Proportion Of Weight Research Articles

Polyelectrolyte complex formation of alginate and chito oligosaccharide is influenced by their proportion and alginate molecular weight

Sodium alginate (SA) and chito oligosaccharide (COS) are widely used food additives in the food industry, and exploring their interaction to form polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) may provide insights into food development. In the present study, the effects of viscosity-average molecular weight (Mv) and relative amounts of SA on the formation of sodium alginate/chito oligosaccharide polyelectrolyte (SCP) complexes were investigated. The results showed that the electrostatic interaction between -COOH and -NH2 and the hydrogen bonding between OH, were attributed to the formation of the SCP complexes. Then the formation and properties of SCP complexes were greatly dependent on the Mv and the relative amount of SA. SA with Mv of ≥2.16 × 106 Da could form spherical SCP complexes, while the SA/COS ratio (w/w) ≥ 0.8 was not conducive to the formation of SCP complexes. Moreover, the SCP complexes were more stable in the gastric environment than in the intestinal condition. In addition, 1.73 × 107 Da was the optimal Mv of SA for SCP complexes formation. This study contributed to a comprehensive understanding of the interaction between SA and COS, and shed light on the potential application of SA and COS formulation to develop new food products.

Implementation of preconception care for preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes in rural and tribal areas of Nashik District, India

IntroductionThe World Health Organization has suggested preconception care to improve pregnancy outcomes. Hence, the study aimed to compare the effect of preconception care on pregnancy outcomes, particularly prematurity and low birth weight. MethodsWe carried out interventions in one tribal and one non-tribal block. For comparison, one adjacent tribal block and one non-tribal block were included in Nashik district, India. The total study period was from April 2018 to July 2021. All reproductive age group women desiring pregnancy within one year in selected four blocks participated in the study. The services included clinical examination, laboratory investigations, treatment, six-monthly deworming, anemia management, folic acid supplementation, family planning services, and behavioral change communication using different media. The existing healthcare workers provided services to the women until they became pregnant or until the end of the follow-up period (27 months). We monitored pregnancy outcomes, including abortion, stillbirth, and live birth; among live births, low birth weight, preterm birth, congenital physical anomaly, and neonatal death. ResultsThe study enrolled 7,875 women, and 3,601 had outcomes. The proportion of preterm births in the intervention and comparison block was 11.18 % and 14.99 %, respectively (p = 0.001), and the proportion of low-birth-weight babies was 9.23 % and 11.25 %, respectively (p = 0.01). The adjusted prevalence ratio showed that the risk of preterm births in the absence of intervention was 1.3 (CI: 1.1–1.6). Preterm birth was a mediator between preconception care and low birth weight. ConclusionReduction in proportion of low birth weight and preterm babies can be achieved through preconception care using minimal additional resources.

An Adaptive Telephone Coaching Intervention for Patients in an Online Weight Loss Program

