Smaller Weight Gain Research Articles

Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor-associated weight gain in people living with HIV: data from the Copenhagen Comorbidity in HIV Infection (COCOMO) study

ABSTRACT Weight gain effects of Nucleoside/Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors in people with HIV (PWH) have been sparsely studied. Participants were enrolled in the Copenhagen Comorbidity in HIV Infection (COCOMO) study. PWH receiving a backbone of emtricitabine, or lamivudine combined with abacavir, tenofovir disoproxil, or tenofovir alafenamide were analysed. Weight gain according to ART backbone and to the third drug was analysed using a multiple linear regression model. Non-ART risk factors were also determined using multiple linear regression. A total of 591 participants were included in the analysis. The majority were middle-aged, virally suppressed males with a mean BMI just above the normal range. Both tenofovir disoproxil/emtricitabine or lamivudine and abacavir /emtricitabine or lamivudine, but not tenofovir alafenamide /emtricitabine or lamivudine were associated with weight gain over two years (0.6 kg, p = 0.025; 1.0 kg, p = 0.005). The third drugs associated with weight increase were non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) (p = 0.035), dolutegravir (p = 0.008) and atazanavir (p = 0.040). Non-ART risk factors for gaining weight were low or normal BMI, age <40 years, underweight, inactivity or highly active at baseline. Tenofovir disoproxil and abacavir-based ART regimens were associated with a small weight gain. Third drug NNRTI, dolutegravir and atazanavir were associated with an increase in weight.

Is There an Ideal Diet? Some Insights from the POUNDS Lost Study.

Diets for weight loss have a long history but an ideal one has not yet been clearly identified. To compare low-fat and lower carbohydrate diets, we designed The Preventing Overweight by Novel Dietary Strategies (POUNDS) Lost study. This is a 2 × 2 factorial study with diets of 20% or 40% fat and 15% or 25% protein with a graded carbohydrate intake of 35, 45, 55 and 65%. Weight loss, overall, was modest at nearly 6% with all four diets, and no significant dietary difference. The variability in weight loss in each diet group was significant, ranging from greater than 20% to a small weight gain. Studies of genetic variations in relation to weight loss showed that the diet that was selected could significantly affect weight loss, emphasizing that there is no ideal diet and more than one diet can be used to treat obesity. Weight loss was also influenced by the level of baseline triiodothyronine or thyroxine, and baseline carbohydrate and insulin resistance. Achieving a stable Health Eating Food Diversity Index, eating more protein, eating more fiber, engaging in more physical activity, sleeping better and eating less ultra-processed foods were beneficial strategies for weight loss in this trial. Although there is no "ideal diet", both the DASH diet and the Mediterranean diet have clinical trials showing their significant benefit for cardiovascular risk factors. Finally, the lesson of the "Last Chance Diet", which recommended a diet with protein from gelatin, proved that some diets could be hazardous.

Poster 284: The Effect of Pressurized Carbon Dioxide Lavage on Osteochondral Allograft Preparation: A Comparative Study

Objectives: Osteochondral allografts (OCA) transplantation is often utilized for treating osteochondral lesions of the knee due to limited cartilage regenerative capabilities. The use of concentrated bone marrow aspirate (cBMA) has gained traction as a method to enhance OCA incorporation and healing. Pulse lavage and pressurized carbon dioxide lavage are cleaning methods used during OCA preparation to rid native marrow elements and improve graft porosity, but their isolated and combined effects are not fully understood. This study aimed to assess the impact of incorporating pressurized carbon dioxide lavage as an adjunct to pulse lavage during OCA preparation. Our hypothesis was that adding pressurized carbon dioxide lavage would enhance the OCA absorption capacity for liquid-based materials like cBMA. Methods: OCA plugs were harvested from medial hemi-condyles. The plugs were divided into two groups: one group underwent pulse lavage alone, and the other group underwent pulse lavage followed by pressurized carbon dioxide lavage (sequential group). The plugs were weighed before and after each cleaning step and a liquid dye solution with consistency similar to cBMA was added by dripping over the cancellous portion of the graft. Next, the liquid content was determined by centrifugation and spectrophotometry. Results were analyzed statistically. Results: Thirty-four OCA plugs with a 14 to 18 mm diameter were harvested. After the cleaning phase, the sequential group showed a significant weight reduction of 107 ± 21.92% (p &lt; 0.0001) and subsequent weight gain of 96.32 ± 18.99% (p &lt; 0.0001) after the cleaning and dye-dripping procedures. In contrast, the pulse lavage-only group exhibited minimal weight loss and a small weight gain of 10.55 ± 3.86% after the dye-dripping procedure. Conclusions: Adding pressurized carbon dioxide lavage to reduce marrow elements and improve graft porosity significantly improved the OCA cleaning process and created more vacant space enhancing OCA absorption capacity for orthobiologic agents such as cBMA. The study findings highlight the potential of incorporating pressurized carbon dioxide lavage as an adjunct to pulse lavage during OCA preparation. These findings may contribute to the surgical procedure of incorporating cBMA or other orthobiologics to promote the integration and healing of OCA plugs.

