Top Feeding Research Articles

Adherence and Early Initiation of Breastfeeding in Institutional Deliveries – Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

Background: Aim: 1. To assess the effect of early initiation of breastfeeding within 1hour on sustain exclusive breastfeeding, 2. To assess the correct position, attachment and effective suckling in the breastfeeding of infants as practiced by mothers, 3. To assess the educational background of mother as factor for adherence to breast feeding, 4. Involvement of various healthcare personnel in successful breastfeeding. Subjects and Methods: An observational, prospective cohort study was done at KBNIMS and GIMS Hospital in Kalaburagi from March 2018 to August 2018. Mother-newborn units were observed for mother's and baby's position, attachment and quality assessed by fish bone diagram (Ishikawa). Data thus collected were analysed using Chi-Square test. Results: The results of the study revealed that the highest percentage (47.8%) of the sample their age were ranged between (18-21) years, (49%) of them were graduated from primary school and less, (91%) initiate their breastfeeding during 24 hours in previous baby, In primipara average latch score was 4 and in multipara it was 8 whereas score of 7 in normal vaginal and score of 4 in lscs. Conclusion: Neonatal and infant deaths can be decreased to significant level if breast feeding is initiated within 1 hour. LATCH score is excellent tool for caregivers at all level in hospital. Early initiation will help to sustained and maintain breastfeeding till 6 months of age and avoid top feeding by the mother.

Study of social and demographic determinants of severe acute malnutrition in children aged 6-59 months in a tertiary care centre of Odisha, India

Background: The objective is to study the various social and demographic determinants of severe acute malnutrition in children aged 6 months to 59 months in a tertiary care centre of Odisha, India.Methods: This is a hospital based prospective observational study done in a tertiary care centre of Odisha during the period of Nov 2015 to Oct 2017 in which all children with severe acute malnutrition as per WHO criteria in the age group 6 months to 59 months were enrolled and their socioeconomic and demographic details were evaluated.Results: Present study revealed a prevalence of severe acute malnutrition as 2.8%. Males (54.2%) were more affected than females (45.8%). Most common age group affected was 6-12 months (37.4%). Most of the children were from low socioeconomic status (96.4%) and from rural areas (84.8%).63.7% of the study population were unimmunised. Only 12.6% of the participants were exclusively breast fed.100% of the children in the study population received top feeding with cow’s milk.Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition is high in Odisha but most of the causative factors are preventable. Adequate education regarding exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding, immunisation, promotion of proper referral and health care services can help to improve nutritional status in the state of Odisha.

Hypothesis-driven compartment model for stirred bioreactors utilizing computational fluid dynamics and multiple pH sensors

The ability to understand and predict mixing behaviour in stirred bioreactors through the use of mathematical models is an effective strategy to improve or ensure the performance of a process. Historically, compartment models have been developed to facilitate the prediction of hydrodynamics and in the last decade, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has become the standard tool to assess this in detail. Despite the continuous increase in computational capacity, performing CFD simulations of bioreactors remains a challenge in industry, where the need for simplified models is apparent due to the complex phenomena occurring at the industrial scale. The combination of CFD and compartment models has been investigated in this work using a pilot scale stirred bioreactor equipped with three Rushton disc turbines and multiple pH sensors as a case study. A hypothesis-driven compartmentalization strategy, comprised of five steps, has been developed and applied to the pilot scale stirred bioreactor. The compartmentalization resulted in 56 compartments with unidirectional flow between adjacent compartments. The performance of the methodology was evaluated against a data-driven compartment approach and the full CFD simulation, in terms of its ability to recreate transient tracer profiles following top and bottom feeding of the tracer. The data-driven compartment model proved to be the most accurate of the three investigated methods, whereas the hypothesis-driven compartment method had a 10–12% higher error on prediction. Nevertheless, the developed methodology should be considered a viable alternative to conventional CFD methods, especially when models of complex phenomena – for example multi-dimensional population balance models – are to be incorporated in the final model as well.