Weight loss (WL) during the first month of a behavioral program is associated with longer-term WL. Testing of translatable and adaptive obesity programs is needed. To compare brief, extended, and no telephone coaching for individuals with suboptimal response (ie, 1-month WL <4%) within an online WL program. This randomized clinical trial with enrollment between March 2019 and April 2022 (data collection completed May 2023) was conducted at an academic research center in the US. Eligible participants included adults aged 18 to 70 years with daily access to internet and a body mass index between 25 and 45. All participants received an automated online WL program (4 months) and WL maintenance program (8 months), consisting of video lessons, self-monitoring, and personalized feedback. Participants were randomized, such that individuals with suboptimal response received either brief telephone coaching (3 calls during weeks 5-8), extended telephone coaching (12 calls during weeks 5-16), or no coaching (control). Coaching included education, problem solving, and goal setting, and promoted engagement with the online program. The primary outcomes were percent weight change and proportion of participants achieving 5% or greater WL at 4 and 12 months. A priori hypotheses for WL were that WL for extended coaching would be greater than for brief coaching, and both extended and brief coaching would be greater than no coaching (control). A longitudinal mixed-effects model with participant-specific intercept was used to examine intervention effects on percent WL at 4 and 12 months. Secondary analyses focused on program engagement and cost/kilogram of WL. The study included a total of 437 participants who reported WL at 1 month (mean [SD] age, 50.8 [11.4] years; mean [SD] BMI, 34.6 [5.0]; 305 female [69.8%] and 132 male [30.2%]) with 148 randomized to extended coaching, 143 assigned to brief coaching, and 146 assigned to the control group. Of all participants, 346 (79.2%) were considered to have a suboptimal response. WL at 4 months was significantly greater in the extended coaching group (mean [SD] WL, -7.0% [5.1%]) and brief coaching group (mean [SD] WL, -6.2% [4.7%]) vs the control group (mean [SD] WL, -4.5% [4.7%]) (P < .001). Similarly, the proportion of participants achieving 5% or greater WL at 4 months was greater in the extended coaching group (89 participants [65.9%]) and brief coaching group (77 participants [58.5%]) vs control group (46 participants [36.5%]) (P < .001). At 12 months, a similar pattern was observed for achievement of 5% WL or greater (extended coaching, 63 participants [48.1%]; brief coaching, 58 participants [45.9%]; control, 38 participants [32.8%]; P = .03). Percent WL at 12 months was significantly higher in extended coaching vs control (mean [SD] WL for extended coaching, -5.5% [6.7%]; mean [SD] WL for control, -3.9% [7.4%]; P = .03) but not for brief coaching (mean [SD] WL, -4.9% [6.1%]).Both the brief and extended coaching groups watched more lessons and self-monitored on more days compared with the control group. The cost per additional kilogram of WL, beyond that of the control group, was $50.09 for brief coaching and $92.65 for extended coaching. In this randomized clinical trial testing an adaptive intervention, the provision of coaching for individuals with suboptimal response improved WL and was cost-effective; further testing in clinical settings (eg, health care systems) is warranted. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03867981.

Socio-economic background, egg characteristics and hatchability of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris L) farming in Far-North Cameroon

Abstract The aim of this study was to contribute to guinea fowl farming productivity. Thus, a socio-economic and technical survey was conducted in Far-North Cameroon and 500 eggs were randomly collected for hatchability assessment. Additionaly, 90 eggs were collected from three localities for physico-chemical analysis. Guinea fowls are raised in free range and 53.3 % of farmers have traditional shelters and no sanitary measures are taken. Farmers have traditional know-how in terms of egg selection techniques for brooding and the management of guinea fowl. They are mostly sold at the market and prices of one living guinea fowl vary between 3 and 5 USD. Major constraints consist in financial needs and lack of appropriate rearing practices. Physico-chemical characteristics showed that weight and edible mater proportions were not affected by locality. Haugh unit of eggs from Bipain (71.04±3.88%) were lower than those from Guidiguis (81.01±7.40%) and Chaochai (84.30±5.83%) and the reverse was observed for lipid and protein contents. Effective hatching rate was 28.96% respectively with an embryonic mortality rate of 42.2% for all eggs. This work shows that guinea fowl farming remains poorly developed and the artificial incubation performances remain low, hence the need for better ways to increase productivity.

Silica-based geopolymers admixture of borosilicate waste glasses: A green material for gamma radiation shielding applications

