Research Council Recommendations Research Articles

Assessment of vegan complete diets for dogs and cats available in Germany

Nutritional assessment of commercial vegan complete diets for adult cats and dogs and the evaluation of the products' legal labelling. Four complete vegan diets for adult cats and dogs available on the German market were analyzed concerning their nutrient and mineral content. The required amount of food was determined by calculation and compared to the manufacturers' feeding recommendation. Data labelling was assessed for its accordance with EC regulation 767/2009. The supply of taurine and vitamins was evaluated for its adequacy by use of the nutritional additive data on the product label. In most cases, the labelled data complied with the regulatory framework. The manufacturers' feeding recommendation differed significantly from the calculated feed quantity in 2 out of 4 feeds. The recommendations resulted in a coverage of 64 to 121 % of the total energy requirement, more frequently leading to an underestimation of the required feed amount. The supply of minerals exceeded the recommended allowance by 5.2- to 8.2-fold in the adult dog and by 9.0- and 11.4-fold in the adult cat. In 1 out of 4 diets, the European Pet Food Industry Federation guidelines were undercut for crude protein, crude fat and phosphorus. Zinc and copper contents were in excess and/or insufficient. A shortfall in National Research Council (NRC) recommendations was present for zinc content in one diet. Most products met the recommended supply of essential amino acids; 2 products only met the minimum requirements for methionine and cystine but not the recommended provision. The added taurine met the recommended intake in one commercial diet for cats. Requirements for vitamin intake were fulfilled by the nutritional additives in 3 products. None of the products fulfilled the energy and nutrient requirements for a complete diet for adult dogs and cats without limitations. Therefore, deficiencies in the supply of individual nutrients cannot be ruled out under long-term feeding of the examined vegan diets.

Mobilising knowledge between practitioners and researchers to iteratively refine a complex intervention (DAFNEplus) pre-trial: protocol for a structured, collaborative working group process

BackgroundRandomised controlled trials (RCTs) of complex interventions often begin with a pilot phase to test the proposed methods and refine the intervention before it is trialled. Although the Medical Research Council (MRC) recommends regular communication between the practitioners delivering the intervention and the researchers evaluating it during the pilot phase, there is a lack of practical guidance about how to undertake this aspect of pre-trial work. This paper describes a novel structured process for collaborative working, which we developed to iteratively refine a complex intervention prior to an RCT. We also describe an in-built qualitative study to learn lessons about how this approach could be used by future study teams.MethodsThis work forms part of a broader research programme to develop and trial a complex intervention for people with type 1 diabetes, called DAFNEplus. The intervention is being piloted in three National Health Service (NHS) diabetes centres in two waves, with refinements being incrementally implemented between each wave in response to real-time, collective learning (combining practitioner experience, process evaluation data and patient and public involvement via an advisory group). A structured ‘Collaborative Working Group’ (CWG) process, comprising monthly teleconferences and four strategically timed face-to-face meetings, is being used to identify and respond systematically to emerging implementation challenges and research findings. The group involves 25 members of the study team, including the multi-disciplinary practitioners delivering the intervention, the research teams conducting the process evaluation, the study manager and Chief Investigator. An in-built qualitative study comprising documentary analysis of meeting materials, discourse analysis of meeting transcripts, reflexive note taking, and thematic analysis of focus groups and interviews with CWG members is being undertaken to explore how the CWG works and how its processes and procedures might be improved.DiscussionThe CWG process offers a potential model for collaborative working in future pre-trial pilot phases and intervention development studies that operationalises MRC guidance to progressively develop a complex intervention and foster shared ownership through genuine collaboration. The findings from the qualitative study will provide insight into how to best support collaborative working to achieve optimal intervention design.