First record of the elusive Freshwater snapper Lutjanus fuscescens (Valenciennes, 1830) in Palawan, Philippines

The Freshwater snapper (Lutjanus fuscescens) is a large species of snapper that inhabits freshwater and brackish water habitats (Martinez-Andrade, 2003). Unlike other snapper species, the complete lifecycle of the species takes place in freshwater habitats. The Freshwater snapper is known to grow up to 40 cm, making it one of the largest species of snapper (Allen 1985), and it is thought to act as a top predator feeding on different smaller fishes. Despite its large size, the species remains understudied and little is known about it. The species is known from Southeast Asia where it has been found in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, the Solomon Island, Timor-Leste and the Philippines (Miller and Cribb 2007; Polhemus et al. 2008; Larson et al. 2007). Within the Philippines, the species is mainly known from the island of Mindanao, which is in the southeast of the archipelago. As part of their work for a proposed conservation project in Cleopatra’s Needle mountain range, two local biologists trekking upstream along the Langogan River on the northern border of Puerto Princesa City encountered the Batak Tribe on 24 February 2015 with their newly caught fishes from the river. The Langogan River is one of the largest rivers which originated from the Cleopatra’s Needle forest (Figure 1) in the north eastern part of Puerto Princesa City (van Beijnen and Jose in press). Five large fish locally called “Magaragan” caught by the Batak Tribe in Langogan River were noted among others. They described the behavior of the fish as aggressive and none of the hunters dared to spearfish in its known habitat. They explained further that ever since they have not caught this species in the lower downstream of the river. The species approximately weighs between 5-25 kg and the total lengths ranged between 30 and 90 cm (Figure 2). Besides being a freshwater species, the fish has a truncated caudal fin with a prominent dark spot on the body right below the second dorsal fin, greyish-brown back and side colors, whitish on belly and bisected by lateral line below its anterior soft dorsal rays which are characteristics resembling that of Lutjanus fuscesens. The coloration of the freshwater snapper is lighter compared to Mangrove Jack (Lutjanus argentimaculatus) which is likewise known to reach lower freshwater habitats (Allen 1985). The identification of the species was further confirmed by fish experts in the Philippines. Lastly the Batak noted that their snapper species catch in this trip were medium sizes, as fully grown individuals can reach the same size as the stretch length of their two arms (approximately 120 – 140 cm), much higher that the reported 40 cm maximum length (Allen 1985). This was an opportunistic observation of the two local biologists so no actual measurements were made and no specimens were collected. The species status has not yet been assessed by IUCN while there are no official records in the province of Palawan. The fish could be easily overexploited by outsiders because of its limited distribution and large size. Additional threats to the population in Langogan River include illegal gold mining activities in the area and a proposed paved provincial road along the river to cross the island from the east coast to the west coast, which most probably would mean the end of this local fish population. Additionally, a hydropower project is proposed at the upstream portion of the Langogan River which needs to be planned well as a recently published study shows that about 1/3 of the world’s freshwater fish species are under threat due to hydropower development (Nam et al. 2016). Furthermore, there have been unconfirmed reports of Freshwater snapper in the upper portions of the Iwahig River in central Puerto Princesa that should be further investigated to get more clarity on the distribution of the species within Palawan. To further understand its biology and ecology, as well as its economic potential for fisheries in the province, it is highly recommended to obtain specimen/s of the species for further scientific studies and purposes while further researches and assessments of the species in this newly recorded geographical range and in the whole province of Palawan are necessary. Lastly, this new record of the species together with several new other discoveries for the area should provide sufficient arguments to enthuse the local government to provide the whole Cleopatra’s Needle Mountain Range with an official protective status.

Micronutrient deficiency status in children below 2 year of age with delayed milestones

Background: Micronutrient deficiency have strong association with delayed achievement of milestones. Objective of present study was to know the micronutrient deficiency status in children below 2 years of age with delayed milestones.Methods: Study was carried out among 50 children below 2year of age with delayed milestones without any known cause for it. These children were evaluated for hematopoietic micronutrient deficiency and they were compared with controls.Results: A total of 50 children (22 male and 28 female) of delayed milestone were enrolled. Maximum number of children were in age group 7-12 months. Majority of children (62%) were from BPL families. Majority of children had Wt/ Ht -1 to -2 SD. Breastfeeding was initiated late (2-6 hr) in 38%. Sixty four percent children were exclusively breast fed up to six month of age, in the rest top milk feeding was also given along with BF. No complimentary feeding was started in 51.1% children after 6 months of age. In 73% of those in whom complimentary feeding was started the amount was inadequate. Maximum children were given complimentary feeding at the age of 9-12 month. In this study significant number of patients (p = <0.001) had low levels of serum vit. B12 (78% v/s 10% in control), iron deficiency (66% v/s 6% in control) and deficient folic acid level (16% v/s nil in control).Conclusions: Association was found between hematopoietic micronutrient deficiency and delayed milestone in children below 2 years age without any other risk factors.