Abstract PO2-08-10: Effect of 6 months of bazedoxifene + conjugated estrogens on body composition and insulin resistance

Abstract Menopause transition is often marked by an acceleration of visceral fat accumulation. Excess visceral fat is associated with insulin resistance and increased risk for breast cancer as well as heart disease and diabetes. We measured change in body composition (via iDXA), fasting insulin and glucose as part of an ongoing, Phase IIB trial (NCT04821141) of 6 months of bazedoxifene (BZA) + conjugated estrogen (CE) vs control with primary endpoints of change in mammographic density and breast tissue Ki-67. Participants are women ages 45-60 with vasomotor symptoms at increased risk for development of breast cancer. Methods: Visceral and total fat, lean, and total mass, were measured with iDXA (GE CoreScan™). Fasting plasma was assayed same day as drawn for total insulin using a chemiluminescence assay and glucose using a hexokinase method. Values generated were used to calculate HOMA IR (as a measure of insulin resistance) using the formula insulin µl/ml x glucose mg/dl/405. HOMA %S was calculated as 1/HOMA IR X100 as a measure of insulin sensitivity. Optimal HOMA IR is considered as ≤1; HOMA IR &amp;gt;1.5 is considered abnormal with &amp;gt;2.0 as evidence of insulin resistance. Optimal HOMA %S is 100%. Results: 24 women (12 BZA+CE, 12 Control) have completed baseline and 6-month body composition and insulin resistance assessments. Women randomized to BZA+CE were more likely to experience reduction in insulin resistance and improved insulin sensitivity despite a small weight gain over the initial 6 months. 7/12 randomized to BZA+CE had ≥15% reduction in HOMA IR vs only 2/12 controls. Three participants had HOMA IR &amp;gt;2 at baseline. Of these, one was randomized to BZA+CE and had a normal HOMA IR value at 6 months. The remaining two women were in the control group and saw no improvement in HOMA IR at 6 months. In addition, one woman randomized to control with normal HOMA-IR at baseline had HOMA IR &amp;gt; 2 at 6 months. Next Steps: The improvements in insulin resistance parameters with BZA+CE are similar to those observed in our rodent studies, supporting this combination as promising for use in breast cancer risk reduction in women with vasomotor symptoms at high-risk for metabolic disease. Citation Format: Carol Fabian, Adrian Zelenchuk, Kandy Powers, Amy Kreutzjans, Krystal Pittman, Bill Hendry, Christy Altman, Erin Giles, Katherine L. Cook, Stephen Hursting, Bruce Kimler. Effect of 6 months of bazedoxifene + conjugated estrogens on body composition and insulin resistance [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO2-08-10.

Psychological and behavioral responses to daily weight gain during behavioral weight loss treatment

Self-weighing is consistently associated with more effective weight control. However, patterns show that participants disengage from their weight control behaviors following weight gain. Women with BMIs in the overweight/obese range (N = 50) enrolled in a long-term behavioral weight loss program completed ecological momentary assessment (EMA) surveys immediately after their daily weigh-ins. Nightly EMA surveys and self-monitoring data through Fitbit measured their weight control behavior that day. On days when participants gained weight (vs. lost or maintained), they reported more negative mood, more guilt/shame, and lower confidence in weight control. Motivation following daily weight gain depended on participants’ overall satisfaction with their weight loss so far: more satisfied participants had marginally higher, but less satisfied participants had marginally lower motivation in response to daily weight gain. Greater guilt/shame and lower motivation after the weigh-in predicted less effective weight control behavior that day (e.g., lower likelihood of calorie tracking, fewer minutes of physical activity). Results demonstrate that even small weight gain is distressing and demoralizing for women in BWL programs, which can lead to goal disengagement. These findings have implications for future BWL interventions, including the potential utility of just-in-time adaptive interventions to promote more adaptive responses in the moments after weigh-ins.