The gamma shielding parameters of an admixture of waste borosilicate glass (BS) and geopolymer (GP) made from activated metakaolin are presented in the present study. The influence of the BS quantity on the density and different gamma shielding quantities is investigated over a wide gamma energy range. Four batches of the G-BS composite were prepared using the solid-state diffusion method, containing 0 (G), 10 % (G-10BS), 20 % (G-20BS), and 30 % (G-30BS) by weight of BS, respectively. The chemical compositions of the G-xBS samples were determined through X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. In addition, the density of the BS-doped geopolymers was determined using the liquid displacement method using deionized water as the displacement fluid. The theoretical determination of estimating shielding parameters began by estimating the mass (μρ) and linear (μ) attenuation coefficients of the geopolymers for photon energies in the range of 15 keV to 15 MeV using the XCOM data library. The B and Si content and density of the geopolymer samples increased as the BS weight proportion increased in the geopolymer. The values of the attenuation coefficients (ACs) decreased with energy. For μ, the decrease was from 9.1533 to 0.0355 cm−1, 6.7486 to 0.0374 cm−1, 10.2964 to 0.0396 cm−1, and 10.7722 to 0.0414 cm−1, while for μρ, it was 5.3217 to 0.0206 cm2 g-1, 5.3860 to 0.0206 cm2 g-1, 5.3627 to 0.0206 cm2 g-1, and 5.3594 to 0.0206 cm2 g-1, for G, G-10BS, G-20BS, and G-30BS, respectively. There are no significant differences between the photon energy absorption capacity of the geopolymers, especially at energies greater than 1 MeV. The photon buildup factors of the G-xBS samples have very close relative values with no clear order. The introduction of waste borosilicate glass is therefore a way of improving the photon attenuation capacity of geopolymer and, therefore, the potential of shielding applications of geopolymer-based concrete.

Fine-Grained Multi-class Road Segmentation using MultiScale Probability Learning

Abstract: Driven road segmentation, a crucial part of advanced driver assistance systems, looks at the surroundings to keep vehicles within safe driving limits (ADASs). It begins by outlining the automatic lane detection shortfalls of conventional computer vision systems, pointing out problems such subpar segmentation, insufficient mask edge contours, sluggish processing, and restricted flexibility in intricate urban environments. Next, a multi-step procedure using deep learning networks is offered as a solution. This involves extracting vector skeletons, computing neighbouring pixels, assigning proportional weights depending on endpoints, and getting binary prediction masks. The conversation also touches on how self-driving technology will affect society, emphasizing how it could provide safe and intelligent transportation choices in the face of an increase in traffic accidents caused by careless drivers. Self-driving cars could be the first practical example of socially conscious robots interacting with humans, the story implies, even if it acknowledges possible public opposition. Furthermore, the story highlights the latest developments in autonomous driving technology, highlighting the vital requirement for strong sensing, perception, and cognitive technologies to enable completely autonomous vehicles that can adjust to changing road conditions.

Perspectives on Using Alder, Larch, and Birch Wood Species to Maintain the Increasing Particleboard Production Flow.

Particleboard, engineered wood products as part of a large family of wood composite materials, developed in use mainly in the 1950s and 1960s to utilize inferior wood and wood waste when good-quality wood was in short supply; the annual production capacity worldwide is over 100 million m3. It is also necessary to have a lot of wood raw material for its production, although raw material resources are limited on our planet. In addition to the main wood species, it is therefore possible to think about the wider use of alternative, lesser-known European species of alder, larch, and birch in particleboard production. These three wood species represent an eco-friendly and sustainable wood alternative to the conventional wood raw materials used. This review confirms the diversity of the use of these three species in different fields and proves their suitability in relation to particleboard production. Fundamental research is ongoing in certain universities to determine the proportional shares of use of these tree species in particleboard (in a certain weight proportion in their core layers) for the purpose of formulating the correct technology shares and rules for their application in the wood-based panel industry.