Predictors for gut colonization of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in neonates in a neonatal intensive care unit

With the emergence of carbapenem-resistant isolates, the therapeutic alternatives have become limited. Various factors are responsible for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) gut colonization. This study was conducted to determine predictors for CRE gut colonization in neonates who were hospital delivered and admitted in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Three rectal swabs were collected from 300 hospital-delivered and NICU-admitted neonates (likely to stay for >3 days). The data collected for the possible risk factors for CRE gut colonization were namely mode of delivery, prolonged rupture of membrane >18 hours, period of gestation, birth weight, meconium-stained liquor, ventilation, intravenous catheter, nasogastric (NG) tube, NG feeding, breastfeeding, katori spoon feeding, top feeding, expressed breastmilk, antibiotics administration, and duration of hospitalization. P < .05 was considered as statistically significant. A total of 26 cases of CRE were isolated from 300 neonates. Statistically significant risk factors were found to be NG tube, breastfeeding, NG feeding, top feeding, expressed breastmilk, ventilation, antibiotic administration, and duration of hospitalization. Top feeding and antibiotics administration were identified as 2 independent risk factors by multiple logistic regression. Active surveillance of cultures from hospitalized patients and implementation of preventive efforts can reduce the risk of CRE.

Comparison of feeding practices among rural and urban mothers and their effect on nutritional status of children

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the nutritional status in infants based on infant feeding practices among rural and urban areas. Methods: An observational study was carried out in the Department of Paediatrics of a tertiary care hospital of New Delhi. The present study included a total of 1000 children, of which 500 were from rural and 500 from urban background over a period of 1 year. Information on breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices was recorded. Results: In this study, we found that early initiation of breastfeeding (within 1 h after birth) was significantly more common in urban area as compared to rural(71.8% vs. 54.2%; p=0.001). Significantly higher proportion of mothers in urban population (88.0%) was frequently breastfeeding their children than rural ones 76.0% (p=0.001). Practice of night feeding was same in both the groups. Practices of giving prelacteal feeding were significantly higher in rural than in urban area (50.2% vs. 18.4%; p=0.001). Children in whom complementary feeding was introduced beyond 6 months had significantly higher occurrence of malnutrition (68.6% vs. 55.4%; p=0.004). Type of complementary feed did not affect the occurrence of malnutrition. Conclusion: Exclusively, breastfed children below 6 months of age and children where complementary feeding is introduced timely at 6 months have lower incidence of malnutrition as compared to those given top feeding before 6 months and inappropriate complementary feeding beyond 6 months of age.

Is human milk feeding protective for Retinopathy of Prematurity?

Objective:To find the association between breast milk feeding with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants.Methods:This was a cross sectional study to examine the effects of breast milk feeding on ROP. Premature newborns below 34 weeks from neonatal unit retinopathy of prematurity program during the years 2015 to 2017 of The Lahore General Hospital were included. We recorded the gestational age, birth weight, presence of ROP and the type of feeding (breastfeeding vs. formula milk).Results:Out of 428 preterm babies 210 (49%) were males. More babies were between 32-34 weeks of gestation 229 (53.5%) as compared to < 32 weeks 199 (46.5%). Among all 428 preterm infants 19(4.4%) developed ROP. Majority 13 (68.4%) who developed ROP were <32 weeks of gestation (p=0.042). The mean birth weight of infants without ROP was 1.51± 0.36 kg (95%CI; 1.47-1.55), while it was 1.36 ± 0.29 kg (95%CI; 1.22-1.50) with ROP and all who developed ROP were < 2kg. The estimated odds ratio of developing ROP for breast fed versus top feeding was (ORs: 0.571, 95% CI; 0.222- 1.489). There was a trend toward lower incidence of ROP in the group of newborns who received breast-feeding (36.8%) as compared to top feeding (63.2%) but almost similar percentage who didn’t develop ROP were breast fed or top fed with statistically insignificant results (p= 0.24).Conclusions:Slightly lesser percentage of preterm babies who were breast fed developed retinopathy of prematurity.