Analysis of fortuitous matches in a STR genotype database from Mexico and its forensic efficiency parameters

BackgroundCommercial kits for Human Identification (HID) purposes, based on 15 short tandem repeat (STR) regions, allow the resolution of most forensic and paternity cases. However, some pitfalls arise in situations such as identification of missing persons, disaster victims, and in motherless paternities. We describe nine fortuitous matches found during the inclusion of new DNA profiles and/or searching for missing persons within a Mexican STR database (N = 2000). For these cases, we estimated both the likelihood ratio (LR) and the modified LR according to National Research Council (NRC) recommendations (i.e., LRNRC).ResultsIn most cases, low LRNRC values (~1 or <1) and elevated presence of modal STR alleles (>50% loci) were indicative of fortuitous matches. We estimated a significant increase in the observed frequency of fortuitous matches in this database when using the PowerPlex 16 DNA-typing system. In addition, forensic efficiency parameters for this HID kit are reported for the State of Mexico based on a population sample selected from the STR database (n = 493). We describe the population structure and relationships, which detail comparative homogeneity among Mexican-Mestizos from the Central region, excluding the Western region.ConclusionsThe results suggest that additional / more powerful HID systems should be used when searching for relatives within STR databases in order to enable definitive conclusions, which are also required in cases of motherless paternity and massive disasters. The genetic structure described herein allows forensic geneticists to use alternative STR population data during statistical interpretation, given that most Mexican populations do not have their own STR databases.

Iodine, ingesting or not?

Currently, the population use medicines that contain fluorine/chlorine and ingest bromide that is found in breads, thus they occupy the place iodine injuring the thyroid. Iodine deficiency is a major public health problem thus as medical iodophobia. This mini-review addresses the effect of iodine supplementation in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. In this baseline, there are six systematic reviews published in the last 6 years beyond WHO/UNICEF encourage the safe use iodine in the dosages of 200 µg/day during in pregnancy and 250 µg/day in lactating women. However, one study Australian showed that of 396 healthcare providers only 71% were aware of the National Health and Medical Research Council's recommendation for iodine supplementation, (38%) were aware of the recommended dose or and (44%) duration. Beyond of knowing therapeutic property iodine, a clinical trial showed that iodine supplementation in overweight women reduces the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia. Although there is strong evidence showed that iodine prevents and fight various diseases some doctors and gynecologists still not prescribe iodine in pregnancy and lactation by fear, ignorance or lack of knowledge. Thereby, one change of paradigm in the current medical model in relation in to iodine intake needs to be urgently done.

Knowledge and practices regarding iodine supplementation: A national survey of healthcare providers.

Little is known of healthcare providers' awareness and implementation of the National Health and Medical Research Council's recommendation regarding iodine supplementation during pre-conception, pregnancy and lactation. To assess knowledge and practices of Australian healthcare providers in relation to the National Health and Medical Research Council's iodine supplement recommendation. Obstetricians, gynaecologists, general practitioners, dietitians and midwives were recruited through their relevant professional bodies to participate in an online survey. The survey was completed by 396 healthcare providers Australia-wide. While 71% of healthcare providers' were aware of the National Health and Medical Research Council's recommendation for iodine supplementation, fewer were aware of the recommended dose (38%) or duration (44%). Seventy-three percent of healthcare providers recommended iodine supplements in pregnancy, 56% when planning pregnancy and 52% during lactation. The main reasons for not recommending iodine supplements included belief there was no need for iodine supplements due to mandatory iodine fortification of food (28%) and unawareness of the recommendation (25%). Awareness of the recommendation was positively associated with recommending iodine supplements while length of practice, time spent per consultation, age or area of practice were not associated with recommending iodine supplements. There is a need to improve healthcare providers' knowledge of and adherence to the National Health and Medical Research Council's iodine supplement recommendation. Strategies within antenatal and postnatal services, as well as public health initiatives, are required to improve the knowledge and practices of healthcare providers.

Effects of dietary calcium content and vitamin D source on skeletal properties in growing turkeys

1. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of feeding fast growing turkeys with differentiated dietary calcium (Ca) content, and the partial replacement of vitamin D3 in the feed with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D3), on skeletal properties. 2. One-day-old Big-6 male turkeys (n = 1008) were randomly divided into 4 groups, and two subgroups were created within each group. The groups were differentiated with 4 levels of Ca provision in the feed, namely 85% of the National Research Council (NRC) recommendation (Group Ca1); 95% as above (Group Ca2); 105% as above (Group Ca3); and 115% as above (Group Ca4). The first subgroup received the recommended dosage of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3 subgroup) in the feed, while in the second subgroup (Hy-D subgroup), half of the dosage of cholecalciferol was replaced with 25(OH)D3. At the ages of 4, 8, 12 and 20 weeks, 7 turkeys from each subgroup were randomly selected and killed to obtain the right tibia for densitometric, geometric and mechanical analyses. 3. This study showed advantageous effects of increased calcium supply in the diet on skeletal system properties, that were increased and produced the most desirable traits in turkeys receiving 95%, 105% and 115% of the NRC calcium recommendation. Benefits resulting from administration of 25(OH)D3 in the diet were also obtained in the skeletal formation of turkeys, and the most advantageous effects were present in the group receiving 105% of recommended dietary Ca. 4. Effects on the metabolic response of the skeleton of turkeys to manipulation of dietary calcium content and vitamin D3 source were the most evident in the groups between 4 and 12 weeks of life, and demonstrated a limited ability to induce a positive influence on bone properties at advanced stages of the production cycle by alteration of these dietary factors.

Bacteriologic and Nutritional Evaluation of a Commercial Raw Meat Diet as Part of a Raw Meat Safety Program

This study evaluated selected bacteriologic and nutritional components of a commercially prepared ground raw horsemeat diet as part of a raw meat safety program. Six lots of meat were analyzed in triplicate. Frozen meat samples were thawed for 44 hr at 5°C. Meat samples were tested at three times during thawing (t = 0, 24, 44 hr) for selected bacteria. Samples were screened for Salmonella sp. using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Escherichia coli and total coliform bacteria were quantified using a ready-made culture medium system. Proximate, energy, macro and trace mineral composition was determined at a reference laboratory. Salmonella sp. antigen was detected in one sample of meat at t = 0 hr. Frozen meat samples had low average maximum expected numbers of E. coli and coliforms. The average maximum number of E. coli did not change significantly at t = 24 or 44 hr, but the average maximum number of coliforms increased significantly by t = 44 hr. These bacteriologic tests were easily incorporated into a raw meat safety program. Median concentrations of moisture, dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, ash, calcium, and phosphorus conformed to the guaranteed analysis but median crude fiber exceeded the guaranteed maximum. Median magnesium, potassium, and sodium concentrations conformed to the approximate nutrient content. Median concentrations of copper exceeded, whereas iron, zinc, and manganese fell below, the approximate nutrient content. Median copper and manganese concentrations exceeded the National Research Council's recommendation for adult domestic cats, whereas iron and zinc were below the National Research Council's recommendations for adult cats.

The relationship of feeding patterns and obesity in dogs

The rates of dog obesity are increasing and a greater understanding of feeding patterns is required to combat the problem. This study examined relationships between dietary patterns and caloric intake, and nutrient content of foods fed as it relates to obesity in dogs in the United States. Sixty-one owners and their dogs were enrolled, and lifestyle surveys, food frequencies, and 3-day food records were collected. Significant differences in overall kcal intake per kilogram of body weight were found (p< 0.04). Crude fibre in dog food was positively associated with protein and negatively associated with fat regardless of the dog's weight (p< 0.001). Lean dogs received significantly more crude fibre in relation to overweight dogs regardless of the number of treats they received (p< 0.01), and their diets had greater micronutrient densities (p< 0.03) suggesting that high fibre influences body condition. Additionally, owners who ate nutrient-rich, calorie-poor diets had normal weight dogs, and owners that fed more table scraps had overweight dogs. Regardless of body condition, 59% of dogs received table scraps, which constituted 21% of daily caloric intake. The nutrient density of scraps fed was variable and did not meet National Research Council's recommendations for micronutrient adequacy.

The Effect of Methionine and Threonine Supplementations on Immune Responses of Broiler Chickens Challenged with Infectious Bursal Disease

Problem statement: The aim of this study was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing methionine and threonine higher than the National Research Council (NRC) recommendation in the diets on immune responses of broiler chickens challenged with Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD). Approach: A total of 450 day-old male broiler chicks were assigned to one of the nine dietary treatments. Three levels of methionine (NRC (M1), 2 times NRC (M2) and 3 times NRC (M3)) and 3 levels of threonine (NRC (T1), 2 times NRC (T2) and 3 times NRC (T3)) were fed. On day 28, all birds were challenged with a commercial live-IBDV vaccine. Results: Antibody titer against IBD and ND were influenced by interaction of threonine and methionine. On 7 days after IBD challenge, ND antibody titer of the broilers receiving the highest level of methionine and threonine was significantly higher than that of other treatment groups. Lesion score of the bursa of the broilers receiving control diet was significantly the highest compared with the other treatments. Conclusion/Recommendations: The results obtained on the present study indicated that threonine and methionine requirements of broiler based on recommendation of NRC are not sufficient to meet the requirement of the new commercial poultry and commercial broiler companies under non-hygienic condition.