A capacitance reduction method of hybrid modular multilevel converter based on multi‐harmonic voltage injection

AbstractIn a modular multilevel converter (MMC) system, the sub‐module (SM) capacitors account for a large proportion of cost, volume and weight. Increasing modulation index (m) is an effective method to reducing the capacitance. Traditional MMC based on half‐bridge SM (HBSM) cannot boosting m while the hybrid MMC composed of HBSMs and full‐bridge sub‐modules (FBSM) can increase the m. The negative voltage is required when hybrid MMC works at the boosted m, which is only provided by the FBSMs because the HBSMs cannot output negative voltage. Therefore, appropriate control strategies are needed to achieve the normal operation of hybrid MMC under boosted m. This paper presents a control method suitable for hybrid MMC with high m based on multi‐harmonic voltage injection. The m is increased to 1.41 with the proposed multi‐harmonic voltage injection. Compared with the HBSM‐MMC, the proposed method reduces the total capacitance by more than 32%. Boosting m also reduces the RMS and peak value of the arm current by 18%. A comprehensive comparison was presented to demonstrate the cost and effect. Simulation and experiment verified the proposed method.

Chitosan-grafted folic acid decorated one-dimensional GONS: A biocompatible drug cargo for targeted co-delivery of anticancer agents

In conventional chemotherapy, the cancer cells can become highly resilient due to a phenomenon known as multi-drug resistance (MDR). The co-delivery of chemotherapeutic agents assisted with novel nanocarrier-based targeted DDS may counter the MDR issues and subsequently improve their therapeutic efficacy. In line with this, the present work deals with the development of 1D graphene oxide nanoscrolls (GONS)-based nano delivery system for co-delivery of chemosensitizer along with the chemotherapeutic agent. Herein, the 1D GONS nanocarrier was initially functionalized with chitosan (CS) biopolymer and folic acid (FA) further to enhance their biocompatibility and target-specific co-delivery. The resultant GONS-CS-FA (GCF) nanocarriers were co-loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) and caffeic acid (CA) at different weight proportions with respect to nanocarrier and drug composition. The optimum loading efficiency of 51.14 ± 1.47 % (DOX) and 49.70 ± 1.19 % (CA) was observed for GCF: drug ratio of 2.5 with drug composition of 1:1. In vitro release at pH 5 yielded ~83 % DOX and 75 % CA, compared to ~71 % DOX and 61 % CA at pH 7.4 over 7 days, suggesting a higher and targeted drug release in the cancer microenvironment. Cytotoxicity tests revealed selective apoptosis in cancer cells (A549) while maintaining cytocompatibility with normal cells (HEK293).

Elucidating the interaction between stretch and stiffness using an agent-based spring network model of progressive pulmonary fibrosis.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a deadly disease that involves the dysregulation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, which are mechanosensitive. Previous computational models have succeeded in modeling stiffness-mediated fibroblasts behaviors; however, these models have neglected to consider stretch-mediated behaviors, especially stretch-sensitive channels and the stretch-mediated release of latent TGF-β. Here, we develop and explore an agent-based model and spring network model hybrid that is capable of recapitulating both stiffness and stretch. Using the model, we evaluate the role of mechanical signaling in homeostasis and disease progression during self-healing and fibrosis, respectively. We develop the model such that there is a fibrotic threshold near which the network tends towards instability and fibrosis or below which the network tends to heal. The healing response is due to the stretch signal, whereas the fibrotic response occurs when the stiffness signal overpowers the stretch signal, creating a positive feedback loop. We also find that by changing the proportional weights of the stretch and stiffness signals, we observe heterogeneity in pathological network structure similar to that seen in human IPF tissue. The system also shows emergent behavior and bifurcations: whether the network will heal or turn fibrotic depends on the initial network organization of the damage, clearly demonstrating structure's pivotal role in healing or fibrosis of the overall network. In summary, these results strongly suggest that the mechanical signaling present in the lungs combined with network effects contribute to both homeostasis and disease progression.

