5.01). Biodegradation of LDPE by P. flavidoalba was further supported by 46.79 ± 0.67% of the mass loss, and 3.07 ± 0.13% of CO2 emission (mg/L) in the strum test. The most striking feature of the experiment was that all the isolates showed elevated degradation of LDPE in the absence of wood than that in the presence of wood. It is clear that in the absence of a preferred C source, wood decay fungi thrive to utilize any available C source (LDPE in this case) showing the metabolic adaptability of fungi to survive under stressful conditions. A potential mechanism for LDPE degradation is also proposed.

Biodegradation of low density polyethylene (LDPE) by Paenibacillus Sp. and Serratia Sp. isolated from marine soil sample

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is recalcitrant and poses serious threats to our environment. The present study explored the LDPE biodegradation potential of aerobic bacteria enriched from offshore of RK beach Visakhapatnam. These isolates were specifically enriched in MSAM medium which contains LDPE as the source of carbon and energy for the growth. Six strains were isolated; among these S-6 & S-2 are the most potent strains which were attributed to the degrading ability. The phenotypic fingerprint such as Gen III biolog was used to identify the LDPE degrading S-6 as Paenibacillus sp. and S-2 as Serratia sp. respectively. Gen III Microlog, a phenotypic microarray; have been used for analysis of relative capabilities for substrate utilization of S-6 and S- 2 strains. The contact time of 72 h, temperature of 37 °C, pH of 7.1, inoculum volume 4% v/v, and weight of LDPE films 0.030 g were found to be optimal conditions for biodegradation of LDPE. Efficiency of these microbes (Paenibacillus sp. and Serratia sp) in degradation of LDPE was studied by percent weight reduction during a time period of 35 days. The Paenibacillus sps. proved to be most efficient with a weight loss of 22.46% compared to Serratia sps. with a weight loss of 9.5%. These bacterial species are capable of utilising LDPE as the sole carbon and energy source.

0572 Weight reduction and the impact on apnea-hypopnea index: a meta-analysis

Abstract Introduction The occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is strongly associated with obesity. Behavioral, pharmacological, and surgical interventions that promote weight reduction can reduce OSA severity and improve other common obesity related complications and quality of life. While the relationship between weight reduction and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) improvement has been documented, it does not seem to have been quantified adequately. The objective of this analysis was to quantify the association between percent change in body weight and percent change in AHI using results from the literature. Methods A literature search identified 13 studies with AHI and weight measurements before and after weight intervention in people living with obesity and OSA; 6 studies from bariatric surgery, 4 studies from diet and exercise intervention, and 3 studies from anti-obesity medications (including 2 placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials). A polynomial and a linear meta regression model as well as 95% prediction intervals were used to assess the relationship between % weight change from baseline and % change in AHI from baseline. Results Both the polynomial and linear models show, on average, weight reduction in patients living with obesity and OSA has a clinical benefit in reducing AHI. The linear meta-regression model that we developed suggests a mean AHI decrease of 2.6% per 1% weight reduction. As the prediction intervals are relatively wide, a precise relationship could not be established. For example, based on the linear model for a patient with 20% weight reduction we expect to see a mean 52.8% reduction in AHI with a 95% prediction interval (89.8%, 15.8%) AHI reduction. Conclusion Evidence shows that intentional weight reduction in people living with obesity and OSA results in improvements in OSA severity, and this was confirmed by our meta-analysis and modeling. The model shows that the degree of AHI improvement is dependent on the magnitude of weight reduction. However, establishing a precise relationship between percent change in AHI and percent weight reduction is challenging given the sparsity of data, variability in populations studied, and variability in AHI change following weight reduction. Support (if any) Eli Lilly and Company

Multidisciplinary topology and material optimization approach for developing patient-specific limb orthosis using 3D printing