Virological, weight, and drug resistance outcomes among patients initiating a dolutegravir-based first-line antiretroviral therapy regimen in Zimbabwe.

Dolutegravir (DTG)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) is being scaled up in Africa. However, clinical experience with DTG and patterns of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) are sparse in Zimbabwe. We assessed virological, weight, and HIVDR outcomes among individuals initiating on a DTG-based ART. We conducted a prospective cohort study among HIV-infected adult (≥18 years old) individuals attending care at Parirenyatwa hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe between October 2021 and April 2023. Viral load and weight were assessed at both baseline and follow-up (≥24weeks) visits. HIVDR genotyping was performed by Sanger sequencing among participants with virological failure (viral load ≥1000 copies/ml) at follow-up visit. Factors associated with weight gain were determined using logistic regression analysis on STATA 17.0. One hundred and seventy-two participants were enrolled in the study. The median [interquartile range (IQR) age was 39 (29-48)] years whilst the median (IQR) CD4 + cell count and log 10 viral load at enrolment was 175 (58-328) cells/μl and 5.41 (4.80-5.74), respectively. After a median (IQR) duration of 27 (25-30) weeks on DTG, of the 131 participants with follow-up viral load data available, 129 (98%) had viral load less than 1000 copies/ml and among the 2 (2%) participants with viral load at least 1000 copies/ml, no emergent HIVDR was detected. We observed a significant increase in weight among the participants. The average weight gain was 5.25 kgs ( P < 0.0001). Baseline CD4 + cell count at least 200 cells/μl was significantly associated with at a smaller weight gain [odds ratio (OR) = 0.26; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.12-0.58, P = 0.001]. We found high virological suppression and an increased weight among people initiating on DTG in a resource-limited setting. Encouragingly, HIVDR to DTG remains rare.

Enhancing the oxidation behaviors of Zr alloys for nuclear fuel cladding using nanolamellar Cr/CrN coating

Cr, CrN, and nanolamellar Cr/CrN coatings were deposited on Zr-4 substrate by multi-arc ion plating in Ar, N2, and Ar + N2, respectively. The oxidation behaviors of these various types of Cr-based coatings in steam under different temperature-time conditions were compared. The nanolamellar Cr/CrN coating had a smaller weight gain, a smoother oxide surface, fewer pores, no cracks, and could block the interdiffusion between Cr-Zr by generating a ZrN layer. The designed nanolamellar Cr/CrN coating can effectively combine the advantages of Cr and CrN coatings to show better resistance to oxidation. Oxidation mechanisms have also been discussed in detail.

Synthesis and modification of poly (p‐phenylene terephthalamide) for production of light‐weight hybrid composite armors reinforced with polymer composite nanofiber mats

AbstractPoly (p‐phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) polymer was synthesized and then modified to eliminate the processing difficulties arising from its insolubility in organic solvents. The chemical structures of the synthesized PPTA and N‐butyl PPTA (BPPTA) were confirmed by elemental analysis, x‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy studies. As a result of modification, an aramid derivative that is soluble in some common solvents was obtained and added into polyacrylonitrile (PAN) matrix in solution. PAN/BPPTA composite nanofiber mats (CNMs) were fabricated by electrospinning. Mechanical tests showed that tensile strength increased by 119% with 3% BPPTA content. The fabricated CNMs were combined with aramid fabrics to produce laminated hybrid armors and ballistic tests were performed following the NATO Stanag 2920 standard. This is the first report about the integration of CNMs into multilayer armor configurations and resulted in improved ballistic limit velocity (V50) with a relatively very small weight gain and emergence of new energy absorption mechanisms.Highlights Alkylation of the para‐aramid yielded an organo‐soluble aramid derivative. Tensile strength of PAN nanofiber mat increased by 119% with 3% N‐butyl PPTA. Integration of the CNMs resulted in new ballistic impact absorption mechanisms. CNMs contribute to V50 with a very low mass gain due to their high surface area/mass.