Diarrhoea, nutrition and oral rehydration therapy: awareness, attitude and practices among mothers of children under five years

Background: Lack of knowledge about the preventive and therapeutic measures pose a barrier in the management of diarrhoea in children.Methods: This study was conducted to assess awareness and attitude among mothers of children &lt;5 years, towards diarrhea, feeding practices during diarrhoea, awareness and use of oral rehydration therapy (ORT). A standard questionnaire including handwashing practice, sanitation, personal hygiene, feeding practice, knowledge about disease was the assessmetn tool.Results: Of 300 mothers, 190 (62.60%) were in 20-30 years age group. Mean±SD age was 24.5±2.47 years. Literates were 78.67%; majority belonged to class III (37.69%) and IV (23.32%) socioeconomic class. Disease awareness was low (71.86%) and 68.03% were unaware of complications. Teething (32.64%), contaminated food and water (29.32%) were the main causes. Rice based food considered best (45.96%) followed by fruit juices (21.98%), boiled saboo daana (20.65%). Breast feed continued in 73.93%, solid food in 27.30%. Bottle feeding (92%) was preferred for top feeding and cleaning the bottle with boiling water was the most practiced (68.0%) method. Knowledge on oral rehydrating fluids was adequate (Home made salt and sugar solution (66.0%) and oral hydration solution (80.0%)); knowledge on correct preparation was inadequate. Not practicing proper hand wash (50.55%), wrong dilution (69.50%) and use of unsafe water (29.49%) were correctable factors. There was insufficient knowledge (89.50%) about quantity of fluid to be restored.Conclusions: There is an urgent need to educate mothers on initial fluid replacement and hygienic practices to be followed during diarrhoea apart from improving handwashing practice, sanitation, feeding practice, knowledge about disease.

Correlation between maternal and childhood VitB12, folic acid and ferritin levels.

Objective:To determine the correlation between serum folic acid, vitamin B12 and ferritin of mother and child and to study various neonatal risk factors as a cause of anemia in children.Methods:One hundred eighty children two months to two years of age admitted in the department of Pediatric Medicine of The Children’s Hospital and The Institute of Child Health Lahore from January 2013 to January 2015 with common medical conditions having anemia were included. Complete blood count (CBC), serum ferritin level, folic acid and Vitamin (Vit) B12 level were sent of children and their mothers. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.Results:Out of 180 children with anemia, 66.7% were males. Mean age of children was 7.3months. Fifty-five percent children were malnourished according to z scoring. The mean Hemoglobin (Hb) of children was 8 g/dl. Only 4% children had low ferritin level while 60% had low folic acid and 45% had decreased VitB12. There was significant correlation between Hb of mother and child (p =0.02), Vit B12 deficiency (p=0.008) and iron deficiency (p<0.001). Premature children had lower folic acid levels (p =0.02), while prematurity, IUGR, previous admission and history of sepsis showed no association with anemia in our study. Both breast-feeding and top feeding showed significant association with anemia with p-value of 0.042 and 0.003 respectively while dilution showed no impact on anemia.Conclusion:Maternal anemia has a significant impact on child’s hemoglobin. As compared to previous concept of increased iron deficiency in children we found increased occurrence of folic acid and VitB12 deficiency in children and their mothers.

Effects of the vertical distribution of a root-feeding insect (Anomala cuprea) on the yield, mortality, and size structure of Lolium perenne populations at different plant densities

The vertical distribution of belowground herbivores plays an important role in determining the performance of an individual plant, but we still do not know the effects of this distribution on plant populations. A grass (Lolium perenne L.) was, therefore, grown at two densities with three vertical distributions of the belowground herbivore Anomala cuprea Hope (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). The population yield decreased significantly in the treatments with a herbivore, and decreased most when the herbivore was in the top feeding zone (i.e., the shallowest soil). Plants only died when the herbivore was in the top zone or was free to move within the pot. At low plant density, the biomass of the three largest shoots decreased significantly in the presence of a herbivore, but that of shoots in the fourth and smaller ranks did not. At high plant density, shoot biomass was not significantly affected by herbivory, irrespective of plant size. The standard deviation of shoot size was larger at low densities than at high densities. At low, but not high plant densities, the standard deviation decreased when herbivory occurred in the shallowest soil layer. To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate that the vertical distribution of a belowground herbivore can markedly affect the size dynamics of a plant population.