Effects of decreases in the three most limiting amino acids of low protein diets at two different feeding periods in Japanese quails

1. Diets containing 100 (AA100), 95 (AA95), 90 (AA90) or 85% (AA85) of National Research Council (NRC, 1994) recommendations of methionine, threonine and lysine in a low-protein diet (200 g/kg) were fed to 15-d-old quails. 2. Decreases of up to 15% of NRC recommendations in these three amino acids did not affect feed intake, weight gain and gain:feed intake values in the 15–35- and 15–42-d feeding periods. 3. Compared to control diet, feeding cost per bird was lower in males fed with AA95 and AA85 at 15–35 d and with AA85 diets at 15–42 d. At 15–35 d, feeding cost per 100 g weight gain was lower in both males and females receiving the AA85 diet while at 15–42 d it was lower in males fed with AA85 and females fed with AA90 compared to the control diet. Feeding cost calculated based on 100 g weight gain resulted in more meaningful results than cost calculated for the production of a bird. 4. Dietary amino acid content did not significantly affect carcase, thigh (bone in and skin on) or breast meat (deboned and skin on) yields. Males fed with AA90 diet and females fed with AA90 and AA85 had lower protein contents in their breast meat (without bone and skin) compared to the ones fed with control diet.

Dietary vitamin mix levels influence the ossification process in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) larvae

The influence of dietary vitamins on growth, survival, and morphogenesis was evaluated until day 38 of posthatching life in European sea bass larvae (Dicentrarchus labrax). A standard vitamin mix (VM), at double the concentration of the U.S. National Research Council's recommendations, was incorporated into larval feeds at 0.5%, 1.5%, 2.5%, 4.0%, and 8.0% to give treatments VM 0.5, VM 1.5, VM 2.5, VM 4.0, and VM 8.0, respectively. The group fed the VM 0.5 diet all died before day 30. At day 38, the larvae group fed VM 1.5 had 33% survival, while the other groups, with higher vitamin levels, showed at least 50% survival. The higher the percentage VM in the diet, the lower the percentage of column deformities. High dietary vitamin levels positively influenced the formation of mineralized bone in larvae: the higher the dietary vitamin level, the higher the ossification status. In the larvae group fed at the highest vitamin levels, we observed a temporal sequence of coordinated growth factor expression, in which the expression of bone morphometric protein (BMP-4) preceded the expression of IGF-1, which stimulated the maturation of osteoblasts (revealed by high osteocalcin expression levels). In groups fed lower proportions of vitamins, elevated proliferator peroxisome-activated receptors (PPAR-gamma) expression coincided with low BMP-4 expression. Our results suggest that high levels of PPAR-gamma transcripts in larvae-fed diets with a low VM content converted some osteoblasts into adipocytes during the first two weeks of life. This loss of osteoblasts is likely to have caused skeletal deformities.

EPA SETS SAFE DOSE FOR PERCHLORATE

AS EXPECTED, EPA HAS ADOPTed the National Research Council's recommendation for a safe daily dose for human ingestion of perchlorate. EPA on Feb. 18 set its safe dose for perchlorate at 0.7 µg per ...

Liver copper kinetics in Thoroughbred foals at pasture from birth to 160 days of age

Pregnant mares in New Zealand are often kept at pasture with inadequate copper (Cu) concentrations according to National Research Council (1989) recommendations. Many authors recommend Cu supplementation of pregnant mares to reduce the degree and severity of developmental orthopaedic disease (DOD) in their foals. Few data exist on the efficacy of Cu injections in mares in raising liver Cu concentration in pregnant mares or their foals, or the pattern of normal decline in liver Cu concentration of foals after birth. In this study pregnant mares were treated with injectable Cu, or saline, in two different regimens, in 2 consecutive years. Mares and foals had liver biopsies harvested to determine the effect of mare Cu supplementation on liver Cu concentration, and to identify normal patterns of decline in foal liver Cu concentration from birth to 160 days of age. Injectable Cu supplementation had no significant effect on dam or foal liver and plasma Cu concentration. A mathematical model to describe the decline in liver Cu concentration of foals was constructed. In foals the concentration of Cu in liver biopsies showed high repeatability (87%), and was strongly correlated with total liver Cu concentration. Cu injections do not improve Cu status in mares and foals, and liver biopsies are highly re‐peatable and highly correlated with total liver Cu, thus are a useful tool to evaluate liver Cu stores.