A randomised controlled trial to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a small change approach to prevent weight gain

A weight gain prevention strategy showing merit is a small change approach (increase energy expenditure and/or decrease energy intake by 100–200 kcal/day). Studies have tested a small change approach in intensive interventions involving multiple contacts, unsuitable for delivery at scale. The aim here was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a remote small change weight gain prevention intervention. A randomised controlled trial of 122 participants was conducted. The intervention was a remote 12-week small change weight gain prevention programme (targeting dietary and/or physical activity behaviours). The comparator group received a healthy lifestyle leaflet. Data were collected at baseline and 12-weeks. The primary outcome was the feasibility and acceptability, assessed against three stop–go traffic light criteria: retention, number of participants randomised per month and adherence to a small change approach. Participants’ opinions of a small change approach and weight change were also measured. The traffic light stop–go criteria results were green for recruitment (122 participants recruited in three months) and retention (91%) and red for intervention adherence. Most participants (62%) found a small change approach helpful for weight management and the mean difference in weight was − 1.1 kg (95% CI − 1.7, − 0.4), favouring the intervention group. Excluding intervention adherence, the trial was feasible and acceptable to participants. Despite adherence being lower than expected, participants found a small change approach useful for weight management and gained less weight than comparators. With refinement to increase intervention adherence, progress to an effectiveness trial is warranted.ISRCTN18309466: 12/04/2022 (retrospectively registered).

Preservation of black grapes by isochoric freezing

Fruits are perishable. It's crucial to have an efficient preservation technique that may extend storage duration while maintaining the physical quality and nutritional values to avoid wastage. The majority of long-term storage solutions for fruits use refrigeration. In this study, we evaluate the potential of isochoric freezing as an alternative method of preservation for black grapes (Vitis vinifera L.). We compare the properties of black grapes preserved for 7 days in trehalose solution at −4 °C in isochoric conditions (average pressure 34.2 MPa) with those of fresh black grapes and with grapes preserved isobarically in four conditions (room temperature, in the fridge, in the freezer, and in a plastic bag filled with trehalose solution). The results indicate that grapes preserved by isochoric freezing at temperatures below the freezing point of water do not lose weight; on the contrary, they resulted in a very small (2%) weight gain. Freezing under isochoric conditions did not result in significant changes in terms of macroscopic appearance, colour, firmness, °Brix values, or pH. We consider that isochoric freezing has the potential to be used as a preservation method for grapes while maintaining physicochemical parameters similar to those of fresh fruits.

Striking differences in weight gain after cART initiation depending on early or advanced presentation: results from the ANRS CO4 FHDH cohort.

Many studies have reported weight gain in ART-naive people living with HIV (PWH) initiating an integrase strand-transfer inhibitor-based regimen. We studied the impact of early or advanced presentation and that of individual drugs in PWH initiating combined ART (cART) between 2012 and 2018. From the French Hospital Database HIV cohort, we assessed factors associated with a weight gain ≥10%, weight change after cART initiation or BMI increase ≥5 kg/m2 up to 30 months. The analyses were conducted overall, and among PWH with early (primary infection or CD4 >350/mm3 and viral load <100 000 copies/mL, without AIDS) and advanced presentation (AIDS or CD4 <200/mm3, not during primary infection). At 30 months, 34.5% (95% CI: 33.5-35.6) of the 12 773 PWH had a weight gain ≥10%, with 20.9% (95% CI: 19.6-22.2) among the 5794 with early presentation and 63.1% (95% CI: 60.9-65.3) among the 3106 with advanced presentation. Weight gain was 2.8 kg (95% CI: 2.0-3.7) for those with early presentation and 9.7 kg (95% CI: 8.4-11.1) for those with advanced presentation. Most weight gain occurred in the first 12 months. Underweight and obese PWH were at significantly higher risk of a BMI increase ≥5 kg/m2 than normal-weight PWH. Results differed within classes and by outcome. Raltegravir and dolutegravir were consistently associated with greater weight gain than the other third agents. Tenofovir alafenamide was also associated with higher weight gain than tenofovir disoproxil or abacavir. After initiating cART, PWH with early presentation exhibited a small weight gain, whereas it was large among those with advanced presentation. The choice of ART should account for the risk of weight gain, especially for PWH who present with advanced disease and/or are obese.

Feasibility study of dealuminated kaolin utilization in marine constructions

In the marine environment, the resistance of cement structures to salts is the most critical factor affecting their life span. We investigated the sulfate attack of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and dealuminated kaolin (DK) blended cement in the marine environment. The performance of this cement was assessed by immersing the mortar specimens in fresh seawater for one year and measuring the strength development, reduction in compressive strength, expansion due to (SO42-) penetration, and weight change of the mortar specimens using the standard test methods. The results proved clearly that 7.5% (DK) blended cement mortar specimen is the best achieved the lowest reduction in compressive strength (10%), a relatively small weight gain (0.62%), and expanded to less than 0.10% at 1-year exposure so it is considered sulfate resistant.