PurposeThis study aims to explore the potential benefits favoring the adaptation of structural optimization techniques in the additive manufacturing (AM) of medical utilities to meet the repetitive demand for functionally precise customized orthoses. Irregularities encountered during the conventional treatment of tendon injuries can be eschewed using advanced structural simulation in design and innovative splint fabrication using 3D printing.Design/methodology/approachA customized mallet finger splint designed from 3D scans was subjected to ANSYS topological simulation comprising multi-level weight reduction to retain optimal mass (100%, 90%, 80%, 70% and 60%). A batch of the four typical 3D printing materials was chosen to conduct a comparative mechanical and thermal stress analysis, facilitating the selection of the optimal one for fabricating functionally adaptive splints. Assurance of structural safety was accomplished through the experimental validation of simulation results against the testing data set of ASTM D695 and ASTM D638 Type-1 specimens over a universal testing machine (UTM). Fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing processed the optimized splint fabrication to assist evaluation of weight reduction percentage, fitting aesthetics, appearance, comfort, practicality and ventilation ease at the user end.FindingsAM efficacy can efficiently execute the design complexity involved in the topology optimization (TO) results and introduces rehabilitation practicality into the application. Topologically optimized splint provided with favorable comfort, stiffness and strengthening features, offers ventilation ease and structural stability for customized appliances, with 30.52% lighter weight and 121.37% faster heat dissipation than unoptimized one.Originality/valueThe state of art multidisciplinary optimization featured with structural and material optimization attributes can deliberately meet medical necessity for performance-oriented orthotic devices.

Effect of yoga-based lifestyle and dietary modification in overweight individuals with sleep apnea: A randomized controlled trial (ELISA)

BackgroundObesity is recognised as an important risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), with obese individuals at a four times higher risk of being diagnosed with the syndrome. Treating obesity with lifestyle modification is associated with a reduction in the severity of obstructive sleep apnea. Yoga comprises lifestyle modification that includes asana (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), dhyana (meditation) and guideline principles for healthy living (Yama and Niyama). There is a scarcity of data to evaluate the effect of yoga on OSA. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Yoga based lifestyle modification on OSA. MethodsConsenting obese patients (BMI >23) diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (AHI>5) on Polysomnography (PSG) were enrolled. Eligible patients were randomized into two groups. The control group received counselling for dietary modification (staple Indian) with regular exercise and the active intervention group received Yoga intervention as treatment (OSA module) in addition to similar dietary modification and regular exercise counselling. Polysomnography (PSG) was conducted at baseline and one year follow-up. All patients were evaluated at baseline, six months, and one year for compliance and anthropometric parameters. Additional assessment with Hamilton scales for depression and anxiety, SF-36, and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index was also conducted. ResultsA total of 37 eligible patients (19 in the control group and 18 in the yoga group) were recruited for the study. The age [45.73 ± 10.71 vs. 46.22 ± 9.39 years, p = 0.88] and gender [15(78.95%) vs. 12(66.67%), p = 0.48 (males)] distribution was similar in both groups. After adjusting for age and gender, the percentage reduction in weight between the two groups did not reach statistical significance at one year. There was no significant difference in mean AHI between the two groups at one year. However, the number of patients with more than 40% AHI reduction [2/19 (10.52%) vs 8/18 (44.44%), p = 0.02] was significantly higher in the yoga group. Additionally, within the groups, the mean AHI at one year was significantly reduced in the yoga group [51.2 ± 28.0 to 36.8 ± 21.0/hour, p = 0.003], while no significant change was found in the control group [47.2 ± 23 to 38.8 ± 19.9/hour, p = 0.08]. ConclusionsLifestyle alteration using Yoga intervention and modification of staple Indian diet may be effective in reducing OSA severity among obese patients. CTRI numberCTRI/2017/05/008462.