An Experimental Study of the Properties of Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Composites Mixed with Rubber Granules

In this research work, the mechanical properties of hybrid composites reinforced with woven carbon fiber mats particulated with natural rubber powders as fillers in the epoxy resin matrix were investigated. The specimens were prepared by the hand-layup process followed by a vacuum bag moulding process. The vacuum moulding reduces the voids or cavities in the hybrid composites. The natural rubber powder was added in different weight proportions (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%), and carbon fiber is added in 20% for all the specimens. Experiments such as tension testing, flexural testing, water absorption/acid corrosion/base corrosion tests, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis were conducted to evaluate the epoxy carbon rubber (ECR) composites. The tensile and flexural test findings demonstrated that the addition of 10% natural rubber particles gave better results as compared with other proportions. The water/acid/base absorption test findings reveal that the ECR composites are not affected by water/acid/base. The DMA teat findings show that ECR composites having 10% natural rubber have higher damping factor, storage, and loss modulus. The SEM analysis shows that ECR hybrid composites with 10% rubber particles contained a uniform distribution of rubber particles over reinforcement, and also, there were no cracks and voids. According to this research findings, ECR hybrid composites with 10% natural rubber particles prepared during the vacuum bag moulding process can be used to prepare aerospace interior components.

Production and Characterization of Recycled Polypropylene Composite Reinforced with Cotton Fabric Waste

Composite materials have played an important role throughout human history, from housing early civilizations to enabling future innovations. This study explores the development of composite materials from recycled polypropylene and cotton fabric waste targeted for different applications. The composites were manufactured by the melt-mixing method. The effects of cotton fabric waste content on various composite characteristics were investigated using tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength, compressive strength, and water absorption. The study showed that with an increase in cotton fabric waste content, properties such as tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength, and compressive strength increase up to the optimum level, while a decrease in these properties is observed after the optimal level. The maximum tensile strength of 57.84 MPa, tensile modulus of 1.31 GPa, flexural strength of 55.32 MPa, flexural modulus of 2.7 GPa, impact strength of 33.06 kJ/m2, and compressive strength of 53.68 MPa were obtained. The water absorption rate increased with an increase in the cotton fabric waste weight proportion. From the result of this study, it can be concluded that the optimal mechanical and water absorption properties were achieved at 30% cotton fabric waste content. Therefore, creating composites from recovered polypropylene and cotton fabric waste can have both environmental and financial benefits.

A novel approach to heavy metal immobilization in municipal solid waste incineration fly ash: Investigating the use of chicken eggshell waste and CaO addition

Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash is a significant byproduct of waste-to-energy processes, and poses substantial environmental and health hazards if not treated properly. The process of Stabilization/Solidification (S/S) efficiently immobilizes hazardous elements present in the fly ash through a combination of physical and chemical mechanisms. The objective of this research is to thoroughly examine the feasibility of using chicken eggshell waste powder as a stabilizing agent for heavy metals, specifically targeting Pb, in MSWI fly ash. Experimental analysis involved varying eggshell waste to fly ash weight proportions, extending from 0.0 (control group), 7:3 up to 9.5:0.5 ratio, with designated curing durations of 2 and 72 hours, and maintaining a liquid-to-solid (L/S) ratio at 1.0 mL/g. In the two-hour curing period, the immobilization efficiency of Pb reached 100% with the addition of only 1.5% eggshell waste. Optimal ratios for Pb stabilization in MSWI fly ash were identified: maximum 2% eggshell waste for 2-hour curing and 1.5% for 72 hours due to elevated Pb and Cd levels of 7:3 ratio. Adding CaO mitigated these levels, enhancing stabilization and compliance with landfill criteria. The results demonstrated that the addition of CaO led to efficient immobilization of Pb, achieving approximately 99%. In addition, the observed enhancement in compressive strength resulting from the incorporation of CaO highlights its effectiveness in enhancing the stabilizing process of MSWI fly ash. By demonstrating the effectiveness of eggshell waste and CaO in stabilizing hazardous elements, this study advocates for scalable solutions and further research on long-term stability and environmental impacts.