What Levels of Amino Acids should a Feed Contain for the Commercial Laying Hen?

Harms, R.H. 2001. What levels of amino acids should a feed contain for the commercial laying hen? J. Appl. Anim. Res., 19: 1–24. A review of the literature was made dealing with amino acid requirements for the commercial laying hen. Egg production in many early studies was very low. Therefore, the suggested requirements were too low. The National Research Council (1994) recommendations for Met, Lys, Trp, Ile and Val are adequate for hens with a daily production of 55g egg mass. An increase in their suggested requirements would be needed for a higher production of egg mass. Their requirement for Thr is too low and the requirement for Arg is too high. A requirement for Cys has been found to be only 175 mg per day for maximum egg mass. The requirements are for corn soybean meal diets. An adjustment must be made when ingredients are used in which amino acids are lower in availability.

Diets Deficient in Rumen Undegraded Protein did not Depress Milk Production

The objective of this study was to evaluate the National Research Council's recommendations for feeding levels of rumen undegraded protein (RUP) for cows fed a one-group total mixed ration. Sixty Holstein cows were paired by parity (1 to 6) and DIM (23 to 315) and were randomly assigned to one of two treatment sequences. Diets contained alfalfa silage (30% diet DM) and corn silage (26% diet DM), and were isonitrogenous (16% CP) and isocaloric (1.71 Mcal/kg). Soybean meal, protected soybean meal (Soy Best), and urea were used to make ration protein fractions that were predicted to be 35 or 29% RUP. The 35% RUP diet was formulated to provide 98 and 105% of the average requirement for RUP and rumen degraded protein (RDP), respectively. The ration containing 29% RUP provided 79 and 117% of average required RUP and RDP, respectively. All cows were group-fed the high RUP diet during a 2-wk pretreatment period, and then were fed one ration for 4 wk followed by the other for 4 wk according to their assigned treatment sequence. Data were collected in the last wk of each period. Mean milk production, milk fat, and milk protein were 32.6 kg/d, 4.35%, and 3.36%, respectively, with no treatment differences. Treatment response was not affected by degree of predicted RUP deficiency. National Research Council requirements for RUP may be too high for cows fed diets similar in energy to a one-group total mixed ration. Alternatively, estimates of RUP content of feedstuffs may be low.

Subjective interpretation, laboratory error and the value of forensic DNA evidence: three case studies.

This article discusses two factors that may profoundly affect the value of DNA evidence for proving that two samples have a common source: uncertainty about the interpretation of test results and the possibility of laboratory error. Three case studies are presented to illustrate the importance of the analyst's subjective judgments in interpreting some RFLP-based forensic DNA tests. In each case, the likelihood ratio describing the value of DNA evidence is shown to be dramatically reduced by uncertainty about the scoring of bands and the possibility of laboratory error. The article concludes that statistical estimates of the frequency of matching genotypes can be a misleading index of the value of DNA evidence, and that more adequate indices are needed. It also argues that forensic laboratories should comply with the National Research Council's recommendation that forensic test results be scored in a blind or objective manner.