Study of ecology of malnutrition with respect to infection, infestation pattern, immunization and feeding practices in children attending tertiary care hospital

Background: It often quipped that half of the world is starving and other half is tyring to lose weight!!.Unfortunately India is in the former half of the world. Out of 667 million children under age five worldwide, 151 million children are stunted and 50 million children are wasted.Methods: The present study showed a very poor immunization status of malnourished children only 7.26% were completely immunized and 74.39% and 8.47% of malnourished children were partially immunized and unimmunized respectively. Study also showed a high incidence of wrong feeding practices like early weaning, prolonged exclusive breast feeding without adequate supplementation, and top feeding in the malnourished cohort. Study also showed a high prevalence of bronchopneumonia, UTI, GI infections in the study group. Tubercular meningitis, pyogenic meningitis, aspiration pneumonia contributed to majority of deaths. Malnourished children are more likely to have anemia, xerophthalmia, bacteremia, bacteriuria, pneumonia, GI infection and tuberculosis. The study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, VIMS and Head Quarters Hospital Bellary from December 2006 to December 2007.Results: In this study out of 8 HIV positive children 6 children had been breast fed and 2 were top fed. Study also showed a high prevalence of bronchopneumonia, UTI, GI infections in the study group. Tubercular meningitis, pyogenic meningitis, aspiration pneumonia contributed to majority of deaths. Malnourished children are more likely to have anemia, xerophthalmia, bacteremia, bacteriuria, pneumonia, GI infection and tuberculosis. In cases with severe malnutrition, screening for HIV infection must be done.Conclusions: Education regarding early initiation of breast feeding within one hour of birth, exclusive breast feeding for 4 to 6 months and continued breast feeding for 2 years or beyond with adequate supplementation must be emphasized. Last but not the least, the importance of immunization in breaking the vicious cycle of infection and malnutrition should be made known to the community at large through effective usage of mass media.

VITAMIN D LEVEL IN CHILDREN PRESENTING WITH RECURRENT LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Introduction: Acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI), like pneumonia and bronchiolitis, is among the leading cause of death worldwide in children under 5 years of age and is the most common reason for hospital admission of children under 5 children. Risk factors of ALRI include low birth weight, top feeding, incomplete vaccination, air pollution, over-crowding, parental smoking, and chronic ailments. It is also hypothesized that the increased prevalence of ALRI during winter months is due to decrease in Ultraviolet B radiation exposure to skin resulting in decreased Vitamin D production. The rationale of this study is to see the magnitude of Vitamin D deficiency in children presenting with LRTI in emergency of a Tertiary care hospital.&#x0D; Objective: The objective of my study was to:  “determine the frequency of Vitamin-D deficiency among children presenting with lower respiratory tract infections in a tertiary care hospital”&#x0D; Study Design: Cross sectional survey.&#x0D; Duration of Study: Six months i.e; From: 01.06.2017 to 30.11.2017&#x0D; Settings: Pediatric ward, General Hospital, Lahore.&#x0D; Results: In this study, total 130 patients were taken, 46.15%(n=60) were between 02-12 months of age and 53.85%(n=70) were between 13-24 months of age, mean+sd was calculated as 12.57+6.22 months, 48.46%(n=63) were male while 51.54%(n=67) were females. Frequency of vitamin-D deficiency among children presenting with lower respiratory tract infections was recorded in 39.23%(n=51) while 60.77%(n=79) had normal levels.&#x0D; Conclusion: We concluded that the patients having LRTI have a high frequency of Vitamin D deficiency. So, it is recommended to screen every child who is diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infection for vitamin D deficiency. It is also recommended that every setup should have their surveillance to know the exact magnitude of this problem.

Vibrio Cholera Diarrohea in Neonate: A Case Report

Neonatal cholera is a extremely rare in neonate. Colostrum may offer potent protection among breast fed neonates mediated by specific immunoglobulin IgA. Occurrence of cholera in a new born reflects the poor hygienic condition of the family and bad child rearing practice. As rehydration therapy and antibiotics is the main stay of treatment of this particular condition, the broader perspective is to counsel the population about hazards of prelactal feed, top feeding and good hygienic measures. We report two cases of neonatal cholera with severe dehydration.