Insulin resistance and weight gain in women treated for early stage breast cancer.

Both weight gain and insulin resistance have been associated with poorer prognosis in women receiving adjuvant therapy for early stage breast cancer, however, interactions between weight gain and insulin resistance have not been explored longitudinally throughout the breast cancer treatment continuum. One hundred non-diabetic women with early stage breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and /or hormonal therapy were enrolled in this prospective, observational study. Metrics of weight, body composition (BMI, waist/hip circumference ratio (WHR)), and cardiometabolic health (fasting insulin, glucose and triglycerides) were obtained prior to adjuvant therapy (baseline) and repeated 6, 12, and 24months post-diagnosis. Insulin resistance was calculated using the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Complete data were available for 95 participants. Compared to baseline, body weight was significantly higher at the 12-month time-point (75.3 ± 15.7 vs. 76.2 ± 16.7, p = 0.03), however there was no difference in waist circumference (p = 0.96) or WHR (p = 0.52). HOMA-IR tended to increase 6months after diagnosis (2.36 ± 2.17 vs. 2.70 ± 2.83, p = 0.06), largely driven by adverse responses in patients treated with chemotherapy (mean change + 0.53 (chemotherapy) vs - 0.64 (no chemotherapy), p = 0.005). Despite 12-month weight gain, the 6-month increase in HOMA-IR was fully abrogated 12months after diagnosis. Breast cancer patients experience small but significant weight gain in the year following diagnosis, and those who receive chemotherapy experience significant short-term metabolic impairments suggestive of insulin resistance. While the acute insulin resistance appears to attenuate over time, the long-term ramifications are unclear and may help explain weight gain in this population.

Pendukung Keputusan dalam Penilaian Pegawai Pemerintah Non Pegawai Negeri menggunakan Metode Entropy

Polytechnic of STIA LAN Bandung is one of the units under the LAN RI which has a core business in the field of education that has an obligation to run the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. In running the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, Polytechnic of STIA LAN Bandung requires several supporting resources. One of the supporting resources that most determine the quality of the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education is the competence of human resources. To facilitate the decision-making process carried out by the Staffing sub-section in assessing Non-Civil Servant Government Employees (PPNPN), a form of Decision Support System is needed. In conducting employee assessments used a method, namely Entropy. Entropy method that serves to measure the weight (level of importance) on each assessment indicator. Assessment indicators, which are used include Basic Values, Performance, Insight Tests, Warning Letters, and Attendance. The dataset used is secondary data that has been obtained from the staffing sub-section of Polytechnic of STIA LAN Bandung. The data sample consisted of five non-civil servants (PPNPN). From the results of the weight calculation using the Entropy method, it was obtained that the Attendance Indicator has the largest weight value of 0.5495, followed by the Warning Letter indicator with a weight of 0.2353. Then the third largest weight is on the Performance indicator with a weight of 0.1107, followed by the Basic Value indicator with a weight of 0.0604. The smallest weight gain is generated by the Insight Test indicator of 0.0439

P367 Weight patterns in biologicals treated Inflammatory bowel disease cohort

Abstract Background Biologic therapies are effective at inducing and maintaining remission in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Previous studies have associated TNF-a inhibitors with weight gain, however it is unclear if this is a class-related effect or a manifestation of clinical remission. We performed this retrospective study to compare weight changes from baseline across different biological classes, examine weight patterns over time and assess characteristics and associations within each (sub)groups. Methods Adult patients with IBD who received any biological therapy for at least 12 months, between 2008 and 2020, were identified from prospectively maintained records at two IBD units in Australia. Data collected included demographics; weight and BMI at baseline, 6, 12, 24 and 48 months; IBD type and phenotype; baseline endoscopy, baseline haemoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin; combination or monotherapy; initial steroid therapy and frequency of biologic infusion. Patients with missing data were excluded. A linear mixed-effects model was performed for the outcome of weight change from baseline, including the interaction of treatment group and time period. A latent class analysis was then performed, assigning patients to weight trajectory groups, and univariate ordinal logistic regressions were used to explore possible associations between membership of each group (the outcome) against various predictive factors. Results Of 294 patients (156 females), 165 received Infliximab (IFX), 68 Adalimumab (ADA), 36 Vedolizumab (VDZ) and 25 Ustekinumab (UST). There was a statistically significant interaction between time and treatment group with a significant weight gain over time in both the IFX and VDZ groups. After adjusting for baseline weight and inflammatory markers, significant weight gain was found for IFX vs ADA and VDZ vs ADA at most time points (Fig.1). Significantly less weight gain was seen in those with a higher initiation weight. Each 10kg increase in baseline weight resulted in 0.5kg less weight gain. This effect also held true for BMI. Latent class analysis identified three weight trajectories: 57.4% of patients had small weight loss (-2.3kg), 37.8% small weight gain (6.6 kg) and 4.8% large weight gain (24.3 kg). Baseline BMI inversely influenced weight gain; with every 1 unit increase in BMI, reducing the odds of large weight gain by 8%. Being female, having an initiation CRP£5 or albumin&amp;gt;35 also reduced the odds of large weight gain. Conclusion Weight gain in biological-treated IBD patients appears to be associated with male gender, active baseline inflammation and the type of drug used.