A model of the bioclimatic value of shelter to beef cattle

A mathematical model of the thermodynamic interaction between a steer and its environment is described. The model was used to assess the value of shelter in terms of animal performance by reference to meteorological data for six locations in Scotland. The computer model estimated the value of shelter for a 100 kg steer from November 1st to May 1st, in three different types of shelter (roof only, walls only, and roof and walls) and with no shelter (outside). The estimated energy intake was calculated from the Agricultural Research Council's recommendations to give a daily live-weight gain of 0·75 kg. The simulation was run using meteorological data from six Scottish meteorological stations over the five winters (1975–1979). For certain meteorological stations, the simulation was repeated for the 100 kg steer with a projected daily live-weight gain of 0·9 kg. This illustrated the effect of plane of nutrition on the value of shelter. The model estimated an average loss of performance ranging from 24 to 73 kg for an outwintered steer on a projected gain of 0·75 kg/d in comparison with the performance of a housed steer, in these locations. Increasing the plane of nutrition to give a projected gain of 0·9 kg/d reduced considerably the estimated average loss of performance (range 4·6 to 16·0 kg) for the outwintered steer. The model was programmed to simulate the conditions that prevailed (both feed intake and climate) during an experiment carried out at the North of Scotland College of Agriculture (1977–1978) to compare the performance of Friesian steers outwintered or kept outdoors. The computer model predictions were correlated with the experimental results. The computer model predicted that there would be no loss of productivity due to climate; the experimental trial found no statistically significant difference between the performance of the indoor and outdoor steers. In cold conditions it would be desirable to “tailor” feed rations to the climatic environment. The model was adapted to produce estimates of the level of nutrition that would be required for a housed 100 kg steer with a gain of 0·75 kg or 1·00 kg/d gain such that no loss of performance would be caused by cold stress. The model was also used to estimate lower critical temperatures for steers in an environment of different windspeeds, planes of nutrition, and feed qualities.

Phosphorus and calcium metabolism in growing calves with special emphasis on phosphorus homoeostasis: 1. Studies of the effect of changes in the dietary phosphorus intake on phosphorus and calcium metabolism

SummaryCalves were fed continuously at 4 h intervals a low P basal diet with or without P supplementation to give three levels of dietary P intake: one was deficient in P (2·5 g/day), the second adequate (6·0 g/day) and the third contained an excess of P (10·0 g/ day) according to Agricultural Research Council (1980) recommendations. Once steadystate conditions were achieved (after 2–3 weeks on the diet)32P and46Ca kinetic studies were carried out, together with measurements of P flow rates at the reticulorumen and P and Ca balances. With increased dietary P intake, the amount of dietary P absorbed increased as initially did the efficiency of P absorption. Both the serum P concentration and the rate of P retention increased in direct relation to increased P intake and increased P absorption. Salivary secretion of P increased with increased P absorption and in direct relation to serum P concentration. Endogenous faecal losses of P were also directly related to P intake and P absorption and results suggest that increased loss with increased P intake is inevitable.Despite a constant and adequate Ca intake, the rate and efficiency of Ca absorption, which was low on the low-P diet, increased significantly on the adequate and high-P diets. Similarly, Ca retention increased substantially on the higher P diets, showing that Ca metabolism can be controlled according to P status.

Statistical analysis of alternative models

90. In light of the National Research Council's recommendations for education in good data practices for scientists and engineers, this paper presents a software program that may begin to address some of these recommendations.

Protein nutrition of growing cattle: food intake and growth responses to rumen degradable protein and undegradable protein

ABSTRACTGroups of eight Friesian steers were given one of eight diets from 114 to 300 kg live weight. The iso-energetic diets were formulated to supply four levels of protein degradability within two concentrations of crude protein (CP), giving a range of rumen-degradable protein (RDP) and undegradable dietary protein (UDP) concentrations both above and below Agricultural Research Council (1980) recommendations. There were significant (P &lt; 0·05), positive, linear responses of mean daily dry-matter (DM) intake (DMI) (g/kg M°75) to RDP concentration (g/kg DM) for both the low CP diets (DMI = -98·0 + 1·76 (RDP); P = 0·013) and the high CP diets (DMI = -157·5 + 218 (RDP; P = 0017). For the high CP diets, there was a significant (P = 0·045) positive, linear response of live-weight gain (LWG) (kg/day) to UDP concentration (LWG = 0·47 + 0·017 (UDP); P = 0·045). No such response was observed for the low CP diets, where the range of UDP concentrations supplied was smaller than expected. For both the low and high CP diets, LWG decreased as metabolizable energy, UDP and RDP intake increased. These negative responses to nutrient intake were reflected in a wide discrepancy between observed rates of gain and those predicted by current energy and protein nutrition systems. Interactions between food intake and digestive processes, which obstruct effective interpretation of these results, should form an explicit part of any revised protein nutrition scheme.