Thyroid Function and Physical Activity among a Sample of Patients Attending Murjan Hospital in Hilla City/Iraq

Background: Physical activity can also enhance thyroid function. Exercising can be challenging when experiencing exhaustion, but it is crucial for managing hypothyroidism. Objective of study : To determine a correlation between thyroid function and physical activity, as well as anthropometric measurements Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 348 patients with thyroid dysfunction who were attending a diabetes and endocrinology center in AL Hilla City, Iraq . the data collection for five months from march 2023- august 2023. Results : The study shows that a higher proportion of thyroid dysfunction regarding to BMI in obese category was (32.2%) followed by overweight(29.3%),morbid obese(24.4%) and lower proportion in normal weight was (14.9%).with mean (30.92 ±5.42SD).according to waist to hip ratio ,a higher percentage(53.2%) at risk followed by (28.7%) average,(12.6%) was good and lower percentage (5.5%) of waist to hip ratio was excellent. The present study found a higher percentage (41.7%) of waist to height ratio was obese followed by(21.0%) was overweight,(19.5%) was healthy and lower percentage was (17.8%).according to physical activity ,a higher percentage (50.0%) was low level followed by (46.3%) was moderate level and (3.7%) was vigorous level. A significant association found between anthropometric measurement and thyroid dysfunction except height found no significant, also found significant connection between thyroid dysfunction and international physical activity questionnaire score, and significant connection between thyroid stimulating hormones and family history, anthropometric measurements. And also significant connection between thyroid function test and thyroid dysfunction. Conclusion: significant association between hypothyroidism and low level of physical activity , obesity and morbid obesity.

Study on Mechanical Properties of Polymer Composites Filled with Nano Egg-shell Powder

Polymeric materials, when reinforced with synthetic fibers like glass, carbon, and aramid, offer notable advantages including increased stiffness and strength-to-weight ratio compared to conventional materials such as wood, concrete, and steel. Among these options, glass fiber stands out due to its affordability and widespread availability. Glass fiber reinforced polymer composites exhibit moderate mechanical properties, which can be significantly enhanced by incorporating nano fillers like eggshell powder. This study explores the utilization of nano eggshell powder as well as methods for effectively integrating nano fillers into polymer composites to create value-added products. Four types of composites, varying in weight proportions of nano eggshell powders, were prepared using the hand lay-up technique for mechanical and thermal characterizations. Various mechanical properties including tensile strength, flexural strength, impact behavior, as well as thermal properties via TGA and DMA analysis were investigated. The results indicate that incorporating the optimal amount of nano fillers significantly improves the overall strength of glass fiber reinforced composite materials, leading to cost savings of over 30%. This suggests that nano eggshell fillers hold great potential in composite manufacturing, particularly for substituting high-cost glass fibers in low load-bearing applications.

Development of lightweight sawdust-based composite panels for building purposes

This research dealt with fabrication of suitable lightweight composite panel samples from sawdust for building applications. Raw and alkali-treated sawdust particles were utilized at varying weight proportions (0 %, 25 %, 50 %, 75 %, and 100 %) to develop the samples with topbond as binder. From the results of heat transfer and strength properties tests, the raw sawdust improved thermal insulation efficiency while the treated sawdust enhanced the strength of the samples. For each loading level of sawdust, 100 % screwability and nailability were achieved. The findings suggest that, if used as ceiling panels in buildings, the samples would outperform conventional ceilings like plywood, asbestos, plaster of Paris, and KalsiCeil in mitigating global warming effects, reducing dead loads, and promoting sustainable and cost-effective housing development. This underscores the potential of these samples to address key priorities in construction and environmental sustainability.