A comparison of the effect of breast feeding, mixed feeding and top feeding on weights of infants and children

A retrospective analysis of 503 patients admitted to diarrhoea ward between June to August 2003 was done regarding their weight and feeding practices. Out of them 36 children were excluded as they did not full fill the required criteria. So a total of 467 patients were studied. The patients were divided into three groups depending upon whether they were breast fed, mixed i.e. both breast and top fed, or top fed respectively. All patients between the ages of birth and 24 months were included. The number of patients in breast fed, mixed fed and top fed were 134,135 and 198 respectively. Male to female ratio was 1.4:1,1.5:1,1.4:1,with mean age in breast fed group for females 6.9± 4.7 months and males 10.3±7.63,in mixed fed group 8.3± 5.97 months and 8.4 ± 6.4 months and in top fed group 8.25±7.35 months and 7.65 ±5.72 months respectively. Mean weight in each group was 6.1±1.9, 5.7 ± 2.1 and 4.9±2.0 kg. When weight of breast fed children was compared with those of mixed fed the difference was not statistically significant with p value of 0.236 while the comparison with top fed was highly significant with p value of 0.000. Similarly babies on mixed feeding had significantly better weight than that of top fed with p value of 0.004. Although it has been stressed upon and a lot of effort has been put in to encourage breast feeding but still top feeding and mixed feeding are on the top resulting in malnourished and wasted children. From our study it is obvious that top fed children are grossly malnourished, and exclusive breast feeding is low. We need to take more steps to encourage breast feeding.

A study on Infant Feeding practices among mothers of a Rural hilly area of District Dehradun

Background: Optimal infant and young child-feeding (IYCF) practices are crucial for nutritional status, growth, development, health, and ultimately the survival of infants and young children. Practices like premature cessation of breastfeeding, early and unnecessary introduction of top feeding in incorrect dilutions and unhygienic pattern are also quite prevalent in many communities thereby aggravating malnutrition in children. The present study was undertaken to assess the feeding practices in the first six months among children less than three years, to know the barriers for the same and to study the effect of feeding practices on their nutritional status.Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted in all the villages under Rural Health Training Centre, the field practice area of Department of Community Medicine. A total of 500 mothers with their under three children were included in the study. A Predesigned pretested semi structured questionnaire was used to collect information on feeding practices within the first six months of life.Results: In the present study a total of 160 (33%) children were on top milk of which majority consumed cow’s milk and were fed by bottle (91%). Majority of the mothers diluted milk (87.5%) in the proportion of 1:1 (38%). In appropriate feeding practices were more common males. Infants who had inappropriate feeding practices in the initial six months were found to be maximally undernourished.Conclusion: The present study revealed suboptimal feeding practices in the first six months, which was again found as one of the major risk factor for malnutrition among children.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.15(1) 2016 p.103-110

Energy Consumption in Copper Smelting: A New Asian Horse in the Race

After a marked improvement in energy consumption in copper smelting during the past few decades, technology development has been slowing down in the Americas and in Europe. Innovation, however, is still required to further reduce energy consumption while complying with stringent environmental regulations. The bottom blowing smelting technology being developed in China shows success and promise. The general configuration of the bath smelting vessel, the design of high-pressure injectors, and the concentrate addition system are described and discussed in this article with respect to those used in other technologies. The bottom blowing technology is shown to be operating at a temperature in the range of 1160–1180°C, which is the lowest reported temperature range for a modern copper smelting process. In this article, it is suggested that top feeding of filter cake concentrate, which is also used in other technologies, has a positive effect in reducing the oxidation potential of the slag (p(O2)) while increasing the FeS solubility in slag. This reduction in p(O2) lowers the magnetite liquidus of the slag, while the increased solubility of FeS in slag helps toward reaching very low copper levels in flotation slag tailings. The application of high-pressure injectors allows for the use of high levels of oxygen enrichment with no requirements for punching. Using a standard modeling approach from the authors’ previous studies, this article discusses these aspects and compares the energy consumption of the bottom blowing technology with that of other leading flash and bath smelting technologies, namely: flash smelting, Noranda/Teniente Converter, TSL (Isasmelt [Glencore Technology Pty. Ltd., Brisbane, Queensland, Australia]/Outotec), and the Mitsubishi Process (Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, Tokyo, Japan).