Computational fluid dynamics and multi-objective response surface methodology optimization of perforated-finned heat sinks

BackgroundThis study analyses turbulent flow and heat transfer characteristics of a three-dimensional perforated finned heat sink using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and response surface methodology (RSM) methods. MethodsThe effects of perforation geometry, including size (1.85 ≤ σ ≤ 2) and cross-sectional shape (square, circular, hexagonal, and triangular), as well as the Reynolds number (25, 000 ≤ Re ≤ 40, 000) as design variables, on parameters such as friction drag force, pressure drag force, total drag force, and Nusselt number were investigated. In addition, using the well-known RSM technique, three accurate models were proposed for the percentage of heat transfer enhancement (PHTE), percentage of drag reduction (PDR), and percentage of weight reduction (PWR) as the most significant design objectives for any heat sink. RSM models served as the foundation for two- and three-objective optimizations. Significant FindingsResults indicate that fins with square perforations in high σ and fins with circular perforations in low σ could achieve exceptional thermal performance (PHTE > 70%). Compared to solid fins, fins with square perforations demonstrated improved PDR performance with a 20–40% reduction in total drag force. In addition, using fins with circular perforations can reduce the heat sink's weight by 45–65% compared to solid fins. Moreover, the optimal condition for the perforated finned heat sink can be attained by considering the values 40,000 and 1,946 for Reynolds number and σ, respectively, and by selecting a circular shape for the perforations. PHTE, PDR, and PWR increase in the optimal case by 68.98%, 35.87%, and 58.86%, respectively, compared to the base case (solid fin).

Monitoring and eco-friendly management of cucurbit fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) on bitter gourd

An experiment was conducted to assess the adequacy of distinctive management practices, viz. yellow sticky trap set at 50, 100, and 150 cm height, fruit fly bait with a mashed sweet gourd (MSG), bagging, sanitation, and Ecomec 1.8 EC at the rate of 1mL per liter of water sprayed at 7 days interval. The experiment was carried out with a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 8 treatments and 3 replications. All the treatments significantly differed from the control. The total highest number and weight of healthy fruits were recorded in bagging (41.33 and 6.08 kg) but the lowest in control (19.00 and 2.22 kg, respectively). No infested fruits were found in bagging, meanwhile, the highest number and weight of infested fruits were counted in control (13.00 and 1.27 kg). In addition, bagging appeared to have no percent of infestation by number and weight. The highest percent of fruit infestation was found in control (40.75% and 36.48%) treatments based on number and weight. No wet reduction was found in the bagging treatment and the highest percent weight reduction per fruit was recorded in Ecomec 1.8 EC (30.17%). The highest number of larval densities were found in fruit fly bait with MSG (15.83) and the lowest in a yellow sticky trap set at 150 cm height (6.7). The highest number of fruit flies in a yellow sticky trap set at 50 cm height was captured on 21 March 2021 (4.33) and the lowest was on 29 April 2021 (1.33). The highest number of fruit flies were captured in a yellow sticky trap set at 50 cm height (43/trap) and the lowest in a bait trap with MSG (9.70/bait). The highest yield and increase of yield over control were found in bagging (12.16 tons/ha and 176.10%). J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 48(1-2): 67-82, June-December 2022

Production of Cast Iron Turbocharger Central Housing from Aluminum Alloy

The goal of this research is to make an aluminum alloy center housing for a turbocharger, which is currently built of cast iron, in order to minimize weight in the car sector. The use of aluminum alloy instead of cast iron to manufacture a turbocharger's central housing is expected to result in a 60 percent weight reduction.&#x0D; It was determined in the investigation that A242 aluminum alloy might be utilized in place of cast iron. The turbo mid-hub, which is comprised of A242 aluminum alloy, was then heat treated and hardness tested. The finite element approach was used to examine the temperature distribution of the part.&#x0D; As a result of the aging experiment, the solution temperature and duration were kept constant, and the most acceptable aging temperature and time for the turbocharger cental hausing were identified as 190°C, 234 minutes, as a consequence of the aging heat treatments done at different temperatures. The hottest spots of the turbocharger central hausing built from A242 alloy and cast iron, according to the temperature distribution study, are 153°C in the aluminum alloy section and 233°C in the cast iron component.