On the undrained shear behavior of sand mixtures with non-plastic fines subjected to large shear displacement

Fluidized landslides pose significant hazards owing to the catastrophic failure and flow-like behavior with high mobility and long traveling distances. Non-plastic fines can be abundant in many fluidized landslides with 30%–40% content of relatively fine-grained particles. However, the role of fine particles in the initiation and movement of these landslides is not well understood. To investigate the effects of non-plastic fines content (FC) on the undrained shear behavior of the mixture, undrained ring shear tests were performed on mixtures of silica sand (D50 = 0.16 mm) with varying weight proportions of non-plastic fines (D50 = 0.035 mm) with different initial densities. We showed that liquefaction potential increased as fines content increased and initial density decreased. Peak strength (τp), steady-state strength (τss), and total dissipated shear energy to the steady state (Wss) increased against increasing density of the sample. Given the same initial density, τp, τss, and Wss decreased with the increases of FC. Using intergranular void ratio (es) and equivalent intergranular void ratio (es⁎), we found that plots of τp, τss, and Wss against es⁎ merged to a relatively narrow domain, indicating es⁎ can serve as a comprehensive indicator for evaluating the FC's effects on undrained shear behavior. An optimum es⁎ existed for the mixtures, which corresponds to the minimal brittleness index IB, that is used for analyzing liquefaction associated with post-failure behavior. The Wss in the log scale continuously decreased with increasing es⁎. We inferred that the addition of fine particles could change the inter-particle force transfer. When the FC increases, a greater proportion of fines can actively engage in the forces transferring structure as active fine particles, resulting in increasing liquefaction potential and reducing the energy dissipation throughout the entire shearing process of the saturated mixtures, thereby facilitating the fluidization and mobility of landslides. This study provides an evaluation of the full liquefaction process of fines-rich mixtures and further explains the fines' role in the high mobility of fluidized landslides based on the energy dissipation view.

Characteristic Changes of the Stance-Phase Plantar Pressure Curve When Walking Uphill and Downhill: Cross-Sectional Study.

Monitoring of gait patterns by insoles is popular to study behavior and activity in the daily life of people and throughout the rehabilitation process of patients. Live data analyses may improve personalized prevention and treatment regimens, as well as rehabilitation. The M-shaped plantar pressure curve during the stance phase is mainly defined by the loading and unloading slope, 2 maxima, 1 minimum, as well as the force during defined periods. When monitoring gait continuously, walking uphill or downhill could affect this curve in characteristic ways. For walking on a slope, typical changes in the stance phase curve measured by insoles were hypothesized. In total, 40 healthy participants of both sexes were fitted with individually calibrated insoles with 16 pressure sensors each and a recording frequency of 100 Hz. Participants walked on a treadmill at 4 km/h for 1 minute in each of the following slopes: -20%, -15%, -10%, -5%, 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. Raw data were exported for analyses. A custom-developed data platform was used for data processing and parameter calculation, including step detection, data transformation, and normalization for time by natural cubic spline interpolation and force (proportion of body weight). To identify the time-axis positions of the desired maxima and minimum among the available extremum candidates in each step, a Gaussian filter was applied (σ=3, kernel size 7). Inconclusive extremum candidates were further processed by screening for time plausibility, maximum or minimum pool filtering, and monotony. Several parameters that describe the curve trajectory were computed for each step. The normal distribution of data was tested by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests. Data were normally distributed. An analysis of variance with the gait parameters as dependent and slope as independent variables revealed significant changes related to the slope for the following parameters of the stance phase curve: the mean force during loading and unloading, the 2 maxima and the minimum, as well as the loading and unloading slope (all P<.001). A simultaneous increase in the loading slope, the first maximum and the mean loading force combined with a decrease in the mean unloading force, the second maximum, and the unloading slope is characteristic for downhill walking. The opposite represents uphill walking. The minimum had its peak at horizontal walking and values dropped when walking uphill and downhill alike. It is therefore not a suitable parameter to distinguish between uphill and downhill walking. While patient-related factors, such as anthropometrics, injury, or disease shape the stance phase curve on a longer-term scale, walking on slopes leads to temporary and characteristic short-term changes in the curve trajectory.