D213 循環流動層ガス化における低品位石炭タールの低減と組成変化におよぼす操作条件の影響(OS5 バイオマス・新燃料・環境技術(1))

This paper examined possibility of reduction and/or reforming of tar emitted during gasification of low rank coal in low-temperature gasification. During low temperature gasification, large amount of tar emitted and then interact with carbonaceous solid residue, i.e., char. This interaction is called as volatile-char interaction (VCI), and VCI results in inhibition of char gasification. Therefore, it is important to examine effect of operating conditions on VCI in continuous reactor. In the present study, we developed a circulating fluidized bed reactor that consisted of pyrolyzer and combustor. Coal was fed in the pyrolyzer and then volatiles including tar and inorganic gas etc. and char were formed. The char and silica sand bed material were transported to the combustor to be partially combusted. It means that char was recycled to the pyrolyzer and then contacted with tar in the pyrolyzer. In our previous study, we reported reduction of heavy tar and light tar when coal was fed onto the bubbling bed (top feeding). On the contrary to the previous study, we fed coal into pyrolyzer at the bottom of the bubbling bed. The heavy tar and light tar yield decreased in comparison with the top feeding condition, because tar vapor could be cracked in the bed (secondary cracking). Furthermore, we applied Kendrick mass diagram method that was frequently used in analysis of heavy oil to detailed analysis of heavy tar. According to the Kendrick mass diagram method it was found that deoxygenation was enhanced during char recycling in the bottom feeding condition.

Availability and temporal heterogeneity of water supply affect the vertical distribution and mortality of a belowground herbivore and consequently plant growth.

We examined how the volume and temporal heterogeneity of water supply changed the vertical distribution and mortality of a belowground herbivore, and consequently affected plant biomass. Plantago lanceolata (Plantaginaceae) seedlings were grown at one per pot under different combinations of water volume (large or small volume) and heterogeneity (homogeneous water conditions, watered every day; heterogeneous conditions, watered every 4 days) in the presence or absence of a larva of the belowground herbivorous insect, Anomala cuprea (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). The larva was confined in different vertical distributions to top feeding zone (top treatment), middle feeding zone (middle treatment), or bottom feeding zone (bottom treatment); alternatively no larva was introduced (control treatment) or larval movement was not confined (free treatment). Three-way interaction between water volume, heterogeneity, and the herbivore significantly affected plant biomass. With a large water volume, plant biomass was lower in free treatment than in control treatment regardless of heterogeneity. Plant biomass in free treatment was as low as in top treatment. With a small water volume and in free treatment, plant biomass was low (similar to that under top treatment) under homogeneous water conditions but high under heterogeneous ones (similar to that under middle or bottom treatment). Therefore, there was little effect of belowground herbivory on plant growth under heterogeneous water conditions. In other watering regimes, herbivores would be distributed in the shallow soil and reduced root biomass. Herbivore mortality was high with homogeneous application of a large volume or heterogeneous application of a small water volume. Under the large water volume, plant biomass was high in pots in which the herbivore had died. Thus, the combinations of water volume and heterogeneity affected plant growth via the change of a belowground herbivore.

Effects of belowground vertical distribution of a herbivore on plant biomass and survival in Lolium perenne

AbstractRoot herbivory affects plant performance, but the effects are not well understood. We tested the effects of the vertical distribution of a root‐feeding beetle larva (Anomala cuprea) by restricting its access to the top, middle, or bottom zone in pots of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) or by allowing unrestricted access. We predicted that plant mortality, biomass, and biomass allocation should change with the zone of root herbivory, because both the magnitude of root loss and the consequences of such loss are specific to the point of damage. Seven of nine plants died in each treatment in which the larvae had access to the top zone. In contrast, no plants died when larvae occupied the middle or bottom zones. Plants were killed when the larvae grazed the root base and severed the shoots from the roots. Moreover, total plant biomass and biomass allocation to roots were significantly lower when the larvae were confined to the top and middle feeding zones. The greatest number of roots were removed when the larvae occupied the top feeding zone. Thus, the vertical distribution of a belowground herbivore is crucially important to plant fate. In nature, most belowground herbivores are concentrated near the soil surface, and thus the effects of belowground herbivory are often more severe than the effects of aboveground herbivory.