Pregnancy Risk Factors as Predictors of Offspring Cerebrovascular Disease: The Northern Finland Birth Cohort Study 1966.

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Changes in diet quality and body weight over 10 years: the Multiethnic Cohort Study.

High-quality diets have been found to be beneficial in preventing long-term weight gain. However, concurrent changes in diet quality and body weight over time have rarely been reported. We examined the association between 10-year changes in diet quality and body weight in the Multiethnic Cohort Study. Analyses included 53977 African Americans, Native Hawaiians, Japanese Americans, Latinos and Whites, who completed both baseline (1993-1996, 45-69 years) and 10-year follow-up (2003-2008) surveys including a FFQ and had no history of heart disease or cancer. Using multivariable regression, weight changes were regressed on changes in four diet quality indexes, Healthy Eating Index-2015, Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010, alternate Mediterranean Diet and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension scores. Mean weight change over 10 years was 1·2 (sd 6·8) kg in men and 1·5 (sd 7·2) kg in women. Compared with stable diet quality (< 0·5 sd change), the greatest increase (≥ 1 sd increase) in the diet scores was associated with less weight gain (by 0·55-1·17 kg in men and 0·62-1·31 kg in women). Smaller weight gain with improvement in diet quality was found in most subgroups by race/ethnicity, baseline age and baseline BMI. The inverse association was stronger in younger age and higher BMI groups. Ten-year improvement in diet quality was associated with a smaller weight gain, which varied by race/ethnicity and baseline age and BMI. Our findings suggest that maintaining a high-quality diet and improving diet quality over time may prevent excessive weight gain.

Thyroidectomy May Be Associated with a Small Postoperative Weight Gain

Thyroidectomy May Be Associated with a Small Postoperative Weight Gain

Lightweight design of milling cutter with modified stiffness

The conventional milling cutter design is based on a solid body. A cutter designed in this way has a guaranteed rigidity, but at the expense of tool dynamics. Computational methods of designing reduce the mass of a cutter in locations with lower stress density. This approach increases stiffness relative to the weight of the cutter. This paper analyses the benefits of modifications in the design of a lightweight cutter. The design uses an envelope of a con-ventional milling cutter that is filled by walls. Each modification changes the elasticity in different directions. These changes are monitored by displacements at the centre of the cutting inserts under load. Simulations confirm that even a small weight gain can mean a significant increase in tool stiffness.

Living fences for improved smallholder livestock systems in Cambodia

ABSTRACT In northwest Cambodia, the majority of smallholder households own livestock. Poor consistency in feed supply throughout the year is a major constraint to livestock performance. Another critical challenge, livestock roaming in the dry season for forage, results in smallholders having few options to protect any post-rice dry season cropping activity from free-ranging animals. Living fences have the potential to address both these challenges, by providing high-quality feed for livestock throughout the year, while also serving as a barrier to protect the land from livestock grazing. A mixed-methods approach was used with communities in Battambang Province, including household surveys, a fodder production experiment, a cattle feeding trial, farmer training and data on dissemination and adoption. Results showed that living fence species, such as Leucaena leucocephala, can produce 2.5 kg of fresh weight per week per 100 trees during the dry season. This biomass volume is sufficient to supplement cattle diets so that a smallholder can sustain a small percentage weight gain in cows throughout the dry season. Critical challenges, including land tenure, physical access to paddy lands, and the gendered nature of these farming systems, remain for realizing private benefit on paddy lands culturally considered public in the dry season.