PSII-11 Achieving heavier piglet weights at weaning with live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation under field conditions

Abstract The benefits of live yeast supplementation during both gestation and lactation on piglet performance, nutrient digestibility and immune status have been well reported. However, the application of live yeast to gestation diets in some commercial practices may not be warranted. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding live yeast to lactating sows on piglet performance at weaning under field conditions. Before start of the study, a total of 268 Camborough L42 gestating sows were fed a restricted, commercial diet. From ≈112 d of gestation until weaning, sows were fed a commercial lactation mash diet with or without inclusion of live yeast (Vistacell, AB Vista, UK) at 1 kg/t. Piglets were cross-fostered within treatment to standardize piglet numbers on sows, and weaned at approximately 24 d. Body weights of piglets at weaning were collected from around 40% of sows. Data were statistically analyzed by Mixed Model using JMP Pro v.16.2 software (SAS Institute Inc, Cary, NC), with significance being accepted at P &amp;lt; 0.05. Treatment was included as a fixed factor in all models, with sow ID and piglet ID nested within treatment included as random variables for sow and piglet performance, respectively. The interaction between treatment and parity was also included in the model for sow performance. Sow parities of 4 and above were combined into one group. Proportional piglet body weights were assessed by non-parametric Wilcoxon Test. An interaction between treatment and parity was shown for average daily feed intake (ADFI), whereby parity-1 sows fed the control diet and parities-3 and -4 sows fed live yeast had greater feed intakes than parity-2 sows fed live yeast. Sow body weights and body condition scores at weaning were unaffected by treatment. Piglet body weights at processing, the number of piglets weaned and weaning ages were also unaffected by treatment. However, piglets from sows fed live yeast were significantly heavier (7.12 kg vs. 6.85 kg) at weaning than piglets from sows fed control diets (P &amp;lt; 0.01). In addition, the proportion of piglets at weaning with body weights of less than 7 kg tended to be fewer (45% vs. 55%), with a greater percentage of heavier (&amp;gt;7 kg) piglets, from sows supplemented with live yeast (P = 0.08). In conclusion, these findings indicate that supplementing live yeast solely to the lactating sow can promote growth of nursing piglets leading to improved piglet performance at weaning.

The effect of tungsten carbide nanoparticles on the morphological, mechanical and tribological properties of WC/epoxy and WC/TBCP/epoxy nanocomposite

The paper reported on the effect of a polyethylene glycol-block-polypropylene glycol-block-polyethylene glycol (EO-PPO-EO) triblock copolymer (TBCP) on phase separation, mechanical properties of epoxy based on bisphenol F-(epichlorohydrin) and hardener (1-methylethyl-1,1'-biphenyl) (izoforon diamine) system and effect of a tungsten carbide (WC) reinforced two of WC/epoxy resin and WC /triblock (TBCP)/epoxy nanocomposites.In the work, TBCP content was used at 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% wt. for epoxy matrix. The optimal TBCP concentration was discovered to be 3% wt. in order to produce a good balance of mechanical characteristics. The comparative study of morphology and mechanical properties of two systems, tungsten carbide (WC) reinforced epoxy resin and WC /triblock (TBCP) /epoxy nanocomposites, has been examined. WC was added to two systems in three different weight proportions (1%, 2% and 3%). Specimens were fabricated by hand layup technique by pouring epoxy resin and reinforcement mixture into silicon moulds.The addition of nanoparticles did not affect the miscibility of the copolymer on the resin. Tensile, impact and wear tests were performed to ASTM standards. From the results, it was observed that WC reinforcement in epoxy resin results in high tensile strength and modulus and also increases impact strength and wear resistance compared to neat epoxy.Several spherical formations concerning phase separation and the creation of immiscible TBCP structures in the epoxy matrix are seen.The tests proved that epoxy nanocomposite with TBCP and WC as filler demonstrated that the nanoparticles utilised with block copolymers do not affect the distribution of the copolymer in the matrix, suggesting enhancing the nanoparticle's adherence to the matrix were characterised by the best tribological properties and mechanical properties, which was unchanged or better than the epoxy resin used as a matrix.